1980: I have a spiritual spring

Chapter 54: Dragon and Phoenix among men
After a man reaches the age of forty, his physical condition begins to decline day by day.

Su Jianguo is around that age, so he has the right to speak about the significant decline in his physical condition over the past two or three years.

Especially since last year, he has unknowingly developed a back pain problem. If he sits for a little longer, his back will start to ache, especially when he bends over to do things, his back simply can't take it.

In the past, Su Jianguo had seen some elderly people who, whenever they bent over to do something, would frequently straighten up and then repeatedly pound their lower back with their hands. At that time, he didn't quite understand why, but now that it was his turn, he finally understood why.

Given Su Jianguo's status, he had naturally seen many doctors and tried massage, acupuncture, and medication, but all of them could only relieve his symptoms and not cure him. Whenever he didn't get enough rest or sat for too long, his back pain would relapse, causing him great suffering.

In severe cases, Su Jianguo couldn't even sleep well. Whenever he lay in bed, he would feel a dull pain in his lower back and needed to constantly adjust his sleeping position.

Originally, Su Jianguo thought he would suffer from this back pain for the rest of his life.

Unexpectedly, a bowl of sweet glutinous rice wine greatly relieved Su Jianguo's back pain.

Although drinking too much alcohol used to greatly relieve his back pain, Su Jianguo knew in his heart that it was not actually relieving the pain, but rather that the alcohol numbed his nerves, making him temporarily ignore the back pain.

But this relief is truly different. Su Jianguo felt that the sweet glutinous rice wine he drank was turning into warm currents flowing through his limbs and bones, constantly nourishing his body.

Feeling the changes in his body, Su Jianguo was both surprised and delighted. He said to his daughter, "Jinxiu, when you have time off the day after tomorrow, contact your friend as soon as possible and ask him where he got this glutinous rice wine."

Su Jinxiu blinked: "Dad, what are you trying to do?"

Su's mother laughed and said, "Is that even a question? Your father definitely wants more of this fine wine."

Father Su did not deny it and said directly, "This glutinous rice wine is really amazing. After drinking this bowl, my back pain has been greatly reduced. If I drink a few more bowls, I think it can completely cure my back pain."

This glutinous rice wine is absolutely extraordinary!

So, Jinxiu, you must ask your friend where this sweet glutinous rice wine came from. No matter the cost, get as many jars as possible.

Su Jinxiu also drank a bowl of sweet glutinous rice wine and naturally felt its benefits. She said very proudly, "Dad, Mom, if I didn't tell you, you probably would never have guessed that this sweet glutinous rice wine was actually brewed by my friend himself."

Mrs. Su asked in shock, "Did your friend brew this wine himself?"

Su's father said incredulously, "Jinxiu, you're not kidding us, are you? This sweet glutinous rice wine, did your friend really brew it himself?"

Su Jinxiu smiled with pride and said, "This wine was really brewed by my friend himself. Anyway, that's what he told me. He wouldn't lie to me about something like this."

Mr. Su took a deep breath and praised repeatedly, "Amazing, truly amazing! A native of the countryside, yet his knowledge surpasses that of my daughter. He clearly understands the policies of the national and local governments, boldly engaged in breeding, and applied for a business license for individual business at the first opportunity. At such a young age, he can also brew glutinous rice wine with an excellent taste and amazing effects. He is truly a dragon among men!"

Su's mother agreed, saying, "Yes, Jinxiu has made a truly outstanding friend." What child wouldn't want their friend to receive their parents' approval and praise?
Especially for a family like the Su family, it is extremely rare to receive praise from Su's parents.

Su Jinxiu was secretly delighted, and then patted her chest and said, "Dad, don't worry, when I have time off next week, I'll go to my friend and ask him if he still has any glutinous rice wine in stock. If he does, I'll get you a few more jars."

"You can't come empty-handed this time."

After a moment's thought, Mr. Su said, "How about this, I'll have your mother pick out some good tea and cigarettes for you to take with you. You can decide on the rest yourself. Just make sure we don't skimp on the gifts; we need to show our sincerity."

Su Jinxiu smiled and said, "Dad, don't worry, I promise I'll handle this perfectly."

Su's mother picked up the wine jar and poured wine for Su's father while saying, "Since this sweet glutinous rice wine is so effective in treating your back pain, then the rest of the wine is yours. After you finish this jar, your back pain will probably be almost gone."

Looking at the wine in the bowl, Su's father said with a deep gaze, "If this wine can really cure my back pain completely, and if Jinxiu can get wine with the exact same effect, then our family will soar to new heights."

Upon hearing this, Su's mother's heart stirred: "You mean..."

Father Su nodded and said, "That's right."

Although her parents didn't say it outright, Su Jinxiu, being from such a family, was no innocent vase. She instantly guessed her father's intentions, estimating that he wanted to use the glutinous rice wine as a bridge to establish a relationship with some important person.

Thinking of this, Su Jinxiu understood the importance of this glutinous rice wine to her father. She wondered how difficult it was for Comrade Qiao to brew this glutinous rice wine.
……

Qiao Erhe was unaware that the glutinous rice wine he gave to Su Jinxiu had attracted great attention in the Su family.

He didn't make much glutinous rice wine last time. He gave one jar to his second father, third father, and childhood friend Qiao Weixing. Now he gave one jar to Su Jinxiu. With the wine for his own family, he only had four jars of glutinous rice wine and several jars of lees left.

Now, it's already past the eleventh month of the lunar calendar, and there are less than two months until the Spring Festival. The little wine left isn't even enough for our own family, let alone for giving as gifts to relatives and friends during the Spring Festival.

So, while we're not too busy right now, we should brew more of this sweet glutinous rice wine.

In fact, besides brewing sweet glutinous rice wine, Qiao Erhe also wanted to try brewing some baijiu (Chinese white liquor) to see how different the taste of baijiu brewed with diluted Lingquan water was from that of ordinary baijiu.

Unfortunately, to brew baijiu, one must acquire distillation equipment, which is essential for brewing high-proof baijiu. Currently, the conditions at home do not allow for it, so I will have to wait until next year, after the new house is built, to try brewing baijiu.

Qiao Erhe wasn't in a hurry about this.

Anyway, he hasn't had enough of this delicious glutinous rice wine yet!
(End of this chapter)