To facilitate completion before the New Year, work officially began today with the addition of a few more workers.
Together with Gu Jinchen, there were a total of 23 people.
If they worked quickly, they should be able to finish before the New Year.
As the call rang out, everyone got busy, with Gu Jinchen also pitching in, while Luo Ge helped welcome those coming to buy peanuts and seeds.
Around 10:30 AM, people started arriving with gifts.
"Luo Ge!"
"Oh, Sister-in-law, you're here."
"Yes, these vegetables need to be washed, right? We'll take them to the river first."
The first to arrive was Wang Sister-In-Law, along with Ma Feng Auntie and others.
Today, with the workers, clan members, and fellow villagers added together, there would probably be around seven or eight tables of people, and Wang Sister-In-Law and the others were there to help.
They also took the opportunity to bring congratulatory gifts.
"Okay."
After confirming with Luo Ge, Wang Sister-In-Law took the items to the river.
"Sister-in-law, I've brought the meat from the butcher's for you all."
Li Qiao came right after Wang Sister-In-Law and the others, and also brought the meat they had pre-ordered from the butcher.
"Oh, good, you've worked hard. Come in and have some tea first."
She actually didn't know Li Qiao very well.
But from the situation on the mountain last time, she could see that Li Qiao and Gu Jinchen shared a strong brotherly bond.
"Okay," Li Qiao replied, looking around the courtyard and at the busy Gu Jinchen.
But instead of resting, he joined Gu Jinchen in helping out.
Seeing the two brothers pat each other on the shoulder and start cooperating, Luo Ge didn't bother them.
"I'll go get the vegetables from Granny Dou."
After informing Gu Jinchen, she went with Aunt Zhang to Granny Dou's to collect the bean sprouts and tofu they had arranged earlier.
When they returned, the peanuts and seeds had been collected, and Wang Sister-In-Law was back too, so Luo Ge went into the kitchen with Wang Sister-In-Law and the others to prepare the noon meal.
The main dishes were braised pork with radish and braised chicken with potatoes, with steamed buns as the staple, along with tofu and bean sprouts as side dishes, a plate of stir-fried peanuts, and a vegetable soup.
It was basically five dishes and one soup for the meal.
Since they were making enough for seven or eight tables, braising would be more convenient and the taste would not be compromised.
Luo Ge had originally wanted to just make a random stew, but considering that some people might not like it, and that there was a custom of having various side dishes, she gave up on that idea.
While they were busy in the kitchen, the closer fellow villagers gradually arrived too. Since Luo Ge was occupied in the kitchen, Luo Auntie, who had come early, helped welcome the guests outside.
"Everyone, please sit and chat for a while and have some tea. The meal will be served soon."
After the busy preparations and with the meal time approaching, seeing that most people had arrived, Luo Ge hurriedly welcomed them.
She then took the dishes out to the table one by one, "Older Baby, go call your uncles and the other men back. It's time to eat."
Turning to Older Baby, she said this, as the two little ones had taken leave from school today.
"Okay."
Older Baby answered and went outside with Second Baby and Tie Dan.
Soon after, Second Baby came running back into the kitchen, tugging at Luo Ge's clothes and pointing outside with a small hand, "Sister-in-law, that Uncle Li has come."
Hearing this, Luo Ge wiped her hands and looked outside, indeed spotting Li Shopkeeper carrying a gift, with a horse-drawn carriage parked outside.
This time, he had brought an unfamiliar face, a graceful young gentleman.
His physique seemed a bit like the one she had seen at the Fuxin Shop's attic last time.
"Big brother Li, you're here."
[One update for today, will have 4 updates tomorrow~]
