Chapter 124: A Celebration
My friend reminded me that today is Qixi. I completely forgot! So, here's an extra chapter in honor of my forgetfulness.
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Five days later!
Early in the morning, Li Daoxuan was already out of bed.
Ever since he acquired the diorama box, his daily routine had surprisingly begun to align with that of the ancients: rising at dawn, and... *cough*, certainly not resting at dusk! He usually wouldn't sleep until midnight; even if his body craved rest, his mind would insist, "Just two more minutes of scrolling!" And even if his mind finally relented, his fingers would still instinctively flick through his phone.
It didn't matter when he finally went to bed; as soon as dawn broke, his biological clock would invariably jolt him awake.
He ordered pumpkin porridge for delivery, then cradled the bowl, blowing gently to cool it.
It was at this moment that Bai Yuan arrived.
Riding a spirited steed, accompanied by several retainers, he arrived at Gao Family Village with a flourish. Before even entering the village, he performed a grand bow from horseback, gazing skyward toward Gao Family Village, offering reverence to the Heavenly Lord.
From the watchtower, a sentinel bellowed, "Master Bai has arrived!"
Immediately, San Shier, Gao Yiye, Madam Bai, Young Master Bai, and their group hurried out to greet him. Even Gao Chuwu, Zheng Daniu, Li Da, Gao Yiyi, and others came to offer their salutations to Bai Yuan.
Everyone rejoiced, seeing Bai Yuan safe and sound.
Bai Yuan smiled, cupped his fists, and said, "Greetings, everyone. I have come to Gao Family Village specifically to bring good news and to express my gratitude to the Heavenly Lord."
Gao Yiye smiled. "The Heavenly Lord has already received your thanks."
Bai Yuan once again looked up, performing a deep bow.
San Shier said, "Master Bai, you left Bai Family Fortress to come to Gao Family Village. What if the bandits had seized the opportunity to attack Bai Family Fortress? What then?"
Bai Yuan chuckled. "Hahaha, rest assured, the scoundrels have been utterly terrified by the Heavenly Lord's celestial missiles and no longer dare approach Bai Family Fortress. Cheng Xu sent scouts to keep watch, and they discovered that those bandits no longer dared to descend from the northern slope of Bai Family Fortress, instead heading off in a different direction."
Only then did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.
Bai Yuan turned to Gao Chuwu and Zheng Daniu. "You two can now go to Bai Family Fortress and retrieve the celestial missiles."
The two simple-minded men replied, "Alright!"
Bai Yuan then turned to Madam Bai and Young Master Bai. "You can also return to Bai Family Fortress with me."
Madam Bai was overjoyed. "Excellent! I will go pack my things immediately."
However, Young Master Bai said, "Father, I wish to remain in Gao Family Village."
No sooner had he spoken than Madam Bai slapped him soundly across the head. "Are you trying to escape your mother's supervision of your studies?"
Clutching his face, Young Master Bai explained, "Your son has learned a celestial language in the School Well of Gao Family Village, called Pinyin. This was personally taught by the Heavenly Lord and is a profoundly advanced field of knowledge. If I do not master it completely, my heart will be filled with regret."
Hearing this, Madam Bai awkwardly hid the hand she had just used to strike him. "Ahem... I see... Your mother... well..."
She seemed to want to apologize.
Bai Yuan, without a moment's hesitation, said, "Since it is a celestial language personally taught by the Heavenly Lord, then of course you should complete your studies. You won't need to return to Bai Family Fortress for now; your mother can go back alone."
Madam Bai cried out in alarm, "My son is only thirteen and a half! How can I leave him here alone? How can I be at ease?"
Bai Yuan said, "With the Heavenly Lord's protection here, what is there to worry about?"
Madam Bai insisted, "I just can't be at ease! I can't go back. I must stay here; otherwise, no one will look after my son."
Bai Yuan was speechless.
Young Master Bai whispered, "Mother, please go back. I'll be fine here by myself..."
