A Sprinkle of Snowflakes: 1-5 Braised Fish Dumplings

*Maozhou is about to experience a warm winter.*

* **Rewards:** 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1

## Transcript

Expand for script.

* After returning to the Chen residence, Madam Chen remains silent. She stands quietly by her daughter's bed, watching the sleeping baby.
* I chew on my fingers as I wait.
* **You:** (I don't know if Madam Chen believes us or not.)

* **You:** (If she insists that we are hindering Daomi from becoming Mr. Du's student... will she do something to the inn?)

* **You:** (Also, there's the task of the December Spirit... Have I failed?)

* **You:** (No, no, that's not right.)

* **You:** (Madam Chen's wish is for her daughter to succeed in life, and the December Spirit says that fulfilling the wish will help people have a wonderful holiday.)

* **You:** (If I find a suitable tutor for Madam Chen before the winter solstice, does that count as fulfilling the wish?)

* My thoughts churn on, and I feel restless.
* Finally, I see Madam Chen reluctantly shift her gaze away from the baby and walk towards us.
* **You:** Ma'am, we really didn't lie.

* I haven't thought of a way to defend myself, but I still eagerly attempt a defense as Madam Chen approaches.
* Madam Chen shakes her head and wearily sits down on a chair.
* **Madam Chen:** I didn't believe you at first, but the old servant's reaction clearly gave everything away.

* **Liansheng:** He has a guilty conscience because everything we said is the truth!

* **Liansheng:** When we first went to his house, something felt off. He's just a teacher, but he served us the finest Dancong tea.

* **Liansheng:** It's clear that the old man has received a lot of bribes from people on a regular basis!

* **Liansheng:** I'll charge into that kitchen right now, and show everyone the lid!

* **Liansheng:** We should let the people of Maozhou know what kind of person the esteemed Mr. Du really is.

* **Madam Chen:** Even if you do that, the neighbors may not necessarily believe you.

* **Madam Chen:** Things have come to this point, and I don't want to push things any further.

* **Madam Chen:** I won't blame you for this incident.

* I'm relieved to hear her say that.
* However, I have another important task in mind.
* **You:** What about... Daomi?

* **Madam Chen:** I will look for another good teacher for her.

* **Madam Chen:** Do you have a candidate in mind, madam?

* Madam Chen shakes her head.
* **You:** (The winter solstice is coming soon. Finding another suitable teacher will take quite some time.)

* I am very anxious and take the initiative to help Madam Chen find a good teacher, recommending several famous teachers to her.
* **Madam Chen:** Those people you mentioned, I'll personally get in touch with them and observe them closely for a while.

* **Madam Chen:** If there's a suitable one... I'll give you a reward.

* **You:** (I don't know when she'll decide upon a teacher.)

* I don't want to do this, but I can't let the December Spirit disappear.
* So I put on a brave face and keep going.
* **You:** Ma'am, those gentlemen are knowledgeable and have produced just as many successful candidates for the imperial examinations.

* **You:** Not just Maozhou, but the surrounding towns have many wealthy families who want to send their children to those few teachers.

* **You:** Although Daomi is only 100 days old, the matter of apprenticeship cannot be delayed for too long.

* **You:** I'm afraid that...

* **Madam Chen:** It's alright.

* **Madam Chen:** It's alright even if the people you mentioned refuse to take on any more students in the future.

* **Madam Chen:** Daomi's mentor must not only be knowledgeable, but must have virtuous qualities as well.

* **Madam Chen:** After all...

* **Madam Chen:** I hope my daughter will grow up to be an honest and happy person.

* Madam Chen's gaze softens.
* In my mind's eye, I seem to see a vision of a mother cradling her baby and humming a lullaby.
* **You:** But... don't you want Daomi to succeed in life?

* Madam Chen chuckles lightly and lets out a sigh.
* **Madam Chen:** I hope she will succeed in life, and I also hope she will have a better life than me.

* **Madam Chen:** I hope she can be respected and loved by everyone. I hope...

* **Madam Chen:** ...she can live her life peacefully, openly, and happily.

* Speaking of this, Madam Chen's smile fades and her gentle expression is replaced with a strong expression of regret.
* **Madam Chen:** This whole matter involving Mr. Du is something I find hard to let go of. It's not just that my daughter will miss out on the instruction of a highly educated person...

* **Madam Chen:** But now, because of Mr. Du's influence, most of the nearby gentry will not come.

* **Madam Chen:** Poor Daomi... She won't have a lively hundredth-day celebration.

* I feel a slight vibration from the crystal ball, and Daomi begins to cry.
* Madam Chen nods apologetically to us and hurries to the next room to comfort Daomi.
* I take advantage of the opportunity to turn around and pull out the crystal ball.
* **Liansheng:** Isn't this Madam Chen's wish?

* Liansheng looks at the sentence made up of snowflakes inside the crystal ball, surprised.
* I hope my daughter will succeed in life.
* **Liansheng:** What's happening again?

* I shake my head and look at the snowflakes inside the crystal ball, puzzled.
* In no time, the snowflakes scatter, but soon they gather together again and transform into another sentence.
* **Liansheng:** If it's too early for that, then I hope...

