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墨書 Inktalez
Time passed minute by minute, moment by moment. Gradually, the cured meat on the Earthen Stove was smoked to perfection, and the savory aroma from the Braised Pot surged wave after wave, tantalizing everyone's taste buds.
The delicious fragrance lingered throughout the courtyard and even spread into the surrounding area.
Zhou's thoughts drifted far away; fortunately, they were far from the village and away from the old house.
Otherwise, how could there be such a scene here? If they were still in Zijia Village, that Purple Old Man would probably bring his children with sons and directly divide up this large wild boar from Zi Lao Er's family, leaving nothing for the second son's family.
Thinking about the hardships endured in that household over the years! Especially for his two daughters, who had to help with farm work since they were young, doing all sorts of chores.
They were often bullied by those cousins and older female relatives. Behind their backs, they would be mocked as being the last of their line.
Every time Zhou recalled the past, his heart ached severely.
Now that his daughter was gradually growing up, life seemed to be getting better thanks to Gu Yuxuan's closeness. During this time, they could almost always have enough to eat and even enjoy meat nearly every day. Indeed, distant relatives cannot compare to close neighbors; it seems that the Gu Family Young Master truly cared for his little daughter.
Zhou was an experienced person and had long seen through the situation. He noticed that the Gu Family Young Master liked his little daughter and also observed that the Eldest Daughter had feelings for him as well.
However, Zhou felt that his Eldest Daughter was not quite a match for the Gu Family Young Master, so he deliberately remained silent.
He did not encourage his Eldest Daughter, but she was clever enough not to bring it up either.
Of course, the key was that he understood his two daughters' personalities: the Eldest Daughter was carefree yet timid; while the Little Girl, despite her young age, was more stubborn and determined than her sister.
Especially since last time when she got injured and kept running into the Gu Family Young Master, it seemed like that boy had made her more open-minded and assertive.
The Gu Family Young Master had grown from a handsome young boy into an exceptionally good-looking young man over the years, and his family's capabilities were evident to everyone. Many times when he saw them playing together, he felt they were quite compatible.
Upon careful consideration, Zhou decided to wait for his Eldest Daughter to settle her feelings on her own.
Now looking at the Gu Family Young Master and Ziyan, who were like rivals yet seemed to get along well, he felt inexplicably pleased. The next major task was to arrange a suitable marriage for his Eldest Daughter; that would be perfect!
As the smoky aroma of meat grew stronger, aside from Ziyan, who clearly understood everything and Gu Yuxuan, who knew Ziyan very well—both maintaining calm expressions—the other three looked somewhat confused.
Sensing that the pork was already smoked perfectly, Ziyan used a Bamboo Basket to gather it all up and instructed Gu Yuxuan to hang it under the eaves of the corridor. She then busied herself with preparing a silver fox that had already been salted with Sichuan Pepper and salt, along with half of some Pig Intestines and pork head meat. She placed them back onto the tray used for smoking before adding some charcoal and tender branches again and covered it with another tray to continue smoking.
Unknowingly, dusk began to settle in; it was time for dinner. Ziyan generously prepared a sumptuous feast for everyone.
The first dish served at the table was the "Pig Offal Soup," which is usually only available during the New Year.
Following that, the next dishes were: "Cold Dressed Pig Ears," "Garlic Sprout Stir-Fried Pork Intestines," "Stir-Fried Fresh Bamboo Shoots with Cured Meat," "Wild Onion in Red Oil with Shepherd's Purse," and "Stir-Fried Mushrooms with Goji Sprouts," all served in sea bowls or large platters.
Just as everyone was about to start eating, a robust man approached from outside the courtyard, his voice arriving before he did.
"Haha, it seems I made it just in time tonight! Is there another gathering at your sister's place?"
As this person strode closer to the Stone Table, his eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
"My goodness! Are you all having big feasts every few days now?"
The newcomer was none other than Zhou Laoda, who had visited the Zi Family a few days ago.
Seeing Zhou Laoda, everyone couldn't help but rise to greet him. It wasn't until Zhou Laoda sat down that Ziying had already gone into the kitchen to fetch another set of bowls and chopsticks.
Zhou Laoda was naturally a boisterous person, holding his chopsticks suspended in mid-air, unsure of where to start.
So Zhou handed him a large piece of smoked cured meat.
"Here you go, Uncle! This is the fragrant meat that Yan'er worked hard to smoke. You should try this first."
"Mm-mm, ha-ha! Look at me, my heart is racing at the sight of such delicious food. Don't laugh at me!" He said with an embarrassed smile.
"Yes, Uncle! This trip must have been quite exhausting for you. Eat more; we owe this feast to Young Master Gu; our family is fortunate to enjoy this."
"Oh—?" Zhou Laoda looked at Gu Yuxuan, who was sitting to his right, and said, "Little brother, you really are an impressive person."
Hearing Zhou Laoda refer to him as little brother made Gu Yuxuan feel slightly awkward, but he smiled calmly.
"As for being a brother, I can't accept that title. Uncle Zhou, you should just call me your nephew!"
In his heart, he thought to himself that Zhou should call him son-in-law in the future. Just thinking about it made him secretly happy.
Seeing Gu Yuxuan respond this way, Zhou Laoda carefully examined him.
Last time they met briefly and hadn't had a chance to study each other closely. Although this young man dressed like an ordinary countryman, there was an indescribable dignity in his appearance and demeanor that even exuded a certain pressure. His spirited eyes were deep like the sea, inadvertently showcasing an air of nobility.
Since childhood, Zhou Laoda has traveled extensively and couldn't help but marvel; this kid is definitely not from an ordinary family, but rather someone from a wealthy household with stories and background.
Seeing Zhou Laoda staring at him while seemingly lost in thought, Gu Yuxuan instinctively flashed a hint of alertness in his eyes and then reached out with his chopsticks to serve a dish to Zhou Laoda's bowl.
At that moment, Zhou Laoda suddenly came to his senses, awkwardly raising his wine glass and saying, "Fate! Since our families have the fortune to sit at the same table for a meal, we should cherish this. Come—little brother—ah no, it should be 'worthy nephew,' haha, let’s have a toast."
Zhou Laoda's hearty and loud voice instantly lifted the previously quiet atmosphere among everyone.
Next, the three gentlemen in the yard began to eat and drink heartily as if they were truly enjoying a lively gathering.
Due to Gu Yuxuan's innate presence, both Zi Lao Er and Zhou felt somewhat restrained whenever they shared a meal with him. Although they ate and chatted like usual, they couldn’t relax and enjoy themselves as freely as they did today.
Even Ziying, who originally had some lingering worries and sadness, felt relieved and joyfully bid farewell to her past unrequited love.
At this moment, she was unabashedly devouring the delicious dishes on the table, completely shedding any semblance of the so-called lady-like demeanor she was expected to maintain.
After several rounds of drinks, Zhou Laoda continued to feast on the wild boar banquet laid out before them. A foodie is indeed a foodie; his nose was sharper than his brain.
Outside, the aroma of smoked meat gradually wafted from the earthen stove.
However, unlike the singularly pure fragrance from earlier in the afternoon, this time the scent was mixed due to several types of meat being smoked simultaneously. Yet this blend created an even more unique flavor.
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