AWB Chapter 240: Double Ninth Festival (2)
Chapter 240: Double Ninth Festival (2)
Filled with joy and an indescribable sense of fulfillment, I left the picturesque garden with light steps. The beauty of the garden is still vivid in my mind, like a colorful painting, deeply imprinted in my mind.
I set off for the flower market with a cheerful heart. Even before I even approached, I could hear the noisy, vibrant clamor from afar. As I approached, I saw the market bustling with people, pausing to admire the flowers and haggle over prices. It was a bustling scene!
I didn't linger, heading straight for the chrysanthemum display. Arriving, I was greeted by a dazzling sea of blossoms. The various varieties of chrysanthemums vie for attention, their beauty breathtaking. Some are brilliant golden, dazzling like gold; others are pure white, so pure and flawless you can't bear to touch them. Some hold their heads high, others droop shyly, their myriad poses a feast for the eyes.
I carefully walked through the blossoms, examining each one, finally selecting some edible ones. These flowers are not only beautiful but also said to be highly nutritious. I couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation as I imagined using them to brew pots of delicious, health-boosting chrysanthemum wine back home.
As I walked to the checkout counter, I saw a kind-looking old man. He stared at the large bunch of chrysanthemums in my shopping basket with great interest. With a kind smile on his face, he asked, "Young man, why did you buy so many chrysanthemums? What are you going to use them for?"
While I was busy pulling out my wallet to pay, I smiled and replied, "Uncle, don't you know? The Double Ninth Festival is coming soon, so I bought these chrysanthemums to make chrysanthemum wine!"
Hearing my answer, the old man's eyes lit up and he couldn't help but sigh: "Oh, it's really rare to find young people like you who value the traditional festivals and customs of our Chinese nation!"
Our conversation naturally flowed, and a delightful conversation ensued. I excitedly shared with him a video I'd just finished and published about the Double Ninth Festival. The old man listened with rapt attention, nodding approvingly. When I finished, he gave me a thumbs-up without hesitation, saying, "Son, you did a great job!" He then enthusiastically recounted interesting memories of celebrating the Double Ninth Festival as a child.
According to the old man's recollection, back then, the family would gather around the dining table, savoring the delicious Chongyang cake. The adults would vividly recount the legendary story of Huan Jing's brave fight against the plague demon and his efforts to rid the people of harm. Whenever the story reached a fascinating part, the children would open their eyes wide, listening with rapt attention.
After bidding farewell to the enthusiastic and cheerful old man, I left the flower market with a heart full of joy. The brilliant sunlight bathed me in a golden glow, a warm sensation that brought a particularly soothing feeling. As I set off on my journey home with a brisk pace, my mind involuntarily conjured up the beautiful image of cups of golden, fragrant chrysanthemum wine on the table. I knew this wonderful and heartwarming experience had not only successfully spread knowledge about the Double Ninth Festival to more people, but also allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the profound warmth and deep satisfaction this ancient traditional festival embodies.
Back home, my heart throbbed with joy, and I rushed to the kitchen. Standing at the sink, I quickly turned on the faucet and scrubbed my hands, as if washing away the day's fatigue and dust. Once my hands were clean, I took a deep breath, turned, and headed to the cabinet where my tools were stored to begin preparing the long-awaited chrysanthemum wine.
I carefully removed the fresh chrysanthemums I had just bought from my shopping bag. Their delicate petals, like the shy face of a young girl, were radiantly beautiful, exuding a delicate fragrance. Gently placing these beautiful flowers on a large chopping board, I set to work, as intently as a craftsman working on a precious work of art. First, I gently removed any damaged or imperfect petals with my fingers, ensuring that each chrysanthemum displayed its most captivating beauty. Once I had completed this step, I picked up a knife and carefully divided the flowers into even pieces, neatly arranging them aside for later use.
Then, like a treasure hunter, I joyfully retrieved the bottle of long-treasured glutinous rice wine from the depths of the cabinet. I had carefully selected this bottle, waiting for this special moment to open it. I slowly unscrewed the cap, and a rich aroma immediately filled my nostrils. I tilted the bottle slightly, allowing the clear liquid to slowly flow into the clean glass jar I had prepared, until it covered the bottom of the jar by about a finger's height.
Next came the crucial step—adding the chrysanthemums. I used tweezers to pick up a section of pre-processed chrysanthemums and gently placed them into the jar. The instant the pure white chrysanthemums came into contact with the liquor, they seemed to come alive, slowly unfurling. The once tightly packed petals gradually spread out, like delicate, graceful blossoms blooming in the wine. As I repeated this action, the once plain jar of liquor gradually became vibrant and vibrant.
As I was absorbed in the beauty before me, a curious thought suddenly struck me: Would adding a little honey to this chrysanthemum wine make it even more delicious? With this thought, I sprang to action, rummaging through my closet for my jar of the finest honey. Lifting the lid, a rich, sweet aroma filled the air. I scooped up a small spoonful of thick, golden honey and slowly dripped it into the glass jar. Like a golden thread, the translucent honey traced a graceful arc across the wine before gradually dissolving into the wine.
Finally, I tightened the lid on the jar, gripped it with both hands, and gently shook it from side to side. With a crisp clinking sound, the chrysanthemums, wine, and honey intertwined and blended, creating a unique and harmonious flavor. At this moment, I could almost hear them singing and laughing inside the jar, jointly nurturing the birth of a delicious miracle.
I carefully lifted the delicate jar, as if holding a precious heart, and gently placed it in the coolest, most well-ventilated corner of the room. Watching it quietly stand there, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation, as if I could already smell the aroma of chrysanthemum wine that would permeate the air in a few days.