Chapter 5 Fives

In the evening, everyone gathered in Tingyuxuan, arranging tables and seats.Both Mrs. Zhou and Juexin hadn't arrived yet, so Cuihuan rowed out to pick Mrs. Zhou up. The light of day had just faded, and the moon had risen.It was still quite bright in the open well.Shuhua and Juemin stood in front of Youlang's vermilion lacquered railing. They chatted some gossip and then went into the rectangular hall.The large hanging kerosene lamp hanging in the center of the hall was lit, and the light shone out through the glass door.There are two bright corner lamps burning on the long table in the corner.

Qin and Yun were placing ivory chopsticks and silver wine glasses and saucers, and Qixia and Mei were moving chairs and stools, and Juemin hurried over to help them. "Cousin Yun, you do it too?" Shuhua said in surprise when she entered the room.She went over to snatch the chopsticks from Yun's hand. "You went out to play by yourself, and Cousin Yun did it. I've never seen the reason why the host stood by and let the guests do it! We are all guests," Qin complained to Shuhua with a smile while doing things. "Second brother told me to go out, we never played around," Shuhua said confidently. "Besides, sister Qin, you are not considered a guest, you belong to our family." She couldn't help but chuckle.

"Bah," Qin spat at Shuhua, and she told Shuzhen again: "Fourth cousin, you see she always bullies me, why don't you come and help me beat her up." Shuzhen was helping Qin to put melon seeds and almonds on a silver plate with two compartments. When she heard this sentence, she raised her head and smiled intimately and replied, "Sister Qin, let her talk, don't talk to her." Qin deliberately praised Shuzhen and said: "After all, it is the fourth cousin who understands the truth. Third cousin, if you talk about it again, I will ignore you." "It's funny, do people say I'm good at my age?" Shuhua laughed.She made everyone laugh.

"I don't have the same knowledge as you," Jean said deliberately.After they had set the cups and chopsticks, she left the table and walked towards Shuhua. Shuhua saw Qin approaching and ran away quickly.She just ran past Juemin, and Juemin gently pinched her braid, and he said to Qin, "Sister Qin, I was caught by you." "Second brother, I don't agree to help sister Qin," Shuhua protested to Juemin with a smile, without breaking away. "Second cousin, let her go. Who wants to catch her? I just want to scare her," Qin said with a smile. "Third sister, I've been too 'used' to you these days, and you've learned to bicker. See what good is fourth brother's slippery mouth? Don't you hate him too?" Juemin put down Shuhua's braid and pulled One of her hands, half persuasive, half joking.

"Ah, just now I was nicer to others, so I talked about 'usual usage'. I'm so self-absorbed, I'm not ashamed! Helping Sister Qin in front of so many people, how thick-skinned!" Shuhua knew her brother Now that he likes her, he said it indulgently, and stretched out his finger to stroke his cheek twice. Juemin put his mouth next to her ear, said two or three words, and Shuhua nodded. The maid Huang Ma came into the room and asked Juemin, "Second Young Master, are you serving the food now?" "You bring up the cold basin first. The dishes will be put into the pot for a while, and the wife and young master haven't come yet," Juemin ordered.

Huang Ma agreed with "yes" and was about to go out when Juemin said again: "Huang Ma, the wine is hot, so take it out first." Huang Ma agreed again and went out. Shuhua walked to Qin's side, Qin was talking to Yun, and Shuzhen was listening.After Qin finished speaking, seeing Shuhua, she smiled and asked, "Why are you back again? Aren't you afraid that I will knock you?" "Second brother has already committed crimes for you, I will forgive you now," Shuhua said solemnly. Qin stretched out her hand and tapped Shuhua's head lightly, and said angrily and with a smile: "This is really: the country is easy to change, but the nature is hard to change."

