TL: Hua
The next morning, the news of the Jiangbei coal mine explosion spread throughout the country.
The newspaper published it very simply, stating the whole story in a straightforward manner.
But this news was enough to boost morale and give everyone a reason to celebrate.
Although Yamada Ichiro hadn’t died under Xun Qian’s gun, he had died in the coal mine he had seized. Moreover, not only had he died, but many Japanese soldiers were also buried with him beneath the mine. How could this not make people clap their hands in delight!
At the same time, Qi Xiaoyu was finally able to return to the Red Moon Troupe.
Ever since the day he left the troupe to meet someone for dinner at the Dachong Restaurant, he hadn’t been back.
These past ten-odd days, the outside world had been so turbulent. He didn’t know how everyone in the troupe was.
Before the car even reached the Red Moon Troupe, Qi Xiaoyu saw Qi Wanrou’s figure standing at the door.
“Senior Sister!” Qi Xiaoyu couldn’t wait to jump out of the car.
Seeing the car arrive, Qi Wanrou also immediately jogged over from the doorway.
As soon as Qi Xiaoyu got out, he asked, “How is everyone in the troupe these past few days? How is Master?”
Joy filled Qi Wanrou’s eyes. She circled Qi Xiaoyu, looking him up and down, front and back, several times. Confirming that he was healthy and unharmed, she finally felt relieved. “Commander Xun sent people to secretly protect us. We’re all fine, just worried about you…”
“I’m fine too.” As they walked inside, Qi Xiaoyu asked again, “How is Master? Is he well?”
“Dad, he…”
Qi Xiaoyu asked anxiously, “What’s wrong with Master?”
“You’ll know as soon as you go inside.”
****
In the living room, all the fellow apprentices were present, standing in four rows according to height and seniority, facing the direction of the entrance.
Qi Fengjian sat in a wheelchair, facing his apprentices with his back to the main door, speaking.
“From ancient times, a person born into this world must possess a skill. Since we have chosen this profession, we should devote ourselves wholeheartedly. In the future, our fame will spread far and wide, so work hard while you’re still young.”
Apart from sitting in a wheelchair and speaking very, very slowly, Qi Fengjian’s demeanor, bearing, and overall feeling in front of everyone still vaguely resembled his old self.
Qi Xiaoyu stood stunned at the doorway. It had been many years since he had heard his master speak and scold people.
Qi Xiaoyu had heard this ancestral precept of the troupe many years ago. Qi Fengjian had made each of them memorize it by heart.
Hearing it suddenly now gave him an unreal feeling, as if he were in another world.
“Master,” Qi Xiaoyu murmured, turning his head to his senior sister.
“When did he wake up?”
Qi Wanrou’s voice was choked up. “The day you went missing. Father should have been able to understand what we were saying a long time ago, but he couldn’t express himself. That night after you went missing… he was so anxious that he knocked over his teacup and even called out your name.”
Qi Xiaoyu stared fixedly at Qi Fengjian’s straight back, blinking his eyes without saying a word.
Qi Wanrou continued, “The doctor came to see him, gave him acupuncture, and prescribed medicine… His condition today is much better than the past few days. He can even scold people now.”
As she finished speaking, the corners of Qi Wanrou’s mouth curved into a smile, and she couldn’t help but laugh softly.
Seeing Qi Xiaoyu and Qi Wanrou enter, the apprentices who had been listening to Qi Fengjian’s scolding all raised their heads to look at the doorway.
“If you don’t attend to your duties now, how will you achieve great things in the future…”
Qi Fengjian also stopped his lecture.
However, Qi Fengjian’s movements were very slow. After stopping his lecture, he remained seated.
Qi Xiaoyu had already walked over.
His footsteps were very light, as if afraid of breaking this dreamlike scene.
He gently approached Qi Fengjian, stopped, moved his lips, and called out softly, “Master.”
Only then did Qi Fengjian slowly raise his head.
Qi Fengjian’s movements were as slow as usual, but the light in his eyes was clearly different from before.
Qi Xiaoyu called out again, trembling, “Master.”
Qi Feng nodded solemnly and slowly, then took Qi Xiaoyu’s hand that was resting on his shoulder and slowly called out, “Xiaoyu.”
Qi Xiaoyu quickly lowered his eyes and sniffed. “Master! Master, you really remember me?”
