Speaking is an art. Su Xiaonuan exclaimed in surprise, having already mentioned everyone's contributions. There was no need to explain them again; everyone understood the other's generous support.

Hao's wife and Hua's aunt quickly went into the kitchen to get busy. Both of them are capable people. Even if they are not familiar with the environment, they can immediately know what to do just by looking around.

Aunt Hua first boiled water, then brewed a large pot of tea in a blue and white porcelain teapot, and then rinsed about ten small blue and white porcelain cups with boiling water.

Zhang Yulan wanted to come in and help, but Aunt Hua pushed her out. "Sister-in-law, you should rest. Xiao Nuan said you didn't sleep a wink last night."

"I slept for a few hours this morning, that's enough. Let me go into the kitchen and help out. You see, I'm just an old woman and I don't understand what they're saying. I might as well stay in the kitchen with you two and chat for a bit." Zhang Yulan looked a little nervous when she saw so many high-ranking leaders.

She genuinely didn't know how to deal with these leaders and money-makers.

"Aunt Hua, why don't you let my mom come in and keep you company?" Su Xiaonuan came over to bring tea and happened to see this scene, so she said understandingly. "My mom is leaving soon, and I guess she has a lot to say to you. Rather than letting her go out and face strangers with whom she has nothing in common, it's better for her to chat with you two about everyday things."

“Xiao Nuan understands me best.” Zhang Yulan smoothed her hair.

"Then, sister-in-law, you don't need to do anything in the kitchen. Let Xiaoying and me do it. Just say what you want to say, and Xiaoying and I will listen."

"Aunt Hua, is the tea ready?"

"Okay, I'll take it out now."

"Let's do it together." Su Xiaonuan followed Aunt Hua into the kitchen and saw that Sister Hao was already busy cooking. She had cut several plates of braised dishes and placed them on the stove, and the dishes that Li Yuehua brought were also being further processed in the pot.

As soon as Zhang Yulan came in, she immediately took over the spot to tend the fire.

"Auntie, didn't I tell you to rest?" Zhao Xiaoying said. "Why did you go and start a fire?"

"Just let me start the fire. Once we get to the city, I won't even have a place to start a fire. I've heard that people in the city don't burn firewood anymore, they use coal stoves. Is the food cooked over that kind of fire as good as the food cooked over our roaring fire?"

Zhang Yulan was already worried even before she went. She had been burning firewood all her life, and suddenly having to change that habit was really hard to get used to. Moreover, firewood was free in the countryside, but in the city, everything would cost money, and she felt a little uneasy.

“You’ll get used to it,” Aunt Hua said enviously. “So many people would love to live like that, sister-in-law. You’re living a life you don’t know how lucky you are. Going to the provincial capital will not only broaden your horizons but also allow you to meet more people. You won’t want to go back to Xiaolong Village for long.”

"Auntie, I've heard that city people are particular about their lifestyle. When you go there, you must get along well with your in-laws. Don't follow our rural ways. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Respect the habits of city people in everything you do, and don't make things difficult for the young people," Zhao Xiaoying instructed.

"It's a good thing I came in to chat with you." Zhang Yulan stuffed firewood into the stove and stirred the fire with tongs to make it burn brighter. The firelight illuminated her weathered face as she looked up at Zhao Xiaoying gratefully. "Otherwise, I really wouldn't know how to get along with my in-laws from the city."

"Sister-in-law, just ask around more often." Aunt Hua was peeling garlic. "Xiao Nuan is so kind, her family must be kind too. Even if you don't know the rules, they won't laugh at you."

“I must say, Xiao Nuan’s parents are really kind.” Zhang Yulan told her what her son had told her last night. “There are quite a few people living in the big house that Moran bought. There are two girls who were rescued by Xiao Nuan and Moran from human traffickers, and two brothers who are orphans who were wandering outside. Xiao Nuan and her family took them in.”

"See, I told you so!" Aunt Hua gave a thumbs up. "Your whole family are such kind people. Your Xiao family must have accumulated a lot of good karma to be able to marry such a good daughter-in-law as Xiao Nuan."

"So many people living here?" Zhao Xiaoying thought to herself, "How big would this house have to be to accommodate them all?"

“Isn’t that right?” Zhang Yulan said. “I heard that my in-laws’ mother gets up very early every morning to make breakfast for them. She also insists on washing the clothes the children take off. Usually, the three older children work at Xiao Nuan’s restaurant, and Xiao Nuan pays them a salary. The youngest one is only six years old, and my in-laws treat him like family.”

"She's really met a good family." Aunt Hua couldn't wait to go to the provincial capital with Zhang Yulan to see that big family. Xiao Nuan had only been in the provincial capital for a short time, and she had already done so many great things.

“Auntie, I have a lot of shoe soles in all sizes. When I have time, I’ll make a few sturdy cloth shoes for those two orphans.” Zhao Xiaoying is a mother of three. Hearing the word “orphans” made her heart ache, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears. “When you go to the provincial capital, tell me the sizes of the two children, and I’ll make them and mail them to them.”

"Okay, then I'll thank you on behalf of the two children." Zhang Yulan was now looking forward to it. She wanted to see those two unfortunate children. She had already suffered a lot raising her two children without a man, let alone two helpless orphans. How difficult that must have been for them.

Xiao Moran told his mother these things because he was afraid she would change her mind, and also to pass the time. Last night, the mother and son spent almost the entire night chatting and packing.

"Sister-in-law, when the children are on holiday, bring them back to the village to play. We'll all take care of the child together." Aunt Hua was quite touched.

“Okay, I’ll bring them back to visit during the holidays.” Zhang Yulan was still reluctant to leave her home. “I’ll give you the keys when I leave. Come visit when you have time and let the house air out.”

“No problem,” Aunt Hua said. “You can call ahead when you’re coming back, and I’ll pack everything so you can move in as soon as you get back.”

As she spoke, Zhao Xiaoying had already finished preparing the dishes, including three fresh vegetarian dishes. She counted them on her hand; there were about twenty dishes of various sizes.

“There are so many dishes, we can’t fit them all on the table,” Zhang Yulan said, craning her neck. “Why don’t you put some of the better dishes on a platter, so the guests can eat at the tables outside, and we can eat some of the leftovers in the kitchen?”

"That's a good idea," Aunt Hua quickly offered. "We can just eat whatever we want. The dishes for our guests must look good and taste good, and the presentation should be nice too. We can just put these braised dishes on a big plate, and we can take another plate out after we finish eating."

"That iron pot stewed goose is also a big pot; we can put a bowl of it out and put it in the kitchen for us to eat," Zhang Yulan said with longing.

"Okay, pack out some of the larger portions, and take out the smaller portions directly." Zhao Xiaoying worked quickly and soon packed all the dishes on both sides. She and Aunt Hua made several trips in and out to finish serving the dishes.

After all the dishes were served, the village's health-preserving wine and wine glasses were set out. Only then did Aunt Hua invite the distinguished guests in the courtyard to come inside for a meal.

Rural people have many rules about meals, and the person in the seat of honor is often passed around among them.

Leaders should put bosses in positions of power.

The bosses want to put the leaders in positions of power again.