"Also, let me tell you for you: dogs can't spit out ivory," Shuhua said with a mischievous smile. "Third cousin, you are self-aware," Qin couldn't help laughing. "Sister Qin, you have to understand that I just let you go because of my second brother's affection. If you say it again, I won't let you go," Shuhua continued to attack Qin, she was very interested in the debate . "Good sister, don't talk anymore. Even if I can't tell you, okay?" Qin said affectionately, taking Shuhua's hand. "Sister Qin, are you still being polite to me? Now that we are together, we should talk and laugh," Shuhua replied, looking at Qin intimately. "If you don't joke now, you don't know when everyone will disperse in the future. If you want to talk and joke, no one will come to listen to you." There is no sentimental tone in Shuhua's voice.

Qin frowned slightly, and said melancholy: "Why do you say such things? Now everyone is happy together." Shuzhen sat on a chair next to the rosewood round table, and interjected: "Second sister doesn't know what she's doing now in Shanghai..." "Take the tram, walk to see the houses," Shuhua blurted out. "This is interesting, the second cousin's letter is really interesting," Yun praised, two dimples appearing on her round pink face.She remembered the letter Shuying sent her from Shanghai. "Would they think we're drinking here now?" Shuzhen said reminiscently.

"How could they have imagined it? The road is so far away?" Shuhua replied casually, her words cruelly broke Shuzhen's dream. Huang's mother brought in four kinds of cold dishes in a basket: cold sting skin, pepper chicken, ham, and preserved eggs.Shuhua and Juemin put them on the table. "Second sister doesn't know when she will come back?" Shuzhen's lonely heart was tormented by nostalgia, and she whispered in pain, as if she was harboring a difficult question and hoped that someone would give her an answer. Everyone was silent, and the weak words blew away the smiles on their faces like a gust of wind.Even the outspoken Shuhua was dumbfounded by this usually taciturn girl.Qin looked at Shuzhen's thin face with concern, and she whispered comfortingly: "She will come back one day." She knew in her heart that she was not telling the truth.

Shuhua didn't know Qin's thoughts, she thought she was the only one who understood this matter, she said, "Come back? The second sister will never come back! The third father will let her come back? If he doesn't beat her to death, he will drive her out." " "The third uncle is so cruel?" Shuzhen said in fear, she was about to cry. "If you don't believe me, just look at it," Shuhua said angrily, she didn't pay attention to Shuzhen's voice and expression. "Third cousin, don't scare her, you're about to cry," Qin said, protecting Shuzhen pitifully.

