Siheyuan: A master brewer starts with a jar of bone-strengthening wine!

hiss hiss hiss—

The group of people tilted their heads back and inhaled deeply, following the scent all the way to Liu Dong's door.

That's right! Liu Dong just finished a bottle of "Strengthening Wine" at home.

The aroma of the wine was so strong it was almost overwhelming; the closer you got to the room, the more intense the fragrance became.

"Was it coming from his house?"

Yi Zhonghai was surprised. "This kid can drink this?"

"Does he know anything about this?"

Bang bang bang! A knocking sound rang out at the door.

Liu Dong opened the door.

A rich, intoxicating aroma of alcohol instantly wafted out and hit my face.

Are you drinking?

Yi Zhonghai's tone changed, and he completely forgot about the car he was originally going to ask. Now, he only had one thought left: drinking!

"What are you drinking? It smells so strong and delicious!" His eyes were almost bloodshot.

Liu Dong glanced at the people outside the door and smiled faintly: "Come in and sit down."

A group of people immediately filed in and sat down around the table.

Liu Dong wasn't stingy and poured a small cup for each person.

Of course, it's not "strengthening wine"—that's something for saving lives.

What he served was ordinary white liquor brewed in a regular wine vat.

"Sizzle..." The group took a sip and all squinted their eyes.

"Good wine!" Yi Zhonghai gave a thumbs up, closed his eyes to savor it, and looked thoroughly enjoying himself.

The other drunkards had the same expression, as if they were floating on clouds.

"This isn't enough!" Yan Bugui was the first to shout, "Add some more!"

"Not enough fun!"

Liu Dong sneered, "I'm just giving you a taste, and you really want to drink as much as you want?"

"This wine of mine is very precious!"

Yi Zhonghai opened his eyes and asked eagerly, "Where did you buy it? Tell me the address, I want to buy one too!"

"Unavailable."

Liu Dong shook his head. "This is aged wine passed down from my ancestors. It's been stored in our old family house for many years."

"It's no longer available on the market."

"Your family still has an old house?" Yi Zhonghai frowned. "How come I've never heard you mention it? Where is it?"

Liu Dong smiled but did not answer.

Yi Zhonghai realized he had said too much and quickly changed the subject:

"Then can you sell me some?"

"Sure," Liu Dong nodded readily. "How many do you want?"

"Ten catties!" Yi Zhonghai, afraid of missing out, immediately gave a large number.

After all, aged wine is less and less as you drink it, and more and more valuable as you store it.

"I want ten pounds too!"

"Me too!"

Yan Bugui and Liu Haizhong immediately followed suit.

He Daqing couldn't help but ask, "How much is ten jin?"

Liu Dong slowly uttered a sentence:

"I'll give you a discount, ten kilograms for one million." Everyone was stunned when Liu Dong announced the price.

One million?

Want to buy ten pounds?

One hundred thousand yuan per kilogram?

This price is practically sky-high!

No, wait—Moutai only sells for tens of thousands of yuan per kilogram, but this stuff has doubled in price!

Outrageous...

"You're too cruel!"

Yan Bugui immediately exploded, "Liu Dong, we've lived in the same courtyard for so many years, we see each other all the time, what do you mean by this price?"

"Yeah, right!" Liu Haizhong chimed in, "We're all acquaintances, why are you ripping us off?"

"How about this: ten catties for ten thousand, a deal we'll consider a favor!"

"This price isn't cheap at all!"

Liu Dong spread his hands: "Sorry, I only have one rule here: ten catties for a million, not a penny less."

"If you want to buy, just pay up; if not, then leave!"

After saying that, he turned his head away without any discussion whatsoever.

"Hmph!" Yi Zhonghai stood up abruptly, his face ashen, and stormed off.

Following closely behind, Yan Bugui, Liu Haizhong, and He Daqing also left in silence.

Liu Dong didn't stop him, thinking: Let them go, not everyone can appreciate good wine.

Who would have thought that just half an hour later, He Daqing came running back, beaming: "Liu Dong! Um... I've decided to buy them, ten jin, I'll take them all!"

Liu Dong was stunned: "Uncle He, didn't you used to say you never drank alcohol?"

"yes!"

He Daqing chuckled, "I don't drink, but my master loves to! If I take this wine as a gift, he'll be so happy that he'll pass on his secret recipe to me, won't he?"

So, it was used to please the master.

"OK!"

Liu Dong didn't waste any time and quickly weighed out ten jin, adding half a jin as a last resort.

He Daqing happily carried the wine away.

Not long after, Yi Zhonghai returned with a plastic bucket, whispering, "Dongzi, that wine... I need ten jin (5 kg). Pack it up quickly, and remember, don't tell anyone I bought it here!"

"Don't worry." Liu Dong smiled, already understanding the situation perfectly well.

Isn't it because they're afraid others will find out and try to freeload? Who could stand this level of liquor if it fell into Yan Bugui's mouth?

No sooner had Yi Zhonghai left than Liu Haizhong arrived.

Same routine, no need for further words, just take ten pounds directly.

With three million in hand, Liu Dong finally felt at ease.

Yan Bugui didn't come?

If he doesn't want to come, fine, he's not going to shed a drop of blood anyway.

……

As dusk fell, the small tavern on the street corner was already bustling with activity.

Elementary school teacher Xu Hesheng arrived, as did old man Niu from the alley, along with Pian'erye, street cadre Fan Jinyou, and others.

The room was bustling with noise and filled with the aroma of cooking.

Mr. Niu, dressed in a dark-patterned Tang suit, walked up to the counter with a smile: "Two ounces of baijiu, a small dish of braised pork belly, and a plate of peanuts, please!"

"Alright!" Xu Huizhen replied, casually picking up an extra plate of pickled radishes. "Uncle Niu, here's a small side dish for you today, just a little something!"

"Wow, that's generous!" Old Niu gave a thumbs up. "Put it on the tab first!"

The tavern never lends money, but Boss Niu is an exception, because he is senior and has a lot of influence.

He carried the wine dish and slowly moved to a corner to sit down.

"Squeak—" She took a sip, smacked her lips, and immediately shouted towards the counter, "Huizhen! Did your father-in-law add water to the wine again? Haha, it's too weak!"

"Hahaha..." Everyone in the room laughed.

It's no secret that Old He's watered-down toppings have been going on for a long time.

But why do people still come anyway?

Firstly, they diluted the water cleverly, so the taste wasn't too different; secondly, it was cheap!

The store sells liquor at cost price. If it were pure, unadulterated liquor, Old He would be starving.

"Huizhen!" Pian'erye took a couple of sips, squinted, and asked, "It's been a month since we've seen Yongqiang. Is he really just lying there motionless?"

Fan Jinyou chimed in, "You bet you've really gotten addicted to arguing with you?"

"This kid's as stubborn as a mule!" Xu Hesheng shook his head. "He's married such a beautiful wife and he's still not satisfied? Has he lost his mind?"

Everyone started criticizing He Yongqiang.

Xu Huizhen lowered her head and didn't dare to say a word.

She felt guilty about it.

I had arranged to go on a blind date with her, but I twisted my ankle on the day of the meeting.

Fearing that she would be seen as a cripple, she had a bright idea and asked her cousin, Xu Huizhi, to go to the meeting in her place.

Little did they know that this change would lead to a mishap—

He Yongqiang took a liking to Xu Huizhi at first sight, and the two exchanged glances, their relationship quickly heating up.

On their wedding day, when the veil was lifted, they discovered the bride was Xu Huizhen, not the woman they had been longing for...

How could I not feel frustrated?