Xie Zhong entered and coughed lightly. An elderly man emerged from the inner room. He was short but possessed sharp, vigorous eyes.
Upon seeing Xie Zhong, the old man smiled broadly. "I knew you’d be the first to arrive. I even bet with Old Baldy on it. He said you’d show up at lunchtime, but I insisted you’d be here first."
Xie Zhong glanced at him. "And what did the others bet? Which number did they guess for me?"
"Old Yao and Old Zhang bet you’d be second or third. Old Chun bet you’d be one of the last two. Old Li stayed neutral to act as the referee." The old man was quite amusing. Indeed, the older one gets, the more childlike they become, making bets over such trivial matters.
Xie Zhong looked at the elder. "Needless to say, this idea must have come from you, Old Zhan."
Old Zhan chuckled dryly. "Life is too boring; one must find some fun."
Xie Zhong snorted. "Making fun of me is your idea of fun?"
"How could I dare?" Old Zhan said, gesturing warmly. "Come in quickly. My wife, Old Xu, has prepared snacks and treats. It’s our turn to host the gathering this year, and she is overjoyed."
Xie Zhong did not stand on ceremony. He took Zhu Yanyi’s hand and followed Old Zhan into the house. The interior was warm. Zhu Yanyi noticed a heated brick bed, known as a kang, in the room. This was a feature found only in the North. In Jiangnan, such beds were unused because the climate was warmer. However, at the same freezing temperature, the North felt more comfortable due to its dry air, whereas the South’s heavy humidity made the cold feel biting. In this era, without air conditioning, wealthy households might have charcoal or copper stoves, or hand warmers. Most ordinary families simply used salt bottles filled with hot water for warmth. It was surprising to see a kang here.
"Old Xie has arrived." A woman stepped out. Zhu Yanyi guessed this must be Old Xu, as Old Zhan had mentioned.
"Old Sister-in-law, you must be tired today," Xie Zhong greeted with a smile.
Old Xu laughed. "Tired? Why would I be? We have a couple to help. Look at Old Yao, Old Chun, and Old Baldy—they are all single."
Xie Zhong replied, "Actually, I quite enjoy Old Baldy’s vegetarian dishes. Few can match his skill."
"Old Xie, you’re speaking ill of me again," said a man wearing a semi-new Tang suit. Her head was completely bald, and Zhu Yanyi noticed incense scars on her scalp, indicating she was a monk.
"Old Baldy, I wasn’t speaking ill of you. I was praising you," Xie Zhong laughed. "Your vegetarian dishes are indeed excellent."
Hearing this, Old Baldy smiled. "Next time, I’ll treat you to a vegetarian Buddha Jumps Over the Wall."
"Then it’s settled," Xie Zhong said with a grin.
"Old Baldy’s vegetarian Buddha Jumps Over the Wall is truly a masterpiece." As he spoke, several more people entered—three men and two women.
"Now that I’ve arrived, you’re all here. How united you are," Xie Zhong teased.
"We are here to welcome you," one of the women in a qipao said with a smile.
Zhu Yanyi looked curiously at each person. Xie Zhong smiled at her and introduced them. "This is Grandpa Zhan and Grandma Zhan. You should call these Grandpa Yao, Grandpa Zhang, Grandma Zhang, Grandpa Chun, Grandpa Guang, and Grandma Li."
Zhu Yanyi nodded politely. "Hello, Grandpa Zhan, Grandma Zhan, Grandpa Yao, Grandpa Zhang, Grandma Zhang, Grandpa Chun, Grandpa Guang, and Grandma Li. Happy New Year to you all. I wish you happiness and success in everything."