Chapter 36: Spring Festival of 1977

Although Mo Haoyue was absent, they still prepared a sumptuous feast. Mi Xia was very happy; the college entrance examination was resuming at the end of the year.

Mo Zhixia had grown another year older, almost four years old, and had grown taller.

This year’s Spring Festival was more lively than in previous years, as the country had finally weathered a decade of turmoil and was about to usher in a new era.

On New Year’s Eve, Mi Xia brought out many fireworks and firecrackers, claiming she bought them outside. This was the first year their family had set off fireworks, and the children were overjoyed, gaining bragging rights.

On the morning of New Year’s Day, Mi Xia, as in previous years, gave each child one yuan as lucky money. The children respectfully kowtowed to Mi Xia to pay their New Year greetings.

Mo Zhixia also imitated her older siblings in paying New Year greetings to Mi Xia, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

A movie was showing in the county town that day, so the children finished their breakfast early and asked their parents to take them. The whole family, each carrying a small stool, made their way to the movie screening location.

Many people, also carrying small stools and carrying melon seeds and peanuts, were heading in the same direction.

The winter was exceptionally cold. People nearby shivered in the wind. Even wearing thermal underwear and a down jacket, Mi Xia felt cold and longed to go home.

Fearing she would spoil everyone’s mood, she was relieved when the leadership, considering the low temperature, changed the screening location to a nearby auditorium.

People around them said, “That’s much better! It’s not cold anymore. Those who were outside in the wind were about to freeze solid.”

“Exactly! Thank goodness the leadership considered us. Otherwise, we’d still be out in the cold wind.”

Due to the change of location, the movie didn’t start until 9 pm. Everyone sat close together, which had the advantage of warmth.

The downside was that some people hadn’t bathed in a long time, and the pungent smell was overwhelming, making Mi Xia nauseous.

She endured the discomfort until the movie ended. Watching everyone disperse, she took a deep breath, feeling slightly better.

She decided to avoid such crowded places in the future.

Upon returning home, Mi Xia immediately went into her space and took a shower, feeling revived. After washing some fruit, she spent the rest of the time studying in her space.

She needed to work harder. She had to find time to read more during the day. Besides necessary tasks, she dedicated herself to studying in her space, although it wasn’t exactly self-study, as she had a computer with many excellent online courses.

After the New Year, people returned to work and school. Mi Xia bought some fabric and asked Zhang Hongxia to make some clothes.

A few days earlier, Zhang Hongxia had complained to Mi Xia, “Little sister, people just can’t stay idle. Since moving here, I’ve eaten and drunk well, but I feel like I have nothing to do all day.”

“Back in the village, I worked in the fields every day until I was exhausted. I used to wish I didn’t have to work, that I could just eat and drink at home all day.”

“Now that I’m living this life, I feel bored. People are never satisfied.”

Mi Xia nodded in agreement, thinking that perhaps she could suggest her sister-in-law set up a stall selling something, like braised goods or cold noodles.

Opening a shop wasn’t allowed yet; otherwise, she would have bought a storefront for them. Setting up a stall was a good alternative, though it would require traveling further.

She wasn’t sure if Zhang Hongxia would be willing. “Sister-in-law, I have an idea. See what you think.”

“You’re good at making braised dishes. You could make more and sell them at the market. In the summer, you could make cold noodles. That way, you’ll have something to do and earn some money. What do you think?”

Zhang Hongxia agreed after only half a minute’s thought. While others might be embarrassed to set up a stall, she wasn’t. She was only afraid of not having money. The two quickly reached an agreement.

Mi Xia negotiated with a butcher, agreeing to buy his offal and pig heads.

She bought some to test the waters. If they sold well, she could make more the next day.

They started working immediately, only finishing braising by dinner time. Mi Xia took out some samples to test the flavor.

“Mmm, delicious! We should make this often,” Mi Qiu said contentedly.

“Yes, Mom, let’s have this again tomorrow. It’s so delicious!”

Zhang Hongxia, encouraged by their comments, asked, “Do you think I can make money selling this?”

Mi Qiu hesitated before looking at Mi Xia, “Little sister, isn’t it difficult to do business now?”

Mi Xia knew that vendors were looked down upon. But money was important; they could save up to buy a house in the county town or even follow her to the capital to buy a storefront.

“Brother, Sister-in-law wants to do it. She’s bored at home all day, so let her try. If she doesn’t like it, she can stop.”

Zhang Hongxia said, “Husband, I have nothing to do at home. Let me try. You both said it was delicious.”

Mi Qiu said, “Okay, if you want to do it, go ahead. If you don’t like it, I’ll support you.”

“Husband, thank you.”

The matter was settled. Mi Xia found a furniture maker to build a cart with wheels for Zhang Hongxia’s stall.

The next day, Zhang Hongxia woke up earlier than usual. Excited to start her business, she made breakfast and went to the butcher’s stall Mi Xia had arranged. Zhang Hongxia bought the ingredients before Mi Xia woke up.

“Sister-in-law, why did you wake up so early?”

“I was so excited I couldn’t sleep. I’ve already got the ingredients.”

Mi Xia chuckled, understanding her sister-in-law’s excitement. “Sister-in-law, let me help you after I finish breakfast.”

Zhang Hongxia started preparing, beginning with cleaning the pig intestines. She put them in a basin, added flour and salt, and rubbed them to clean them thoroughly, repeating the process four times.

She then turned the intestines inside out, removed the fat, added a bowl of flour, and rubbed them again.

After rinsing them with clean water and turning them inside out again, the cleaning process was finally complete. Many other ingredients also required extensive cleaning and braising.

It was very time-consuming, taking until the afternoon to finish. For her first time, Zhang Hongxia didn’t go alone; she brought Mi Xia and the two younger girls.

Mi Xia had already chosen a location with many other stalls. She had Zhang Hongxia park there and opened the large basin on the cart.

The aroma wafted in the wind, attracting many people. Mi Xia had Zhang Hongxia prepare some samples, chopped into small pieces for people to taste before buying.

Customers could only sample one piece; further tasting required a purchase. Many who tasted the food bought a portion immediately. Business was booming, and everything sold out quickly.

Mi Xia said, “Sister-in-law, let’s go home. Brother will be off work soon.”

Zhang Hongxia was incredulous. Everything was sold out? She had made a small amount for her first day, fearing she wouldn’t sell everything, yet it was all gone?

She had earned more than her husband’s daily wage. “I want to buy some too!”