Carrying three bottles of wine and 8 kilograms of fine wine snatched from the master, Zhang Guoqing and his two mothers went into the main room, where two tables were placed after cleaning.

The big table was made by Zhang Guoqiang, the second brother of the Zhang family. It is very big. He happened to find suitable wood that year and made this table. Usually, this table is used for ancestor worship during the New Year. It can seat 12 big men with ample space.

During Chinese New Year, the Zhang family, with its small household, still sat at separate tables. The entire family gathered around the large table. The smaller one next to it was used for regular family meals. With these two tables set up, the main room didn't seem too cramped. The two sisters-in-law and the older child were already setting up the dishes and serving the food.

The men sat at the big table and chatted, while the women and children sat at the small table. The two tables were close together, so it was convenient to turn around and talk, so everyone sat down at the table without delay.

The two tables were packed, a feast rarely seen at the Zhang family's. There were dishes like sauerkraut and pork stewed with vermicelli noodles, chicken stewed with hazel mushrooms, three fresh vegetables, sweet and sour pork, dried tofu with hot peppers, braised pork cutlets, white blood sausage, braised pork intestines, Northeastern hotpot, spare ribs stewed with beans, and stir-fried roe deer meat.

The man's eyes lit up at the sight of the wine in Zhang Guoqing's hand. Sitting at the large table were Grandpa Lin, Zhang's father, the eldest son, the second son, Xiao Zhou, Xiao Fei, and three guards. With Zhang Guoqing in tow, there weren't many people, so it was quite spacious. His father removed the cork from the large jar, and a rich aroma of wine wafted out, overpowering the aroma of the meat and vegetables.

The table next to them could smell the aroma of wine. After everyone sat down, Zhang Guoqing picked up the jar and started pouring wine from the one who was the most senior, Mr. Lin. Then he poured wine for Zhang's father according to their seniority. He went to the side and poured wine for his mother and mother-in-law. Before he got back to his second brother, his wine had been snatched away by several people, so he had to serve himself.

Grandpa Lin picked up the bowl, closed his eyes, smelled the wine, and took a sip. "This wine is good, a real Northeastern old high fever. This year has been more than 20 years old."

Father Zhang also took a sip. "It's been 20 years. I heard from Xiaowu that someone buried it 20 years ago. The wine is good. He stole it from the chef of the county restaurant. It's a pity there isn't much. Food is scarce now, and no one makes their own wine anymore."

Grandpa Lin picked up the bowl and clinked it towards Father Zhang, "Let's drink this first. Thank you very much for taking care of Jiaojiao over the years.

This child didn't grow up with us, which was hard for her. Now that I see that your family is harmonious and the couple has a good relationship, I feel relieved and can explain to his father.

Old man Zhou is not a kind person. I have always been worried that he would be confused. When he told me about Zhou Jiao and Xiao Wu, I was hesitant and had not confirmed the news to him. He said that they were already married.

I was worried before I came here. Luckily, this fool didn't do anything bad. He helped my daughter Jiaojiao find a good in-law family and a good grandson-in-law. Otherwise, I really wouldn't forgive him."

Lin Lishan was dissatisfied when she heard this, "Dad, you don't know yet, it wasn't him who found her, it was Jiaojiao herself who found her. Aren't you wondering why they got married so early and why Jiaojiao was so anxious to leave the Zhou family?

I only now realized that Huang Zhaodi and Zhou Xue were plotting against Jiaojiao, wanting her to marry into her natal family, the Huang family. Jiaojiao overheard this. The child didn't dare tell anyone, fearing her grandfather had the same intention and that she herself had been tricked. She couldn't even sleep.

Just when she was worried and didn't know what to do, Xiaowu told her that he would not go to the army and wanted to stay with her. She was so moved that she cried. She didn't dare to tell Xiaowu, for fear that he would lose his patience and something would happen. So she told her grandmother that she wanted to marry Xiaowu, and if he didn't agree, she would go to Beijing to find her grandfather.

She knew that her grandfather wouldn't let her go find you. If she wasn't at the Zhou family, we wouldn't send the money. As a result, her grandfather really agreed and ignored her until she got married. She didn't dare sleep soundly until she left the Zhou family, for fear of something happening.

