Chapter 32: Accompanying for a Drink (Part 2)

"Are you going to arrest gamblers again? It's almost the busy farming season. Even if someone plays cards, the stakes are probably too small for you to bother with." Zhu Daodong smiled, got up, and poured a glass of water, handing it to Hou Yong.

"Brother Zhu, you're joking. Today, I want to invite you for a meal," Hou Yong said somewhat awkwardly. He was the deputy chief of the police station, a position of some importance, but Zhu Daodong had just been transferred from a teacher to a secretary. Despite this, Zhu Daodong had helped him financially, while Hou Yong had nothing to offer in return.

"Meal? Lunch or dinner? If it's lunch, I'm afraid it won't work. The county forestry bureau's Director Xiong is visiting today, and Secretary Chen and Township Chief Yuan will both be there to accompany him. I might not have the time." Zhu Daodong didn't agree immediately. As the township government's secretary, he had very little personal time.

Such banquets were usually arranged at Haozailai. Zhu Daodong would go there early to prepare. Although it seemed like just running errands, Zhu Daodong knew that some people would find it hard to get such opportunities. Recently, Zhu Daodong had noticed that his impression in both Chen Shuli and Yuan Ping's eyes had improved significantly.

Chen Shuli had even praised Zhu Daodong in front of others. Of course, no one told Zhu Daodong this; he heard it "with his own ears." Now, Zhu Daodong and Chen Shuli had a good rapport. Whatever Chen Shuli thought of, Zhu Daodong often thought of it first. If Chen Shuli hadn't thought of something, Zhu Daodong would think of it.

As for Yuan Ping, although Zhu Daodong no longer had to bring him porridge, his performance that night was very convincing and excellent, leaving Yuan Ping with no suspicions. Previously, arranging banquets like this wouldn't have been Zhu Daodong's responsibility, but now, Yuan Ping sometimes even invited him to join. Of course, Zhu Daodong knew his place. Once inside the private room, he would only pour drinks and light cigarettes, never overstepping his bounds.

"It's still lunch. A Deputy Director Zhao from the county bureau is coming to inspect our work today. His drinking capacity is astonishing, and he likes to judge work ability by how much one can drink. Our station has been lagging in work recently, so Director Chen's idea is to make sure Director Zhao drinks to his heart's content." Hou Yong chuckled bitterly. He couldn't ask Chen Shuli for help just for this, or the police station would lose face in front of the township government.

"Really? Brother Hou, you have a great capacity for drinking too. And none of your colleagues can drink? Even if it's a relay, you should be able to get the director drunk." Zhu Daodong couldn't help but laugh. To ask for help with such a matter, it was as if the police station only did paperwork.

"You don't know how Director Zhao drinks. It's quite unique. He likes to drink from a rice bowl, and each bowl at Haozailai holds about eight ounces. How many people can finish a bowl in one go? If you don't finish, he won't drink from his own bowl and will mock you." Hou Yong explained, somewhat embarrassed.

"Director Zhao is indeed unique, but isn't he deliberately making things difficult for others?" Zhu Daodong had never heard of such a thing before. Judging ability by drinking capacity, what a strange idea. But after hearing this, Zhu Daodong was quite interested. If the township government judged ability by drinking capacity, he would be the best, as he had never experienced drunkenness. Since the nameless Taoist left, drinking alone was rather boring.

"Exactly. But what can we do as subordinates? Brother Zhu, you have to help us at lunch. Otherwise, we won't be able to handle this." Hou Yong looked at Zhu Daodong with pleading eyes.

Seeing the hope in Hou Yong's eyes, what could Zhu Daodong say? He nodded lightly and said, "I can go, but I can only spare an hour, or even less."

The forestry bureau was a major department for the township. The township received a lot of funding from the forestry bureau each year. This time, Xiong Ping was visiting personally, and Chen Shuli and Yuan Ping would surely "complain" to him. Zhu Daodong couldn't be present at such a meeting. Therefore, he could help Hou Yong during their lunch. But he had to return to the office before the township's banquet ended, or it would be troublesome. Fortunately, Zhu Daodong had good hearing and could monitor Chen Shuli and Yuan Ping's movements. If they returned to the township government early, Zhu Daodong would also leave early.

"An hour? That should be enough." Hou Yong's face lit up. Zhu Daodong's willingness to help in such a situation was a great honor.

Although Deputy Director Zhao had peculiar habits, his requirements for food were not high. Sometimes, if he found a worthy drinking partner, he wouldn't even eat. Therefore, as long as Zhu Daodong had enough drinking capacity, it might not take an hour. If he was quick, twenty minutes might be enough.

At noon, Zhu Daodong went to Haozailai first. Although the hygiene at Haozailai was always good, Zhu Daodong never took such matters lightly. For any reception task, if he was asked to arrange a meal at Haozailai, he would personally check the private room after setting up the menu and drinks with Liang Qiao. He would ensure that the table and chairs were clean and the coat rack was in good condition. Even a small issue could lead to a major crisis.

After completing his routine tasks, Zhu Daodong returned to his office. When Chen Shuli, Yuan Ping, Xiong Ping, and others entered Haozailai, he hurriedly went to the nearby police station.

The police station's banquet was also arranged at Haozailai, which made Zhu Daodong a bit nervous. He didn't want to run into Chen Shuli and Yuan Ping. Therefore, as soon as he entered Haozailai, his ears were focused on the private room where the township government's group was.

Deputy Director Zhao's name was Zhao Jinhai. He knew exactly why Zhu Daodong was there. He didn't think much of this polite young man. Chen Shijie was becoming increasingly muddled. How could he send such a person to accompany him? One bowl of wine, and he would probably be on the table.

"Director Zhao, you are our guest. I'll toast you with a bowl." Zhu Daodong, of course, saw the disdain in Zhao Jinhai's eyes but didn't mind. The dishes hadn't been served yet, but ten bottles of Wuliangye were already on the table. He opened a few bottles and poured drinks for Zhao Jinhai, Chen Shijie, Hou Yong, and himself. Each bowl indeed held eight ounces of wine. It took four bottles to fill the bowls in front of the four of them.

Zhao Jinhai didn't move. He just stared at Zhu Daodong. His rule was that he wouldn't drink a drop unless the other person drank first.

Zhu Daodong had already heard about Zhao Jinhai's rule from Hou Yong. He didn't waste any more words, picked up the bowl in front of him, and gulped down the entire bowl in a few large sips. After finishing, he turned the bowl upside down, and not a drop spilled. Wuliangye was a different level from old white wine. After drinking a bowl, Zhu Daodong felt a sense of comfort.

Zhu Daodong's performance made Zhao Jinhai's eyes light up. Seeing the look of enjoyment on Zhu Daodong's face after drinking, Zhao Jinhai was delighted. He realized that one shouldn't judge a person by their appearance. Without hesitation, he picked up his bowl and, like Zhu Daodong, drank the entire bowl in a few large sips, never letting his lips leave the edge of the bowl.