"It won't be like this! It won't be like this!" Shuzhen shook her head and said angrily. "How many times have you met a father who is not cruel? Why do you think the second sister left? How do you think Cousin Hui died?" Shuhua said loudly as if she was arguing. Qin glanced at Shuhua.Master Mei lowered his head.Yun also blushed.Juemin walked up to Shuhua, put his hands on her shoulders, and said gently: "Third sister, don't just talk like that. Who knows what will happen in the future? The second sister can come back, and the third brother can also come back. Society is improving every day. Third dad" he said these two words suddenly, and said vigilantly : "Mom is here, don't talk about such things again." He saw Cuihuan holding a wind and rain lantern and turning out from behind the rocks and plantains. All eyes were on the door.Mrs. Zhou shook her rather fat body and struggled to get up to the stone steps. Behind her was Mrs. Zhang, who was slender and tall. Mrs. Zhang's feet were not allowed, and they were a little bigger than Mrs. Zhou's. The road is easier. "The third aunt is here too," Shuhua said in surprise. Zhou and Zhang entered the house, and Juexin also came.Mrs. Zhou said with a smile: "I have invited the third aunt to you." "Very well, Third Aunt rarely played with us. But we don't know the rules, so Third Aunt should not take offense," said Qinkou welcomingly. "Miss Qin, why are you so polite? I'm afraid that our elders will interrupt your sister's interest if we elders get in the middle of you," Zhang said with a modest smile. "Obviously Third Aunt is being polite, but Third Aunt says I am being polite! Third Aunt is willing to come, we wish for it, Eldest Aunt, Third Aunt, please sit down," Qin accompanied her with a smile. "Third Aunt, today is Mom's treat, you need to drink more," Shuhua interrupted. Juexin told Qixia, "Qixia, go and call Huang Ma to warm the wine." Qixia promised and walked out quickly. "Third brothers and sisters, don't be too polite, please sit down. Miss Yun, Miss Qin, please sit down too," Zhou gave way.Everyone was humble, and then sat down. Mrs. Zhou talked to Mrs. Zhang while eating melon seeds. Seeing that everyone was restrained, she encouraged her and said, "Today we are just pretending to be aunts. Don't care about the elders and younger generations. Be casual." That's good. It's too restrictive, but it's not interesting." "Yeah, I also think it's better to be more casual," Mrs. Zhang agreed.She said to Shuhua again: "Miss San, you are usually in the best spirits, you love to talk and laugh, don't be restrained just because I'm here with your mother today. Actually, we also like to be lively." "Let's eat the food," Mrs. Zhou picked up her chopsticks to make way for everyone. "Everyone, it's better to be polite," Qin pursed her lips and said with a smile. "Brother, I'm afraid you won't come. Have you eaten?" Shuhua asked with a smile. "I left after the meal. I also had two glasses of wine with the tenant surnamed Li. They haven't left yet. The third father is still telling them about the rent collection this year. I played my mother's sign, He said he wanted to accompany his cousin, so he came out," Juexin said excitedly with a blushing face; he turned his head and called out the door: "Wine!" Qixia and Huang Ma came in with wine jugs.Huang Ma said to Cuihuan: "Sister Cui, you two serve the wine. I'll serve the food." Cuihuan agreed and took the jug from Huang Ma, and took it to the banquet with Qixia. . Seeing the wine coming, Mrs. Zhou said to Qin with a smile: "Miss Qin, you are right. Now punish me with a glass of wine. I will play tricks with you later." She picked up the wine glass in front of her and drank it for a while. Toast.Everyone followed her and put the glass to their lips. Huang Ma brought the first dish and stayed here.Mrs. Zhang brought in the second dish.She handed the vegetable bowl to Huang Ma, and went out again, and Huang Ma brought the bowl to the table.Cuihuan and Qixia took wine jugs and poured wine in front of everyone. After eating two dishes, Mrs. Zhou said to Qin: "Miss Qin, how about playing boxing now? Three punches and two wins, three times a glass of wine." "I dare not guess with my aunt," Qin declined with a smile, "I can't guess well." "I'm not necessarily better than you, and it's rare for me to check punches," Zhou said. "Miss Qin, don't be too polite. Juicing is just for fun. Everyone is happy today, so you don't want to refuse," Mrs. Zhang persuaded. "Sister Qin, do things happily, you are afraid of drinking, can I eat for you?" Shuhua encouraged. "Okay, I'll guess with my aunt. But I really don't know how to drink, so let's eat half a glass