The pheasants and hares had been washed, peeled, and chopped into pieces, and then added with onions, ginger, and star anise. They were still bubbling in a large iron pot, emitting a fresh and fragrant aroma that whetted everyone's appetite.
"Come on, let's eat the meat first, then simmer the small fish," Fan Pengjun extended his hand and beckoned everyone to sit down. "That's how it is in the mountains, haha, a little rough!"
Two pheasants and a hare were caught and served in a large enamel basin. The driver, acting as the chef, was very skillful and quickly cooked the four or five kilograms of wild fish!
"Eat a little first, then drink!" Hu Hongde came in holding a big jar, which really scared Chu Beichen, but Su Nian smiled. If she guessed correctly, the jar should contain corn wine brewed by local villagers themselves.
Because the distillation technology is not in place, the alcohol content of this wine is not high, only about ten degrees.
"Beichen, don't be fooled by the size of this jar; the alcohol content isn't high," Fan Pengjun explained to his old partner, pleased with his shocked expression. "You'll know when you drink it later!"
So everyone started eating the meat. This pure natural wild thing was really delicious. Everyone lowered their heads and chewed it for a while. By the time the driver brought a pot of stewed small fish, a layer of meat had already fallen into the large enamel pot.
Now that everyone was present, the men picked up their large coarse porcelain bowls and began to toast to friendship.
Su Nian didn't take the bowl. Fan Pengjun originally wanted her to drink some, but she declined, and Chu Beichen also stopped her, so everyone just let it go.
The corn wine was not strong in alcohol, but it livened up the atmosphere. After three bowls, everyone was already calling each other brothers.
Especially Hu Hongde, who called Chu Beichen his brother and Su Nian his sister-in-law, patted his chest and promised to help them solve the problem satisfactorily, "Don't worry, I have the final say in Laowan Township!"
Fan Pengjun winked at Chu Beichen, meaning that he should lock Hu Hongde down. After all, the current official is not as good as the current manager. If Hu Hongde is willing to help, solving Su Nian's problem will be a piece of cake.
Chu Beichen was a shrewd man, and of course he understood the hint from his old partner. He praised Hu Hongde highly in his words, talked about Su Nian's family situation, and also vaguely revealed that Su Nian was not Su's biological child.
Hu Hongde was a straightforward and warm-hearted person. He immediately slapped his thigh and scolded Su's mother: "This unreasonable old woman deserves to have her whole family imprisoned. What's the matter? Her own son is a treasure, but other people's daughters are weeds? I will take care of this matter!"
Su Nian felt dizzy watching from the side. Although the corn wine was low in alcohol, these men drank too much!
The most shocking thing was that when the banquet was over, all the main dishes on the table, two pheasants, a wild rabbit, and four or five kilograms of wild fish, were eaten up!
Su Nian shook her head as she watched. She took advantage of the men having eaten and drunk their fill to help the driver clean up the dishes before saying good night to everyone.
Fan Pengjun and the driver also lived in this courtyard. Only Hu Hongde staggered back home. As soon as he left, Fan Pengjun instructed the driver to close and lock the door, and everyone went back to their rooms to rest.
It's April now, but it's still cold in the mountains. The quilt from the guesthouse has been kept in the house and is a bit damp. It doesn't warm me up even after I cover myself with it for a long time.
Su Nian tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Thinking that the mystery of her life would be solved tomorrow, she felt both excited and a little scared. She didn't know what time she finally fell asleep.
Outside the window was the dark night. Laowan Township was extremely quiet surrounded by mountains, and the entire village was asleep.
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