Chapter 1460: Daughter
The kitchen became too crowded. Finally, the two elder sisters-in-law of the Zheng Family were invited to help.
Amidst the warmth and bustle, the family gathered for a meal. The Li Family had already decided on the financial arrangements: Qu Xiaoli and Yue Lanfeng were each given twenty, while the younger members received ten each.
Of course, Li Yungui also brought money contributions from Wei Kaiyun and Old Yang, Lv Beiguang’s share, another twenty for the family.
The Zheng Family couldn’t help but marvel at how the Li Family had changed. In the past, they worried about the Li Family Village coming to take advantage, but often it was the Li Family Village looking after them.
In the afternoon, nobody stayed long; they told Li Yunqiao about the wedding in Chaoyang on the second day of the twelfth lunar month and then left.
This time, Zhibin and Hongpeng left together, making Xiao Tong shed tears.
Li Yunqiao comforted his daughter, assuring her that he would visit after a while.
Jing Chen was happy. His brother and uncle came along, providing him with two more playmates. As for his aunt, he tended to overlook her because she cried too much.
Hongpeng and Zhibin were thriving here.
They fondly remembered the joyful days in Li Family Village.
The two even attended classes, not understanding much, but enjoying the great atmosphere.
At dinner time, Hongpeng said, "Sis, I also want to study here."
"Sure, classes will start in a while, and we have plenty of kids here, but you should get Dad and Mom’s consent first. You’re always welcome to live here, but your mom might disagree."
"No problem. I’ll explain. Zhibin feels the same way."
"Alright, you two can stay at home. Jing Chen will likely join this time, so you’ll have company."
"Great, I don’t want to stay at home anymore. It’s so nice here. Just hope my brother-in-law doesn’t mind?"
Guodong chuckled, "Are you a genius now? You figured that out?"
Hongpeng proudly lifted his head, "Of course, I know a lot."
"You’re welcome to stay with us for a lifetime, little brother-in-law," Guodong quickly added with a smile.
"My brother-in-law is the best."
Li Xue was speechless as she looked at her half-brother, truly amazed by his perceptiveness.
Just like that, the uncle and nephew duo thrived in Li Family Village, completely forgetting their parents at home.
Lu Fengzhen worried at home, afraid that Hongpeng would get homesick, while Li Yunqiao chuckled inwardly, knowing that would never happen.
The distillery was now focused on bottling, using very exquisite bottles to appear high-end.
Old Yang, Wei Kaiyun, and Lv Beiguang were busy beyond words.
Everything was stored in the warehouse. When distillery representatives came to collect, they looked envious and went back to tell their director.
Director Sun Changfu arrived the next day. "Village Chief Li, can you spare us some of this wine?"
Li Yungui knew Sun Changfu’s intentions as soon as he arrived.
"Director Sun, this wine is already allocated to the capital. It’ll be gone in a few days, so I really can’t spare any for you."
"Even without tasting, I know it’s better than sorghum wine. Can you supply us some in the future?"
"I apologize, but you see I’ve signed a contract with Director Sun. As for the sorghum wine, we usually reserve a few hundred catties to distribute within the village.
This type of wine is also under contract. We can’t supply more quantities now, we simply lack the capacity to supply elsewhere.
It’s not just about integrity; if we supply others or if production slips too much, we’ll owe money, and it’s not a small amount."
After speaking, Li Yungui sighed, showing a helpless inability.
Sun Changfu understood that Li Yungui was elusive; he didn’t come with high hopes.
"Village Chief Li, may I at least visit the facility?"
"Ah, Director Sun, your request is technically simple, but I truly can’t manage it now.
The distillery has very strict rules, I haven’t even been inside. My apologies."
Sun Changfu hadn’t expected Li Yungui would be so unyielding, but he was reluctant to give up.
Too shy to openly express his desire to taste the wine, having spent years running a distillery, he couldn’t claim to identify everything by taste, but he could discern quite a bit.
No, he couldn’t leave just like that; the warehouse was filled with alluring aroma.
"Alright, I won’t trouble you, Village Chief. But the wine smells so tempting. I can’t resist."
"Haha, clearly, I lack insight," chuckled Li Yungui as he spotted Guodong, "Guodong, talk to Master Wei, have him bring some good wine, I need to treat Director Sun."
"Understood, Second Uncle, I’ll head to the workshop now."
Wei Kaiyun listened to Guodong’s words, "Go to the other barrel and fetch two catties to deliver over."
This was the most basic of their three formulas. Lv Beiguang assured no one could identify it, confident in the fermentation process.
Guodong delivered it and went back to work. They were prepping for two trucks, so the four of them were especially busy.
Li Yungui poured some for Sun Changfu; the wine fragrance wafted immediately.
𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂
He poured himself some too; he loved this wine but was sparing with it. Though the yield was low, the profits far exceeded sorghum wine, making it too precious for casual drinking.
"Director Sun, give it a taste. I’m also benefiting from treating you today; sparing it in regular times."
Captivated by the wine’s aroma, Sun Changfu took small sips, savoring carefully.
Despite taking over two ounces to finish, he couldn’t discern much, only knowing it was unprecedentedly exquisite.
He poured himself another, and they drank cup after cup in silence.
Then came the sound of an approaching truck. Li Yungui paused, recognizing the sound of a large vehicle.
Shortly, Han Xiangjun came in.
"Old Han!"
"Village Chief Li, you’re enjoying a little leisure, I see," Han Xiangjun remarked on their drink, comfortably sitting down.
"Haha, spotted, huh? Let me introduce you, this is Director Sun Changfu from the city distillery.
Director Sun, this is Han Xiangjun, from the capital, our contract partner."
Han Xiangjun grasped Li Yungui’s intent, standing to shake hands with Sun Changfu, exchanging polite greetings before sitting down.
Chaoyang joined too, intending to return to Jing Chu but decided to check in first.
"Dad."
"Mm, you pour some for Master Han; your father-in-law wouldn’t let me drink it."
Chaoyang smiled and served Han Xiangjun with a drink.
"Alright, you’re not needed here. Go to your wife, but first take the driver to the Tao Family to unload the truck."