As the Taoist priest dried his hair, he walked towards the kitchen and said, "Wow, you really made a lot of dishes? Is this really to welcome me back?"

"Hahaha, I told you but you didn't believe me. Otherwise, why would Xiaohan suddenly cook so many dishes?"

Although Grandpa Zhao said that, the Taoist priest still seemed skeptical, as if there was something he didn't know about.

After thinking about it, I stopped thinking about it. Who cares! As long as I have something to eat today, that's fine.

I haven't had my daughter's cooking in so long, I really miss it.

Regardless of why I made so many dishes, since I'm here today, they're all for myself.

After thinking it through, she moved a chair to sit at the kitchen doorway, looked at Mu'er standing next to Grandpa Zhao, and said, "Oh dear, I actually forgot about Mu'er. It's all your fault for making me angry as soon as you arrived."

Then, softening his voice, he said, "Mu'er, come here quickly so that Grandpa Daoist can see if you're strong and healthy."

Perhaps because Mu'er hadn't seen the Taoist priest for a long time, she was a little scared and shrank closer to her great-grandfather.

After all, Mu'er is not even two and a half years old yet, and doesn't remember much.

Moreover, the Taoist priest didn't look like a good person; he had such a bad temper and was quite fierce.

"Haha, Mu'er has forgotten about you because it's been so long since she's seen you," Grandpa Zhao chimed in.

"Mu'er, this is Grandpa Daoist, have you forgotten? Let Grandpa Daoist give you a hug." Xu Han said.

Upon hearing her mother's words, Mu'er carefully moved little by little to the Taoist priest's side.

The Taoist priest hugged Mu'er tightly and bounced her around, saying, "Not bad, not bad, you've gained a lot of weight and grown a lot taller."

"You've been gone for more than half a year, how could you not have gotten fatter and taller?" Grandpa Zhao retorted mercilessly.

"You old man, if you don't speak, no one will think you're mute."

Seeing this, Xu Han quickly changed the subject, saying, "Daoist Master, you haven't seen Ze'er yet. Ze'er is sleeping. Let me bring him out for you to see."

"No need, no need, you guys are busy, I'll go take a look myself. Remember to cook lots of my favorite dishes, okay?"

"Don't worry! I won't forget it," Xu Han replied with a smile.

Then the Taoist priest carried Mu'er to the main room and saw that Ze'er was sleeping in the small room. The Taoist priest took a look and then came out.

Soon after, the laughter of Mu'er and the Taoist priest could be heard from inside the main room.

"Children forget quickly, but they also become familiar with things quickly. It's only been a short while, and the two of them are already laughing so happily," Grandpa Zhao said with a smile.

“The main reason is that we often mention the Taoist priest in front of the children. Although they may not recognize the person after a while, they are familiar with the name,” Lu Chuan replied.

“You’re right. If the Taoist priest goes out again next time, we won’t mention him. We’ll let Mu’er and Ze’er forget about him and let him be sad. Who told him to be gone for so long!” Grandpa Zhao said with a hint of dissatisfaction.

Xu Han and Lu Chuan just smiled and remained silent upon hearing this.

Everyone knew that the Taoist priest had sent very few letters recently, and that Grandpa Zhao was worried about his old friend.

By the time Xu Han finished preparing dinner, it was getting dark.

Rainy nights always get dark earlier than sunny nights.

The family sat around the dining table in the main room, enjoying a lively dinner.

“We haven’t had any of this wine lately; we saved it especially for you,” Grandpa Zhao boasted.

The Taoist priest clearly didn't believe Grandpa Zhao's words. He picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and said, "Hiss, that feels good."

"How is it? Does it still taste the same as before?" Xu Han asked, seeing the Taoist priest's expression of enjoyment.

"It smells even better than the previous wine, not bad, not bad."

"Hahaha, as long as you like it, I'll figure out how to brew some more fruit wine for you later. You can also try some baijiu."

"Baijiu? Is it good?" The Taoist priest asked curiously when he heard Xu Han mention the new wine.

"I don't know how to describe it, but it has a higher alcohol content than the liquor you buy in the county town. I'll try to make some after the grain comes in and see if I can succeed."

"Okay, okay, I'll be waiting."

"Speaking of which, how did you come up with the idea of ​​buying a cow, Master?" Lu Chuan changed the subject.

"I figured you would be turning the soil and planting crops after spring, so when I came back, I bought a cow from somewhere else."

"I have to say, this ox walks way too slowly. If it weren't for it, I would have been home long ago," the Taoist priest complained.

"The cow is a bit slow, but we really made the right choice buying it. You have no idea how tired Grandpa Zhao and I have been these past six months, plowing the fields. We've been so busy with all the housework," Lu Chuan said with a smile.

“We’ve been waiting for you to come back and help with the work. You’re strong, so the tilling work will be done by the two of you from now on. I can’t do it anymore. Spring plowing is just around the corner, so your return is perfectly timed,” Grandpa Zhao said.

"Come on, you just don't want to do it."

"Haha, Grandpa Zhao has really been working hard lately, taking care of the children and farming at the same time."

"Don't you dare speak up for him. Do you think I don't know his health? He's as strong as an ox."

"Hahahaha." Everyone laughed.

Ze'er, who was inside the house, woke up when she heard the noise.

Upon seeing this, Xu Han quickly went into the room and carried him out.

"Ze'er, look, this is Grandpa Daoist," Xu Han said softly.

The Taoist priest took Ze'er in, and Ze'er, not afraid of strangers, chuckled.

"Hey, this kid isn't shy around strangers. That's great."

"Ze'er is very naughty, completely different from Mu'er, and is especially active."

"We can't handle this anymore, so we'll leave it to you from now on," Lu Chuan said with ill intent.

"Alright, alright, this kid looks to be quite fit, a good prospect for martial arts. I'll take care of him from now on."

Upon hearing what the Taoist priest said, Xu Han and Lu Chuan exchanged a glance and smiled simultaneously.

That's great, someone else is helping take care of the kids. Grandpa Zhao is in charge of the eldest son's early education, and the Taoist priest is in charge of the youngest son's early education.

Each of them took charge of one, and that was it.

Lu Chuan and Xu Han can just lie down and relax. This is great! I want to burst out laughing!

No, I must hold back, I can't let them see through me.

Then Lu Chuan changed the subject, asking, "Daoist Master, did you pass through the county town on your way back? How is the situation down the mountain?"

"I passed by and even went in to take a look. Construction has already started in the county town. Things will gradually return to normal."

The farmers at the foot of the mountain have already had their fields and homesteads redistributed.

They're working hard to build the house now, and then they'll prepare for spring planting.