"How can we eat so much?" Alex asked, glancing at the spread of dishes laid out before them. The table was covered with an impressive array of food, each dish looking more delicious than the last. The sheer amount of food was both overwhelming and enticing.
The Director White chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Haha, I didn't expect you to finish everything. Just try a little of each. These are the main dishes for our New Year's Eve dinner every year. I didn't include fried stinky tofu today since I couldn't get the ingredients for it."
"What about these ingredients?" Alex asked, curious. "Did you manage to find them in the city?"
The Director White shook her head with a smile. "I haven't been able to find them here. These ingredients are all brought by people from my hometown who come to the city for business. They visit every year and bring local specialties with them. It's one of the ways we keep the traditions alive even when we're away from home."
As she spoke, the Director White reached into a cabinet and produced a bottle of wine. It was elegantly labeled "Daughter Red Wine," its label adorned with intricate designs that hinted at its significance.
"We'll be drinking this tonight," she said proudly. "It's a southern specialty called daughter red wine. It's smooth yet potent, with a rich and straightforward flavor. It's a real treat."
Alex looked at the bottle with interest. "It sounds intriguing. What's the story behind it?"
The Director White's eyes lit up with enthusiasm as she began to recount the tradition. "The origin of this wine is from my hometown in the south. When a family has a daughter, the father brews this wine in jars and buries it in the ground. When the daughter gets married, the wine is dug up and given to her as a dowry. The wine goes bad after 20 years, so most daughters marry before they turn twenty to ensure the wine is still good. Isn't that fascinating? It's a way for families to celebrate their daughters' marriages and the passage of time."
"That's such a unique and beautiful tradition," Alex said, clearly impressed.
"I'm glad you think so. It's one of the things I cherish most about my heritage. And tonight, we'll enjoy it together."
Emily, who had been quietly listening, suddenly chimed in with a playful tone. "I want to drink too. Can I, Mom?"
The Director White laughed heartily, her laughter filling the room with warmth. "Alright, you can have a little as a special treat. Just a small glass, okay? We'll make it a celebration."
Emily's eyes lit up with excitement. "Yay! Thanks, Mom!"
Her mother's genuine and carefree laughter added a special festive atmosphere to the evening.
[After this chapter, every chapter would be 800 to 1500 words longer]