Year 1979: Eating meat with my wife and children

To ensure Gao Xinmin could eat with peace of mind, Li Xiangdong went to the trouble of making a trip.

When he returned to the rest carriage, A Zhe, who was taking a break from his shift, was chatting with Hou San.

"What are you two talking about? Why are you so happy?"

Hou San pulled Li Xiangdong into the cubicle and made him sit down. Then he ran to the cubicle door, looked around, and said with a smile, "Wang Chenghao and his gang have suffered a huge loss this time!"

Li Xiangdong immediately understood, "The cricket thing?"

Hou San smiled and nodded, "Yes, when no one was around, Ah Zhe and I secretly opened the sack and took a look. The crickets they collected were a mixed bag. It seems they really don't know anything about crickets."

Li Xiangdong shrugged. "Don't be too happy, you two. Didn't I tell you? At most, the price will be suppressed, but we won't lose money."

"No, they will definitely lose money this time."

Ah Zhe's expression was very excited. "They secretly learned how to use bamboo tubes like we do, but they only learned the basics."

"Dongzi, you don't know, I just looked through those bamboo tubes, and they stuffed the cotton too tightly, and the cucumber strips weren't packed down properly either, they all fell into the bamboo tubes."

Hou San added, "I saw it too. Many of the crickets in the bamboo tubes were wilted, and I even saw two crickets being pressed down by cucumber strips."

"Then their trip was probably a waste of time."

Li Xiangdong smiled after hearing their words, but he didn't take them to heart.

He simply reminded Hou San and the other man, "Don't do this kind of thing again. If Wang Chenghao and his gang find out, they'll definitely think you two killed those crickets!"

Upon hearing this, Ah Zhe waved his hand and said, "We definitely won't go. I don't want to take the blame."

Hou San nodded and said, "Don't worry, Brother Dong. We were just curious. We'll definitely listen to you."

After finishing the story, A Zhe went to work with a smug look on his face, while Hou San lay on the bed, occasionally letting out a silly laugh.

The train pulled into Beijing Railway Station just as dawn was breaking.

Li Xiangdong and Hou San were still asleep on their respective beds when A Zhe came over to call them, and they yawned and got out of bed.

The three men, carrying sacks and boxes of crickets, crossed the platform and emerged from the train station building.

A Zhe went to the roadside to find a tricycle, while Li Xiangdong and Hou San waited in the square.

"Ha~"

Li Xiangdong yawned, wiped away his tears, and nudged Hou San beside him, "What are you looking at?"

Hou San blushed and replied, "I'm looking at Da Ni."

Li Xiangdong followed Hou San's gaze and looked over. "It really is Kong Dani. Haven't you had enough of looking at her along the way?"

Hou San stared at the figure not far away, and said dreamily, "Of course I can't get enough of looking at him, I..."

"Don't speak yet."

Li Xiangdong saw a middle-aged man standing next to Kong Dani, who seemed to have come specifically to pick her up.

After interrupting Hou San, he asked, "Is the person next to Kong Dani Kong Explosives?"

Hou San nodded and said, "It's Uncle Kong. He's worried about Da Ni's safety, so he always comes to pick her up after get off work. We used to wait for A Zhe in the office, so we never ran into him."

Just as Li Xiangdong was about to ask something else, Hou San waved to Kong Dani, who was not far away, and called out, "Dani, remember to eat breakfast before you go to sleep~ Don't ruin your health by starving yourself~"

What the hell!

When Li Xiangdong saw Kong Dani point at him and say something to Kong Zhayao beside her, he sensed that something was wrong!

That bastard Hou San is trying to harm him!

However, seeing Kong Explosives walking towards them, Li Xiangdong didn't have time to settle scores with Hou San now.

"Hou San, you wait here for A Zhe. I'm going to take the bus. We'll meet at Qu Qu Sun's house."

Before Li Xiangdong could finish speaking, he turned and ran.

As he ran, he reassured himself that he wasn't afraid of Kong Zhayao causing him trouble; he just didn't want to create any unnecessary complications.

Li Gandan, a man of courage and integrity, is not afraid of anyone. Nothing is more important than making money right now!

"Hou San".

Kong Explosives patted Hou San with his broad, calloused hand. "Wasn't that kid who ran away just now Laba Dong?"

"Yes, Uncle Kong, is there something you need from my brother Dong? If so, please tell me and I'll pass on your message."

Hou San always treated Kong Zhaoyao as his father-in-law, and he knew better than he did in front of his own father.

Kong Explosive smiled upon hearing this, "It's nothing, Hou San, could you tell him for me that I'd like to invite him for a drink?"

"drink wine?"

Hou San scratched his head. "Uncle Kong, is it true that my dad said you can drink two jin of baijiu?"

Kong Explosives glanced at him and said, "Your father is right. What's wrong? Why are you asking this?"

"It's nothing, I was just asking out of curiosity."

Hou San secretly glanced at Kong Dani standing to the side, then looked up at Kong Zhayao and said, "Uncle Kong, I can drink five qian of baijiu now. When I can drink two jin, I'll drink with you."

Kong thought he was hallucinating. He picked at his ear and asked, "Did you just say five taels or five mace?"

Hou San blushed and replied, "Five coins."

Kong Explosives swallowed hard. "How long have you been practicing with five qian of baijiu?"

"Uncle Kong, it's not much, I've only been practicing for a month."

Hou San patted his chest and assured him, "Don't worry, I'll be able to drink like you sooner or later. When I can drink two jin at a time, I'll definitely come to you for a drink."

Kong Zhayao wanted to raise his hand to pat Hou San on the shoulder to encourage him, but when he raised his hand halfway, he thought about it and put his hand down.

He only managed to drink five qian (a unit of weight) after a month of practice. By the time Hou San reaches two jin (another unit of weight), his bones will have turned to ash!

How will the two of them drink then?

You can't exactly drink a cup of wine and then pour another cup on his grave!

"Ahem~ You can work on your alcohol tolerance slowly. There's no rush for us to drink together. Remember to pass on my words to Laba Dong."

"Okay, Uncle Kong. Dani, remember to eat breakfast when you get home."

"understood."

Kong Dani rolled her eyes at Hou San, then turned to her father and said, "Let's hurry home."

As Hou San watched Kong Dani and her father turn and leave, he thoughtfully reminded them again, "Dani, remember to eat an egg for breakfast."

Upon hearing Hou San's words, Kong Explosives glanced back at him, then looked at his daughter beside him, as if talking to himself.

"Hou San has his eye on my daughter."

Kong Dani blushed and said angrily, "Dad, what are you saying?!"

Kong Explosives chuckled, "No wonder this kid told me he was practicing his drinking capacity; so that's what he was up to."

"Dad, if you say that again, I'm not going to talk to you anymore!"

"Alright, alright, Father won't say anymore."

When Kong saw that his daughter was angry, he quickly shut his mouth.

Looking at his daughter, who had grown into a beautiful young woman, he suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

Even though his daughter was a bit of a letdown, he still couldn't bear to let her get married.

...

At the Ququ Sun family home, Li Xiangdong was having breakfast with Ququ Sun when Hou San pushed open the door and walked in.

"You've arrived. Come on, let's go and move the things in first."

Li Xiangdong put down the bowl in his hand, got up and followed Hou San, who had entered the room, out.

"Hou San, after I left, did Kong Zhayao say anything to you?"

"I already said that Uncle Kong said he wanted to treat you to drinks."

Li Xiangdong asked in surprise, "He wants to buy me a drink?"