Chapter 27: New and Old Friends Attend the Banquet Together

  At 11 o'clock, when Wang Yihao, the project manager of Tianji Petrochemical, walked out of the hotel lobby with Zuo Nanxia, two electric vehicles marked "Urban Management Law Enforcement" accelerated into the hotel gate. The security guard waved his hand, neither stopping nor not stopping, standing awkwardly on the spot. In theory, this place should not have occupied the road illegally, but how did these people rush in? Hurriedly stepped forward to inform the security room.

  Wang Yihao is not a local, and was invited by the chairman to visit Old Master Zuo. Originally, he wanted to invite him to lunch together, but unexpectedly, Old Master Zuo said he had an engagement and Wang thought it was with some government department leader. However, when three big men rushed over, Manager Wang looked at Old Master Zuo in surprise, not daring to ask more questions. Old Master Zuo laughed loudly and said: "Unexpected, right? I have friends all over the world."

  One sentence shocked Wang, his jaw dropped. Speaking of which, Lei Dapeng rushed up and shouted: "Old man, your spirit is getting better and better!" With a firm handshake, he was extremely close, and Zuonan smiled and responded with a sentence, but was surprised to see the two people standing on either side, also smiling foolishly. Lei Dapeng gave a thumbs up and introduced them, saying: "My buddies, Lizi, Baier."

  "Hey, I'm Lìzi...... no, Lì Xiǎolì." Dà Pàng grasped his hand, introducing himself.

  "My name is Bai Shuguang. You, old sir, have an otherworldly air about you, as if you've just descended from a famous mountain."

  Unexpectedly, Lei Dapeng didn't take kindly to this and scolded: "You really don't know how to speak, monkeys running down the mountain can't run down old masters." Li XiaoLi pointed at Bai ShuGuang and slapped him while scolding: "Don't listen to his nonsense, Old Master, this guy only knows how to freeload, that's why he's surnamed White."

  "How can I be wrong again? Can't you guys always bully me?" Bai Shuguang was wronged, and his fat face was twisted in dispute.

  Those two are still waiting to be taught a lesson, Half a day can't get in the mouth of Zuonan Xia, haha, laughing and hugging around Pangge, comforting Bai Shuguang: "Not wrong...... But I'm not from the mountain, but from the overseas Xian Island, haha, Xiao Li, Xiao Bai, and Da Peng, are you three city administrators?"

  "Ah, Tai Dong District Urban Management Special Task Force, also known as the One Ton Team, that's us." Lei Dapeng said with pride.

  This noun is fresh, and looking at Lei Dapeng's pleased expression, the old man asked, and those two fat brothers naturally proudly told the origin, and then looked at the three brothers' weight, which made Zuo Nanxia laugh loudly. Not a few steps away, they called out to their fellow travelers, Dan Yong and Si Muxian, chatted for a few sentences, and the old man was indeed in high spirits, got on the city management car, Li Xiaoli drove, Lei Dapeng accompanied, waved his hand and chased Bai Shuguang onto the back of that car.

  I don't know what they were talking about, but not far away, I heard Lei Dapeng laughing loudly with his arm around Xian Nan. The driver of the car behind, Si Mu Xian, turned his head and smiled at Shan Yong, saying: "Boss, you've got two tricks up your sleeve again, and you've fooled the old man once more."

  "What a coincidence, let's make the most of it." Danyong said with a smile, and reminded Bai Shuguang again, "Today, whatever you do, don't mention any private parts, not even a donkey's. Don't dare say anything like 'jj' or 'egg egg', or you'll annoy the old man and he'll turn around and scold you." Bai Shuguang snickered and repeatedly assured the Party that he wouldn't make any mistakes.

  Two people laughed and fell into Simu Xian's eyes, not seen for several months. Unexpectedly, Lei Ge could collect two small brothers who were so capable. Even he couldn't help but smile. Unintentionally seeing Dan Yong's outfit today, it seemed less formal than yesterday. The grass-green casual suit was very clean, but a bit faded after washing. Very spirited, but not quite up to par. Now among the three people, only Lao Da is not up to par. Whispering and asking: "Lao Da, why are you dressed like this today? Are you entertaining Old Left? How informal."

