Chapter 123: Bragging, Bantering, and Drinking

Upon seeing her daughter preparing to roast two rabbits, Mother Li wanted to intervene but swallowed her words. Given the number of people helping to clear the fields today, it was only right to treat them to a good meal; if the food were subpar, there would surely be some resentment.

"Very well, I will help you tend the fire. What other dishes do you need? I can help prep them. With so many people here, the table in the house won't be enough, will it?"

Between their own family and the helpers, they would certainly need a large square dining table. Gu Xiaoyao was not worried about the table, though; she could simply borrow one from a neighbor later.

"I can borrow a square table from Dahuas house; I heard they have a very large one. I have already set out the ingredients for the dishes I plan to make on the table."

"By the way, Mother, is there anything you would like to eat? I will make it for you. Your health is much better now, so you can afford to eat more hearty meals."

To Gu Xiaoyao, as long as one ate well, any illness would eventually fade. Mother Li and Chu Chengjin had been restricting their diets for far too long.

"I am not a child anymore; what could I possibly crave? I love everything you are cooking today."

As an adult, Mother Li would never voice a specific craving, but seeing the array of ingredients in the kitchen, she knew a feast was in the making. The mother and daughter chatted while they chopped all the vegetables and placed them into basins. Once the fire in the stove was roaring, Gu Xiaoyao rolled up her sleeves and got to work.

Chu Chengjin, feeling that his health was no longer a major concern, came out to help them watch the roasting rabbits. Gu Xiaoyao’s cooking style was bold and vigorous; possessing great strength, she found flipping and stir-frying dishes effortless, allowing her to cook with impressive speed.

By the time Gu Xiaoshu and the others returned with their hoes, the meal was nearly ready, with only the carefully roasted rabbits left to finish.

"Mother, Sister, we are back. Brother-in-law, are you feeling better? Why are you up?"

Seeing his brother-in-law sitting on a stool roasting the rabbits, Gu Xiaoshu quickly dropped his hoe, intending to take over.

"No need, I can handle this. You are tired; go rest first."

Seeing him reach for the roasting rabbits, Chu Chengjin held out a hand to stop him. He was not a helpless invalid and could still manage such simple tasks.

The men who had come to help caught sight of the two roasting rabbits and could not help but swallow their saliva. The spread was far more lavish than they had expected! Even setting aside the other dishes, these two rabbits alone made the hard labor well worth it.

"Uncles, please go put your tools away and come back here to eat. The food will be ready in a moment," Gu Xiaoyao said as she stepped out of the kitchen. After they left, she told Gu Xiaoshu to go to Dahua’s house to fetch the square table.

Once the table was brought over, all the dishes from the kitchen were finished, and Gu Xiaoyao set them out.

"Does anyone in the village have wine? We don't have any at home, do we?"

It would be a shame to have such a fine meal without wine, and surely these men would appreciate a drink.

"Dahua’s father is a great lover of wine; you should ask him." Although Chu Chengjin did not spend much time in the village, he was well-acquainted with the local situation.

Hearing this, Gu Xiaoyao ran to Dahua’s house. No sooner had she asked about the wine than Dahua shoved a jug into her hands.

"My father loves wine most of all and brews his own every year. Take this jug home. If you think it’s good, just come back for more; I’ll dip some out for you."

Dahua smiled, offering her father’s prized spirits as a gift, and urged Gu Xiaoyao to hurry back and taste it.