Chapter 27: Let's Eat Baked Flatbread Together

After Li Ming left, only Xiao Fang and I remained in the room.

Xiao Fang wasn't polite either, she placed the baked flatbread on the table I usually use for meals.

Then she took out a new towel,

washed it in the bathroom, and wiped my hands.

This made me feel embarrassed,

I said, "Host, don't, I'll wipe it myself. Oh dear, I was just joking, why did you actually bring baked flatbread?"

Xiao Fang smiled,

"Chairman Zhao, you don't need to call me host, just call me Xiao Fang. Please, someone as prestigious as you, a single baked flatbread meal is enough to satisfy you; for me, that's cheap."

"You like that kind of flavor."

After saying that, Xiao Fang arranged various flavors of baked flatbread in front of me,

I smiled and said, "Thank you, I still prefer the pork head meat flavor. This fragrance, the nurse doesn't allow me to eat, she wants my diet to be light."

Xiao Fang said, "A light diet doesn't provide enough nutrition. Eating baked flatbread with roasted pork must be accompanied by alcohol. My dad said that's the only way to really enjoy baked flatbread."

After saying that, Xiao Fang took out two bottles of ox-two liquor from another bag.

Then she placed the ox-two liquor in front of me,

I looked at the ox-two liquor, my eyes glowing green,

It's been a long time since I last drank alcohol; this Xiao Fang knows how to eat baked flatbread—could she be from our Zaocheng?

I said, "Xiao Fang, may I ask where you're from?"

Xiao Fang laughed, "My hometown is Zaocheng; I only went to the Provincial Capital when I was over ten. So I know Zaocheng's baked flatbread very well."

I then asked, "You just mentioned your dad—what does he do? Does he also live in Zaocheng?"

Xiao Fang said, "My dad is a retired factory worker; when he has nothing to do, he likes to drink like this. I've been influenced by him since childhood; whenever I see baked flatbread, I want to drink alcohol."

"You can drink alcohol too," I asked again.

"Sure. Today I'm treating you to a meal and will accompany you in drinking; otherwise, I'd be too sorry for our agreement." Xiao Fang laughed.

Then she also took out a bottle of ox-two liquor in her hand.

This girl really dares to drink.

I quickly said, "Drinking is fine, but we must not let the nurse find out, otherwise I'll have her criticize me to death."

Xiao Fang said, "Okay, I'll close the door."

Xiao Fang closed the door of the ward.

Turning around,

"Chairman Zhao, you can relax now, right?"

I nodded, picked up a pork baked flatbread, and took a big bite.

After finishing, I twisted open the cap of the ox-two liquor,

and clinked bottles with Xiao Fang.

I tilted my head back, took a gulp, the liquor went down. A fiery sensation rose from my stomach straight to my forehead.

This fiery sensation is exactly what I wanted,

I'm under huge pressure, I couldn't find any way to relieve it, but suddenly taking a sip of alcohol really relieves stress.

Xiao Fang also took a sip,

then she also took a baked flatbread and started eating.

After finishing,

"Chairman Zhao, are you satisfied with me treating you to a meal like this?"

I said, "Thank you; only you dare to treat me to a meal like this, and you even brought alcohol—no one else would dare."

"I should thank you even more—for quickly solving the workers' wage arrears issue, which let our program achieve a new high in ratings. Everyone believes that 'Xiao Fang Helps You Handle It' is a reliable program, a column that dares to follow through to the end. Chairman Zhao, do you know? I've interviewed many prominent people, and you are the only one who actually does what you say. It makes me admire you greatly."

It makes me admire you greatly.

After saying that, Xiao Fang raised the liquor bottle toward me,

I quickly also raised my liquor bottle and clinked it with hers,

"Don't praise me like that; I'm also doing my best. Our Da Heng Group has never engaged in wage arrears—it's just that these past two years, I haven't been directly responsible for the company, so this problem arose. Sigh, I bear responsibility for not bringing good influence to the elders and folks of Zaocheng."

I took another sip of alcohol.

"Don't say that, Chairman Zhao; you actually have a strong sense of responsibility. I've seen your entrepreneurial history—it's very impressive, and you've done many charitable deeds, such as building roads, bridges, aiding education, supporting the elderly and orphaned, etc."

"From this, we can judge you're a good person." Xiao Fang said, looking at me.

"Sigh, that's all in the past; not worth mentioning. As long as the wage arrears issue is settled, my big worry will be gone. Xiao Fang, I want to ask you, given your abilities, why did you choose to do a livelihood program at the TV station? Actually, doing an entertainment program would make life better for you." I said, concerned.

Xiao Fang shook her head and said, "I'm learning from Chairman Zhao, taking concern for livelihood issues as my duty."

After our rapid development, actually many livelihood problems remain unsolved. The common people belong to the vulnerable group; they fundamentally have no channels to voice their demands, causing resentment to build up in their hearts.

I'm just an ordinary person; I use my modest ability to solve the everyday difficulties of the common folk.

Those difficulties are their big matters; as long as I can help one person, I can help a family resolve a major problem.

Sometimes I think, my ability is too small, while the people's affairs are too many.

Some problems I simply cannot solve." Xiao Fang said regretfully.

After hearing Xiao Fang's words, I felt that this Xiao Fang girl is not ordinary.

She likes to do things down-to-earth,

What I like most is doing things down-to-earth, not just empty talk or nonsense.

At this moment I raised the liquor bottle and said, "Xiao Fang, don't say that. I need to learn from you; you are uncoverers of social ills and also able to supervise and convey social livelihood issues—this is truly significant. Doing these things, I understand there are difficulties."

But you can persevere, I admire you.

Many girls choose easy jobs, only you face difficulties head‑on.

Xiao Fang and I clinked our wine bottles.

"Alright, Chairman Zhao, let's not compliment each other; if others hear, we'll both blush."

I am nothing before you, just a junior radio reporter, while you are a famed figure. Your life is full of legend, and countless people wish to interview you up close.

But you have never given an interview.

This time our 'Xiao Fang Helps You' column team securing your interview will bring us great influence.

I feel that treating you to a pork fire‑baked snack would be too easy.

When you're well, our column team will definitely take you to a grand hotel for a big meal.

I waved my hand.

"Xiao Fang, that's fine—what big feast? So many people making a racket. Honestly I have no special love for food; as long as I'm full it's enough. This pork fire‑baked snack is my favorite. Back when I left the mountains and worked at Niushiling, the first time I tried pork fire‑baked snack, guess how many I ate."

"How many?" Xiao Fang asked.

"Five. The fragrance—this is the best thing I've ever eaten. Later I roamed north and south, tried many foods, but only this fire‑baked snack stays in my memory. So, Xiao Fang, your invitation is great, very creative, I love it," I said happily.

"Chairman Zhao, you know why this fire‑baked snack is unforgettable. It contains the flavor of your upbringing and the bitterness of your years of struggle."

I was in the Da Heng Group Company, hearing others discuss your past.

You endured great hardship to found the Da Heng Group, leading to today's brilliance.

Hearing the word 'brilliance' made me happy.

"Xiao Fang, sorry to interrupt, it's no longer brilliant; it's now a debt‑laden company."

Xiao Fang also laughed.

The two of us took another sip of wine.