After lunch, everyone began to busy themselves with preparations: making spiced brine, frying meatballs, pounding sticky rice cakes, steaming sweet rice, and pre-processing the main courses. Although a few of the elders were absent this year, the presence of Zhong Ning, the three other guests, and little Xiao Shitou made the meal even more lavish than the last.
Throughout the afternoon, Shen Jianan and his group bustled around the stove. The little ones were just as busy—either standing by the hearth helping with the fire and accepting snacks from everyone, or sitting by the furnace with Cheng Guang, peeling garlic and snipping chilies.
Everyone was happily occupied for the sake of the upcoming feast. By the time they stopped, the moon had already risen high. Xiang Haiyan and Grandma Zhao took the opportunity to prepare a hot pot with assorted ingredients, urging everyone to eat quickly so they could get to bed, as tomorrow would be just as busy.
Chapter 83