Chapter 533: Hou Laoban is Wen Han's person

"Tian Shi, you are criticizing me at this moment. The ancients said, 'Examine oneself three times a day,' only then can one renew oneself. I only see Tian Shi, and I am in self-reflection."

"Tian Shi's earnest teachings let me feel like basking in spring breeze. Tian Shi, you are truly the finest person in Zaocheng." Hou Laoban immediately said humbly.

When Hou Laoban says such things, his face doesn't blush at all; it seems his Dao cultivation is not ordinary deep.

Tian Shi, after hearing Hou Laoban's words, found them very beneficial.

All leaders like to flatter.

This is common. Hou Laoban can get away with it because he puts aside his face and dares to say anything.

Anyway, he believes in Buddha; under Buddha's blessing, his words are always correct.

At this moment, I immediately raised my cup.

"Hou Laoban, let us quickly raise a cup to the finest person in Zaocheng."

Hou Laoban, to express his feelings, directly downed a cup of wine.

You should know that in the past, when drinking with Hou Laoban, he always used health preservation as an excuse and tried not to drink.

Especially Niu Ju had specially dealt with Hou Laoban; for this reason, Hou Laoban drank too much and lay on the floor.

Now it seems, everything was pretended.

People are best at pretending.

Tian Shi laughed and said: "Old Hou, your temper is still so hasty; I didn't say to down a cup in one go."

Moreover, fine wine should be savored slowly; you gulping it like Zhu Bajie eating ginseng fruit, you haven't tasted any flavor yet—you just drank too much.

"I mainly saw Tian Shi's emotions were too excited; I truly didn't know how to express my feelings. Tian Shi, Jianqiang, you are both the finest people in Zaocheng; I am able to have a meal with you."

This is, after all, a learning opportunity,

I can only use wine to show my attitude of learning. Tian Shi, you may drink as you please." Hou Laoban said, holding up his empty cup.

"Tian Shi, let us not drink casually; let us down it. For the first meal with Tian Shi, we must express our feelings in wine. Tian Shi, everything lies in the wine." After saying that, I also downed the wine.

Tian Shi laughed heartily: "Everyone is so excellent; let us all down it together."

After saying that, he also downed the wine in his cup.

Xiao Shitou hurriedly stood up, took the wine bottle, and poured wine for us.

I said to Xiao Shitou: "Don't rush the pouring; let us all have a bite of food first. With this whole table of dishes, not tasting them would be too disrespectful to Hou Laoban."

Xiao Shitou, here you are the youngest in age and the lowest in seniority. You should proactively down it to show respect to us.

"Dad, I downed a whole big cup; I have never drunk like this before." Xiao Shitou said embarrassedly.

"Study? When it starts, nobody will know. But a man must drink wine." I laughed.

Xiao Shitou raised his own cup,

"My dad said so; I also need to down it. Tian Shi, Hou Laoban, as a junior I respectfully offer you a cup."

After saying that, he then downed the wine in his cup.

Tian Shi clapped and said: "Young man, you can do it."

Hou Laoban immediately gave Xiao Shitou a thumbs-up,

"This child, indeed worthy of being Jianqiang's son; from now on he will be a true man."

Ru Meng then said: "Dad, how can you urge my brother to drink? Who lets their own son drink alcohol?"

I glanced,

and said to Ru Meng: "Ru Meng, your brother Shitou must drink; there will be many places for him to drink in the future."

I am teaching him.

Ru Meng pursed her lips and said nothing more.

We began eating the dishes; Xiao Shitou kept pouring wine.

This second cup of wine,

I said: "Tian Shi, being able to sit with you and drink today is an honor for me, Zhao Jianqiang."

Although we have only met twice, each time is deeper than the last.

I hope that in Zaocheng we can become friends; I offer you a cup.

After saying that, I raised my cup and downed it.

"Jianqiang, that's enough; we will surely become friends."

You should know that I and you both belong to the Wen Family. Here, I also do not wish to hide anything further; Hou Laoban also has a good private relationship with Mr. Wen.

Everyone has someone they rely on in common.

In Zaocheng we work together heart and hand to start a business. Come, let us down it.

After Tian Shi finished speaking, he also downed the wine.

Tian Shi's words were clear,

we are all grasshoppers tied to the same rope.

I just didn't expect that Hou Laoban had private dealings with Wen Han.

It seems Hou Laoban truly hides his talents.

He smiles at everyone, his words never offend.

I always felt Hou Laoban was a person of Kong Shi; who would have thought he privately associates with Wen Han.

Thus one must not judge by appearance.

Hou Laoban then stood up,

"Jianqiang, I said before, if at that time we had cooperated with Kong Shi to want to capture you, it would have been as easy as turning over one's hand. But Second Master Wen already arranged for me to secretly protect you."

So your escape from the hotel was for a reason.

Actually, you impersonated Zhou Fuhai; I recognized you at first glance.

Including Niu Ju privately investigating you, I know all; I then contacted Kong Shi's secretary Xiao Li to have him tell you,

Pay attention to details, don't meet with Niu Ju.

Now there's nothing going on, so I'm telling you about these things.

Jianqiang, you should know, I've also done a lot of work. Today Tian Shi is here, I've laid out everything.

Jianqiang, we're one family; from now on we should discuss matters together.

In Zaocheng's little plot of land, we all follow Tian Shi's lead,

Tian Shi says one, we never say two.

Only this way can we better unite with Second Master Wen, rely on him, and become wealthy.

Hou Laoban said proudly.

After listening to Hou Laoban finish speaking, I felt sweat in my hands.

Thinking about it, the matter of Shi Yong tormenting Hou Laoban.

I never imagined Hou Laoban was a follower of Wen Han; I always thought he wouldn't fall,

and that he had connections with Tian Shi.

Actually not; it turns out Hou Laoban not following Kong Shi's downfall had its reasons.

Putting it that way, all my actions are under Wen Han's control.

Actually, people long ago knew I was impersonating Zhou Fuhai.

They were just using me.

Damn, they're too high.

They were observing my movements without showing any emotion.

Today I finally realized that Wen Han and Hou Laoban are no ordinary people.

I quickly had Xiao Shitou pour wine,

"Hou Laoban, I've offended you many times before; please don't take it to heart."

I always thought you were Kong Shi's person; I never imagined you also had dealings with Mr. Wen.

Back then, when you said you'd save me, I thought you were joking,

Only now saying it like this do I realize it's true.

This cup of wine, I want to thank you for your life-saving kindness.

Without your strong support behind me, Zhao Jianqiang's victory today would not have happened.

"Hou Laoban, you are truly a hidden expert."

After I said that, I then raised my cup with both hands and drank it all in one go.

"Refreshing, Jianqiang, you most like to associate with people like you, speaking your mind directly, not hiding anything."

In the past, were we all just acting? If we spoke everything outright, how could we still perform for them?

What you just said are all trivial matters; Shi Yong is just a rough guy—how could I stoop to his level?

Enough, regarding past matters, I'm not only helping you, but also helping Second Master Wen.

Who put us on the same boat?

Don't say any more thanks.

We're drinking, Tian Shi; from now on, if you have anything, just arrange it directly for me and Jianqiang.

"We will definitely follow your instructions." Hou Laoban then raised his cup toward me and drained the wine.

Tian Shi laughed and said: "Jianqiang, Old Hou, you are both outstanding talents of Zaocheng,"

"Mr. Wen said that upon arriving in Zaocheng, someone would come to assist."

"Today everyone has laid things out clearly. If there's anything, we'll discuss it."