Chapter 32: Kun'er Grabs for Stationery at Her First Birthday; A Cry of "Father, Mother" Brings Tears Flowing from Both Parents

The ceremony known as “Zhua Zhou,” also called Draw Lots, has been passed down through generations. It is a traditional ritual held when a child turns one year old, intended to predict their future and temperament, marking their first birthday celebration. Like the announcement of a newborn, the three-day bathing, the full-month ceremony, and the hundred-day rite, it belongs to the time-honored customs surrounding birth, its essence being the wish for continued life, smooth fortune, and prosperity. It reflects the deep parental affection for their offspring, imbued with the spirit of familial games and the pursuit of child-rearing, forming a belief and custom rich in human sentiment.

Shen Kun’s full-month banquet was celebrated in grand style, and his hundredth day was even more dignified. As a middle-class figure in the ancient town by the river, Master Shen would never neglect any opportunity to display his family’s flourishing legacy, handed down by his ancestors.

Young Master Shen grew up surrounded by the care and expectations of the entire Shen household. Whether babbling his first words or taking his initial unsteady steps, his mother would not let him out of her sight for a moment.

As for Master Shen and his wife, their devotion was unmatched. Master Shen often dined with business associates, savoring Huaiyang cuisine, and could effortlessly name every tavern on the river’s main street and their specialties. Whenever friends gathered, it was always him who chose the dishes, not concerning himself with the balance of meat and vegetables or the mix of hot and cold, but his precision in selecting each restaurant’s signature offerings earned him unanimous praise. What truly won the hosts’ respect was his principle: never ordering the most expensive, only the most fitting—the aim was to create a shared experience.

When it came to Shen Kun’s proper first-birthday banquet, Master Shen was meticulous and left nothing to chance.

“Master, Master, the young master has returned!” Xiao Long hurried up to the third floor.

The guests, already well sated, had stayed on this special day to witness the ceremony for the sake of Master Shen.

As Young Master Shen ascended the steps, laughter greeted him. Amidst the voices, he immediately recognized his son, and of course, his beloved wife’s sweet tone stood out to him above all others, spreading a smile across his face, happiness radiating from within.

“Son, your father is here. Get ready—let’s see what Kun will pick today!” his wife said, smiling as her husband approached. The crowd gathered from their lively conversations, her tender gaze seeming to melt Shen Wei.

The “Draw Lots” ceremony usually takes place before the noon “Longevity Noodles,” but today, for Shen Kun’s sake, Master Shen made a temporary change.

At this moment, little Shen Kun, sturdy and spirited, sat before an array of objects: seals, the scriptures of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, abacuses, coins, account books, jewelry, flowers, rouge, food, toys…

Undoubtedly, the one-year-old Shen Kun was the center of attention. Master Shen’s gentle smile lingered on his face; seeing his son return, and reading the calm confidence in his gaze, he knew all was well.

Under the watchful eyes of many, Shen Kun tottered toward the items and suddenly picked up a toy. Disappointment was etched across Master Shen’s face.

“When the child grows up, he will surely have the gift of eloquence and know how to enjoy life in the moment,” said Master Wu Rui, the eccentric of Bamboo Alley, quickly stepping in to fill the gap, and the crowd echoed his sentiment.

Suddenly, Kun put down the toy and stumbled forward. This unexpected movement riveted Master Shen’s attention. Shen Kun grabbed the stationery and proudly raised it, walking toward Young Master Shen.

Applause erupted from the guests on the third floor. Master Wu clicked his tongue in admiration, “Congratulations, Master Shen! Shen Kun will surely pen magnificent works and achieve the highest honors in the imperial examinations.”

“This child is destined for greatness, not confined to the ordinary,” declared the scholar of He Xia Street, stroking his long beard with a nod, “Our town will be renowned because of him!”

“Thank you all for your kind words; my grandson owes his success to the love and support of friends like you. The Shen family will forever remember this,” Master Shen replied, bowing in gratitude.

