HCB Chapter 271 Customs
Chapter 271 Customs
Lin Chuyi knew what Madam Shen was worried about. She waved her hand at her and said confidently, "I know what you are worried about. Don't worry. It's impossible for ordinary merchants to receive so many invitations. When I opened the business, I said that Piaomiao Pavilion would open ten stores at the same time. I also wrote the addresses of other stores on banners and hung them up. In the past two days, I even hung promotional newspapers in front of the cash register."
"They must have checked our background before making a decision, because they are unsure. If we don't go, according to their way of thinking, they will probably think that the person behind us is some big shot, and they won't dare to provoke us easily."
"If you choose to go, there are so many invitations, merchants in front and officials in the back. Whichever one you go to first, the other one will think too much. It's better not to go at all and have some peace and quiet."
"Besides, I'm not being mean. You look pretty now, and my elder sister is almost old enough to get married. You don't have the ability to protect yourselves. If you are really tricked, you will be the only ones to suffer."
Madam Shen broke out in a cold sweat after hearing Lin Chuyi's words. She only thought about whether she would offend anyone, but she didn't expect that there were so many potential dangers.
"That being said, you don't have to worry too much. I just tend to think of things in the worst possible way. Maybe things won't develop that way. I'm just worrying too much. But it's better to be cautious. It's always better to be careful."
"After the Chinese New Year, I will add a few servants to our house and hang up the Lin Mansion plaque. No matter how far the other party investigates, we must do our best to keep the surface intact. In this way, even if the other party has bad intentions, they will be cautious and dare not act rashly."
"Don't worry, young lady. I know what to do." Madam Shen calmed herself down and agreed.
The business in the store has stabilized, and the two store managers have adapted well. The New Year is coming soon, and there are a lot of things to do at home. Lin Chuyi feels that there is no need for the three of them to stay in the county for the next period of time.
She asked Lin Jinxiu and Shen Niangzi to take shifts, working two days and resting two days. They lived in the county when they were working and returned to the village when they were resting. She drove them back and forth in a special car.
However, Lin Chuyi was worried that some hooligans might cause trouble while she was away, so she specifically asked the manager of the Lulutong branch to help keep an eye on the store.
The branch manager naturally agreed. Fortunately, what Lin Chuyi was worried about never happened. Seeing this, Lin Chuyi focused his main attention on the New Year.
This is Lin Chuyi's first New Year since she came to this era. She feels that she should celebrate this New Year well, follow the customs, and feel the New Year atmosphere of the ancients.
On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, we have to worship the Kitchen God. It was Grandpa Huang who reminded Lin Chuyi of this. While Lin Chuyi was preparing everything, he also asked about the story behind the worship of the Kitchen God.
It is said that the Kitchen God will return to heaven to take up his post at this time every year. People hope that he can say a few good words for them in front of the Jade Emperor, so as to bless their families with peace and prosperity in the coming year. Therefore, on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, every household holds a ceremony to worship the Kitchen God.
According to custom, they have to hang up the portrait of the Kitchen God, prepare wine and all other offerings for worship. After sending the Kitchen God away, they have to wait until New Year's Eve to invite him back.
Following Aunt Huang's instructions, Lin Chuyi purchased a large amount of offerings and put them on plates according to her instructions. He placed them on the altar in order and then began to burn incense and pray.
The most interesting part for Lin Chuyi in the whole process of Kitchen God worship is the part where they smear melted maltose on the mouth of Kitchen God, hoping that he will not say bad things about them. This is really "being soft-mouthed after eating someone's food".
In the Lin family, this job finally fell to Aunt Huang. When Lin Chuyi saw Aunt Huang applying "lip balm" to the Kitchen God, he was inexplicably tickled and burst out laughing. Fortunately, Lin Chuyi knew it was inappropriate to laugh in this occasion, so he immediately covered his mouth and kept silent.
After the worship ceremony, the offerings were removed from the altar. In addition to the snacks bought from Wuweizhai, Lin Chuyi also prepared fruits from the space.
It is winter now. Although the trees here are not as bare as those in the north, they definitely do not bear fruit at this time. Therefore, it is a rare thing to see fruits at this time. What's more, each of the fruits brought back by Lin Chuyi is not small, tender and fresh, exuding a sweet fruity fragrance.
After the offerings were removed, the children's eyes were all glued to the fruits. Even the tasteless vegetarian snacks that they usually loved could not attract their attention.
Lin Chuyi gave one piece of fruit to each of the three children, and one piece of fruit to everyone else in the family. Then he packed up the remaining fruit and took two bags of snacks to deliver to the group from Piaomiao Pavilion.
The person in charge of the store was Lin Jinxiu. She was already used to Lin Chuyi's style of doing things, so she was not surprised to see her bringing fruits and snacks. She washed her hands in a basin of water, divided the fruit into four portions, giving one portion to herself and the three shop assistants, and put them aside temporarily together with one of the packages of snacks. Then she took another package of snacks, opened it, and distributed it to the customers who came into the store to buy things.
After distributing the snacks, Lin Jinxiu took the remaining snacks back to the cashier counter. Lin Chuyi took over the cashier and packing work for her, while she sat aside eating fruit. After she finished eating, she would take over Lin Chuyi's job.
After Lin Jinxiu took over the job, Lin Chuyi explained the cashier situation to her and went home first.
At this moment, Piaomiao Pavilion was not as busy as when it first opened. The staff could not only eat normally, but also take turns to serve customers. When the staff saw off their respective customers and returned to the rest area, they saw the fruits and snacks that Lin Jinxiu had placed in advance.
When they learned that the food was for them, they were a little flattered. They thanked Lin Jinxiu profusely and then sat down to enjoy this unexpected afternoon tea.
Lin Chuyi did not witness the subsequent developments with her own eyes, but she could roughly guess that she did not take the thanks to heart. She did not do this to win their favor. This would not be the last time such a thing happened. After many times, they would get used to it.
The twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month is the day to sweep the house. Just as the word "sweep the house" means thorough cleaning. Early in the morning of that day, except for Lin Jinxiu who is not at home, everyone has to start cleaning.
Grandpa Huang is responsible for taking care of the cowshed, horse stable, and chicken coop. He needs to shovel the manure in these places, spread new soil, and clean the feeding troughs to provide them with a clean dining environment.