High Up in the Mountains, Late at Night
"Good wine! What a wonderful aroma!"
In Village Chief Ge's eyes, there was only the cup of liquor in his hand. He greedily inhaled its fragrance, then took a tiny sip as if he were making a pilgrimage. In an instant, his face was filled with bliss.
Given Yunling Village's economic situation, even the village chief would have to save every penny for two or three years without eating or drinking to afford a bottle of Maotai.
But even if you beat him to death, he'd never dare do such a thing.
Spending everything he had on one bottle of liquor simply wasn't worth it.
After downing a cup, Village Chief Ge looked completely satisfied. As expected of China's national liquor, it was far better than the home-distilled liquor he bought. It left his usual stuff in the dust.
Pediatrician Sun Shuhui, the team leader, was a man of restraint. One cup meant one cup; he wouldn't take another drop. Seeing that the others still looked reluctant to stop, he reminded them, "No more drinking. Just the one cup. Have a little something to line your stomachs. Eat your fill in the morning, have a good lunch, and eat less at night. We'll get to work soon."
The Wuliangye was still tucked in his military coat pocket. There was no way he could open it now; he needed to keep it safe himself.
"Heh heh, we've got Doctor Li to thank again, haven't we?"
The traditional Chinese medicine doctor, Wei Jin, chuckled. In this remote mountain village, with snow falling thickly outside, they were warming themselves by the fire and drinking Maotai. The harsh conditions had suddenly taken on a certain charm. It was just like remembering the hard times while appreciating