  "Wrong, I found out that I was too pretentious. Look at what Lao is wearing?" Dan Yong raised his head and Si Mu Xian saw an old man in a dark-colored Tang suit chatting quietly with Lei Da Peng, looking like a laid-back old man playing with his grandson, without any airs about him. When he turned back to look at Dan Yong, Dan Yong smiled and explained: "This is what it means to live life to the fullest without overstepping one's bounds. I didn't have an idol before, but now I must find one, and that old man is it."

  "It's a bit off the mark, isn't it? This is a master of learning, with several philosophical treatises under his belt, and he has students all over the world." Si Mu Xian said with a smile, seemingly feeling that Lao Da and Lao Tou were vastly different.

  "I don't envy him for this," said Dan Yong.

  "What is it about him that you admire?" asked Si Mu Xian.

  He stretched out three fingers, lowering his voice and saying: "Marrying three old wives, the last one was Left Xiying's mother. When he married her, Lao Tou was almost fifty years old. We want to live that long and still hook up with young and beautiful girls, it's gotta be pretty cool, right?"

  Si Mu Xian was taken aback, then burst out laughing, and Shan Yong poked him, afraid that Bai Shu Guang would hear. But unexpectedly, the boss admired this kind of thing, Si Mu Xian asked in a low voice: "What about your sister? Have you two made up?"

  At this question, Shan Yong puckered his lips and shook his head, finding it hard to put into words. Si Mu Xian was surprised and asked again, only to hear Shan Yong wave his hand and say: "I've given up."

  "What? Let go?" Simu Xian was surprised.

  "To be honest, I've let go of the idea, but my heart might not be able to let go for a while. Let's just see how things go. If we're too idealistic about what's good, we might miss out on the beauty that's right in front of us." Yun said with a relieved expression. However, these words left Si Mu Xian stunned - he hadn't realized that their leader had such a poetic side! Seeing his little brother's surprise, Yun continued: "It wasn't me who said it, it was Old Man who did. Actually, I think I've discovered that Old Master has had a bigger influence on me than Big Sis has. Yesterday we chatted for over an hour, from money to emotions... sometimes the truth is universal. Old Master doesn't mind me and Big Sis being in a relationship, but he does mind if I have too high of expectations. If my expectations are too high and they don't come true, that would be really disappointing for me. He spoke very reasonably and practically - I was just overthinking things. Big Sis is still reading for her master's degree, who knows what she'll be like after she graduates? Maybe she'll change, maybe I'll change, maybe we both will... who knows?"

  "Haha... so you want to emulate Professor Zuo and marry two or three old wives? Isn't Wei Xiaobao a better idol for you?" Si Mu Xian laughed in surprise, and after a while, he commented: "It's strange, you can't even flirt with girls successfully, but instead, you hit it off with someone's dad."

  "Since it's like that, I tried to put everything down and thought it was pretty good. And I think it's also great to maintain this ordinary friendship with Shifu Jie, very relaxing, at least neither of us will have any burden. Don't just talk about me, how about Cuihua?" Dan Yong asked, very carefree.

  "She was teaching at the second middle school in her county town, and it's still far from formal employment. We can only see each other two or three times a month now, I don't know what to do, she is in the county town, I am in the city, just thinking about it makes me anxious." Si Mu Xian said with difficulty, it seems that pure love also needs to withstand the test of reality. Shan Yong smiled and leaned in to ask: "Do you believe in love?"

  Si Mu Xian nodded, still with a sour tone. He asked back to Lao Da: "What about you? Don't believe it now?"

  "No, I believe it," said Dan Yong, but his tone changed and he smiled: "Including romantic love, I believe in all kinds of love - unfaithful love, promiscuous love, unrequited love, pure love... what exists is reasonable, and what is reasonable exists. However, if you want to think that love is as simple as you do, you'll probably have to hit a wall several times."

