Transmigrated into a fat wife, farming, raising children, and picking up husbands

Soon, the neighbors returned one after another.

Aunt Liu was carrying a small basket of eggs, saying they were from her own chickens and were very fresh.

Granny Wang carried a basket of green vegetables, lush and still glistening with dew. Old Zhou held a large, tender piece of tofu and placed it on the cutting board.

Some brought scallions, some brought bowls of sauce, and some carried two small fish, all stuffing them into Lin Xiuer's hands.

"Take it, take it, don't be shy!"

"They're all homegrown, they're worthless!"

"From now on, we're neighbors. Let's visit each other often!"

Lin Xiuer looked at the full load in her hands, and then at those warm faces.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but then felt that anything she said would be superfluous.

Liu Songnian stood to the side, watching this scene, and stroked his beard and smiled.

He turned to the two young waiters and said, "What are you standing there for? Move the tables and chairs inside and set them up. The braised chicken will be ready soon, and we'll have plenty to eat!"

Lin Xiuer no longer stood on ceremony with the neighbors.

There were indeed quite a few people. When she was preparing the ingredients, she had only planned to prepare enough for the ten or so people.

My own family of three, plus Hu Yidao, the Liu family father and daughter, the two young masters and their followers, that's all there is to it.

But now, seven or eight more neighbors have joined the courtyard, making it nearly twenty people in total, young and old.

Those bowls of braised dishes were gone in just a few bites.

Lin Xiuer looked at the remaining ingredients on the cutting board—tofu, lotus root, and the eggs that the neighbors had brought earlier—and had an idea.

She cut the tofu and lotus root into thick slices and put them into the pot. The tofu and lotus root tumbled and floated in the soup, slowly turning into a dark brown color.

"Don't rush, everyone," she said loudly. "These ingredients absorb flavor easily and don't need to be braised for too long before they're ready to eat."

She put the lid on the pot and went to do other things.

The small stove on the cart is lit, a small pot is placed on it, water is poured in, and the eggs are put in to cook.

Lin Xiuer took them out and rinsed them in cold water, then peeled and washed them one by one before putting them into the braising pot.

While I was boiling and peeling the eggs, the tofu and lotus root slices were also braised.

Lin Xiuer scooped the tofu and lotus root slices into a bowl. The tofu, soaked in the braising liquid, was a glossy, dark brown color, and looked incredibly tender, trembling slightly.

Lin Xiuer poured two more spoonfuls of braising liquid on it. Old Zhou squatted by the stove, his nose twitching like a dog.

"This flavor..." he smacked his lips, "The tofu soaks up this broth, it must be so delicious..."

Sister Liu laughed at him, "Old Zhou, you're drooling!"

Old Zhou wiped his mouth, chuckled twice, and wasn't annoyed.

"Come on, eat these first!" She carried the bowl outside.

Grandma Sun was stunned the moment the tofu entered her mouth.

The tofu was so tender that it melted in your mouth without you even having to chew it. The aroma of the braising liquid had completely permeated it, making it savory and delicious.

"This tofu..." she smacked her lips, "How can it be so delicious?"

Old Zhou picked up a slice of lotus root, took a bite, and the delicate fragrance of the lotus root mixed with the salty aroma of the braising broth was indescribably delicious.

"Great!" He slapped his thigh. "This lotus root is even more fragrant than meat!"

Aunt Liu nodded as she ate, too busy to say anything.

Dog Egg's mouth was covered in food, his little face was all smeared, and he was still reaching out for more from the bowl.

Xiao Lian was rather refined, but her eyes were bright.

Old Fang had bad teeth and couldn't chew anything else, so he ate tofu. He picked up a piece with trembling hands, put it in his mouth, smacked his lips, and a glimmer of light appeared in his cloudy eyes.

He picked up another piece and ate it slowly.

The eggs in the pot are almost done braising.

Lin Xiuer scooped them out, cut them in half, and arranged them in a bowl. The egg yolks were golden yellow, and the egg whites, soaked in the braising liquid, had a dark brown hue, making them look incredibly tempting.