It had been so long since Qi Fengjian had called his name like this, ever since he had a stroke and fell out of bed three years ago.
Others might also call him “Xiaoyu,” but no one else called him that way like Qi Fengjian did.
Qi Fengjian said slowly, “Why are you getting more and more childish as you get older? Am I, your master, like someone you don’t recognize?”
As soon as Qi Fengjian finished speaking, the apprentices surrounding them burst into laughter.
Qi Wanrou also covered her mouth, laughing with teary eyes.
Qi Xiaoyu lowered his head and sniffed hard again.
Gu Zizhen, beside him, put his arm around his shoulder. “Master’s health has improved, and you’re back too. This is really great.”
“Yes, it’s really great.” Qi Wanrou wiped the corner of her eye and looked at Qi Xiaoyu.
“You came back just in time. Winter Solstice is in two days. We can all make dumplings together.”
Xi Yun sighed, marveling, “It’s only Winter Solstice? This winter has felt so long.”
“It has been a long time. It has snowed twice already.”
“A timely snow promises a good harvest. It’s good when it snows.”
Qi Wanrou tugged at Qi Xiaoyu’s sleeve. “Let’s invite Commander Xun over for Winter Solstice too. We can all eat dumplings together. We owe him so much this winter.”
Qi Xiaoyu was about to nod, but he glanced at Qi Fengjian again. Only after seeing his approval did he agree.
Xun Qian hadn’t been reinstated yet. The massive protest a few days ago was said to have put great pressure on the government. Coupled with Jiang Sicheng’s final letter, which confirmed his death was inextricably linked to Yamada Ichiro, Xun Qian’s impulsive break-in into Yamada Ichiro’s mansion, though rash, could be considered justified.
****
That day, the troupe held a welcome-back feast for Qi Xiaoyu. Qi Wanrou and Gu He cooked a full two tables of dishes.
Qi Xiaoyu, who had just recovered, was stopped by everyone from drinking alcohol.
After the meal, Qi Xiaoyu pushed Qi Fengjian to sit by the window for a while.
The others were either chatting in the living room, helping in the kitchen, or going upstairs to do their own things.
Only the master and apprentice remained by the window.
Qi Xiaoyu was peeling an orange, carefully separating each segment, removing the white pith, and placing them on the small plate in front of Qi Fengjian.
Just like before, the master and apprentice didn’t need to say much to feel comfortable and understand each other.
After Qi Xiaoyu finished peeling a large orange, Qi Fengjian suddenly said slowly, word by word, “You and Commander Xun, why aren’t you married yet? Wasn’t he… very anxious before?”
Qi Xiaoyu was slightly taken aback, remembering that Gu Zizhen had also urged him about this. He smiled and said, “Our affairs aren’t urgent.”
Qi Fengjian didn’t speak, but from his expression, Qi Xiaoyu knew what his master was thinking.
Qi Fengjian must have felt that his illness had been a burden to him.
Qi Xiaoyu quickly said, “It’s more stable to get married after spending more time together. I’m still young.”
“You’re twenty-three in lunar years.”
“Master, no one counts it like that.”
After Qi Fengjian finished speaking, he said after a while, “Zizhen said that the Red Moon Troupe has relied entirely on you these past three years.”
Qi Xiaoyu immediately retorted, “Senior Brother is talking nonsense. It was clearly everyone working together to make the Red Moon Troupe flourish. Could I possibly perform all the operas by myself?”
As Qi Xiaoyu finished speaking, Gu He happened to bring tea over. A cup of oolong tea to cleanse the palate after the meal was placed in front of Qi Xiaoyu, and a cup of warm Pu’er tea was placed in front of Qi Fengjian.
Qi Fengjian looked at Gu He’s back and sighed, “Years have passed, and you’ve all grown up.”
Qi Xiaoyu also looked at Gu He’s back. “Yes. He sings some operas very well now, with traces of Senior Brother’s former style.
There are also a few good new apprentices.”
Qi Fengjian nodded, seeming to think for a while, then said, “After you marry Commander Xun…”
“Master,” Qi Xiaoyu didn’t need to think to know what Qi Fengjian wanted to say. Qi Fengjian had thought this three years ago, and Qi Xiaoyu guessed he still had the same idea. He immediately cut off his master’s words, “Even if I get married, I won’t leave the Red Moon Troupe.”