each time. What does my aunt think?" Qin looked at Mrs. Zhou and said. "That's fine, it's up to you," Mrs. Zhou replied with satisfaction.At the same time, she told Qixia and Cuihuan to pour the wine quickly.Seeing that the wine glasses in front of them were full, she looked at Qin and gestured.Then he let out his hand, and cried: "The leader of the Five Classics." Qin also let go of her hand with a smile, and she called "Sixi".The crowd watched with interest. Neither of them guessed very well, but the qin was worse, and her voice was not very loud.After guessing three times, Qin lost a punch; after guessing four more times, she lost another punch, and looked at the wine glass and said, "I said I couldn't guess, but now I really lost." "Sister Qin, don't talk too much, drink quickly," Shuhua urged. "It's nothing the first time, and I didn't guess well." Zhou said happily. At the second start, Zhou won another punch. "Sister Qin, be careful," Shuhua reminded. "Sister Qin, can I guess for you?" Juexin suddenly volunteered. "It doesn't matter, I'll guess it myself," Qin Dai said with a smile.She put her hand out again, and after guessing seven or eight times, she actually won a punch, and then she won another punch.She said happily: "The eldest aunt lost." "Mom eats wine, mom loses, mom can eat more," Shuhua said proudly. "Qixia, pour wine for the wife." "Third daughter, you should help me. Why did you help your cousin Qin?" Mrs. Zhou complained to Shuhua after drinking half a glass of wine. "Sister-in-law, you don't know that young people always help young people," Zhang Dai said with a little emotion, and she forced a smile.When everyone heard this sentence, they all thought of Shuying who was far away in Shanghai, and even Shuhua was stunned for a while. "Miss Qin, you won't win this time!" Zhou hurriedly used these words to stir the air that had just calmed down, and she let her hand out again.Jean wins the punch first.Zhou also won a punch.But in the end, Qin won. "My aunt asked me to do this," Qin laughed, and she saw Mrs. Zhou drink half a glass of wine again. "Miss Qin's fist is very good. Miss Yun, you can guess with her," Zhou encouraged Yun. Yunzheng had this idea, and as soon as Mrs. Zhou said it, she said to Qin who was sitting next to her: "Sister Qin, let's still guess three times." Qin hesitated for a moment, then smiled and replied: "Okay, but I won't guess anymore." "And me," Juexin said quietly from the side. "And me," Juemin also said, with a smug smile on his face. Qin looked at Juemin in surprise.He nodded slightly. "Are you coming too?" Shuhua said in surprise. "Why didn't I come? Could it be that I can't guess punches?" Juemin asked back with a smile. "Then there's me too, and I want to play boxing games with Sister Qin," Shuhua said solemnly. "You want to guess too? When did you learn it?" Qin asked Shuhua strangely. "Let me guess the cock fist with you," Shuhua replied, trying to hold back a smile. "Third Cousin, thank you for being able to tell. You're not a three-year-old kid who still guesses cock punch?" Qin burst out laughing, and everyone laughed. Yun wiped her mouth and urged Qin, "Sister Qin, I'm waiting for you." "I forgot," Qin replied, turning her head. "I don't guess well, don't laugh at me," Yun said modestly. This time they also guessed three times.For the first time Yun won.Mrs. Zhou immediately said, "Now Miss Yun is going to avenge me." In the future, the two will each win once, so it is still Yun who wins. "Now it's my turn," Juexin said calmly when he saw Qin drinking. "No, I'm not coming," said Jean, somewhat contentiously. "I'm not a winner, big cousin, don't challenge me. Just guess with Yunmei, her punch is better than mine." "Big cousin, don't believe her words," Yun said quickly, "Sister Qin guessed better than me, she let me just now." "Miss Yun guesses fists better. Miss Qin is also good," interrupted Zhang. Juexin looked at Yun and said, "Cousin Yun, let me guess with you, I will probably lose to you. "That's not bad, big cousin is really a sensible person," Qin deliberately praised. "No, I don't know how to drink," Yun defended herself. "Cousin Yun, you still say you don't know how to drink? You have a pair of dimples on your face. I don't believe anyone who says they have dimples can't drink!" Shuhua said vigorously. "Miss Yun, let's guess later. Order first, so that the food doesn't get cold," Mrs. Zhou said, holding up her chopsticks. "Okay, Cousin Yun, let's eat a la carte first, and we'll guess when the wine is hot," Juexin echoed Zhou's words. They ate two courses and the wine was served hot.Juexin ordered Cuihuan and Qixia to change into hot wine, and he started guessing