“Tell me, ShiYan, how much did Pa give you?! Come on, quickly!”

“Patience, ReZhui! Your father really sealed it…tight-…-ly! Argh!”

Currently, ReZhui was alone with ShiYan and Eddisson, walking aimlessly through one of the vendor streets. Previously, ReZhui intended on going together with his mother and brothers, but MeiYue permitted him otherwise. In her words…

---

“But Ma, wouldn’t it be better if we stick together? The more the merrier, don’t you think?”

Sighing at her child, she replied, “Listen, ReZhui, with the number of people here, it would be worse if we lost each other along the way rather than we split off in the first place.”

“Don’t worry about that, Ma! I can pace myself slower for you and I am sure my friends could too.”

“No, ReZhui. I wouldn’t want to be a burden for the three of you and I believe all of you deserve this.”

“...!” She pinched his cheek. “What…Ma!”

“Listen up, child, I have raised you ever since you were an infant. My eyes have seen everything from head to toe, so do not think you could get away with fooling my thorough observation of you.”

She pressed deep into his torso. Instinctively, ReZhui contracted his abs and she traced his firm muscles.

“W-what’s this now, Ma?! You’re embarrassing me!”

She then tried to push him off-balance but ReZhui immediately resumed a temporary stance and stabilized his core. MeiYue felt like she was pushing a heavy rock.

“See what I mean? You can’t hide it.”

“...well…”

“I am still clueless about what Mr Xu did to you to make you gain this healthy and strong physique that I had seen your father had in his later teens, but whatever it is, I am thankful that you are passionate about doing it and keep up the good work.”

“...”

“And I digress…”

She hugged him while taking the chance to whisper close to his left ear.

“ReZhui, to be honest with you, out of all my sons, I can confidently say that you are the one I least worry about.”

“...!”

“While QiWen and CuLei only stuck to the paddy fields, you are flying off to places that I never knew, and in the future, I may lose sight of your ambition.”

She let him go.

“You are becoming an independent man, ReZhui, with your talented friend.”

“...”

“...You do not deserve to be restricted by us plain farmers. Go on, and do what’s best!”

“...”

ReZhui felt what his mother said wasn’t all falsehood. Although he detested those thoughts, he admitted that a part of him was convinced and now, they were all he could think of. His reasoning grew lazed and finally, he accepted.

His beloved mother’s best wishes got the better of him.

“I now understand, Ma. Thank you, and I love you.”

“...”

“I’ll be back, wait for me!”

.

.

.

A loud crunch sounded in the area, muffled by the passing crowds.

“AT LAST!” ShiYan cheered at her strength. After chipping away at the seal of that gifted red packet for quite some time, she had finally opened it.

Looking over her shoulders, ReZhui noticed the white interior and waited in anticipation.

ShiYan tucked her fingers into the opening and spread the sides apart. Out of the hole, several bronze coins and a flat pouch of seeds fell onto her hands.

“whoa…” Stopping at the side of a stall, the trio soon began identifying what ReZhui’s father gave her.

Instantly, Eddisson gave his detailed account.

“I-I see…20 bronze, and those seeds probably belong to a family of Saan flowers.”

“Saan flowers?”

“They have petals of violet and short stems. Traditionally, they are used in cosmetics. With their distinctive smells, they can be a substitute to the powders in your perfume pouch, ShiYan.”

“I see, Eddi. How thoughtful of him!”

“Eddi, was this from that botany journal you borrowed?” ReZhui questioned.

“YES! And I finished it last month. It truly was a colorful book.”

With ShiYan’s uncovered, she turned to Eddisson with his very own.

“...?”

“Well, what are you waiting for? Open it, Eddi!”

“R-right!”

With some extra tugging and nailing, the red packet opened in similar fashion.

“Oh!”

“Interesting!”

