Because Li Jin was poisoned by his own son and daughter-in-law, people developed a strange sense of superiority.

In an instant, all the envy, jealousy and hatred towards Li Jin vanished, and some people even came to visit him and comfort him with genuine sincerity.

Of course, Li Jin didn't like this kind of comforting gaze that was full of probing eyes; he found it extremely bothersome.

Time flies, and now it's already the 15th of July in the height of summer.

Li Xiangdong originally planned to take Zhou Hongsong to Northeast China, but the time was wasted due to Li Jin being stabbed and a group of people being imprisoned.

For the past two weeks, because the antique business in Yanjing has been booming, Li Xiangdong asked Zhou Hongsong to go to Yanjing to help his sister and brother-in-law collect antiques.

It is said that because the government allows individual businesses to operate, many people want to sell their household scrap metal as start-up capital.

The side room of Li Xiangdong's house was already filled with all kinds of porcelain, furniture and antiques. He was too lazy to write them down himself, so he dictated them to Li Ping to make a record.

Because he acquired too many antiques at once, even though individual pieces weren't worth much, Li Xiangdong's cash ran out very quickly.

In addition, the deer farm in Bashang is currently only investing without producing anything, and it also has to spend money to buy dried ferns, so Li Xiangdong suddenly felt a sense of liquidity crisis.

Looks like I need to make more money. Relying solely on selling mushrooms is too slow; it can't keep up with how much I spend.

...

Seeing his father struggling to cope with visitors every day, Li Xiangdong suggested taking him on a trip to Northeast China.

"Dad, it's cool in the Northeast, come with me for a trip!"

Li Jin hesitated for a moment, "I spent half a year in Zahatun when I was in the army. Decades have passed, and I really miss the days there!"

"I wonder how my fellow villagers are doing?"

As he spoke, Li Jin's face showed a nostalgic expression. The villagers there were simple and warm-hearted, there was the vast and boundless Xing'an Mountains, and there were big-eyed, silly roe deer. You could just scoop fish out of the ponds with a ladle!

"Beating roe deer with sticks and scooping fish with ladles, pheasants flying into the cooking pot"—this widely circulated saying is a true reflection of life at that time.

Li Xiangdong asked in surprise, "You've been to the Northeast? Weren't you a soldier in Dalian?"

"At that time, we were transporting timber to the Zahatun Forest Farm, and our class was stationed there for half a year."

"Alright then, we can take this opportunity to visit the forest farm and revisit this familiar place!"

Li Jin was a little worried about things in the village, "but..."

Li Xiangdong advised him, "Dad, your uncles are all so capable, your absence won't hinder anything!"

Li Jin: Then what is the meaning of my existence...?

Li Xiangdong quickly changed the subject, "We still need you to keep the overall direction in mind!"

Li Jin: You're in charge of the overall direction...

Li Jin felt utterly dejected. "Fine, the world will keep turning no matter who's gone. I'll go with you!"

However, I can't go these next couple of days because my third sister's youngest son, Hongkun, is having his 100th birthday celebration soon.

Because of good nutrition, this kid is very strong and sturdy. His arms and legs are chubby, like white lotus roots. His big eyes are as black and shiny as big grapes. Whenever someone teases him, he will show them a toothless smile.

With Hongkun's 100th day approaching, Li Ying decided to hold a grand 100th-day celebration to dispel the bad luck associated with her father's assassination attempt and poisoning.

When a child turns 100 days old, they should wear a "Five Poisons Bib" embroidered with colorful threads, prepared by their maternal grandmother.

The "Five Poisons" refer to five venomous insects: centipede, scorpion, snake, toad, and gecko. A small gourd is embroidered in the upper right corner of the "Five Poisons" apron, with its mouth pointing towards the five venomous insects, symbolizing a peaceful and healthy life for the child, free from evil spirits.

Zhao Sufang had prepared the Five Poisons Pouch and the Longevity Lock well in advance.

On the day Hong Kun turned 100, Li Xiangdong and his family of eight arrived at Quanshui Village early. Before they even entered the house, they could hear bursts of laughter coming from inside.

To celebrate the continuation of the Hong family line, Hong Shui's eight older sisters all brought their families along, filling the house and courtyard with people.

The men stood chatting and eating sunflower seeds, while the women helped cook or sat on small stools chatting, and the children chased and played with each other.

As soon as they saw Li Xiangdong's family arrive, they immediately put down what they were doing and warmly surrounded them, calling them "dear father and mother" repeatedly, and praising how beautiful all of Li's children were.

Li Xiangdong's head was throbbing from the noise, so he quickly took a break and went to his master's house.

Lying on his master's Hainan Huanghuali recliner, fanning himself with a large palm leaf fan, and with a small red bean popsicle dangling from his mouth, Li Xiangdong let out a long, contented sigh.

"Master, did you go to my third sister's house?"

"I went in, but came out again as soon as I stepped in halfway."

"What's wrong?"

"The sound was so loud it knocked me out!"

Hahahaha~

Li Xiangdong's laughter startled the sparrows on the bamboo branches, which fluttered away to the branches of the Chinese toon tree a little further away from him.

The master and apprentice chatted idly while waiting for the lunch to officially begin.

A little while later, Li Jiabao came over and urged them to hurry up and eat. "Brother, Master Jiang, it'll be time for dumplings and noodles soon. Let's go watch the fun!"

Dumpling noodles are also a custom in Huichuan area. It involves inviting an elderly relative of the baby's family, usually an old man, to sit backwards on the threshold of his house and eat one hundred meat dumplings. This symbolizes the blessing of a long and healthy life for the baby.

Of course, it's unrealistic to expect an elderly person to eat a hundred meat dumplings in one go, so these hundred meat dumplings are specially made, each only the size of a fingernail.

When Li Xiangdong and Old Lady Jiang arrived, one of the third uncles of the Hong family was sitting on the threshold, eating meat dumplings from a large plate.

He picked up a meat dumpling and threw it into his mouth. The juicy meat filling burst out, and the white flour dumpling skin was soft and chewy.

Good heavens, I can't even have such delicious white flour and meat dumplings once a year at home!

The old man ate dumplings with his eyes closed, his expression one of pure enjoyment, making everyone around him swallow hard.

The adults were fine, but the children couldn't control themselves; they would tug at the adults' clothes and insist on eating dumplings.

Luckily, I made a lot of meat dumplings today, and they were all cooked in the pot by now. They weren't tiny dumplings, they were all normal-sized ones.

The 100-year-old banquet had ten tables, ten hot and cold dishes, and eight large bowls. This scale was much higher than other people's weddings!

Everyone's gift was only one yuan and half a pound of fruit, so we never dared to imagine that we would be eating such a sumptuous feast.

Therefore, both the host and guests enjoyed the meal.

But perhaps because the food was too good, Hongshui's eighth brother-in-law drank a little too much. His face was flushed, and he came to the main table with his wine glass to toast Li Jin.

Li Jin had drunk a bit too much today. Not wanting to lose his composure, he covered the mouth of the cup with his hand, shook his head with a smile, and said, "Brother-in-law, I really can't drink anymore today."

The eighth brother-in-law was a little unhappy. He raised his voice and said, "Hey, father-in-law, are you being so disrespectful?"