Hu Lu didn’t play cards anymore today.
In fact, during the Chinese New Year in previous years, the Human Sword Sect would play cards for three days and three nights.
Sometimes even Cong Ren would rarely come out of a pool, sit in the concierge, and call Chen Huaifeng and his brothers to come and have a few laps.
It’s just that no one is playing cards this year.
Jiang Ye, who has been in the Chengnan vegetable market all year round, is good at cooking. He was busy from afternoon to night before preparing a large table of food.
The place to have New Year's Eve dinner was placed over Sanchi.
The Third Pond is backed by the Long Street of the World, so it is naturally much busier than the First Pond or the Second Pond, which is closest to the Jianzong Gate.
The wind and snow outside the building were dispersed by the senior brothers with hanging swords.
Although they usually live like ordinary people in Nanyi City, sometimes, the identity of the sword cultivator is naturally extremely important.
For example, when a dozen or so brothers cannot sit down in the building that is only used as accommodation, and they have to put the New Year's Eve dinner in the wind and snow.
In fact, this year’s New Year’s Eve dinner is smaller than before.
Because some people are not here, such as Cong Ren and Chen Huaifeng.
There are also some people who are no longer here, such as Senior Brother Huaimin and others who died deep in Daze and outside Nanyi City.
So the senior brothers looked at the table that was used last year but seemed much empty this year, and still sighed softly.
But it's not the first time this has happened.
These senior brothers have actually experienced many such things in the past years.
For example, when they were still teenagers, the senior brothers from the Sword Sect many years ago left the Sword Sect one morning, carrying their swords on their backs, and walked into the world.
As a result, there will be a few fewer people at the New Year’s Eve dinner that year.
Perhaps the only one who truly falls into this category this year is Chen Huaifeng.
Zhang Xiaoyu is not the one, and Huaimin and the others are not the same.
The senior brothers looked at each other but said nothing. They got up and went to Sanchi's kitchen to help Jiang Ye carry the dishes.
It wasn't until the table was filled with sumptuous dishes that Cong Xin arrived late, dragging Hu Lu who was sleeping in the concierge.
Cong Xin naturally sat on the main seat. Hu Lu, who had been crowded in the corner with Zhang Xiaoyu in previous years, sat next to Cong Xin this year. Then came Nande Qumei Quming and the others, and there was still an empty seat for Jiang Ye who was still in the kitchen.
After everyone arrived, the New Year's Eve dinner in the wind and snow gradually became lively.
The sword fire hung high above the head, and it was very bright. The wind and snow in the world only occasionally missed some, and fell to this place. Outside the garden, there were people's laughter and blessings, and bright fireworks bloomed near or far in the night sky.
Mei Quming looked at Hu Lu who was rubbing his eyes and yawning, and said with a smile: "Why are you sleepy, Hu Lu?"
Hu Luwa is usually called Hu Luwa by Chen Huaifeng or Zhang Xiaoyu.
Meiquming and the others sometimes call out, but they don't say it often. They usually call them little gourds and the like.
Hu Lu was about to say something sadly, but Cong Xin stood up on his chair and hit the young man on the head.
"Those who celebrate the Chinese New Year should be happy."
Cong Xin looks very childish, but at this time he is very majestic.
After all, this is the little mascot of the Sword Sect that Cong Ren sometimes needs to give up three points.
Hu Lu then smiled at the senior brothers.
There may not be much difference in appearance between the fourteen-year-old boy and the fifteen-year-old boy, but he may be much taller. At least he won't look like a child when standing next to the tall Chen Huaifeng.
It's just that the changes in some things are naturally more than just physical.
Mei Quming and the others naturally knew that Hu Lu still had not been able to get out of many things, so they found ways to liven up the atmosphere by telling some interesting things.
"Do you still remember the year when Xiaoyu first came here? Senior brother Huai Feng wanted to use the sword to drive away the wind and snow, but he had to do it by himself. As a result, he had only learned the sword for a short time, and the sword began to hover in the wind and snow. It was blown away and landed on the street, shocking the people passing by."
But this anecdote may not be so funny.
