Chapter 101

On the second day of the New Year, a large group of relatives came to Lao Cheng's house.

Cheng Chen's grandfather and grandmother had five children: three daughters and two sons, all of whom were now married.

The eldest aunt's family had five members, the second aunt's family had three, and the third aunt's family had five.

The second aunt, third aunt, and youngest uncle, along with their families, worked away from home year-round; the men all smashed rocks at stone quarries in Hang Cheng's mountainous areas.

The women steamed buns in the quarry's canteen; though life was tight and exhausting, they managed.

But at least the siblings were nearby, watching out for each other in times of need.

The eldest aunt's family ran a business in Ningcheng, selling scraps of cloth and hair.

Their two sons and one daughter weren't good at studying, but they were skilled workers.

The eldest aunt usually stayed home to wash clothes and cook for the men.

With four working members in a family of five, their life was thriving; before Cheng Chen became famous, they were the best-off among all the siblings.

Cheng Chen's father was the fourth child; after him came Cheng Chen's youngest uncle, Cheng Mingguang.

Yet Cheng Chen's family had one advantage over the others.

Cheng Chen was the only one in the third generation to attend university, though it was only a junior college.

It seemed the Lao Cheng family simply had no talent for studying in their genes.

In his past life, until Cheng Chen's accident, no younger family member had ever passed the undergraduate entrance exam—everyone ended up working in factories tightening screws.

"Big nephew, you've truly brought honor to our Lao Cheng family—you're a big star now!"

The eldest aunt patted Cheng Chen on the shoulder and said warmly.

But Cheng Chen's mother, Lu Ling, shot the eldest aunt a glance and walked off in silence.

Tensions between sisters-in-law were inevitable; the eldest aunt's family had money, but their showy ways made Cheng Mingliang and the other siblings dislike them.

The most extreme thing the eldest aunt ever did was in his past life, when their grandparents died—she didn't even come home.

She claimed her business kept her too busy; if she left, no one would cook or wash clothes.

She video-called and bowed a few times at Cheng Chen's grandfather's grave, pretending she'd fulfilled her duty.

This was the main reason Cheng Chen held a poor impression of the eldest aunt's family.

Of course, none of those things had happened yet in this life; though Cheng Chen still felt uneasy, he at least maintained the proper conduct expected of a junior.

The second aunt and second uncle had poor legs and had only one son, three years older than Cheng Chen, whom he should call cousin.

The cousin was also a "character," fond of boasting, always dreaming of wealth, and having done every kind of job traveling across the country.

It was said he'd once joined a pyramid scheme; when he returned that year, he proudly bragged to Cheng Chen:

"I know I joined a pyramid scheme, but I never cheated any of my relatives—I didn't spend a single penny, and I even ate and drank for free for three months."

The third aunt's young cousin was only seventeen, just graduated from junior high, and had quit school to go work.

She was shy; now that her cousin had become a big star, she forgot their year-long separation and kept pressing him for news about Zhou Jielun.

Zhou Dong was now wildly popular, having won the first Music Video Awards' Asia's Most Outstanding Artist award this year.

He also won the second Global Chinese Music Chart's Most Popular Songwriter award and the ninth Singapore Hit Awards' Most Admired Male Singer in Asia.

He had won numerous awards and was truly a top-tier singer.

The cousin chased stars, and Cheng Chen naturally didn't interfere.

As for Zhou Dong, he hadn't met him yet; next time he saw him, he'd get the young cousin some photos and autographs.

……

The whole family gathered happily, and Cheng Chen drank several more cups with the elders.

It was well known that people from northern Hui Sheng were heavy drinkers, and their toasting customs were endless.

First, seating at the table had rules: the person facing the door was usually the main guest or honored guest.

Then a fish dish would be served, and the "fish-head liquor" ritual began.

As the saying goes: no fish, no feast.

No fish, no banquet—once the fish was on the table, the fish-head liquor had to be drunk.

When placing the fish dish on the table, the fish's head naturally faced the main guest or honored guest.

Often, just this one dish and the fish-head liquor toast could make a strong man drunk and unconscious.

Cheng Chen, his father Cheng Mingliang, and his uncle Cheng Mingguang were on one team; the eldest aunt's husband, second aunt's husband, and third aunt's husband were on the other.

They drank in turns, matching each other's pace, opening bottle after bottle of baijiu.

Uncle Cheng Mingguang couldn't hold his liquor; after finishing just one bottle, his face turned bright red, pointing at the eldest aunt's husband and declaring he'd drink him under the table…

But before he finished speaking, he collapsed himself.

Everyone knew Uncle Cheng Mingguang was the youngest son, doted on since childhood; the eldest aunt's husband naturally took his drunken words as nonsense.

As drinking continued, the eldest aunt's husband also got drunk and began recounting his business experiences over the past few years.

He spoke grandly, pontificated on the world, and after a long speech, he was full of heroic spirit, using his drunkenness to lecture the younger generation.

His catchphrase: "Isn't that right?"

Cheng Chen only needed to nod and murmur agreement; he didn't take the words seriously.

Whether from joy or not, Cheng Chen felt unusually good today; even after two jin of baijiu, his mind remained clear.

After a few more rounds, the elders were carried off one by one; Cheng Chen stepped outside to stretch, but a cold wind blew over him, and he instantly felt dizzy…

When he woke up the next day, all the relatives had left.

Cheng Mingliang and Cheng Mingguang sat slumped on small stools, drinking porridge listlessly.

Cheng Chen picked up a bowl of hot porridge and sat beside them.

"Why drink so much? Always showing off like this!"

Grandfather smoked his pipe, watching the three listless men, and scolded them.

"Alright, it's New Year's and we're happy—am I not even allowed to drink? And you, first thing in the morning, you're already puffing and puffing away! Puff yourself to death for all I care!"

Grandma, wearing an apron, passed by on the side and scolded.

Grandpa had words but didn't dare speak them. He had clearly meant to lecture his son and grandson, but ended up being lectured himself.

The four men squatted in a row, silent.

A family should be neat and tidy together.

Outside the small courtyard, meanwhile, it had grown noisy and bustling. Cheng Chen opened the door and saw that they were all villagers from nearby who had heard the Cheng family had produced a big celebrity, and had come to watch the excitement.

Most of them were women. Seeing Cheng Chen open the door, pair after pair of eyes instantly fixed on him and began looking him up and down.

Needless to say, the great majority of these women were matchmakers.

They had come to propose marriage to Cheng Chen!

Regarding this, Cheng Chen could only say sorry in his heart.

"Sorry, aunties and ladies, my heart already belongs to two…"