The sky collapsed, and in the blink of an eye, I found myself transported to Nanluoguxiang.

Time flies like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, the moon has quietly climbed onto the treetops.

A huge pile of firewood roared to life on the threshing ground, the leaping flames illuminating the smiling faces of the Li family members and several villagers from other families.

Just then, the village chief, Third Grandfather, strode confidently onto the stage and spoke in a loud voice:

"Everyone, please be quiet."

The once noisy crowd gradually quieted down, leaving only the croaking of frogs from the fields.

Seeing everyone looking over, Third Grandfather coughed twice and asked with a smile, "You all know why we've gathered here today, right?"

Several young people in the audience, all Li Kaixin's cousins, started shouting, "Distribute the meat! Distribute the meat!"

Immediately, cheers and responses rose and fell, creating a lively and extraordinary scene.

Grandpa smiled and pressed down, and the crowd quickly quieted down again.

He continued, "First of all, I have to thank Kaixin! He's the one who asked us to carry the wild boar!"

All eyes turned to Li Kaixin, their eyes filled with gratitude.

"Secondly, it's about dividing the meat! According to our village's rules, half should have been given to Kaixin..."

The third grandfather paused, then raised his voice: "But this child is generous; he said he wanted to share it all with everyone!"

"I've been thinking about it, but this won't do. We can't be too greedy, can we? I think we should let Kaixin pick out 50 jin first, and then we can divide the rest. What do you all think?"

"Sure! Of course!"

The villagers responded enthusiastically, their faces beaming with smiles, their voices filled with approval and joy.

Seeing this, Li Kaixin also looked earnest and stepped forward to the old village chief, saying, "Third Grandpa, 30 jin of meat is enough for me. Any more than that would be too much for us to eat, and it would just be a waste to leave it there."

Uncle San stood to the side, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but after glancing at his father's face, he swallowed his words.

Grandpa San wanted to persuade him further, but when his gaze swept over the sallow-faced and emaciated villagers and their nephews, he swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

As both the clan chief and the village head, he could only sigh in the end, his tone filled with gratitude and guilt: "Kaixin, since you say so... this time everyone really benefited from you. On behalf of the entire village, thank you."

Li Kaixin quickly waved his hand, smiling憨厚ly, "Third Grandpa, what are you saying? We're all family!"

Grandpa San didn't waste any more time. He turned and stood on the stone platform, announcing loudly, "Listen up, everyone—this wild boar, after removing the internal organs and bones and cooking some off, will weigh a little over 300 jin. Each of our village's 53 households will receive 4 jin! Families with elderly people or children will receive an extra half jin for each additional person!"

After saying that, he waved to Li Kaixin, a kind smile on his face: "Kaixin, you choose first!"

Li Kaixin exclaimed "Hey!" and excitedly jumped onto the platform. Without being picky, he pointed to a piece of pork belly with distinct layers.

Grandpa San saw this and hurriedly waved his hand, saying, "Hey, child, don't be shy! Pick the fattier ones; we can render some lard and eat the cracklings!"

Li Kaixin grinned and said, "Third Grandpa, this is exactly what I like! It's not too fatty, not too lean, and fragrant without being greasy!"

"Then...then cut a little more?" Third Grandfather asked with concern.

"Really, I don't need it!"

Before Li Kaixin could finish speaking, he had already leaped off the stage and slipped back into the crowd.

Once everyone in the village had received their meat, they hurried home to put it away.

When they gathered again at the village canteen, it was already midnight.

At this moment, the entire village was already enveloped in a strong and tempting aroma of meat.

The aroma of wild boar meat simmering in a large pot wafted far on the wind, making one's stomach rumble with anticipation.

Everyone carried their own bowls and basins, queuing up while swallowing hard, their faces beaming with anticipation.

At the canteen window, several women, holding large ladles, were preparing food with great enthusiasm. But the seat at the very front was empty—it had been deliberately left out.

As Li Kaixin and his family walked into the canteen chatting and laughing, the village chief quickly went up to them and led them to the front of the line.

The aunties wielded their large ladles with great skill, quickly filling the family's bowls and basins to overflowing, creating small, towering mountains.

The villagers in line watched with smiles as Li Kaixin and his family left with the meat, and the canteen became noisy again.

Nowadays, villagers are used to getting their meals and going home to eat. So everyone takes turns getting their meals, carrying their own joy, and walks home into the night.

When we got back to my grandparents' house, the children from my second and third uncles' families were already waiting eagerly at the door.