So Hu Lu just sat there and looked at Mei Quming and the others quietly.
Mei Quming then looked at Nan Dequ aside. As the current eldest brother in the Sword Sect, although Nan Dequ was not the highest, he was the oldest.
It's just that the thirty-five-year-old man, who has always been a bit talkative, naturally can't say anything interesting.
Everyone looked at each other, but fortunately at this time, Jiang Ye finally came with the last dish.
It's a braised silver carp.
The fish, which was cooked red and sprinkled with green onions and ginger leaves, lay on the plate and was placed in the middle of the table.
"Where's the wine, senior brother?"
Mei Quming looked at Jiang Ye and said.
Jiang Ye looked at Mei Quming with raised eyebrows and said, "Didn't I tell you to buy it before?"
Mei Quming was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said: "Maybe I was playing cards before and didn't hear it. I'll buy it."
Jiang Ye smiled helplessly and said, "Forget it, it's Chinese New Year, where are you going to buy it?"
Cong Xin thought for a while and said: "There is still one in the tree house, where Cong Ren put it before."
Mei Quming stood up and said, "I'll get it."
Then when passing by, he pulled Hulu up.
The two of them walked through the corridor of Sanchi one after another and walked towards the First Pond in the wind and snow.
Hu Lu walked a little slowly, so Mei Quming also slowed down a little.
Looking at the still taciturn young man beside him, he said, "Are you still not relieved?"
Hu Lu nodded, lowered his head, and walked quietly on the snowy road.
Mei Quming didn't say anything, he just raised his hand and patted Hu Lu's shoulder.
"Those who are celebrating the New Year should always be happy. This year is about to pass, and many things this year are about to pass. Senior brother Huaifeng may come back next year, and junior brother Xiaoyu may also, and master, maybe one day you are lazy I got up proudly, and when I passed by a pond, I saw a sleeping lazy guy sitting on the bridge."
Hu Lu actually had a smile on his face when he heard the lazy phrase in Mei Quming's words.
It's just that it's still different from before.
If it were March or April this year, Hu Lu would definitely say that you called Master a lazy idiot, and I would tell him!
Hu Lu didn’t know why he suddenly thought of this.
Then I thought in confusion, was I like this before?
Hu Lu, a fourteen-year-old boy, is naturally active and happy.
Because he thought that Chen Huaifeng would lead Nanyi City to maintain health, and he would be able to run like a galloping carrot on the tomb hill.
Maybe life changes are hasty and sudden.
However, realizing that this change will take a long time.
Then you will feel that you are very different and difficult to understand.
"Also, this may be your last year in the Sword Sect, Senior Brother Nan Dequ."
Mei Quming said softly.
"You also know that he is thirty-five years old this year, which is a bit older than Senior Brother Huai Feng. It is impossible for a person to waste his whole life in the Sword Sect. Even if he is a high-level sword cultivator, he has to go to the human world after all. That’s how you live up to your life.”
Mei Quming touched Hu Lu's melon-skinned head. Her hair was already very long. Sometimes when she sat in the wind, it would make people think she was a lonely little girl.
Hu Lu said nothing.
"Be happy. When everyone came to Jianzong, they all came happily, and they should always leave happily."
Hu Lu looked down at Xue, and after a long time, she finally nodded.
"I understand, senior brother."
Mei Quming smiled slightly and rubbed the back of the boy's head.
Although people always think that the hands of sword cultivators should be rough.
But nowadays, more emphasis is placed on sword intent and cultivating sword intent, so in fact, the hands of sword cultivators are not as good as the world imagines.
It's just that the hands of the senior brother who has been holding a bamboo pen on the Nanyi River all year round are indeed very rough.
When he touched the boy's head, there was a slight tingling sensation, but it also seemed to have some reassuring feeling.
This is different from the hands of a health-preserving person like Chen Huaifeng.
"Just smile when you know it."
Hu Lu stood in the wind and snow, paused for a while, and then slowly showed a smile. Although it was very shallow, it felt much better.
Mei Quming smiled and said, "Okay, let's leave quickly, otherwise your senior brothers will have to wait until next year."
Hu Lu nodded.
