Chapter 214: As Wished (Part 5)

Chapter 214: As Wished (5)

Wan Ju was located just outside the Crescent Building, a newly established culinary hotspot in Shazhou.

The Crescent Building was the most upscale residential complex in the city, home mostly to the wealthy. Since its opening, Wan Ju had enjoyed steady business. In June, the owner had invested heavily in a renovation, hiring two Sichuan chefs and two Hunan chefs. The quality of the dishes improved significantly. Despite the high prices, the renovated restaurant remained bustling with customers.

The owner had formerly been a government cadre and a subordinate of Liu Chuanda. Consequently, Liu had become a regular patron. As soon as Liu’s car stopped, the portly owner personally greeted him at the entrance, leading Liu Chuanda, Zhu Yan, and the others into a private dining room.

Old Liu and Liu Guanghua’s driver did not enter the private room. Instead, they took a small table outside.

In recent years, the number of official vehicles in various units had swollen, and driving schools had sprung up like mushrooms after rain. However, the status of drivers had plummeted. In the 1980s and early 1990s, it was customary for drivers to sit at the main table when leaders dined together. By the mid-1990s, at the county level, it was rare for drivers to share a table with their leaders.

Liu Guanghua’s driver was a familiar face. He went into the kitchen, carefully selected several signature dishes, and then bought a pack of Jiaozi cigarettes for each of them. He sat with Old Liu, puffing away comfortably and at ease.

Inside the private room, four bottles of large-bellied Taiwan Kinmen Kaoliang liquor were placed on the table. Liu Chuanda ordered, “Bring the wine glasses. Let’s settle the base amount first.”

Secretary Old Zhao saw this gesture and knew a heavy drinking session was about to begin. He suggested, “Mayor Liu, everyone is on an empty stomach. Let’s eat some dishes before drinking.”

Liu Chuanda waved his hand away, speaking with bold spirit. “Last time we went to Shanghai, Secretary Zhu joined forces with three other secretaries to toast me in turns. I slept for a day and a night and didn’t get to see the Bund or the Oriental Pearl Tower. Today, I intend to take my revenge.”

He was originally a military man, a regimental-level cadre who had transferred to the Lingxi Provincial government organs. After serving as a deputy section chief for a year and a section chief for two years in the district committee, he had come to Shazhou as a vice mayor. He was known for his practical work ethic and his drinking capacity. After being drunk by Zhu Yan in Shanghai, he had always harbored thoughts of revenge. Now that Zhu Yan had walked right into his trap, the opportunity for a fair duel had finally arrived.

One bottle of Kinmen Kaoliang was enough to fill four glasses. Liu Chuanda raised his glass. “Here, I first wish for the 500,000-ton cement plant to settle in Yiyang. Bottoms up.” He drained the two-and-a-half taels of Kaoliang liquor in one gulp, then gently placed the glass on the table, smiling at Zhu Yan.

Zhu Yan also drained his glass in one go and turned it upside down. Only a single drop of wine hung from the rim. This was a custom in Shazhou: one must finish the drink in one gulp. When turning the glass over, if three drops of residual wine fell out, one would be penalized with another drink.

Although the Kinmen Kaoliang had a high alcohol content, its taste was smooth. Hou Weidong drank it all in one swallow and showed his empty glass to Secretary Zhao.

After this first round, a warm sensation spread throughout his body. Hou Weidong’s demeanor completely relaxed. He thought to himself, “When listening to instructions from afar, mayors and county party secretaries seem unapproachable. But now, in close contact, I realize they are flesh-and-blood people too.”

Liu Chuanda, appearing half-drunk, said, “Old Zhu has achieved remarkable results in Yiyang. In this term’s leadership change in Shazhou, your name is being mentioned frequently.”

According to Shazhou’s historical conventions, among the deputy positions in each government term, one was always promoted from a county party secretary. The secretaries of Yiyang, Wuhai, Linjiang, and Chengjin counties each had their advantages. In terms of comprehensive strength, Zhu Yan held a slight edge. However, official promotion depended on a complex mix of factors, not just individual will.

Zhu Yan quickly responded with humility. “Shazhou has developed rapidly in recent years, producing many young talents. I am a lagging figure. How could this opportunity fall to me?”

Liu Chuanda laughed loudly, his hair standing on end, every pore seeming to exhale alcohol. He raised his glass again. “This drink is to wish you success in next year’s election, my brother.”

After finishing the four bottles, everyone showed signs of intoxication. The sixty-degree baijiu could burst into flames if ignited. Once swallowed, it seeped into the blood, rapidly carrying the alcohol’s effect to every cell.

Secretary Zhao, in his thirties, had initially been somewhat arrogant. After drinking, his smile widened. He placed a hand on Hou Weidong’s shoulder and said in a low voice, “Brother Hou, you’re only in your twenties, aren’t you? Truly young. If I were that age, I would strive hard. Now at thirty-six, there are not many opportunities left.”

“Secretary Zhao, please look out for me in the future.”

“Certainly.”

While speaking, Hou Weidong used the corner of his eye to observe Liu Chuanda. Liu was engaged in serious conversation with Zhu Yan and had not noticed their exchange.

After the four bottles, seeing that Zhu Yan had not fallen, Liu Chuanda ordered another bottle of Wuliangye. After this bottle, Secretary Zhao covered his mouth and rushed to the restroom.

Liu Chuanda had not collapsed, but his speech was becoming slurred.

“Drinking with Secretary Zhu is satisfying,” he said, his tongue twisting. “The cement plant project must be finalized. Additionally, there is another project this year, secured by the province. They plan to build a brewery in the Shazhou region. Is Yiyang interested in handling this project?”