Qi Xiaoyu said this very firmly.
Qi Fengjian looked at his little apprentice, but his gaze was different from three years ago.
Qi Xiaoyu handed the orange to his master. “Master, don’t worry. Xun Qian and I… we… have discussed it. I’m not afraid of what others say about me. These three years, Xiaoyu has grown up, knows what’s important and what’s not, and can also do the tasks you entrusted to me well.”
Qi Fengjian maintained his initial posture, looking at him.
He also looked at his master.
A long time later, Qi Fengjian finally withdrew his gaze and nodded. “Good.”
****
Early on Winter Solstice morning, just after eight o’clock, Xun Qian arrived at the entrance of the Red Moon Troupe with Xiao Hei.
Gu He went to open the door and let them in, then ran to the back garden to inform Qi Xiaoyu.
Qi Xiaoyu ran out of the garden and said when he saw them, “Why are you here so early?”
Xun Qian released the leash, letting Xiao Hei go to Qi Xiaoyu. “I was afraid of being late and not getting any dumplings.”
Qi Xiaoyu was almost knocked over by the enthusiastic Xiao Hei, laughing as he said, “You didn’t have to come at eight o’clock. Senior Sister hasn’t even rolled out the dough yet.”
Xun Qian leaned closer to Qi Xiaoyu and whispered, “Don’t we have to see Master first?”
Currently, the Japanese issue had come to a temporary close, and with the end of the year approaching, everyone was starting to prepare for the New Year. The lively and festive atmosphere permeated everywhere, and their moods also relaxed.
Qi Xiaoyu rubbed Xiao Hei’s head, widening his eyes and deliberately saying, “Master did say he wanted to see you, but… he might not remember.”
Xun Qian’s expression dimmed slightly. “Master doesn’t remember me?”
Qi Xiaoyu nodded seriously. “Mm, Master can only remember the people from our Red Moon Troupe right now.”
Xun Qian said, “Then I’m also considered one of the Red Moon Troupe.”
Qi Xiaoyu tilted his head and looked at him. “How can you be?”
Xun Qian said, “I’m the live-in son-in-law.”
Qi Xiaoyu said, “You’re really shameless.” Then he glanced at Gu He beside him. “Watch your words; there’s still a child here.”
Gu He quickly stepped aside and then looked at Xun Qian, saying, “Commander Xun, don’t believe Uncle. Grandpa Master remembers you. He was just asking the other day why you haven’t married Uncle yet.”
Xun Qian’s lips immediately curved into a smile.
Qi Xiaoyu laughed and scolded, “Why is this child favoring an outsider?”
Xun Qian smiled and asked, “Master really said that?”
Gu He nodded vigorously twice, then stuck out his tongue and ran off. “I’m going to practice my skills in the garden.”
He wanted to leave the space for Xun Qian and Qi Xiaoyu to talk privately.
In fact, the private talk between Xun Qian and Qi Xiaoyu wasn’t about love; it was all about business.
First was Xue Qingchu.
Xue Qingchu had left Shanghai, left the Paramount, and gone to Yunnan.
Then there was Jiang Feibai.
Jiang Feibai had lost his son in his later years. No amount of compensation could make up for the pain in his heart.
Then there was Xun Qian’s family.
With Xun Qian’s reinstatement, his family members were also released from house arrest.
His father and elder siblings would all come to Shanghai for the New Year.
“My sister and brother both invited us home for the New Year.”
Qi Xiaoyu remembered Gu Zizhen saying that there were several auspicious days at the end of the year suitable for holding weddings, and for a moment he didn’t reply.
After they finished talking, Qi Wanrou had already rolled out the dough and was about to start making dumplings.
In previous years, Qi Xiaoyu would definitely help make dumplings.
But now, with Xun Qian by his side, he didn’t know whether to go to the kitchen.
He was afraid Xun Qian would be bored if he stayed in the living room by himself.
Bringing Xun Qian to the kitchen might lead to a kitchen disaster like last time.
He thought for a moment and said to Xun Qian, “Come to the kitchen with me, but you just stay by the side and watch me make dumplings. No messing around.”
Xun Qian nodded with a smile and went to the kitchen with him.
