Tang Xiaoxiao walked over directly, pretending to have something to ask Tang Xinxin. She gave the older woman a polite smile and then pulled Tang Xinxin away.

As they walked, she muttered, "Don't listen to that old lady. Look at how she keeps praising her son. How outstanding can a son raised by a mother like that be? He's probably a mama's boy."

In her previous life, Tang Xiaoxiao had read a lot of toxic inspirational quotes and emotional short videos online, and she had no liking for this kind of old lady who thought "my son is the best in the world".

Tang Xinxin smiled and gave Tang Xiaoxiao a reproachful look, "You know everything now, you little brat."

Tang Xiaoxiao thought to herself, "I really do know, and I know much more than you do."

When the two sisters walked to a table, they were stopped by the people at the table. The person who spoke was the youngest son of Tang Xiaoxiao's eldest uncle. The eldest uncle had two sons, and this was his second cousin, named Xu Mingliang, who was a few years older than Tang Xinxin and was nearly forty years old.

Xu Mingliang's voice was also very rough, with the boldness unique to northern men: "Xiaoxiao, I heard from the owner of this restaurant that you provided all the vegetables for today's meal?"

Upon hearing this, those around them looked over curiously.

Tang Xiaoxiao readily admitted, "Yes, these are the vegetables from my greenhouse. They're specially cultivated, so they taste better and are more nutritious than ordinary vegetables. That's why I brought out the first batch for everyone to try."

Upon hearing Tang Xiaoxiao's words, the crowd began to murmur among themselves.

"College students are really capable."

"I know that piece of land of hers. Nobody wanted it before. It was very barren, and nothing could grow there!"

"Intellectuals are better than us peasants; they can even farm better than us."

Xu Mingliang is a businessman who owns a large supermarket chain with three stores in his hometown. Upon hearing this, his eyes lit up and he asked, "You're growing these vegetables to sell, right?"

"Of course, but the price will definitely be higher. After all, the cost of cultivating these things is not low, and they are unique. You've tried them yourself, and you can see the difference between them and what's sold on the market." Tang Xiaoxiao answered flawlessly.

Xu Mingliang nodded understandingly: "Of course." He then said: "I'll talk to you when I have time. You know my supermarket. I'm planning to set aside a premium section to sell high-end fruits and vegetables. I think your place would be perfect."

"No problem," Tang Xiaoxiao replied, finding it a pleasant surprise. She had originally planned to use this opportunity to let everyone taste her vegetables, hoping word would spread and lay the groundwork for finding business partners. She hadn't expected her second cousin to have time to come today; he was a very busy man. In her previous life, his chain stores had already spread throughout neighboring Y City, and although they weren't yet on that scale, they were beginning to take shape. He had a lot to do every day.

Tang Xiaoxiao hadn't overlooked this connection in her plan, but after all, Xu Mingliang's home turf was in Y City, which was over a hundred kilometers away. She didn't need to start in such a distant place; she had originally planned to find a suitable business in A City first, and then expand outwards as things developed.

But since the other party has come to her door today, she has no reason to refuse.

After exchanging a few words, Tang Xiaoxiao didn't disturb everyone's meal and turned back to her mother's side.

Tang's mother also overheard the conversation between the two. She quietly pulled Tang Xiaoxiao's hand and whispered to her, "Your cousin Mingliang is a decent person and won't cheat you, but don't worry too much about family ties. Just do what you should do."

What Tang's mother was worried about was that Tang Xiaoxiao wouldn't hold a grudge against her own family out of consideration for her. As a mother, she was afraid that her daughter would suffer, so she told Tang Xiaoxiao the truth directly.

When it comes to Tang's mother, her two daughters are involved, and even Tang's father has to take a backseat.

Tang Xiaoxiao patted her mother's hand, "I know, Mom, don't worry."

The birthday banquet started at 10:30 a.m. and lasted for nearly three hours. Some of the guests who liked to drink were the last to leave, and they were all drunk and staggering. Fortunately, most of them were residents of the small town and lived nearby. Some could walk home in just a few steps. For those who lived a little further away, Tang Xiaoxiao and her sister were responsible for calling taxis to take them away safely, so there were no safety issues.

As for relatives who have come from afar, those who are not in a hurry can stay for two days, while those who are eager to go back can be accompanied by their family members.

After everything was finished, Tang's parents were exhausted. They took the elderly couple home to rest, and Tang Xinxin took Xuanxuan back to City A. Xuanxuan had to go to school the next day, so they couldn't stay.

Tang Xiaoxiao was actually quite tired, not physically—she was in excellent health, looking frail but actually stronger than most men. She was mentally exhausted; maintaining a stiff smile for most of the day made her feel like her facial nerves were about to die.