Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 81 - 80: Shameless

Chapter 81: Chapter 80: Shameless

Chen Afu smiled and said, "Master Luo, you may as well join us for lunch at my place, I can whip up a few of my best dishes for you to sample."

Junior Manager Luo showed no formality in response, laughing, "Alright, I’ve heard from Cheng and Mei that Madam Chen’s cooking is unbeatable." He added, "Drinking alone isn’t as fun, so let’s invite Junior Officer Gao and Carpenter Wu over. I’ll make a trip to Shui Village, tell Junior Officer Liu that I’m here and he should also come for a drink. Don’t forget Master Yu and Junior Officer Yu from Guqiao Village, invite them over as well."

Chen Ming, Chen Ye, and the others were somewhat bewildered when they heard these names of the much-talked-about local figures.

Chen Afu hastily replied, "Okay, okay", with eminent admiration impressed on Junior Manager Luo. By inviting such prestigious and influential people to a meal at the Chens’, one day’s deed outmatches a hundred days’ talk in silencing Hu Laowu.

Chen Afu and Mrs. Wang brewed some tea and brought out peanuts and candies to entertain these distinguished guests, then they excused themselves.

Chen Afu told Mrs. Wang, "Hurry over to Guqiao Village and buy some meat - a few pounds of semi-fatty ham, some ribs, a pound of tenderloin, and some pork liver and head meat while you’re at it. Along the way, also make a stop in the village and pick up a few pounds of good wine."

Chen Agui was called upon next, asked to invite those whom Junior Manager Luo had brought up, and hurriedly departed to fulfil the tasks.

With Zhui Feng, Chen Afu quickly went to the vegetable garden to pick some vegetables and rushed back to get busy.

Shortly thereafter, Junior Officer Gao and Carpenter Wu arrived at the Chens’. Ever so polite, Carpenter Wu even brought a carp and a bowl of quail eggs as gifts.

With so many esteemed guests, Mrs. Chen grew a pair of wings under her feet, rushing out to help Chen Afu. Chen Afu dared not slaughter the chicken, so Mrs. Chen took over the job.

After Master Yu, Junior Officer Yu, and Junior Officer Liu arrived, the small house could hardly contain everybody. The crowd moved their chatter to the courtyard under the jujube tree. Chen Afu and Chen Agui fetched the new table and chairs from their house for the guests.

Villagers passing by the Chens’ were green with envy at the sight of such esteemed guests gathered in the courtyard.

In reminiscent speeches, Junior Manager Luo spoke of the close ties his family had with the Chens’ second house, how his father had always appreciated Chen Dabao, predicting the boy’s future success, and how much his children enjoyed the Chens’ dishes...

The discerning ones played along as the conversation flowed.

Meanwhile, four unexpected guests arrived – Yang Mingyuan, Yang Chao, Yang Qian, and a man in his thirties whom Chen Afu knew. He was a chef from the Xile Restaurant who had taught him how to braise meat. They also brought numerous gifts.

Chen Afu had expected Yang Mingyuan to come earlier and wondered why he didn’t show up until today.

Unexpectedly, Junior Manager Luo also knew Yang Mingyuan. Seeing him arrive, he exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, Uncle Yang, what brings you here?"

Yang Mingyuan responded with a humble bow and a smile, "Master Luo, what a pleasant surprise. My children wanted to play with Dabao, and I also needed to discuss some business matters with the Chens, so I came."

Chen Afu had Alu take Yang Chao and his sister to play with Er Niao and the doggies in the New Courtyard and asked Chen Agui to take Dabao to Tang Garden and invite Luo Mingcheng and Luo Mei to join them.

After some thought, he added, "Also, call Dahu and Daya over. The more the merrier for the kids’ play."

Shaking his head, Chen Agui said, "Never mind, if they come, my..." He felt uncomfortable admitting that his mother would inevitably follow, afraid she’d utter something inappropriate amidst such distinguished guests. Moreover, it was clear that everyone was here today to show support for the Chens’ second house and put Hu Laowu in his place.

