Chapter 532: Having Dinner with Tian Shi

After settling Ru Meng's affairs,

We then drove away from the modern school.

I returned to Zaocheng Grand Hotel, wanting Hou Laoban to set up a meeting with Tian Shi.

I wanted to meet him and talk about the Qi He Mine.

Since Wen Han had already agreed, I struck while the iron was hot and took over the Qi He Mine, to avoid future complications.

We had just returned to the hotel when we met Hou Laoban in the lobby.

Hou Laoban was turning prayer beads in his hand.

He kept chanting something.

Upon seeing me enter, he immediately ran over.

"Jianqiang brother, you're back; I was just about to contact you."

"Hou Laoban, how do you have time?" I said with a smile.

"I always have time. My time is prepared for Jianqiangkou brother." Hou Laoban said with a smile.

"What are you preparing for me? I also don't eat vegetarian or chant Buddha. We're not on the same path." I said deliberately.

"Jianqiang, don't say that, as if I'm a gangster. We who chant Buddha have faith."

"There is a fundamental difference between us and those people in society." Hou Laoban spoke bluntly.

"Alright, I'll believe you. You are a noble person, free of lowly tastes. Hou Laoban, what do you have for me waiting here?"

"I wouldn't call myself noble; I'm just a kind person. I'm waiting for you here because Tian Shi arranged it. He wants to invite you to dinner tonight, afraid you won't come back from Sijiucheng."

So he arranged for me to wait for you at the hotel.

"Today I've finally been waiting for you; I'll say it, my time is all reserved for Jianqiang, and you still don't believe me." Hou Laoban's eyes squinted into a line as he smiled.

Plus Hou Laoban's newly shaved bald head,

If you didn't know about his past affairs with nuns.

He really looks like a person who eats vegetarian, chants Buddha, and has faith.

"I should also thank Hou Laoban; if I had known earlier, I would have contacted you as soon as I returned."

"What time did Tian Shi book for tonight?" I asked.

"Jianqiang, how about seven tonight? Go back to your room to rest first. At seven, we'll meet in the hotel's lotus hall—no missing it." Hou Laoban said.

"Alright, that's settled." After saying that, I went upstairs.

At seven in the evening,

I brought Ru Meng and Xiao Shitou to attend the banquet together.

I contacted Zhao Xiaohua, hoping he would come too to accompany Tian Shi for dinner. However, Zhao Xiaohua had guests to accompany in the evening and had no time.

We quickly arrived at the hotel's lotus hall.

Hou Laoban was already waiting for us.

Xiao Shitou, Ru Meng—they were also known to Hou Laoban.

Upon meeting, Hou Laoban gave gifts to these two children.

Xiao Shitou got a new phone, and Ru Meng got the latest fashionable bag.

Both children were very happy holding their gifts.

Hou Laoban really has his own way of doing things.

I say, whoever comes to Zaocheng as a leader, Hou Laoban sits firmly like Mount Tai. There's a reason for that.

I said to Hou Laoban: "Hou Laoban, this has cost you money."

I am no longer your golden customer now.

The gifts you gave might not be recouped.

Hou Laoban then laughed and said: "Jianqiang, what are you saying? No need to be polite with me. Your children are my children."

As an elder, giving the children two meeting gifts is nothing.

Our feelings cannot be measured by money at all.

That is a tempering forged over a long time.

Being able to have a meal with you is also my honor.

Hou Laoban, the Buddha says one must strive daily. It seems you are daily chanting Buddha and making progress. In just these few days, I have gained a new respect for you. I praised Hou Laoban.

At that moment, a voice sounded from outside the door.

Old Hou, has Jianqiang come?

Tian Shi spoke as he entered from outside.

Hou Laoban saw Tian Shi enter,

He immediately gave a flattering smile and said: "Tian Shi, you've come; Jianqiang has already come, he's waiting for you."

I hurried over and extended my hand.

Hello Tian Shi, I just arrived as well.

Jianqiang, you've returned from Sijiucheng? Tian Shi asked.

Yeah, I returned yesterday. I shook Tian Shi's hand.

I arranged for Hou Laoban to wait for you at the hotel; as soon as you return, have him invite you.

