portable space

I was originally going to say something, but when I saw someone coming out, Mu Hongyu stopped talking.

Fan Ming asked Xing Rushui, "Aunt Xing won't go out again, will she?"

Xing Rushui replied: "Not in the near future. As long as nothing unexpected happens, I can stay here until the end of the year."

"Great!" Fan Ming immediately clapped her hands and applauded. You must know that Aunt Xing always went out every now and then, and the length of time she stayed outside varied. It was rare to be able to stay at home for more than half a year like this time.

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Zhang Taiping asked: "Have the outside matters been dealt with?"

Xing Rushui nodded: "Some small things, just take care of them and they'll be over." Then he nodded towards Mu Hongyu and said, "How is your sister?"

Mu Hongyu also nodded and smiled: "Fortunately, maybe you can still see her when she comes in two days."

Zhang Taiping was a little curious that they actually knew each other, but after thinking about it for a moment, he understood that people of the same level were in such a circle. If you pay a little attention, you can know each other, so he didn't ask any more questions.

Cai Xiaomei also came out of the house and said: "When I came back today, there was a traffic jam in the town. When I asked, I found out that the car was actually for a party in Tangyu. I didn't know where the car was for traveling. I didn't know how good it was, but it was so good.

So many people are flocking to it.”

Zhang Taiping smiled and said: "It's great now. It has hot springs. Coupled with the government's heavy investment in renovation, it is now one of the top health resorts in Xi'an. It's hot now, where can we go to escape the summer heat?"

It couldn't be better. You still

Well, I went there once in March, and the Peach Blossom Bathing Festival in March happened to be held at that time. The scene was spectacular. The ten-mile-long road was all occupied by private cars. It was a small town.

The daily flow of people is as high as 100,000.”

"Brother has been there too?" Cai Xiaomei asked.

Zhang Taiping smiled and replied: "I've been there several times, and I went there again not long ago with the village chief and the others."

"Then I have to find a time to go over and see what a good method is." Cai Xiaomei said.

Fan Ming agreed from the side: "We will go together then."

Zhang Taiping said: "It's not easy to go where you want to go. It only takes an hour from us to take the mountainous road."

Cai Xiaomei suddenly remembered something and patted her head and said: "I have been out for so long and only remember the solar calendar. I have forgotten when the lunar calendar is. It was only when I asked today that I found out it was July 7th and which soup it was.

The day of the festival in the valley is also the day of the festival in our village. Although we don’t have any relatives in our family, we still have to celebrate, right?"

Zhang Taiping also lived a comfortable life and forgot about time. Unexpectedly, it was already July 7th, so he smiled and said: "Then let's cook two dishes and drink some wine to celebrate."

"July 7th, isn't that the Chinese Valentine's Day?" Fan Ming asked from the side.

Zhang Taiping was stunned for a moment and nodded. In the countryside, it is also called Chongqi because the month and day are both seven.

Not long after everyone sat down, Cai Yazhi came out, holding a pair of cloth shoes in her hand, and said to Zhang Taiping: "The shoes are ready, see if they fit."

Zhang Taiping put the shoes on his feet, stood up and tried it, and took two more steps. The handmade cloth shoes were comfortable to wear on his feet. Not only did they not have any hard stubble to abrade his feet, they were also light and flexible.

"It fits very well!" Zhang Taiping said as he kicked his feet lightly.

"It just fits." Cai Yazhi said with a smile.

Zhang Taiping put the new shoes on his feet without taking them off, and asked: "Do you know that today is July 7th?"

Cai Yazhi nodded and said: "I remember, I prepared some things to beg for luck at night."

The Chinese Valentine's Day also has another name among the people, that is, the Qiqiao Festival. On this night, women thread needles and beg for skillful things, pray for good fortune, longevity and longevity, worship the Seventh Sister, the ceremony is pious and solemn, and flowers, fruits, red needlework, and various furniture are displayed.

, the utensils are all exquisite, compact and lovable.

On this romantic night, the girls lay out seasonal fruits and melons in front of the bright moon in the sky, worship to the sky, and beg the fairies in the sky to give them smart hearts and dexterous hands, so that their knitting skills can be improved.

