Chapter 28: Drinking Chicken Soup

Upon returning home, Zhang Ping'an no longer brought up the matter of spending the New Year in the city.

"Ping'an, why didn't your fourth sister come back with you?"

"Father, Mother, I came back first to bring some cotton and cloth so you can make two quilts; the old ones are not only too small but also no longer warm."

"Fine, I'll have your mother make them. Did you bring back that much cotton?" Only then did Zhang Laohan notice the three large burlap sacks of cotton.

This cotton was bought by Zhang Ping'an at a clothing store; he had even picked out the cotton seeds from within, planted a crop, and now he had over a ton of cotton.

"Father, Mother, I got this by trading fish. As for the remaining cotton, you two decide what to do with it; in any case, I'm not short on it now."

"You brat, not short on it? Could you possibly have thousands or hundreds of catties?"

"I do."

"Go on, go on." Why does no one believe him when he tells the truth?

"Da Ni, this one sack is more than enough to replace all our family's bedding. Find some time to send some to Cuihua and the others, and set aside some for Lao Er and Lao San's families."

"Alright, you're the head of the household, you decide."

"Father, pack ten catties for me; I'm going to send some to Uncle Zhang Laiyuan's family."

"Fine, we certainly got the better end of the deal with that deer leg last time."

Zhang Ping'an carried a cloth bag and strolled toward the entrance of the village.

"Uncle, here you go. Let Auntie make a cotton-padded coat for Er Ya to wear."

"Alright, I won't stand on ceremony with you; the family is indeed short on cotton."

"I heard you also hunt in the city. Since you've always coveted this Two-Stone Bow, if you can draw it, take it and use it. I have a gun now, so I rarely use it."

"Hehe, really, Uncle?"

"Really, though you'll need to have the strength for it."

"No problem." Zhang Ping'an quickly assembled and strung the bow. The two walked outside, and Zhang Ping'an drew the bow to its full length and released it gently.

"Good lad, you really drew it." Zhang Laiyuan looked at Zhang Ping'an's effortless demeanor, finding it hard to believe; Zhang Ping'an was only fourteen years old this year.

"Hehe, you see, this build of mine didn't grow for nothing."

"Fine, I keep my word. Take these ten arrows as well." Zhang Laiyuan handed over a Beast Skin Arrow Quiver.

"Alright." This thing could be considered a lethal weapon; piercing a Wild Boar's leg within two hundred meters shouldn't be a problem.

"Find time to practice more."

"Alright, Uncle, I'm heading back." Zhang Ping'an happily took the bow and arrows and went home.

Upon returning home, Zhang Laohan naturally saw the large bow on Zhang Ping'an's back.

"Good fellow, you never return empty-handed. Laiyuan was quite generous; this large bow is his family heirloom."

"Hehe, Father, Uncle said he has a gun and doesn't need this bow anymore, so he gave it to me."

"Hmm, keep it well." Zhang Laohan knew that Zhang Laiyuan's family currently had no sons, only two daughters; had there been a son, this large bow would never have reached his son's hands.

Early the next morning, Zhang Ping'an pedaled his tricycle to deliver cotton to his eldest and second sisters' homes on behalf of his parents. He didn't stay long, chatting about recent events before heading back, as he still had to return to Sijiucheng in the afternoon to drink chicken soup.

As he neared Sijiucheng, Zhang Ping'an packed two wild rabbits, three catties of pork belly, and some dried goods like wood ear mushrooms into the sack.

"Uncle Zhang, you're finally back. My father is going to the countryside to show movies today, hehe."

"Where is Zhuzi?"

"Shazhu is at home too."

"Fine, I happened to get some game today. Call Zhuzi and Teacher Yan, and let's get things arranged."

"Got it."

Zhang Ping'an had a courtyard, so everything was brought to his place to be prepared; once the Yueliangmen was locked, he could do whatever he pleased.

"Is Dongxu home?"

"Uncle, I'm home."

"Hmm, don't cook dinner later. Call San Jie and San Jie Fu to come over; I have good stuff."

"Got it."

"Uncle Zhang, we're here." Just as Zhang Ping'an put the items in the kitchen, the two clowns arrived with their younger sisters, carrying a hen.