Knowing you're too busy, asking you to dinner is no easy matter. Tian Shi said while holding my hand.

Tian Shi, you're criticizing me.

I should have, upon returning, proactively contacted Tian Shi to report work. I said with a smile.

Reporting is out of the question; let's just have a casual meal and drinks together.

"Who are these two? Please introduce them." Tian Shi pointed at Ru Meng and Xiao Shitou and said.

Translation: "Who are these two? Please introduce them." Tian Shi pointed at Ru Meng and Xiao Shitou and said.

"Who are these two? Please introduce them." Tian Shi pointed at Ru Meng and Xiao Shitou and said.

Make sure it's one line.

I introduced them to Tian Shi, saying, "This is Xiao Shitou; he now works at Da Heng Group under Zhao Xiaohua, and he is my son. Her name is Ru Meng; she is my maid."

Translation: I introduced to Tian Shi: "This is Xiao Shitou; he now works at Da Heng Group under Zhao Xiaohua, and he is my son. Her name is Ru Meng, and she is my maid."

Note: "son" is a humble term for son. "maid" is maid. Keep as "son" and "maid". Use glossary names: Zhao Xiaohua, Da Heng Group.

Well done, Jianqiang, you have both a son and a daughter—what good fortune!

Translation: "Great, Jianqiang, you have both a son and a daughter—what good fortune."

Xiao Shitou and Ru Meng, right? Please have a seat.

Translation: "Xiao Shitou, Ru Meng, right? Hurry up and sit."

"You must be hungry, Hou Laoban, serve the dishes." Tian Shi shook hands with Ru Meng and Xiao Shitou respectively.

"You must be hungry, Hou Laoban, serve the dishes." Tian Shi shook hands with Ru Meng and Xiao Shitou respectively.

Translation: "You're all hungry, huh? Hou Laoban, serve the dishes." Tian Shi shook hands separately with Ru Meng and Xiao Shitou.

Note: "Hou Laoban, serve the dishes." Keep as "Hou Laoban". Tian Shi shook hands with Ru Meng and Xiao Shitou respectively.

Then he took my hand and had me sit beside him.

Translation: "Then he took my hand and had me sit beside him."

Upon hearing Tian Shi's arrangement to serve the dishes, Hou Laoban hurriedly urged his staff to serve the dishes quickly.

Translation: "Upon hearing Tian Shi's arrangement to serve the dishes, Hou Laoban hurriedly told his subordinates to serve the dishes quickly."

Soon the table was filled with dishes.

Translation: "Soon the table was filled with dishes."

Hou Laoban took out a bottle of wine and wanted to personally pour us drinks.

Translation: "Hou Laoban took out a bottle of wine and wanted to personally pour us drinks."

How could I let Hou Laoban pour the wine?

Translation: "How could I let Hou Laoban pour the wine?"

I gave Xiao Shitou a glance.

Translation: "I gave Xiao Shitou a glance,"

Xiao Shitou voluntarily stood up and snatched the wine bottle from Hou Laoban's hand.

Translation: "Xiao Shitou voluntarily stood up and snatched the wine bottle from Hou Laoban's hand."

He wanted to pour wine for us.

Translation: "He was going to pour wine for us."

Hou Laoban wouldn't let Xiao Shitou pour the wine.

Translation: "Hou Laoban wouldn't let Xiao Shitou pour the wine."

Actually, taking Xiao Shitou out to eat is to train him in handling social situations at the dinner table.

Translation: "Actually, taking Xiao Shitou out for a meal is to train him in the social etiquette of the dinner table."

From now on, his main work will be at the wine table, because many matters are discussed there, even truly formal affairs.

Translation: "From now on, his main work will be at the dinner table, because many matters are discussed there, even the truly formal occasions."

Everything had been arranged in advance.

Translation: "All of it has been decided in advance."

Xiao Shitou needs this kind of training.

Translation: "Xiao Shitou needs this kind of training."

A mature man must be able to handle himself comfortably at the wine table.

Translation: "A mature man must be able to handle himself comfortably at the dinner table."

At the wine table, one can train one's responsiveness, eloquence, and social skills.