  This sentence earned a disdainful look from his younger brother, an expression that was fundamentally unwilling to admit defeat. It's like hitting one's head against a southern wall; even if he were afraid, he would still have to go hit it several times.

  This time they met with great joy, the other two in the urban management car were even more energetic, and it's really hard to understand how these two people could have so much common language. Of course, what's most unbelievable is the Audi leading the way at the front. Tao Xuanhe occasionally looked at them through the rearview mirror, and even if she saw it with her own eyes, she couldn't help but feel a sense of incredulity. Whether it was Shan Yong or Lei Dapeng, they might have to overturn their image in her heart.

  After gazing for half a day, he withdrew his gaze and sighed: "A freak, indeed a freak."

  "Qianhe, I think you'd better keep a distance from them." Pan Wenjie weakly offered his opinion. When he didn't get a response from his girlfriend, he continued in a tactful tone: "I heard Uncle say that Shan Yong and those people aren't very reliable, and you're getting too close to them. I'm afraid you'll end up losing out."

  "What business is it of yours? When did you get to be so bossy?" Tao Xuehe unexpectedly let out a burst of anger, and gave Pan Wenjie a cold look.

  A celebrity's temper may not be a must, but a woman's temper is definitely there. But then, as soon as she spoke, she felt that her words were too hurtful, after all, her boyfriend had traveled thousands of kilometers to get there, and she was going to apologize, but unexpectedly, seeing Pan Wenjie driving steadily and calmly without any temper at all, it made her even more annoyed instead.

  ………………

  ………………

  The Dongming Hotel was waiting for Le Dapeng and others, while the hotel on the side of Lürou Xiang Huo Guo City was waiting for Tao Chengzhang and his entourage. The hotel's lobby and welcoming staff had been standing there for a long time, knowing that Old Zuo disliked official formalities. Tao Chengzhang deliberately didn't invite any high-ranking officials from relevant departments, but he probably wouldn't have dared to anyway. It was really Le Dapeng and those people who got lucky, while the restaurant was the one that suffered bad luck.

  Fortunately, the protagonist arrived, and Tao Chengzhang welcomed him with a smile as he got off the car. A group of over ten people from the hotel surrounded this special team all the way to the top floor. Along the way, several models who came to respond to the scene were lined up, and these three fat men and model girls winked at each other, even Lao Tzu was not respectful as an old man, looking around at these beautiful model girls, saying that they are pleasing to the eye and nourishing to the mind. This reason made Lei Dapeng also admire and surrender.

  As they entered the private room, three fat men invited Old Zuo to take the seat of honor. Lei Dapeng didn't hesitate and sat in the main seat. Shan Yong was about to give up his seat for Manager Tao, but unexpectedly, Manager Tao arranged for his daughter and her boyfriend to sit with them, saying he wanted to personally supervise today's banquet. As they sat down laughing and chatting, it wasn't clear whether it was intentional or not, but Tao Xueyu ended up sitting next to Shan Yong. Pan Wenjie accidentally sat next to Bai Shuguang, the security guard who had been hit on the head, and as soon as he sat down, he was startled by this evil fat man's sneering expression.

  "Old man, I've got something good for you. Want to take a look?" Lei Dapeng was close to Zuo Nanxia. Zuo Nanxia smiled and nodded, and Lei Ge raised his hand. The two fat little brothers behind him quickly pulled out two bottles of wine from their waists, like pulling out grenades. Tao Xuanhe had sharp eyes and saw that it was not top-grade Liujiu, but a local product. However, when the old man received the bottle in his hands, he said with surprise: "Wow, this is over 20 years old."

  "What was it, still the old man knows his stuff, my dad hid it, and it's from the year when the Liujiu Distillery just built its kiln." Lei Dapeng said with a pleased expression, Zuo Nanxia bowed and thanked him, but Lei Dapeng didn't give it away for free, he walked up to Zuo Nanxia and asked: "Old man, you can't just give away wine for nothing, you have to do something for your brothers."

