Once they were back home, Gu Jiaojiao went to the kitchen to cook.

As for Chen JianShe and Leng Yuan, they handled the pig offal.

The pig’s large intestine needed to be thoroughly washed several times with plant ash, a rather troublesome process.

But when the pig intestines were cooked, they were absolutely delicious.

Other families didn’t have the habit of eating lunch, but since many hadn’t eaten due to the pork distribution in the morning, they would have a simple bite after returning home at noon.

As for the wild boar meat, they were definitely reluctant to eat it.

They would salt and cure it, then leave it outside to freeze, and it could easily last until the New Year.

Some people would take it home, cut off a small piece, and add it to their cabbage, just to get a taste of meat.

As for Gu Jiaojiao, she didn’t hold back at all.

She took out a piece of the leaf lard that Third Aunt Leng had managed to grab for them, cut it up, and rendered it for oil. Leng Yuan had only been allotted about a catty of pork, and she used it directly to make a dish of fish-fragrant shredded pork.

As for the pig’s liver, heart, and head, she set them aside.

For lunch, they had flatbread, an egg drop soup, the fish-fragrant shredded pork, and pork cracklings.

Fried until fragrant, they were sprinkled with salt and pepper. Those who liked it spicy could also add some chili powder. They were crispy and savory, utterly delicious with every bite.

Besides these dishes, there was also the pickled cabbage Gu Jiaojiao had made.

After two snowfalls, the pickled cabbage had frozen properly. She scooped it out, sliced it into thin strips, and it looked wonderful.

The meal was so good that the few of them ate with their heads nearly buried in their bowls.

After the meal, it was Sweet Girl’s turn to wash the dishes.

Xiao Yang also went to help clean up the kitchen.

Gu Jiaojiao, meanwhile, was deciding on the menu for the guests the next day.

She had asked Leng Yuan, and he said they needed to set up five tables.

Four tables would have been enough, but the number four sounded unlucky, so they decided to add one more.

Gu Jiaojiao took out five fish, then brought out three chickens and three wild rabbits.

There would be chicken stewed with mushrooms, spicy diced rabbit, and of course the wild boar. The rest would be vegetable dishes.

Although Gu Jiaojiao’s family didn’t lack meat, in this era, these few meat dishes were more than presentable.

Not too high-profile, not too low-key—a middle ground was best.

Gu Jiaojiao had them process all the ingredients so they would be ready to use the next day.

As for tables, they didn’t have enough at home, but they had already arranged with the Zhao and Chen families to borrow their tables and stools on the day.

Once all the ingredients were prepared, Leng ManCang arrived with a donkey cart to pick them up.

Old Chen was getting on in years, and his legs weren’t good after the snow, so Leng ManCang had volunteered to come with the donkey cart.

An old quilt was spread out on the cart to make the ride a bit more comfortable.

When Leng ManCang saw Leng Yuan, he was still a little afraid.

He shivered uncontrollably. His body, which had once been beaten by Leng Yuan, seemed to ache at the very sight of him.

This was also why Leng Qiushou had faked a stomachache and was unwilling to come and help.

Even he had only forced himself to come.

Grabbing hold of his trembling leg, Leng ManCang spoke in a gentle voice.

"Sister-in-law, are we ready to go?"

"Then we’ll be troubling you, Cousin."

Gu Jiaojiao said with a smile, quite satisfied with the quilt that Third Aunt Leng had prepared.

Leng ManCang nodded and said no more.

’He’d had enough since coming back.’

’He wanted to return to the city and get a job there, so he couldn’t afford to offend Leng Yuan and Gu Jiaojiao.’

Leng Yuan didn’t care what malicious ideas the Leng Family were plotting, as long as they had the ability to pull it off.

He helped Gu Jiaojiao onto the donkey cart, then had Sweet Girl and Xiao Yang get on as well, before finally sitting down on the other side himself.

This time, they were going to the County Town to sort out Sweet Girl’s and Xiao Yang’s household registration.

That was why the Brigade Leader and Lin Jiandong had to go with them.

This had been arranged a long time ago.

The donkey cart picked up the Brigade Leader, then headed toward the Lin Family’s home.

Before they even reached the gate, they saw Lin Jiandong in the yard, fiddling with a back basket.

When the donkey cart drew near, Lin Jiandong glanced their way, then quickly dropped the basket and went back into his room. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Everyone: ...

The Brigade Leader’s expression darkened. When the donkey cart stopped at the Lin Family’s gate, he jumped off and ran over to knock on their door.

The house was completely silent.

Everyone: ...