My 1995 Small Farm.

When the group returned to Chenwangzhuang in a grand procession, the sun was already setting.

On the reservoir dam at the village entrance, several elderly women who were eating and chatting with their bowls in hand saw this scene and immediately beamed with joy, shouting:
"Oh my! Fugui has brought Zhenzhen back! Cunye and Xiulan are here too!"

"That's right! Qingwen came along too, what a complete family!"

Before even entering the village, Heiwa and Xiaojin sped over like two black lightning bolts, making cheerful "woo-woo" sounds in their throats.

Its tail wagged like a whirlwind as it affectionately circled the horse, nuzzling Chen Ling's leg with its enormous head.

Then it carefully sniffed the new family members who had arrived on horseback.

"Hey! Little Gold!"

Wang Zhenzhen shouted excitedly and jumped off the horse.

She immediately pounced on Heiwa and hugged his neck, rubbing her little face against his thick fur.

At the same time, he showed affection to Xiao Jin.

"You two big guys, did you miss me? Hehehe, Xiao Jin, you're so enthusiastic!"

"You're not enthusiastic towards others, but you're so enthusiastic towards me, so I'm going to reward you properly."

To be honest, the two of them, Heiwa and Xiaojin, were incredibly excited and affectionate when they saw Wang Zhenzhen.

When Wang Zhenzhen was in Chenwangzhuang, she often took them to play.

Needless to say, they have a very good relationship.

Just as Wang Zhenzhen was arguing with the two dogs.

While Chen Ling and the others were talking to the villagers, Wang Susu was holding Lele, and Liang Hongyu was holding Kang Kang as they came out to greet them.

Heiwa and Xiaojin are so clever; they ran out of the house early to greet them.

Wang Susu naturally knew what this meant.

"Father! Mother! You've finally arrived!" A joyful smile spread across Wang Susu's face, and the weariness in her eyes was somewhat relieved.

"elder sister!"

Wang Zhenzhen, like a bird released from its cage, rushed towards Wang Susu, then curiously looked down at Kang Kang and Lele.

"Oh my! Kang Kang and Le Le! You almost don't recognize your auntie anymore! You've grown so much!"

As soon as Gao Xiulan got off the horse, her eyes were glued to her two little grandsons.

She quickened her pace, took Lele from Wang Susu's arms as she reached out her arms, and then bent down to look closely at Kang Kang, who was trying hard to look up at her. Her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

"Oh my dear grandson! It's only been a short time since I last saw you, and you've gained so much weight and your appearance has improved. Look at those little arms and legs, they're so strong!"

"You can stand up now, right? Oh dear..."

Wang Cunye put down his simple luggage, squatted down, and gently touched Kang Kang's tender little face with his rough hands. Kang Kang was not afraid of strangers. His big, dark eyes stared curiously at his grandfather, and he made "ah...ah..." sounds.

She even reached out her little hand to grab her grandfather's finger.

The old man's serious expression softened completely, and he couldn't help but smile: "So alike! Just like Lingzi, and about the same age as Rui Rui back then, all chubby-cheeked and sturdy!"

Wang Zhenzhen chimed in with a grin, "Dad, Mom, you've been talking about our little brother and sister all this time. Rui Rui speaks so clearly now, I can hardly keep up with him when he runs!"

As soon as Rui Rui heard his name mentioned, he immediately crawled out from beside his father's legs, puffed out his little chest, and loudly proclaimed, "Rui Rui has grown up! He can ride a big horse! He can also... he can help Daddy feed the big tiger!"

Although he couldn't fully grasp the passage of time, he could sense his grandparents' surprise and his little face was full of pride.

Chen Ling and Wang Susu smiled at each other, feeling a warm glow in their hearts as they watched the genuine joy the elderly people showed for the child's gradual growth.

This kind of joy in being surrounded by grandchildren is ordinary yet precious, a happiness that no external achievement can replace.

"Aunt Hongyu, you've worked so hard these past few days, thank you so much." Gao Xiulan didn't forget to hold Liang Hongyu's hand.

"Of course, we're like family, it's only right."

Liang Hongyu also said cheerfully.

"Alright, stop standing at the village entrance, come back to our house and rest for a bit."

Wang Susu called out, "Ah Ling, hurry up and ride the little green horse back, and bring out our tractor. I really shouldn't have let you ride the horse; it's such a hassle to bring you back."

Gao Xiulan glared at her: "What are you saying? Lingzi didn't know what the mountain road was like back then either."

Chen Ling quickly said it was nothing, then hurriedly rode his horse home, drove his tractor over, and brought his family back to the farm.

Although the farm hasn't changed much.

But after getting off the bus, Wang Cunye still walked around inside and outside with his hands behind his back.

Chickens, ducks, and geese pecked at food in the corner, a little white calf ruminously chewed its cud in the backyard, and swallows carried mud to build their nests under the eaves. Everywhere exuded vitality and order, and the old man's eyes were full of approval.

However, when the old man caught a glimpse of two enormous figures, as large as small mountains, crawling under the eaves of the farm's backyard, he didn't know when they had appeared.

His smile froze on his face, and his voice trembled slightly: "My God...that...that's Afu and Ashou?"

