V3: Chapter 11: The Signs
“Then get it yourself! You're a big girl now, almost seven. Be independent, pick it up yourself. Why do you always have me and Liang Di feed you?”
Liang Di was spoiling her daughter too much, which angered Liang Lin. She felt that children should suffer a bit so they could achieve something later. She had experienced that when she was little, thrown into a soldiers' camp, her father saying he would discipline her.
The soldiers were sensible enough not to treat Liang Lin well. Because they knew that sooner or later, she could inherit her father's name and lead them into battle to kill the enemy.
"Get it yourself. If you don't, you can't eat."
...Oh...
Liang Lin was terrifying when she got angry; her face looked like a twisted monster, both frightening and clumsy.
Carol, being a clever child, didn't want to be punished, so she immediately picked up a fork and knife and shakily started cutting.
Carol deftly cut off a piece of chicken, excitedly holding it up with her fork for Liang Lin to see.
"Mama, look, I cut the roast chicken myself!"
It's unclear what this silly daughter was so happy about, but... in this situation, it's still necessary to praise her a little, not just belittle her.
If you belittle her too much, well, her mind will become twisted.
Carol arrived, immediately standing on the stool, wanting to cut other things to eat.
"Hey, just sit still. I'll bring the food to you, isn't that enough? Don't stand up. Standing on the stool, won't you be eating at the table later?"
Carol, however, said enthusiastically to Liang Lin, "I don't need your help, Mama. I think I can do it myself."
Liang Lin's gaze dimmed slightly.
She used to be just as energetic as this girl, but everything had changed. She was no longer that vibrant, energetic girl.
Carol was standing on a chair. Liang Lin and Liang Di were afraid that Carol would accidentally fall to the ground, so they forced her to sit and bring her food.
"Vegetable and meat stew. Although I don't like vegetables, I love the meat in the vegetable and meat stew."
"Don't be picky about food."
Liang Di was still very gentle; she gently patted Carol's little head.
The aroma was simply irresistible. Carol immediately grabbed a fork and knife.
The vegetable stew with eggs was incredibly delicious. This dish combined seasonal winter vegetables—potatoes, carrots, beets—with select meats, including lamb and beef, slow-cooked until the meat was tender and the broth rich and flavorful.
Carol took a sip of the soup and a happy smile spread across her face.
It is so delicious!
Even the vegetables tasted better; every bite had a meaty flavor. Both the meat and vegetables had a wonderful meaty aroma. She wondered how they did it.
Only one dish remained to be tasted.
That was the traditional bread pudding.
She wanted to try everything to be satisfied.
Bread pudding.
This was a traditional Western European dessert, made primarily with flour, milk, eggs, and sugar. After baking, the bread pudding had a golden-brown, crispy surface and a soft, sweet interior—a rare treat in winter.
Only after trying all the dishes was Carol truly satisfied.
A little kid like them can't eat much, so Liang Lin and Liang Di finished everything.
Kid like her is actually quite easy to coax.
After finishing their meal, it was almost one o'clock in the afternoon. Liang Lin and Liang Di took Carol to the square.
Many people greeted them on the way; they all knew them. Sometimes it was so crowded that it was impossible to move. There was no other way; Liang Lin, Liang Di, and Carol could only be escorted by the common people to the center of the square.
It was so lively, even more lively than before.
Liang Di turned her head this way and that, watching the sunlight filter through the sparse clouds, casting a warm golden hue on the narrow, winding streets.Various shops lined both sides of the street; from the clanging sounds of the blacksmith's shop to the enticing aromas wafting from the bakery, everything spoke of the vibrant life of this land.
Liang Di and Liang Lin strolled slowly, observing the people around them, listening to the parents gossip.
Sometimes, around 2 PM, they would even stop and join the group of old women in gossiping. Ah, life is so good now.
Just then, a pastor emerged from the church. Around the statue, wreaths woven from pine and holly branches glistened with dewdrops, adding to the festive atmosphere and vitality.
Commoners, dressed in their finest holiday attire, carrying flowers and candles, slowly gathered in the square. Children's laughter rang out crisply in the cold wind; wearing hats made of colorful paper, they chased and played around the statue. The air was filled with the aroma of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine.
Liang Lin and Liang Di also bought flowers and candles, holding them in their hands, and joined the commoners as they walked to the base of the statue. They looked up, gazing up at the statue.
The pastor, dressed in a long black robe with a silver cross around his neck, slowly emerged from the church and stepped into the center of the square. He paused, looked up at the statue, his eyes shining with piety and reverence.
Then, he gently adjusted his robes and walked slowly to the pulpit below the statue, preparing to begin his address.
"Dear brothers and sisters, in this glorious moment of the Winter Solstice, we gather under God's mercy to celebrate this festival that gives us warmth and hope. With His boundless love, God illuminates every corner of the cold winter, filling this world with light and warmth."
Carol fell silent, holding the flowers and candles, staring blankly.
