The saying goes, "On the seventh and eighth days of the twelfth lunar month, the chin freezes off."
So, to avoid freezing one’s chin off, it is customary to drink Babao Porridge on the day of Laba.
As to why drinking Laba porridge would prevent one’s chin from freezing off, no one knew, but nonetheless, on this day, people of all economic statuses would boil the porridge to drink.
Last year, the main branch of the Yang Family could not even spare a bowl of rice soup, let alone Babao Porridge, but this year was different.
Early on, Yang Ruxin had prepared everything and was ready not just for eight ingredients, but to brew different types of Babao Porridge.
One type was made from ingredients like rice, jujubes, peanuts, longan, and sesame. Another involved ingredients such as rice, millet, japonica rice, mung beans, soybeans, and peas, so everyone could choose according to their preference.
Before dawn today, Ruxin got up early to soak all the ingredients, and after washing up, she started the fire and began boiling it. By breakfast time, it had thickened and softened just right.
"Big sister, the Babao Porridge is so delicious," Sini said as her big eyes squinted into narrow slits.
"I wonder if Ying has had any Babao Porridge," Erya spoke in her childlike voice. "I miss her."
Sini suddenly fell silent.
At that moment, Zhou Ying and Zhou Xiao were also in an inn with bowls of Babao Porridge, but neither of them seemed very interested, the reason being that the porridge cooked outside wasn’t as tasty as Ruxin’s.
Feeling resigned, Zhou Jiang realized once again that Ruxin’s place in his children’s hearts had perhaps surpassed his own.
Back at the Yang household, upon hearing the children express their longing for Zhou Ying, Mrs. Feng couldn’t help but sigh, "I have no idea where Ayao and the others have reached by now. Ayao loved this kind of porridge with various ingredients, and could drink three big bowls every Laba."
"Aunt Feng, when Ayao comes back, we’ll brew it again for him to drink," Ruxin’s heart was also filled with concern, and in an era without mobile phones or satellites, it was indeed very difficult to contact someone. Therefore, all that everyone could do now was wait.
"Mother, Ayao will be fine," Gu Qingheng reassured with a smile. "They have only left Beijing just over a half month ago. It will take them at least another half a month to return..."
After glancing at Qingheng, Ruxin realized that he had a way of staying in contact with Beijing, which meant he had a special channel. What could it be? Pigeon post, perhaps? But she had never seen a pigeon arrive, so she let it be. Who doesn’t have their secrets?
After breakfast, Yang Rulin arrived with his people, bringing two study desks and two wardrobes. They were designed in a modern style, so they had been carried over in pieces, then assembled in order to form finished pieces of furniture.
"Xinxin, the dressing tables will be ready in two or three days. Is there anything else you need?" Yang Ruxin wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"For now, this is complete. I’ll let you know if we need anything else," Ruxin replied with a smile. "Oh, and there’s news from Beijing. It says that those pieces of furniture are selling very well. The returning transportation team has brought back orders."
Yang Rulin’s smile turned brilliantly radiant.
"Dani, is Dani home?" Just as Yang Rulin and the others had left, before reaching indoors, a voice from outside called out, "Why am I being stopped at the door? Have you moved into a large house and now no longer recognize your relatives? Xun Hui..."