More begging

Pray for a good match in love and marriage. In the past, marriage was a lifelong event for women that determined whether they would be happy or not. Therefore, countless loving men and women in the world will pray to the stars on this night, in the quiet of the night, for a happy marriage.

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Zhang Taiping asked: "What have you prepared?"

Cai Yazhi blushed slightly and said nothing. Zhang Taiping was a little surprised. Why did he blush after asking such a question? Could there be some other meaning in it?

In fact, his guess was correct.

According to the old custom, a few days before Chinese Valentine's Day, one would first spread a layer of soil on a small wooden board, sow corn seeds, and let them produce green seedlings. Then they would put some small thatched huts and flowers and trees on them to create a small village with farm houses.

The shape is called "shell plate", or mung beans, adzuki beans, wheat, etc. are soaked in a magnetic bowl, wait for them to grow buds, and then tie them into a bunch with red and blue silk ropes, which is called "seed growth"

, also called "Five Lives Basin" or "Five Lives Basin"

It is also called "paoqiao" in various parts of the south. The bean sprouts that grow are called "qiao buds". They even replace needles with qiao buds and throw them on the water to beg for tricks. They also use wax to mold various images, such as the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

The characters in the story, or in the shape of vultures, mandarin ducks, and other animals, are placed on the water to float, which is called "water float." There are also wax baby dolls that women buy and let home and float on the water and soil as a sign of good luck for their children.

, called "metamorphosis".

Doing these things is suspected of seeking a child, so how can Cai Yazhi say it out in front of so many people? Although these people here may not understand the customs at all, she is still shy and a little embarrassed.

Fan Ming also saw the shy blush on Cai Yazhi's face, and asked with a smile on her face: "No wonder Sister Cai made new shoes a long time ago but only took them out today. It turns out they are gifts for Valentine's Day."

Cai Yazhi blushed even more and pinched Fan Ming's cheek gently and said, "You are the only one who can talk nonsense." However, the rosy color on her face betrayed her thoughts, and anyone with a discerning eye could see that this was what she was thinking in her heart.

Nowadays, many people regard Qixi Festival as the traditional Chinese Valentine's Day. Some young people especially pursue this day, making it quickly become a Chinese-style Valentine's Day similar to foreign Valentine's Day. This is probably due to the romantic and poignant love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

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In fact, there is a "Chinese Valentine's Day", but it is not the Chinese Valentine's Day, but the "Lantern Festival" on the 15th day of the first lunar month, that is, the "Spring Festival".

According to Chinese folk tradition, on the first full moon night of the year, people light up colored lanterns, go out to admire the moon, and set off fireworks. "In ancient times, influenced by feudal ideas, women often stayed at home.

It's not etiquette to show your face. Only on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month can you go out for the lantern festival. On this day can boys and girls meet each other and express their love. Therefore, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the real Chinese Valentine's Day.

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Many businesses regard the Chinese Valentine's Day as Valentine's Day for commercial hype. In fact, it is not because they don't know the true meaning of this festival, but to drive away profits.

Regarding this phenomenon, some scholars have called for: "Young people regard the Chinese Valentine's Day as Valentine's Day. This practice is not only detrimental to the protection of traditional festivals, but also distorts the cultural connotation of traditional festivals. More publicity, including the media, should be

The cultural connotation of traditional festivals provides correct guidance on how to celebrate traditional festivals. The reason why Qixi Festival can be listed on the national intangible cultural heritage list is because it is a festival with Chinese characteristics. We should cherish it and never put ourselves

Something was lost.”

In fact, in Zhang Taiping's view, there is no need to stop this. Who can say clearly whether this is a natural change of culture that conforms to the historical trend? Every era should have its own contemporary characteristics, no matter whether it is good or bad.

Both bad and bad are contemporary cultural expressions, and letting nature take its course is the best development situation. (This is Zhang Taiping’s idea, and it is also Sitting’s humble opinion.)

"In that case, let's take out all the books and clothes at home to dry them," Zhang Taiping said.

"What kind of custom is this?" Fan Ming asked in confusion.

