Chapter 6: Barbecue Dinner

The sun hangs high in the sky, and the gentle warmth of the spring breeze sweeps across the grassland, bringing with it a vibrant vitality

"Here we go again," Han Xuan said with a helpless nod: "Alright, Dad, I will take good care of them."

The ranchers appeared expressionless, yet internally they were frantically envious. Most of them came from ranches that had been passed down for over a hundred years. Who would be embarrassed to admit that their beef was inferior to that of someone who had only been raising cattle for a few years

After the hair is dried, the two little ones lie on the bed. Han Baobao hugs Maidou, inhaling the fragrant scent of soap, and soon falls into a dream.

Although Han's mother is busy, she cannot hide the smile on her face. The quick disappearance of food is the best comfort for her

Han Qianshan was greeting the guests, and upon seeing their expressions, he immediately felt amused. What could this constipated look possibly mean

Mai Dou frolics among the crowd, beloved by both adults and children alike. After feasting on lettuce leaves and carrots, its big face beams with joy as it continuously rubs against Han Xuan.

Mai Dou chased colorful butterflies behind him, joyfully wagging his tail, with his tongue hanging out at an angle from the side of his mouth. Occasionally, he would fall, roll over, and then stand up again. To be honest, he really resembled a dog.

Loitering on the way home, the obsequious Mai Dou followed closely beside him, the sound of a small bell ringing all the way. Just as they reached the gate of the courtyard, he heard his father's voice: "Son, hurry up and greet the guests; they have been asking about you for a while now."

Brother, I want to listen, I want to listen!

It is not customary to arrive this early on weekdays, to avoid the awkwardness of the host not being ready.

The ranch is never short of cattle and sheep. In preparation for today's gathering, the lead cattle were sent to the slaughterhouse early in the morning, lively and kicking as they were taken out, and upon their return, they had transformed into delicious food

A beautiful day awaits them again

The children, urged by the adults, reluctantly stood up, their expressions filled with unspoken grievances and reluctance to leave.

Han Xuan chose to wander alone at the ranch precisely because he did not want to engage in their playful antics. Which adult in their twenties would play a game of cops and robbers with children

They clearly do not have such concerns; after nearly ten years of interaction, it seems that Han Qianshan, the host, has quite a good reputation.

A group of children ranging from a few years old to their teenage years are playing together, seemingly very happy. It is understandable, as the area is vast and sparsely populated, making it quite difficult to encounter peers of the same age.

A one-thousand-pound behemoth, after slaughtering, still weighs over six hundred pounds. The meat is moderately fatty and lean, and when the best tenderloin is cut from the cow, it is filled with marbled fat lines, earning the applause of the women.

The night grew deeper, and the gathering did not conclude until after 10 o'clock

Even if this is the case, one must endure helplessness, feign calmness, and nod slightly to express approval

The Angus and Simmental cattle purchased two days ago have finally arrived, both being young calves. They will require a full year of feeding to grow robust.

The voices of boys and girls mixed together, and Han Xuan was so annoyed that his head felt heavy. He could only shout loudly: "Alright! But could you please stop pulling my pants, where are you touching!"

The sky quickly darkened, and the withered grapevines began to burn, providing the best wood for barbecuing. Tender pieces of beef and lamb were served in blue and white porcelain dishes, allowing one to appreciate the exquisite charm even in a foreign land

They are kept in the pen in batches and must wait for a few days of isolation to confirm their health before they can be merged with the original herd on the ranch. The cowboys do not want to incur any unnecessary losses for the ranch

Today is Han Qianshan's 31st birthday, and there will be a barbecue gathering on the lawn in front of the yard this evening

Han Xuan leaned on the fence, a blade of foxtail grass casually picked in his mouth, watching the adults busy at work, his eyes filled with joy, as he could sense the happiness of the herd of cattle

A group of teenagers, not caring about his adult-like appearance, gathered around and spoke in unison: "Han! Last time, my dad took me home before I could finish that story! Why don't you tell us again?"

Of course, exquisite pastries or small gifts are indispensable, as they reflect the sincerity of the guests; sometimes, a bottle of wine suffices. The gathering is also a time for the hostesses to compete in their culinary skills, with bread and pastries best showcasing this.

The barbecue grill emits a sizzling sound, the meat is rich in fat, and there is no need to brush on oil; this is the essence of true freshness, and soon the air is filled with a delightful aroma

Han Xuan was seen sitting cross-legged on the grass, with more than ten children seated in front of him, resembling an old monk giving a sermon. A tender voice slowly emerged: "Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said, "the opening feast is about to begin. However, before you take your seats in the dining hall, we first need to determine which house each of you will enter..." A tender voice slowly emerged: "Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said, "the opening feast is about to begin. However, before you take your seats in the dining hall, we first need to determine which house each of you will enter..."