Upon seeing Li Kaixin and the others, they jumped up and down, their little faces beaming with undisguised excitement.

Everyone gathered around the table in a lively atmosphere. Grandpa, sitting in the main seat, smiled and beckoned to Grandma: "Old woman, could you bring me that jar of sweet potato liquor I didn't finish last time?"

Before Grandma could even get up, Third Uncle had already dashed out like a gust of wind, returning in the blink of an eye with a wine jar, hurriedly saying, "I'll pour it, I'll pour it!"

Grandpa glanced at him, shaking his head with a mixture of amusement and exasperation: "Why haven't I seen you this enthusiastic about chores before?"

Uncle San poured Grandpa a drink with a grin, saying, "Isn't it because you're back happy, and you even brought so much meat? I'm just so happy!"

He turned to Li Kaixin, winked, and nudged her gently with his elbow: "Kaixin, want some? You've graduated anyway, it's time to find a wife!"

Upon hearing this, Li Kaixin blushed and nodded sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.

At the table, everyone was waiting for Grandpa to start eating.

The old man picked up the first piece of wild boar meat, and several pairs of chopsticks on the table eagerly followed suit.

Especially the little ones, who hadn't tasted meat for months, stretched out their arms impatiently.

Li Kaixin also picked up a piece and put it in his mouth. In the village, wild boar meat isn't cooked with many spices, just a little salt, resulting in a distinctly fishy and gamey smell. If it were someone from the 21st century, they probably couldn't stand it after just one bite.

But my body honestly reminded me that I hadn't eaten meat properly in a while. I chewed a few times, but before I could even savor it, the meat had already slid into my stomach.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the table grew increasingly lively, with everyone eating and chatting, clinking glasses, and filling the room with warmth and laughter.

After they had eaten enough, Li Kaixin chatted with his grandfather, second uncle, and third uncle.

Grandpa put down his wine glass, wiped his mouth with his hand, and said with a hint of reluctance in his eyes, "I'm so happy! Can you stay a few more days this time? Keep this old man company and chat with him."

Li Kaixin put down her chopsticks and replied gently, "Sir, I have to go back tomorrow. I need to hurry up and find a job."

She reached out and patted her grandfather's hand. "Once things settle down, I'll definitely buy some nice things and come back to see you."

Everyone at the table turned their heads, their eyes filled with concern.

After hearing this, Grandpa nodded repeatedly, tapping his fingers lightly on the table: "Yes, yes, finding a job is important, but important matters cannot be neglected."

At this moment, Uncle San interjected with a smile, gesturing as he spoke: "Happy! You really did a great job today. Next time there are any wild animals on the mountain, you have to call me!"

Upon hearing this, Grandpa couldn't help but glare at his third uncle, pointing at him with his chopsticks: "Next time? Do you really think you can just stumble upon wild game anytime you want?"

Uncle Er chimed in, ladling a bowl of soup and pushing it in front of Li Kaixin, his tone gentle yet earnest: "Kaixin, try to avoid going up the mountain this season. Even if you really have to go, don't be reckless alone. Remember to bring a companion and some self-defense tools."

Grandma, listening nearby, couldn't help but pat her chest and chime in, "That's right, Kaixin! I was so scared when I heard you encountered a wild boar. How could I bear it if anything happened to you..."

Grandpa and Third Uncle both nodded solemnly, and the atmosphere became a little heavy for a moment.

Looking at everyone's concerned eyes, Li Kaixin felt a warmth in his heart. He held his grandmother's hand and sincerely promised, "Don't worry, everyone. I will definitely not be so reckless when I go up the mountain in the future. I will definitely bring a weapon."

The meal was a great success, with everyone enjoying themselves and leaving with full bellies.

After the table was cleared, the second and third uncles' families took their share of wild boar meat and said goodbye to their grandparents and Li Kaixin.

"Dad, Mom, Kaixin, let's go back!" Second Uncle and Third Uncle said in unison.

"It's getting dark, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, Third Uncle, Third Aunt, please be careful on your way." Li Kaixin got up to see them off.

"Okay!" Uncle waved and led his daughter outside.

As the two families gradually walked away, the voices of my second uncle's two sons could still be heard from time to time in the darkness:

"Dad, will we be able to have pork tomorrow?"

Li Kaixin vaguely heard her second aunt's laughing and scolding response, accompanied by the sound of a light pat on her back: "Want to eat again tomorrow? Don't you know how to manage a meal!"

Only after they were completely out of sight did Li Kaixin help her grandparents slowly walk back into the house.

......