Granny Li Xiang was dressed very formally today in a new red outfit embroidered with numerous gold peonies, looking incredibly festive. It was from the "Blooming Prosperity" collection Li Xiang had bought for her last New Year; this was just the spring version. The winter version she wore for the New Year was embroidered with plum blossoms braving the snow.

There was also a summer version embroidered with lotuses and an autumn one with chrysanthemums.

Relatives from Granny Li Xiang’s side of the family had come as well: Little Aunt and her son, First Aunt and First Uncle-in-law with their daughter, and Second Aunt and Second Uncle-in-law with their two children. Since it was a Saturday, most of the working adults who lived nearby and the younger cousins who weren’t in high school were able to make it.

Shen Zimo was there too, of course. Li Xiang hadn’t seen him in a few months, and the little guy seemed to have grown quite a bit taller.

Shen Wenqian didn’t make it. She was a high school freshman, just like Jiang Cai’Er, and only got to come home once a month. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Li Xiang glanced at what First Uncle-in-law was carrying. For the first time ever, it was two bottles of decent liquor, the kind that cost five or six hundred yuan a bottle. And First Aunt was holding a case of milk from a legitimate, big-name brand—not the same old cheap walnut drink as before.

"Congratulations, congratulations! What an impressive house!" First Uncle-in-law was shameless. The moment he saw Li Xiang, he started laughing and greeting him warmly.

Li Xiang naturally let it go, acting as if nothing had ever happened. He offered him a cigarette and exchanged a few pleasantries. After all, you can’t be rude to someone with a smiling face.

During the New Year, First Aunt had come to visit his grandmother, so Li Xiang had paid a "Return Gift" visit to her house, bringing a few things. She had asked him to stay for dinner, but he declined, only staying for a short while before leaving. First Uncle-in-law hadn’t been home then, so this was their first time seeing each other since their last unpleasant encounter.

"Xiang Ya, you’re getting more and more handsome, and you’re so tall now! Such a fine young man! And you even became a member of the County People’s Political Consultative Conference. You’re a true credit to the Li Family!" his short, plump First Aunt exclaimed, her face plastered with a smile as she grabbed Li Xiang’s hand and showered him with praise.

His Second Aunt, who was tall and thin, was much the same. "Here, let your auntie have a feel! Your hair is so nice, so black and shiny, like satin! And your skin is even smoother than my daughter’s. I used to hold you when you were just a baby. We haven’t seen you in a few years, why have you grown so distant?"

His First and Second Aunts were all over him, their words and expressions so exaggerated that Li Xiang was starting to get goosebumps.

Standing behind them, Little Aunt couldn’t help but shrug and stifle a laugh. ’My two older sisters, honestly,’ she thought. ’Where was all this enthusiasm before?’

In contrast, Little Aunt was much more normal. Li Xiang didn’t bother with formalities with her; she was family, after all. He just asked her to help greet the other relatives.

In fact, there were many relatives here today whom Li Xiang didn’t even recognize, so he had no idea what to call them. He also had no clue how they’d even found out about the party.

But Little Aunt knew them. As a real estate agent, she was a natural with people, which made her perfect for the job of welcoming everyone.

Little Aunt didn’t even need to be told. She went to the living room, grabbed some tea leaves, disposable cups, and a thermos of hot water, and started making tea for the arriving guests. Her son was beside her helping his mom put out snacks and fruit platters for everyone. All the guests commented on how much more mature the boy had become.

The catering team from the county seat had brought their own ingredients, as well as folding tables and chairs. The tables were already set up now. Thankfully, Li Xiang hadn’t walled off his courtyard, so the front area was wide enough to accommodate a hundred round tables, creating an impressive sight.

The team had set up their stoves and cutting boards in an open area a bit farther away. They had arrived in a large truck and even brought several of their own propane tanks. For water, they simply ran a long hose from Li Xiang’s house.

The many guests eagerly toured Li Xiang’s house, the vegetable patches in the front yard, and his three new cars.

