Chapter 861: Laba (1)
The saying goes, "On the seventh and eighth days of the twelfth lunar month, the chin freezes off."
So, to avoid freezing one’s chin off, it is customary to drink Babao Porridge on the day of Laba.
As to why drinking Laba porridge would prevent one’s chin from freezing off, no one knew, but nonetheless, on this day, people of all economic statuses would boil the porridge to drink.
Last year, the main branch of the Yang Family could not even spare a bowl of rice soup, let alone Babao Porridge, but this year was different.
Early on, Yang Ruxin had prepared everything and was ready not just for eight ingredients, but to brew different types of Babao Porridge.
One type was made from ingredients like rice, jujubes, peanuts, longan, and sesame. Another involved ingredients such as rice, millet, japonica rice, mung beans, soybeans, and peas, so everyone could choose according to their preference.
Before dawn today, Ruxin got up early to soak all the ingredients, and after washing up, she started the fire and began boiling it. By breakfast time, it had thickened and softened just right.
"Big sister, the Babao Porridge is so delicious," Sini said as her big eyes squinted into narrow slits.
"I wonder if Ying has had any Babao Porridge," Erya spoke in her childlike voice. "I miss her."
Sini suddenly fell silent.