Village Chief Fan began to speak.

"Indeed, Dr. Zhang, Director Ji just left, and now you're late for dinner. We can't afford to be blamed by those above. Let's finish dinner first, and then return to the county. It'll give us a chance to try the dishes made by the chefs here in West Village and their special hot pot."

Director Rong smiled as he spoke.

"Since you've all arranged it this way, we'll go along with your plan and taste the local specialties."

The arrangements had already been made, so he certainly couldn't insist on returning to the county.

Besides, the live broadcast had gone over time, leading Village Chief Fan and the others to change their plans.

Soon, they arrived at Secretary Jia's house.

The house was located at the center of the village, in a relatively flat area, with villagers' houses clustered closely together.

"You're here? Come in, come in, our dishes are ready."

A slightly plump woman came up, inviting them in.

Secretary Jia's wife, Mai Yao.

"Dr. Zhang, Comrade Xiao Song, this is my wife, Mai Yao, the village's top chef. Look at these two tables of dishes; they were all made by her."

They were ushered into the living room.

The two tables were prominently displayed there.

"Village Chief Fan has really outdone himself this time, he even has Hundred Herbs Soup!"

Director Rong's eyes lit up at the sight of the two bowls of dark yellow-green soup on the table.

The comrade from the Integrated Media Center took immediate footage.

This would certainly make excellent material.

"This isn't my work, it's Old Jia's achievement."

Fan Zhichang replied with a smile.

"Ah, perfect timing, Dr. Zhang, Comrade Xiao Song, you two sit down quickly. Xiaotao, would you like to sit with Dr. Zhang and them?"

Jia Fengshou cheerfully asked Mai Xiaotao.

"Xiaotao will sit with me."

Song Wanqing gestured to Mai Xiaotao.

"Mm~"

Mai Xiaotao liked Song Wanqing a lot and promptly sat next to her.

At the table were Secretary Jia, Village Chief Fan, Director Rong, Zhang Lingchuan, Song Wanqing, Mai Xiaotao, and Secretary Jia's wife, Mai Yao.

"Dr. Zhang, Xiao Song, you two surely haven't tried Hundred Herbs Soup before, have you?"

Director Rong looked at them with a smile.

"Not really..."

Zhang Lingchuan shook his head.

"What is Hundred Herbs Soup?"

Song Wanqing asked curiously.

Could it be soup made from a hundred different herbs, just like it sounds?

She felt this interpretation made some sense, as the soup seemed quite thick.

"Haha, I'll give you a bit to taste, it truly is a local specialty here!"

Director Rong continued to laugh heartily.

He enthusiastically ladled a bowl for both Zhang Lingchuan and Song Wanqing.

"Sis, I don't want any."

Song Wanqing noticed Xiaotao's bowl was still empty.

She intended to serve her a bowl as well.

Unexpectedly, something surprising happened.

Young Xiaotao seemed very disdainful of the soup, shaking her head in refusal.

"Oh, kids can't get used to it. Comrade Xiao Song, Dr. Zhang has already tasted it, you should try it too."

Director Rong watched them intently.

"Alright, I'll give it a taste."

Being stared at made her a bit uncomfortable.

Nevertheless, Song Wanqing planned to dip her spoon into the bowl and try a bit.

"The taste is kind of strange, what kind of soup is this, Director Rong? Stop keeping it under wraps..."

Zhang Lingchuan had already tried it.

But the taste had an indescribable quality.

"Haha, Dr. Zhang, Hundred Herbs Soup is made from grass extracted from cow stomachs before digestion. It's boiled into this soup, so a peculiar taste is normal; the more you eat, the more you'll crave it. I'm planning on promoting this unique soup later!"

Director Rong revealed the secret.

"From the stomach, grass that hasn't been digested??"

Zhang Lingchuan was perplexed.

"Pfft—"

"Cough cough cough—"

Song Wanqing nearly choked.

Grass from a cow's stomach that hasn't been digested—isn't that basically pre-digested cow dung??

So they were drinking cow dung soup?

"Comrade Xiao Song, take it easy, hahaha~"

Everyone at the table chuckled.

"It's true that outsiders find it hard to accept, but if you really taste our cow dung soup, you'll become fond of it."

Secretary Jia chimed in.

Whether one truly grows to love it.

The fact that Song Wanqing and Zhang Lingchuan didn't serve themselves a second bowl tonight told the story.

This special dish was indeed particularly unique.

For those whose palate it didn't suit, it was hard to accept.

"Hey, speaking of which, where's Sixth Brother? What's going on??"

Nearing the meal's end, as everyone chatted, Secretary Jia suddenly inquired sharply.

Sixth Brother lived a couple of houses away in the neighborhood.

He'd extended an invitation earlier.

Why hadn't he shown up?

"Sixth Sister-in-law said Sixth Brother burned his throat eating hot pot last night, and now his throat hurts, so he didn't come."

Mai Yao responded.

"That impatience—always loving those super-hot dishes. I recall when we were young, he took a bowl of hot porridge straight from the pot and drank around the edge, no wonder he's so chubby!"

Spoke Mai Duochan.

He, of course, was there too.

But tonight felt deceptive; Dr. Zhang had hardly touched any alcohol.

He only sipped a bit of tea.

Leaving him wanting more.

"Alas, to have a sore throat from hot pot, but it shouldn't prevent him from walking over. What happened? Let me take a look. Village Chief Fan and Director Rong are here; even if he can't eat, we could chat."

Jia Fengshou grumbled.

"Alright, Old Jia, you go check it out, I actually miss Sixth Brother."

Village Chief Fan and Director Rong commented.

Especially Village Chief Fan, who frequently indulged. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Sixth Brother was also quite talkative.

Soon Secretary Jia stood up.

"Dr. Zhang, honestly, you're one of the most admirable people I've ever met, so handsome and principled, and most importantly, so skilled. I really, really wish we could drink together! I'm tempted to propose a toast or two!"

Mai Duochan lifted his glass.

He was indeed a bit tipsy.

Sometimes being tipsy made it easier to speak heartfelt words.

"Uncle Mai, I truly can't drink alcohol. How about using tea instead?"

Zhang Lingchuan was genuinely surprised; everyone here seemed to be heavy drinkers.

Even the women drank a lot.

But he truly couldn't handle it.

Alcohol muddled the mind, risking embarrassment.

At the entrance.

"Hey!"

Jia Fengshou just came out and saw a young man in a white coat hurrying up the steps, carrying a medicine box.

Wasn't this the village's resident doctor?

What was happening??

"Oh my God, Doctor, you're here! Please, go check on him. He's twitching!!"

A woman's voice was panicked and tearful.

"Sixth Sister-in-law, what's going on? What's wrong with Sixth Brother!"

Seeing Sixth Sister-in-law so agitated, Jia Fengshou quickly asked.

"I don't know! Old Jia said he felt unwell and wanted to lie down, but things got worse, and he started clutching his throat!!"

Sixth Sister-in-law explained.

Soon they rushed into the room.

The scene in the room instantly sobered Jia Fengshou.

The village doctor with the medicine box stood frozen; something terrible had happened!!!

...