After Luo Mingcheng and Luo Mei arrived and Dabao got Shitou to join, everyone was having a great time in the New Courtyard. The kids were playing with Qi Qi and Hui Hui, their laughter echoing around.

Dinner began, with the important guests seated at one table in the old courtyard, and the elderly and children at another in the new courtyard. Chen Afu and Mrs. Wang were busy in the kitchen.

The first to be served at the tables were sliced marinated pork head, ham, ribs, liver, dried tofu, and quail eggs, along with dishes of mixed cucumber salad and fried peanuts. They were served to accompany the drinks.

Junior Manager Luo was initially puzzled about the connection between Yang Mingyuan and the Chens. But after tasting the marinated food, he partly understood - the flavors were almost identical to the unique nine-spice marinated meat served at the Xile Restaurant. Both father and son loved this nine-spice marinated meat and would buy some every time they visited the county town. Sometimes, they would make a detour to the county town to buy more even when they were at the capital city, to present it as a tribute to Master Luo.

He even thought that the food here smelled even better. Not just the marinated dishes, but all the dishes were delicious, even the cucumber was crunchier. No wonder his children loved eating at this restaurant.

Then longan steamed meat, golden slippery meat, braised fish, two vegetarian options and then a chicken stew was served.

If Chen Afu hasn’t guessed incorrectly, Yang Mingyuan came today specifically for the golden slippery meat.

Glutinous rice dates with osmanthus were easy to make, but making authentic golden slippery meat was tough. Even if the flavor of the meat is somewhat similar, it would be impossible to reproduce the crisp exterior and tender interior. Firstly, breadcrumbs are not available at this age, and then the cuts of meat would need to be tenderized using the back of the knife.

Just as everyone was enjoying their meal, Hu Laowu suddenly arrived.

Hu Laowu was well-known in Xiangluo Village and even the nearby villages. Many families would invite him regardless of their true feelings when they had important guests.

He shamelessly laughed, "Oh, what a tempting aroma from Chen’s house today! What brings all these important guests here?" He then turned to Chen Ming and laughingly said, "You must’ve sent Agui to invite me to this feast? Ah, I was in the county town yesterday and only just returned."

What a brazen face.

Chen Ming glanced at him and turned his face away.

Junior Manager Luo said with a smirk, "We hadn’t originally planned to invite you to dine, but I did think of discussing some matters with you afterwards, you’ve just arrived earlier."

Hu Laowu, completely unaffected, laughed aloud, "I dare not call myself ’Master’ in front of Master Luo. Chen is my relative, I should have come earlier to help him entertain the guests." He then said to Chen Agu, "Go, fetch a chair for your uncle."

Among those present, Hu Laowu was truly wary of Junior Manager Luo and Master Yu only because both of them were far more influential than him, especially the Luo family. His brother-in-law had said that even the county lord gave them respect.

He didn’t fear the other junior officers, but he would be concerned if they banded together against him.

There was a young man at the table who Hu Laowu did not recognize, but from his attire and demeanor, Hu Laowu inferred that he was no ordinary person.

Hu Laowu had managed to rise from a small village ruffian to his current status, and he had certainly established survival rules of his own.

He had a wide grin on his face and gave out words of welcome incessantly. Upon taking a seat, he first drank three cups of wine as a penalty, saying he had been late and had kept the guests waiting.

Chen Afu, listening from the kitchen, gritted his teeth, while Mrs. Wang whispered curses, "Damn fool, shameless."

Junior Manager Luo watched Hu Laowu finish his chatter and repeated his claims of a deep bond between his family and the Chens from the second house. He then changed the subject and asked Chen Ming, "I’ve heard that your son Dabao was bullied by someone? I also heard that last night, someone even dumped manure into your yard?"