20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 75 Happy Birthday
It was dusk, and Jiang Chenghai's house was bustling with activity. Xu Ruqing came very early and was busy for a while. Other brothers also came over one after another to wish their eldest brother a birthday.

The original reservation was at the Juxianglou Hotel, but after several discussions, Jiang Chenghai finally decided to celebrate his birthday at home.

It’s not easy to live in your sixties!

But just after the national mourning, it is really not appropriate to make a big deal, lest you be accused by those pedantic people. Although it will not cause any trouble, it will be annoying if it adds to the resentment.

As soon as we entered the room, there was a double-eared copper pot on the large round table. Sheep and scorpions were used as the base, and the mutton was sliced. Several plates were arranged. There were no green leafy vegetables, but the cabbage gang was enough.Vermicelli, frozen tofu, blood sausage, etc., there are quite a few of them. They are divided into categories and arranged in a circle. When the soup at the bottom of the pot boils, the steam is rising in the face, and the people at the table are just sitting there without talking. Listening to the "gurgling" sound makes everyone feel lively.

Everyone sat down and congratulated Jiang Chenghai on his birthday and gave birthday gifts. Jiang Xiaodao and Hu Xiaoyan jointly presented a black Western-style woolen coat. The brothers all coaxed the eldest brother to try it on.

Jiang Chenghai didn't even bother carrying it, and immediately changed into his outfit. "Owl" had been wearing a robe and mandarin jacket all his life, and suddenly changed into this one. Everyone felt it was a bit funny and couldn't help laughing.

The clothes I bought were indeed too small. They were worn with the lapel on the front and held up on the shoulders, and the belly was hanging out and couldn't be held in the pocket.

But the father did not choose the birthday gift from his son. Jiang Chenghai also said cheerfully: "It's very good, very good. Don't buy it next time."

Hu Xiaoyan glared at Jiang Xiaodao, blaming him for buying the wrong size, but Jiang Xiaodao didn't care. He was distracted by the cups and plates on the table, his eyes were straight, and his mouth was filled with saliva.

"Dad, it's almost time. Let's start dinner. If we cook it any longer, the meat of this sheep and scorpion will fly away."

Jiang Chenghai took off his coat, carefully placed it beside the kang, and said, "Lao Liu hasn't come yet, let's wait a little longer."

"I don't know where this kid has gone!" Jin Xiaoyi said looking towards the door from time to time.

Shen Guoliang took the chopsticks to stir the dipping sauce and said, "Who knows! Lao Liu has been acting very mysterious recently, and he can't see anyone all day long!"

"Hey! He's a Buddha, what else can he do?" Gong Baonan leaned on the kang, flipping through a book "The Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties" in his hand, "He's going to do business on the wheel again!"

The Rong family values ​​​​advancing with the times. In recent years, Zhou Yunfu has been suppressed, and brothers Jiang Chenghai's dividends have been reduced. Everyone is living a tight life, but Guan Wei is particularly nourished.

Horse-drawn railways and trains have become the "treasure bowl" of the Rong family, and Buddha, who has a little bit of ability, is eyeing the "wheel" business.A day's work on the horse-drawn railway can add up to a lot of money, and you can make a lot of money; what's more, you can get on the train directly to "carry bags" and "unload goods", instead of having to travel around the world, you can instead "sit" in the world.

Guan Wei's bad business is getting better and better, and Jiang Chenghai doesn't have much work here. Although he will come over during festivals and important events, but as time goes by, even if everyone doesn't say it, they can feel the mutual affection. Inevitably growing apart.

When mentioning this matter, Jin Xiaoyi couldn't help but said: "Brother, you should give him a hard time. He is so focused on business that the brotherly bond has become rusty!"

But Jiang Chenghai said: "He is the Buddha to begin with. Since we are all brothers, we can't block other people's way of making money!"

Jin Xiaoyi was deflated, took a sip of wine and stopped talking.

Fortunately, not long after, there was a clang at the courtyard door. Everyone raised their heads and looked through the windows. Sure enough, it was Lao Liu who was back.

Guan Wei held a gift box in his hand and trotted across the yard. When he entered the house, he looked a little embarrassed.

"Hey! Brothers, are you just waiting for me?"

"Nonsense!" Everyone complained in unison, "Why did you come?"

Guan Wei ignored them and walked directly to Jiang Chenghai and handed over the gift box respectfully.

"Brother, I don't have much ink in my stomach, so I can't say anything to say birthday wishes. We'll all be drinking in a while! This is the sixth brother's idea. You can try some foreign cigars."

Gong Baonan glanced coldly and said teasingly: "Is this from Rong?"

