A group of people came out of the gate and came to the car, and got in one after another. Lin Lishan drove the car, took the female family members to a car, and then followed the car in front to drive to the fat master.

In the car, Zhang's mother sat in the passenger seat, holding her child. Listening to their conversation, her thoughts raced. She thought of the mountain of gifts in the living room, then the large gifts the Cheng family had brought over that afternoon, and wondered what return gift to prepare. She wondered how the eldest and his wife had prepared the things she had instructed them to do before leaving.

Zhou Xiaozheng was in the last car. Zhang Guoqing was driving, with Zhao Chuangguang and Cheng Sijin sitting next to him. The three of them were chatting. When they got out of the intersection, Zhou Xiaozheng told Zhang Guoqing to pass by Zhao's house and call Zhao Dashan.

The car stopped in front of the Zhao family's house. Zhang Guoqing ran into the yard and saw Zhao Dashan in the living room. "Uncle, where is Aunt Cheng?"

"You haven't finished get off work yet. Do you have something to talk to her about? I'll be back soon."

Zhang Guoqing picked up his coat and pulled him out. "My dad and Uncle Guang are waiting for you in the car outside. Let's not wait for Aunt Cheng. Let's go eat first."

Zhao Dashan hurriedly closed the gate of the yard and the two got into the car.

After greeting him, Zhao Dashan curiously asked Zhao Chuangguang, "Didn't you insist on going back this morning? When did you come to the county town again? Why didn't you call me?"

Zhao Chuangguang said proudly, "When I heard you say that Brother Zheng was going to the ancestral hall with Brother Cheng and the others today, I guessed that they would be returning to Beijing soon. So I hurried back and brought my wife here. If Brother Zheng doesn't see her when he comes back, do you believe my wife will keep complaining about it? What do you think? Brothers, are you smart?"

Zhao Dashan looked at him with disdain, "You really are afraid of your wife."

"I'm a good man. A good man is one who fears his wife. I don't believe you're not afraid of Red Pepper. Hey, Red Pepper isn't here?"

"At work, I'm always busy. I never get off work on time."

Zhang Guoqing avoided the potholes on the road and drove quickly to the eastern suburbs of the county. It was the first time for the child to go out, so he was really worried. In addition, Zhou Jiao had not eaten a single bite at home, so he had to ask the fat chef to take care of her and prepare some confinement meals first, so he felt more and more anxious.

After taking a shortcut, Zhang Guoqing finally caught up with the main group parked at the gate of the yard and breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, the location of Master Fat's yard was suitable. Otherwise, just seeing these six cars coming over would have attracted the attention of the villagers.

When the fat master heard his apprentice say that a group of cars had arrived at the door, he was filled with fear and doubt. He hurried to the gate himself. When he arrived, he saw Zhang Guoqing inside and breathed a sigh of relief. He usually had customers after dark, and seeing him come in broad daylight today made his heart pound.

"Xiaowu, quickly bring your elders in to rest. Come with me to the big room, where we can put two big tables. There's also a kang for the little one to lie down on."

After saying that, the fat master led everyone into the largest room in the east wing. The room was indeed very large, with two tables placed inside, and the kang was also clean.

Zhang Guoqing nodded with satisfaction and asked everyone, "Aunt, do you have any food restrictions? Can I ask the fat chef to recommend some dishes for you today?"

Everyone shook their heads and looked at Old Cheng and the others, to see if they needed anything.

Old Cheng smiled and pointed at Old Lin beside him, "Old Lin, you tell me what to eat. It doesn't matter what I eat. There are no taboos. Is there anything you need?"

Old Master Lin nodded to the fat chef and said, "The dishes are not very particular. Please take care of the women. For us men, remember to serve good wine. Just serve as you see fit. Oh, and remember to make some confinement food first."

Zhang Guoqing followed the fat chef out, carrying a bamboo basket. "Fat chef, please serve my wife some nourishing soup and rice first. You can cook whatever you like with the seafood in this basket. I'd also like you to prepare a few more dishes suitable for the elderly. Let the young chef serve the cold dishes and wine first."

"Just wait and see! Today I'm definitely showing off my best skills. Xiaowu, I've braised a bear paw hen today. Do you want some? It's quite expensive."

"Even if you order another Buddha Jumps Over the Wall today, I'll take it. As usual, wait for me to pay." After Zhang Guoqing finished speaking, he handed him the basket and walked into the room.

From afar, I heard Zhao Dashan talking about Master Fat's family history.

