He went back to continue helping his Little Aunt in the kitchen.

The four of them worked until around five in the afternoon before a grand spread of delicious dishes was finally complete.

There were eighteen dishes in total. Three of them were small red clay hot pots, while the rest were kept in steamers to stay warm. As a result, everything was piping hot when served.

Most of the dishes were Sichuan-style—numbing, spicy, savory, and aromatic.

They were: Sichuan-style King Crab; Mapo Tofu with Boston Lobster; Braised Pork Trotters with Abalone; Salmon Sashimi with wasabi and soy sauce; Fried Eggs with Oysters and Green Peppers; Steamed Turbot; Spicy Stir-fried Portunus Crab with Rice Cakes; Steamed Scallops with Vermicelli, Garlic, and Red Peppers; Chicken Soup with Snow Skirt White Jade Mushroom; Old Duck Soup with Winter Bamboo Shoots; Four-Joy Meatballs, symbolizing family reunion and good fortune; a Braised Assortment Platter of beef, tripe, small eggs, pork stomach, pork ears, intestines, spiced dried tofu, lotus root, and kelp; Crispy Fried Pork with Chili and Cumin; Dry Pot Cauliflower with Pork; Poached Prawns; Razor Clams with Asparagus; Braised Spareribs with Chestnuts; and "Gold and Jade Filling the Hall"—a stir-fry of green peas, golden corn kernels, diced carrots, and tender edamame.

The Snow Skirt White Jade Mushroom in the chicken soup was, of course, a Tier One Exotic Grass that Li Xiang had obtained by chopping down several more stalks of Golden Thunder Bamboo on the back mountain. The chicken was also a true free-range bird raised by the family—the kind that could fly.

In the countryside, especially in mountainous areas like where Li Xiang lived, truly free-range chickens could basically all fly. For instance, that big rooster with the red crest and colorful plumage would sometimes fly up into a tall tree and crow at the Sun.

The other roosters and hens would also get into the trees.

That’s why some city folks, upon visiting the countryside and seeing trees full of chickens, would be so astonished their jaws would drop.

Some ducks and geese could even fly for several hundred meters at a time.

But all these chickens, ducks, and geese knew their way home and would return at dusk.

In his previous life, after Granny Li Xiang passed away, some of the family’s poultry had remained. They were likely divided up and eaten by relatives later on. However, a clever few, led by that "rather Spiritual" red-crested, colorful-plumed rooster, escaped into the mountains and became wild. A portion of them survived into the Apocalypse, finally getting their chance to mutate.

Li Xiang still had some Spiritual Medicines in his system’s warehouse that he hadn’t used for making Spirit Wine, but the tasty ones were basically gone. The leftovers were more or less bitter or had a strong medicinal flavor, making them unsuitable for cooking, as they would ruin the taste of the dishes. Besides, his grandmother and the others were ordinary people; eating too much would do them more harm than good.

A full eighteen dishes covered the entire large table.

There’s no set rule for the number of dishes at a New Year’s Eve dinner. Some regions aim for "Eight Great Bowls," "Ten Great Bowls," or "Twelve Bowls" to have an auspicious number—usually an even one, symbolizing good luck and reunion. But now that living standards are higher, you can make more if you have more people. And yes, eighteen is also an auspicious number.

People in the south of China don’t eat dumplings for the New Year.

To southerners, dumplings are a convenience food, like the frozen kind, for when there’s nothing else to eat. Or they might make a batch at home, freeze them, and have them occasionally for a change of pace.

Northerners have a saying: "Who doesn’t have dumplings for the New Year?"

Southerners also have a saying: "Who on earth eats dumplings for the New Year?"

That’s why every year on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, when skits feature people making and eating dumplings, southerners just don’t get it. They can’t relate, and as a result, viewership has been declining.

Li Xiang brought out a massive, one-meter-diameter roll of 100,000-sound firecrackers and a large box of eighty-eight 1.5-inch aerial shell fireworks. He and his cousin lit them in the front yard. CRACKLE! POP! Sparks flew everywhere amidst the deafening noise.

The display was the most spectacular in the entire village. It was a total blast.

It wasn’t actually that expensive, costing just over a thousand yuan in total. Cheaper options were available, but Li Xiang had bought high-quality ones. After all, it was the New Year, and duds were the last thing you wanted. It would be terribly inauspicious if the chain stopped halfway through.

Thankfully, the entire string went off without a hitch. Then, it was time to head inside, close the door, and start the feast.

They didn’t shut the door completely, just pushed it to, leaving a small crack. This was called "closing the door to welcome wealth." As for the next day, they would set off firecrackers first thing in the morning—the "door-opening firecrackers"—for "great fortune upon opening the door."

Little Aunt opened the good wine she had brought and poured a glass for Li Xiang and his grandmother, but not for his cousin.

It wasn’t that his Little Aunt forbade him from drinking. Rather, he had to ride an electric scooter home later, with her on the back. Drinking and driving certainly wouldn’t be safe.

Fortunately, Li Xiang had bought soda and juice that morning, so his cousin toasted with a Coke instead.

Li Xiang’s Spirit Wine contained Spiritual Power that was far too potent for ordinary people, so he didn’t bring it out.

Little Aunt was a sensible drinker. She enjoyed good wine but would stop once she’d had enough. She never drank herself into a stupor. When she was out and couldn’t refuse a drink, she would just pretend to be drunk and find a chance to slip away.

After all, you have to look after your own health.

"Xiaoxiang, your tolerance for alcohol is unmatched! The student has truly surpassed the master. Come, let’s toast to you finding the one you love soon. Cheers!"

"Mom, here’s to your health! May you grow more vigorous with each year and live a long and prosperous life!"

With Little Aunt present, the mood at the dinner table was never dull, and everyone had a wonderful time eating.

Even the dog and fox came in to beg for a small bowl of wine. The Little Fox grew more spirited with every sip, while Er Huang, a notorious lightweight, started staggering after just a few licks.

The pets were also eating very well tonight.

Halfway through dinner, Jiang Cai’Er showed up.

She had already finished dinner at her own home but wanted to pop over and see what kind of New Year’s Eve feast Brother Xiang’s family was having. She arrived at the perfect time—many dishes were still untouched, so she managed to snag a second dinner.

Although her family’s New Year’s Eve dinner was nice, Uncle Jiang and Aunt Jiang had always been frugal, so it was nowhere near as lavish as the spread at Li Xiang’s home.

Li Xiang didn’t give her any wine, handing her a can of coconut milk instead. With Jiang Cai’Er’s chattering presence, the atmosphere at the dinner table grew even more lively.

After dinner, the sky had already grown dark. His grandmother urged Little Aunt and her son to head back early, reminding Li Xiang’s cousin to ride his scooter slowly.

Little Aunt offered to help clean up before she left, but Li Xiang said, "Don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of everything."

The village children had all come out to play. Li Xiang brought out a ton of fireworks and started setting them off with Jiang Cai’Er, drawing all the kids over.

Li Xiang had bought plenty, so he handed out a "Gatling gun" firework to each of them. They all held one, aimed at an open area, and let loose. SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! The synchronized volley felt like ten thousand arrows being unleashed, a true Rocket Force experience.

The more the merrier, after all. Tonight, it was all-you-can-light fireworks. He decided against doing the traditional molten iron show—it was too much trouble. Fireworks were more convenient, faster, and relatively safer.

Jiang Cai’Er, in particular, was having a blast. Cradling the biggest Gatling firework, she was like the king of the kids, leading the group and giving orders. Li Xiang himself didn’t light any; he was busy recording a video on his phone to post on his social media account later!