allonlinenovel Chapter 241: Double Ninth Festival (3)
Chapter 241: Double Ninth Festival (3)
I slowly walked to the sofa and sat down, sinking deeply into the soft cushions. My mind began to wander, recalling every detail of my day. First, I strolled through the picturesque garden, where sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows. A gentle breeze caressed my face, bringing fresh air and the fragrance of flowers. Then, I arrived at the bustling flower market, where a dazzling array of colorful blossoms competed for attention.
What I will never forget is the kind old man. His face was covered with wrinkles from time, but his eyes were still bright and sparkling with a gentle light. He introduced me to various chrysanthemums with detailed and patient instructions, sharing many stories about chrysanthemums and tips on how to care for them. Although our time together was brief, it left a deep impression on me.
And now, the jar of chrysanthemum wine before me seemed to carry the beautiful memories of the entire day. It was no longer just an ordinary bottle of wine, but a crystallization of all the beautiful elements: the tranquility of the garden, the bustle of the flower market, and the kind smile of the elderly man. Thinking of this, the corners of my mouth curled up slightly, and my mood became even more joyful.
After carefully preparing the delicately fragrant chrysanthemum wine, I rested for a while to recover. After regaining some strength, I returned to my next task – recording a video and making Chongyang cakes.
I slowly stood up and walked briskly towards the kitchen filled with the aroma of smoky food. After stopping, I took a deep breath and made up my mind to make this traditional delicacy shine with attractive brilliance under my skillful hands.
First, I deftly take out the glutinous rice flour and japonica rice flour, carefully mix them together, and slowly pour them into a spacious basin. Then, holding a bamboo chopstick, I gently and carefully stir the powder in the basin to ensure that the two are fully integrated and uniform.
After completing the first step, I pulled a bag of brightly colored brown sugar from the cupboard. Gently tearing open the wrapper, I slowly poured the brown sugar granules into a bowl of warm water. Watching the brown sugar gradually dissolve in the water felt like a sweet magic. Once the brown sugar solution was completely dissolved, I carefully lifted the bowl and, little by little, poured the warm sugar solution into the flour I had prepared earlier. As the sugar solution poured in, the flour began to become moistened.
Next comes the crucial step of kneading the dough. I roll up my sleeves and vigorously work the dough with my hands, feeling it transform from loose and fluffy to firm and soft beneath my fingertips. Each kneading feels like bringing the dough to life, gradually developing a smooth and delicate texture, like a work of art meticulously crafted by a skilled craftsman.
I walked over to the stove, picked up a clean, damp cloth, and carefully spread it over the steamer. Then, I took half of the dough I'd already kneaded and spread it flat on the cloth, gently pressing it with my palm to flatten it. Then, I grabbed a handful of red dates and chopped walnuts from a nearby bowl and sprinkled them evenly over the dough. The sweet fillings contrasted beautifully with the pristine whiteness of the dough, making it look particularly tempting.
After completing this step, I covered the remaining half of the dough with it and gently smoothed it with my hands to make the whole cake look seamless. Finally, I picked up a sharp kitchen knife and carefully cut along the edge of the cake into neat small squares.
Everything was ready, except for the final step of steaming. I lit the stove and waited patiently for the water in the pot to boil. Soon, the water began to bubble and white steam rose like wisps of smoke. Seeing the steam rising, I quickly placed the steamer basket on top of the pot and closed the lid.
As time passed, the kitchen was gradually filled with the rich aroma of rice. The aroma was so fragrant that it made people salivate, as if foreshadowing the delicious Chongyang cake that was about to be baked, which would bring endless satisfaction.
After being steamed, the steaming Chongyang cake exudes an alluring aroma that makes my mouth water. Unable to resist my craving, I quickly reach out to pick up a piece and put it in my mouth. As I gently bite down, the soft, glutinous, and sweet taste instantly blooms on my tongue, as if a sweet feast is unfolding. Each bite brings with it the rich aroma of rice and the perfect sweetness, leaving me intoxicated and unable to extricate myself.
The feeling of satisfaction surged over me like a tide, quickly spreading throughout my body. I danced with excitement and quickly turned on my laptop, adjusting it to the optimal angle, ready to use it to record a close-up shot, perfectly presenting this delicious, freshly baked Chongyang cake to the audience.
I faced the camera with a big smile on my face and said happily, "The Chongyang cake is finally ready! I hope everyone can experience the beautiful blessings and profound cultural heritage of the Double Ninth Festival by tasting the cake." After that, I deliberately zoomed in the camera and focused on the golden-colored and exquisitely shaped Chongyang cake, so that people can clearly see the delicate patterns on it and the red dates and nuts dotted on it.
Looking at the neatly arranged chrysanthemum wine and Chongyang cakes on the table, I felt a particularly joyful mood. These are more than just food and drink; they carry the rich history and traditional virtues of the Chinese nation. At this moment, a strong sense of mission welled up within me—to pass on these excellent traditional cultures and let more people understand and appreciate them.
So, I began meticulously editing and producing a video about the Double Ninth Festival. In it, I detailed the festival's origins and its rich traditions, such as ascending a height to gaze into the distance to pray for peace and health; admiring the beauty of autumn chrysanthemums in full bloom and appreciating the charm of nature; and inserting dogwood branches to ward off evil spirits and ward off disasters. Each segment was accompanied by beautiful images and vivid commentary, striving to immerse viewers in the unique charm of the Double Ninth Festival.
After the video was posted, it quickly attracted numerous comments. Some expressed intense interest and curiosity, stating they had never before gained such a deep understanding of the Double Ninth Festival. However, others expressed skepticism, claiming these so-called traditional customs were merely fabricated ancient legends. Undeterred by these differing opinions, I patiently addressed their questions, using facts and evidence to demonstrate the genuine historical origins and cultural significance of the Double Ninth Festival.