"The eggs are ready!" she said, bringing out a bowl.

This time there's no need to fight over it; everyone gets half.

Dog Egg held the half-eaten egg, reluctant to eat it. He first smelled it, then licked it, before taking small bites to savor it.

"Grandma, this is delicious too..." he mumbled.

After finishing her egg, Aunt Liu wiped her mouth and looked at the sky.

"Oh dear, it's getting late." She stood up and pulled Xiaolian along. "We have to go back and cook. My husband isn't home, but we still have to feed the chickens and ducks."

Granny Sun also stood up and pulled Gou Dan along, saying, "We're going back too. Gou Dan's parents will be finishing work soon and need to go back to tend the fire."

Old Zhou stood up, patted his clothes, and said, "Alright, I had a great meal today, thanks a lot, young lady!"

Old Fang slowly stood up, nodded to Lin Xiuer, and walked out with his cane.

The neighbors gradually dispersed, and the courtyard slowly quieted down.

As they walked to the door, they turned back and waved to Lin Xiuer.

"Hey girl, come over to my place sometime!"

"I'll bring you some pickled vegetables to try tomorrow!"

"If you need any help in the future, just let us know."

Lin Xiuer stood in the courtyard and waved goodbye to them. The courtyard gate closed, and finally only her own people remained in the courtyard.

Dusk had fallen, the last rays of the setting sun sank behind the western mountains, and the stars shone overhead.

Hu Yidao found the lantern he had bought that afternoon, lit it, and hung it on the pillar at the entrance of the west wing. The dim yellow light spread out, illuminating a small, bright area.

Ping An went to get two jugs of wine this afternoon, and now he's taking them out of the kitchen and putting them on the table.

Hu Yidao leaned in, took a sniff, and chuckled: "Good wine!"

The tables and chairs were just brought in by Liu Songnian. After unloading the goods, he sent the two workers back.

Two tables were placed together, with stools arranged in a circle.

Lin Xiuer and Xiao He were busy by the stove, carrying out the cut braised dishes one by one.

She didn't cut up all the braised dishes and serve them to the neighbors; she kept some of them.

The two pig trotters were left intact and placed on a large plate. They were a deep reddish-brown color, with the skin and meat slightly cracked, revealing the trembling tendons inside.

A bowl of braised pork intestines, cut into sections, drizzled with braising liquid.

A plate of shredded tripe, mixed with some shredded scallions, sesame oil, and vinegar, smells so appetizing.

There were also plenty of braised tofu, braised lotus root slices, and braised eggs, filling several plates to the brim.

The braised eggs were cut in half, the egg whites were golden yellow, and the egg whites were dark brown, and they were arranged in a circle.

Chicken hearts and livers, which cook easily, were also served separately on two plates, sprinkled with chopped green onions, and smelled delicious.

There was also a plate of stir-fried greens, which was the bunch that Granny Wang brought over. It was simply stir-fried, and the greens were vibrant and refreshing, helping to cut through the greasiness.

The braised chicken in the pot is almost ready.

There were about ten plates of various sizes, filling the entire table.

Liu Ruyan helped set the table, swallowing hard as she did so.

Several men helped set out the chairs. Liu Songnian stroked his beard, looked at the table full of dishes, and smiled, "A feast, a truly feast."

"Come on, everyone, the dishes are all served, please sit down," Lin Xiuer said.

Hu Yidao couldn't wait any longer. He rubbed his hands together, his eyes scanning the table, muttering, "This looks delicious, and this looks delicious too."

The two young masters, Chen Mingxuan and Wu Liangcai, didn't stand on ceremony. They plopped down, picked up their chopsticks, and were about to start eating.

Liu Songnian sat at the head of the table, and Liu Ruyan sat next to him, watching them joke around with a smile.

Xiao He sat next to Lin Xiuer, her eyes bright, swallowing hard as she looked at the dishes on the table.

Ping An poured everyone a drink.