Chapter 642: Returning to the Provincial Capital to Find Zhu Sheng

Li Jia, after hearing me finish, smiled,

then stood up happily,

"Thank you, Mr. Zhao, for your teachings,

you've made me smarter.

I used to always think emotions were important, but actually some things are more important,

A woman truly knows how to love, not a cheap love.

We talked very happily today.

I'll first communicate with Zhuang Shi about when to go to Huaihai, and I'll contact you.

I have other matters, so I'll leave first.

Mr. Zhao, I sincerely thank you."

I also stood up,

extended my hand,

"Li Jia, emotions are important, but it's about how to handle them best.

Be a mature woman who can easily master her emotions, not a delicate woman who becomes a slave to emotions.

Talking with you today also made me happy. We'll get in touch again when we have time."

After I finished speaking, I shook hands with Li Jia.

Li Jia left my room happily.

After Li Jia left, I wanted to tell Li Jia that a woman's desire must not be excessive, otherwise she will fall into the abyss of desire, and worse, there will be no chance to turn back.

But such words aren't appropriate for me to say out loud.

We are precisely at a time of mutual exploitation.

I can only encourage Li Jia to do so.

Living in this desire‑driven society, I also feel that I have a problem in my thinking.

I can only forgive myself.

There's no way around it; this society is just like that,

if you live very naively,

you become a fool and will die a miserable death.

I want to ask how Yang Tao and Cui Chengshan are doing.

I took out my phone,

hesitated for a moment, but still didn't dial the number.

I have too many worries; I don't really need to ask how they're doing.

If this Yang Tao doesn't get in touch with me, I'll leave her in Xue County to have fun.

You should know that when she was with Director Qi, Director Qi relied on medication. What fun is that life? Cui Chengshan, on the other hand, is young and handsome.

Let them go wild.

I'm preparing to return to Niushiling to see how the house renovation is going.

Winter is about to arrive.

When the weather gets cold, living in the countryside becomes troublesome.

I don't want to burn coal for heating anymore; these days people use gas stoves for heating,

I'll go back and tell Shi Jinhe that it's set up; it'll be useful in winter.

I was just thinking that when my phone rang,

and I saw the caller ID was Zhu Sheng.

Since I returned from the Provincial Capital, I haven't been in touch with Zhu Sheng.

I hurriedly answered the call,

"Jianqiang, where are you?" Zhu Sheng asked over the phone.

"Zhu Sheng, I'm in Xue County," I said.

"In Xue County, what are you busy with?"

"Zhu Sheng, I'm busy with a big matter. I haven't had time to report it to you yet," I said with a smile.

"What big matter? How is Da Heng Group doing now?" Zhu Sheng asked.

"Zhu Sheng, I'm driving to the Provincial Capital to find you; I happen to have an important matter to discuss. It's morning now, and I estimate I'll arrive at your place around four in the afternoon. Can we meet and talk?" I didn't want to say too much to Zhu Sheng over the phone.

I need to go to the Provincial Capital to report to Zhu Sheng.

Zhu Sheng laughed, "You, Jianqiang, are such a hothead, alright,

I'll wait for you in the Provincial Capital.

Do you know the snack street in Spring City? Beside it flows a never‑ending spring,

There are also delicious braised pork, grilled chicken racks, roasted pork, and beer there,

After I buy them, I'll wait for you there.

How about we enjoy the spring water while drinking beer?"

"Alright, Zhu Sheng, I'm heading to the Provincial Capital right now.

I know that place; I once drank with you there," I said on the phone.

"Okay, Jianqiang, that's all," Zhu Sheng said before hanging up.

I put down the phone,

and hurriedly packed my things to leave Xueguo Dajiudian.

I have not contacted Yang Tao.

If Yang Tao has anything, he will definitely call me.

I drove away from Xue County, heading straight for the Zaocheng expressway.

After getting on the expressway,

I set the navigation and headed straight for the Provincial Capital.

Now having the expressway is really convenient; it takes over three hours to reach the Provincial Capital.

After arriving at the Provincial Capital, since that snack street doesn't allow cars in, I parked my car in an underground lot of a mall and then walked to the Provincial Capital's snack street.

At this moment, it is the most leisurely time of the afternoon.

The weather has long since shaken off the heat; a cool autumn breeze blows, and the spring water nearby gurgles.

As long as you come here, even the world's most complicated matters must be set aside,

enjoy a moment of leisure here,

Both sides of the snack street are filled with small square tables.

Three or five people sit at each small square table, eating simple cooked food and drinking the best beer in the Provincial Capital, Hei Pao beer.

I looked for Zhu Sheng among those tables,

not far away, Zhu Sheng was waving at me.

I quickly walked up to Zhu Sheng,

Zhu Sheng looked at me and happily said, "Jianqiang, you've come; hurry and sit down. See what dishes I've prepared."

Zhu Sheng pointed to the cooked food on the table,

there were peanuts and edamame,

beef, intestines, and chicken frames,

and two large cups of beer.

"Zhu Sheng, great, all are my favorite foods."

Zhu Sheng laughed and said, "Sit down; these are drinking snacks, there are no chopsticks here, we eat with our hands.

This is befitting the reputation of the Water Margin hometown."

"Big bowls of alcohol, big chunks of meat." I said that and then sat down.

Zhu Sheng unfolded the wrapping paper, took out a piece of beef from the bag, and put it directly into his mouth,

then he took a big gulp of beer,

let out a comfortable burp,

"Ah, this is the best way to drink, the most down-to-earth; come, Jianqiang, eat."

I quickly grabbed a piece of beef with my hand,

and threw it straight into my mouth,

chewing in big mouthfuls, the beef's aroma filled my whole mouth.

I then took another; Zhu Sheng passed over the beer, and I drank a large cup in one go.

The cool beer went straight to my heart and lungs.

I also let out a beer burp.

Zhu Sheng looked at me and laughed heartily,

"When life is going well, one must enjoy it to the fullest; don't let the golden cup face the moon in vain. Come, Jianqiang, have another drink and try this place's roasted chicken frame."

After saying that, Zhu Sheng downed another large cup of beer.

Then he handed over a golden-roasted chicken frame.

The roasted chicken frame is a true drinking snack, with not much meat on it.

It's all bones,

and you have to slowly suck the flavor off the bones.

It's very satisfying for cravings.

A large chicken frame let me eat with relish.

After finishing the chicken frame, you must lick the oil off your fingers.

That is the complete way to eat a chicken frame.

Zhu Sheng said, "Jianqiang, look how great this place is: there's delicious food, fine wine, and spring water for company; when the autumn breeze blows, nothing will weigh on your mind.

What are we, in the long river of history, but a white horse fleeting through a gap?

Just a momentary thing.

Alas, Jianqiang, you are now in your forties; when you reach my age, you will let go of everything. Really, before, I couldn't let go either.

Once a person passes sixty, their mindset is different again.

Year after year, the ages lead us step by step toward death; in fact, a person's final resting place isn't that little box, is it?

Whether rich or poor, powerful or powerless,

no one can escape this fate,

think about it, fate is also fair.

Birth, aging, sickness, death — nobody can escape.

I, this whole life, have been busy — for a house, for status, for money, for career; I never liked drinking idle wine or chatting idly,

but now I actually like this kind of life.

In the end, a life of busyness isn't for a cup of idle wine.

As for me, I often come here alone to sit, watch the spring water, and watch the people passing by.

Today, you came, come drink with me,

Drinking together, damn satisfying.

Jianqiang, come, have another drink with this old man.