Gao Xiulan also looked up sharply and saw the two giant tigers, which were almost a whole size larger than she remembered, with glossy fur, bulging muscles, and a terrifying aura even when they were lying down.

My heart skipped a beat, and I almost dropped the baby bottle I was holding.

These are not the same two half-grown tiger cubs that I left last year.

These are clearly two true overlords of the mountains and forests!
His physique, his gaze, the oppressive aura he exuded when he was quietly lying in wait sent chills down one's spine.

“Ling…Lingzi…” Gao Xiulan’s voice was strained:
“These…do they…do they still recognize me and your father? This…this is huge, it’s creepy…”

No wonder the two elders were afraid. For the past six months, Afu and Ashou had been eating and drinking well at the zoo. In addition, they were naturally gifted and their bodies developed extremely rapidly. Now their shoulder height is nearly one meter and their body length is more than two and a half meters. When they lie down, they look like two small fleshy mountains.

Standing up was even more frightening, a far cry from when he first left home.

Seeing this, Chen Ling quickly smiled and reassured them, "Dad, Mom, don't be afraid! They just grow a little faster, but their personalities haven't changed, and they still recognize their own family!"

As he spoke, he walked over first and patted Afu's large head.

Afu lazily opened his eyelids and looked at his master with his huge amber eyes.

It made a low, locomotive-like "snoring" sound from its throat and affectionately rubbed its big head against Chen Ling's hand.

Ah Shou also raised his head and flicked his thick, long tail.

“Come here, Dad, Mom, come and touch them. They definitely remember you.” Chen Ling beckoned.

Wang Cunye, being an experienced man, composed himself, took a deep breath, and, under Gao Xiulan's worried gaze, tentatively and slowly stepped forward.

He cautiously reached out and waved his hand in front of Afu's nose, letting it sniff the scent.

Afu twitched its nostrils twice, as if it had recognized something. Its eyes became even more docile, and it even moved its big head closer to the old man's hand.

Wang Cunye was delighted and became bolder. He gently placed his rough palm on Afu's broad forehead and stroked it twice.

Afu squinted comfortably, and the gurgling sound in his throat grew louder.

"Oh my... I really recognize her! I really recognize her!"

Wang Cunye's face instantly lit up with a smile, his heart finally at ease. He turned to Gao Xiulan and said:

"Old woman, come quick! It's alright! It's still our big cat!"

Seeing that her husband was alright, Gao Xiulan mustered her courage and cautiously stepped forward, her hands trembling as she touched the thick, soft fur on Afu's neck.

Afu seemed to feel itchy, gently shook his big head, and stuck out his rough tongue to lick Gao Xiulan's palm. The wet, warm, and barbed touch startled her, and she pulled her hand back with a cry of "Ouch!"

Then he chuckled, "It licked me! It licked me! It really recognizes me!" Chen Ling smiled and guided, "Shou, look who's back? Do you recognize them?"

Ashou seemed more interested in Wang Cunye. It moved its huge head closer, first sniffing the familiar scent of tobacco and the wild mountains on the old man, and then its gaze fell on the shiny cow horn button on the cuff of his old cotton-padded jacket.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, a mischievous glint flashed in its amber eyes. It opened its mouth wide and precisely, gently, caught the button with its teeth, then tossed its head slightly—

"Clap."

With a soft click, the sturdy horn button was easily snapped off, chewed a couple of times in its mouth, and then, seemingly finding the taste off, spat it out with a "pfft".

Then he looked up at Wang Cunye, making a plaintive "woo-woo" sound in his throat, as if complaining: "This thing is still so hard, it doesn't taste good!"

This scene left everyone stunned.

Wang Cunye was startled at first, then suddenly remembered something, slapped his thigh and burst into laughter: "Oh dear! Oh dear! It's it! That's right! This silly goose!"

"It's been eyeing my button all year! It sneakily gnawed on it several times while I was napping! It still hasn't broken that habit!"

"Hahaha! You haven't forgotten! You haven't forgotten at all!"

Gao Xiulan was completely relieved, laughing so hard tears almost came to her eyes: "That's right! This silly Ashou, he only cares about your dad's buttons! He thought they were some kind of delicious treat! This silly child..."

In an instant, all the unfamiliarity and fear vanished.

The two elders surrounded the two giant tigers, patting their heads and scratching their chins, overjoyed.

Ah Fu and Ah Shou, being very human, enjoyed the old man's caresses, occasionally rubbing their big heads against him and making satisfied "snoring" sounds.

Their gentle and affectionate demeanor contrasts sharply with their terrifying size, making them particularly interesting.

After playing with Afu and Ashou for a while.

Gao Xiulan, carrying Lele and holding Kang Kang's little hand, went into the house with Wang Susu, constantly saying, "Good, the house is so tidy, and the children are all clean. Susu, you've worked so hard..."

"It's not hard work, Mom. It's all done by A-Ling. Rui Rui has also become much more sensible." Wang Susu smiled as she poured hot tea for her mother.

After a short rest, Chen Ling took out the large bull's head he had bought from the slaughterhouse in Changle Township from the sack.

