OFTLHFRO C184
by berryChapter 184: A Bustling New Year’s Eve
“I’ve already asked the City Lord,” Luo Mingchen said. “He told me they can provide ovens on their end, so we only need to bring along a skilled cook. It’ll be on the twentieth day of the first lunar month, when the crowds are at their largest. Our market officially opens at the beginning of the second month, so it’ll be the perfect opportunity to build anticipation beforehand.”
After listening, Hu Zhongyi looked puzzled.
“Build anticipation?”
“Well…”
Luo Mingchen realized the term wasn’t easy to explain.
“Basically, we advertise while there are lots of people around. Since it’s close to the market opening, the effect will be much better.”
Hu Zhongyi nodded after hearing the explanation.
Although he didn’t understand the word advertise, he understood the latter half well enough.
“If there’s anything the two of you need me to do, just say the word.”
“We definitely will.”
Luo Mingchen had no intention of being polite with Hu Zhongyi.
“When the market opens, we’ll also need enough people stationed to protect Cold City’s merchants. Every area must be properly guarded so enemy spies can’t slip in under the cover of the crowds.”
“Understood.”
Just as Hu Zhongyi was preparing to leave, Luo Mingchen called after him.
“In a couple of days it’ll be New Year’s Eve. Why don’t you bring Sister-in-law and everyone else over for the reunion dinner? We’ll roast a whole fat lamb.”
“Sounds great!”
Hu Zhongyi laughed heartily.
“The more people, the livelier it is. I’ll bring some fine wine with me. My wife specially brought it all the way from the capital, and I haven’t even been willing to drink it myself. When the time comes, we’ll drink until none of us can stand!”
Although he wasn’t fond of alcohol, Luo Mingchen smiled politely.
“Then we’ll be looking forward to Brother Hu’s treasured wine.”
Only after Hu Zhongyi had left did Luo Mingchen remember the Wolf King Fortress souvenirs Huo Xinyue had brought back for Hu Jing—
Which was to say…
An enormous pile of beautiful, brilliantly colored crystals.
Outside Wolf King Fortress, those crystals were exceedingly rare…
And worth a considerable fortune.
Naturally, Luo Mingchen couldn’t deliver such valuable gifts personally.
Instead, he sent Huo Yuhui, Huo Xiang, and Huo Xinyue to deliver them.
If the gifts came from Hu Zhongyi…
People would inevitably accuse him of currying favor with his superior.
But if they were simply exchanged between children…
There wasn’t much anyone could say.
Luo Mingchen had gradually realized that ever since he and Huo Yan became entangled in all these political affairs…
The number of things he had to consider had increased dramatically.
Last year’s New Year hadn’t been particularly enjoyable.
Mainly because they had been unfamiliar with the capital…
Without a single close friend nearby.
This year, however…
They had gathered quite a large circle of friends.
It was far livelier than any previous celebration.
Since Ji Bowen was now with them, writing the Spring Festival couplets naturally fell to him.
Sheets of bright red paper covered the table.
Everyone gathered around to watch Ji Bowen write.
Liu Changlian recited loudly,
“First line: A hundred years renew Heaven and Earth with vital energy.”
Once Ji Bowen finished writing the first strip, Liu Changlian continued,
“Second line: A unified land welcomes an age of everlasting peace.”
Huo Xiang immediately shouted,
“The horizontal scroll—Peace and Prosperity Throughout the Nation!”
Luo Mingchen laughed.
“Strategist, I also want one about getting rich!”
Ji Bowen smiled and obediently wrote another.
First Line: Harmony brings prosperity and lasting wealth.
Second Line: Good fortune and peace endure forever.
Horizontal Scroll: May Everything Go As Desired.
“Perfect!”
“Write a few more!”
“Oh, right!”
“Xiao Chen!”
“Hang the portrait of the God of Wealth inside my room.”
“Put it near the head of my bed—that’s where I sleep!”
It was something Luo Mingchen had purchased in Wolf King Fortress.
According to the shopkeeper…
It was astonishingly effective.
He had completely forgotten about it until the previous night.
Since today they were already hanging the upside-down Fu characters throughout the residence…
He figured they might as well hang the God of Wealth too.
Xiao Chen grinned.
“You got it!”
Seeing how delighted his husband looked, Huo Yan suddenly remarked,
“There are no gods in this world.”
Luo Mingchen immediately protested.
“There may not be any other gods.”
“But the God of Wealth definitely exists.”
“Does he?”
Seeing Huo Yan’s obvious disbelief, Luo Mingchen tried to persuade him.
“The shopkeeper said the statue is incredibly effective.”
“Look.”
“After we bought the God of Wealth’s portrait… didn’t people start throwing gold at us?”
Huo Yan looked at him calmly.
“Are you certain they weren’t throwing it because of your face?”
“We stayed in Wolf King Fortress for quite a while, and people were still giving us gold.”
“That proves it’s working.”
Listening to his two fathers argue back and forth, Huo Yuhui sighed helplessly.