Three luxurious new cars were parked at the edge of the front yard. Even the pickup truck, which looked to be the cheapest of the three, was incredibly imposing.

"These cars are amazing! To buy three at once... Everyone was saying Xiang Ya struck it rich, and I didn’t believe it. But then he was on TV and even became a committee member."

"It just goes to show, fame and fortune really do go hand in hand."

"This vegetable garden is wonderful, too! Look how thick and tender this lettuce is! Auntie, you must be the one who tends to it, right?" a relative Li Xiang didn’t recognize asked, striking up a conversation with Granny Li Xiang.

Granny Li Xiang was so happy today she was grinning from ear to ear.

A short while later, to Li Xiang’s surprise, the town leaders and even some county leaders arrived, led by the county magistrate himself.

Li Xiang was taken aback. ’Whoa, I’m just throwing a party because my house is finished. It’s not a big deal. How could I trouble these officials to come all the way out here?’ And they hadn’t even come empty-handed; they were carrying gifts. He hurried over to welcome them, making sure to be a gracious host and chat with them.

Of course, Li Xiang wasn’t about to act high and mighty just because he was an Extraordinary Being; that would be rude. Respect is a two-way street. Besides, hadn’t he seen how all the other guests turned to stare and whisper among themselves the moment the officials arrived?

With his sharp hearing, Li Xiang could overhear what everyone was saying. "Li Xiang is a big shot now! He just builds a house and throws a party, and even the county magistrate shows up. That’s incredible." Things like that.

People might not have recognized the other county and town officials, but the county magistrate was on TV often, so plenty of people knew who he was. Besides, this group stood out by their clothes—almost all of them wore those official-looking jackets in navy blue, black, or dark gray. Their whole demeanor and presence set them apart from ordinary people.

The county magistrate chuckled. "We came for two reasons. First, to offer our congratulations. Second, we wanted to see Li Family Village for ourselves. And just as we’d heard, the environment here is much improved. We’d also like to take a look at that tourist attraction you have under construction."

"Thank you, thank you! It’s a great honor." Li Xiang then led the officials toward the site.

The construction crew went on high alert, as if facing a major inspection. ’Why didn’t anyone tell us so many high-ranking officials were coming?!’ They scrambled out to greet them, quickly handing out spare hard hats and safety boots to the visiting leaders.

The manager in charge quietly asked Li Xiang, "President Li, what’s going on? How did the county magistrate suddenly show up for an inspection? It’s making me a little nervous."

Li Xiang replied, "What’s there to be afraid of? Didn’t I give strict instructions to follow the most rigorous procedures for everything? Don’t tell me you cut corners."

"No, no, of course not," the manager quickly assured him. He thought, ’No wonder Brother Xiang was so strict with his requirements. So it was because high-level officials were coming to visit! Thank goodness I followed his orders and emphasized the standards over and over. If they had found something wrong today—some violation here, something not up to code there—I’d have been in deep trouble. Hmm, and the environmental aspects seem to be fine, too.’

After that, the officials toured the site and were quite satisfied with what they saw.

After the group left, the manager wiped a cold sweat from his brow. That was a close call, but thankfully, nothing went wrong. ’Looks like I’ll have to be even stricter with management from now on,’ he resolved. ’I have to guarantee safety and quality, because who knows what other bigwig might decide to drop by for an inspection.’

After they returned, Jiang Jianguo discreetly beckoned to him. Li Xiang excused himself from the officials and followed Jiang Jianguo into a room.

"What is it, Uncle Jiang?" Li Xiang asked.

Jiang Jianguo said, "You didn’t prepare enough for the banquet. Far more people came than expected. We need to add another eleven tables."

"Huh?" Li Xiang was surprised. ’Are there really that many guests?’ He looked up and saw that, sure enough, the place was teeming with people. After a moment’s thought, he said, "Use the ingredients and drinks we set aside for the afternoon to get by for now. After the lunch service, have them go back and restock. As for the tables and chairs, we can borrow some from the village."

"Alright, I just wanted to let you know."