"Whack!" Madam Bai delivered another resounding slap to Young Master Bai's head. "You're so eager to send your mother away, do you no longer want a mother?"
Everyone broke into a cold sweat, thinking, *With the frequency of those head-slaps, who wouldn't want to send you away?*
Li Daoxuan couldn't help but look at Bai Yuan, a thought forming in his mind: *This fellow, at the slightest hint of trouble, immediately sent his wife to Bai Family Fortress. Could it be...*
Bai Yuan, without a trace of hesitation, said, "My dear, it's excellent for you to stay and accompany our child. Truly wonderful. Your husband, of course, has no objection."
Li Daoxuan: *Pfft! So that's how it is!*
Bai Yuan gestured, and a retainer behind him presented a small wine jar. He laughed, "To celebrate Bai Family Fortress's victory over the roving bandits, I've specially brought a jar of wine today. Let us drink with our friends from Gao Family Village until none of us can find our way home!"
Everyone was delighted. "Excellent!"
Gao Chuwu grinned. "Such a tiny jar... how many sips can one person get? It won't even scratch the itch."
Zheng Daniu chimed in, "Exactly, exactly! I could drink half that jar in one gulp."
Bai Yuan looked slightly embarrassed. "There's been a continuous drought for three years, and Bai Family Fortress has no surplus grain. No wine has been brewed in three years. This small jar is one I made five years ago and forgot about, buried in the garden. A few days ago, when we dismantled the rock garden to position the celestial missiles, we dug it up, and only then did I remember we had it."
He continued, a hint of regret in his voice, "Since the great drought began, even a sip of wine has been a luxury. There's only this small jar, no more, so please make do and share it among yourselves, just for a bit of cheer."
Hearing their awkward conversation, Li Daoxuan suddenly remembered. *Ah, right. With the great drought and reduced grain yields, the little people haven't brewed wine in years. It's only natural they'd miss the taste of fine liquor when a joyous occasion arises.*
Alright, he'd arrange a little something for them.
Li Daoxuan went downstairs and slipped into the supermarket.
Naturally, the small supermarket didn't stock any particularly high-quality liquor, just the kind priced between a few dozen and just over a hundred yuan.
Li Daoxuan himself wasn't a drinker and didn't know which wines were good or bad. So, he simply picked a relatively famous brand: Wuliangye, 52 proof, 120 yuan a bottle.
Then, considering that the liquor might be too strong for some, he also bought a bottle of Shuangqing Beer for a few yuan.
Grinning, he returned to the diorama box with the two bottles in hand.
By now, the little people had set up a drinking table in the courtyard in front of the watchtower. There was only that small jar of wine, enough for just a few. They felt somewhat apologetic towards the others and were quite regretful.
Suddenly, Gao Yiye's face lit up with joy, and she exclaimed, "Everyone, quickly prepare vessels! The Heavenly Lord says he will bestow upon us celestial divine wine!"
Zheng Daniu, being the most experienced—having often received the Heavenly Lord's Happy Fat Water in the past—sprang into action before his mind could even process the command to prepare vessels. With a flash, he was back in his home, then, with another flash, he reappeared in the courtyard, holding a massive wooden washbasin.
Then, everyone watched as a strange tube extended from the sky, reaching over the large washbasin Zheng Daniu held. With a squeeze, a single, crystal-clear, enormous droplet descended, *plop*, and the basin was full.
As the droplet splashed, a rich, potent aroma of liquor instantly filled the air.
The fragrance of Wuliangye was truly something to behold.
Bai Yuan's eyebrow arched. "Fine wine."
San Shier, too, recognized it with a single sniff. "Such fragrance!"
However, the Gao Family Village residents, born into poverty, couldn't discern the quality of the wine. Gao Chuwu grinned, "Heh, divine wine! I'll have a bowl first!"
He grabbed a large bowl, scooped a helping directly from the basin in Zheng Daniu's hands, and poured it into his mouth...
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