The guests, satisfied, gathered their gifts and took their leave. Master Shen and Young Master Shen accompanied them downstairs to bid farewell.

“Take it slow, daughter-in-law. Let grandma hold her eldest grandson.”

“Mother—hold—” Shen Kun suddenly called out.

“Kun, did you just call me mother?” his wife’s eyes shone with tears, “Mother, did you hear it?”

“I heard it, I heard it! Call again!” Madam Shen and her daughter-in-law stopped and urged Shen Kun.

Shen Kun bit his thumb and fell silent, causing the two women to fret.

“Let’s not press him, come on, let’s go home,” Madam Shen sighed in disappointment.

But after just a few steps, little Shen Kun in her arms called out again, “Mother!”

The young wife’s tears streamed down: “Ah, Kun can speak now! This is grandma!”

Little Shen Kun blinked his eyes and turned to Madam Shen, moving his mouth: “Grand—ma!”

“Ah!” Madam Shen was overjoyed. They descended to the entrance, where the guests had already departed. Master Shen and Young Master Shen had just turned around; Madam Shen pointed to them, “That’s grandpa, say it, Kun, be good!”

Shen Kun’s eyes sparkled in the sunlight; his attentive mother quickly carried him to the shade. Young Master Shen eagerly followed, “Kun, call grandpa!”

“Gran—” Under the expectant gaze of eight eyes, Shen Kun bashfully called out.

“Ah, my eldest grandson recognizes me.” Master Shen, tipsy, could barely contain his emotions.

Seeing this touching moment, Restaurant Owner Song came forward with congratulations, “Master Shen, double joy today! When the Shen family rises to prominence, don’t forget us old folks who watched him grow.”

“Certainly, certainly.” Young Master Shen quickly responded, noticing his father was drunk, “Father, you’ve had enough, go rest by the clear water pond for a while.”

“Then, then, Owner Song, goodbye. Eldest grandson, bye—” Master Shen staggered northward.

“Son, you’re bullying me!” Young Master Shen took hold of Shen Kun’s plump little hand and said solemnly, “I am your father, you’ve called everyone else, now call me!”

His earnestness made his wife chuckle, and clever little Ling standing nearby defended him, “Young master, he’s your father, call him!”

Xiao Long, beaming, glanced at Ling and grew anxious, “Young master, your father didn’t get to drink his celebratory wine or eat his meal, have pity on him!”

Sunlight filtered through the mottled cracks, casting patterns on Shen Kun’s face. Unmoved, he was lost in his own world, gnawing his fingers as drool ran down his chin; his mother hurriedly wiped it with a silk cloth. “Son, mother doesn’t want you anymore, you won’t even call your father.”

Saying this, she handed Kun to Madam Shen.

“Mother—” Kun’s pleading gaze fixed on his mother, struggling, until at last he opened his mouth, “Father—”

His childish voice exploded like thunder in the air. Young Master Shen stood stunned, awakened by this call to the deep paternal love within him, suddenly feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

“Father!” Kun called again, and Young Master Shen realized his lapse. He immediately embraced his son, kissing him over and over, “Ah, son—” His voice choked with emotion.

For the first time, Young Master Shen truly awakened to the fact that he was no longer alone—he was a husband, a father, and of course, a son. The transformation of these roles now struck him more profoundly than ever.

Young Master Shen felt his pocket, “It’s all my fault, I didn’t prepare a gift.”

Suddenly, his right hand touched a chain; he was startled. Taking it out, he saw a longevity lock gleaming in the sunlight, and recalling the boatman, he realized it must have been slipped into his pocket. He gently hung the longevity lock around Shen Kun’s neck.

Having witnessed his son choose the stationery, perhaps it was fate. From this moment, Master Shen and his son tacitly decided upon Shen Kun’s future path.

“Kun, mother, let’s go home!” Young Master Shen hoisted his son onto his shoulder and ran forward.

“Careful, don’t let him fall—”

What happens next? The tale will continue.