Everyone sat down at once. Liu, the head镖师 (bodyguard), leaned over to look at Jiayin and asked.
"How is our girl? She looks quite well."
Jiayin stared at Liu Biaotou with her big, bright eyes, and reached out to run towards him.
Grandma Li casually handed her granddaughter over, and Liu the镖头 (bodyguard) took it instinctively, only to regret it later.
A six-month-old baby, soft, chubby, and tiny.
He didn't know where to put his large, fan-like hands.
Jiayin sensed his panic and giggled as she hugged his neck tightly. This way, she could lie against his chest.
Liu, the镖头 (bodyguard), simply lay half-reclined to make Jiayin more comfortable and prevent her from falling off.
It's astonishing to see such a brave and valiant man so easily frightened by a little girl.
Everyone was laughing uncontrollably. Jiayin found it amusing and was genuinely grateful to the man.
Not only did the family receive a lot of help from him, but on that day when she was desperate and terrified, it was he who led the way into the casino.
A five- or six-month-old baby can't say or do much, so this is the only way she can express affection.
Liu, the镖头 (bodyguard), carefully protected the fleshy mound on his chest, his heart melting into a puddle of water.
It turns out that babies are so cute when they're little, and they feel so warm and cozy when you hold them.
Unfortunately, he was always away from home when his son was young.
When I came to my senses, my son was already seven or eight years old.
Thinking about it this way, I really do feel guilty towards my son.
Liu Yang, who was sitting by the door chatting and laughing quietly with Jia Yi, suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
Jiayi nudged him and asked, "What's wrong? You're going on another escort mission soon. Did your father agree to let you go with him?"
Liu Yang immediately looked distressed. "I've begged him so many times, but my dad still won't agree. You must help me plead with him again, then we can go out together."
"Okay, I'll look for an opportunity."
The two were chatting animatedly when Liu, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), called to his son, "Son, bring me what your mother prepared."
Liu Yang responded and handed over the package beside him.
Liu, the镖头 (bodyguard), carefully handed Jiayin to Old Lady Li, then opened the package.
"Auntie, my daughter-in-law prepared some things for Fu Niu'er. They're nothing expensive, please don't mind."
The package contained a set of padded jacket and trousers, as well as a small quilt.
The jacket and trousers were scarlet, embroidered with pale yellow flowers.
The small quilt was made of new green leaves embroidered with blue flowers.
The materials are soft and the stitching is fine; it's clearly a well-prepared item made with care.
Grandma Li was overjoyed and thanked her repeatedly.
"Oh dear, Yang-ge's mother has gone to so much trouble. This is absolutely gorgeous!"
Jiayin also liked it, and they held hands and bowed to express their gratitude.
As a result, she forgot that her waist was still too weak and almost fell down. Liu, the head镖师 (bodyguard), hurriedly caught her and lifted her up.
Li Laosi introduced the people in the room to Liu Biaotou.
The village chief, the villagers who helped that day, and several old men including Uncle Zhao from next door.
Liu, the head镖师 (bodyguard), knew that the Li family had only been staying in the village for a little over four months.
The fact that the Li family has gotten along so well with the villagers in such a short time shows that they must be both thoughtful and benevolent.
He became even more determined to have more contact with the Li family in the future.
After exchanging a few more casual words, they started setting the table for dinner.
The main house of the Li family is very spacious. Once the doors to the east and west rooms are opened, three tables of food and drink can be placed easily.
Liu the镖头 (bodyguard), Li Lao Er (second brother), Li Lao Si (fourth brother), the village chief, and several other old men sat at one table.
The east room was occupied by several villagers, accompanied by Li Laosan, who was most familiar with them, while the west room was the domain of the boys.
Jiaren, Jiayi, Jiaxi, Jiaan accompanied Liu Yang, along with Old Lady Li and Jiayin.
As for Jia Huan, he's been busy in the kitchen the whole time.
Tao Hongying was already skilled, and this time she put in extra effort.
The dishes surprised everyone when they were served.
Not to mention, every dish was a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate; the portions were just too huge.
Both the pickled cabbage stewed with pork ribs and the braised pork stewed with dried vegetables were served in small earthenware bowls.
The other dishes were also served on the largest plates, making them even more beautifully presented.