Liang Lin, however, was unconcerned. She didn't believe in God, but she respected rational believers. If she encountered someone so insane as to kill for God, she would definitely cut off their head.
Liang Di held Carol.
Liang Di didn't hear a word the pastor said. She kept staring at her sister Liang Lin, occasionally turning her head to glance at the dazed Carol.
"Carol is a big girl now. Put her down later and let her walk on her own. But don't put her down now, she might get lost in the crowd," Liang Lin said.
Liang Di nodded.
Under the statue, the pastor continued his passionate sermon.
"Today, we should not only give thanks for God's blessings, but also remember God's teachings—love is the most powerful force in life. Let us welcome the arrival of spring together."
Hilary and Octaville brought Alice over, the little one behaving obediently, her little lips pursed, her big eyes blinking, much quieter than Carol.
"Alice!"
Carol's attention shifted to Alice, who waved her little hands, seemingly wanting to jump out of Liang Di's arms.
"Carol~!"
Alice's voice wasn't loud, but it was definitely loud enough for Carol to hear.
Alice also wanted to get down, so she whispered in Octaville's ear.
"Mommy, I want to get down, I want to play with Carol."
Octaville looked at her wife, Hilary, wanting to ask permission.
Hilary nodded gently, "Let her down, let her down, go play with Carol."
The pastor continued his passionate sermon beneath the statue.
"May this winter sun not only warm our bodies but also illuminate our hearts. God is with us; may His love and protection forever accompany us."
Alice was then put down, and she ran to Liang Lin and Liang Di. She reached out her little hand and tugged at Liang Di's sleeve.
"Auntie..."
Liang Lin looked down at the little girl.
"Put Carol down, let her play with Alice."
Carol was also put down, and she rushed to Alice, and then...
Smack~
She kissed Alice on the cheek.
"I missed you so much~!"
Alice's cheeks flushed, and after a few shy moments, she kissed Carol on the lips.
"I, I missed you so much too."
Carol hugged Alice.
Carol was tall for her age. Although Alice was a year older than Carol, she was still shorter than Carol, who was a full half-head taller.
Liang Lin, Liang Di, Hilary, and Octaville: "..."
"It's probably just a child's way of expressing friendliness," Liang Di broke the silence.
"Probably, what do children know?" Hilary added, trying to smooth things over.
"Yes, it's just that we adults have such dirty minds," Octaville said weakly.
The pastor's sermon finally ended.
"Let us remember that no matter how bumpy the road ahead may be, as long as we hold onto our faith, nothing can stop us from moving forward. Just as the winter sun, though brief, can warm the entire winter."
The pastor bowed, ending his sermon.
Liang Lin's subordinates also squeezed in.
"Ouch, that was so crowded!"
"Yes, I saw the Marquis, but there were too many people, I couldn't squeeze through."
"Yeah, now that there are fewer people, it was only with great difficulty that a group of us managed to squeeze through."
Liang Lin glanced at her subordinates.
"Let's go, there's a blessing ceremony over there, I've never seen one before, let's go take a look."
A total of about twenty people, marching in a grand procession towards the sacred tree.
"The sacred tree?"
"Actually, it's just a tree that has lived for hundreds of years without being cut down, there's no such thing as a sacred tree. However, it gathers people's faith, which isn't a bad thing." Liang Di said.
The distance was quite far, Liang Lin and her group walked and stopped, chatting as they went, occasionally stopping to buy a couple of interesting trinkets from vendors before continuing.
Thus, what should have been a half-hour journey took them more than two hours.
"We're almost at the sacred tree."
Liang Lin pointed ahead.
Suddenly, Liang Di grabbed her arm.
"Ugh."
Liang Lin was startled and supported Liang Di's shoulder.
"What happened?"
Liang Di didn't vomit, but felt a little nauseous.
"I probably ate too much just now, I'm so full."
Liang Di patted her stomach.
"And then walking so much, I guess it was from eating too much and exercising all the time, so I threw up."
Liang Di took out a handkerchief and wiped her lips.
"It's okay, I don't feel bad anymore, let's keep going."
Liang Lin was a little worried, frowning, "Are you really okay?"
"I'm really fine."
Liang Di straightened her back.
"Let's go, don't delay."
Liang Lin nodded.
"Okay, let's go."
She reached out her hand to Liang Di.
Liang Di was taken aback.
Liang Lin's face flushed slightly. Even though they had already done those things, holding hands in public was extremely rare.
Liang Di froze, staring blankly at the outstretched hand.
"Why are you staring at me?" Liang Lin was getting exasperated.
Even though she had made it so obvious, the other woman was still staring blankly.
Hearing this, Liang Di's eyes lit up.
"Mmm!"
Liang Di took Liang Lin's hand, flashing a smile warmer than the winter sun.
So happy, so very happy, holding hands with my beloved Liang Lin, walking down the street—what a blissful thing this was!
Author's Note
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