  "Ah! Is there still such a blatant threat?" Zuo Nan's long eyebrows rose, and he suddenly lost his smile.

  Those on the left were also smiling, their eyes fixed on Lei Dapeng's joke. The one on the far left didn't seem to mind and curiously asked: "May I ask what business you have? If it can't be done, I won't dare drink."

  "It's nothing, you get along well with many leaders in the city, don't you?" Lei Dapeng asked.

  "Hmm, your city's mayor, secretary, investment promotion bureau, cultural bureau... I basically know them all." said Zuo Nan.

  "That's settled then. Let's give a shout and promote both of us brothers." Lei Dapeng said calmly, seemingly having thought of taking this shortcut.

  Wow, Leiguo's IQ has increased, he knows how to take the back door now. Simu Xian covered her mouth, afraid of laughing out loud. Tao Xuehe and Pan Wenjie were both smiling in surprise. But those three brothers didn't notice at all, looking expectantly at Zuonan, just like they expected FeiTeng Huangda, expecting that as soon as the old man opened his golden mouth, the official hat would come.

  "Good." Unexpectedly, the old man nodded his head, and the two brothers were delighted to hear it. Zuo Nan asked curiously again: "What level of official do you want to be?"

  "Captain." Bai Shuguang blurted out.

  "Deserving of being a big captain, idiot." Kuriyagawa scolded.

  "Well, I'll be the director then, in charge of those big and small team leaders." Lei Dapeng was delighted.

  "Oh." Zuo Nan suddenly realized, and asked again: "Can you tell me why I want to be a team leader or bureau chief? Now I think driving an electric tricycle is not bad at all. Being a leader and sitting in the office can't avoid getting sick?"

  "Old man, you wouldn't know about this. Once you're a leader and sign your name, it can be reimbursed, but if you get caught..." Lei Dapeng said.

  "Yes, getting something for nothing without spending one's own money." said Li Xiao.

  "What's that, our Captain Zhang, he can afford to raise several wives." Bai Shuguang sneered.

  This remark made everyone's face turn serious, and they couldn't help but laugh. Left South seemed to be shocked, with a stunned expression, unable to cry or laugh. Looking at these few people carefully, they spoke in a very serious tone, which must have been what they had been thinking about for a long time. But the most ridiculous thing was that the old man didn't laugh, and instead nodded his head: "Alright, I'll take care of it, but this is my face, not money... Now as a minor official, you have to count your money to determine your position, right? If things can't be done, don't blame me."

  No big deal, Leigang is mighty, patted his chest and said that our dad has money, not only did he brag, but the two of them also followed suit, this topic was not very pleasant to hear. Looking at Zuonan's face with a look of discontent, Shanyong patted the table and said: "Hey, today is just for Old Master to come and have a good time, don't talk about work, you three are just freeloaders, even I won't let you off if you become officials, society will be doomed."

  "Alas." Lei Dapeng said with a toothache-like tone: "It's beyond salvation, who can be any different."

  Laughter erupted, and Lao Zuo was a bit displeased. Even Lei Dapeng, with his low IQ, knew to curry favor. He feared that the atmosphere would become unpleasant. Si Muxian sat silently, busy refilling everyone's tea cups. After taking a few sips from the first cup, when it was time for a second refill, a slender hand quickly grabbed the teapot and took over pouring the tea - it was Tao Xuanhe. Having dismissed the waitstaff, he personally poured tea for everyone. As soon as the tea had been poured into their cups, several waiters from the hotel entered in quick succession, and the grand feast officially began.

  The preparations were very thorough, the dishes were served quickly, and a variety of cold and hot dishes were arranged on the table. The wine was a 20-year-old old cellar Wuliangye, which tasted very mellow. Tao Xuanhe was secretly surprised, and Lei Dapeng had accidentally done something right, otherwise the shop would have really brought out a bottle of Five Grain Liquor or Maotai, which wouldn't have met the old professor's standards.

