Wishing to Be a Carefree Slacker
When it gets to the twelfth month of the lunar calendar, it’s nearing the New Year. Festivities start to liven up in every corner, but no matter how lively it gets, not a single thing can be done in disorder. The days for ancestor worship or offering to gods and Buddha are traditions passed down from the ancestors. If one misremembers or makes a mistake, the petty Earth Immortals will record it in their book and report it to the Heavenly Court.
The eighth day of the twelfth month marks the first festival of the month. On this day, the county of Xinan awoke early, with a thin layer of white frost covering the steps, and the breath exhaled from people’s mouths puffed out in visible white clouds. Even the cats and dogs preferred to curl up inside by the stove, reluctant to venture out. In this cold world, only people seemed eager to head out early, walking around, greeting neighbors with breaths puffing out in the cold air.
The wind came without warning, as if snow was about to fall, howling and whistling throughout the night. In some homes with thin window paper, the wind tore through and left a few holes behind.
Legend has it that on this day, malicious spirits and evil forces wreak havoc. To suppress and ward off evil, every household must cook porridge made from five grains and red beans. Outside the city, temples of all sizes set up large stoves and cauldrons, opening their gates to distribute Laba porridge to passing devotees. The people of Daxia revered immortals and worshiped Buddha, and on this day of Laba, they were especially devout. Even the small, obscure temples would sometimes welcome a few visitors who would stop by, have a bowl of porridge cooked by the temple masters, and return a handful of five-flavor beans in exchange.
Today, outside the city, two cities away from Xinan County, in a rundown little Taoist temple on the verge of collapse, a rare sight appeared—three or five travelers arrived. Their horses, chestnut-colored with gold saddles and jade bridles, stamped their iron-shod hooves hard into the small garden in front of the temple. The old and young Taoist priests ran out to take a look, seeing pits left in the ground and a few seedlings knocked askew. The old priest was so angry that he almost ascended to heaven, blowing his beard and slapping his thighs, exclaiming in distress, “My vegetable garden! My radish sprouts! My winter oil!”
Another rider arrived late. His horse, sleek and black, looked majestic. The rider himself was dressed in a striking red cavalry outfit, with a cape billowing in the wind. He had an air of nobility, distinctly different from ordinary folks. The black horse raised its front hooves and neighed, startling the Taoist priests into silence, their hearts aching for the radishes and cabbages they had painstakingly grown, all trampled by this group of young nobles.
“Second brother!” The young man who had ruined the garden patted his horse and called out with barely concealed excitement, “You’re too slow! Look at this new horse I got, it’s even faster than your precious Gale!”
The man in red slowly came to a stop, frowning slightly. “Get out. Mao, dismount and apologize to them.”
He then raised his head and warmly said to the old Taoist, “My younger brother was reckless, and we’ve damaged your vegetable garden. I apologize on his behalf, and we’ll compensate for any damages.”
“Huh?” The younger one finally noticed the old and young Taoists standing in front of the temple and mumbled, “This is a vegetable garden? I thought it was just a patch of weeds…” He quickly dismounted, ran over, and sincerely apologized, “I’m sorry.”
The man in red dismounted as well, while the attendants came forward to tie up the horses. He stepped into the garden and pulled out a pouch of silver pearls, saying, “Master, snow has fallen to the north. We braved the wind and snow to come here. Upon seeing this temple, we hoped to rest and escape the cold for a while. These silver pearls are to compensate for the damage to your garden.”
This bag of silver was more than enough to not only compensate for the garden but also to renovate the temple.
Mao quickly waved his hand nervously, afraid his second brother might decide to slaughter his horse and offer it as a meal to the Taoists as further compensation. “Poetry! Painting! Hurry up and take Amber outside!”
Amber, the chestnut horse, was a splendid steed with gleaming red fur, a powerful horse indeed, yet Mao had given it a delicate, soft name. In comparison to Second Brother’s Gale, it fell several tiers in grandeur.
Poetry and Painting, though reluctant, led Amber out of the garden and tied it next to Gale.
