Chapter 22: Sophora japonica full moon
At Li Shengli's house, Li Shengli put the dishes in the lunch box in the pot to heat them up. There was half an elbow, half a fish, and chicken stewed with mushrooms. He also mixed a small cold dish. After the cold dish was mixed, he lifted the lid of the pot, and the aroma came out all at once.

Just as he put the food on the table, there was a knock on the door. Li Shengli knew that it was probably the third uncle Yan Bugui who came. This third uncle had a really sharp nose.

When I opened the door, as expected, the third uncle Yan Bugui was standing at the door holding a bottle of wine.

Li Shengli welcomed the third uncle into the house. The third uncle Yan Bugui put the wine bottle on the table and sniffed hard.

"Victory, your cooking skills are amazing."

"Well, this is how we make a living. Come on, Third Uncle, let's sit down." Li Shengli invited the Third Uncle to sit down and reached out to take the wine that the Third Uncle brought.

"Wow, Third Uncle, it's Fenjiu again. You really spent a lot of money, but..." Li Shengli teased Third Uncle Yan Bugui while looking at the trademark on the wine bottle, but did not notice the look in his eyes.

After unscrewing the bottle cap, Li Shengli felt something was wrong. This bottle had been opened, and it was so full.

"Uncle, tell me the truth, what kind of wine is in this?" Li Shengli looked at Uncle Yan Bugui helplessly. He didn't even know what kind of person Uncle Yan Bugui was, but he knew that this old man was not honest.

"Hey, it's Niulanshan Erguotou." The third uncle smiled awkwardly. This was not going to work. He couldn't just open the good wine he had invited someone to do the job for him.

Li Shengli picked up the wine glasses and filled them up for both of them. He first smelled the aroma of the wine, then took a sip to taste it.

"It's okay, Third Uncle. It's a good thing you didn't bring the wine diluted with water, otherwise I would have sent you back." Li Shengli smacked his lips.

"How could that be? This is also good wine, authentic Niulanshan Erguotou." The third uncle Yan Bugui defended himself, he never broke his promise.

"Come on, Third Uncle, eat." Li Shengli couldn't help but greet him when he saw Third Uncle Yan Bugui staring blankly at the food on the table.

After hearing what Li Shengli said, the third uncle Yan Bugui didn't waste any time. He picked up the chopsticks and reached for the big pork elbow on the plate.

The two men chatted while eating. As the saying goes, 'three rounds of wine will make the dishes taste good'. After they had eaten and drunk their fill, they chatted about some family matters. The third uncle Yan Bugui also taught Li Shengli his philosophy of life.

Li Shengli just listened, smiling and agreeing from time to time. After eating and drinking, the third uncle returned home drunk. Li Shengli also cleaned up the mess and prepared to rest.

It was Monday again, and it was Lee Seung-ri's turn to work the early shift. Lee Seung-ri arrived at the cafeteria early in the morning.

Everyone cleaned up what needed to be cleaned up, while Lee Seung-ri was preparing the staff meal for everyone. When they were almost done, Lee Seung-ri's meal was also ready.

Everyone took advantage of their free time to eat, and they all looked very satisfied. The fact that they could make such a delicious simple breakfast was enough to prove Li Shengli's cooking skills.

When it was almost time to go to work, Director Xu from the canteen came and took a look at the situation in the canteen. Director Xu couldn't help but nodded. This Li Shengli is good and he did a great job. Just look at how happily the workers are eating. If the leader saw it, he would definitely praise him.

"Xiao Li, give me two steamed buns and a side dish." Director Xu walked to the window and shouted to Li Shengli who was serving the food.

"Hey, Director Xu, you haven't eaten this morning." Li Shengli was cleaning the window. Hearing the voice, he saw that it was Director Xu who was in charge of the canteen. He quickly greeted Director Xu and served him food.

"Well, it's a bit too late today." Director Xu took the lunch box and said, then left the cafeteria. Li Shengli looked at Director Xu and thought about whether he could take the skill level assessment this year. He is now a level 9 chef with a monthly salary of 31 yuan. When he is promoted to level 8 chef, it will be 35.5 yuan. He should save for two more years. It's time to find a wife.

There is no pause button for time, and the days pass one by one. During this period, Uncle Yi Zhonghai did not come to see him, but Sha Zhu still supported Qin Huairu's family.

Soon, it was June, the weather was getting hotter day by day, and everyone took off their coats and put on short sleeves.

On a Friday in the hot summer, little Huaihua was one month old. On that day, Jia Zhang and Qin Huairu discussed at home whether to hold a full-moon celebration for Huaihua.

"If you ask me, we'd better not do it. It's hard to put together such a big table of dishes right now." Jia Zhang said without raising her head while sewing her shoe soles. "Besides, the locust flowers are still young, so it's not good for them."

"Mom, this uncle and Shazhu have helped us so much, we should thank them." Qin Huairu frowned and said, and since this is a full moon banquet, everyone in the courtyard should give some gifts.

"It's only natural for the uncle to help our family. He's Dongxu's master, and he hasn't taken a liking to Dongxu." Jia Zhang bit the thread in her hand and said with gritted teeth, "As for this idiot Zhu, you should be careful. Who knows if he is planning to take advantage of you?"

"Oh, Mom, look at what you said." Qin Huairu was a little unhappy. Even though she was a widow, she was a beauty in the village back then. How could she like Sha Zhu? Look at this Sha Zhu, he has a face that looks old before his time.

"I don't care. You are taking over my son's job. You swear in front of Dongxu's portrait that you will not abandon the four of us." Jia Zhang said to Qin Huairu with a stern face, pointing at Jia Dongxu's portrait on the wall.

"Mom, how could I abandon you and Banggeng and the others?" Qin Huairu was full of anger. How could she abandon her own children?

"No, you have to promise." Jia Zhang was unmoved.

"Also, Dongxu passed away. After you take over, you have to give me three dollars a month as pension as before." Jia Zhang still felt unsafe and made another request.

"Okay, okay, isn't that enough? I promise." Qin Huairu made a promise to Jia Zhang helplessly.

"Let's talk about how to host the full moon banquet." Qin Huairu counted on her fingers.

"Look, I have been relying on Auntie and Shazhu to take care of me for the past few months. Otherwise, I wouldn't even be able to feed Huaihua. I have to treat Uncle and his family and Shazhu to it." Qin Huairu counted down three fingers.

"Since the first master has been invited, shouldn't the other three masters in this courtyard also be invited?" Qin Huairu counted down two more fingers.

"And the old lady in the backyard." After a pause, "We have to ask for rainwater too."

"Mom, who else do you want to invite? Do you want to invite Dongxu's relatives?"

"Forget it. It's not easy for them to come all the way here, and they don't have anything good to give." Jia Zhang thought about it with a look of disgust. People in this courtyard could still give some gifts, but what could these relatives in the countryside give? Everyone is having a hard time right now.

　The contract has been signed. Thank you all for your support.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)