Qi Wanrou was mixing three kinds of fillings—seafood, vegetables with meat, chives and corn, shrimp, and various other fillings—filling four large basins.
This reminded Xun Qian of the first Winter Solstice he had spent with Qi Xiaoyu, when Qi Xiaoyu had also prepared such a lively table of dishes.
After they arrived in the kitchen and had only made a dozen or so dumplings, the other apprentices finished their morning basic training and all poured into the kitchen to help.
Today was the winter solstice. According to past practice, the entire troupe would have a holiday as long as they finished practicing the basic skills.
Seeing so many people, Qi Wanrou simply moved the tools to the dining room so they could all make dumplings together.
For a while, the dining room was also crowded, and everyone was in a relaxed and joyful mood.
Ever since Qi Fengjian fell ill, everyone hadn’t properly celebrated the Winter Solstice for three years.
Now, even if Xun Qian initially made some people feel a bit reserved, after a while, everyone was completely relaxed.
The troupe had over thirty people, all strong young men, and each could eat at least twenty dumplings, with some left over for dinner.
Calculating this way, they would have to make almost a hundred or a thousand dumplings.
Although there were many of them, each person would still have to make over fifty.
Everyone’s hands were constantly moving.
Some people made sunflower-shaped dumplings, putting the filling in the central triangle and pinching the three sides of the dough together.
Some made crescent shapes, pinching neat pleats from both sides towards the middle.
Others made ingot shapes, placing the filling in the middle and shaping the edges into the form of an ingot.
Seeing Xun Qian standing around bored, Qi Xiaoyu allowed him to take a few dumpling wrappers to play with himself.
Xun Qian was dissatisfied. “Aren’t you looking down on me a bit too much? Why is it just ‘playing’ for me?”
Qi Xiaoyu raised his chin and looked at him. “Really? Ask Senior Sister and Senior Brother. How’s your cooking? Edible?”
Qi Wanrou smiled without speaking, while Xi Yun showed an indescribable expression.
After a while, Qi Wanrou came to Xun Qian’s rescue. “Making dumplings is easier than cooking. Xiaoyu, don’t discourage people. Commander Xun, just have fun making them.”
Qi Xiaoyu smiled even more happily. “Look, Senior Sister also told you to just play around.”
Xun Qian took a wrapper and said he wanted to make a Qi Xiaoyu.
Qi Xiaoyu warned him, “Make it look good.”
So Xun Qian first pinched a small amount of filling into a head, then a larger amount into a body, and finally took some wrappers and pinched out small hands and feet to stick on.
Qi Xiaoyu stared at the distorted lump and frowned. “Isn’t this still playing around? And you made me look so ugly.”
They talked and made dumplings at the same time. Before long, they had made several hundred dumplings. So they boiled water in the kitchen, and the first batch went in.
The dumplings they made themselves had thin skin, tender meat, and fresh vegetables. Juice burst out at the first bite.
Qi Wanrou also prepared various sauces: spicy red oil, vinegar, minced garlic… catering to the tastes of everyone’s hometown.
Batch after batch of dumplings was made, put in the pot, and then another batch… By the time everyone was full, it was already afternoon.
In the afternoon, everyone gathered around the stove to sing folk songs.
In the past, when they were in Beiping, Qi Fengjian usually played the qin and sang an excerpt from “WenZhao Pass” for everyone.
Now, although Qi Fengjian’s health had improved somewhat, it was still difficult for him to play the qin.
So Qi Wanrou sang Wu Zixu’s part from “Wenzhao Pass.”
“A round, bright moon shines before the window; sorrow pierces the heart of the worried man like an arrow.”
After Qi Wanrou finished singing, Gu Zizhen sang “The Jewelry Purse.”
“Fearing the fleeting years of youth, a tender heart is filled with delicate emotion.”
“Look carefully, choose carefully; the colorful cloud of the jewelry purse flutters.”
Then, Qi Xiaoyu sang “Spring Boudoir Dream.”
“All day I’m like being drunk, yet also like being ill, bitterly leaning on the incense burner, sitting until dawn.
When he left, the roadside flowers were like brocade; today the willows on the tower are green again.”
After that, the others took turns singing their favorite opera excerpts.
In their own living room, everyone joyfully welcomed the arrival of winter together.