Grandma Li greeted everyone, "Make yourselves at home, don't stand on ceremony. Eat your fill first, then drink, be careful not to feel unwell on an empty stomach. Your wives will complain about me when you get back!"
Everyone laughed and shouted.
"Don't worry, ma'am, there's so much delicious food. Who cares about drinking now? Let's satisfy our cravings first."
That's true, but what man doesn't like to drink?
Before they were even half full, everyone picked up their wine bowls.
After drinking the fiery sorghum liquor, the atmosphere became even more lively.
Everyone started talking, sharing their interesting stories about the outside world.
They talked about the upcoming spring plowing, what to plant in the fields, the high grain taxes of the imperial court, and even the war in the north.
After finishing their meal at home, the village women, unable to resist their curiosity, also came over to listen to the commotion.
The naughty boys even followed their mother in, secretly swallowing their saliva.
Grandma Li then had Jia'an and Jiaxi take the dried fruit and distribute it. The mischievous boys were so happy they could jump for joy.
Tao Hongying took a moment to go inside and look at the needles and thread that the Liu family had sent, and she was very happy.
Back in the kitchen, she pondered how to reciprocate.
There are still two smoked rabbits and one smoked deer leg at home, but that's not enough, and we should thank Liu the镖头's wife.
Fortunately, there was still some dough left, the tofu was fresh, and there was also some leftover soaked wood ear mushrooms.
So, she quickly steamed more than a dozen vegetarian buns, and fried meatballs and spring roll boxes.
Finally, put it in a new basket and cover it with a clean cotton cloth.
As a result, what she prepared as a return gift ended up being used as a formal apprenticeship gift, proving extremely useful.
It turned out that Chief Escort Liu had mentioned that he had been escorting goods a few days ago.
Since Li Laosi couldn't go to the farm for spring planting this time, he sent Jiayi along instead.
Liu, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), admired talent and, seeing the good relationship between Jiayi and his son, offered to take Jiayi as his apprentice.
Jiayi was of course willing, and the Li family had already reached an understanding.
On the spot, Jiayi knelt down, kowtowed, and offered tea.
Old Mrs. Li hurriedly went out to find her daughter-in-law to collect the necessary gifts for the apprenticeship ceremony.
What Tao Hongying had prepared was requisitioned, but it was still somewhat meager…
After eating and drinking her fill, Jiayin, who was feeling drowsy, was carried to the west wing.
"Fu Niu'er, do you have any fruit? Could you give us some? Your third brother is becoming an apprentice, and we don't have anything to give as a gift..."
Grandma Li was still worried about whether her granddaughter could understand her when she was only halfway through her sentence.
As a result, a bag of red dates, a basket of apples, and a basket of pears suddenly appeared in front of her.
Seeing that her grandmother was not speaking, Jiayin took out two more live fish.
"Enough, enough!"
Grandma Li was splashed with water by the live fish, and immediately turned around and quickly stopped them.
"Your mother is also preparing; two more fish and two baskets of fruit will be enough."
Jiayin yawned, leaned against her grandmother's shoulder, and fell asleep instantly.
Grandma Li gently lifted her granddaughter, then called to her daughter-in-law to quickly tidy up.
When Liu the镖头 (bodyguard) and his son returned home, the gifts from the Li family for the apprenticeship ceremony filled half a carriage.
Mrs. Liu picked up her drunken husband and was startled by these things.
After all, she only sent some needles and thread, but the Li family gave back far too much.
It was her son who cleared things up for her: "My dad has accepted Jiayi as his apprentice. This is the apprenticeship gift that Jiayi's grandma prepared!"
Madam Liu then understood, and her impression of the Li family improved even more.
Liu Yang grabbed a few fruits and ran off, leaving her to serve her drunken husband.
Unexpectedly, she was pulled directly onto the bed.
"Madam, let's have a daughter too. The Li family's little lucky girl is so soft and chubby..."
Unbeknownst to the Li family, Liu Biaotou's embrace of Jiayin marked the beginning of Madam Liu's relentless pursuit of a daughter.
After seeing off the guests and finally tidying up the house, everyone, young and old, was exhausted.
Jiayin, on the other hand, was bored after waking up and spent her time tending to her little courtyard in her virtual space, munching on her toes.
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