Back to the 60s: The Struggle Career of a Charmed Wife
Chapter 898: A Group of Masters 6

Chapter 898: Chapter 898: A Group of Masters 6

Out of reverence for these masters, Feng Qingxue and Lu Jiang meticulously prepared a large table of dishes, opening two bottles of Maotai and two bottles of Fen liquor, pouring forth all they could display to their guests.

As far as Feng Qingxue knew, among these masters, aside from Wenyue and Madam Xu—two women who didn’t drink alcohol—the others all enjoyed it.

This year, Wen Ruyu was seventy-two years old, and everyone recommended that he take the seat of honor, parallel to the head of the household, Father Lu. He glanced at the dishes on the table, giving Father Lu a thumbs-up, "Your son and daughter-in-law are really generous. I like it."

How could they not be generous? Anyone would feel respected.

A large bowl of Dongpo pork, neither too much nor too little, exactly sixteen pieces, arranged neatly in squares, red and glossy with a tempting aroma.

A plate of sliced luncheon meat, a plate of sliced salted duck eggs, a plate of five-spiced peanuts, a plate of scrambled eggs with Chinese toon, a plate of stir-fried leeks with cured meat, a plate of stir-fried sausages with red peppers, a plate of cold marinated wild mint, a plate of stir-fried wolfberry sprouts with oil and salt, and a big bowl each of stewed dried wild rabbit and dried chicken, along with a large bowl of Granny’s egg drop soup.

There were dishes both rich and plain, well-matched in combination.

Red was red, green was green, yellow was yellow—the color, fragrance, and taste were all present.

The staple food was fried wheat bread and rice, because some liked flour-based food while others preferred rice; just like Wenyue, although she and her husband Zhu Ling were sent here from the Capital, they were from the Jiang Nan area and liked eating rice.

Wenyue softly said to Feng Qingxue, "You’ve worked hard, making so many dishes."

Even in the Capital, their food did not measure up to a tenth of what was before their eyes.

Feng Qingxue smiled and said, "It’s no trouble. Ajiang and I have long admired all the masters’ reputations. Being able to meet you today, we are both excited and apprehensive, fearing that our reception might not be up to par."

"The reception has been very thorough, very thorough!" Jin Ruochu hurried to say, his eyes fixed on the Dongpo pork.

As he said this, the others laughed along, saying one after the other, "Indeed, we’re already overwhelmed by your hospitality. We’re truly at a loss for words; it’s only during tough times that one understands what is most precious."

There were those who avoided us, those who kicked us when we were down, and only a very few who sent us charcoal in the snow.

Except for the two teachers from Wanglou Brigade School, who had a better understanding of Wanglou Brigade, the others had thought they would end up dying in these rural parts after being sent here; little did they expect to find a silver lining. Aside from the more strenuous labor, they didn’t suffer abuse here, especially in terms of spirit. Compared with the conditions in the Capital and Huaibei City now, it was like being in a celestial palace.

Father Lu called out, "Enough talk, let’s eat the dishes while they’re hot. What can’t we talk about after we eat? Ajiang, pour wine for the old masters and grab some chopsticks, don’t just stand there."

Lu Jiang replied affirmatively and hurried to pour wine and offer chopsticks together with Acheng.

"We dare not accept such courtesy; you are a national cadre now," Jin Ruochu hurriedly said.

They accepted Acheng’s respect with composure, for they were all his teachers and elders. Even the two teachers from Wanglou Brigade had taught Acheng. However, they didn’t take Lu Jiang’s respect for granted.

Lu Jiang said with a smile, "You are an elder, a senior. What’s there not to accept? Today, let’s not talk about cadres or not."

Feng Qingxue picked up the chopsticks in front of Madam Xu and Wenyue and placed them in their hands, "Madam Xu, Teacher Wen, don’t hesitate to eat. Try the food Ajiang, Acheng, and I have made, and if you like it, we’ll invite you again."