  What he drank was not liquor, but a kind of nostalgia.

  Each of them tasted a few sentences and talked about the donkey's allusion. After a few flavors, Lao Zuo also came to his senses and started to get lively:

  "Famous generals emerge from horseback, poets from donkey back...... Is this body a poet's? Riding a donkey in the light rain into Sword Gate. Lu You's lifelong mount was a donkey, and there were thirty years of riding a donkey, traveling to eat in the capital during springtime by Du Fu, and also Li He who crossed a wild bridge on a lone donkey... Not one, but many... The most uninhibited was Li Taibai, when he lost his position, he rode a donkey to tour Mount Hua, the county magistrate didn't recognize him, he didn't introduce himself, only said: 'I once used a dragon scarf to wipe my mouth, imperial hands adjusted my bowl, strong men took off my boots, an imperial concubine held my inkstone.' In front of the emperor's palace, it was still possible to ride a horse, but on the shaded path, riding a donkey was not allowed? Sometimes when literati and refined scholars become unrestrained, they are no less than fierce warriors."

  Pan Wenjie was indeed knowledgeable and to the point, catering to Lao's elegant taste, saying something about having a nightmare in Handan, carrying poetry on Zhan Bridge. He spoke with a hint of nostalgia, laughing as he reminisced about past times. Only Xian Di could understand such refined language. But Shan Yong jokingly said: "Lao, you say these literary scholars all love donkeys?"

  One of them asked, and those fat brothers sneered. Lei Dapeng hurriedly said, "It's delicious."

  Tao Xuanhe let out a loud laugh. Pan Wenjie didn't think much of this ugly appearance, but Zuo Nanxia's interest was quite good, shaking his head and saying: "Not right, Dapeng, in that dynasty they only talked about money, you should consider it from this perspective. When officials and nobles traveled, they either rode horses or sat in sedan chairs, because they had the money; while scholars and poets were poor and down on their luck, they didn't have the money, so they had to ride donkeys. This donkey, not pampered, with a slow pace, allowed those riding it to leisurely appreciate the scenery and think deeply. Moreover, when riding a horse, one is high up and unapproachable. The image of a donkey has a rustic flavor, a human touch. Therefore, the works written by poets who rode donkeys also carried a kind of intimacy."

  This explanation was convincing, even Lei Dapeng was persuaded, and Pan Wenjie couldn't help but show off a bit in front of his girlfriend. He raised his glass and said: "It's really like that, I remember there's a poem that says: The busy donkey is praised by its master, the fine horse has plenty of grass to eat at night... In dreams, it adds chaff without sleeping soundly, when awake, it waits for the sorrowful song... It was written by a rural poet, and the description of the donkey is very vivid."

  The poem recited to accompany the wine did not have any intention of showing off, but it surprised Old Lao and he exclaimed that the young man's cultivation was not shallow. The poem was quite unique, and when asked, it turned out that he was a graduate of Zhejiang University and had a teacher-student relationship with him, which delighted him. He continued to say: "The key to this poem lies in the first four sentences: Pulling carts and carrying heavy loads with a gentle nature, enduring hardships and laboring with few words. Pushing mills and covering one's eyes from worldly affairs, walking with one's head down and tolerating scolding... It describes donkeys, but implies the philosophy of human life. You're not alone in writing poems about donkeys, are you?"

  "This said, Si Mu Xian, who had been silent for a long time, smiled and recited: 'The poem's body is vast and grand, but its talent is only in this hoof. Long whinnying, urgent strategy, steady steps, joyful fragrance... Boasting of a thousand miles of ambition, yet only a hundred miles to the east and west. This is my favorite one.'"

  No explanation, but from Simu Xian's proud eyes, the old man on the left gave a thumbs up: "Good, didn't misjudge the person, boasting of a thousand miles of ambition, yet only a hundred miles in reality."

