Her Cultivation Diary-Chapter 143 - : 143. Casual Lunch Chat_1

Chapter 143: 143. Casual Lunch Chat_1

Today at noon, there were more than just twenty people at Old Song’s family.

Just the twenty people planting trees on the mountain alone, plus the two aunties helping in the kitchen, another three digging bamboo shoots, and including Zhang Yanping and Zhang Wang’s family, even Old Li who was watching the pond being drained was invited over…

A total of thirty-six people!

It’s a good thing that they had helpers in advance, otherwise they wouldn’t even have had enough time to set up the tables and benches.

With so many people, the plates were borrowed from neighbors, and luckily, the use of disposable bowls and chopsticks solved the problem, preventing the lunch from feeling too cramped.

But…

While the guests felt the courtyard was spacious, Seventh Uncle, who was confined to the kitchen, felt he couldn’t stretch out anywhere!

Take the oil pot, for instance. During big feasts in the past, they would use a large iron spoon to scoop directly from the enamel tank.

But now, with the small pots and stoves, Seventh Uncle couldn’t even wield his own spatula… It might also be that he hadn’t cooked for such a large gathering in several years, so his skills were a bit rusty, which was very awkward.

However, as the tender bamboo shoots hit the wok and the burst of their fresh fragrance filled the air, a proud smile spread across Seventh Uncle’s face:

“It’s a good thing they asked for me in time. With so many people, the niece-in-law wouldn’t have been able to handle it!”

“Just don’t ruin my dish later.”

He had a point. Many people cook well at home, but lose their touch when cooking for a crowd, either making the food too salty or too bland, or simply not performing at their best…

Even if it’s just the cooking temperature that’s off, Seventh Uncle would consider it a waste of good ingredients.

Seventh Grandma was assisting him and glanced at him:

“What do you mean ‘your dish’? Did you grow it or did you buy it?”

“Besides, it’s only today that we have so many people. It’s not like this every day.”

Seventh Uncle’s shoulders slumped in an instant.

People like them need a crowd to show off their skills!

But then he thought, even if they didn’t have more than thirty people, with their big family plus the two of them, there were always about twenty people.

His old arms and legs were just right for cooking for these people.

It was enjoyable, good for keeping him in shape, there was work to do, and it wasn’t too exhausting—

“I really did come at the right time!”

On the other hand, Song Tan was asking her dad, “Will we be able to finish planting the peach trees today?”

“Yes,” Song Sancheng said confidently:

“Go up to the mountain and have a look. We’ve already planted more than half. After lunch and getting back to work, we should be done around three.”

Otherwise, it would’ve been a waste to invite so many people!

Thinking of this, Song Sancheng couldn’t help but sigh, “I have to say, your Uncle Zhang really is meticulous.”

He was referring to Zhang Wang’s family.

“The edges of the mountain are piled with fertilizer, and all the manure hauled over from his house has been put into the ground as a base fertilizer. Just one more rainfall, and these peach trees are bound to take root. We’ll definitely see fruit this year.”

They had to, otherwise wouldn’t it be nerve-wracking? With all the money spent on the trees across the mountain, tens of thousands, they needed some results.

“I just hope for good weather this year!”

Seeing the hopeful look in her father’s eyes, Song Tan was also full of confidence, “Don’t worry!”

The meal was a lively affair, and it seemed like the whole village hadn’t gathered like this in a long while.

While eating, someone praised Seventh Uncle’s cooking and asked, “Sancheng, since you’ve even brought in a top chef, will there be more work in the future? Don’t forget to call me when there’s work to do!”

Song Sancheng just laughed heartily, giving off an honest vibe, “When there’s work to be done, I’ll definitely rely on everyone’s help. Nowadays, it’s not even me who calls the shots at my place, we have to listen to Tantan.”

Then someone laughed out loud, “Tantan has hardly ever worked the fields, what does she know? Matters of the land still need your decision.”

As soon as this was said, another chimed in, “Exactly, I’ve been meaning to say—what’s this about Eagle Beak Peaches? We’ve never heard of that around here. If you’re going to plant anything, it should be Flat Peaches. They might be ugly, but they fetch a high price.”

“Well, you’re wrong there; it should really be grapes, grapevines are even cheaper!”

“If you ask me, you didn’t buy enough saplings. Look at other people’s Peach Gardens, they are all crammed together, but our side looks so sparse. Peach trees also grow slowly…”

The villagers were very enthusiastic in their discussion, as if they were talking about their own land, and everything was settled just like that.

However, through all the talk, they didn’t take Song Tan, who was supposed to be in charge, seriously at all.

Wu Lan’s face darkened, and just as she took a deep breath and was about to say something, she was patted on the arm by Song Tan.

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“Mom,” she whispered, “there’s no need to say so much now. When the fruit harvest is abundant and actually brings in money, naturally people will be willing to listen to me.”

Even without waiting for the fruit harvest, just let them see if the vegetables are profitable next month. Let the villagers see it with their own eyes and take their time to figure it out in their heads.

It’s an old issue in the village, where the older ones think the younger lack experience, men think women can’t do the work, and adults don’t take what the children say seriously.

Of course, it’s not just in the village; it’s the same all over the country. You can’t really say if it’s good or bad, and there’s no need for arguments at this point.

Wu Lan sighed, “I understand…”

Then she became proud, “Underestimated your mother, right? Whether this year’s vegetables are good or not, we’ll have to see if it’s luck or if our soil is really that good. If we always have this quality in the future, then we can proudly speak out about it.”

“If I brag now and later the quality isn’t as good, won’t I be smacking my face on the ground? I won’t do that.”

“We need to make a fortune quietly.”

However, as quiet as she was, some aunts couldn’t help but to switch from the topic of farming to Song Tan’s personal affairs.

“Ah, Tantan, you work in Ning City, why don’t you find a partner there? It’s so tough for a girl to come back and farm.”

“That’s right! How old is Tantan this year? I have a distant nephew…”

Song Tan: …

She wasn’t intimidated and instead responded with ease, “Sure, Auntie, bring over any good-looking relatives you have, and if someone is willing to dig Tea Mountain for a month for my family, I’ll be willing to meet him…”

At this, everyone burst into laughter.

Even the aunt who suggested it was all smiles, “How come you’re so clever with your terms? That job of digging Tea Mountain, I guess even your dad wouldn’t want to do it…”

Digging Tea Mountain was usually done during the summer break, facing the scorching heat. Most people really couldn’t endure it! If a boy had that kind of perseverance, he would be looked up to wherever he went.

Song Tan also smiled merrily, “Look, Auntie, I’m pretty and strong, shouldn’t I be a bit picky?”

Chatting in the village is like this, many people don’t think too deeply and just say whatever comes to mind.

Everyone is used to this straightforward way of talking, the more forthright you are, the clearer it is to everyone else.

At this point, everyone understood—Tantan of Lao Song’s family has high standards, and an ordinary man wouldn’t dare to be introduced to her!