"Dad, Mom, you two rest. We'll make something delicious tonight. I'll clean up the ox head and stew it. We'll have an ox head feast tonight!"

"Let's have beef head tonight..."

Wang Cunye raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "That stuff takes a lot of time to clean up. It has a strong muttony smell, so it takes a lot of effort."

"Dad, just you wait and see. I have a secret recipe for cooking this stuff. It'll be incredibly fragrant and full of collagen, making it the most nourishing thing ever."

Chen Ling confidently rolled up his sleeves.

Just do it.

He walked to the corner of the courtyard and lifted the enormous bull's head to the well.

The cow's head has already been preliminarily processed by the slaughterhouse, with the hair and most of the hide removed, but the details still need careful finishing.

He drew water from the well, took out a sharp knife and a stiff brush, and began to carefully scrape and remove any remaining hair roots and impurities.

Rui Rui and Wang Zhenzhen curiously gathered around to watch the spectacle, attracted by the huge bull's head and slightly ferocious horns, wanting to get closer but also a little scared.

"Dad, is Da Niu Niu... dead?" Rui Rui asked softly.

"Yes, it sacrificed itself to provide us with meat to eat."

Chen Ling continued working, explaining in a calm tone.

"So we must handle it properly, not waste it, and make it taste the best, so as not to do it a disservice."

Wang Zhenzhen nodded as if she understood, "Brother-in-law, what can I do to help you?"

"Go ask your sister for a basin of hot water, and also get some scallions, ginger, and garlic."

"okay!"

Gao Xiulan and Wang Susu were not idle either; they began preparing other side dishes and dinner.

Wang Cunye squatted beside him, smoking his pipe, watching his son-in-law skillfully handle the task, occasionally offering a reminder: "The cochlea is where the dirt tends to hide the most, you have to poke it with a wire and then rinse it... Yes, the nasal cavity also needs to be cleaned, so that the blood doesn't smell bad."

Chen Ling's technique was swift and skillful; he first used fire to roast the meat.

Blanch, scrape, and split open.

The skull has been preliminarily split open; after removing impurities, the brain marrow will be used for other purposes...

Step by step, in an orderly manner.

Wang Cunye could still chime in with a few words, but Wang Qingwen couldn't help at all and could only entertain his nephew and niece.

He would occasionally try to talk to and communicate with Afu and Ashou, hoping to develop a relationship with the two tigers who had grown up together.

Chen Ling found it amusing and quickly cut the cleaned beef head meat into large chunks, preparing to cook it.

Heat oil in a large wok, then add plenty of scallion segments, ginger slices, garlic cloves, dried chili peppers, and Sichuan peppercorns and sauté until fragrant.

Add a few spoonfuls of homemade soybean paste and stir-fry until the oil turns red and the sauce is fragrant.

Then add the beef chunks and stir-fry vigorously until the surface of the meat is slightly browned and evenly coated with the sauce.

A rich aroma burst forth instantly, filling the entire courtyard and whetting everyone's appetite.

"Wow! It smells so good!"

Wang Zhenzhen sniffed hard.

Rui Rui also stood on tiptoe to look into the pot: "Daddy, the meat smells delicious!"

After stir-frying evenly, Chen Ling poured in a large amount of boiling water to cover all the meat pieces, then added cinnamon, star anise, bay leaves, a pinch of cloves and a few rock sugar pieces, and finally poured in a small bowl of Shaoxing wine.

After bringing it to a boil over high heat, skim off the foam, then turn the heat down to low, cover it with a heavy wooden lid, and let it simmer slowly.

"Alright, let it simmer on its own for a couple of hours to fully develop its flavor."

Chen Ling clapped his hands: "The heat has to be just right. It has to be stewed until it falls apart when you poke it with chopsticks, and all the gelatin comes out. That's when it's really fragrant."

As dusk settled, the flames in the stove steadily licked the bottom of the pot, which emitted a pleasant "bubbling" sound.

The aroma becomes increasingly rich and mellow, gradually transforming from a strong soy sauce flavor into a mouthwatering meaty and gelatinous aroma.

At dinner, we ate some simple food to fill our stomachs, but everyone's thoughts were clearly on the bubbling pot.

When night had completely enveloped the village and lights began to twinkle, Chen Ling finally lifted the lid of the pot.

In an instant, an extremely domineering white mist, mixed with a rich aroma of meat, soy sauce and spices, shot into the sky, so strong that it could knock you over!

The broth in the pot had thickened and become glossy, with deep red chunks of beef head meat trembling in it, looking incredibly tempting and visibly tender.

With a gentle poke of his chopsticks, Chen Ling easily separated a piece of meat with skin on, revealing the distinct texture of the meat inside, which was soaked with broth.

"Alright! It's done!"

He scooped the meat into a large bowl and sprinkled it with chopped cilantro and scallions.

Wang Susu deftly ladled out a large bowl of steaming hot, thick white broth from hand-pulled wide noodles.

The family sat around the octagonal table in the main room, with a huge, impressive bowl of braised beef head meat in the center, and vegetables cooked in broth with beef offal, along with a few refreshing side dishes.

And so began the first family dinner after returning home. (End of Chapter)