Zhang Taiping replied: "Qixi Festival was a major folk festival in the history of our country. There were many customs among the people. In addition to the familiar ones of wearing clever needles, making clever food, worshiping Kuixing, dyeing nails, and washing with tree sap.

In addition to the first-class custom, there was also a unique custom in ancient times: posting books."

"Posting books?" Fan Ming wondered, "What a weird custom, why do you post books?"

At this time, Mu Hongyu next to him smiled and replied: "I know this. Drying books developed from drying clothes. There is such a record in Cui Shi's "Four People's Monthly Order" of the Eastern Han Dynasty: "On July 7th, the people were exposed to the sun.

The scriptures and clothes are free from beetles. The folk proverb goes: "The Chinese Valentine's Day is here and the sun is high, so it's good to dry your clothes and books." On the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, the sun is shining

Sufficient but not too hot, the ultraviolet rays contained in sunlight have a sterilizing effect. This is a good time to expose books and clothes. Taking advantage of the good weather, take books and clothes to the sun to dry them, which is good for these objects themselves.

It’s beneficial. Moreover, when literati share their books, they can also take the opportunity to sort out the books, review the past and learn the new.”

Fan Ming said: "Why do you know everything? But I know nothing."

Cai Xiaomei shrugged and said, "I don't know this either."

Zhang Taiping said with a smile: "These things are basically no longer common in cities. Only people in some rural areas or small towns will remember these customs. People in cities, especially young people, live in a fast and irritable pace.

People have long forgotten or simply transformed it into a modern Chinese-style Adult Day."

Fan Ming asked again: "What did you mean by dyeing your nails and washing your hair just now?"

Zhang Taiping looked at her and said: "It is said that if women and girls wash their hair with tree sap on this day, their hair will become black and shiny, and they will become beautiful. Unmarried girls or children can dye their nails on this day."

Be smart."

"Really?" Fan Ming asked with bright eyes.

Zhang Taiping smiled and nodded, and then said to the others: "If there are no special taboos, just wash your hair today."

Everyone else also smiled and agreed. Although washing your hair today will not make you beautiful as promised, it is also fun for the whole family to wash their hair according to the custom.

Fan Ming ran towards the house to wash up first.

Zhang Taiping shouted towards the house: "Yaya, come out and wash your hair."

The little girl ran out and said, "Dad, I just washed it yesterday."

Zhang Taiping said with a smile: "I washed it yesterday and washed it again today. After washing it today, I will grow up to be a beautiful little girl. I will dye your nails later."

Cai Yazhi brought out a basin of hot water and prepared to wash Yaya's hair.

Zhang Taiping said: "I'll do it, and you go prepare some dishes for the evening."

After Cai Yazhi left, Zhang Taiping asked the little girl to lie on his lap, with her one-foot-long hair hanging in the water. Due to the nutrition, or the spring water, everyone in the family has beautiful hair, and Yaya's hair is also beautiful.

There is no yellow like other children of this age, pure black.

After washing her hair, Yaya said: "Dad, don't comb one braid this time, comb two braids."

Zhang Taiping wiped her wet hair with a dry towel and said: "It's evening, so I won't braid it. Just wear it like this. I'll braid it again tomorrow morning."

"Yes." The little girl responded obediently. In fact, children at this age are neither willing to wash their hair nor to tie their hair in braids. It's not that they don't like to be clean, but they don't have the patience at their active age.

After washing the little girl's hair, Zhang Taiping went into the house, closed the door, and prepared a gift for Cai Yazhi alone inside.

As people understand, no matter what the original meaning of today is, it has now been given the meaning of Valentine's Day. Moreover, Fan Ming's words about Cai Yazhi just now awakened Zhang Taiping, and Cai Yazhi sent the shoes today.

Although giving it to herself is a very common thing, it contains her deep affection. So Zhang Taiping also planned to give his wife a gift.

In the past, Zhang Taiping didn't pay much attention to these things. He always believed that a plain and warm life was the best, and there was no need for these deliberate methods to add anything. But today, he suddenly had some new ideas. Although these methods have no substance

There is something inside, but it can make my wife happy, so why not do it?

The gift he prepared was a rose bush folded out of space. In the center of the ninety-nine fiery red roses stood a figure carved from jade, which represented eternity with you.