"Fine, Zhuzi, the kitchen is yours."

"Got it, leave it to me." Having a chance to practice his culinary skills, Shazhu naturally wouldn't let it pass.

"Yushui, Xiaoling, you two go play in the courtyard."

"Alright, Uncle Zhang."

"My goodness, Uncle Zhang, your seasonings are almost catching up to my family's."

One must know that nowadays, apart from a chef's household, most families' condiments were basically just salt, vinegar, and soy sauce; it was rare to have all kinds of spices like Zhang Ping'an's home.

"You have to have all the spices ready when cooking meat dishes."

"Classy." Shazhu gave a thumbs up.

"Authentic." Shamao also learned to give a thumbs up.

"Get lost, hurry up and cook. Where is Teacher Yan?"

"He said he's bringing a bottle of old liquor from home; he's pouring it now."

"Classy." Yan Bugui was quite particular about things now, knowing not to show up empty-handed.

"Ping'an, do you need me to do anything?"

"No need. When Teacher Yan comes, take the opportunity to ask him about anything you don't understand in your studies."

"Okay." Zhang Lanhua covered her mouth and giggled, naturally knowing that Ping'an was intentionally keeping Yan Bugui busy.

Jia Dongxu fried some peanuts and scrambled some eggs at home, then thought for a moment and went out to buy two braised dishes.

"Father, Mother, let's go over."

"Done."

The family of three carried their dishes over to Zhang Ping'an's courtyard, and the neighbors were not at all surprised.

However, ever since Zhang Ping'an arrived, the Jia Family's life had become increasingly prosperous; the neighbors saw this, and naturally, there was no lack of secret jealousy.

"Uncle, Auntie, we're here."

"You've come. San Jie, San Jie Fu, go inside and sit first; it'll be ready in a moment."

"Done."

Before long, Yan Bugui also arrived carrying a bottle of wine, which Zhang Ping'an took directly from him.

"Teacher Yan, while there is still some time before we eat, my Si Jie happens to have some questions to ask you."

"Heh, you brat, you only know how to order your elder brother around. Jia Laoge, sister-in-law is here too."

"Mm, Lao Yan is here."

"San Jie Fu, you can chat while eating; Teacher Yan still has serious business."

"Ah, right, right, right."

Half an hour later, the fragrance drifted throughout the courtyard; the clear aroma of chicken soup mixed with the rich, meaty scent of Braised Pork, which He Daqing, who was drinking at home, also smelled.

"This brat, he actually has some talent."

Xu Fugui, who had also just returned, saw that the hen in his chicken coop was missing, his son and daughter were not at home, and then he smelled the aroma of meat; how could he not understand that it was the good deed of his fine son.

"Forget it, I won't beat you when you get back; I'll just confiscate your little treasury as payment for the chicken, hehe."

Xu Damao, who was tending the fire, suddenly shivered. "Strange."

Half an hour later, the hot dishes were on the table: Braised Pork, Spicy Rabbit Meat, red-braised rabbit meat, and chicken soup, spread across two tables, one large and one small.

"Yushui, Xiaoling, wash your hands and eat."

"Coming!"

"You two little girls don't even feel the cold?" Zhang Ping'an looked at the two girls, whose faces were red from the cold, still playing in the courtyard; children in this era were truly tough.

"Hee hee, not cold."

"San Jie, Si Jie, you two eat with the girls first, don't worry about us."

"Come, come, Lao Yan, Dongxu, let's have a drink. Zhuzi, Damao, Ping'an, you all drink some soup."

"Hehe, Uncle Jia, how about we drink a little wine to warm up too?" Zhuzi and Damao both asked with shameless grins.

"Fine, drink a little if you must. Dongxu, pour them each a little."

Lao Jia looked at their expectant gazes, and since the two boys were already fourteen or fifteen, he didn't refuse; Jia Dongxu poured a small half-cup of wine for each of them.

"Come, come, come, drink."

Everyone took a sip of wine, clicking their tongues continuously. "Comfortable." The two little girls nearby followed suit, drinking their chicken soup. "Comfortable."

"Hahahaha."