Chapter 80: The Indispensable Sense of Ceremony

Bai Xi gazed in the direction of the deep mountains for several seconds before finally nodding. Chen Rui thought she had succeeded in persuading Bai Xi to stay, and immediately smiled with delight. She had no idea that Bai Xi, upon probing the forest with her divine senses, had discovered that venturing any deeper would lead them straight into a herd of wild boars. If it was just her and Xiao Hei, she wouldn’t have minded, but with Chen Rui in tow, she wasn’t about to take such a risk.

Six pheasants, three hares, and a young stag—this was Xiao Hei’s haul for the day. It seemed like a lot, but Xiao Hei alone now ate four or five pheasants a day, and Bai Xi herself needed at least one, even with staple foods and side dishes to supplement. Bai Xi didn’t have to concern herself with cleaning and butchering the game; she simply gave the order, and it would be handled.

Upon hearing something lively was happening at the treehouse, Chen Yi hurried over to take a look. The more he saw, the more suspicious he became. Wasn’t life in the countryside supposed to be harder than in the city? In the city, he barely had meat twice a month.

No one explained things to Chen Yi. Everyone set about sharpening knives, boiling water, and getting the fire going. In no time, the venison was all cleaned up. Bai Xi kept one of the deer legs to be cured into smoked meat and had the rest cooked in a large pot with cabbage and potatoes for the village. Every household received a generous bowl, and once again, everyone enjoyed a hearty meat meal.

Chen Weiguo’s family was currently living in his cousin’s old house. Next spring, once they were allocated a plot, they could build their own home and occasionally bring his wife and son back to stay for a few days. For now, they dined together with his cousin’s family, marveling as they ate venison. This was wild deer—something you wouldn’t see even a few ounces of in the city in a month, and even frozen pork was sometimes hard to come by. Yet here in the countryside, they could feast on wild game.

No wonder people say you live off the land and water around you. This was a far better life than scraping by on government rations in the city.

“Cousin, has life in the village always been this good?”

“How could that be? Just a couple years ago, we were as poor as anyone else. Things are better now, thanks to the old mistress’s blessings. If it weren’t for her, who here would get to eat meat so often?”

Fang Ya, listening nearby, thought to herself: Wasn’t this meat hunted by Xiao Hei? The old mistress is just a little girl. Sure, she raised Xiao Hei, but that’s hardly the same as catching the game herself.

Chen Weiguo’s cousin, though a country man, was not without sense—otherwise, Chen Daliu wouldn’t have arranged for Weiguo’s family to stay with him. He spoke as if by chance, but with a hint of warning: “You’ve only just returned, so it’s no wonder you don’t know. The old mistress is a woman of great abilities. Just remember to uphold the rules of Niuluo Village and respect your elders. You won’t suffer for it—only gain blessings.”

Chen Weiguo readily agreed. Though he was still a bit baffled, having returned to his ancestral roots, he was determined to follow the village customs. Besides, his father had yearned to return here until his dying day. The villagers were easy to get along with, never unreasonable—if anything, they were scrupulously proper. He couldn’t help but like it.

On the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Niuluo Village began its annual water-draining fish catch.

Xiao Shunzi and a few others had told Bai Xi about it in advance, so with nothing else to do that day, she went over to watch the festivities. With grain stores full, and the fish catch underway, soon to be followed by the communal pig slaughter, everyone could look forward to a good New Year.

The villagers were in high spirits—nothing, not even a steady drizzle, could dampen their enthusiasm. Armed with bamboo baskets, shouldering hoes, balancing yokes, and carrying buckets, they gathered around the pond, waiting to get started.

This was the happiest day of the year for the children. With the pond drained and the adults present, they could openly play in the mud and catch fish, and sometimes even outdo the grown-ups.

“Old mistress, it’s an auspicious hour,” someone called.

Under the villagers’ expectant gaze, Bai Xi calmly accepted the mallet from Chen Dalou and struck the gong. She had discovered that for any event of some importance in the village, even if she didn’t attend, she would be consulted; if she did show up, she was always asked to perform the opening ceremony. As if her presence alone lent the proceedings a different significance.

At the sound of the gong and a burst of cheers, Chen Daliu gave the order, and the able-bodied men hefted their hoes and began breaking the dam to release the water.

A few nets had been set up at the outlet, so there was no fear of the fish escaping. The pond’s fish had never been fed; they were all wild, caught just once a year. The pond was not only the source of the village’s most important year-end dish, but also the reservoir for irrigating the fields.

It was the weekend, and knowing today was the fish catch, Chen Yi’s family had returned as well. From afar, Chen Yi saw the lively scene by the pond. He let go of his parents’ hands and ran over to greet his friends, then dashed to Bai Xi’s side, grinning, about to say hello.

The next moment, Chen Yi froze, disbelief flashing across his face as he circled behind Bai Xi, staring for a few seconds before darting further away, his eyes fixed on her. His face turned white, then green, then white again, until at last he could hold it in no longer and burst into loud sobs.

“Waaah…”

His wails rang out over the pond, drawing the attention of everyone waiting for the water level to drop.

“What’s the matter?”

“Isn’t that Weiguo’s boy? Why’s he crying here?”

“Could it be he doesn’t see his parents and started bawling?”

“No way—this isn’t his first time back, he’s wild as can be, never sticks to his parents.”

“Then what’s he crying for?”

Everyone began to gossip.

Soon, Chen Weiguo and Fang Ya hurried over. Seeing their son crying so miserably, they were both puzzled.

“Xiao Yi, what’s wrong?”

“Son, what happened? You were fine just a moment ago—why are you crying now?”

Chen Yi sobbed, glancing up at his parents and then at Bai Xi, standing under her umbrella, feeling even more aggrieved.

“Waaah… Aunt… Auntie, you lied to me…”

Though Bai Xi was some distance away, she caught every word. A line of black dots seemed to flash across her brow. When had she ever lied to him?

Chen Weiguo was stunned, then his face darkened. He grabbed his son by the collar and soundly smacked his bottom.

“You little rascal, how dare you talk nonsense!”

Only when Chen Weiguo started to spank Chen Yi did the villagers’ expressions ease. The old mistress had stood on the bank the whole time and hadn’t moved an inch. For the boy to accuse her of lying the moment he arrived—he must be out of his mind!

No one stepped in to stop the scolding; in fact, they muttered to themselves that a few more smacks would do him good.

Chen Yi, now being spanked, cried even louder.

“Waaah… mushroom… big mushroom… mushroom spirit…”

His broken sobs made Bai Xi whip around and immediately call out, “Where is it?”

Could it be that the boy had seen the mushroom spirit and been frightened to tears?