Perhaps horses reflect their owners. When Amber saw Gale, it immediately lost its earlier arrogance, quietly lowering its head to chew on some weeds. As for its owner, Mao, he too followed his second brother into the temple like an obedient lackey, calling out “Second brother, second brother” in an overly ingratiating manner. Even Poetry and Painting found it hard to watch.
Though the younger one was rather crude, the “second brother” was a reasonable man, courteous and polite. Despite his inner reluctance over the ruined garden, the old Taoist couldn’t find fault with the man in red. The apology was sincere, and the compensation was more than enough. Holding onto a grudge any longer would make him seem petty, unworthy of a Taoist’s reputation for tranquility. So, with a smile, he welcomed them inside.
It happened to be Laba, so he served each guest a bowl of Laba porridge to ward off the cold.
The young Taoist carried a tray with several bowls of porridge to the attendants outside. Poetry and Painting, accustomed to their young master’s antics, noticed how adorable the young Taoist, barely seven or eight years old, looked with his chubby cheeks, so they playfully teased him and even took out a few trinkets they had bought along the way to amuse him.
The temple was very small, cramped with a few faded statues of the Three Pure Ones, whose faces had lost their colors, with bits of clay falling off. Mao, pampered his whole life, had never faced financial hardship and naturally couldn’t appreciate the sight of the chipped statues or the bowl of dark, muddy-looking Laba porridge. He muttered complaints in his heart, though he dared not speak them aloud, for his second brother revered Taoism. If Mao dared to insult the Three Pure Ones, he’d be forced to copy the *Scripture of Purity and Tranquility* three hundred times as punishment.
After offering incense, Second Brother Min Ji sat down and ate the unsightly Laba porridge. Mao swore it tasted awful, burnt and bitter, yet his second brother managed to eat it with perfect grace, not even frowning. After finishing, he calmly asked, “Master, is there an inn nearby? And how far is it to Xinan County from here?”
Mao immediately straightened up, eager to hear the answer.
The old Taoist replied, “Xinan County is not far. Once you descend the mountain and reach the fork, head right. Follow that road, and by dusk, you’ll reach Pantian Town. From Pantian Town, it’s another two or three days to Xinan County. Since you’re on horseback, you’ll make good time. Today is Laba, and Pantian Town is quite lively with a temple fair. You’ll arrive just in time to catch the festivities.”
The young Taoist, having played enough with Poetry and Painting, excitedly ran back inside. He wore a small porcelain whistle around his neck, blowing it with a soft, whistling sound. He threw himself into the old Taoist’s lap, clutching the whistle, and proudly said, “Master, look! I got this for exchanging Laba porridge!”
The old Taoist saw that the porcelain whistle was exquisitely made, with intricate patterns of birds and cherries, vivid in color and finely detailed. Such a delicate item was far beyond the means of their impoverished temple, where even the beans for the Laba porridge were borrowed from the village below. Hastily, he reached out to take it back, saying, “This is something for adults; you shouldn’t just take things. Quickly return it.”
The child, playful by nature, was naturally unwilling. Min Ji, with a smile in his eyes, said, “No need to worry. Since they gave it to him, let him keep it as a toy. It’s not worth much.” After speaking, he stood up, preparing to leave for Pantian Town.
The old Taoist, deeply grateful, sent them off with profuse thanks. “Thank you so much, my lords!”
Just as they mounted their horses, Min Mao suddenly cried out, as if he had scraped against something.
Min Ji asked, “What happened?”
Min Mao raised his hand for Min Ji to see, a pained expression on his face. “We’ve been traveling light this whole time, without bringing anything along, and I haven’t had a proper rest or bath. My hand is so thin and fragile from the cold that when I pulled the reins just now, a hard thorn pricked me, and my skin broke right open! If this continues through winter, it’ll hurt me to death!”
The old Taoist, eager to offer advice, said, “Young lord, don’t worry! I’ve heard that in Xinan County, there’s a little miracle doctor who can cure all kinds of strange illnesses! Just the other day, I heard he saved the wife of some official in Xinan County who was already at death’s door. They say he can even bring the dead back to life! A cut hand is nothing for him.”
Min Mao, fascinated by stories of rare individuals, immediately asked, “Such a remarkable person exists? Where can I find him?”
The old Taoist replied, “Once you enter the city, on West Street, there’s a noodle shop run by a young man named Yu, who is none other than the miracle doctor.”
