Chapter 57: Return to Hometown (Part 2)

  Shen Mo asked the doctor if he had examined him, and Zhangzi's father smiled: "He has been examined. He doesn't lack arms or legs, and there is nothing wrong with him." Zhangzi was still turning around in the room, showing Shen Mo that he was fine, and after finishing, he scratched his head and laughed: "Shen Jing bought ten buns for me, and I ate eight of them in one breath."

  "It seems like nothing's wrong after all." The whole room burst out laughing. They turned their attention back to Shen Mo and asked him, "How are you, Master Shen?" "Where do you two live now?" "How does the Shen family treat you?" and other questions. Shen Mo patiently answered one by one, his heart longing for Shen Jing to return soon.

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  Shen Jing handled things very efficiently and returned in less than half an hour, with two brown-clad assistants following behind him, each pushing a handcart.

  "Let's stop here." When they arrived at the eldest son's house, Shen Jing took out two pieces of silver from his pocket and threw one to each of the two accomplices, saying: "The extra will serve as a deposit, you can go back first, and we'll settle everything later."

  Those two guys were already nervous... This official looked unfamiliar and didn't seem like a good person. The two guys were afraid that he would take them to a deserted place by the river, suddenly turn around, smile slyly, and ask if they wanted to eat knife-cut noodles or wonton noodles?!

  The two silver ingots were handed over, and upon testing, both weighed two taels. The two men immediately felt at ease, one of them laughing as he said, "Take your time, sir..." while the other swiftly ran away without a sound.

  Shen Jing suddenly rubbed his cheek and shouted at the courtyard: "Come out a few helpers!"

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  The neighbors were overjoyed, and seven or eight square tables were moved in, lined up in the courtyard, and another table was set up inside for the women and children. The ten pairs of wine-braised chicken, 40 catties of braised fish, 20 catties of sauce beef, 10 catties of pork tripe, 10 catties of lamb offal, and a full table of homemade boiled peanuts and broad beans were all laid out.

  Seeing such a delicacy that only appears in dreams, the children suddenly forgot their mischief and sat quietly in the house, staring straight at the plump chicken meat on the table. All you could hear was the sound of swallowing saliva, but before the adults outside started eating, not one of them dared to take action.

  The adults outside used a ladle to scoop wine from the large wine barrel, pouring the golden liquid into white porcelain bowls. They clicked their tongues and said, "This is real wine! Who knows how much water was added to those bought by Wang Laojiu from East Head?" Someone with a witty mouth laughed and said, "You should ask them how much wine they added!" This immediately triggered a burst of laughter. It's common knowledge in the village that Wang Laojiu always mixes his wine half-and-half with water to sell it cheaply. But who can resist buying from him when his wine is half the price of what's sold at the big stores?

  The eldest son, He Duan, held a bowl of yellow wine as clear as amber and respectfully placed it in front of Shen Jing. With a stiff smile, he said: "Young master is too generous, you are a good person, we ordinary people are fortunate to have you." The surrounding villagers also chimed in: "Please take care of us, young master."

  Shen Jing was initially confused, but then realized... They thought Shen Mo was living in his own home and would have to rely on him for everything, so they all wanted to say a few good words for him, to let him suffer less bullying. Shen Jing couldn't help but secretly smile wryly, thinking: 'Who knows who's taking care of whom...' But being considered more capable than Shen Mo made him very happy, and he turned his head wanting to tease him a bit, only to see Shen Mo slightly lowering his head, his eyes still faintly red.

  "Hey, getting emotional?" Knowing that talking nonsense wouldn't end well, he quickly changed his tune and explained: "Everyone's misunderstood, we're closer than biological brothers... we're paternal half-brothers." As he said this, he forcefully wrapped his arm around Shen Mo's shoulder and continued: "We share clothes, eat together, even sleep in the same bed... hey..." But before he could finish, Shen Mo secretly gave him a punch.

  Seeing the two of them so affectionate, everyone finally put their minds at ease and said with joy: "That's good, that's good. Young Master will know sooner or later, Cao Sheng will have a great future!" The eldest son's father also gave Shen Mo a bowl of fragrant yellow wine and chuckled: "Whether Shen is here or not, you should also drink a bowl."

  "Thank you, Uncle Yao," Shen Mo smiled silently. "I've been wanting to try it for a long time, but my dad never allowed me."

  Seeing the eldest son licking his tongue on the side, his father also gave him a bowl and stared at him: "You are also following Xiao Guanren and Chao Sheng to bask in the glory!" The eldest son smiled foolishly: "I've been wanting to try it for a long time..." This led to another burst of loud laughter from everyone.

  Everyone put a bowl in front of all the men and they all looked at Shen Jing, wanting him to say a few words as an opening remark.

  Shen Jing looked at himself again and suddenly said with an uncontrollable smile to Shen Mo: "I find that I have fallen in love with this place."

  "Hmph," he snorted softly, muttering under his breath, "Just speak up, don't embarrass me."

  Shen Jing raised his wine glass, chuckled and stood up, first expressing his excitement, then thanking everyone for their flattery, and finally summarizing this "rescue of the eldest son" action, especially emphasizing his own role in it.

  The longest speech dragged on and on without an end in sight, everyone's stomach was growling with hunger, yet they still had to patiently listen... until a soft and gentle childlike voice came from inside the house: "Mom, the little one has fallen asleep, why hasn't he finished speaking yet?"

  Shen Jing's face suddenly turned red, and he muttered: "Let this cup of wine celebrate the safe return of our eldest son!" Immediately, a burst of applause erupted, and over a dozen large bowls clinked together, splashing out golden liquor. Everyone shouted in unison: "Cheers!"

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  After finishing this bowl, the eldest son's father no longer allowed Shen Mo and the eldest son to drink together. He said, "If you let him drink again, Mr. Shen will complain."

  "Still haven't had enough fun yet."

  The eldest son's father chuckled and said, "Eat more dishes, it's all just a habit."

  "Look at Shen Jing drinking excessively over there. Shen Mo said in a low, jealous tone: 'Drink, drink, drink! Let's see how you'll handle it when you get drunk!'"

  Shen Jing indeed got drunk very quickly...... This guy is extremely generous and has no sense of propriety, whenever someone offers him a toast, he never refuses. Although the eldest son's father only poured him half a cup each time, after one round, more than ten cups of yellow wine went down his throat, and in an instant, he was drunk...

  This guy got drunk and didn't cry or make a scene, he just sat there laughing to himself. At first everyone thought it was really funny, but after listening for a while they started to feel uneasy too. Shen Mo had no choice but to stand up and say: "It's getting late, I'll take him back now, if we're late the door won't open."

  Everyone knew that a big household had many rules and it was not good to stay, so they quickly followed and sent the two of them far away.

  Several uncles volunteered to help carry Shen Jing back.

  "Shenmo shook his head with a smile: 'This guy can still walk, you all just go back and drink.'"

  Yao Lao Die was still worried, so he let his eldest son follow and sent the two of them to the Shen family's door before returning.

  Division line

  I don't know what's wrong again, I couldn't log in to the writer's zone for half a day, it's simply maddening... Comfort me with some votes!!