Entering the room, Zhang Guoqing went to the kang and found his son lying at the head of the kang, sound asleep, completely unaffected by the surroundings, truly content with his circumstances. At the foot of the kang sat his mother and the others, all happily chatting away.

Zhou Jiao winked at him and smiled slightly. Zhang Guoqing laughed heartily. It was obvious that the person in front of him was even more excited. Didn't he see that she was full of energy and spirits?

Zhang Guoqing said softly, "There will be bear paws later, you'll be in for a treat. Is there anything else you want to eat?"

Zhou Jiao carefully looked around and whispered, "It would be great if there was Flying Dragon Soup."

"There should be some today. I just saw some processed flying dragons among the ingredients." I thought to myself that it was rare that Jiaojiao liked it, so I would pack it all up and take it away later.

After a while, two young chefs brought wine and cold dishes. After Zhou Xiaozheng asked everyone to sit down, he waved for Zhang Guoqing to come over.

"Let's drink without worry tonight. If we get drunk, the non-drinkers at that table will take us home. A-Guang and the old men will stay at the guesthouse tonight, and we'll go to the provincial capital together tomorrow afternoon. Xiaowu, fill up your uncle's and his family's glasses."

Zhang Guoqing opened the wine jars and, starting with Old Cheng, filled all the men at the two tables with sorghum liquor.

Seeing that he was still busy pouring the fruit wine, Lin Lishan quickly said, "We women will take care of them. You go to that table and keep an eye on the two old men so they don't drink too much."

Zhang Guoqing nodded and returned to his seat.

Seeing him coming back, Zhao Chuangguang stood up, raised his glass and said loudly: "Brother Zheng, with this first toast, we wish you to escape from the sea of ​​suffering, reunite with your family, and return to your roots."

His words made everyone laugh and they all stood up to toast.

After finishing the first drink and everyone sat down, Zhao Chuangguang saw Zhang Guoqing had already started pouring wine and quickly praised him, "My son-in-law is still the best. Look how sensible he is. Xiaowu, you sit down and we will pour our own wine."

Holding the second glass of wine, Zhao Chuangguang stood up and said, "For this second glass of wine, I have to say a few words. I am so happy. I am so happy tonight. I finally see our Jiaojiao. Wife, let's toast to Brother Zheng and Sister-in-law. Thank them for giving birth to a daughter for us."

Zhou Xiaozheng stood up and raised his wine glass. "There's something wrong with what you said. What do you mean by us two gave birth to a daughter for you? You have to remember, I'm the biological father, and you're the doer. Good brother, for your annual sack of paper money, we did it."

Jin Huimin laughed heartily and hurriedly explained to everyone. She stood up, raised her glass, and clinked it with Lin Lishan's, saying loudly, "Brother Zheng, I'll drink first to show my respect for your safe return."

Zhao Dashan laughed heartily. "Well said. Let's all drink this glass of wine for Brother Zheng's safe return."

Zhou Xiaozheng waited until everyone finished drinking, then poured more wine and raised his glass. "This third glass is for everyone. I won't say thank you anymore, it's all in the wine."

After three glasses of wine, the young chef brought out the hot dishes, and Zhou Xiaozheng was busy asking everyone to fill their stomachs first.

Zhang Guoqing had sharp ears and vaguely heard Zuo Lin's voice outside. He listened carefully and caught sight of the two old men sitting in the upper seats. He suddenly came to his senses, pulled Zhou Xiaozheng, pointed outside, and said silently, "Zuo Lin..."

Zhou Xiaozheng understood and nodded, watching him get up and leave, then open the door. Sure enough, he saw Zuo Lin carrying a jar of wine and Li Aiguo outside, just about to push the door open.

Zhang Guoqing quickly pulled them both in by the hand. "Uncle Li, Uncle Zuo, we're so glad you're here. My dad was really sorry that you were both at work today and couldn't get together with you. Come on in! Uncle Dashan took the day off and didn't go to Chengshan today, so I dragged him over. Now that you've joined us, we're going to be drunk tonight."

A smile flashed in Zhou Xiaozheng's eyes. He stood up and told the waiter beside him to add two chairs. He pulled them over and placed them in the seats where he and Zhang Guoqing sat.

"Hurry up and sit down. Zuo Lin, where did you get this wine?"

Zuo Lin nodded and pointed at Zhang Guoqing.

Zhao Dashan shouted happily, "50-year-old liquor, you've finally come to the right place. Brother Cheng, A Guang, this is Zuo Lin's illegal liquor. We'll drink it all up for him later."

