1980: I have a spiritual spring

Chapter 31 Reception
noon.

Qiao Sanduo prepared a large table of delicious dishes to entertain her second brother's childhood friend, Qiao Weixing.

There was spicy stewed fish, dry pot eel, pepper scrambled eggs, dried beef skin, and a large pot of turtle soup, along with several side dishes. All the dishes were very generous in portion, filling the table to the brim and making one's mouth water.

Qiao Weixing could only enjoy such a feast during the Chinese New Year, and he was so moved that he didn't know what to say.

Qiao Erhe instructed, "Sihai, go inside and bring out a jar of sweet glutinous rice wine."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Sihai replied with delight, "Okay, I'll go get it right away."

The other siblings, including their mother Huang Hongmei, couldn't help but light up when they heard this. They had all tasted the glutinous rice wine brewed by Qiao Erhe. Not to mention its excellent taste, the health benefits of drinking the glutinous rice wine alone were unforgettable.

However, Qiao Erhe's first batch of sweet glutinous rice wine was not much. He gave five catties to his second and third uncles respectively, and he kept the rest hidden for the time being. No one dared to steal it to drink without his permission.

Now, in order to entertain Qiao Weixing, the second brother actually took out a jar of sweet glutinous rice wine, and everyone was naturally filled with anticipation.

Soon, Qiao Sihai returned to the kitchen carrying a jar of sweet glutinous rice wine. He smiled broadly at Qiao Weixing and said, "Brother Weixing, thanks to you, we can finally drink this sweet glutinous rice wine that my second brother brewed himself."

Qiao Weixing asked in surprise, "Erhe, when did you learn how to brew wine?"

Qiao Erhe laughed and said, "I learned it from a winemaking master not long ago."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Weixing immediately became interested and said, "Then I must have a good taste of your brewing skills."

Qiao Sihai placed the wine jar on the table and said impatiently, "Brother Weixing, you don't know, my second brother's winemaking skills are absolutely amazing. This glutinous rice wine he makes is so delicious."

Huang Hongmei couldn't help but say, "Not only does it taste good, but it's also very good for your health. I drank two bowls before, and my aching back has improved a lot. It hasn't hurt much in the last two days."

Qiao Weixing's eyes widened and he said, "This glutinous rice wine has such an effect?"

Qiao Sanduo said with admiration, "The glutinous rice wine brewed by my second brother has such a good effect. After drinking a bowl of wine, all fatigue will disappear. You will know when you try it later."

As he spoke, Qiao Sihai broke the seal on the wine jar.

Instantly, a rich aroma of wine filled the air. Huang Hongmei and the Qiao siblings took a deep breath almost simultaneously, their faces showing expressions of intoxication.

Upon smelling the rich aroma of the wine, Qiao Weixing felt invigorated and couldn't help but exclaim, "This is truly excellent wine!"

If it were just ordinary rice wine, Qiao Sihai would probably have just picked up the jar and poured it out; even if he accidentally spilled some, he wouldn't have felt bad.

But this sweet glutinous rice wine is so precious that even a single drop spilled is heartbreaking, so Qiao Sihai simply used a wine spoon to scoop out the wine.

Soon, Qiao Sihai had divided the wine. Except for the younger Qiao Liuduo and Qiao Qitan, everyone else received a bowl.

Seeing this, Qiao Liuduo couldn't help but say, "Second Brother, I also want to drink this sweet glutinous rice wine."

Qiao Qitan immediately chimed in, "Second Brother, I want to drink too."

Even normally brewed glutinous rice wine is a drink suitable for all ages. As long as it is consumed in moderation, it is good for the body. Not to mention that Qiao Erhe brewed this glutinous rice wine and added diluted spiritual spring water, so it is perfectly fine for the sixth and seventh brothers to drink.

Therefore, Qiao Erhe nodded and said, "Sihai, scoop a bowl for Lao Liu and Lao Qi as well!"

"Oh."

Qiao Sihai reluctantly replied, "Thank you, Second Brother."

Qiao Liuduo and Qiao Qitan both thanked them happily.

Qiao Sihai glared at them and muttered, "Why is Xiao Yazi drinking alcohol? What a waste."

With her second brother's permission, Qiao Liuduo triumphantly made a face at her fourth brother: "Hehehe..."

After Qiao Sihai had finished distributing the wine to Lao Liu and Lao Qi, Qiao Erhe picked up his wine bowl and said, "Weixing, we've been playing together since we were kids, so I won't waste any more words. You must eat and drink well today. I'll toast you."

Qiao Weixing kept the brotherhood in mind, raised his wine bowl and clinked it against his brother's: "Drink."

After taking a sip of sweet glutinous rice wine, Qiao Weixing finally understood the reactions of Qiao Sihai and the others. The sweet glutinous rice wine brewed by his childhood friend was indeed extraordinary. The taste was indescribable, and the warm current flowing down his throat proved the effects of the sweet glutinous rice wine.

Qiao Weixing couldn't help but praise, "Erhe, your brewing skills are truly amazing!"

"Okay!"

Qiao Erhe said, "Come on, eat some food, let's eat and drink at the same time."

Qiao Weixing nodded and began to eat. He was then amazed by the taste of the dishes and couldn't help but praise them again: "Sanduo, your cooking skills have improved a lot since then!"

Qiao Sanduo smiled and said, "The more times you cook, the better you will naturally become."

Qiao Erhe asked, "Weixing, has the land in your Lu Family Garden (a natural village named after an official surnamed Lu who built a garden there) been distributed to individual households?"

Qiao Weixing shook his head and said, "Not yet, but they're discussing it. I estimate the land distribution will start next month."

Qiao Erhe said, "After the land is distributed, we can start doing things freely."

Qiao Weixing said admiringly, "Erhe, you are really bold. You raised 1000 laying hens and did such a good job. You are really amazing."

Qiao Erhe laughed and said, "These 1000 chickens are nothing. Our country is currently undergoing reform and opening up, and large-scale breeding and planting households will emerge all over the country. Large-scale breeding and planting will become commonplace."

Our generation is living in the best era in a thousand years. As long as we are bold enough and dare to work hard, we will definitely be able to become rich.

Although Qiao Weixing was unsure of the weight of his childhood friend's words, he knew that his brother, with whom he had grown up, was no longer the same as before. He picked up his wine bowl and said, "Erhe, after the land in our Lu Family Garden is divided among households, you have to give me some advice on how to develop the economy!"

Qiao Erhe raised his wine bowl and clinked it against his, saying, "Of course, that's no problem. There are business opportunities everywhere now; you can make money no matter what you do."

Qiao Weixing took a sip of wine and said, "Then it's settled. Once the land in our Lu Family Garden is divided among individual households, I'll come over to discuss making money with you."

Qiao Erhe nodded and said, "Okay, I'll wait for you."

Then, the two brothers, who hadn't seen each other for a long time, ate and chatted.

This jar of wine contained five jin (2.5 kg). The rest of the Qiao family members only received one bowl of wine, while Qiao Erhe and Qiao Weixing received two bowls. The jar of wine was then empty.

This bowl of wine is half a jin (250ml), and two bowls make a jin. Although the alcohol content of this glutinous rice wine is relatively low, its aftereffects are stronger than many rice wines. Qiao Weixing is not a particularly good drinker, so drinking a jin is enough to satisfy him.

(End of this chapter)