Li Yunqiao took leave to co back and imdiately called his nephew ho.
"Uncle, I ca over on the village’s Jeep."
"Who’s with you?"
"Old Yang."
"Just the two of you?"
"Yeah, just us two. He’s here for the pork. Dad said we need it for tomorrow."
"That’s great. We’ll go back with you today and visit Honglin at his workplace."
Li Manjiang is a year older than Li Honglin. Although they don’t see each other often, their bond is quite strong.
Li Honglin heard that Dad was looking for him, and he was quite puzzled. But when he saw his brother, they imdiately exchanged excited fist bumps.
"Big brother, when did you co back?"
"Sunday, but I didn’t see you."
"Big brother. Wait for a bit. I’ll take leave, and let’s have so drinks tonight."
"Honglin, go find Lihong. Both of you take leave. Tomorrow Manjiang is getting engaged, and the whole family is going back."
"Getting engaged? Is it the girlfriend he brought back himself?"
"No, it’s the village educated youth."
"An educated youth? Okay, we’ll talk more at ho. I’ll go ask my wife for leave. Dad, you guys go ahead."
"Alright, we’ll take the Jeep back tonight."
"Uncle, I haven’t told Aunt about the engagent tomorrow."
"It’s okay, your aunt won’t mind."
Li Manjiang listened to his uncle and realized how much his aunt ant to him.
"When will Old Yang arrive?"
"Around five o’clock?"
"Let’s visit the building and supply center. See if there’s anything we need to bring back."
"Uncle, we can’t bring too much. I’m guessing Old Yang will bring plenty. Together, we’ll be cramped, and the house lacks nothing. Don’t worry, everything’s ready."
His mom went to the town supply center this afternoon, bringing three bottles of soy sauce, and should have everything prepared.
"We have enough ti. Let’s walk around and buy so things for Xue’er and them. By the way, have you t Xue’er’s boyfriend?"
"I have. He’s quite a handso fellow. My sister has good taste."
Li Manjiang had to follow Li Yunqiao into the building, where they bought about ten pounds of pastries, as well as brown sugar, white sugar, toilet paper, and candles.
They went to the second floor and bought two pieces of fabric, one for n and one for won.
The father and son carried things back to the building, buying two more pounds of brown sugar and a jar of fernted tofu.
Upon returning ho, Honglin and his wife had already arrived.
"You two pack your stuff. Old Yang will arrive around five o’clock. Aunt Fifth, please stay ho; there won’t be enough room."
Aunt Wang was eager to do so. She gets carsick, and traveling is tough for her.
They primarily brought children’s items. Lu Fengzhen also packed Dapeng’s things; this was the first ti Li Manjiang saw his little brother. He looked really cute.
When Old Yang arrived, Li Manjiang sat in the front passenger seat with Zhibin on his lap.
Behind them were their family of four, with Dapeng in Li Yunqiao’s arms.
Old Yang had gotten a pig’s worth of at, already divided up, stored in the back, along with twenty pounds of soybean oil.
They reached the village around seven o’clock. Old Yang drove directly to Li Yungui’s doorstep.
Seeing the big brother’s family get out of the car, Li Yungui was genuinely pleased.
The fourth brother’s family had already been notified. In attendance were the three families and the three Tao Family siblings.
Yet Li Yungui still asked for ten pounds of at, and Li Yunqiao wanted ten pounds as well.
"Let the kids eat more."
Li Yungui had no objection. He thanked Old Yang but declined his invitation to stay for dinner.
After Old Yang returned ho, he unloaded over a hundred pounds of pork.
Jiang Xinyu looked on delightedly, thinking how these two n always consider bringing ho delicious food when they go out.
"Li Yunqiao’s family ca along."
Wei Kaiyun nodded, "Of course. Li Yungui is truly good to his big brother’s family."
With fresh at available, dumplings were made for the evening.
The kids hadn’t had them for a while and, although they sweated profusely, they were quite satisfied.
Tonight, the Li family’s place was bustling. Manjiang went to invite the fourth uncle’s family over for dinner.
Liu Cuilan had already prepared dinner, but since the big brother’s family ca over, their family of six joined in as well.
Qu Xiaoli wasn’t a stingy person. Even though it was late for braising at, she quickly stir-fried it. Stir-fried potatoes with at, beans with at, minced garlic with eggplant, and tomatoes with scrambled eggs.
These four dishes were made in large quantities, enough for three tables.
Liu Cuilan eyed the oily dishes, secretly swallowing her saliva. Although Li Yunqiang bought a big rooster for the family to enjoy recently, nothing compared to the aroma of pork.
She also envied Li Manjiang for being able to find an educated youth. Why couldn’t Xiang Dong do the sa?
Besides, that educated youth Wang was really good-looking. Being with Xiang Dong would be nice too.
She must be attracted to Manjiang being a soldier. Humph, who knows what the future holds? Xiang Dong has a stable job.
No reason to worry about finding a good partner. Really, what poor judgnt. Manjiang might be gone for a year or two, and having a man around every day is better.
Liu Cuilan again looked at the new sister-in-law, noting how she had transford, almost like a city dweller.
She touched her face, thinking that if she went to live in the city with Xiang Dong, she might also turn out like that.
Liu Cuilan was very confident about her looks; otherwise, Li Yunqiang wouldn’t be so driven to marry her.
Now he treats her with cold indifference. It must be because she’s aged, no longer as young.
But she can’t stop working. Since Li Yunqiang won’t do housework now—spats continuing between them—if she remains unchanged, he’ll surely care even less for her.
How unfortunate her situation is, with an old husband grown indifferent.
Liu Cuilan was also scared. Thus, she had grown much more compliant than before.
She absolutely wanted to avoid returning alone in her old age. What would she do then?
Xiang Dong, Honglin, Li Manjiang, and the three older couples sat at one table.
The n drank, and Qu Xiaoli remained busy. Lu Fengzhen offered to help but was refused. How could you make the visiting sister-in-law work?
The wine was brewed by Lv Beiguang and quite strong, but the n liked it.
"Uncle, this wine is really good," Honglin laughed.
"Guodong’s dad made this the first ti he ca here; I’ve been saving it."
"It’s genuine good wine. Does Guodong know how?"
"No, he’s still less skilled than ."
"Uncle, do brew more wine this year."
"Sure, no problem. There’s plenty of sorghum in the warehouse. I went to see Xing Xiangzhang this afternoon; I plan to swap last year’s sorghum for so corn from the grain depot, and he’s helping inquire."
"Is there a lot left in the warehouse?"
"Over ten thousand pounds left; otherwise, we’ll distribute sorghum rather than corn this year."
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