The Snow Mountain Farm is already considered reserved, with only a few events throughout the year, making life rather monotonous. This is certainly the opinion of several ranchers in the vicinity, who have also received an invitation today and are preparing to set out from their homes.

Little Han thought to himself that he was being treated like a baby at the age of seven in the eyes of his parents, who constantly urged him to make more friends, which was truly frustrating

The barbecue grills have been set up, with as many as seven or eight of them

Under the eaves, Han Qianshan observed this scene and smiled faintly, while the other ranch owners looked at their respective children, their hearts filled with mixed emotions, uncertain of what to feel.

The children each agreed to continue listening to the story next time, contentedly setting off on their way home, completely unaware of the deep resentment felt by Han Xuan, the storyteller.

However, it seems to be of no use; those three who are about to swallow their own tongues can hardly remember the group of calves around them. If they could speak, they would surely raise their hooves and shout: "This must be the best pasture we have ever eaten in our 4 years of bovine life! Come on, that child by the railing, bring us another 2 jin!"

Madam Guo and several women were returning from the vegetable garden. The lettuce in other households had just begun to sprout, but here they had already seen them, all thanks to the warm greenhouse.

Gatherings are very common in North America; whenever something minor happens in someone's home, they can easily invite a large group of people. Celebrations occur during happy times, and gatherings also take place during sad moments. Weddings are celebrated, and even death is not exempt from such gatherings. These activities accompany Americans throughout their lives

Returning to the room, Xiao Han declared that he would wash off the barbecue smell from his body, accompanied by the reluctant Mai Dou.

The young calves do not feel constrained, for they are happily munching on the lush and delicious grass, which is indeed a delightful treat

He is a child from the nearby Augusge Ranch, located more than ten kilometers away, named Balze, a very handsome young Latino

A slender little hand immediately retracted, having pulled in the wrong place

Pastries began to be arranged on the long table, along with the food brought by the guests

This situation did not last long; today, this tranquil ranch has become noisy, with large trucks rumbling down the dirt road, and a cloud of dust can be seen rising from a distance.

The ranch is no match, let alone the son, sigh... The strong airflow released with the sigh could cause a sandstorm in Huaxia half a month later

It seems that it can no longer be allowed to stay with the Labradors

No gathering can be complete without fine wine, and there is a small vineyard in the ranch that produces wine which, while not of the highest quality, has a very pleasant taste. Today, the guests are very satisfied, as can be felt from the sounds of laughter and joy, loudly toasting to Han Qianshan's happy birthday and drinking in one go.

Cattle and sheep are scattered throughout the snowy mountain farm, living particularly leisurely, as there is an abundance of delicious pasture. They have just finished grazing the tips of the grass today, and tomorrow new shoots will emerge.

There are also three adult female cows in the Simmental herd, generously gifted by Albert. They will play a leading role, helping the calves quickly adapt to the conditions here

Thus, not only is the guest busy baking at home, but Han's mother also puts on her apron, ready to showcase her skills. She is the most skilled person among those around her, and she cannot afford to lose face.

Unlike in New York, where formal attire is required for gatherings, here it is sufficient to be neatly dressed

Old Patton and John, feeling uneasy, decided to accompany each other once more to check on the calves, carrying long-barreled shotguns on their backs, for the prairie was not as gentle as it appeared

It is truly wonderful!

A group of children stared with wide eyes

Four trucks made several trips back and forth, finally transporting over two thousand cattle before sunset, with the sounds of mooing rising and falling.

Han Xuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, coughed twice, his throat feeling somewhat hoarse. He wrapped two slices of beef in lettuce, sprinkled it with cumin, and took a hearty bite, feeling a sense of comfort.

The guests tidied up the yard before leaving, staggering as they walked to the car, looking as if only their wives could drive. It was an endless expanse of grassland, with hardly any vehicles around, so there was no concern about any danger. As for drunk driving, there was no one around to check on them.

The wildness of cowboys does not need to be concealed, while children gaze enviously at the glasses in their hands, wanting to know what secrets are hidden within. They will have to wait until they grow up to obtain the answers they seek

Xiao Han was speechless and thought to himself, jumped down from the wooden railing, raised his hand to brush off the dust from his body, and hopped towards the small wooden house