Ch112 Wait, Take This Thing Back
"Shen Que, quick, check if the couplets are crooked!"
Meng Ci wore a bright red cotton padded jacket, his face beaming with joy. Even his tone when calling Shen Que carried a cheerful ring.
Shen Que took two steps back and directed, "Left! Left! A little higher!"
"Okay!" Meng Ci turned around and adjusted it.
"Perfect, that's it!" Shen Que called out just in time, stopping Meng Ci from adjusting it higher.
At that moment, the two were pasting couplets outside the iron gate.
The alcohol stove on the ground still emitted a faint glow.
The paste in the pot was steaming, releasing wisps of blue smoke.
After pasting the left side and then the right, Meng Ci encountered a dilemma when it came to the "Fu" character for good fortune on the door.
"Shen Que, you tell me-should this 'Fu' character be pasted upside down or right side up?"
Before his life changed, Meng Ci worked daily jobs to earn money. During holidays like the New Year, wages were significantly higher than usual.
So he never had time to celebrate them.
During the New Year, passing by other people's doors, he saw their "Fu" characters posted right side up, yet he'd heard they should be hung upside down.
Thus, holding the character, Meng Ci was torn.
Shen Que said, "Post it however you like."
"Just do whatever makes you happy."
Though Shen Que was usually quiet, his words always struck a chord with Meng Ci.
He was right-the New Year was about joy. Wasn't hanging these decorations just to please himself?
Why get caught up in all those complicated rules?
After pondering it, Meng Ci decided to hang the character upside down.
None of the other residents had put up fortune characters-wouldn't all the blessings then come to his home?
After hanging the character, Meng Ci stepped back two paces. Rubbing his chin, he felt it was still a tad crooked!
"Shen Que, why didn't you tell me earlier!" Meng Ci stood with his hands on his hips, pouting as he scolded Shen Que.
Shen Que thought for a moment before offering reassurance: "It's fine."
"The character is tilted toward your house, so you'll get extra blessings later!"
Meng Ci was instantly comforted by Shen Que's words and let the matter drop.
Picking up the alcohol stove from the ground, the two prepared to return and continue hanging the couplets.
Tap tap tap!
"Ms. Meng, Mr. Shen!"
Hearing the voices behind them, Meng Ci and Shen Que turned to see Duan Yan and Cheng Yu.
"Happy New Year!" Duan Yan greeted them with a gentle smile.
"Teacher Duan, Teacher Cheng." Meng Ci returned the greeting.
"Happy New Year."
Duan Yan handed a plastic bag to Meng Ci. "We prepared a small New Year gift. We hope you'll accept it."
Since it was a New Year's gift, Meng Ci had no reason to refuse and took it.
He just thought to himself about what he should give them in return.
Recalling Yun Jingcen's recent injury, Meng Ci felt compelled to show concern.
"Teacher Duan, how is Teacher Yun doing?"
Duan Yan replied, "She's fine now, senior. No need to worry."
During Yun Jingcen's recovery, Mao Xinyu regained her spirit and joined Fang Shurui in the security team.
The group had been cautious about safety these past days, so none had suffered any injuries.
Meng Ci nodded.
After hanging the couplets, Meng Ci examined the contents of the bag: several tins of canned goods made from rodents and spiders, a palm-sized piece of cured pork, a bag of rice, and some greens.
Meng Ci understood. These were likely the best provisions Duan Yan and his group could offer.
Reciprocity is a way of courtesy.
Upon returning, Meng Ci thought It over and gathered some items to send to Yun Jingcen and the others.
Two dried fish, a block of frozen meat weighing about five pounds, five sausages, and a bag of white sugar.
All these items had passed through legitimate channels. Even if Yun Jingcen and the others inquired, he could claim they were leftovers from his time at the Baihua Hall.
Meng Ci had Shen Que inspect the items first. Only after receiving his nod of approval did he present them to Yun Jingcen and the others.
Mao Xinyu opened the door.
In Meng Ci's memory, Mao Xinyu always wore meticulous makeup, her chestnut curls perpetually styled neatly, and high heels on her feet, no matter the occasion.
But the Mao Xinyu before him now wore no makeup, her waist-length curls cropped to a messy, uneven bob that fell haphazardly around her ears.
The transformation was so drastic that Meng Ci nearly failed to recognize her.
"Happy New Year, Teacher Mao," Meng Ci spoke first.
"Happy New Year, Meng," Mao Xinyu stepped aside, gesturing for Meng Ci to enter.
Meng Ci shook her head.
"Teacher Mao, I won't be coming
in."
Inside, Yun Jingcen and Ruan Qing heard the voices and stepped out.
"Mr. Meng, come in and sit."
"Gege!"
Meng Ci greeted them, then handed the items in his hands to Mao Xinyu.
"I won't be staying in. Shen Que is waiting for me to eat!"
"These are our New Year gifts.
Seeing Meng Ci's insistence on leaving, Mao Xinyu and the others didn't press him.
But when Mao Xinyu glimpsed the contents of the plastic bag, she was utterly astonished.
"Meng Ci, take these back! We can't possibly accept them!"
Saying this, Mao Xinyu reached out to hand the plastic bag back to Meng Ci.
Meng Ci shook his head and took two steps back.
"Teacher Mao, please keep these things."
"These are items Shen Que and I took from the Baihua Hall earlier. They'll spoil if left too long!"
"It's better to eat them before they expire."
"Teachers Yun and Mao, please convey my New Year's greetings to Teacher Fang."
When Yun Jingcen approached and saw the contents of the bag, she also refused to accept them.
"Meng Ci, these items won't spoil if left here. You should take them back immediately."
"Besides, we're on the security team now. With daily wages, we can fully support ourselves."
Meng Ci didn't take it, only saying, "Please accept them."
"Consider it a small token of appreciation from me and Shen Que."
Just then, Yun Jingcen and Mao Xinyu emerged one after the other, grabbing Meng Ci and insisting on forcing the plastic bag into his hands.
Meng Ci was strong and easily broke free.
"It's cold outside. You two should head back soon."
With that, Meng Ci turned to leave.
"Gege!"
Ruan Qing emerged from the house at that moment, holding a plastic container filled with neatly arranged dumplings.
"Gege, I made these dumplings myself. They're for you."
"Happy New Year."
After handing the box to Meng Ci, Ruan Qing bowed deeply before retreating back inside.
Yun Jingcen explained on Ruan Qing's behalf, "The filling is a mix of chives and potatoes."
"Ruan Ruan prepared them yesterday, but never dared to give them to you."
"Take them back and eat them."
Meng Ci nodded.
Running his fingers over the plastic container, he sighed inwardly.
He was no longer the original host and thus possessed none of the original host's memories. Naturally, he had no recollection of when the original host had saved Ruan Qing.
Yet Ruan Qing's kindness was evident, and refusing it would be impolite.
"Then please tell Ruan Qing for me, Teacher Yun, that I appreciate his dumplings."