Min Mao’s interest was piqued even further. “That’s incredible! We were actually planning to visit that very noodle shop! Do you know—”
“Let’s go,” Min Ji interrupted, pulling on his reins and speeding off. Min Mao quickly cut his words short, clamping his legs around his horse’s belly, and chased after him, shouting, “Why did you run off so suddenly? Aren’t you going to wait for me? Ah, Second Brother…”
They sped off down the road.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen of *One Bowl Noodle Shop*, the scene was bustling with activity. The Laba porridge had been simmering since the night before. The day before, Yu Jinnian had prepared a dozen bowls filled with dried lotus seeds, chestnut kernels, walnut kernels, pine nuts, almonds, peanuts, red beans, and longan fruit, along with raisins and large red dates, not to mention a few varieties of beans. He personally washed each item, peeled off the skins, and soaked the dried goods in clear spring water. The longan and red dates were split open and pitted, then simmered with fragrant white rice overnight.
Every ingredient in the Laba porridge was precious, and it was well known for its ability to strengthen the spleen and nourish the stomach. The nuts were good for the kidneys and lungs, and the beans helped with digestion and bowel movements.
Today, as the lid was lifted, a rich aroma filled the air. The rice grains had blossomed, and the beans and nuts were round and intact. Yet, when pressed with the back of a spoon, they instantly blended into a smooth porridge. In the mouth, the porridge was soft and sticky, with a faint sweetness from the premium raisins and large red dates, requiring no added sugar.
A large pot of thick, fragrant porridge steamed, filling the air with the light scent of nuts. Even Dingdang, the little cat with a taste for meat, couldn’t resist sticking her head in to peek at the source of the aroma.
Yu Jinnian quickly scooped up Dingdang, handing her over to Duan Ming, who had just come in with some dishes. He told him to keep the cat away from the kitchen, suggesting that since the front was busy with customers, they could place the cat at the counter to serve as a lucky charm.
On this day, every household was making Laba porridge, though the ingredients varied. But *One Bowl Noodle Shop* spared no expense, putting over a dozen ingredients into the porridge, making it the finest in the entire city. While Laba porridge could be made and sold on ordinary days, on this particular day, it was mostly exchanged as gifts between neighbors, symbolizing peace, prosperity, and a bountiful harvest.
Thus, the Seven-Treasure, Five-Flavor Laba porridge from *One Bowl Noodle Shop* stood out as an extravagance in the cold winter of Xinan County. Even *Spring Breeze Delight Restaurant* on Baihua Street couldn’t quite match its grandeur—not that the owner of Spring Breeze Delight Restaurant was in the mood for competition at the moment.
The batch of salted green duck eggs that Yu Jinnian had pickled earlier was also ready. He opened the jar, washed the eggs clean, and boiled them. The eggs were then sold either individually or in portions at the front, providing a delightful accompaniment to the porridge.
The fragrance of grains and beans wafted through the streets, attracting many passersby to the noodle shop. Hearing that the Laba porridge was not for sale, they sat down and ordered a small dish just to get a taste of the complimentary Seven-Treasure, Five-Flavor porridge. The porridge was thick and rich, sweet and sticky. One mouthful was as satisfying as three from any other shop, and the bowls were large and generous. Most importantly, it was free, which made the porridge taste even better.
Yu Jinnian was no fool. He wasn’t running a temple or a Taoist temple, doling out porridge for charity. However, this year, he had made a handsome profit, advanced in his medical pursuits, and even attracted a beautiful figure like Ji Hong to anchor the shop. He was a man easily contented, and this kind of life was very satisfying to him. As the saying goes, joy is better shared. Since he was happy, he was naturally willing to give back to the customers who supported his business.
So today, anyone who dined at *One Bowl Noodle Shop* would receive a free bowl of luxurious Laba porridge. Moreover, neighbors from surrounding streets had also received bowls of the auspicious Laba porridge, fostering good relations all around.
In short, it was all about spreading happiness.