Li Aiguo complained to Old Master Cheng and Old Master Lin, "Grandpas, why didn't you tell us you were coming last night? When the waiter reported it to us today, we rushed to find you. We finally heard you were heading to the village, and when we got to Xiaowu's house, they said you were back in the county. When we got there, we checked the guesthouse and you weren't back either. It wasn't until we found Zuo Lin that we learned where Xiaowu's new courtyard was, but when we got there, the gate was locked. Luckily, we heard you were driving to the eastern suburbs of the county, so we were able to track you down."

Old Cheng smiled and comforted him, "You have indeed worked hard. This time we came here to do some personal business, so there is no need to trouble you. You are usually very busy with work, so there is no need to cause trouble to the place. Pour yourselves more wine, and we will continue drinking."

After two more chairs were added and everyone was seated, the fat chef personally brought up the bear paw.

"This is bear paw stewed with old hen. It's been stewed for two days. Old man, try it."

Mr. Cheng opened the lid and was greeted by a rich aroma. He scooped a small bowlful with a spoon and added a piece of meat with chopsticks. The fatty parts melted in his mouth, while the rest was sinewy and tough, breaking with a gentle bite. After swallowing, the fragrance lingered in his mouth, leaving an endless aftertaste. No wonder even Mencius said, "Fish is what I desire, and bear's paw is also what I desire; if I cannot have both, I will give up fish for bear's paw."

Everyone at the table scooped a small bowl and savored it with relish.

Zhao Chuanguang sipped his soup and gave the plump chef a thumbs-up. His cooking was truly excellent, perfectly salty and light, not greasy. He remembered how his aunt's bear paws, which last time he went home, tasted like pig's trotters. What a shame.

Zhou Xiaozheng watched as both jars were completely eaten up in a short while. He then looked at his daughter squinting her eyes as she drank the soup, just like a kitten. He was so happy that he asked the fat chef, "Anything else? Bring me two more jars."

The fat master was at a loss for words and quickly shook his head. He had finally found this one forepaw; it wasn't easy to find.

After the fat chef left, Jin Huimin whispered, "I always thought bear paws tasted like pig's trotters. It seems the key lies in the chef's skills."

Old Mrs. Cheng laughed at her words. "He stewed it with an old hen and added some other ingredients. If it were braised bear paws, it would really be like pig's trotters. The most delicious one would be Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, but it's a pity that it's no longer available."

Zhou Jiao, now obsessed with steamed buns, finds anything meaty a favorite. As for Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, she seems to actually have it in her profile. She remembers the time Zhang Guoqing took her to a members-only private restaurant. They went there, admiring its reputation, and ordered a table full of dishes, ultimately taking the giant jar of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall to go. What were they thinking back then? Half the table was vegetarian. Now, if anyone spends a fortune treating her to half a table full of vegetarian dishes, she'll get angry. It's too painful to recall.

Zhao Chuangguang waited for Zuo Lin and the other man to toast, then quickly said, "Zuo Lin, pour the good wine you brought back first. Anything that my son-in-law would miss must be good wine."

Zuo Lin nodded with a smile and pointed at Zhang Guoqing, "Xiao Wu, help Uncle Zuo pour some for everyone so they can have a taste. Don't be reluctant, your aunt has already reserved five pounds for you."

Zhang Guoqing happily responded after hearing this. He picked up the 20-jin wine jar and began to pour the wine. It really took him a lot of effort to pour the wine. Fortunately, he was strong and did not feel tired after going around two tables.

As he filled two tables of glasses, the room suddenly filled with the aroma of wine. It was indeed an aged wine, with a rich, fragrant aroma. A sip filled the air with fragrance, and the taste was sweet and mellow. What was rare was the clean finish, with no bitter aftertaste. Everyone praised the wine endlessly, and by the time they had finished the aged wine, their faces were flushed and their spirits were high.

Zhao Chuangguang rolled up his sleeves, slammed the table and shouted, "Except for the two old men, the men are starting to fight to clear the level. Brothers, we won't go home until we are drunk tonight."

After he finished speaking, everyone stood up and toasted the two old men, then started to cheer and shout for Zhao Chuangguang to have three cups first.

Zhang Guoqing had already brought a few jars of wine and placed them on the table for them to pour themselves. He then took the child and let Zhang's mother and the others drink and eat first. After the child finished drinking the formula, the room was filled with clinking glasses.

After three rounds of drinks, Zhou Xiaozheng left Zhang Guoqing to take care of everyone and took Zhou Jiao and the child back to the small courtyard.