games with Yun. Juexin's voice was so loud that he blushed.Yun always spit out her number gently with a smile.She won twice in a row, and the third time it was her turn to drink. Juexin refused to admit defeat, and said vigorously: "This time it doesn't count, Cousin Yun, let's start again." "Let's guess with Sister Qin, I can't guess well," Yun declined. "You are the winner. Big cousin wants revenge, of course I ask you to guess. Besides, you don't drink too much, so it doesn't matter if you lose to him," Qin encouraged from the side. "Auntie, you see they are bullying me. You won't help me?" Yun said coquettishly to Zhou.Two dimples were clearly visible on her face. "Miss Yun, you are so pitiful. Don't be afraid. You can just guess. When you can't eat wine, I will eat it for you," Zhou said with a smile. "Okay, third cousin, fourth cousin, do you hear me? When we can't eat wine, my aunt will eat for us," Qin said to Sister Shuhua immediately. "Ah, who said that?" Zhou said with a smile. "Miss Qin, you lied to your face. What I'm talking about is that the three girls asked Cousin Qin to eat for them when they couldn't drink." "In this way, my aunt doesn't care about me anymore. I'm so pitiful. I can't eat wine and no one is willing to eat for me," Qin said pretending to beg for mercy. "It doesn't matter, the second brother will eat for you." Shuhua interrupted. "Third Sister, why did you mess with me for no reason? I didn't mess with you," Juemin said against Yi, and he relieved Qin. "I'm telling the truth. When Sister Qin can't drink, you should eat for her." Shuhua replied deliberately and seriously.But she turned her head to Qin and moved her eyes secretly with a smile. "Cousin Yun, let them make fun of themselves. Let's just play games," Juexin said to Yun. "But this time the guessing is over, big cousin has to admit defeat," Yun said with a smile innocently. "Of course, why not admit defeat if you lose?" Juexin said bluntly. Everyone watched Juexin and Yun's boxing game attentively.Juexin guessed the best.He ended up winning twice. "How?" Juexin said proudly. After Yun drank the wine, a slight blush appeared on her pink face.Juemin suddenly stood up and said, "Cousin Yun, now it's my turn. Yun quickly stood up, shook her head with a smile and said, "Second Cousin, I've had enough, I can't drink any more." "It doesn't matter, if you lose, mom will eat for you," Shuhua interjected. "Third daughter, why did you push it on me? You won't help me?" Zhou said with a smile. "I think it's okay for Miss Yun to have another drink or two." "Miss Yun, I haven't guessed it with you yet. When you guess it with your second cousin first, I'm going to try it too," Zhang said jokingly. "No, I'm sure to pass out like this," Yun smiled and sat down.She was a little anxious and couldn't think of a way to deal with it for a while. "Then, Cousin Yun, you're the only one who won't do me any favors," Juemin said deliberately to provoke her. "Second cousin, what is this saying? I really can't eat it, please forgive me this time," Yun begged with a smile, a little bit embarrassed. Juemin's heart softened a little.At this time, Qin came out to intercede: "Second cousin, you see that she is begging for mercy, but you still have the heart to force her. Let her go this time." "Miss Qin can really talk," Mrs. Zhou praised. "It's her who does good and evil. She is the one who forced Miss Yun to guess the game, and now she is the one who talks about love." "Then she should be fined to drink," Shuhua interjected. "Second brother, give a toast to sister Qin." "Why should I respect, but you can't respect yourself?" Juemin retorted. "Okay, sister Qin, I'll toast you." Shuhua readily picked up the glass and stood up, forcing Qin to drink. Seeing that she couldn't refuse, Qin had to drink half of the wine in her glass.Shuhua also drank half a glass, she almost choked out the wine in order to hold back her laughter. Qin was afraid that others would take turns toasting her, so she suggested to everyone: "It's almost enough to eat wine. It's not good to eat like this. Let's obey the order, or sing and tell stories." "I am in favor of using urgent passwords!" Shuhua went on to say loudly. "Quick passwords are also good. Big cousin must be a 'Hannya Sun Erniang' again," Qin replied. "Using urgent passwords is also interesting," Zhou agreed, and she also said jokingly: "People always say that I speak fast. Using urgent passwords, I'm afraid I will take advantage of it." When Zhou said this, no one expressed any objection.So everyone identified their own names and nicknames, and began to use urgent passwords. Talking faster and faster, laughing more and more.Everyone