Chapter 340: A Toast for Calm Seas
Along the way, many islanders from Xiaomajia Island were wearing their festival attire, heading toward the west coast of the island.
The festival clothing on the island was very beautiful.
The men's clothes were primarily blue and brown, relatively loose, while the women's clothes were more form-fitting. The blue garments for women were embroidered with red, pink, green, and sky-blue cloud and wave patterns, with soft satin sashes around their waists and necklaces made of fish bones and shells that clinked as they walked.
Children wore smaller versions of the adult clothing and had delicate little fish baskets tied around their waists. The boys' baskets were adorned with blue ribbons, while the girls' had purple ribbons. These colorful ribbons fluttered joyfully in the wind as the children ran, making Chen Jianhai and Xiaolang envious.
Xiaolang said longingly, "Bro! Those fish baskets are so pretty."
Chen Jianhai rolled his eyes, "Yeah, everyone else is dressed so festively, and here we are in dress shirts and leather shoes, looking like a couple of fools!"
Many islanders waved and greeted them along the way.
Perhaps they were used to seeing Chen Jianhai and Xiaolang in T-shirts and shorts, and seeing them dressed so formally suddenly made everyone a bit uncomfortable, as if local officials had come down for an inspection.
By the time Chen Jianhai and Xiaolang reached the west coast beach of the island, the normally spacious beach was already filled with people.
A large stage had been set up on the side closer to the sea without them noticing.
Eighteen large drums were arranged side by side in the center of the stage. Each drum had a person dressed in a blue wave-patterned vest and shorts standing in front of it, hands behind their back, looking solemn and serious.
On both sides of the stage were placed two huge white conch shells.
Grandpa Hanshan, dressed in red island attire, was enthusiastically greeting a middle-aged woman.
Although the middle-aged woman looked unfamiliar, she was also wearing unique island clothing. However, unlike the clothing of Xiaomajia Island, hers had patterns resembling turtle shells in addition to the cloud and wave patterns, making it look quite peculiar.
As soon as they approached, Grandpa Hanshan eagerly grabbed Chen Jianhai's hand and introduced him to the middle-aged woman:
"This is the owner of the Lang Ai Hotel, Chen Jianhai."
"This is the island chief of Da Caigui Island, Lu Xiuyan."
"Hello, Chief Lu."
Chen Jianhai immediately extended both hands and slightly bowed, shaking hands with Lu Xiuyan.
Since Chen Jianhai was relatively tall, he instinctively bowed slightly when shaking hands with others to show respect. Otherwise, it might easily come across as arrogant, which would not make a good first impression.
"Hello, Mr. Chen. I often hear Old Tian mention you," Lu Xiuyan said with a smile, shaking hands with Chen Jianhai.
While shaking hands, she quietly observed Chen Jianhai.
What a fine young man!
Young, promising, humble, and so polite!
"This young man is Xiaolang, also a good friend of our island, a favorite here~"
Grandpa Hanshan affectionately put his arm around Xiaolang's shoulder and spoke warmly.
After a brief handshake,
Chen Jianhai and Xiaolang were surprised to find that the first row of seats in the audience was occupied by the chiefs of various small islands in Nanjing City.
"This is the chief of Donglangman Island."
"This is the chief of Piaohu Island."
"This is the chief of Biyuhua Island."
...
Like a proud parent showing off his children, Grandpa Hanshan introduced Chen Jianhai to the other island chiefs one by one, his expression full of pride and joy, as if to say: This is my child, not only a postdoc but also has a partner, a house, and a car, while you have nothing!
Seeing Grandpa Hanshan so happy, Chen Jianhai was happy to accompany him in meeting the other island chiefs.
After shaking hands all around,
Chen Jianhai and Xiaolang had just sat down when they heard a loud "boom."
A fisherman on the stage, holding drumsticks in both hands, swung his arms and struck the center of the large drum accurately.
The deep and steady drum sound pierced the air, hitting everyone's heart heavily.
In an instant, the entire beach fell silent!
"Has it started?" Chen Jianhai looked up.
With the first drumbeat, the remaining seventeen drums resonated simultaneously.
Eighteen islanders, bare-chested, swung the drumsticks with their strong, tanned arms, striking the drumheads repeatedly.
The drumbeats were filled with a peculiar rhythm, like the wind rising from the depths of the sea, carrying the waves from the distant ocean, roaring like a mighty army.
"Whoo...!"
At that moment,
two islanders, also bare-chested, stood on either side of the huge conch shells on the stage.
Taking a deep breath,
the sound of the drums and conch shells intertwined.
It felt like a storm was rolling in, layer upon layer, wave upon wave, roaring like thousands of horses galloping.
In an instant, the resonance made Chen Jianhai's scalp tingle, and his heart pounded violently.
They say that humans' ancestors came from the ocean.
The sound of the conch shells, like waves, swept into his ears,
as if it were the boiling sound of blood within his body.
"Make an offering!"
The drumbeats fell.
On the stage, Grandpa Hanshan stood in the center of the eighteen drums, his expression solemn as he shouted loudly!
At this moment, Grandpa Hanshan's demeanor suddenly changed.
The usual kind and cheerful expression was replaced with an air of authority, like a stabilizing weight, his imposing presence commanding respect and reverence from the bottom of one's heart.
"Hey... Ha!"
"Hey... Ha!"
"Hey... Ha!"
Low chanting came from behind.
Chen Jianhai turned his head to see.
Four islanders were carrying a golden censer towards the stage.
Years of fishing and hunting on the sea had honed their bodies into lean, muscular forms. Even from a distance, one could see the strength in their backs.
Behind the censer bearers, ten island women carried five baskets, following step by step.
Each basket was filled with five-colored fruits, including peanuts, walnuts, and other nuts.
The stage was built very high.
But the steps of the islanders carrying the censer were surprisingly steady. With a "duang," the golden censer was placed heavily on the stage.
Incense smoke rose in wisps, following the wind, dispersing into a blue mist in mid-air.
As the censer began to burn,
everyone, including the island chiefs, stood up.
Not knowing the reason, Chen Jianhai quickly stood up as well.
Two island women came over with bowls and wine, pouring wine for each guest in the seating area.
Chen Jianhai took a sea bowl, and after it was filled with wine,
"A toast for calm seas!"
Grandpa Hanshan held up a large sea bowl with both hands, facing the vast ocean, shouting loudly. Then he tilted his hands and poured the wine onto the ground.
Everyone shouted in unison:
"A toast for calm seas!"