* **Liansheng:** ...that my daughter will receive blessings this winter.

* Liansheng slowly reads the sentence made up of snowflakes.
* I also remember that when I first saw the snowflakes dancing inside the crystal ball, it seemed like they were about to form another sentence.
* But for some unknown reason, the last sentence did not appear.
* **You:** It seems that this is Madam Chen's true wish.

* **You:** It's not just that wants her daughter to succeed in life—she also hopes that she'll receive blessings.

* As the snowflakes inside the crystal ball settle down, Madam Chen puts down Daomi and walks towards us.
* We chat casually about the topic we were on.
* As I respond to the lady's words as naturally as possible, I contemplate the wish displayed in the crystal ball.
* I think of the great flood, I think of the winter solstice, I think of Madam Chen preparing food for the hundredth-day celebration, and I think of the steaming hot dishes.
* Finally, as the lady prepares to bid farewell to her guests, I come up with an idea.
* **You:** Ma'am, you just mentioned that you hope Daomi can be loved by everyone.

* **You:** The winter solstice is coming soon, and tomorrow is Daomi's hundredth-day celebration. Since the gentry won't come to visit, let's invite the common people to the feast.

* **You:** Due to the heavy flooding, the people of Maozhou have to tighten their belts and live frugally in order to get through the harsh winter.

* **You:** Perhaps we could prepare hot meals, so the people can enjoy a full meal. We could also give them some winter clothes.

* **You:** If we did that, Daomi would have a lively and warm hundredth-day celebration, and would surely receive...

* **Madam Chen:** They won't come.

* Before I can finish speaking, Madam Chen interrupts me coldly.
* **You:** How can you be so sure?

* **Madam Chen:** I've been in Maozhou for almost thirty years, and I know better than you what kind of people live here.

* For some reason, Madam Chen suddenly reverts back to her old picky and venomous demeanor.
* **Madam Chen:** These people are all just a bunch of tricky folks who love to take advantage of others. If I were to open up the residence and let them in, I don't know how many things I would end up losing.

* **Madam Chen:** Those who get close to filth become dirty themselves, and I can't let Daomi near these people.

* **Madam Chen:** And that's it. Please leave now.

* Without waiting for our response, Madam Chen drives us out.

* **Liansheng:** Hmph! I'd just changed my opinion of her after getting to know her true wish.

* **Liansheng:** But she suddenly became so hostile, as if she were a cat and we stepped on her tail.

* **Liansheng:** Let's just leave her alone, Master Chef.

* **Liansheng:** Is there really no other way to help that friend you mentioned?

* **You:** There's no other way. We have to fulfill Madam Chen's wish.

* **Liansheng:** But with that attitude of hers, how can anyone like her?

* **Liansheng:** And although Daomi is innocent, with a mother like that, who would dare give her blessings?

* Liansheng speaks with impeccable logic.
* I face the cold wind, staring blankly down the empty street, not knowing where to go.
* **Attendant:** Just a moment, please...

* A young voice breaks the silence. I turn around and see a Chen mansion servant struggling to walk towards us.
* **Attendant:** I would like to ask for your help. Let us work together on the day of the winter solstice to provide aid to the people in front of the Chen family's gate.

* The servant bows, raising both hands above his head beseechingly.
* We are stunned, and do not know how to respond.
* The servant bows even lower, and I hastily help him up.
* **Liansheng:** Don't you know that your employer thinks all people in Maozhou are troublemakers?

* **Liansheng:** Why would she be willing to let her precious daughter interact with the people?

* **Attendant:** Oh, you have misunderstood her.

* The servant is shivering in the cold. He puts his hands in his sleeves and stamps his feet.
* **Attendant:** Do you remember how she first answered you?

* **Attendant:** She said the people won't come.

* **Attendant:** Madam Chen has a bad reputation, and if she were to open her gates, the people would feel even more uneasy inside a strange mansion.

* **Attendant:** She knows this well, and that is why she declined your proposal.

* **Attendant:** As for what she said later, it's just an excuse she came up with.

* **Liansheng:** She deserves a bad reputation.

* **Liansheng:** If she were kinder to people on a regular basis, why would the common people fear her?

* **Attendant:** The lady does have a bad temper, but there's always an explanation behind her behavior.

* **Attendant:** The reason why she scolded Changfu is because he stole from her.

* **Attendant:** When he came to the mansion to work and saw a high quality teacup, he slipped it into his pocket.

* **Attendant:** He thought Madam Chen wouldn't notice a missing teacup, but that teacup was purchased by her husband with his first salary after becoming an official.

* **Attendant:** When Changfu's theft was discovered, not only did Changfu refuse to return the teacup, he insisted that it was his family heirloom.

* **Attendant:** During the argument, the teacup got knocked over and it broke. He was then fiercely rebuked by Madam Chen as a result.

* **Liansheng:** So, has she ever done anything outrageous or harmful?

* **Liansheng:** For example... Is she responsible for the fire at the Four Seas Restaurant?

* **Attendant:** That's even more unfair! If it weren't for Madam, the Four Seas Restaurant would probably have burned down to the ground!