Translation: "At the dinner table, one can train one's reflexes, eloquence, and social skills."

If a man wants to succeed, he must be able to attend some banquets.

Translation: "If a man wants to succeed, he must be able to attend some banquets."

Only at the wine table can leaders discover your abilities.

Translation: "Only at the dinner table can leaders discover your abilities."

Only then can they reuse you and give you opportunities.

Translation: "Only then can they reuse you and give you opportunities."

This is also an important opportunity for advancement in the workplace; everyone can figure it out for themselves.

Translation: "This is also an important opportunity for advancement in the workplace. Everyone can figure it out for themselves."

Xiao Shitou and Hou were arguing over pouring the wine,

Translation: "Xiao Shitou and Hou were arguing over pouring the wine,"

I laughed and said, "Hou Laoban, why are you, as an elder, arguing with a child? Give the child a chance to train."

Translation: "I laughed and said: 'Hou Laoban, what are you arguing with a child about? Give the child a chance to train.'"

You've become a big boss,

Translation: "You've become a big boss,"

and yet you remain so humble. Hou Laoban, it seems I need to learn from you.

Translation: "and yet you are so humble. Hou Laoban, it seems I need to learn from you."

Tian Shi also said, "Alright, Old Hou, let's just have a casual meal, don't take it seriously, let Xiao Shitou pour the wine."

Translation: "Tian Shi also said: 'Alright, Hou Laoban, let's just have a casual meal, don't take it seriously, let Xiao Shitou pour the wine."

"If you pour it, we won't drink."

Translation: "If you pour it, we won't drink."

Hou Laoban then stopped arguing,

Translation: "Hou Laoban then stopped arguing,"

Xiao Shitou took the wine bottle and poured for us in turn.

Translation: "Xiao Shitou took the wine bottle and poured drinks for us in turn."

Xiao Shitou first poured for me,

Translation: "Xiao Shitou first poured for me,"

I immediately stopped Xiao Shitou,

Translation: "I immediately stopped Xiao Shitou,"

"Xiao Shitou, when pouring wine, you must first serve the most respected person at the table; we are very familiar with each other."

Translation: "'Xiao Shitou, when pouring wine, you must first serve the most respected person at the table; we are quite familiar with each other.'"

Tian Shi, this is your first time meeting.

Translation: "'Tian Shi, you are meeting us for the first time.'"

You should pour for Tian Shi first.

Translation: "'You should pour for Tian Shi first.'"

Then Hou Laoban, then me, and finally yourself.

Translation: "'Then Hou Laoban, then me, and finally yourself.'"

When pouring wine, you must pour slowly and fill the glass completely.

Translation: "'When pouring wine, you must pour slowly and fill the glass completely.'"

"Wine should be full, tea should be light—this is the rule in Zaocheng."

Translation: "'Wine should be full, tea should be light; this is the rule in Zaocheng.'"

After hearing me, Xiao Shitou quickly poured wine for Tian Shi first.

Translation: "After hearing me, Xiao Shitou hurriedly poured wine for Tian Shi first."

Tian Shi said, "Jianqiang, you are leading by example."

Translation: "Tian Shi said: 'Jianqiang, you are teaching by example.'"

Hou Laoban also said, "Tian Shi, I have eaten many meals with Jianqiang, and each time he voluntarily pours wine for me,"

Translation: "Hou Laoban also said: 'Tian Shi, I have eaten with Jianqiang many times, and each time Jianqiang voluntarily pours wine for me,'"

"the reason Jianqiang is so successful is for a reason."

Translation: 'the reason Jianqiang is so successful is for a reason.'"

"Don't say that; I should be learning from you, truly Hou Laoban, on this little plot of land in Zaocheng."

Translation: "'Don't say that; I should be learning from you, truly Hou Laoban, on this little plot of land in Zaocheng.'"

"You are the person I admire most." I hurriedly said.

Translation: "'You are the person I admire most.' I hurriedly said."

"You are all excellent. It seems that coming to Zaocheng was the right choice; I have met the most outstanding people in Zaocheng. I also want to learn from you." Tian Shi said from the side.