While geese were being stewed on one side, the large pot on the other side had to start preparing for soup. This fish maw and old chicken soup needed time to settle to bring out its essence, and it would be just right by the time the banquet started at seven in the evening.
At three in the afternoon, the last three chickens were steamed. Then, the two geese were put in. Although stewing them on a gas stove wouldn't make them as tender or flavorful, there was no other option.
With all the main dishes prepared, Li Haochen let out a sigh of relief. Perhaps he was too tired and sleepy, as he dozed off while sitting on a chair watching the fire.
"My geese!"
Li Haochen jolted awake from his dream, looking at the quilt covering him and then at the large pot. The geese were nowhere to be seen. Just as he was wondering, a familiar figure walked in.
"Uncle, you're here."
"We arrived a while ago. You rest, we'll handle the rest. You look exhausted."
"That won't do. You all go out and socialize. I can manage."
Li Dehai immediately put on a stern face and said, "What, you don't listen to your uncle anymore? Get out quickly."
"Yes, Haochen. Go join the others."
"Then... alright! Uncle, the fish is in the refrigerator. You can cook it later. I'll go out and greet everyone."
Li Haochen walked out. The living room was already lively; he didn't need to greet anyone. Murong Yanran and the others were doing an excellent job of hosting.
"Brother Chen..."
"Haochen, you're here. Quickly, quickly, let me touch you to share some luck. These three guys have won all my milk powder money."
Before Li Haochen could speak, Liang Minfeng ran over and touched him all over. Then, he grinned at Chen He and the others at the card table, "Watch me decimate you all! Hahaha!"
"Tch, you?"
A Long and a few others were buying groceries nearby, looking like they had already settled in.
Murong Yanran naturally saw Li Haochen come out but was surrounded by Liu Zijun and the others, unable to leave.
Meanwhile, Xie Baolian was chatting with Li Haochen's relatives and friends from his hometown, including Dai Changrun and his family. They seemed to be getting along well.
At that moment, Li Dehai and his wife in the kitchen were dumbfounded. This was a large yellow croaker. Having spent their lives by the sea, how could they not recognize it? They had caught one a few years ago, and it was sold for fifteen hundred yuan even at just over a jin. This one before them was at least three jin, so it must be three to four thousand yuan. With five of them, this dish alone was worth nearly twenty thousand. They were truly generous. If they knew that one of these was worth tens of thousands, they might have fainted on the spot.
"Haochen, come and pay respects."
By then, Li Dehai and his wife had set up a square table. The chicken, goose, pork, fruits, and dishes were arranged in order according to custom. Li Haochen walked over, took the incense, bowed sincerely three times, and then began burning paper money.
Murong Yanran and the other two women did not come to pay respects together this time. They were not yet considered true family by Li Haochen, and it was improper for them to be present in such a ceremony.
While Li Haochen was performing the ritual, Murong Yanran and the others were not idle. They were now setting the tableware in the courtyard and arranging the guests in their seats. There was a table for the villagers of Dalong Village, one for Dai Changrun and his family, one for Chen He and Gu Xiaonian, and one for the Li family relatives and the hosts. A total of five tables were filled to capacity, making it very lively.
Li Haochen walked to the entrance and lit firecrackers. An eighty-eight-thousand-firecracker display lasted for a full minute. After the firecrackers finished, each family was given a red envelope.
"Brother, congratulations!"
"Benefactor, congratulations!"
"Haochen, congratulations!"
"..."
After accepting everyone's blessings, Li Haochen and the others entered and began serving the dishes. The first course was, of course, the soup. This rich soup, simmered for five hours, was fragrant and immediately made everyone's appetite surge.
"Haochen, what kind of soup is this? It smells so good."
"It's something good. Fang, drink another bowl; it's good for the baby. You all drink the soup first, I'll go in and bring out the dishes."
The arrival of one main dish after another was enough to make all the guests feel the hosts' regard, especially the green lobsters and green crabs. These two types of seafood were not cheap, and one for each person further highlighted Li Haochen's affluence.
When the last steaming hot fish was served, everyone except for Chen He's table gasped in amazement, exclaiming, "Large yellow croaker!"
The exquisite dishes were naturally accompanied by good wine. Thirty-year-old Maotai in a gift box, with a very distinctive bottle. The earthy yellow bottle was covered with regular, perhaps cracked patterns, like Jianzhan ware. The national totem, the dragon, was fired onto the bottle, making it very noble. Although everyone didn't know the price of this wine, the aroma alone told them it was good wine, and an aged one at that.
"Thank you all for taking the time to come. Tonight, please drink to your heart's content. Don't be polite!"
"Of course, it's a housewarming celebration, hahaha!"
Liang Minfeng had already been enticed by the rich wine aroma. However, his wife was pregnant, and he hadn't touched alcohol in a long time. Today was a significant day for Li Haochen to join the family, so he had to drink heartily. Zhang Guifang, on the side, had no objections. She was very grateful to Li Haochen; without him, they wouldn't have such a comfortable life now, a life she had never dared to imagine. Living in a high-end community, driving a car, living without worry, and even having some savings, they had completely surpassed a moderately prosperous life.
While the men were drinking, the women, surrounded by so much delicious food, didn't bother with them. Murong Yanran led them into the living room to watch TV, eat sunflower seeds, and chat about family matters. The men who remained pushed two tables together and gathered around to drink. Li Haochen hadn't expected these guys to be such heavy drinkers, especially the older ones like Dai Changrun and Huang Haiyuan, who drank as if it were water. Fortunately, he had bought plenty of wine, ensuring they could drink to their fullest.
As people drank more, they talked more. Look at Huang Haiyuan; he bragged about things as if they were real. It was truly like a centipede wearing gloves. The old had topics for the old, and the young had circles for the young, each conversing, creating a warm atmosphere. The banquet continued until past ten at night, and the dishes on the tables were all eaten clean. Li Haochen was naturally happy. His efforts throughout the day in preparing the dishes were recognized by the guests, which gave him a great sense of pride and accomplishment.