The table slowly rose up flatly.

  The table slowly rose up flatly.

  The day of Village King's 70th birthday. Early in the morning, Village King and Xue Er took out red envelopes and set off firecrackers to wish him a happy birthday.

  The village chief Wang burst out laughing and said: "You guys said you wouldn't accept red envelopes, how come you're giving me a thick envelope instead?"

  "This is our special respect for you, elder. Wishing you a long life of 120 years. Longevity of one hundred years. Nothing unusual. Others give red envelopes. Not accepting any." Village King said with a smile.

  "Haha, a hundred years is enough. Alright, I'll take your red envelopes." Village Chief Wang's face was flushed with excitement, his spirit lifted and his voice loud and clear.

  Soon, the firecrackers sounded lively. Everyone who came brought red envelopes. Village King said: "Those who took the red envelopes all put them in their own pockets. Don't give them to us. We'll take them and then send them back to you. It's a hassle."

  There are a few people who insist on sending it. Village chief Wang said: "When did I not keep my word? Today, if I accept one red envelope, then village chief Wang will become an untrustworthy person. Who among you wants to have a bad reputation? Alright, I appreciate your kind intentions. Everyone please spread the word. Those who come later can set off firecrackers, that's just giving my father a birthday celebration. At noon, upon hearing the sound of firecrackers, he will come over to eat lunch on his own initiative.

  Everyone saw Village Chief Wang being straightforward and efficient, so they stopped worrying about the etiquette of giving red envelopes and started doing things on their own initiative. Those who had tasks to do got busy, while those who didn't have any tasks chatted and laughed together or set off firecrackers and went home to attend to their own affairs.

  Xue Er had arranged tea and snacks on several tables. She smiled and said, "No need to be formal. Just come home and relax. Pour your own tea, crack some melon seeds, and chat about everyday things. There are more people today, so I won't bother with trivialities. Please, everyone, don't worry about the details either."

  Everyone said: "Alright, we'll take care of ourselves. Xue Er, don't bother with us idle people anymore."

  There were several people who loved to play cards gathered around a table playing cards.

  The village chief smiled and said: "Playing cards is fun, it's okay to add some excitement, but you can't exceed one yuan. You guys are playing too big. Today, the police station's Director Li will also come. He says you're gambling, he'll catch you and take you away. I won't intervene."

  "It's just one yuan per game, what's the big deal?" someone asked loudly.

  "It's nothing. Less than one yuan. I've got you covered. Haha." Village King burst out laughing.

  The village chief was chatting and laughing as he walked. Xue Er's mother smiled and followed him closely.

  At half past noon, several officials including Yuan Secretary of the town, Ou Town Mayor, Pan Director, Family Planning Officer Zhang, Driver Zheng and Police Station Chief Li came. They gave red envelopes to Village Head Wang but were all rejected.

  A few people playing cards saw the police coming. They quickly grabbed the scattered money on the table and put it in their pockets. The village chief smiled and said, "Tell you guys today's small card game is no big deal. Just have some fun. It doesn't count as gambling, Chief Li, right?"

  "It's okay, it's okay. You guys play on your own, just don't make too much noise. I won't catch you, so relax."

  Everyone burst out laughing. He then took out some loose change from his pocket. Li saw that there wasn't even a single 10-yuan note on the table. He thought, "This village chief is just talking big and pretending to pay. He must have told everyone beforehand. It's all just for show."

  The village chief led them to a table with tea, water and fruit, letting them drink tea and crack melon seeds on their own. Xue Er saw this and also came over to greet them.

  Xue Er met Little Zhang, praised him a few times, Little Zhang smiled and said that Village King is capable, Xue Er has good fortune.

  No wonder she looks young. The two of them chatted for a few sentences. Xue Er greeted again and went to busy with other things.

  After a while, Captain Zhang and Yun Que arrived. Boss Wang greeted them and asked them to sit at another table. However, Captain Zhang insisted on putting a red envelope into Boss Wang's pocket. Judging from the thickness of the envelope, there was quite a bit of money inside. Boss Wang refused several times, but couldn't refuse anymore. He scowled and said: "Ask everyone present if I've accepted a single red envelope. If I have, then I won't accept yours. That would be me being too polite. But if I haven't accepted any, and you still insist on giving it to me, that's you being too polite, not treating me like a brother."

  Captain Zhang heard what the village chief said and thought it was no good to persist, so he put the red envelope into his own pocket. Yun Que only looked at the village chief with a smile, her dimples more pronounced than ever. But the village chief didn't look at her.

  Xue Er saw the new guests arriving and hurried over to greet them. Village King introduced Zhang Duizhang and Yun Que to Xue Er. When Xue Er met Yun Que, she praised her for being beautiful. Yun Que smiled and said: "I heard you are the number one beauty in the mountain village."

  "That's all in the past now. Now, I'm the number one ugly girl in Shan Chuan." She said with a hearty laugh.

  "You're a beauty now too. Your voice sounds really nice. So crisp." Yun Que said with a smile.

  The village chief saw them chatting and said hello before leaving for another place.

  It was almost noon when people from the village came one after another.

  The wine cups and bowls have been placed on the table.

  The wine glasses and bowls are in place. The dishes are being served now. Everything is proceeding in an orderly fashion.

  Chopsticks are usually served when the dishes are almost ready. They are typically given out after the firecrackers have been lit. After the firecrackers, people generally wait for five minutes before starting to eat formally.

  These five minutes are the hardest to wait because I'm facing a table of delicious dishes, smelling so fragrant and looking at them makes me want to drool, but there's no chopsticks, can't eat.

  Fireworks have gone off. Everyone is preparing to start dinner. Let's see which side the chopsticks will be passed from. Village chief Wang loudly says: "Respected elders, relatives and friends, it has been a long time since we've all gathered together like this. Today, Zheng Shuang and Xue Er are showing filial piety. Please come join me in making merry. I am extremely grateful to everyone."

  Everyone applauded.

  The village chief waved his hand: "To thank everyone, I will perform a small program for everyone today to help the excitement. Is that okay?"

  "Good!" Everyone cheered in unison. No longer waiting for chopsticks.

  The King of the Village, Wang, clutched his fist and bowed to everyone. "Alright, I'm starting."

  The voice of Wang Hongliang, the king of the village, was swirling in the air.

  The King of the Village stretched out his hands, did a few chest-expanding exercises, and then kicked his legs. He squatted down several times. Everyone was wondering what he was doing. Suddenly, they saw him take a deep breath, crouch down, and assume a solid horse stance.

  Then, he stretched his right hand over one leg of the table, flipped his arm, with his arm tightly against the leg of the table, his palm grasped and lifted the leg of the table, shouting: "Rise."

  Everyone saw the table slowly rising flatly. Zhai Wang slowly stood up.

  Applause. Cheers. Shouts. Rising and falling in waves.

  The King of the Village stood for a while, then slowly squatted down. Someone exclaimed: "What great skill! Not a single drop of wine spilled. There's not a single drop of wine on the table!"

  "Good. Let's all drink happily." The voice of Village King Wang was still loud and clear, without even a slight gasp for air.

  Everyone sat down. The chopsticks had already been placed on the table. Nobody was in a hurry to pick up their chopsticks, but were still savoring the flavor of Village King's cooking skills.