“W-what…”

In his hands, there was the same 20 bronze but this time, he received paddy stems. The same ones grown in ReZhui’s village. Given that this was not only ReZhui’s first with such a massive scale, but also Eddisson’s first ever Spring Festival, the blonde boy’s eyes sparkled at this gesture. It meant a lot to him.

“ReZhui…”

“Yes?”

“Please tell your father that I give my thanks to him.”

“...Sure thing!”

“...”

“...”

“Alright then, boys! How shall we spend this money?” ShIYan smirked. In her hands, she slid out several more red packets from her pockets and fanned them in front of ReZhui, giving him immense shock.

“ShiYan…how much is in all that?”

ReZhui was not fazed by the sheer number that she had, given that he also received a lot from the farmers in his village.

“Father’s very alienated from his distant relatives after what had happened so I only received one from him, another from Aunt He and the rest from his subordinates and close acquaintances. In total, I counted 7 silver taels.”

“Whoa…”

Instead, he was surprised at the amount she was given throughout the day leading to the festival.

“This much should be more than enough for us to spend lavishly at the fairs, and ReZhui, remember that Eddi is also part of my household so he also gets a similar amount.”

“...” ReZhui furrowed his eyebrows at him.

“I-I mean, not everyone ShiYan met also gave me. Only those that have professional ties to Mr Xu gave me some spare handouts out of courtesy-”

“Eddi! I told you to drop the formality, didn’t I?!”

ShiYan pounced on him, pulling his ear.

“R-right, ShiYan! I’m sorry! Aahh!”

“Say it then!”

“Mr…Mr YaoMing.”

“Now that’s better!”

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Satisfied, she released him from her grasp and tidied herself up. Eddisson promptly stepped aside, flushed red at his checks with a part of his hair sticking out awkwardly. He noticed it and proceeded to smoothen it down.

Watching this animated duo in action, that was the spirit of the Festive New Year for ReZhui. In a light laugh, he commented.

“You two really are growing closer to one another, like a true brother and sister!”

“...”

“ReZhui!”

Eddisson looked away in embarrassment, while ShiYan glared back at him, realizing how much of this was new to her, who’s always labeled as the lord’s treasured daughter. An only child, previously called for the both of them at different ends of the wealth spectrum and race.

In spite of their reactions, ReZhui knew that deep down, his words struck their hearts and he smiled innocently back at them, much to the dismay and anger of a flustered ShiYan.

“Take this, foolish ReZhui!”

She launched a straight right punch to his left pectoral muscle, but ReZhui took evasive movements, sliding on the outside and into her out-stretched arm. He then proceeded to entrap her in an arm lock.

“Ach!”

Realizing this, ShiYan weaved her leg into his unstable stance, aiming to trip him to the ground.

“...!”

“...!”

However, they both failed to react in time to either one's counterattacks, resulting in a stalemate. Now they stood; still, firm and in a delicate balance. Any unnecessary movement could end with the both of them falling to the ground and dirtying their fresh bright clothes.

“...wow…” ShiYan grimaced at this pose. Many onlookers passed curious eyes into what they thought was a performance while Eddisson panicked at the sudden escalation. Sighing, ReZhui called to him.

“Eddi…A little help here. It seems like we are stuck.”

At his request, Eddisson, having gained significant muscle as well over the past months, easily supported ReZhui and ShiYan partially in either arm while they loosened their limbs. Their impromptu performance had ended for the crowd, who some cheered unaware.

“...Does your arm hurt, ShiYan?”

“Thick-headed bastard…I too apologize for being the aggressor.”

They reconciled with one another.

“A-anyhow, shall we explore more of this place?!” Eddisson demanded, hoping to bring the conversation to something more light-hearted.

“...ShiYan, could you lead the way?”

“Hah! Did you know I am a veteran of these places, ReZhui? I know these stalls like the back of my hand, you see!”

“Then lead the way, young lady!”

“Prepare your stomachs, gentleman!”

Walking in bold, long strides, the trio truthfully started their Spring Festival celebration spree right at that moment on.

.

.

.

