Chapter 239 The Lively Feast
"Cough cough..."
Bi Qing coughed twice and stepped out from behind the screen, trying to keep his face calm, but his eyes couldn't help but glance at the plate of braised pork that was almost gone.
Xiao Ran noticed him first and paused for a moment:
"Senior Brother Biqing, are you... finished eating?"
Bi Qing's face showed a hint of unease, and he stammered, "Well... the vegetarian food is very good. It's just... I saw that my fellow disciples were eating happily, and I was worried that they might choke, so I came out to check on them."
Ah Shu, being quick-witted, saw through Bi Qing's thoughts and deliberately waved the chicken leg: "Senior Brother Bi Qing, this chicken leg smells amazing! Would you like to... try some?"
Bi Qing's Adam's apple bobbed noticeably, and the look of struggle on his face intensified.
He glanced out the window, as if to make sure no elders from the temple were watching, and in the end, his appetite triumphed over the rules and regulations.
He steeled himself and lowered his voice, saying:
"Then...then I'll just have a tiny bite? Just one bite! Buddha is merciful, he will surely understand..."
Before he finished speaking, he had already walked quickly to the table, and without even using chopsticks, he reached into the plate, picked up a piece of braised pork with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, and stuffed it into his mouth.
The rich, dark sauce burst in his mouth instantly; the meat was tender and juicy, fatty yet not greasy, and the satisfying meatiness almost made him sigh out loud.
He swallowed it in a few gulps, then licked his lips as if he wanted more.
"How was it, Senior Brother Biqing?" Xiaoyi asked expectantly.
“…Not bad.” Bi Qing commented, trying to appear calm, but his bright eyes and the hand that instinctively reached for the meatballs betrayed him.
Seeing this, the children smiled knowingly and made room for him, offering him bowls and chopsticks.
Bi Qing reluctantly sat down and quickly joined the meal, eating with more gusto than anyone else.
Laughter could be heard from the courtyard, where three large tables had been set up outside.
They were all workers who helped build the house, women who helped cook lunch today, and Xiao Ran's family.
Four red paper lanterns hung in the courtyard, their candlelight flickering gently in the wind, illuminating the blue brick floor with a warm glow.
Three large wooden tables were placed together in the center of the courtyard, and the tables were covered with dishes.
It was shiny and still steaming.
The heating system in the new house is very good; even the yard is several degrees warmer than outside.
Most of the workers took off their cotton-padded coats, partly to avoid getting their clothes dirty, and partly because they didn't want to drink and eat meat in a way that would make them feel uncomfortable.
"I've built many houses in my life, but this house built by Miss Jiang is the most comfortable! Not only does she have meat every meal, but she also gave us rice, flour, and cloth as a gift when it was completed. You'd be hard-pressed to find a landlord like this even with a lantern!"
"That's right! My wife was telling me this morning that if it weren't for Miss Jiang, we wouldn't even be able to afford a decent piece of cloth this winter, let alone make a new cotton-padded jacket for the child!"
As they were talking, Grandpa Zhao stood up, holding a rough porcelain teacup.
He cleared his throat.
"Fellow villagers! Quiet down! Let me say a few words!"
The noise in the courtyard immediately subsided, and everyone looked at him.
"Today is a wonderful day for Miss Jiang as she moves into her new home! For the past two months, Miss Jiang has trusted us and entrusted such a large undertaking to the people of Jishui Village. And we have certainly lived up to her trust by building this house solidly and beautifully!"
"Bravo!" The crowd cheered and clapped enthusiastically.
"This glass of wine," Old Zhao raised his glass, facing Jiang Ling.
"On behalf of all our fellow villagers who have contributed their labor and sweat, I salute Miss Jiang! I wish Miss Jiang a prosperous and healthy life in her new home, and all her wishes fulfilled! I also thank Miss Jiang for her many acts of kindness to our village! Cheers!"
After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank the tea in the cup clean, leaving the bottom of the cup exposed to the light.
"Cheers!" The men stood up one after another, raised their glasses in agreement, and the atmosphere was lively.
The welcome-home drink was bought in town; it wasn't strong, so they drank it without feeling any pressure.
Jiang Ling also quickly stood up. She couldn't hold her liquor, so she substituted tea for wine in her cup.
She picked up her teacup and responded gracefully.
"Jiang Ling thanks Uncle Zhao and all the villagers! This house was built so quickly thanks to everyone's hard work and dedication. I am so grateful to be able to live in such a nice new house. My small tokens of appreciation are nothing compared to this. From now on, let's remain good neighbors and help each other out! I'll offer you this tea in lieu of wine, thank you all!"
After saying that, she drank the tea in her cup in one gulp.
"Miss Jiang, you're too kind!"
"It's all as it should be!"
"If you need anything in the future, Miss Jiang, please don't hesitate to ask!"
Everyone responded with smiles and drank their wine, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.
At this moment, Zhao Yin also pulled his wife and Xiao Qi to stand up.
Zhao Yin was not good with words, but his dark face wore a kind and sincere smile. He raised his wine glass and said to Jiang Ling:
"Miss Jiang, congratulations! I'm sorry to have troubled you while I've been here, but I've also learned a lot! Without you, I don't know how we would be living. We...we also want to toast you!"
Xiao Ran's mother nodded repeatedly, her face full of gratitude.
Jiang Ling was so caught up in the lively scene that she forgot what she had said and picked up her teacup to drink it all in one gulp.
Just as everyone was toasting and eating with great enthusiasm, Xiao Ran came out of the kitchen at the back, wiping her hands.
He had just finished his finishing work, his forehead was still covered in fine beads of sweat, and his little face was flushed from the smoke from the stove.
He moved into the courtyard with Xiaoyi tonight, now living as a host, not a guest.
"Xiao Ran is here!"
"Quick, make room for Xiaoran!"
When people saw him, they greeted him warmly.
Xiao Ran greeted everyone generously, telling them to eat and drink well, before walking over to sit down at her family's table.
The women across the way started teasing Xiao Ran as they looked at her.
"Xiao Ran is a young man now, and he can get engaged in two more years."
"Hey, I have a girl in my family who's about the same age as Xiaoran. She's quite handsome. I'll bring her over to meet Xiaoran another day."
"What's there to see? My niece and Xiaoran grew up together, childhood sweethearts, they're a perfect match."
As he spoke, he even raised his wine glass and came over to discuss the matter with Zhao Yin's wife in person.
It seems they're afraid of missing out on this wonderful marriage if they're even a step too late.
Although Xiao Ran usually acts like an adult, she still feels shy when she hears this kind of topic.
Zhao Yin's wife, however, said that the child was still young and that it would not be too late to get engaged in two more years.
The two wives then returned to their seats and continued drinking and eating.
Xiao Qi immediately offered his sweet drink to his brother like a treasure:
"Brother, you have to try this, it's so sweet! Do you know what it's called?"
Xiao Ran took it, took a sip, and patted her younger brother's head. "This is called orange juice. It's juice made from a fruit called orange."
"Orange? What kind of fruit is that? I've never heard of it."
"Sister Jiang said it's a kind of fruit from the south."
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