has been punished for drinking, but the ones who have been fined the most are Young Master Mei and Shuzhen, two shy and taciturn children.The two thin faces were flushed, and the two pairs of eyes looked at others timidly.They envy others without understanding why they are in a different situation than others. Huang Ma brought a large bowl of steaming ham stewed chicken and put it on the table. "Today's chicken is very fat, and the tenant just delivered it in the afternoon. Everyone, eat more," Zhou said, picking up the chopsticks.Everyone then put their chopsticks or spoons into the big bowl. After drinking enough wine and eating enough food, red clouds appeared on everyone's faces.Huang Ma brought a bowl of lotus seed soup with rock sugar to the table.Everyone's eyes were focused on the big bowl.The drinking order has stopped.Everyone followed Mrs. Zhou to pick up the spoons.The sweet soup quenches thirst and makes people feel refreshed.Shuhua still felt that it was not enough, Juexin drank very little, so they asked Qixia to bring two cups of tea. "Big cousin, you ate a lot today, so you're not drunk?" Qin asked Juexin with concern. "Fortunately, I don't feel too much today," Juexin replied soberly. "Last year, you didn't eat that much, but that time you vomited, do you remember?" Shuhua asked with a smile. Juexin seemed to feel a gust of wind on his face, he moved his head, looked at Shuhua, Qin, and Yun.He nodded and replied in a low voice, "I remember, it's right here." "You vomited all over the back patio... I remember Cousin Hui saw you vomit," Shuhua said excitedly, with a smile on her face.All she remembered was that which was ridiculous to say now, and she did not think about where the man she had mentioned was now. Qin glanced at Shuhua, seeming to blame her for talking too much, she shouldn't have brought up those past events, and she shouldn't have mentioned the name of that forgotten person.Shuhua didn't feel that she said something she shouldn't have said at all. "I remember very clearly that I also ate here..." Juexin replied in a low voice. Shuzhen suddenly interrupted Juexin, she said: "There is also the second sister." Her voice was full of nostalgia. This time it seemed that a melancholy wind really blew on the table, and no one wanted to speak.Most of their innocuous alcoholism was blown away, and the place left behind was occupied by painful memories.Their hearts are struggling to get rid of these memories. Juexin is an exception, he is also struggling, he wants to grasp some faces and pull them out of the emptiness.He often thinks that he himself is living by these looming appearances.He added: "There is also the moon, and we are the same people. I seem to be standing by the pool, listening to the sound of the spring water. I still remember that I toasted my cousin Hui..." "Yes, we said it was a farewell party for Cousin Hui," Shuhua interrupted, her tone changing. Yun wanted to speak several times, but held back.Finally, she finally said with a sad voice: "My sister told me when she came home later that this was her last happy gathering..." She suddenly swallowed the next words, she thought: Now it's Meidi's turn again up. "Miss Hui's matter is really unexpected," Zhou sighed.Seeing Mama Huang bring the food for dinner, she said to Yun, "There's no need to talk about those past events now." Miss Yun, let's eat something casually. " "I don't want to eat, thank you, Auntie," Yun replied politely. "Eat as much as you want," Zhou persuaded, and she said to Qin: "Miss Qin, you can eat a little too." "Okay, I'll share a bowl with Yunmei," Qin said politely. "It would be great if the second daughter was here tonight," Mrs. Zhang said suddenly to herself. "With the loss of my second cousin, everyone is less interested," Qin Jie said. "Actually, if her father wasn't so stubborn, where would the second daughter go? He made the trouble himself. Now he doesn't even allow anyone to mention the second daughter's name!" Zhang complained angrily. "In all fairness, the third brother is indeed too stubborn. But this kind of thing is unexpected. Since the second girl is studying hard in Shanghai, the third brother and sister, you can rest assured," Zhou comforted. "But it's not good for my daughter's family to show their faces outside," Zhang said in a deep voice, "what if she's in Shanghai now? I'm always worried." "Second Sister must have had a more interesting life than us, not to mention anything else, she has even visited the West Lake," Shuhua said enviously. "Not only is it interesting, but she will be more useful than us in the future," Qin hinted.She intentionally used this sentence to encourage Sister Shuhua.