Little Boss Yu was in high spirits, and the lively atmosphere spread to everyone else in the shop. The waitstaff and runners seemed to have gained extra energy, and their generosity naturally didn’t go unnoticed. Soon, the porridge they had given away began to bring returns—left and right came bowls of five-grain porridge, seven-treasure soup, and small food boxes, filling the kitchen at *One Bowl Noodle Shop* to the brim. It seemed like they’d be eating porridge all day long, and there was even a gift of bird-shaped dumplings.
Yu Jinnian had never seen “bird heads” before. When he bit into one, he realized it was similar to dumplings, though the shape was different. Dumplings were ear-shaped, while bird heads were round with a little pointed tip on top, resembling a bird’s beak. The filling was quite ordinary, made from ingredients like radish, cabbage, walnuts, and tofu. Qing Huan explained to him that these were auspicious little treats for Laba, and eating them was believed to keep birds from ruining the crops in the coming year.
The customers mentioned that there would be a *Nuo* opera performance in the northern part of the city that afternoon, and both East and West Street markets were open. Many vendors were selling New Year’s goods, and since the cold was unusually severe this year, fur traders from the north had come with all sorts of mink, fox, and rabbit fur coats for sale. People from surrounding towns and villages were also coming into the city to join the festivities.
Yu Jinnian was quite excited by the news, as he needed to buy New Year’s goods himself. By the afternoon, he gave Qing Huan and the others time off to enjoy themselves. He wasn’t particularly attached to making money at this point in the year. After counting his stash of private savings in his room, he felt even more relaxed, thinking that even if they closed the shop for the next half month, they’d still have enough to eat, drink, and be merry.
Indeed, he was adopting the mindset of a carefree slacker, just like a salted fish living a leisurely life.
The whole crew at *One Bowl Noodle Shop* gathered for a meal of Laba porridge, shared five-flavor beans, and joyfully celebrated the Laba Festival together.
After the meal, Qing Huan and Duan Ming took little Sui Sui out for a stroll. The two adults and one child wandered around, with Qing Huan leading Sui Sui, excitedly looking everywhere, causing a bit of a commotion. Duan Ming, shy and awkward, seemed like he wanted to get closer to Qing Huan but was too afraid of being noticed—he looked just like a newlywed husband. Yu Jinnian, lying lazily in the shop after serving the last batch of customers, waited for Aunt Xu to finish her medicine and fall asleep before closing the shop and heading out with Ji Hong to buy New Year’s goods.
This place wasn’t like the world he knew before, where merchants were always rushing about, and you could even buy things on New Year’s Eve. Here, everything moved slowly. A day’s worth of tasks had to be meticulously broken down and handled with great care. Sometimes, they would even consult the almanac and, if the day was deemed inauspicious, would simply stay home, idling away without a care. When holidays came around, businesses eagerly shut their doors early, celebrating within their homes or out in the streets, lighting firecrackers and filling the air with the chatter of children.
Although Yu Jinnian had been adopted as a baby, a fear of loneliness seemed to be ingrained in him. He never caused trouble when left alone, but deep down, he was afraid of being alone. That’s why he always looked forward to the New Year, when his adoptive father, Yu Heng, would take a few days off to spend with him. Yu Jinnian would also put extra effort into preparing for a festive and lively New Year.
Now that *One Bowl Noodle Shop* was bustling every day, Yu Jinnian’s anticipation for the holidays hadn’t diminished. He still wanted everything to be perfect, so everyone could have a joyful New Year. Counting on his fingers, he made a mental list of things to buy. They had enough rice and flour at home, and there was still a large ham. He needed to buy cured meats, pickled goods, eggs, snacks for the New Year, several feet of red paper for writing couplets, firecrackers, and of course, some ink and paper supplies.
As they walked along, Ji Hong chatted with him, but Yu Jinnian was so absorbed in counting his shopping list that he almost walked straight into a vendor’s stall. Luckily, Ji Hong pulled him back in time, preventing him from knocking into a cage full of chickens.
Feeling embarrassed, Yu Jinnian quickly pulled a packet of five-flavor beans from his basket and handed it to the chicken vendor. The five-flavor beans, similar to the ingredients used in Laba porridge, were five types of beans dry-roasted with salt. They were exchanged as gifts on Laba Day, and those who liked them would snack on them with a satisfying crunch, while others kept them on hand for good luck and protection.
