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墨書 Inktalez
Aunt Zhou warmly welcomed Xiao Fang and her family, even cleaning the already tidy new house for them to stay in. Sister Luo felt particularly embarrassed as she busily helped out. Xiao Fang pulled the plump and hospitable Black Treasure over to introduce her to their father. Niu Niu jumped into Yezhi's arms, her clear eyes greedily looking at her owner as if they hadn't seen each other for hundreds of years. Wolf Child sleepily patted Xiao Fang's head before returning to the house to cuddle with Big Wolf and fall into a deep sleep.
Unknowingly, two days passed in the midst of busyness. Elder Brother Yu took the medicine from Bidefo's delivery and, under Barefoot Aunt's dedicated care, felt much better. Sister Luo was so grateful that she didn't know what to say and directly knelt down to bow, startling everyone present, who all rushed to the ground to stop her.
The parts for the oil extraction equipment finally arrived by express delivery. In order to produce oil by the thirtieth day, Yezhi tirelessly tried to piece together the seemingly incomprehensible blueprints. Xiao Fang enthusiastically guided her, saying, "Master, that's wrong! You've got the direction reversed!" The more she guided, the more chaotic it became. After much effort, they finally managed to assemble the small parts and began extracting oil from the stored rice bran.
Village Uncle smiled as he watched the rumbling wooden container. "Yezhi, will you really be able to produce oil tomorrow?"
"Village Uncle, why are you peeking at my work again? If I can't produce oil tomorrow because you disrupted me, don't blame me!" The "No Trespassing" sign meant nothing to the villagers. Fortunately, Village Uncle was there to scare away Everyone. Little did they know that Village Uncle was the most curious one of all; he frequently peeked in, startling Yezhi so much that she asked Xiao Fang to keep an eye on him so she wouldn't be exposed.
The rice bran was already in the wooden container, undergoing separation, mixing, and pressing, just waiting for the oil droplets to fall into another container.
"Village Uncle, I'm going home now, you...!" Before Yezhi could finish her sentence, Zhou Village Head said sympathetically, "Girl, you've worked hard these past two days. Don't worry! I'll keep an eye on things here; go home and rest well." Yezhi was at a loss for words; there was no need for anyone to watch over this place!
A Qian kept returning home and after drinking a bowl of oat porridge served by Sister Luo, she fell asleep immediately.
When she woke up, it was already dark outside. "Sister Yezi! At Village Chief's house and Egg Brother's house, they've put up lantern poles with colorful flags flying above; it's so beautiful!" Xiao Fang exclaimed enviously.
At that moment, Wolf Child and Black Treasure ran into the house covered in colorful flags. "Haha! Where did these come from? They look festive!" Niu Niu, who was perched on Yezhi's head, wouldn't let Black Treasure steal the spotlight and snatched a flag to wrap around herself. Wolf Child proudly showed off that she had taken these from One Egg's roof. Yezhi felt a bit dizzy; would One Gun Brother come over later?
"Sister Ye! Let's hang them up!" Wolf Child indicated with the flags she had taken. Yezhi laughed uncontrollably as she clapped on the table.
Aunt Zhou turned around and took out colorful paper. "Wolf Child, Xiao Fang, let's make lanterns and flags too." Yezhi had never been good at such crafts since childhood; even during summer and winter breaks when handwork was assigned, it was always her mother who did it for her.
Wolf Child and Xiao Fang looked at Yezhi with eager eyes; she had no choice but to toughen up and get started. Making small triangular flags was simple enough, but how would they make lanterns? If only they had oranges; they could make two orange lanterns to fool the little kids. Xiao Fang received her master's call for help and searched online for videos on how to make lanterns and blueprints. Each lantern looked exquisite as Yezhi followed along; finally completing the task with vibrant colors.
Sister Luo helped Elder Brother Yu into the house. Elder Brother Yu smiled and said, "Yezhi's round lanterns are quite nice!" Sister Luo quickly nodded in agreement. Yezhi felt a mix of emotions; she had clearly made square lanterns.
