The game played was "Zha Jin Hua" with stakes of one yuan for each player, limited to three hidden cards, unlimited revealed cards, and a maximum bet of ten yuan per round. While these amounts might seem small in later years, in an era where the average monthly salary was only two to three hundred yuan, they were considerable. It was entirely possible for someone with bad luck to lose a month's salary.
Qin Chuan's participation further livened up the atmosphere in the room. Everyone's enthusiasm was greatly boosted, with some vowing to win Qin Chuan's money. Qin Chuan, unfazed, smiled and said, "If you have the skill, feel free to win whatever you can!"
The game of Zha Jin Hua continued from past four in the afternoon until past nine in the evening. After five hours, Qin Chuan not only hadn't lost but had also won over a hundred yuan. This left those who had hoped to win his money feeling somewhat resentful. Qin Erge won even more, over two hundred yuan, and was beaming with joy.
To the brothers, with their current strength and vision, this money was insignificant. What they enjoyed was the atmosphere.
"Stop looking so discontented, all of you. Whoever knows how to cook, come to my place later and whip up some substantial dishes. I'll also bring out the Maotai and Huazi I brought back. The few yuan you lost will be more than made up for with a good meal!" Qin Chuan called out, and everyone's eyes lit up.
"Xiao Chuan, can we really drink Maotai?"
"And smoke Huazi?"
The crowd asked excitedly. Almost none of them had ever enjoyed high-end luxuries like Maotai liquor and Huazi cigarettes. Hearing Qin Chuan's words, they were naturally thrilled.
"How can mere Maotai and Huazi compare to our brotherhood!"
"It's the New Year, and we're all gathered together after so long! We have to have a good time!" Qin Erge waved his hand generously.
"Whoever knows how to cook, hurry up and follow me to the kitchen. I'm starving!"
"I can!"
"Me too!!" Led by Qin Erge, a group of people headed towards the Qin family's kitchen in a large procession.
Qin Chuan didn't go. He went to the adjacent room to check on Li Ya, reminding her to get some sleep as the group would likely be up late.
"Xiao Chuan, didn't you not want to interact with these people? Why now..." Li Ya asked, somewhat confused.
Qin Chuan smiled and stroked Li Ya's face. "Sister, perhaps there are a few people among them who aren't entirely upright, and we can't truly become close friends. But it's the New Year, so many people have come to our home, and many are childhood companions. We still need to host them properly!"
"Our Qin family is wealthy now, and it's indeed time to treat these people to a meal and shut up some of the gossip!"
Li Ya looked enlightened. "Then hurry up and go. I ran around the mountains all day and am a bit tired. I'll go to bed first!"
Qin Chuan nodded, left the room, and called his elder brother Qin Yang. The two brothers entered the kitchen. The place was bustling with noise. Seeing the variety of ingredients in Qin Chuan's kitchen – an abundance of chicken, duck, fish, and meat – and especially the several cases of Maotai liquor placed in the corner, everyone's eyes gleamed. They were in for a treat tonight.
Some were chopping meat, some washing vegetables, and some helping to peel onions and garlic... As the saying goes, many hands make light work. In less than an hour, steaming hot dishes were served, filling a large table. Qin Chuan was not stingy; he brought out a case of Maotai, six bottles in total, all placed on the table for everyone to drink to their heart's content. More was available if needed.
The feast began around ten in the evening and continued until two or three in the morning. Many people were completely drunk, passed out on the table, leaning this way and that.
The next day, the second day of the Lunar New Year, while Qin Chuan was still asleep, he was suddenly woken up by a forceful push.
"Xiao Chuan, Xiao Chuan!"
"Get up quickly!"
Qin Chuan sleepily opened his eyes and saw it was his elder brother, Qin Yang, who was calling him.
"Big Brother, what's wrong?" Qin Chuan rubbed his throbbing forehead. He had drunk too much last night and was still groggy.
"Grandma and Grandpa are here!"
"Several aunts and uncles are with them, a lot of people!" Qin Yang said in a low voice.
Qin Chuan, whose head had been aching and slightly confused, suddenly had sharp rays of light shoot from the depths of his eyes upon hearing this.
"Where are they now?"
"They've already arrived at our home. Mom and Dad are entertaining them!" Qin Yang replied.
Qin Chuan gently massaged his temples with his fingers, remaining silent.
"What should we do now? They're guests who traveled a long way. Your sister-in-law asked me to get your opinion." Qin Yang spoke. If these were just some distant relatives, they could have avoided them. But the issue was that these visitors were special; their eighty-year-old grandparents had come. If they truly refused to see them, rumors would spread, and people would spit and say the Qin family had become arrogant and wealthy, disowning even their elders. And it was during the New Year...
"Those bastards! They definitely wanted to come and brought Grandma and Grandpa along!" Qin Chuan muttered after a few seconds of silence. However, he didn't have much fondness for his maternal grandparents. Those of the older generation had deeply ingrained traditional ideas, favoring sons over daughters. Once a daughter married, she was like spilled water, completely disregarded. Last year, when the Qin family faced such a disaster, and his mother, Jiang Cuihua, knelt at her parents' door to borrow money, they had refused to see her, not even opening the door. This made it impossible for the three Qin brothers to feel any goodwill towards them.
"Where's Second Brother?" Qin Chuan suddenly asked.
"I just woke him up. He's at my place now," Qin Yang replied. Qin Chuan rubbed his face vigorously, his inner turmoil evident.
"Brother, you go back first. I'll wash my face and then come to your place." Qin Yang nodded and turned to leave the room.
After Qin Yang left, Qin Chuan quickly got dressed and got out of bed, splashing cold water on his face. The icy temperature on his face made his mind clearer and clearer. A few minutes later, Qin Chuan pushed the door open and walked out. In the courtyard, a few children were playing, with several young men and women standing nearby. As Qin Chuan came out, the gazes of both parties met. Qin Chuan recognized them as his cousins. Some were already married with children, while others were still single. Due to the relationships of the older generation, Qin Chuan didn't have a close relationship with these contemporaries. Many hadn't seen each other for a long time, and some younger ones didn't even recognize him. When their eyes met, Qin Chuan's expression was calm. He merely glanced at them briefly before turning to enter his elder brother's house. This caused varying reactions among the group not far away. The older ones looked somewhat awkward, while the younger ones appeared defiant, with some even muttering softly, "What's so great about you, just because you have a bit of money, you think you're the king of the world!"