Grandpa Lin was very angry. "They are rebelling. They even dare to plot against my granddaughter. I will never let them off this time. No matter whether his grandfather knows about this or not, they are so arrogant that they are not afraid of that fool.

That old fool. Maybe he knows about this. Our Jiaojiao is such a person, she wouldn't know what's going on. I'm just confused. These two kids are so good at studying, there's no reason they'd rush into marriage without going to high school and taking college entrance exams. Wait until his dad comes out and tells him, then let him decide for himself."

After hearing this, Zhang's father glanced at Zhang Guoqing. It seemed that Zhang Guoqing really didn't know. "Uncle Lin, don't be angry. It's not worth it. This marriage was destined long ago. They have been holding hands since they were young. They have a great relationship. Everyone in the surrounding area knows about it. Even if they were to plot, they wouldn't dare to do it openly.

Besides, it's better to cut ties with the Zhou family sooner rather than later. They only have Jiaojiao's father, and no one really looks down on the rest. Four generations in one house, doing nothing. I don't know what Old Zhou is thinking. You said we're all from the countryside, and who doesn't work hard in the fields? Raising a child like this will only ruin him.

Okay, let’s not talk about them. Come on, let’s drink. You guys should drink less and eat more, and save some wine for us.”

Mr. Lin also calmed down. He just remembered those things in his heart. "Come, let's drink and eat and not talk about those bad things. It's rare to drink with you, Lao Zhang. How is your alcohol tolerance?

"I tell you, back then, every time there was a war, we would drink a bowl of wine and then go to sleep. It was so refreshing. Now, it's hard to find anyone to drink to your heart's content. Those people just sip the wine with their mouths, and it takes forever to finish the bowl. There's no interest in drinking slowly. Drinking should be done with big bowls of wine and big mouthfuls of meat. That's the only way to enjoy it."

"Yes, yes. At that time, my father took me to visit relatives during the Spring Festival. There was a big jar of wine, and it was all very strong. We all gathered together and finished the big jar of wine in a short time. Then we asked for another jar, but it was still not enough. We drank it with big pieces of steamed meat and peanuts. The taste is still delicious now." Father Zhang sighed.

"Xiao Wu, fill up your dad's glass, and I'll fill mine too. Let's finish our drinks now, and then have the wine I brought. It's not bad either. I brought two boxes, and I'll mail it to you when you're done. When you have time, go to the capital and have a look. The Beijing roast duck is good, and the boiled lamb is also suitable as a side dish. We can continue drinking then."

"Okay, I'm going to visit the capital and *** at least once in my lifetime. Then my life will be worth it. When the time comes, we'll come to your place, and you can serve me roast duck with some wine. Hehe."

Lin Lishan was also persuading Zhang's mother to go to Beijing when she had time. "Sister, when Xiaowu and Jiaojiao go to Beijing to visit their grandmother, you can go too. I'll take you around Beijing then. You and your brother won't even have to stay in a guesthouse. Your Jiaojiao has her own house. It'll be like home."

Zhang's mother said happily, "I'm worried about the family leaving. When Xiaowu and his friends have found a good way, we'll go with them to see Beijing."

Lin Lishan looked at the children who were restrained and said, "Are you afraid of grandma? Eat quickly while it's hot and go to your aunt's room. There is candy there."

Xizi, who was 10 years old, politely said thank you. The children ate with big mouthfuls. Mai Miao said as he ate, "Brother, hurry up. There are some candies in my aunt's room. She said yesterday that she would save some for you. There are a lot of them.

And there's little Ping'an. You haven't seen him yet, right? He's much cleaner than the village's younger brother Hehua, Goudan. She always says her younger brother is clean. I think he's not as good as our Ping'an.

My aunt also let us drink milk with peanuts, which was delicious. I clinked glasses with Mai Sui and she didn't understand, so it wasn't fun at all. My aunt is the best, she never scolded me and let us go to her place to play whenever we have time.

Shitou shouted, "We all saw Xiao Ping'an. He didn't cry even after waking up. He's so well behaved. It's just that he's too young to take him out to play."

Listening to the children's childish chatter, the adults watched and laughed.