Her Cultivation Diary
Chapter 1047 - 1027. Pick cucumbers

Chapter 1047: 1027. Pick cucumbers

Alcohol was slowly poured, and the aroma transformed from faint to rich, gradually filling the air.

Xiaodu swallowed involuntarily and said in a pained tone, "I better not drink..."

After all, he was on duty now. How could he indulge in drinking and messing around with the old folks?

But Secretary Xiaozu shook his head, "Brother Xiaodu, drink up. I promise everything here is under control. Besides, you’re constantly shadowing my grandfather; you must’ve had your fair share of hard work. You deserve it, really... Come on, later we’ll have a drink together!"

As soon as those words were spoken, the others burst into laughter—truth be told, not every elderly person in the courtyard was easy to care for. But Lao Zhu was a laid-back guy, and the people he brought along were usually good-natured and compatible with him.

As a result, the folks he had around him were familiar faces, people who’d stuck around for years, close enough to feel like family. Otherwise, how could Xiaodu call Secretary Xiaozu by her nickname Xiaojun so casually?

And so it was at the dinner table now.

Xiaodu spoke up, Xiaozu chimed in, and naturally, everyone else followed suit to persuade:

"Right, right, since you’re here and the booze is poured, how can you not drink? That’d just be a waste!"

Ah! They were all trusted, close companions. Otherwise, today’s drinks might’ve had to be finished on behalf of the younger guys.

After all, young people—drinking isn’t good for their health!

Only Lao Zhu was glaring at the table, irritated, "If you’re going to pour, just pour! Stop talking! Just now, a droplet splashed out!"

Secretary Xiaozu’s hand trembled slightly, thinking that the family’s reputation was utterly ruined at this moment... But the aroma of good alcohol was undeniable, and losing even a drop was indeed painful. She steadied herself and carefully tilted the cup, pouring bit by bit.

Watching this, Song Tan couldn’t help but reach out, "How about I do it instead?"

The disposable plastic cups weren’t large—just enough for about 2.5 ounces—and the wide mouth didn’t exactly demand precision like pouring oil into a coin slot. Was this really necessary?

After such a long time, only two cups had been filled.

Song Tan stretched out her hand, grabbed another bottle, opened it directly, and started pouring with practiced ease. She tilted the bottle until the cup was nearly full, then swiftly redirected to the next cup without hesitation...

Her movements were both daring and nimble, making it seem like the bottle might spill all over the table any second. Everyone held their breaths, not daring to make a sound, as they watched her empty the bottle in mere moments. She then casually grabbed the bottle in Xiaozu’s hand.

When all the cups were finally filled, Song Tan set down the bottle and said, "Come, come, spin the tray and help yourselves."

This woman! Lao Zhu regretted sitting so close to her, within arm’s reach. But the serving tray was already spinning, and he could only grumble while watching, "Slow down, slow down! Don’t spill the drinks!"

Meanwhile, Song Youde, tempted to the core, chimed in, "Hurry and choose! Every cup is evenly filled. My granddaughter poured it all perfectly..."

Ah, some people were meticulously peering at the cups, selecting this one, then eyeing that one... Weren’t they all the same?

Wait, the one on the edge looked a little fuller...

Huh, why did he pick that one only to put it back down...

Oh! The cup in the middle seemed to have just a bit more...

Ssss, no, actually the outer ones looked pretty much the same!

As everyone agonized over the decision, the cups finally spun to sit before their new owners. Unable to wait even a second, Lao Zhu grabbed his cup eagerly:

"Come, come, let’s toast! Thanks for this warm hospitality while we intrude in the countryside... Cheers!"

At his words, everyone raised their cups with cursory enthusiasm before taking delicate, intentional sips. Then, like a chorus, they all let out long sighs—

"What a fine drink!"

Song Tan shook her head and turned to Qiaoqiao, "Want some fish?"

"Mhm, mhm, mhm!" Qiaoqiao cradled her bowl in both hands and, seeing Song Tan preparing to serve, eagerly squealed, "Ah ba ah ba ah ba..."

Song Tan: ...

"Eat properly!" She placed a piece of fish into Qiaoqiao’s bowl, unable to stifle a laugh, "You really sound like an idiot."

Those indulging in drinks felt perfectly content, and so did the ones focused entirely on devouring their meals. Despite the five or six large platters on the table, and after three rounds of drinks (yes, each sip taken as though it were sacred), Seventh Uncle still found the offerings inadequate. He waved his hand grandly:

"There’s still half an ounce of liquor left. And since we’ve finished the dishes, let’s go pick some cucumbers! I’ll whip up a cucumber and century egg salad..."

He added, "Have you guys ever had century eggs? Not the same as preserved eggs, they’re a local specialty here. Especially delicious paired with cucumbers..."

"Seventh Uncle! Seventh Uncle!" Wu Lan interrupted him in a hurry—she’d also been drinking today but only had two sips before Song Sancheng had sweet-talked her out of the rest of her share. The cellar-aged liquor was smooth and gentle, not overwhelming in its buzz.

So Wu Lan was now speaking with full clarity:

"Seventh Uncle, just stay put. I’ll go get the cucumbers for you, and I’ll make the salad..."

She then turned to Song Tan and urged, "Quickly, pick a basket of cucumbers and make sure none of them enter the greenhouse. A bunch of drunkards heading inside—you think anyone’s still sober?"

Hey! This remark didn’t sit well with Lao Zhu:

"Just two ounces—I’ve only had one and a half. How could I possibly not be clear-headed? Just tell me where the greenhouse is, and I’ll pick a basket of cucumbers right now!"

As he spoke, he rose with an air of indignation.

But then, after a brief pause, he sat back down heavily.

"I’m not drunk!"

Wu Lan: "...Yes, yes, you’re definitely not drunk!"

Her response was thoroughly perfunctory, knowing full well that once someone drinking uttered those three words, it typically meant they were already tipsy.

Alas, aside from Aunt Lianhua, Wu Lan, Song Tan, and Qiaoqiao, the rest of the table was composed almost entirely of rosy-cheeked individuals, leaving one to wonder who was still holding on to sobriety and who’d drifted into intoxication.

That said, Xiaozu had only managed half a cup before Lao Zhu snatched it away, so she should still be okay, right?

Feeling her gaze, Secretary Xiaozu suddenly turned to look back at her—and then broke out into a frivolous giggle.

Song Tan: ...Hopeless.

Turning her attention to Xiaodu, she thought, when they had their first sip earlier, they didn’t hesitate to modestly boast about their drinking capacity. But now, with half a cup down...

Well. For such a posture-conscious guy—sitting stiff with a straight back, two hands obediently rested on his knees, the epitome of military discipline—

The problem was, he hadn’t moved at all! If he just made one move, Song Tan wouldn’t have to wonder if he’d gotten lightheaded already.

As for the likes of Xiaoli and Xiaowang... their cups had long been emptied, and now, dazed, they reached out their chopsticks, grasping at air, occasionally bringing empty cups to their lips...

An absolute disaster.

Forget it, there’s no hope—she better just go pick cucumbers. Despite the variety of dishes prepared tonight, it was no match for the little ones at the elderly gentlemen’s side—they were voracious eaters!

Not only did they eat quickly and ferociously, their stomachs were bottomless. While her family could only handle two or three bowls of rice at most, their crew could easily manage five!

Unbelievable! Five bowls of rice, and yet their waists were slim and legs were long? Look at Zhang Yanping—two and a half bowls for a casual meal and still big and burly now...

Truly, genetics are a marvel.