Wherever ReZhui’s eyes landed, it felt like a blur of red and gold. Handheld lanterns that passed him and lanterns hung underneath the rooftops of stalls. Animals, food, furniture and weapons, whatever item he could think of, ReZhui saw countless shops selling them along wooden racks.

Some sold masks of wood or hardened paper with the maker’s inkwork being shown at the entrance as a form of attraction. Multiple children, ages younger than him, were seen running around wearing them. Most of the time, he was reminded of MianJu who would perhaps consider his unchanging black blindfold a part of his mask.

“ReZhui, do you want one?”

“Huh!?”

ShiYan looked back at him and sneered.

“I think everyone should at least get one before they reach fifteen.”

“Well…”

“Eddi, what about you…Wha!”

But, he was already there at one of the stalls that caught his eye.

“Happy Spring Festival, weird kid with the golden hair, what could this uncle get for you today?”.

The mask maker emerged out behind the display shelf, while ReZhui and ShiYan sprinted up to his location. Rubbing his fingers, Eddisson then pointed a finger to one. It was a colorful, wavy design. The dominant blues and whites made out the shape of a wrinkly smirking grin, with the thick lips being a bleak black. Dried fox fur was stuck underneath the bulging cheeks of the said mask, which then connected together to form a thick, humorous mustache.

“...really…”

The craftsman was surprised, moreso the bewilderment from ShiYan and ReZhui.

“A-are you sure, kid? Why not choose those ones below there?”

This particular mask was the variety used by horror opera theaters and the potential buyers for these were expected to be adults.

“No please, I want that one there.”

“...Alright, kid, you win.”

And the mask maker knelt down and gave it to him.

“WHOA!!!”

Now in his hands, Eddisson brought his mask closer and continued to view it in awe. The craftsman also received his payment. A total sum of 45 bronze coins.

“Thank you, Mister!”

Eddisson said as he put it on.

“No worries, kid. The customer always has the final say in this, and with appearances as unique as yourself, I should’ve been more prepared to expect the unexpected. Have a good one, kid!”

With that last wave, Eddisson rushed back to ShiYan, reciting all the fascinating details he found in this mask. Meanwhile, ReZhui was scanning over his remaining set of masks.

“Hey, pretty boy!”

“...!”

The mask maker approached beside him, admiring his own designs.

“Is that golden-haired boy a friend of yours?”

“Eddi is a close companion.”

“...Erghm, anyhow, got any choices, kid? Or are you planning to top up his performance with yours to question my sanity?”

“Say, Mister Maker, do you mind if I ask you a question?”

“And now, you’re doing just that…I’m all ears.”

“Although you did call Eddi a strange and awkward kid with blonde hair and blue eyes, why didn’t you detest him upon first contact?”

“Wha…That’s…a weird question indeed.”

“Well, I find you abnormal, Mister, for not distancing yourself away from Eddi. Why’s that, unlike many others before you?”

“...Damn, handsome, aren’t you the child philosopher?!” The craftsman scratched his neck.

“...”

“My answer’s easy. As long as it’s a customer with the will to spend money, no matter if it's a saint or demon, I will still entertain them to earn enough to feed my family for the next day.”

“...”

“But, I can see other businesses rejecting him regardless, so I have another reason to back myself, boy.”

“What’s that?”

“I am an artist. My entire livelihood revolves around colors and the abstract.”

“...!”

“So meeting a child with a palate swap wouldn’t freak me out in any way unnecessarily. Understand, pretty boy?”

“Yes…Yes, I do.” He declared.

“Now that you’re satisfied, have you picked a choice already?”

“...I’m still…”

As ReZhui informed the others to wait outside, he entered behind the stall for more options.

“Whoa!”

Within the room, dozens of masks hung from pins nailed to the yellow wooden walls. At the very end, there were buckets of water and blocks of pigment, and the door that led out to the alleyway.

“See which one is yours, kid.”

“...”