But Mei Quming did not go to Yichi.
Instead, he stopped in the pavilion of Erchi.
In the pavilion by the pool where the Sword Sect disciples gather around to play cards all year round, there is actually a stove that is always heating wine.
It’s a lie that Meiquming didn’t buy wine, but it’s true that he forgot to take it.
The reason why I say this is probably to pull the gourd out and let the brothers and sisters talk happily.
If the gourd still doesn't make you happy, then go a little further to a pond.
But obviously there is no need to go now.
Mei Quming lifted the jug on the stove, looked at Hu Lu with a smile and said, "Do you want to drink some secretly first?"
Hu Lu tilted her head and thought for a while, then said, "Then drink a little."
Mei Quming raised his hand to pick a piece of snow and turned it into a wine glass - in fact, he didn't want to do this. He preferred to find a glass, but obviously there wouldn't be enough time for him to do it now. Find a cup in Jian Zong.
So he used some rare sword energy to turn some snow into wine glasses.
He poured a full glass of wine and handed it to Hu Lu.
Hu Lu didn't hesitate, picked up the cold cup, drank the warm wine, and drank it all in one gulp.
Naturally, teenagers don’t have a good drinking capacity.
So his face soon became a little flushed.
Drinking some wine can naturally make people happier.
Then the young man's expression gradually became a little brighter - as if he had returned to the look he had a long time ago.
When the two returned to Sanchi, the senior brothers had indeed been waiting for a while.
Jiang Ye raised his eyebrows and looked at the pot of hot wine in Mei Quming's hand, and said, "Didn't you say you didn't buy it?"
Mei Quming laughed, put the wine bottle on the table, and said, "I went to play cards earlier and forgot that I actually bought it."
"..."
However, the fellow disciples looked at Hu Lu who looked much better and didn't say anything.
Naturally, we can guess some of Meiquming’s thoughts.
Everyone finally sat down and each person poured a glass of wine.
The world became noisy.
Thousands of warm voices came from this prosperous ancient city like a sea wave, and followed the wind and snow towards this garden.
Fireworks exploded all over the sky, and even the wind and snow were covered by the light.
The young boy Hu Lu poured the first glass of wine in the new year and stood up together with his senior brothers. His face was flushed, as if he had forgotten a lot of things, and he smiled brightly.
"Brother, Happy New Year!"
...
In fact, what the young boy has most in his heart is self-blame and regret.
...
Cao Weiying sat on the ridge of the snowy roof with a smile.
The boy who brought the fine snow naturally did not come tonight, but the snow still stayed.
However, neither Cao Weiying nor Nan Dao mentioned the snow that brought to the town because the thunder in the young man's heart turned into fine snow.
Maybe he knew it.
Maybe I just forgot.
Sometimes people have good memories, and sometimes they have bad memories.
Nan Dao may have thought about this problem before jumping off the roof, but the topic turned to the grilled fish, so he couldn't remember anything.
But Cao Weiying didn't care.
To celebrate the New Year in the world, it is natural to have some snow to have enough flavor of the New Year.
If Nandao hadn't brought this snow to the town, he would have thought of ways to get some snow in the town.
There are always some blurry pictures from time to time.
It is the memory of the young boy sitting by the stove under the eaves and watching the snow, while the aroma of various fish and meat floated in the kitchen.
The fire is red, the lantern is red, and the couplets in front of the door are also red.
Everything was red and bright, and became hazy in the snow.
When Cao Weiying was thinking this, the girl walked quietly in the snow in that small town where she was celebrating the New Year for the first time but was no stranger to it.
I must have finished the New Year's Eve dinner, so I didn't carry anything, and I didn't need an umbrella for the fine snow that was falling on the world. I just walked slowly down the long street with my hands behind my back.
"Are you still here watching?"
The girl stopped on the street not far away, looked up at Cao Weiying and asked.
Cao Weiying smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "Yes."
The girl looked at Cao Weiying quietly, looked at the wine gourd in his hand, and also looked at some fish bones piled on the ridge of the roof, and then said in surprise: "Did you eat fish?"
Cao Weiying nodded and said, "Yes."