Needless to say, the jade sculpture is that of Cai Yazhi. It was created by Zhang Taiping in his spare time. However, this sculpture is a bit embarrassing, as it is not stranded and every detail is revealed.

When Zhang Taiping gave the gift to Cai Yazhi, he did not let others see it. It was not that he was stingy and did not want to give other people any gifts, but that it was not suitable to give it today. In any case, today has been given a special meaning. Giving it to others

Things also have special meanings, so Zhang Taiping only prepared gifts for Cai Yazhi.

Cai Yazhi didn't react immediately after receiving such a large bush of bright roses. She was stunned, and then she was overwhelmed with great happiness. She held the flowers in her arms, and there was a tendency to shed tears in her eyes.

Zhang Taiping smiled and said: "There are still things inside."

Cai Yazhi lowered her head and looked at the center of the flowers. Her face immediately became bright and vivid. She quickly put the statue away and put it in her pocket. She looked around like a thief. When she saw that no one saw her, she breathed a sigh of relief.

I reached into my pocket and wanted to take it out to take a look, but I was too embarrassed to do so.

In the evening, we cooked a table of dishes and the family set the table under the vine in the backyard.

Fan Ming put his ear to the vine as if listening and said: "Tonight, sitting under the vine, you can overhear the loving words of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl when they met in the sky."

After hearing this, Yaya asked Zhang Taiping: "Dad, who are the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl?"

On a clear summer and autumn night, stars are shining in the sky, and a vast white Milky Way is like a sky bridge crossing the north and south. On the east and west banks of the river, there is a shining star on each side, facing each other across the river, far away.

Zhang Taiping pointed to the two bright stars and said: "Those are Altair and Vega. There are stories about them, do you want to hear them?"

"Yes!" The little girl nodded in agreement.

So Zhang Taiping began to tell the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl: "This is a very beautiful love story that has been passed down through the ages and has become one of the four major folk love legends in our country. Legend has it that there is a Vega star and an Altair star in the sky.

The Weaver Girl and the Morning Glory are in love with each other, and they are close to each other. But... (Some readers said that there should not be more such redundant words in the article, so the story is omitted here. If you are interested, you can read it yourself.)...

...So they would meet at Magpie Bridge every July 7th."

"They are so pitiful." The little girl said sympathetically after hearing this. Then she looked up at the bright Milky Way in the sky and said, "Dad, where is the Magpie Bridge?"

People under the vines are looking at the vast starry sky.

Zhang Taiping pointed to the Milky Way across the sky and said: "It's right there. Did you see it? Those twinkling stars are what the magpie changes."

Yaya tilted her head and asked, "Why doesn't our little Xi fly to the sky?"

Zhang Taiping laughed and said: "Xiao Xi is a lazy guy."

Xiao Xi, who was sitting on Cai Yazhi's shoulder, heard the male host arranging herself in this way and screamed a few times in protest.

Fan Ming suddenly suggested: "Let's have a poetry meeting, starting with the eldest brother."

Zhang Taiping was a little bit annoyed by this suggestion. If he was asked to talk about flowers, plants and trees, he could still do it. But if he was asked to recite poems correctly, he would be a fool. He raised his hand and said, "I'm really not good at this."

Cai Xiaomei and Mu Hongyu also echoed, "That's right, starting from the eldest brother."

Zhang Taiping glanced around and saw that Cai Yazhi was no longer helping him, so he could only bite the bullet and say a poem: The clouds make tricks, the flying stars spread hatred, and the silver man crosses the distance secretly.

Once the golden wind and jade dew meet, they will defeat countless people in the world.

Tenderness is like water, good times are like dreams, and I can’t bear to look at the magpie bridge on my way back!

If the love between two people lasts for a long time, how can it last day and night?

This is "Magpie Bridge Immortal" by Qin Guan, and it's the perfect time to recite it.

"Brother said he wasn't good at it, but this is the best song and I told you to leave."

...

Zhang Taiping sat on a wicker chair, holding a glass of wine, squinting his eyes and taking a few sips, listening to the whispers of a large group of warblers in his ears, feeling a little intoxicated and floating... ps: Please give me flowers.