When He Tiantian returned home at noon, she stewed the wild rabbit meat and invited Qi Xiaoyan, Niu Dajun, Secretary Qi, Zhao Dajiao, Qi Ergou, and Qi Shuli to come and eat the rabbit meat.

Secretary Qi learned the whole story from Qi Xiaoyan. He brought half a jin of rice and half a jin of flour. Zhao Dajiao also brought half a jin of rice. Niu Dajun gave He Tiantian half a jin of grain coupons as payment for lunch. It was already a great favor that they treated them to rabbit meat; they couldn't let He Tiantian waste any more food.

This principle applies not only when visiting others but also when hosting banquets in the village. People bring a little something to ease the burden on their guests. In this era of scarcity, food was extremely precious. Eating someone else's food was tantamount to taking their life.

He Tiantian stewed a large pot of rabbit meat and prepared a basket of cornbread. With the Snake King around, He Tiantian wasn't worried about going hungry, so she didn't feel bad about the food. She just wanted to get by and find some peace.

Once she has established herself in Qijia Village and found leverage over Qi Shuli and Qi Jianguo, she will take revenge on them one by one, and will not let them off easily. This is not only because of the hatred from her past life, but also because of their harassment and ill intentions in this life.

Seeing He Tiantian like this, Grandma Qi sighed inwardly. She thought, "She's still just a child; she doesn't know how to manage a household." But this was only for today. Qi Shuli was no good man. He wouldn't let her have a bite of that wild rabbit, and Tiantian wouldn't have a smooth life in the future either. That man would make things difficult for anyone who offended him, both openly and secretly.

Sigh, whatever. If Sweetie doesn't have enough food, then we'll eat hers. She's old anyway, a little less won't kill her. But Sweetie can't be like that; she's at the age where she's growing, she can't go hungry.

Soon after, Secretary Qi, Qi Xiaoyan, and Zhao Dajiao arrived.

Qi Xiaoyan helped He Tiantian cook, while Grandma Qi, Secretary Qi, and Zhao Dajiao talked together.

The food had just been prepared when Qi Shuli arrived, followed by Qi Jianguo.

Qi Shuli, having such a good opportunity, naturally brought Qi Jianguo along. Qi Jianguo, wanting to impress He Tiantian, brought a pound of rice for the meal, while Qi Shuli arrived empty-handed, without bringing anything.

When He Tiantian saw Qi Jianguo, she really wanted to kick him out immediately. Even though he brought food, she didn't care for it.

The person had already arrived, and the villagers didn't know about her past conflict with Qi Jianguo. If she turned him away, the villagers would only say she was being unreasonable. Besides, Qi Jianguo was a respectable person in the village, and he had even brought gifts. Since she had invited him to dinner, even if she hadn't invited Qi Jianguo, she couldn't just kick him out.

"Oh my, what brings Brother Jianguo here?" Qi Xiaoyan asked curiously. Normally, one wouldn't visit someone's home without an invitation. Qi Jianguo is usually quite decent; why was he being so rude today?

Just as Qi Xiaoyan was pondering, He Tiantian smiled and said, "Xiaoyan, add some more fire."

"Hey!" Qi Xiaoyan was there to help, so she couldn't get distracted and delay He Tiantian's business. She stopped thinking about the problem.

Fortunately, we did a lot today, so having one more person wouldn't be a problem.

He Tiantian not only stewed long beans and rabbit meat, but also chopped a large plate of cucumber, stir-fried eggplant and green vegetables, making a total of four dishes.

There were quite a few people, so everything was served in large portions, which should be enough for everyone. The rich aroma of rabbit meat wafted from the kitchen from time to time, making the stomachs of the people sitting and chatting in the yard rumble.

"Haha, Sweetie's cooking is really good." Secretary Qi said with a smile. "This was sent from Sweetie's family. We feel bad about eating it. Let it go this time, but we can't do it again next time. It's really embarrassing."

Qi Shuli held up an enamel mug containing some wild tea he had picked from the mountain. He lifted the lid, blew on the tea leaves that were floating on top, took a sip, and said with a smile like a tiger, "Yes, Comrade He Tiantian is too polite. I kept saying no before."

Niu Dajun thought disdainfully, "When you saw this dried rabbit earlier, your eyes practically popped out of your head. And now that they haven't even offered you a meal, you're already bullying them behind their backs!"

"Hehe, yes, Tian'er is just too polite." Secretary Qi already knew what had happened from his daughter and was aware of Qi Shuli's greedy nature. However, being a village cadre himself, he couldn't say anything to Qi Shuli in person. He would talk to him privately later and not make things difficult for He Tiantian.

Qi Jianguo kept glancing at the kitchen. He Tiantian was busy in the kitchen, Qi Xiaoyan was tending the fire, and He Tiantian was cooking. Such a girl is virtuous and beautiful. After marrying her, she will definitely be a good wife.

Qi Jianguo guessed correctly. In his past life, he did feel lucky after marrying He Tiantian and treated her very well. But as time went by, that passion was worn down by the trivialities of life, and his feelings for He Tiantian faded. When his family bullied He Tiantian, he turned a blind eye for the sake of family peace, repeatedly asking He Tiantian to be tolerant.

Zhao Dajiao was a meticulous women's federation director. Seeing Qi Jianguo glancing at the kitchen from time to time, she realized there were two girls in the kitchen and understood what was going on.

There's a saying in the village that people with the same surname shouldn't marry, so Qi Jianguo probably isn't after Qi Xiaoyan, especially since she's too young. If he's not after Qi Xiaoyan, then he must be after He Tiantian.

He Tiantian?

Haha, interesting!

Qi Jianguo has excellent taste!

Zhao Dajiao could tell from He Tiantian's words and actions that He Tiantian came from a well-off family, was beautiful, literate, and dressed well. Most importantly, He Tiantian was diligent and virtuous. A girl like that was hard to find even in the city.

If her son Qi Ergou hadn't already been engaged, she would have wanted to matchmake her son with He Tiantian.

After working for a while, Qi Xiaoyan brought the food into the house. He Tiantian went to wash her hands and face before entering the house.

Qi Shuli conjured up half a bottle of wine as if by magic, and said with a smile, "I didn't bring any food, but I brought wine. It would be such a pity to have good food but no good wine! Come, come, have a drink."

Secretary Qi's eyes lit up; he hadn't had a drink in a long time either. These days, having food to eat is a blessing, and he wondered where Qi Shuli had gotten the alcohol. No matter where it came from, he had to have a few sips.

"With good food and your wine, we're in for a real feast today," Secretary Qi chuckled. "By the way, we didn't have any wine coupons in our village last year, where did you get this wine?"

Qi Shuli smiled smugly and said boastfully, "Hehe, this is a gift from my nephew Jianguo."

When Qi Jianguo heard his second uncle mention him, he smiled shyly and said, "I repaired tractors for Erdaogouzi, and the dozen or so people in their village gave me a bottle of wine. My dad got half a bottle, and my second uncle got the other half."

Secretary Qi nodded. When he went to repair tractors or other large items for other villages, it was considered official business. The commune paid Qi Jianguo a monthly salary, not taking any money from the village, but they would give him some gifts or favors. After all, no one could guarantee that these things wouldn't break down. If they did, the sooner the repairmen arrived and started working, the sooner the task would be completed. (To be continued.)