The squad leader warmly invited Han Guishan to stay for dinner and spend the night, and Han Guishan readily accepted, with neither of them mentioning the goods in the sack.
The villagers who had gathered around saw that the peddler had been invited to stay by the squad leader, so they all dispersed. Those who needed to work in the fields went off to do so, those who had housework returned home, and the children playing in the mud continued their play, while Han Guishan was pulled away by the squad leader for a drink at his home.
To call it a drink was something of an understatement—one small cup each, which seemed barely a sip to finish, and on the table was a plate of peanuts which you could count on one hand. The squad leader asked his daughter-in-law and granddaughter-in-law to cook some good dishes in the kitchen, while he took Han Guishan inside for a chat.
"Where are you from, Han the peddler?" the squad leader asked as he nibbled on a peanut, squinting his eyes blissfully.
