This was Li Long's first visit to Harimu's courtyard since Harimu had moved in, so by custom, he needed to bring a housewarming gift.
Of course, this custom hadn't come from his hometown. He had brought it from his later life. He didn't know when it had started, but since it existed, he might as well follow it.
Li Long went to the market and bought a complete set of kitchenware-pots, bowls, ladles, and basins, along with a kitchen knife, a chopping board, a pretty glass fruit platter, and a set of six spice jars.
Although Harimu and his family didn't use many seasonings in their cooking, Li Long figured that if he supplied them now, they would certainly come in handy later.
When Li Long drove his Land Cruiser up to Harimu's big courtyard, Harimu was already slaughtering sheep inside.
Three vehicles were parked across the road outside. Li Long recognized Harimu's, Jade Mountain River's, and Talihaal's.
These courtyards for the settled pastoralists had been built in a separate row south of the original village, with a gravel road laid along their western side.
Beside the road was barren ground, which happened to serve as a parking area now.
After parking, Li Long got out and carried a large cardboard box into the courtyard. There was no gate, and he could see Harimu and Talihaal slaughtering sheep, while Jade Mountain River worked on a Kebabs Stove nearby.
Beside Jade Mountain River stood a cooking stove that looked temporarily built, with a pot of water heating on top.
Seeing Li Long enter, Harimu and the others stopped what they were doing and greeted him.
"Carry on, don't mind me," Li Long said. "Quite a spread today-even kebabs."
"Jade Mountain River brought it. He said he learned about these in the