Not everyone carried five-flavor beans, but it just so happened that this chicken vendor, who had come from the countryside, had left early and forgotten his beans at home. The vendor was quite happy to receive Yu Jinnian’s beans, and though he didn’t have any roasted beans to return, he gave Yu Jinnian an egg in return. Yu Jinnian, seeing an elderly woman selling nuts nearby, gave her a packet of beans as well, and she, smiling, handed him a bag of her homemade salted yellow beans.
Whether you called it enthusiasm or simplicity, Yu Jinnian found the exchange with the townsfolk quite enjoyable. As he strolled through the market, giving out his five-flavor beans, he soon found his basket empty, but in return, he had received an assortment of small items from others. Although none of them were particularly valuable, they were all tokens of goodwill, and by the end of his round, it seemed as if everyone in the market knew him, greeting him as he passed.
Ji Hong followed behind, carrying the basket, and smiled helplessly, saying, “You’re really something…”
“Hm?” Yu Jinnian turned back to him, also smiling, with a sugar stick given to him by an old candy seller clamped between his teeth. He held it between his upper and lower teeth, his eyes curving into crescents.
Ji Hong’s heart skipped a beat, but he couldn’t show affection in public. He merely moved closer, their hands brushing together within the wide sleeves of their robes. Ji Hong’s hand was cold, while Yu Jinnian’s was warm. The warmth from their hands blended together, inseparable. Amidst the bustling crowd, Ji Hong lowered his head slightly, his fingers gently stroking Yu Jinnian’s palm before giving it a sudden pinch. “You’re irresistible.”
Yu Jinnian, with a smirk, replied, “Then don’t let go.”
The two continued their playful banter, the tension between them rising, almost as if they were ready to head home right away. Just then, they looked up and spotted a familiar figure. This person also seemed to be shopping for New Year’s goods, with a servant behind them holding two large pieces of cured meat.
The person saw them as well and, after pushing through the crowd, awkwardly smiled, “Master Ji, Shopkeeper Yu.”
Yu Jinnian greeted, “Lord Yan, it’s been a while. Congratulations on Miss Yan’s wedding.”
Yan Rong didn’t look particularly happy, and suddenly said, “After the New Year, I’ll be returning to the capital.”
“Oh?” Yu Jinnian smiled, trying his best to be polite, as this man was always preaching about propriety and virtue. “Then I wish you a smooth journey in advance, Lord Yan.”
Yan Rong, however, seemed displeased, as if he hadn’t heard what he wanted to hear, or hadn’t received the treat he’d been hoping for. His brows furrowed, much like they had the first time they’d met at *Spring Breeze Delight Restaurant* behind that screen, though the hostility in his eyes had diminished. While he might not have looked as intimidating as he once had, that didn’t change the fact that a slightly improved appearance wouldn’t endear him to anyone. The harsh words spoken about him wouldn’t magically disappear after a few shared drinks.
As far as Yu Jinnian was concerned, he had fulfilled all his obligations as a doctor and shopkeeper, and had even gone beyond what was required. He was clear in his conscience. Moreover, none of them were children anymore, and Yu Jinnian had no obligation to make him happy. So, he maintained his indifferent attitude, as if saying, “Speak if you must, but I may or may not care to listen.” He said, “Does Lord Yan have anything else to say?”
Yan Rong seemed to choke on his words. His throat moved as if he had swallowed back whatever he originally wanted to say. He glared at Yu Jinnian for a moment, then rolled his eyes and, with a flick of his sleeves, said, “Nothing more to say. Since you’ve already wished me a safe journey, I’ll wish the two of you prosperity, harmony, and may you be like mandarin ducks flying together. I hope you have a child soon!”
Every word was laced with sarcasm.
But so be it. They had started their relationship with mutual disdain, so it was fitting to part in the same manner—no need for unnecessary farewells or pretense. Yu Jinnian thought it was perfect. He didn’t like Yan Rong, and Yan Rong didn’t need to like him. What could be better?
Yu Jinnian rummaged through his basket and finally fished out the last packet of five-flavor beans from a corner. Since it had been squashed under a lot of other things, the beans felt somewhat crushed, but Yu Jinnian didn’t care. He handed the packet to Yan Rong, saying, “Well, it’s Laba Day, and since we’ve run into each other, let’s consider ourselves acquaintances. Take this.”
