Chapter 42: The Banquet
The hustle and bustle of the Xiao family lasted until noon.
By this time, the entire Xiao family courtyard was filled with the aroma of various delicious dishes, making the stomachs of everyone, who had been busy all morning without eating, growl uncontrollably.
The younger generation of the Xiao family then placed the dishes on dozens of tables one by one. Xiao Yan and Xiao Yu organized the seating for everyone.
In truth, there wasn't much to organize since everyone was family. In simple terms, those who drank sat at one table, and those who didn't drink sat at another.
At the front of the Xiao family courtyard stood a wooden high platform that had taken the entire morning to construct. It was covered with a red carpet, and a red wall was erected at the back, giving off a festive atmosphere.
Xiao Yan sat at the same table with Xiao Ning, Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Mei, his closest peers, along with the guest, Nalan Yanran.
As for Qing Lin, Xiao Yan had told Xiao Yu and the others about her background the previous day. Upon hearing her story, everyone's hearts were filled with sympathy. Xiao Mei even declared tearfully, "Anyone who dares to touch Qing Lin will have to deal with me!"
Qing Lin, sensing the sincerity of Xiao Mei and the others, gradually opened her heart to them. During the meal, she naturally sat at the same table as Xiao Yan and the rest.
As for Xiao Jing'er and Xiao Li'er, who had brought Qing Lin back, they sat at the table with Xiao Zhan and the three elders, drinking wine.
When everyone was seated, Xiao Zhan, as the patriarch, stood up with a wine cup in hand. He walked onto the red carpet and stepped onto the high platform, surveying the gradually quieting Xiao family members below.
"Cough, cough!"
Xiao Zhan clasped his broad hand into a fist and cleared his throat. Once the courtyard was completely silent, he began to speak loudly.
"Today is the day of our Xiao family's annual tradition. It should have been a routine event, but before this New Year, two major joyous events occurred, and as the patriarch, I am here to share them with you."
"First, due to various reasons, our Xiao family has now risen to become the number one family in Wu Tan City! The future of our family is several times more prosperous than last year!"
Clap, clap, clap!
Before Xiao Zhan's voice had even faded, thunderous applause erupted from the crowd. Every face was filled with joyous excitement.
A stronger family was undoubtedly a source of pride and happiness.
As Xiao Zhan raised his hand to quiet the applause, he continued.
"The second joyous event—many of you witnessed the annual age ceremony yesterday. For those of you who have been busy with business outside, let me formally announce this here."
Xiao Zhan took a deep breath, his voice booming with excitement.
"All of the new generation of Xiao family disciples have advanced to the level of Dou Practitioner! Let's give them a warm round of applause!"
Clap, clap, clap!
This time, the applause was even more enthusiastic. Those who had missed the ceremony yesterday looked at the younger generation in surprise, with most of their attention focused on Xiao Yan.
If the new generation included Xiao Yan, it meant his strength had been restored. What a great event!
The younger generation, embarrassed by the enthusiastic applause from their elders, felt a bit awkward. The atmosphere was the same at Xiao Yan's table.
"How should I put it…" Xiao Ning covered his slightly reddened face. "Getting praised by so many elders feels... weird."
"Agreed."
Even Xiao Mei, who rarely agreed with Xiao Ning, had a faint blush on her face.
"Hey, hey, hey~ Are you two really that bad at handling compliments? It's not that big of a deal."
Xiao Yan chuckled as he waved his hand, his words carrying a hint of teasing. His playful demeanor made Xiao Xun'er cover her mouth and giggle.
"Xiao Yan ge-ge only becomes this childish today. He's even teasing others," Xiao Xun'er said with amusement.
"This isn't childish—it's just my true self."
Xiao Yan wagged his finger, feeling particularly at ease.
Letting his true nature shine through without any restraint was indeed a relief.
Xiao Yan wasn't a god; he couldn't always suppress his nature. A day like this, where he could relax completely, came only once a year, and he intended to enjoy it fully.
(His true nature...)
Nalan Yanran observed Xiao Yan with slightly furrowed brows.
This was a side of Xiao Yan she hadn't known before.
A sense of relief filled her heart.
If she hadn't been here today, she might never have known that this was Xiao Yan's true nature.
It seems coming here was the right choice.
At that moment, Xiao Zhan raised his wine cup high on the stage and called out loudly.
"Today is New Year, so let's skip the unnecessary words. To a new year—cheers!"
"Cheers!!!"
Those who could drink raised their wine cups, while those who couldn't raised their water cups. Following Xiao Zhan's lead, everyone downed their drinks in one gulp.
"Well then, everyone, dig in! Eat and drink to your heart's content!"
As Xiao Zhan finished speaking, the crowd, who had been busy all morning and were already famished, eagerly picked up their chopsticks to enjoy the long-awaited feast.
"Here, Qing Lin!"
Xiao Mei, who hadn't started eating herself, enthusiastically piled a mountain of meat onto Qing Lin's plate—beef, fish, lamb, and not a single vegetable. She didn't even consider whether Qing Lin could finish it all, turning the plate into a small hill.
Qing Lin looked visibly troubled but didn't have the heart to interrupt Xiao Mei's enthusiasm. Her doll-like face was filled with distress, and she didn't know where to begin with her chopsticks.
"Mei'er, take it easy."
Xiao Yu, sitting on Qing Lin's other side, couldn't bear to watch anymore. She took away the mountainous plate and replaced it with an empty one. Gently, she said to Qing Lin, "You can pick what you like. If you can't reach something, let me know, and I'll get it for you."
"Thank you, Sister Xiao Yu!"
Qing Lin nodded earnestly, her distress replaced by a grateful smile. She then turned to the somewhat crestfallen Xiao Mei.
"Thank you, Sister Xiao Mei, for giving Qing Lin so much food!"
"Oh, what a sweet child!"
Xiao Mei, moved to tears, hugged Qing Lin and affectionately rubbed her cheek against her.
As the youngest among this generation of the Xiao family, Xiao Mei had always longed for a younger sister to dote on. It was no wonder she was so enthusiastic about Qing Lin.
Bang!
At this moment, Xiao Ning slammed a jug of wine onto the table and grinned at Xiao Yan.
"Hey, Cousin Xiao Yan, don't you think drinking water is a bit boring now that we're adults? How about some wine?"
Hearing Xiao Ning's suggestion, Xiao Xun'er frowned and turned to him.
"Cousin Xiao Ning, this…"
"Hey, hey, hey~ Xun'er, don't stop me this time," Xiao Ning interrupted. "Xiao Yan will have to drink sooner or later. Since the whole family is here today, it's a good chance to test his tolerance. Even if something happens, we've got it covered, right?"
"…"
Xiao Xun'er fell silent. Xiao Ning's argument was convincing and hard to refute.
At that moment, Yao Chen's voice echoed from within the ring.
(He's not wrong. You'll have to drink someday, so figuring out your limit now isn't a bad idea. It'll save you trouble later.)
"Alright."
Xiao Yan thought for a moment, then emptied his water cup and placed it in front of Xiao Ning.
"Let's do it, but just for today. Let's have a good time!"
"Great! Let's drink to our heart's content today!"
(End of Chapter)
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