The head of village noticed Xiao Baoshan’s expression. “Baoshan, we have never won a single “touching autumn” event and I really feel ashamed of myself among all other village heads, so, like it or not, you must take part in this “touching autumn” or I won’t allow you to use the grain-sunning ground next year. However….if you agree to participate I can let you pay less in grain tax. There are five people in your second household but you will only have to pay three people’s taxes. What do you say?”
Wong Mudan heard this and said to the village head with displeasure, “Sir, it’s just a tug of war. Do you really need to reduce the taxes for them? And two of them at once.”
Li Hongmei said immediately, “Certainly, but Sir, you have to be sure that you won’t go back on your word. If Baoshan wins you must reduce the taxes for us.”
The village head said, “Certainly.”
He then glanced at Xiao Baoshan with his tiny eyes.
Li Hongmei had agreed so that left Xiao Baoshan no leeway to refuse, so he had no option but to agree.
…
As “touching autumn” was a big festival in the county, the schools had also offered students a break and Xiao Baoshan did not have to go to school that day.
On the day before “touching autumn” Ye Xiaoxian made the best use of her time to soak soy beans and on the morning of the festival she was making douhua and cold jelly along with Li Hongmei, Xiao Baozhu and Xiao Baofeng.
Ye Xiaoxian had made the exact same amount as she brought to sell in town. She did not have much of an idea about “touching autumn” and was not sure of the situation, so she was afraid she could not sell it all if she were to make too much.
Xiao Baoshan was called to assemble in the village with other large men selected by the village head but Xiao Baoshan was the leader of the training.
When the sun rose Ye Xiaoxian and others got ready to go to the county.
Wong Mudan and Chen Ju were also preparing to bring their children out. Seeing Li Hongmei and Ye Xiaoxian carrying cold jelly with them, Wong Mudan then said sarcastically, “Oh, talking about the penny-pincher. Everyone in the village is going to “touching autumn” and look at you, you’re still going to town to do business.”
Li Hongmei said, “Who told you we’re going to town. We’re going to the county.”
“You plan to sell douhua and cold jelly to the crowds there? Tsk, haven’t you been there last year? There were several cold jelly stands. You’ll be snatching their customers, so watch out and don’t get beaten to death.”
Li Hongmei was not provoked by her and just chuckled. “I’ll sell mine, they’ll sell theirs and we’ll let the customers choose what they want to buy. Beaten to death? You think everyone is as unreasonable as you are?”
“Tsk!” Wong Mudan could not win by arguing so she rolled her eyes and left.
Before they left, Ye Xiaoxian asked Li Hongmei, “Ma, if we all go will Grandpa be left home alone? If he doesn’t have anything for lunch will he scold us again?”
“Hoho!” Li Hongmei disliked Old Mr. Xiao the most and felt annoyed just by the mention of him. “He won’t let himself starve! He’ll join in the activity as well. He has loads of savings and there are so many food stalls in the “touching autumn” site. He’ll give himself a big fat treat. If you don’t believe it, just wait and see. He’s not going now because he’s still sleeping and you’ll know if he’s coming or not when he wakes up.”
…
“Touching autumn” was held by the county and the site was set up on a spacious lawn in the suburbs. When Ye Xiaoxian arrived there it was already packed with thousands of people. Some of them were sauntering, some were selling stuff and little kids were playing and running across the lawn looking so lively.
As Li Hongmei had said, there were quite a few cold jelly stalls and Li Hongmei even spotted the bridgehead old man and his son.
When the bridgehead old man saw Ye Xiaoxian he stared at her with a nasty look and even spat on the ground.
His spit had almost splashed onto a middle-aged woman who was just going to buy cold jelly from him, and she turned away immediately in disgust.
“Uh, please stay. Welcome, come and buy our cold jelly.” The bridgehead old man tried to get his customer back but the woman was certainly not going to buy from him. She turned around and left.
Ye Xiaoxian was amused by this.
The bridgehead old man wanted to hit her but he hadn’t the guts since there were so many people around.
Ye Xiaoxian and Li Hongmei chose an appropriate place, opening up their stand and began their touting right away.
“Douhua and cold jelly!”
“Two coins for a bowl of douhua. Buy one bowl of douhua and get one bowl of cold jelly for free.”
“…”
There were quite a few people coming from Daliang Village and Li Hongmei knew most of them. Li Hongmei would chat and tout to them as well. “Aunt Dazhuang, have a bowl of cold jelly? Or douhua?”
“Ah, isn’t this Brother Dong’s newly-married little bride? You’re here to join the “touching autumn” festival too? Do you fancy a bowl of cold jelly?”
“…”
“Touching autumn” was the biggest local festival and villagers coming here to join it would wear their most cherishing clothes and bring some money, buying snacks from the stalls and enjoying themselves.
Although it had already passed Liqiu the weather in Daliang County was still hot. Besides, it was an outdoor activity so the best option for food was the refreshing kind such as douhua and cold jelly.
Villagers from Daliang knew that Li Hongmei had been opening up a stand in town but since they never saw it with their own eyes, there was all kinds of gossip. Some said Li Hongmei actually did something else under the guise of opening up a shop and some even said that she had returned to her old career.
As they had now all seen it with their own eyes, they were finally convinced that Li Hongmei was running an honest business.
Villagers saw the douhua which Ye Xiaoxian had made so soft and silky, which already looked inviting and so they all craved a bowl of it.
“Mrs. Xiao, we’re all from the same village so can you add a little bit more in it?” someone asked.
Li Hongmei then replied, “It’s already a full bowl so I can’t really add more. Can I add one more spoon of sugar for you? It’s not easy to do business now. The sugar is dearer than soy beans.”
Few of the villagers would buy sugar to eat, so when they heard that one more spoon of sugar could be added they said nothing more.
With the sun getting higher and higher, more and more people were gathering.
Xiao Baoshan was responsible for washing bowls. There was a river nearby so once the water in the bucket was used up she would go to carry more water with Xiao Baofeng and then washed all the bowls that were left by customers.
While she was washing them she suddenly heard Xiao Baofeng shout, “Sir, you’re here to join the ‘touching autumn’ as well?”
Scholar Wong?
Xiao Baoshan immediately raised up her head.
As expected, Scholar Wong was standing in front of the stand along with a young man dressed in a similar fashion to him. They seemed to have come here together. Xiao Baozhu’s heart began to beat faster.
“Ah, isn’t this Baofeng’s teacher? We’ve met before; long time no see. I almost can’t recognize you. You’re even more handsome than before. Would you like a bowl of douhua? You’re Baofeng’s teacher so it’s free, free for you.” Li Hongmei said hospitably.
Scholar Wong smiled to Li Hongmei first and then looked at Ye Xiaoxian.
He did not know why, as she obviously was married, but his heart could not help but flutter every time he saw her.
Ye Xiaoxian also asked, “Mr. Wong, would you like a bowl of douhua? You only had cold jelly last time and you haven’t tried douhua.”
“Certainly, then I’d like two bowls of douhua. One each for my friend and I,” said Scholar Wong.
Ye Xiaoxian then quickly picked up a bowl and filled it with douhua, passing it to Scholar Wong.
When Scholar Wong took the bowl his finger tip touched Ye Xiaoxian’s finger and the feeling was like being struck by thunder with a weakness and numbness passing through his whole body. He was stupefied on the spot.