Yan Rong accepted the packet, feeling the crushed beans between his fingers. After staring at it for a moment, he instinctively started patting himself down, searching for something to give in return. He glanced at the goods his servants were carrying, but they were all large New Year’s items—nothing appropriate for a Laba Day gift.
Seeing him fumbling around, Yu Jinnian waved his hand and said, “Forget it. I don’t need anything in return. Just scold me a little less the next time we meet.”
Yan Rong’s face contorted as if he had eaten something bitter. His brows were furrowed for a long moment before he finally managed to squeeze out a response, “Fine. Next time, I’ll make sure to repay you!”
Yu Jinnian watched as Yan Rong stormed off with his two servants, disappearing into the crowd. He muttered, “What a strange guy. I helped him out of an awkward situation by saying I didn’t want anything, and he still gets angry? He’s like a walking ball of frustration. No wonder he’ll age fast.”
Ji Hong chuckled. “Who knows? Maybe he feels embarrassed for making a fool of himself in front of you.”
Yu Jinnian tilted his head, pondering. “But every time we meet, he scolds me. What does he have to be embarrassed about?”
Ji Hong wrapped his arm around Yu Jinnian’s waist. “You really are too kind-hearted. Come on, let’s go.”
The two of them wandered through two or three different markets until their feet started to ache. They even went to the northern part of the city to watch a lively *Nuo* opera performance. At this time of year, people were selling ice blocks, though it was still early in the season, and while Xinan County was cold, the ice on the rivers was thin and began to melt during the day. The ice blocks being sold were likely made with saltpeter.
Despite this, people eagerly bought the ice, since it was called *Laba Ice*. According to a local superstition, eating ice on Laba Day would keep you from getting sick throughout the year.
The ice seller was smart, setting up shop next to an old man selling overly sweet Laba porridge. The porridge was so sweet that it was almost inedible, but paired with the ice, it turned into a refreshing iced dessert, much like a summer red bean ice treat—sweet and cool.
Yu Jinnian joined in the fun and bought a bowl. As he ate, he took a shortcut on the way back to the shop. Eating ice in the freezing weather made him shiver, but there was something oddly thrilling about it. It was as if he was defying nature, shivering yet enjoying the sensation. Ji Hong, watching him, couldn’t help but ask, “Why torture yourself like this?”
Yu Jinnian, amused by Ji Hong’s confusion, took a small piece of ice into his mouth. Just before it melted, he quickly tiptoed and pressed his lips against Ji Hong’s slightly open mouth.
The ice melted on Ji Hong’s tongue, sending a sharp chill through his body. He shuddered from the cold, while Yu Jinnian laughed, but in the next moment, Ji Hong pulled him close, teasing his lips with his own. The cold sensation in their mouths soon warmed up as they kissed.
Before long, what began as a playful moment turned into something more passionate. However, by the time they were done, the Laba porridge in their bowl had melted into a watery mess, making it less enjoyable to eat. Still, following his principle of not wasting food, Yu Jinnian finished the last sip just as they arrived back at the shop, sticking out his tongue in satisfaction.
It was already dark by then, and the shop was still closed. Qing Huan and the others hadn’t returned yet, likely off watching a street performance or enjoying the temple fair outside the city.
As they stood in the quiet night, with hardly anyone around, Yu Jinnian wrapped himself around Ji Hong like a sticky rice dumpling, pouting as he looked up at him. “Just one more kiss.”
“There are people,” Ji Hong said helplessly.
Yu Jinnian protested, “Where? I’ve already checked.”
Ji Hong sighed, “There really is. Look down.”
Yu Jinnian turned around, skeptical, and suddenly spotted a pair of round, cat-like eyes glowing under the shop’s wooden board. The small figure, curled up into a ball, stared at them intently. Startled, Yu Jinnian approached for a closer look, then gasped in surprise, “Young Master Jiang? Why are you crouched here?”
Jiang Bingren sniffled a few times before suddenly letting out a loud wail.
Great, just after dealing with one grumpy person, now there was a crying child.