Zhang Shuzhen, along with several girls and her three young children, were chatting, laughing, eating, and drinking in the west room.
Inside the east room, Sheng Liancheng and his son were with several young men, making the place even more lively.
In the frigid Northeast, most men drink a little alcohol to cope with the cold weather.
Nowadays, people don't pay much attention to those things. Boys can usually have a couple of sips of alcohol after they turn sixteen or seventeen.
Sheng Liancheng made arrangements, having his son pour wine for everyone, and then everyone raised their glasses together.
"I'm really happy today, all of you guys came over for dinner."
Uncle has nothing else to say, I just hope you guys will always get along well.
No matter what you do in the future, don't forget the bond we formed growing up together.
Sheng Liancheng is the head of the family and an elder, so he should definitely be the one to offer the first toast.
"Yes, Uncle is right."
We didn't exactly grow up wearing open-crotch pants with Xiping, but we definitely played with mud dolls together when we were little.
Our relationship is super close, really strong, no less than that of brothers.
Uncle, don't worry. No matter what happens in the future, no matter where we go or how far we go, we'll always be Xiping's good brothers.
Wang Jianshe was the first to respond, and the others followed suit.
"Alright, alright, just for the sake of your friendship since you grew up together, let's have a toast."
Sheng Liancheng was very happy and took the lead in raising his glass to drink. The others followed suit and drank half of the wine in their glasses.
Fortunately, wine glasses are small nowadays, mostly half an ounce.
If this were a two-ounce cup from later times, one would probably be drunk in just a few sips.
"Come on, come on, eat some food, try your aunt's cooking." After drinking the wine, Sheng Liancheng hurriedly invited everyone to eat.
"There's not much good food at this time, but luckily Xiping caught a snake and some fish to make up this meal."
"This is our own home, so don't be shy. Eat and drink as you please, don't be a stranger."
People often say, "Those who live near mountains are benevolent, and those who live near water are wise."
Those who live near the mountains have lived there for a long time, rarely seeing other people, and are surrounded by abundant resources. Therefore, the people in the mountains are hospitable and generous, and they are very welcoming to others.
Those who live near water do so because water sources attract people, and since resources are scarce per capita, everyone desires them.
Therefore, people love to outwit each other, so they are all very clever.
This statement may not be entirely accurate, but it is true that people in the forest areas of Northeast China are generally warm and hospitable.
If a guest comes to visit, they will want to bring out the best of everything to entertain them, and will never hold back.
"Uncle, you don't need to greet us."
We're all from the same village, from the same forest farm, so when we come to your home, we're completely honest and genuine.
Chen Weiguo and the others laughed. With their friendship with Sheng Xiping, coming to the Sheng family's house was just like coming home.
"We're only able to eat snake meat and fine scales because we're lucky to be able to do so thanks to Xiping."
If it were anyone else, they'd be dreaming about it.
"Don't worry, Uncle, we'll eat as much as we want. Just don't complain about us eating too much."
The Chen family and the Sheng family live next door to each other, and the two families have a good relationship. Chen Weiguo has been watched by Sheng Liancheng since he was a child, so why should we be so formal?
"Yes, yes, Uncle, please take your time eating. We won't stand on ceremony with you."
With so much good food, why be polite? Just eat it all up!
A group of young men in their early twenties, at the prime of their lives, with such good food and wine, who cares about anything else?
Everyone ate and drank to their heart's content, and before long, quite a few dishes were gone from the table.
Looking at these spirited young men, Sheng Liancheng was overjoyed.
Seeing them is like seeing myself from back then.
Alas, time flies and never returns; the years make us grow old.
When these young people get together, they're bound to cause a ruckus. They'll be drinking, playing drinking games, and making a lot of noise.
Taking advantage of a break from drinking, Gao Haining moved closer to Sheng Liancheng, first offering him a toast, and then tentatively asking him a question.
"Uncle, Xiping is twenty this year. What are your plans with Aunt and me? When are you going to propose marriage to him?"
Unfortunately, Gao Haining came here with a mission today.
Before coming, Tang Fengying's mother, who was also Zhou Qinglan's cousin, specifically asked Gao Haining to help find out what the Sheng family meant.
To be honest, Sheng Xiping was one of the best young men in Qianchuan Forest Farm.
He is good-looking, capable, and hardworking.
Honestly, who wouldn't have their eye on a guy like that?
So when Tang Fengying's mother heard that Sheng Xiping was interested in Zhou Qinglan, she felt that the marriage was a good match.
Good young men are rare, so if you meet one, you have to act fast, or other girls will snatch him up.
Especially given Zhou Qinglan's current situation, she is all alone in the forest farm, and Zhou Mingyuan and his wife must keep a low profile now.
With so many people watching, they dared not make a fuss, nor could they take care of Zhou Qinglan.
Tang Fengying's mother thought that if Zhou Qinglan and Sheng Xiping could settle down, at least Zhou Qinglan would have someone to rely on.
The Sheng family came from poor peasant backgrounds. Sheng Liancheng was frequently recognized as an advanced worker, and Sheng Xiping was also a young man who aspired to make progress.
Such a family is perfect for protecting Zhou Qinglan.
This life-long matter isn't just about two young people liking each other; the most important thing is the opinion of both sets of parents.
Tang Fengying's mother then arranged for Gao Haining to come to the Sheng family to sound out what Sheng Liancheng thought.
If the Sheng family agrees, Tang Fengying's mother will send a message to her cousin Zhou Mingyuan and ask him and his wife what they think.
If neither side has any objections, then find an opportunity for both sets of parents to meet and settle things.
This is the best way for an aunt to care for Zhou Qinglan.
After all, no matter how good your cousin is, there are still several layers of distance between you. How can she compare to having a partner who is considerate and caring?
Sheng Liancheng was taken aback by Gao Haining's question.
He worked at the small repair shop during the day and came back to eat and rest in the evening. He had little contact with the young people in the forest farm, so he didn't hear anything.
"What's wrong, Haining? You're not even married yourself, yet you want to be a matchmaker for my Xiping?"
I don't recall any girls of similar age in your family. Who are you trying to matchmake for?"
Sheng Liancheng asked, half-jokingly.
Gao Haining laughed when she heard this, "Uncle, we don't have any suitable sisters in our family, but Fengying's family does, doesn't it?"
"Look at Fengying's cousin, Zhou Qinglan, she's a sent-down youth from Songjianghe."
Gao Haining didn't beat around the bush and asked directly.
Sheng Liancheng was immediately stunned. "You're just joking, kid."
"The parents of that Zhou family girl are both intellectuals, engineers and doctors. Do you think they'd even consider a roughneck like me?"
To be honest, Sheng Liancheng really hadn't thought of that.
He had always thought that it would be great if his son could find a girl to marry in Qianchuan Forest Farm or the nearby Shuguang Forest Farm.
The girl in town has parents who are both intellectuals. With such a high social standing, how could their family possibly be able to reach her level?
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