Colorful years

After all, for the people who have lived here for generations, livestock such as pigs, chickens, cattle, and sheep have been indispensable delicacies on their tables since ancient times.

Therefore, faced with such a slaughter scene, people felt more excitement and curiosity than fear or retreat. They crowded around, pointing and talking, occasionally bursting into hearty laughter.

After slaughtering the pig, the butcher began to butcher the pork. Hind leg, foreleg, pork belly, pig's head, pig's tail—each piece of pork was carefully cut into pieces to facilitate the curing of bacon.

While the butcher was butchering the pork, Shi Daya, the mother, specifically instructed him to cut a few pieces of game meat for New Year's greetings.

In this bloody and noisy pig slaughtering scene, various strong smells intertwined, as if weaving an invisible net that enveloped the entire space.

The fresh blood that had just flowed from the pig's body was still slightly warm, emitting a nauseating stench. This stench lingered in the air like a thick cloud.

Meanwhile, the pork, skillfully cut up by the butcher, continuously emitted an enticing aroma.

The rich, mellow aroma of the meat is like a beautiful melody, wafting into people's nostrils and tantalizing their taste buds. Every piece of fresh pork is brimming with the breath of life and the bounty of nature.

As the butcher's knife cleaved the pig bone, a crisp cracking sound rang out, accompanied by the instant release of a unique aroma of marrow. This aroma, like a gentle breeze, lightly brushed against people's faces, bringing a distinctive flavor.

In addition, the lard gradually melts under high temperature, and the greasy smell that overflows also joins this olfactory feast.

Like a mischievous child, it darts around in the air, adding a sense of weight to the already complex and diverse combination of scents.

However, these seemingly chaotic various scents miraculously blended together, ultimately forming an indescribable mixed aroma.

For this family, the mixed smells were not pungent or unpleasant; rather, they were the trigger that ignited their deep-seated craving for delicious food.

It's important to know that livestock and poultry, such as pigs, cattle, sheep, chickens, and ducks, have always been indispensable delicacies on people's tables throughout history. They embody human food culture and traditions and have witnessed countless heartwarming moments of family reunions.

Therefore, when this familiar and homey mixed smell wafted over, the family members were not at all disgusted; on the contrary, they were deeply attracted to it.

This aroma seems to possess a magical power, capable of awakening people's long-dormant appetites and making their mouths water. Especially as the end of the year approaches, the rich festive atmosphere is conveyed vividly through this blend of scents.

Everyone eagerly anticipates using these fresh ingredients to cook a sumptuous and delicious New Year's Eve dinner, and together they welcome the arrival of the new year.

Of course, right now the family and the butcher will share a special and delicious meal together after the pig is slaughtered.

The kitchen was already bustling with activity. Shi Daya was busy washing and chopping vegetables, and the clanging of pots and pans created a cheerful symphony.

Zhang Zhongze stood guard in front of the stove, responsible for starting the fire and cooking. He skillfully piled up the firewood, occasionally adjusting the fire with tongs to ensure it was cooked at the right temperature.

Shi Daya washed and cut the pork, marinated it with various seasonings to ensure that every bite was the most delicious. After the large pot was heated, she put the pork pieces into the pot and stir-fried them to let the fat seep out as much as possible and the lean meat cook through. Then, she poured in hot water and simmered it.

Soon, a fragrant aroma filled the entire farmhouse. Shi Daya worked even busier.

"Come and try this piece of pork belly, see how it tastes!" She picked up a piece of pork belly with alternating layers of fat and lean meat and handed it to her husband, Zhang Zhong, who was standing to the side.

Zhang Zhong took the piece of meat, took a bite without waiting, and immediately smiled with satisfaction: "It's so delicious! This meat is marinated so well, it's fatty but not greasy, and the texture is really good!"

Besides pork belly, the kitchen also prepared a variety of delicious dishes. There was fragrant stewed ribs, tender and delicious stir-fried pork liver, and cabbage and sweet potato noodles to be blanched in the hot pot.

Each dish is carefully prepared by the housewife and exudes an enticing aroma.

Soon, steaming hot food was placed on the table. Everyone sat together, enjoying this special "pig-killing feast." The savory pork and the aroma of various seasonings intertwined in their mouths, leaving a lingering and unforgettable taste.

Everyone praised the delicious meal, their faces beaming with satisfaction and happiness.

"This meal was absolutely delicious! Especially this piece of pork belly, it was fatty but not greasy, melted in my mouth, it was so good I couldn't stop eating it," the butcher praised as he ate.

"Yes, this meal was truly unforgettable. Thank you to the butcher, and thank you to my father and mother for allowing us to enjoy such delicious food," Congcong exclaimed.

Beyond the delicious food, this pig-slaughtering feast also carried the warmth and affection of family. Everyone sat together, sharing snippets of their lives and discussing future plans and dreams. Amidst laughter and joy, the family's cohesion was further strengthened.

"It's so wonderful to be home this time. Being able to reunite with my family and enjoy such a delicious pig-killing feast makes me feel incredibly happy." The eldest and second eldest sisters, who made a special trip home for the pig-killing feast, were also very moved.

“Yes, no matter where we are, home is always our warmest harbor. I hope there will be more opportunities like this in the future so that our family can get together,” Mom Shi Daya echoed.