Chapter 7: The Day of Great Joy

  Chu Jiaqiang continued to chat with his uncle for a while, then proposed that he would move back to the old house when he returned. This was strongly opposed by all members of his uncle's family. However, Chu Jiaqiang persisted, listing many reasons such as the garden being just behind the old house and it being more convenient to take care of things in the future. In reality, the most important reason was still for the secrecy of the Shanhe Map, plus the convenience of cultivation in the future.

  The next morning, Chu Jiaqiang got up early. At this time, Erniang also got up and was busy heating the pig feed and then feeding the pigs. The pigpen of Ershu's family is not far away, because there are not many pigs raised, so it won't feel smelly. Almost every household in rural areas will raise one or two heads, before and after the end of the year, this is also a source of income, a big fat pig can sell for at least 2,000 yuan.

  Dahai was originally lying by the door, and when he saw Chujiaqiang come out, he immediately got up, enthusiastically circled around Chujiaqiang, and rubbed his feet with his big dog head. Chujiaqiang smiled, this Dahai dog is already three or four years old, its temperament is still okay, quite smart, but unfortunately it's just a local dog, not very fierce.

  "Alright, Big Black! Go ahead!"

  As soon as Zhu Jiaqiang spoke, Er Shu heard it and turned her head: "A Qiang, why did you get up so early? Won't you sleep for a while? That lazy girl won't wake up until eight o'clock, even if the house is on fire."

  "Hehe! Get up and exercise. Jia Wan is still young, it's normal for her to love sleeping in." Chu Jian couldn't help but speak up for Chu Jia Wan.

  Two people chatted for a few sentences, Chu Jiaqiang went out to the lawn in front of Second Uncle's house and started practicing the first layer of Ti Fa. The movements were still very difficult and couldn't be done continuously. Originally, each movement was a challenge to the limits of the human body, suddenly switching to another extreme movement would easily strain one's muscles and bones.

  After finishing the twelve movements, Chu Jiaqiang was still drenched in sweat. Under the gentle morning breeze, Chu Jiaqiang also felt a slight shiver. The temperature in rural areas is relatively low in the morning, even in summer it's only around 10 degrees Celsius or so. With the wind blowing over, the evaporation of sweat absorbs heat. The huge difference between hot and cold is extremely easy to catch a cold.

  Chu Jiaqiang's heart skipped a beat, and he practiced Tai Chi again to relieve the soreness in his muscles and the fatigue in his bones. Second Aunt had just finished feeding the pigs and came back to see Chu Jiaqiang practicing the kung fu she saw on TV, and couldn't help but exclaim: "Ah Qiang! You're so young, why practice this kind of kung fu?"

  Chu's family strongly picked up the momentum, then bitterly smiled and said: "Second aunt, you got it wrong. This is Tai Chi, indeed an old man, especially the elderly favorite sport. But young people can also practice it, its movements are soft but not hard, good for the body, now many universities have set it as a course.

  "Still learning these things in college?" Erniang was even more puzzled, but seeing Chujia's sweaty face, she immediately frowned and said: "Quickly go take a bath, or you'll easily catch a cold."

  Chu Jiaqiang responded with a sound, took a bath, and then went back to the Shanhe Map to cultivate for several hours, but only a few minutes had passed in the outside world. When he came out, he happened to meet Chu Jiawan rubbing her sleepy eyes, looking like she was sleepwalking. Chu Jiaqiang couldn't help but chuckle, this little girl probably got up after Second Aunt went in and took away her quilt.

  In rural areas, people are not used to eating breakfast, but since there are children at home who need to study, they have to gradually get into the habit. Second Aunt had already cooked a pot of porridge and stir-fried some pickled vegetables with peanuts, which was light in flavor but tasted good. The pickled vegetables were homemade, so it's safe to eat without worrying about any safety issues.

  After having breakfast, Chu Jiaqiang followed Er Shu and his family with their dog to set out for the home of Chu Jiaxiong. There were no valuables at home, and besides, thieves were extremely rare in rural areas, so there was no need to have a dog guard the door.

  In rural areas, thieves are very miserable. Rural people have a relatively low awareness of the law and will often gather to attack them, but they won't beat them to death. Moreover, in a poor mountain village like Chujiashan, there's nothing good to steal anyway. If that thief really ran to the countryside to steal things, then he was really desperate.

  Arriving at Chu Jiaxiong's home, the door of the house had already been pasted with new red couplets. The couplets were written by the old teacher in the village, with strong and powerful brushstrokes. Next to the house, a vegetable field was tidied up, and a simple kitchen was temporarily set up. Chu Jiaxiong looked over and saw that many people had already started working, some dishes that took longer to cook, such as peanuts stewed with pork bones and mushrooms stewed with old duck, were already on the fire.

  Although Chu Jiaqiang and others arrived just in time, many people arrived a step earlier than them. Chu Jiahao's father, Chu Shengzhong, was wandering around the entrance, ready to greet the arriving guests at any moment.

  "Oh, Victory Brother is up so early! Sister-in-law and Jia Wan are also here. What a gift from Jia Qiang! Is it necessary to spend so much? Let me do it! Everyone come in and sit down, I didn't greet you properly! In a while, everyone will serve themselves! Don't be polite!" Chu Shengzhong first gave Chu Jiaqiang and Second Uncle each a cigarette and helped them light up.

  The Chu family and others congratulated them for a while, then followed Chu Shengzhong into the house.

  Such a big TV was carried in, naturally causing a burst of exclamations. Chu Jia Yan felt too proud, and even Second Aunt had some heartache. Chu Jia Qiang greeted everyone on the way, and they saw that the university student didn't put on airs, calling them uncle, aunt, and so on without stopping. Those people also enthusiastically chatted with him. Many rural people are like this, you respect him an inch, he returns it a foot.

  Chu Jiaxiong's mother was busy refilling everyone's tea and water, beaming with joy, smiling at everyone she met. She was especially warm to Chu Jiazuo, feeling that the luckiest thing in her son's life was having Chu Jiazuo as an older brother. Now that his older brother was a university student, he naturally took extra care of his younger brother, and the big TV earlier was proof - who else in Chu Jia Village could receive such an expensive gift when they got married?

  "A Qiang, you sit down first. Jia Xiong just went out to pick up the bride and will be back in two or three hours." Chu Jiaxiong's mother said kindly.

  "Auntie, you go ahead and busy yourself! We can take care of ourselves." Chu Jiaqiang also knew that this family was very busy at the moment, and this aunt was so enthusiastic that it made him feel somewhat uneasy.

  Chatting with everyone for a while, the old village chief also arrived. Because every wedding in the village will invite the old village chief to host the wedding, so today the old village chief also wore a decent outfit, and his white hair and beard were neatly arranged.

  "Village elder uncle is here! Sit over there, Jiaqiang is also here, just in time for a chat." Second Uncle immediately stood up and personally brought over an armchair for the old village chief to sit on.

  "Village head grandfather, you're still so spirited, it can be said that you're getting better with age!" Chu Jiaqiang smiled and greeted him, while Chu Jiawei and others also asked after his well-being.

  "Haha! Qiang is back too? I remember this little monkey hasn't been back for almost two years, right? Everyone sees that people who have read books are different, they speak with more culture. From now on, no matter how poor the village is, anyone who gets into college must be supported to study." The old village chief looked at Chu Qiang with obvious delight.

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