Chapter 306: Banquet

In the grand banquet hall of Da Heng Group,

All of us attended Zhang Zong's banquet.

Because of the seating arrangement, I argued with Zhang Zong for a long time.

Zhang Zong insisted I take the upper seat, but how could I? Da Heng Group now has no relation with me.

Zhang Zong said, "Jianqiang, if you don't take the seat, I'll sit at the tail seat."

I laughed, "If you sit at the tail seat, I'll be the waiter."

Shangguan Zhuren, standing nearby, said, "Stop arguing. I'll take the head seat. You two sit beside me."

Zhang Zong said, "When Shangguan Zhuren speaks, problems are solved. Fine, today we'll definitely accompany Shangguan Zhuren well."

After we all sat down,

Shangguan Zhuren began, "Everyone, the year is almost over, the New Year is near; I'd like to wish everyone a happy Spring Festival in advance.

I never expected we could gather inside Da Heng Group. Come, everyone, finish the first cup of wine."

After speaking, Shangguan Zhuren drained the wine in his cup.

We then also emptied the wine in our cups.

After Shangguan Zhuren finished, it was Zhang Zong's turn to drink and speak,

Zhang Zong said warmly, "Everyone seated here, there are new friends and old friends, some of whom have been brothers for over twenty years, old comrades."

Jianqiang and Shi Yong first met at the Niushiling construction site. We once spent the best years together.

At the Niushiling site, Jianqiang was the foreman; the houses he built were once awarded the city's Quality Gold Award.

It shows that even back then Jianqiang was no ordinary person,

Later we went separate ways, and Jianqiang, through his own effort, founded today's Da Heng Group,

and created billions of wealth; I, Zhang, greatly admire him.

Sitting here today, I feel a bit like a pigeon occupying a magpie's nest.

I am only temporarily managing Da Heng,

and at the right time I will return it intact to Zhao.

Returning from the south this time, I am very happy and have gained much,

especially between Xiao Shitou and me, father and son reunited; I mainly thank Jianqiang for his great contribution.

I will not repeat my thanks; everything is in the wine; I wish everyone a Spring Festival with all wishes fulfilled.

After Zhang Zong finished speaking, he lifted his cup and drank it in one gulp.

We all quickly applauded.

After drinking Zhang Zong's toast, it was my turn to speak,

I raised my cup,

stood up and looked at everyone,

"I, Zhao Jianqiang, never even dreamed that this annual meeting would be held inside Da Heng Group.

These days have been terribly chaotic,

every day on the run,

Reaching middle age, I suddenly realized I have nothing,

From chairman of Da Heng Group to today's fugitive status, it has moved me deeply.

What moves me most is,

the support of family and friends behind me; without your support I could not have come this far.

Shangguan Zhuren and Miss Xiao Fang, who helped me escape Lanling, gave their all.

Li Ming and Xiao Long, in caring for Zhou Wei, have given much.

Also Brother Shi Yong has never abandoned me,

Xiao Shitou, my son, has never forgotten our father‑son bond.

Shen Honghong and I have known each other briefly, yet we felt like old friends at first sight.

Past events are like clouds of smoke.

We can only look forward,

Now we face many difficulties. Yet many things, if we work hard, will have good results.

Just now Zhang Zong said he was a pigeon occupying a magpie's nest,

that remark was a bit excessive,

He should have sat in that position; I used to have opinions about Zhang Zong, you could say resentment.

However, after getting to know Zhang Zong again, I found I had misunderstood some aspects of him.

Misunderstandings are not scary; as long as we talk them out, it's fine.

Returning to Da Heng today, I raised my cup again and ate the familiar spicy chicken we used to have,

my heart was very excited.

Zhang Zong, thank you,

for protecting us at our most difficult time.

Xiao Shitou is our shared child; for his future,

we will work hard together,

no fear of difficulty; the key is the determination to overcome it.

Come, everyone, finish this cup; I believe next year will be better.

After I finished speaking, I drained my cup.

Everyone also clapped and cheered.

Here, the rule for drinking is that everyone at the table must speak.

First the host speaks, then the guests also say a few words of thanks.

After I finished speaking, it was Li Ming's turn.

Li Ming said: "Here, I most want to thank everyone, for saving me they paid too much; I can understand my brother's feelings."

At this moment I, too, am filled with mixed emotions.

I won't say more; it's all in the wine.

Li Ming, tears in his eyes, drank the wine.

After Li Ming finished speaking, it was Shi Yong's turn.

Shi Yong stood up, holding a big bowl.

Shi Yong said: "I, Shi Yong, am a rough person; I can't say much. I feel these days are more interesting than working before at Da Heng Group."

Actually, I understand what you just said, but what I most want to say is:

This is so fun, with its ups and downs; if life lacked these things, it would be as bland as drinking plain water.

With these things, it becomes like wine.

Ha ha, it's great to have wine to drink.

No matter how strong they are, we aren't afraid.

What's there to fear? We each have only one life.

If they come looking for trouble, I, Shi Yong, will punch each of them out.

Come, I'll drink first as a toast, wishing everyone good food and drink.

Shi Yong downed the bowl of wine in one gulp.

After Shi Yong finished speaking, Shen Honghong stood up.

This woman is very generous.

Shen Honghong said: "My name is Shen Honghong; some of you know me, some don't; I never imagined I'd be sitting here drinking with you."

I've come to Zaocheng, and it seems I can't leave.

Since I can't leave, let's just do this.

Having just listened to what you said,

I also want to share my feelings.

It's great to know you; in the past I never would have imagined sitting and drinking with Shi Yong.

Now things are different; I find being able to sit and drink with Shi Yong is also a kind of happiness.

What I want to say today is:

We firmly believe in the future.

Believe in unyielding effort.

Believe in the courage to overcome difficulties.

Believe in the future and love life.

After Shen Honghong finished speaking excitedly, she also drank up her wine.

Everyone shouted 'good,' then drank their wine.

After Shen Honghong sat down,

Shi Yong said: "Shen Honghong, what's with you sitting and drinking with me? Before, I was the security battalion commander of Da Heng Group; you think you're not qualified to drink with me?"

Shen Honghong retorted: "What rank is a security battalion commander? A regular or deputy county? In the past, even a regular county official would proactively offer me a toast."

"What county?" Shi Yong didn't understand.

Shangguan Zhuren laughed and said: "Alright, Shi Yong, you and Shen Honghong are worlds apart. She is a famous host."

Today we are honored to drink together with such a famous host.

It is such an honor.

Next, let Xiao Long, Fang Fang, and Xiao Shitou each say a few words.

Shi Yong fell silent.

Shen Honghong gave Shangguan Zhuren a thumbs up.

Xiao Fang stood up.

Xiao Fang said: "I toast my elders, learn from Teacher Honghong. Wishing everyone a happy New Year."

Xiao Long said: "Elders, since I followed the old master, I've learned a lot of social knowledge. I find school and society are really different."

Today, here, I have come to know all the elders.

I, Xiao Long, have paid New Year's respects to all the elders.

Finally, it was Xiao Shitou's turn.

Xiao Shitou's face turned a little red.

Zhang Zong looked at Xiao Shitou with shining eyes.

Xiao Shitou's voice was a little soft.

Xiao Shitou said: "I don't know what to say; thank you, elders, for your kindness."

I've finished my drink; you do as you like; wishing everyone a happy New Year.