In the Big Courtyard, once the fritillaria had been loaded and the payment settled, Jia Tianlong prepared to leave.
Li Long certainly was not going to let him go. The aroma of stewed fish was already drifting through the courtyard, steam was rising from the rice pot, and Sister Yang had begun drawing down the fire. Amid the constant sizzle of stir-frying, Li Long told Jia Tianlong to sit and rest a while. Whatever else happened, he had to stay for lunch.
"Brother Li Long, I'm not much good at eating fish," Jia Tianlong admitted. By now, he and Li Long were already calling each other brothers. He gave a wry smile. "Let me tell you, water's scarce where we come from, and there aren't any fish. I never ate fish as a child. When I grew up and went out into the world doing business, I did have some, but not often. Almost every time I ate it, I got a bone stuck in my throat. It was miserable, so I stopped eating it."
"That's fine. We have other things if you don't eat fish." Li Long smiled. "You're here in our own courtyard, and it's mealtime already. Aren't you making me look bad, rushing off like this? Sister Yang's a great cook, good enough to open a restaurant. She certainly isn't making just stewed fish today. Have a proper taste in a bit."
With Li Long being so welcoming, Jia Tianlong stopped insisting. Their transaction was complete; all that remained was casual conversation. Li Long pulled Mingming and Haohao's Bed Wagon over beside him, playing with the children as he chatted with Jia Tianlong.
To be honest, although Jia Tianlong's wife was already pregnant, the envy in his eyes was impossible to hide as he watched how lively