Zhu Yan’s eyes lit up. He grabbed the Wuliangye bottle and poured out the remaining wine. “Mayor Liu, you are my leader at work, but my elder brother in private. Let us share this bottle together.”

The four men finished five bottles, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Hou Weidong noticed that Zhu Yan’s steps were still steady. He thought, “Secretary Zhu’s drinking capacity is indeed impressive. Mayor Liu did not gain the upper hand today.”

Once in the car, Zhu Yan waved his hand. “I won’t return to Yiyang today. I haven’t been home in months. I’m going home to see my mother.”

Amid the roar of the engine, Zhu Yan soon fell into a deep sleep. Hou Weidong was in a state between sleep and wakefulness, dozing with his eyes closed against the headrest. He mocked himself, “Yu the Great passed his home three times without entering while controlling the floods. I am accompanying the county party secretary past his home without entering.” He took out his mobile phone and set it to vibrate mode to avoid disturbing Zhu Yan’s rest.

Old Liu heard Zhu Yan’s steady snoring and asked, “Secretary Hou, how much did you all drink?”

“Four men, five bottles.”

“Secretary Hou has a good capacity. You’re still full of energy.”

“I’m just holding it together.”

As the car traveled on the highways of Lingxi Province, Hou Weidong fastened his seatbelt and soon fell asleep. When he woke up, they had arrived at a rural courtyard.

Zhu Yan was still asleep. Hou Weidong got out of the car, hesitating whether to wake him. An elderly woman with gray hair, wearing a simple floral cloth shirt, walked out of the house. From her demeanor and attire, it was clear she was not a typical rural resident.

Old Liu warmly approached her. “Aunt Zhang, Secretary Zhu is sleeping in the car. We didn’t wake him.” He sighed, “Secretary Zhu is the leader of Yiyang County, busy spinning around every day. Today he drank with the leaders. It’s hard to bear waking him.”

Old Liu then pointed to Hou Weidong beside him. “This is the new Secretary Hou.” Hou Weidong politely greeted, “Aunt Zhang.”

Aunt Zhang nodded to Hou Weidong. “Secretary Zhu cannot sleep in the car. You must help him upstairs to the bed.”

Hou Weidong opened the rear door and whispered, “Secretary Zhu, we’re home.” He called out several times before Zhu Yan opened his eyes. His eyes were red. “We’re home already?”

Zhu Yan’s body swayed slightly as he got out of the car. Hou Weidong supported his arm and helped him to the bedroom on the second floor.

This was a residence converted from a rural house. Flowers bloomed in the courtyard. The rooms had been clearly renovated, with a simple style and almost no decoration. The walls were painted white, and the upstairs rooms had wooden floors. The windows were not the common blue glass found in rural areas, but colorless glass. Zhu Yan’s room featured a large row of bookshelves.

After helping Zhu Yan onto the bed, Hou Weidong set the air conditioner to 27 degrees. As he prepared to go downstairs, Aunt Zhang walked in with a cup of honey water. Seeing her son so drunk, she said with a pained expression, “Zhu Yan is in his forties. He can’t drink like he did when he was young. Xiao Hou, you must remind him more in the future.”

Zhu Yan’s hair was messy as he slept deeply on the bed, occasionally snoring. Zhang Jie checked the temperature of the air conditioner, then took a thin blanket from the bedside cabinet and draped it over Zhu Yan’s chest and abdomen.

“He’s grown so big, yet he never gives us peace of mind.”

In a mother’s eyes, her son never truly grows up.

The group sat in the living room on the ground floor watching TV. Aunt Zhang noticed the flush on Hou Weidong’s face. “Xiao Hou has also had quite a bit to drink. Why don’t you go upstairs and rest? This rural house has seven or eight bedrooms.”

Hou Weidong replied, “Aunt Zhang, I don’t need to rest. I’ll just watch TV here.”

Aunt Zhang was quite talkative. “Before retiring, I wanted to live in the countryside. The air is good, and I can grow my own vegetables. It’s eco-friendly and fresh.”

“This house belongs to my cousin. His family went to Zhuhai to become bosses years ago. Knowing I always wanted to live in the countryside, he let my husband and me live here before he left in ’92. The house is good. With simple renovations, it became a villa.”

At that moment, an elderly man in his seventies, carrying a fish basket, walked in. His face and arms were tanned from the sun. Seeing the car in the courtyard, he said, “Has the eldest son returned? He’s in for a treat today. I caught seven or eight jin of crucian carp.”

Old Liu stood up immediately. “Old Master, you had a good harvest today.” He introduced to Hou Weidong, “This is Secretary Zhu’s father. We all call him Old Master.”

Hou Weidong also called out, “Old Master.”

Old Master laughed happily. “Why has Zhu Yan changed secretaries again? This kid’s standards are too high. When he was young and served as a secretary, I didn’t think much of him either.”

Aunt Zhang took the fish basket, looked inside, and smiled. “Jing and her classmates are coming back for dinner. Old man, you and I will prepare this fish.”

The couple chatted as they went to the kitchen to busy themselves. Old Liu finally took the opportunity to explain, “Old Master was formerly a senior leader at the Provincial Development Planning Commission. Aunt Zhang is a teacher at the University of Finance and Economics. They came to enjoy rural life after retiring.”

Hou Weidong thought to himself, “Secretary Zhu’s mother is a university teacher. No wonder he has a faint scholarly air about him.”

Soon, the aroma of fish soup drifted from the kitchen. A crisp laugh came from outside. “Grandma, why are we eating fish again tonight? I’m tired of it.”