When the movie ended, everyone was still immersed in the plot of the war-torn film. They discussed and reminisced about the scenes as they walked out of the small study. As they reached the living room and looked outside, Chen Lan realized it was getting late, and dusk was settling in. It was time for dinner.
"Mom, Aunt Liu," Chen Lan said, "we've watched a movie for almost two hours. I'm a bit thirsty. The children were shouting so much during the movie; they must be thirsty too. Let's all have a few sips of water before we head to the main kitchen for dinner."
Her mother and Aunt Liu nodded in agreement. "Lan'er," her mother said, "I didn't feel thirsty until you mentioned it, but now I do."
Chen Lan and Xu Mingxuan got busy pouring water for her mother, Aunt Liu, and the children. As they were all drinking, a large group of people suddenly arrived in the courtyard. As they entered the gate, the leader, Zheng Sanpao, loudly called out, "Mingxuan! Mingxuan! What are you doing hiding at home since you got back? Come out quickly and see who I've brought."
Xu Mingxuan immediately put down his cup and rushed out. He saw Zheng Sanpao, Qi Shengli, Li Daqiang, Zhao Tie, and Xu Hao all there. He went forward and gave each of them a bear hug, exclaiming, "Brother Zheng, Brother Qi, Qiangzi, Tiezhi, Haozi, you're all here! How have you been?"
Everyone chuckled and replied in a chorus, "We're great! We have enough to eat, a place to live, clothes to wear, and our children are in school. We've also learned a trade. The valley has arranged everything for us. It's you who has had a tough time searching for supplies all these years!"
Zheng Sanpao quickly interrupted their conversation. "Brothers, let's chat later. We have a mission from Auntie, and we're here to call Xu Mingxuan to the main kitchen for a reunion dinner!"
Zhao Tie chimed in, "That's right, Mingxuan! To celebrate the reunion of our comrades in the valley, Auntie has conscripted all of us! For tonight's reunion dinner, the valley has slaughtered pigs, chickens, and rabbits! Everyone has been busy for almost two hours! It's more festive here than during the New Year! Let's go! Mingxuan, Xiao Lan, children, let's go! Today, the main kitchen has Sun Xiaomei and her daughter, two great chefs, working together, with Aunt Chen assisting. They're said to be steaming a famous dish from our province, 'Steamed Pork with Pumpkin'!"
Chen Lan understood when Zhao Tie said this. No wonder her comrades hadn't come to find Xu Mingxuan when he returned home two hours ago; they had all been enlisted by her mother-in-law for work. She had been wondering about it while watching the movie in the small study.
Xu Mingxuan walked with his comrades, arm in arm and chatting happily, all the way to the large dining hall of the main kitchen. Chen Lan, her mother, and Aunt Liu followed with the children. As they entered, they saw twenty to thirty tables set up in the spacious hall. The older children were already sitting neatly at the tables, waiting for their food, while the younger ones were held by the women at the sides of the tables. The young girls were busy serving dishes to each table.
The air was filled with the aroma of various foods. Jiahui's sharp nose detected a sweet and sour scent. "I smell something sweet and sour," she said happily. "It must be Aunt Xiaomei's Guo Bao Rou again."
Jiaoyao was not to be outdone. "I smell the steamed pork with pumpkin."
Little Douzi also chimed in, "I smell the stir-fried pork intestines."
The dragon-phoenix twins immediately scoffed. They covered their little noses and said in unison, "Such a smelly thing, why do you like it so much, just like Mom? Anyone would think you're Mom's biological son!"
Chen Lan ignored the children's bickering, letting them argue, knowing they would make up in a moment. She led her mother and Aunt Liu to sit at her mother-in-law's table.
They saw Uncle De and Uncle Fu already seated with the elders. Xiang Dong and Er Hu and the other brothers were chatting. Seeing Xu Mingxuan and the others enter, they stopped their conversation and came to greet them. Upon seeing Uncle De and Uncle Fu, Xu Mingxuan immediately stepped forward and gave each of them a hug. Xiang Dong and Er Hu also came forward and gave Xu Mingxuan a bear hug each. Sudannovels.com
Xu Mingxuan asked, "Uncle De, Uncle Fu, I haven't seen you two around. And Xiang Dong and Er Hu are here too. Everyone else is at the sports field for the games. What have you been busy with?"
Uncle De chuckled and explained, "Mingxuan, your Uncle Fu and I haven't been busy with much. We transplanted three mu of linden saplings outside the valley in early spring. Your Uncle Fu and I weren't at ease, so we went to check on their growth during the holiday."
Xiang Dong added with a smile, "Er Hu and I both have families, so we didn't participate in this matchmaking sports event. We received the house-building task from Xiao Lan and have been busy building houses with the construction team."
Xu Mingxuan asked curiously, "Matchmaking sports event?"
Zheng Sanpao immediately tugged at Xu Mingxuan's sleeve. "Brother, let's sit down first. Everyone is waiting."
Xu Mingxuan took a seat and looked at Zheng Sanpao, waiting for an explanation. Zheng Sanpao touched his nose and whispered, "Mingxuan, it's for our veteran comrades who are home but unmarried to find wives in the valley. Brother, if you want to know the details, go ask Auntie and your wife."
By this time, the dishes were all served, the large wine jars had been brought from the storage, and wine pots were placed on the tables. The discussions stopped.
Her mother-in-law raised her wine glass and said loudly, "Come, everyone, young and old in the valley, raise your glasses! Let's celebrate this joyous day of reunion. Let's say no more! Eat well! Drink well! Cheers!"
With that, she downed the wine in her cup heartily.