It wasn't that they didn't want the watermelon seeds-they hadn't dared to buy them before

With someone looking for him, Li Long couldn't stay much longer. Xie Yundong and the others headed back too.

"I was just saying I'd have Pingping kill a chicken tonight so we could have a drink together," Tao Daqiang said regretfully. "Brother Long, do you have to head back for something?"

"You go ahead and drink. Missing one meal won't hurt me." Li Long smiled. "There'll be less to do in winter. I'll come back now and then."

"Then are you free tomorrow?" Xie Yundong asked. "It's no fun with just us and no you. If you're free, come back. We can hear more about your trip abroad while we're together."

"Tomorrow? I should be free tomorrow," Li Long said after thinking it over.

They really hadn't gotten together much lately. Li Long thought they might as well have a gathering.

"Good, then I'll set the nets first thing tomorrow and collect the fish in the afternoon," Tao Daqiang said with a smile. "We'll kill the chicken at noon and have ourselves a proper meal."

"What are you talking about?" Xie Yundong gave him a slap. "You didn't manage to host today, so tomorrow's my turn."

The two started arguing. Li Long smiled and said:

"What difference does it make whose house we go to? It's all the same. Take turns a week apart. As long as you've got good food, I'm not afraid to come eat it. Anyway, I've got to go."

After unloading everything from the trunk, Li Long was about to drive off when Li Qingxia waved him down and said:

"Xiao Long, don't drive this car out to the team anymore. On this gravel road, one stone flying up will leave a dent in it. It's not worth it!"

Li Long thought he had a point.