A large family gathered around a small Eight Immortals table, each holding a small ceramic bowl in one hand and chopsticks in the other, creating a lively atmosphere.
Not far away, an apricot tree was adorned with red cloth strips, swaying gently in the breeze, symbolizing peace, joy, health, and longevity.
"Is this the 'Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea' dish?" someone asked.
"Yes!" came the reply.
"I've never seen these ingredients before," She Dengke said, glancing at Chen Ji.
"Chen Ji, why aren't you eating? Don't let Liu Quxing finish it all by himself."
Liu Quxing rolled his eyes.
"Aren't you eating too? Why blame me for finishing it?"
Chen Ji smiled and explained, "I'm not used to the 'Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea' dish. I'll have something else."
Liu Quxing pouted.
"You're missing out. The ingredients for this dish were brought back by the Cao Gang from the sea. Even the Yingxian Tower doesn't get fresh ingredients every day. You need luck to taste this."
Chen Ji smiled but didn't argue.
The so-called "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" was a dish made with shark fin, sea cucumber, abalone, fish bone, fish maw, shrimp, asparagus, and ham.