Aunt Zhou found a pine pole, fixed a tripod on top, tied a small iron ring, threaded a rope through it, and then hung the lantern up, setting the lantern pole upright.
In the pitch-black night, every household in Zhoujiatun had hung up lanterns, bright and beautiful, creating a lively atmosphere.
“Mom, I want a small lantern! One for Wolf Sister and one for me!” Little Fan clung to her mother's leg, acting cute.
Sister Luo faced the colored paper, and with Elder Brother Yu's help, quickly made rabbit and butterfly lanterns. Yezhi thought they were too exquisite and cute, and shyly asked for one too. “Sister Luo, how do you make them so pretty? Better than the ones sold in stores!”
“I couldn't afford to buy them when I was young, so I had to figure it out myself!” Sister Luo placed a small candle into each of the three completed lanterns, and they were finished.
Wolf Child admired the beautiful lanterns and happily took Little Fan, who also held a lantern, to show off to One Egg. Black Treasure looked at her empty hands and stubbornly tried to snatch the goldfish lantern from Yezhi. Angered, Yezhi kicked its round bottom twice. Feeling wronged, Black Treasure shrank into the corner of the wall, sad and alone. Elder Brother Yu couldn't bear it and called out, “Black Treasure!” This little guy just wouldn't let go of Yezhi and pitifully cried out, “Mama Bear is the worst! So unreasonable, bullying me!”
...
Early in the morning, Yezhi rushed to Team's temporary oil workshop. As soon as she entered, she was startled by Village Uncle sleeping against the door. “Village Uncle, wake up!”
“Oh, Yezhi is here!” Village Uncle, who had been half-asleep, suddenly stood up straight. “Yezhi, quickly check if the oil has been pressed out.”
Yezhi walked over to the container holding the oil and peeked inside; it was filled with amber-colored Rice Bran Oil. “Village Uncle, the bran oil is ready!”
Village Uncle was so happy he could hardly contain himself. “Then I'll notify everyone to distribute the oil right away.”
“Wait a minute; this bran oil still needs processing.” To ensure the oil is clear and free of impurities, several steps are necessary: degumming, decolorizing, dewaxing, neutralizing acid, and de-fatting.
“Yezhi, how long do we have to wait? Today is New Year's Eve; everyone is waiting for oil to cook!” Village Uncle urged.
“In two hours. Uncle, you notify everyone to distribute the oil then,” Yezhi patted her chest confidently.
As the clear, transparent Amber Liquid flowed into the sealed wooden barrel, Village Uncle excitedly hugged the oil and drank it. "Village Uncle!" Yezhi exclaimed as she watched him scoop a handful of oil and drink it.
"Fellow villagers of Zhoujiatun, I am the village chief! Our Rice Bran Oil has been pressed! Everyone, bring your containers to the Team to share the oil..." To be honest, everyone had been eagerly waiting. Without waiting for the village chief to finish speaking, they rushed towards the Team.
"Look at this oil! I've never even seen Soybean Oil besides lard! Now we can finally enjoy this unique Rice Bran Oil, haha!"
"That's great! Today I'll cook a couple of dishes to treat my family."
"My man always complains that my cooking is bad. Today I'll show him what real cooking is like."
The villagers who received the oil were all delighted, chattering excitedly about the delicious dishes they would prepare for dinner. Yezhi also took a jug of Rice Bran Oil home.
The sound of firecrackers echoed everywhere, with smoke and the smell of gunpowder quickly filling the mountain village, officially kicking off the New Year's Eve celebrations.
"Isn't it too noisy, Elder Brother Yu?" Yezhi asked with concern. Elder Brother Yu shook his head with a smile, "It's fine; it's like this during the New Year. It creates an atmosphere."
