This seems to be a tacit agreement between the two parties, and they have to do this every year at the end of the year. It's not about who loses out or who gains out; everyone gets what they want.

Xun Liangcai felt that his family had taken advantage of him again, and his face turned red. "Auntie, thank you for troubling me again."

"Why are you speaking so formally when we're family?" Hua Guangzong interrupted the boy as he started being polite again. "Even if we weren't related by marriage, the bond between your father and me, which is like that of two families sharing life and death, is closer than that between most families."

"See if there's anything you need. Let's get it organized today, and tomorrow we'll go to town together and take care of everything."

Thinking of the several large packages in the room that haven't been opened yet, I'll clean them out later and bring some to Xingshun as well.

Seeing that the elders had gone off-topic again, Hua Xiangyun could only listen quietly from the sidelines, thinking about when to find out more.

However, the two sides chatted so enthusiastically that it was almost lunchtime, and Hua Zhiping and the others returned before they finally stopped.

Just as everyone stood up to go eat, Xun Liangcai suddenly kicked his feet back and forth on flat ground and fell to the ground.

"Liangcai, are you alright?" Hua Guangzong asked with a hint of doubt in his eyes. He had watched this child grow up and had trained hard under his father's guidance for a period of time, so he was quite steady.

"Uncle, I'm fine." Xun Liangcai smiled bitterly and propped himself up. "I don't know why, but I've been having a lot of bad luck lately. I keep getting bumped and bruised. My dad said it will get better in a few days."

"Is there anything wrong? Should we go to the hospital for a check-up?" Hua Guangzong didn't even mention the local clinic, which only dealt with minor aches and pains.

“No need,” Xun Liangcai quickly waved his hand and said, “I had a doctor check my pulse in our village, and there’s nothing wrong with my body.”

Uncle, you don't need to worry...

How could he not be worried? Xun Liangcai had barely finished speaking when he twisted his ankle again as he entered the kitchen, but Hua Xiangyun was quick enough to catch him.

Hua Xiangyun took this opportunity to channel the spiritual energy she had just gathered into Xun Liangcai's physical strength. Although it couldn't dispel the yin energy on his body, it at least lessened it a little.

Xun Liangcai was oblivious to all of this, and his repeated blunders made him somewhat embarrassed. He said with an awkward laugh, "Look at me, I was so focused on talking that I didn't even see where I was going."

Hua Guangzong: "Did you see Doctor Huang from your village?"

If it's that old guy, he's got some skills; he's far better than those doctors in white coats at the hospital.

"Yes, Uncle Huang said I'm in great health and will live to be seventy or eighty without any problem." Seeing that several dishes had already been laid out on the table, he quickly added, "This is too kind of you. We've made you spend money again, Uncle."

Hua Guangzong said, "It's a rare treat to come all year. If we don't treat you well, your father will hide all the good wine next time he visits your village."

Tell your father later, he's just a pathetic village chief, no need for him to stay in the village every day. Let him come over for a few days; I've got some good wine waiting for him, unlike him who's so stingy.

Xun Liangcai smiled ingratiatingly, "Uncle, it's really interesting how you talk to my father. He gave me the same instructions when I came here. He also told me to take you with me when I go back this time, and to come back after the New Year."

Hua Guangzong glared at Xun Liangcai, feigning anger. "Your words sound a bit fake. Your father has been fond of drinking all his life. He would rather give me meat than wine. Don't try to cover for him."

As he spoke, he invited Xun Liangcai and the others to sit down. When he saw that Tian Guihua had made an exception and put out a wine glass, he grinned.

Just as he was about to pour the wine, Tian Guihua, who was standing next to him, was even quicker. "Let Zhiping have a couple of drinks with him. Don't make things worse."

As he spoke, he bypassed Hua Guangzong and poured a cup of wine for Hua Zhiping and Xun Liangcai. "There's not much food, so let's just have some wine and make do."

Hua Guangzong secretly tugged at Tian Guihua's sleeve under the table, "...We have guests, so I'll just have a little, not too much."

Tian Guihua ignored him and called out to Li Lancao, "Lancao, since you're not drinking, let's eat more vegetables. After we finish eating, your aunt will take you around."

Hua Guangzong smacked his lips, knowing he wouldn't get any wine again today. In order not to lose face in front of his juniors, he simply buried his head in his food.

Hua Xiangyun quickly raised her hand and said, "Me too, I can go too."

You see, apart from the last time she went to the hospital in the city and today when she accompanied her grandfather to the street to pick up a package, she had been wanting to go out for a while.

Let alone going out alone, even if she just wanted to take a walk in this courtyard, the old lady would keep a close eye on her.

"Is your head injury alright?" Li Lancao dared not answer, knowing that the Hua family doted on this niece.

Previously, just because her mother-in-law gave this girl a hint, her father-in-law came straight to her door and gave him a good scolding.

"It's all fine now. I even went with my grandpa to pick up a package. Grandma, I've been cooped up at home for so long, it's really boring."

Hua Xiangyun stared longingly at Tian Guihua, her pitiful expression instantly making the old lady and the others laugh.

"Okay, I'll take you with me later. We won't go far, just a walk on this street near the entrance."

Hua Xiangyun, "..."

"Then I'll stay home and chat with my second uncle, and listen to his stories." Hua Xiangyun's eyes shifted, staring at Xun Liangcai, who was drinking with Hua Zhiping.

Xun Liangcai was suddenly choked, and his niece was in a bit of a predicament. "Xiangyun, your second uncle is bad at talking and can't tell stories."

Hua Xiangyun said, "It's alright, Second Uncle. I just like listening to those everyday stories and want to know what we're usually busy with in the village."

"Looking for talented people, what else is there to do? It's just farming and clearing land, with different tasks every day."

This kind of farming is tough; it's all about sweat and physical labor. My second uncle could sum it up in just a few words.

Hua Xiangyun didn't want to hear any of this. "It's okay, it's okay, I'm just curious. Let's eat quickly and tell me about it later."

Hua Guangzong smiled and said, "Liangcai, since the child is willing to listen, you can tell him about it later."

Let's not pick anything fun anymore; we should let her understand how difficult life is for ordinary people like us.

It's true that his family spoils their child, but they also want their child to learn more about life.

They will eventually be gone; they can't protect them forever.

What else could he do but smile and nod in agreement when he was looking for talented people?

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Hua Xiangyun looked at Xun Liangcai, who was already passed out drunk on the table. "..." Can someone tell her what kind of alcohol tolerance he had after just two cups of wine?

"Liangcai, after all these years, your alcohol tolerance is still so low. You're nothing like your father." Hua Guangzong looked at the already drunk Xun Liangcai and muttered with disappointment.

"Back in the day, Xingshun was known as someone who could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. What's going on here?"

Li Lancao helped Hua Zhiping into the room, and then said with a smile, "It's only at my uncle's house; I wouldn't dare let him touch a drop of alcohol anywhere else."