The girl smiled and said, "We also ate fish."
Cao Weiying chuckled and said, "Yes, that's good."
“But why do we eat fish?”
Cao Weiying tilted her head, thought for a while, and said: "Because this is a good wish. Eating fish means there will be a surplus this year. Sometimes life in the world is very difficult and we often don't have enough to eat, so there will be I made such a prayer. There will be fish every year, and there will be a surplus every year. Because there is a surplus, we will not suffer from hunger and cold next year."
"Celebrating the New Year is a very particular thing, such as eating fish, eating glutinous rice balls, and posting Spring Festival couplets during the New Year." Cao Weiying smiled slightly, "Those are the beautiful expectations of people struggling in pain."
The girl listened very carefully.
The first Chinese New Year in the world suddenly passed through a spring day that was as long as a thousand years, and then it was about to cross over to another spring day. People in the town seemed to be very familiar with this matter, but there were always many things that were unclear. Know why you do it.
Cao Weiying looked down at the girl standing in the long street with the snowy lights, and said softly: "So when people meet, they also wish each other - Happy New Year."
The girl's eyes lit up, she took a few steps forward, stopped under the roof, and looked up at the young man in green clothes sitting on the roof.
"I've already thought about the question you asked yesterday."
Cao Weiying smiled and said, "What is it?"
"It's Muzihua."
"Muzihua?"
The girl raised her face and nodded affirmatively, looking expectantly at the young man in green clothes on the roof.
Cao Weiying took a sip of wine, then smiled softly and looked at the expectant girl on the long snowy street.
"A very good name."
Muzihua lowered her head in disappointment.
Naturally, this wasn't what she wanted to hear.
But the young man sitting on the ridge continued to whisper: "Happy New Year, Muzihua."
Muzihua raised her head again and looked at the young man in Qingshang on the eaves with a smile.
"Happy New Year, the grass is like fireflies."
People in the small town have not yet learned to set off fireworks.
But in the snowy night in the town, many brilliant lights began to bloom inexplicably, pouring into the sword lakes surrounding the town, which was extremely warm and bright.
Muzihua turned her head and stared blankly at the lights igniting in the sky.
"what is that?"
Cao Weiying said softly: "That's how the New Year's Eve sky looks like in my memory. The world calls them fireworks. You can also make something like this in the future."
Muzihua's eyes were shining brightly.
“Would this town make something like this?”
Cao Weiying thought for a moment and said, "Maybe. If someone starts thinking about refining elixirs for immortality, and then accidentally explodes, he will discover something magical."
Cao Weiying smiled while looking at the fireworks in the sky.
It is indeed something magical.
Muzihua looked at it for a long time, then turned her head, looked at Cao Weiying and said, "Is there anything else we need to learn?"
Cao Weiying thought for a while and said: "You need to remember this day. It is the beginning of a new period. For example, we start counting the years and counting the months. For example, now, we can call it the Muzihua Year." , the first day of the first lunar month. After another year, we can call it the second year of Muzihua, and it will continue all the way, so the years will have names."
Muzihua nodded seriously, but maybe she thought of some questions again. She looked at Caoweiying and said, "What about a year before Muzihua?"
Cao Weiying drank the peach blossom wine from the gourd, thought for a long time, and said seriously: "You can call them history."
Muzihua opened her eyes wide and said softly: "History?"
Cao Weiying smiled slightly and said: "Yes, history is the history in which everything finally wakes up from chaos. In history, you learned to plant, brew, and trade for the first time, and you had anger for the first time. Once owned, love.”
Muzihua realized the weight of such a word for the first time.
The girl on the snowy streets of this small town stared blankly at the charming and gentle smile on the face of the young man sitting on the roof.
She didn't know what it was like.
It was also in that smile that she felt for the first time the intimacy and alienation between this young man in green clothes and this small town - he seemed to have always been in the town, and yet it seemed as if he had never been there.
Maybe many years later, when the children in the town ask about such a story about history.
At that time, she would say this -
.......
B.C. we were too young\/A.D. we were too old
No one has ever seen a truly beautiful smile like that
.......