Black Treasure, Niu Niu, and Big Wolf did not agree. Big Wolf had completely lost his usual bravado; his ears drooped as he lay in the corner without lifting his head. Black Treasure covered its ears and curled up in fear while lowly growling. Niu Niu buried itself in a pile of blankets. Yezhi laughed at them, saying they were so timid they were even less brave than Big Yellow, who looked on with a sad expression and defended himself with a bark, indicating he wasn't scared; he was just more accustomed to it.
Er Zhu hurried over, "Sister Ye, my dad invites your whole family to our house for New Year."
"Er Zhu, thank Village Uncle for me. Our family will just celebrate at home today!" After saying that, she gave Er Zhu some candy as a sweetener.
Er Zhu solemnly declared, "Sister Ye, I've grown up! Only little kids like candy!" After saying that, he ran away without much confidence.
On New Year's Eve, making dumplings was a family affair. The filling was made by Yezhi, while Aunt Zhou rolled out the dough. Sister Luo, Elder Brother Yu, Xiao Fan, and Wolf Child wrapped dumplings.
Wolf Child shaped a piece of dough into a small dog and proudly showed it to Big Wolf. Xiao Fan followed suit and made a round shape claiming it was Black Treasure. Black Treasure swallowed it whole and blinked its little black eyes in confusion: Didn't Mama Bear say there would be lots of delicious food today? Why didn't this have any flavor?
Dinner was entirely prepared by Yezhi, featuring delicious pan-fried radish cake, garlic stir-fried cured meat, a platter of sausages, diced rabbit with dried tangerine peel, steamed carp, shredded cabbage for good fortune, and chicken soup with Elm Yellow Mushroom.
Yezhi took out the last bottle of Blueberry Wine that she had been reluctant to sell, pouring it for Aunt Zhou, Sister Luo, Elder Brother Yu, Wolf Child, and Xiao Fan. "This is fruit wine, brewed at home. A little won't get you drunk; in fact, it's good for your health!"
Sister Luo stood up and said sincerely, "Yezhi, Aunt Zhou, we don't know how to repay your family's kindness. Let us raise a glass to you!"
Elder Brother Yu's eyes glistened with tears as he held the wine pouch in both hands. Aunt Zhou felt a bit uncomfortable. "Xiao Luo, Less, please don't mention kindness anymore. It feels distant to me. Besides, I haven't done much!"
"Dad, Mom, I want to toast too," Xiao Fan eagerly raised her glass. Wolf Child had already downed a cup; the sweet and sour taste of Blueberry Wine made her refill her glass while everyone was distracted.
Yezhi clinked glasses with Xiao Fan and said, "During the New Year celebrations, why say all this? Sister Luo, you and Elder Brother Yu should wish Aunt Zhou and me a Happy New Year filled with good fortune and great success... that will do."
Aunt Zhou chuckled and said, "Right! Or wish our Yezhi finds her ideal husband soon!" Elder Brother Yu and Sister Luo laughed as they watched Yezhi's face gradually turn rosy.
With this commotion, the atmosphere became relaxed, and everyone finally focused on the delicious food. After clearing the dishes, people began arriving outside one after another—little kids dressed in new clothes. The girls even tied their hair with red ribbons. In contrast, Yezhi's family felt shabby and regretted forgetting to wear new clothes for the New Year!
One Egg burst through the door shouting at Yezhi, "Sister Ye, I’m here to wish you a Happy New Year!" After saying that, he knocked his head three times in front of her.
Yezhi was taken aback by One Egg's formality: she had never been bowed to so respectfully before!
One Egg extended his hand expectantly towards Yezhi. Realizing what was happening, she understood that One Egg just needed to say a few auspicious words for the New Year instead of going through all these formalities. "We're peers; you should be wishing Aunt Zhou instead." Yezhi handed One Egg the red envelope she had prepared earlier.
One Egg happily accepted it and then suddenly knelt down again before Aunt Zhou. "Aunt Zhou, I'm here to wish you a Happy New Year!" This made everyone burst into laughter as Aunt Zhou handed him a red envelope. Sister Luo also took out a red envelope to give to One Egg. He looked confused; he hadn’t even wished yet but was already receiving red envelopes.
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