* **You:** What do you mean?

* **Attendant:** The Four Seas Restaurant rejected Madam Chen, so she was very angry.

* **Attendant:** But for Daomi's sake, she decided to talk to the chef again.

* **Attendant:** When she reached the Four Seas Tower, she saw flames inside.

* **Attendant:** She figured a mouse had knocked over a candle, so she banged on the door to alert them.

* **Attendant:** The banging didn't wake up the man snoring inside, but it woke up the old lady next door.

* **Attendant:** When the old lady saw the Four Seas Restaurant was on fire, she screamed, which attracted people's attention, and they came to put out the fire.

* **Attendant:** As more and more people arrived to put out the fire, the lady realized her reputation wouldn't do her any good, so she left.

* **Liansheng:** But the rumors about the Four Seas Restaurant are widespread, so Madam Chen must have heard them too.

* **Liansheng:** If what you're saying is true, why hasn't she tried to clear the air?

* **Attendant:** She did try!

* **Attendant:** But it's just not easy to change the public's impression of a person.

* **Attendant:** Madam Chen has a hard demeanor, so the misunderstanding just grew deeper and deeper.

* **You:** Why doesn't she sit down and have a calm conversation about it with everyone?

* **Attendant:** \*sigh\* She's used to it.

* **Attendant:** Her husband is kind of lazy and soft, and the family doesn't have much of a background.

* **Attendant:** Madam Chen's worried about getting bullied, so she always puts on a tough exterior.

* **Attendant:** If it weren't for me supporting her since I was a youth and knowing her temperament well, I'm afraid I would have believed the masses too.

* The servant sighs with admiration.
* **Attendant:** Madam understands in her heart that behaving this way will only make her relationship with the neighbors worse.

* **Attendant:** But she doesn't know whether or not she should take off this fierce mask, and she doesn't know how to take it off.

* **Attendant:** When I see how exhausted she is, I feel bad for her too.

* **Attendant:** To be honest, I've been wanting to do something for her for a while now.

* **Attendant:** Coincidentally, I happened to hear your proposal, and it does sound like a very good opportunity.

* The air is bitterly cold, but he removes his hands from his sleeves to bow to us gravely and respectfully.
* **You:** We are also willing to help Madam Chen and the people.

* **You:** But would she agree to such a thing?

* **Attendant:** We don't need her approval. We can just carry out your plan.

* **Liansheng:** She won't punish you?

* **Attendant:** She won't.

* **Attendant:** Madam is actually very soft-hearted.

* With the help of the attendant's arrangements, we quietly go about our preparations.
* At first, I feel rather uneasy. And then Madam Chen discovers me handing over the required ingredients to the attendant.
* She is surprised to see me. Then she shifts her gaze to the clothes and food we've prepared. I know the cat is out of the bag.
* Surprisingly, she doesn't scold us. Pretending as if she hasn't seen us, she hums a nursery rhyme as she carries Daomi back to her room.
* I am greatly inspired, and work even harder for the upcoming event.
* Finally, the winter solstice is here.

* **Liansheng:** Mmm, this smells so good! What is it, Master Chef?

* **You:** Braised fish dumplings.

* **You:** And the filling is according to Madam Chen's recipe.

* **Liansheng:** Madam Chen?

* Liansheng blinks in surprise.
* **You:** I was brainstorming on how to create the filling.

* **You:** There was a sudden noise outside the room. I looked down and saw an old cookbook on the ground.

* **You:** And when I looked around, I noticed Madam Chen's bedroom door closing very softly.

* **Liansheng:** She really doesn't know how to be forthright.

* During the conversation, the fragrance of dumplings wafts out into the air, attracting people's attention.
* Liansheng warmly invites the villagers to come eat dumplings and collect clothing. Gradually, more and more people approach from all directions.
* Steaming hot dumplings are given out one by one, spreading warmth among the people.
* I sneak a peek at the Chen family courtyard and see Madam Chen holding Daomi, cautiously watching from afar.
* Suddenly, a little girl with braided hair notices Madam Chen.
* She runs forward unsteadily, wiping her hands on her pants, and takes out a small yellow flower from her tattered blouse.
* **Little Girl:** Ma'am, a gift for the baby.

* Madam Chen is stunned. After a moment, she stiffly reaches out her hand and takes the small flower.
* **Little Girl:** Thank you, Ma'am.

* **Little Girl:** I hope she grows up healthy and well.

* **Little Girl:** I also wish you good health and safety during the winter solstice.

* Madam Chen is still in shock and hasn't come back to her senses, but the little girl is already happily skipping away.
* The winter sun is warm and gently shines on Madam Chen's face.
* In an instant, I seem to see a flash of something in Madam Chen's eyes.
* **You:** (It seems that both Madam Chen and the people of Maozhou will have a heartwarming winter.)

* The street is bustling, and the sound of more and more blessings and greetings are filling the small street.
* I quietly step away from the bustling crowd and walk to a deserted area, before taking out the crystal ball—
* —and seeing countless tiny snowflakes slowly falling...

Ending **[Heartwarming Winter]**