The next day.
Blessed Life Coffin Shop had been swept spotlessly clean, and every corner was brimming with festivity.
The rain that had lasted half a month finally stopped, but fine snow began to fall again, the chill biting to the bone.
Ren Shanshi returned to the shop carrying big and small bundles. After pushing the door open, he greeted Yun Niang, then hurried to the back courtyard. "Ah Qing, look what this is?"
Ren Qing took the bundle. Inside was a padded cotton coat, along with thickened cloth shoes.
"Ah Qing, Yun Niang picked out the cloth shoes. The stitches are dense, warm. Just right—once New Year's Eve passes tonight, you can put on new clothes and new shoes tomorrow, for a bit of festivity."
Yun Niang smiled in the corridor without speaking and carried firewood into the kitchen.
"New Year's Eve is here?"
"That's right."
Ren Shanshi said no more and busied himself in the kitchen together with Yun Niang.
Tusu wine was stewing on the stove, and pork and mutton were being blanched at the hearth; the fragrance of wine mingled with the aroma of meat and filled the whole courtyard.
Outside the window, red lanterns swayed, and the flavor of the New Year soaked in deep and solid.
Ren Qing's expression was complicated. At the same time, squeaking came from beside his feet. Mouse True Person emerged from the ground holding a river clam, a faint scent of Metamorphosis Pills spreading from it.
"Immortal Elder, it is Canglan's Metamorphosis Pill."
"Mm." Ren Qing hesitated for a few breaths. "Let the junior brothers rest for three days and take a New Year holiday, but you still need to help this poor Daoist prepare another set of paper, ink, brush, and inkstone. While you are at it, sort