"Stop fucking farting!" Guan Wei immediately slapped the table and glared, "I asked someone to buy this specially!"

"Okay, sit down and punish yourself with three drinks first. The whole table is waiting for you!" Shen Guoliang picked up the chopsticks and poked the table.

"Oh! Brothers, you really can't rely on me!" Guan Wei felt aggrieved, "A bunch of students outside were causing trouble and blocked the road. Not only could I not get through, but I almost had the patrol battalion arrest me. The one who was thought to be the leader was arrested!" When Gong Baonan heard this, he suddenly became interested and asked: "Third brother, you study a lot. Recently, the newspapers have been talking about constitution, consultative bureau and so on. What do you mean? In the future, the emperor Is it just a decoration?"

However, just as Sun Chengmo was about to speak at length, Jiang Chenghai coughed and interrupted him.

"Eat as you eat!"

Xu Ruqing understood Jiang Chenghai's temper, so he quickly took over the conversation: "Yes, yes, it's not our turn to worry about important court matters. We can just live our own lives. There has been a lot of turmoil recently, and every store has posted 'Don't talk about it' It's a matter of state. You guys should calm down and stop running around. If something happens, tell me. I know a few little bosses at the patrol camp and I can talk to them."

"Eat and eat!"

The old birthday boy moved his chopsticks first, and then the others followed. The thin slices of mutton were dipped in the boiling soup base, rinsed several times, then put into a bowl, soaked with dipping sauce, wrapped with a few chopped green onions, The millet is spicy, and when I put it in my mouth, before I chewed it, a layer of shiny oily sweat immediately appeared on my forehead.After taking a few sips and swallowing it into my stomach, I felt happy all the way down from my throat to my stomach.

After rinsing the meat, take out the sheep and scorpions and gnaw them clean, then add the vegetables, frozen tofu, and vermicelli. The more you eat, the hotter you eat, and the hotter you eat, the more you eat until the wine has passed three rounds and the dishes have passed the five flavors, everything is delicious. .

Hu Xiaoyan was inconvenienced, and Jiang Xiaodao always had to take care of her, picking up meat and vegetables, and busy talking.

Seeing this, Xu Ruqing couldn't help but feel a little relieved, and took the opportunity to suggest: "Brother, Xiaodao is nineteen this year. I think it's almost time for his marriage to Xiaoyan."

As soon as the aunt finished speaking, Hu Xiaoyan immediately blushed and nodded, but Jiang Xiaodao was already impatient and complained repeatedly: "That's right! I've worked so hard to win over the whole wife, and after five years of looking at each other, it's time for her to get on the bed." Bar!"

The crowd burst into laughter.

Hearing this, Jiang Chenghai glanced at Xiaodao and Xiaoyan, and suddenly felt a little dazed. The poor and obedient donkey and the black little beggar five years ago had grown up in the blink of an eye, and he couldn't help but sigh.

The years are fierce and ruthless indeed!
"Well! It's really time to get married. It's unfair to Xiaoyan to keep spending so much time. She has to have a status!"

As soon as the eldest brother spoke, Guan Wei quickly raised his wine glass: "Oh! That's more happiness than happiness, hurry up and fix the date!"

Jiang Xiaodao looked at Hu Xiaoyan and asked, "How about tomorrow?"

"That's not possible!" Xu Ruqing quickly objected, "Don't be impatient, kid. For such a big matter, you have to make careful calculations and decide on a good day. Recently, we have an expert here. I will invite him tomorrow. You two take a look."

"Auntie, you are also an old man in the world. Why don't you just listen to the 'golden point' and enjoy it? Why spend that unjust money!"

Xu Ruqing put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth: "It's better to believe that it is true than to believe that it is not true. That expert has a sharp 'golden point'. We cannot be vague about the important matter of marriage, listen to my aunt!"

Several uncles also nodded.

"Yes! Xiaodao, you've been waiting for five years, don't worry!"

"Don't be afraid of being late for a good meal! Xiaoyan can't run away!"

"Come! Meet Uncle Six and let me congratulate you first!"

Seeing that the newlyweds were about to become a couple, the elders present felt happy, and the atmosphere became more and more cheerful.

Jiang Chenghai rolled up his sleeves and looked around at everyone with a smile. When he glanced out of the corner of his eye, he saw Li Tianwei next to him staring at the "Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties" on the kang in a daze and absent-mindedly.

"Second brother, what are you thinking about?"

"what?"

Li Tianwei came to his senses, and in a panic, he quickly raised his wine glass.

"Nothing! Come on, brother, drink!"

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(End of this chapter)