  Two people looked at each other and smiled, but what they understood was no more than adding another Pan Wenjie, Shan Yong and Tao Xuanhe seemed to understand or not, the three fat brothers didn't understand at all, only knowing that eating donkey meat is delicious, but not knowing there's also a poem about donkeys. At this moment, Lei Ge saw those two proud ones and said with discontent: "It's just reciting two lines of poetry, who can't do it?"

  "Oh, come on, Da Peng, you also recite one." Zuo Nan laughed.

  Lei Dapeng snapped his fingers, "I've got nothing, but I have a way. Pointing at Li Xiao, he said: 'Big Fatty, represent the City Management and come up with a poem. If you can't, be careful or I'll hit you on the head.'"

  Li Xiaoli's face turned sour, and she was so scared that she couldn't eat. The expression on her face when eating the yellow lotus made everyone laugh. But horses are afraid of being ridden, and people are afraid of being forced. When forced, there is a strange effect. Li Baozi quickly came up with an idea and said while chewing: "Assign... what's that, donkey, donkey, donkey, stretching its neck to sing towards the sky."

  Everyone was stunned, and before they could understand, they felt quite smooth. Bai Shuguang continued: "Who doesn't know this? The next sentence is: Donkey hair floats green

  Donkey's hoof stirs up clear waves.

  Li Xiaoli was furious and pointed at Bai Shuguang, cursing: "Damn it, stealing my intellectual property!"

  "Li Ge, this is a knockoff, it doesn't have any property rights." Bai Shuguang said with a sly smile.

  Everyone burst out laughing, and Tao Xuanhe, who was laughing the hardest, accidentally elbowed Shanyong, startling him. The paper bag in his hand fell to the ground, and no one could eat anymore as they laughed hysterically. Even the three chubby guys joined in on the fun, completely ruining the poem about a donkey.

  Shan Yong bent down, gently picked up the paper towel, and as he stood up, he saw a pair of beautiful long legs wrapped in black and white grid tights under her white dress. Tao Xuanhe's legs. As she smiled and trembled, Shan Yong's hand loosened, and the paper bag fell again. He then quietly gestured: "The paper towel bag fell down, it's by your feet..."

  Tao Xuanhe turned his head and saw that he was about to bow down, but Shan Yong smiled and bent down instead, saying "I'll help you pick it up."

  Tao Xuanhe didn't take it seriously, but why did Shan Yong pick it up twice?

  At the moment of picking it up, Shanyong's hand lightly and ticklishly touched Tao Xuanhe's calf. Tao Xuanhe subconsciously shifted slightly, but unexpectedly felt that his hand had slid along her knee towards her thigh, slowly and very lecherously caressing her, even pinching her once. Suddenly, her eyes widened, her legs clamped together, and she was frightened. By the time she turned to look at Shanyong, this series of actions had already been completed. His fingers were twirling a paper bag, lightly placing it beside her hand, and he smiled very gentlemanly: "Yours."

  "Th-thank...you..." Tao Xuanhe's words squeezed out from between her teeth, her eyes wide and unblinking, her left hand was just beside her boyfriend, a thrilling feeling that made her heart skip a beat. The touched leg felt electrified, numb and tingling for a while.

  "You're welcome." Shanyong smiled, pretending to pour tea, and gave a handsome smile. Tao Xuanhe's heart beat accelerated by a dozen or so times, and Shanyong clearly saw her chest heaving up and down almost touching the edge of the table, with a red glow on her face under the lamp light.

  Her face turned red, nowadays there are not many things that can make a woman blush and feel nervous. However, the rogue didn't turn red, Dan Yong sat upright with a big smile, fortunately everyone was laughing heartily, no one noticed the little movement between the two of them.

  However, it seems that some kind of intention was conveyed between the two people's eyes, and they would occasionally glance at each other. Shanyong's hand was placed on the edge of the table between the two of them, and that hand seemed to have a remote control function. As soon as his fingers moved slightly, Tao Xuehe subconsciously squeezed her legs tightly together, and her heart was racing wildly. So this meal became somewhat interesting...