After the debate continued for quite some time, Luo Mingchen finally glared at Huo Yan.
“So tell me.”
“Does the God of Wealth exist or not?”
“If not…”
“You’re sleeping outside tonight.”
The two looked at one another.
After a long pause, Huo Yan answered,
“…He exists.”
Only then did Luo Mingchen happily wrap both arms around Huo Yan’s waist.
“That’s more like it.”
“Tonight we’ll pray extra hard.”
“Next year we’ll definitely become filthy rich!”
Passing by, Hua Yaoyue couldn’t help asking,
“You two still need more money?”
“Of course.”
“The more money, the better.”
Hearing that, Hua Yaoyue fell silent.
That…
Actually wasn’t wrong.
Since there were so many people, Luo Mingchen obviously couldn’t prepare the entire reunion dinner alone.
Although no one else was allowed into the kitchen…
They could certainly help slaughter chickens, ducks, pigs, and sheep.
Whenever boiling water was needed, Luo Mingchen simply manipulated it outside using his water tendrils.
After eating his cooking for so long…
No one questioned where all the fruits and vegetables actually came from anymore.
In truth…
Even the rice tasted noticeably different from ordinary rice.
But…
Who cared?
As long as it tasted good, that was enough.
Besides…
Even if someone tried investigating, they would never uncover the truth.
Huo Yan had become a professional fire tender.
His control over the flames was so precise that Luo Mingchen sometimes suspected he secretly possessed fire abilities.
Every level of heat Luo Mingchen wanted…
Huo Yan managed to produce perfectly.
Red lanterns were hung throughout the entire residence.
Spring Festival couplets and Fu characters decorated every doorway.
Hu Zhongyi’s family arrived quite early.
Without hesitation, he rolled up his sleeves and went straight to slaughtering the pig.
“What are all of you afraid of?”
“You just stab it right here!”
As he spoke, he drove the butcher’s knife cleanly into the pig and quickly collected an entire bucket of fresh pig’s blood.
Zi Yuan, quietly holding several different kinds of poison powder: “……”
Zhu Qing, who had been preparing to take down the enormous pig with concealed weapons: “……”
And everyone else…
Who hadn’t even figured out where to begin: “……”
Standing beside Hu Jing, Huo Xinyue stared with wide eyes full of admiration.
“Uncle Hu is amazing!”
The massive pig had been squealing endlessly while everyone surrounded it…
Yet no one had known where to start.
Hu Jing puffed out her chest proudly.
“Of course!”
“My father’s family has raised pigs and slaughtered them for generations!”
Hearing that, Sun Li couldn’t help laughing.
Fortunately, Huo Xinyue was still young enough to sincerely believe pig slaughtering was an extraordinarily impressive profession.
Her little face was filled with admiration.
Once the pig finally stopped screaming, Xiao Lin smiled as he prepared to go help.
“They finally managed to butcher it.”
Hua Niang smiled warmly.
“Shall we head out together?”
“Alright.”
Xiao Lin carefully supported Hua Niang as they walked outside.
Their responsibility today was hanging lanterns and pasting Fu characters throughout this courtyard.
Since Hua Niang’s pregnancy had progressed considerably, no one assigned her any work.
Hong Xing had thoughtfully reminded Xiao Lin that they would soon be slaughtering the pig, suggesting he stay with Hua Niang in the courtyard for a while so she wouldn’t be startled.
As a result…
They ended up waiting there for quite a long time.
A proper reunion dinner naturally required chicken, duck, and fish.
At the same time…
The dishes couldn’t all be overly rich and greasy.
Otherwise everyone would quickly become tired of them.
The pig was enormous.
Luo Mingchen selected a large slab of pork belly for braising.
He also stewed a massive pork knuckle.
The remaining meat was distributed among Hu Zhongyi and everyone else who usually cooked for themselves.
This year’s reunion dinner filled two entire tables.
The rich aroma of delicious food drifted everywhere.
Zhu Qing and Xiao Chen took the firecrackers outside to light them.
The crackling explosions echoed through the courtyard.
Only after the two returned…
Did everyone finally begin eating.
Smiling, Luo Mingchen looked around at the crowd gathered before him.
Celebrating the New Year surrounded by friends…
Really was a wonderful feeling.
That evening, Luo Mingchen also drank a small cup of wine.
Originally, Hu Zhongyi had wanted him to drink a little more.
Then he noticed Luo Mingchen leaning against Huo Yan, cheeks flushed bright red.
Whenever someone spoke to him…
He simply grinned foolishly.
Only then did Hu Zhongyi realize…
He was already drunk.
“No way…”
Hu Zhongyi stared in disbelief.
“Just one tiny cup?”
“And he still insisted he wanted to drink more.”
Huo Yan calmly finished the wine Hu Zhongyi had just poured.
“Everyone… please enjoy yourselves.”
“I’ll take Mingchen back to rest.”
Everyone immediately expressed their understanding.
After all…
The meal was nearly finished anyway.
They could clean everything up themselves afterward.