ReZhui’s eyes ran around in circles all over the place. Two minutes had passed and he still hadn’t found a match. Surprisingly, the mask maker remained patient and proceeded back to do his next piece, shoving aside some trash to shuffle his chair towards the child. From row to row, it continued to be unsuccessful.

“Darn it!”

ReZhui was already fed up with this and decided to try in the next mask stall.

Turning back to the craftsman, ReZhui was about to tell him that he gave up, but that’s when he spotted something.

It was a mask of bold, sharpened patterns. A myriad of bright scarlet and black with a sleek, serpentine unibrow, followed by three spots along the shape of the lower eyelid. Both of which are of jade green. Finishing it off were the distinctive set of gold teeth that curved outwards like a yaoguai of folklore.

“Mister, I want that one.”

“What?”

His eyes met at the lone mask that sat across him, sticking out under a pile of ink-splotched illustrations. Picking it up and examining it near a lantern, the craftsman sighed deeply.

“What’s the matter?” ReZhui asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing, kid. It’s just…I used to create multiple of these designs from the previous Spring Festivals. If I recall correctly, this was a bestselling design a decade back and I had many orders placed for them. But the customers soon got tired of them and six years later, I narrowly sold my last at a bargain.”

He then held it high.

“This. This is the one that’s bargained, but I rejected the offer at the last second.”

“...”

“I guess since then, this thing has been under the wraps in my utensil crate, away from the wear and tear like the others I dispose of.”

“What a story, Mister.”

“Well, that's a blunder on my part. Catch!”

“AH!” ReZhui successfully caught it, “Oh right, the money!”

“Hold it, boy.”

The craftsman held his palm out.

“Pardon?”

“It’s free.”

“Seriously? Why though?”

“What do you mean ‘why’? That mask has been sitting there for so long; I doubt you’re older than that.”

“...”

“It’s the last that I’ve ever made, so keep it safe.”

“...You got it, Mister!”

With that, the trio gathered back together and blending in with the other children in the crowds, they wore theirs with pride.

“ShiYan, are you gonna get yourself one?”

“Nope, I’ve grown tired of wearing one. I don’t see the appeal anymore.”

“I see, that makes total sense.”

“Say ReZhui, did that artisan really give you that for free?”

“Exactly, ReZhui…t-that’s not fair.”

Eddisson also added.

“Well, what else can I say other than that I got lucky? Haha! Does it bother you, ShiYan?”

“Wha-no way that would, you brute! That thing clearly shows its age despite the high quality. Rather, it’s Eddi who should be jealous!”

Their bickering continued until they reached the end of the first street.

Afterwards, ShiYan led the boys all over the Western Bank of the Bai river. There were hundreds of different food stalls to try from and for a novice, they would surely have a hard time finding the best dishes for the night. While judging the length of the queues is the optimal strategy, nearly every stall has at least several people waiting for their orders. Especially when all the stalls served food that were equally delicious, competition was fierce. Thankfully for ReZhui, ShiYan probably had tasted all of them and could differentiate the greatest from the great. Hence, they only ordered from the places she took them too and ate the food she recommended.

From light to heavy meals, a range of flavors served sweet to bitter, and large varieties of spices and supplements, it was a treasure trove of mouthwatering sensations. ReZhui had several bowls of generous noodle portions. From flour, glass and rice noodles, they were either poured into warm bowls of meat broth, dipped in mixtures of sauces or stir-fried in a wok atop a roaring flame.

Rice cakes, bread filled with endless combinations of toppings, smoky seasoned chicken and beef on a skewer, delectable but deadly spicy stewed liver and stomach lining, and finally, freshly iced tanghulu, ReZhui surprisingly ate all of those in consecutive order from one whole hour of sitting, standing and walking all over the place.

On the other hand, ShiYan, and especially Eddisson, also devoured all those appetizing dishes in a similar time. Perhaps, the fact that they traveled while eating most of this stuff, helped them immensely in quickly digesting all that food. In the end, they certainly had their fill.