Chapter 87: with translation of chapter title

Afterwards, Shi Yong, Li Kezhang, and Guo team leader each drank two cups.

I didn't drink, because I had a stomach wash a few days ago, and the doctor warned me never to drink too much alcohol, as it could easily cause serious stomach damage.

Ya Li didn't drink, just stared blankly at the restaurant.

Hou Laoban didn't drink either; he stared at me and Ya Li with his eyes.

Niu Ju looked at me and said, "Jianqiang, what's wrong? Why aren't you drinking? This isn't your style—is my toast not to your taste?"

I had to tell Niu Ju, "Niu Ju, that's not it—I had a stomach wash a few days ago, the doctor forbids me from drinking too much, otherwise I'd be hospitalized. Niu Ju, can I have someone drink for me?"

Niu Ju said, "Let me state this: if you can't finish your drink, you may have someone else drink it for you. If no one does, you must drink it all, or else I won't give you any face."

I said to Shi Yong, "Shi Yong, drink these two cups for me."

Shi Yong came over, took the wine dispenser, and downed two cups in a row.

Ya Li then said, "Who will drink for me? Niu Ju, I really can't drink."

At that moment, Niu Ju gestured with his eyes to Li Kezhang and Guo team leader,

the two of them immediately stood up,

poured Ya Li's wine into their own cups, then drank it down.

Now only Hou Laoban remained,

Hou Laoban's face looked as ugly as a frostbitten eggplant,

"What is this? Chairman Zhao and Vice President Kang both have someone drinking for them—who will drink for me? I can't play like this; if I had known, I would have had our hotel's vice president join."

"If I had known you'd wet the bed, Old Hou, stop making excuses—this drink must be finished." Niu Ju said angrily.

I don't know what Hou Laoban did to offend Niu Ju, but from the start of the drinking session, Niu Ju has held a grudge against him.

Hou Laoban picked up the wine dispenser, then put it down again,

glanced at the people around the table,

everyone waited for him in silence,

and no one spoke up to help him drink.

He must truly regret coming to this drinking gathering.

But having already stepped onto the battlefield, how could he act like a deserter?

Gritting his teeth, he had to force the drink down.

Niu Ju stared at him with wide eyes.

Hou Laoban had no choice but to clench his teeth,

picked up the wine dispenser and began drinking, each gulp forced down,

he took a big mouthful of the second cup, but couldn't swallow it.

it almost sprayed out of his mouth,

Hou Laoban quickly covered his mouth with his hand,

and slowly swallowed the wine in his mouth.

After drinking so much, Hou Laoban's complexion began to shift from white to red, deepening into a dark crimson.

There was still wine left in Hou Laoban's dispenser, and Niu Ju said reluctantly, "You must finish it all; otherwise, every drop left will earn you three penalty cups. Guo team leader will supervise."

Guo team leader walked up to Hou Laoban,

"Hou Laoban, hurry up and drink—everyone's waiting for you."

Hou Laoban pleaded with Niu Ju, "Niu Ju, please spare me—I truly can't drink any more. Could Chairman Zhao and Vice President Kang speak on my behalf?"

Niu Ju replied, "Who dares to plead for mercy? You have to drink ten cups before you can speak to ask for leniency. Old Hou, aren't you usually tough? Today this drink must be finished down to the last drop; otherwise, you're deliberately denying me face."

Hou Laoban felt as if he had a death wish,

so he had no choice but to pick up the wine dispenser again and start drinking,

taking big gulps; whenever a mouthful couldn't be swallowed, his body would react instinctively and refuse to swallow further.

No matter how Hou Laoban tried, he couldn't swallow it,

so he flung the dispenser aside, flopped onto the ground, and couldn't get up.

Niu Ju directly told the hotel staff, "Your boss has drunk too much—carry him away."

The staff hurriedly called people to haul Hou Laoban out.

Once Hou Laoban left,

Niu Ju waved his hand broadly,

"Our banquet continues. Serve more drinks."

Ya Li stood up and said, "Niu Ju, we've already drunk quite a bit; let's stop—we've had enough fun."

Niu Ju said, "Vice President Kang, just now was only an appetizer; the banquet hasn't officially started yet. Damn it, that old Hou brat gives me no face at all."

A few days ago, we were planning a new office building, hoping to get support from the Zaocheng Grand Hotel, but we didn't expect this old guy to keep crying poverty.

We've certainly not spared any effort to protect the Zaocheng Grand Hotel's safety, right, Guo team leader?

Guo team leader immediately said, "Niu Ju is right; we conduct Hour Security Control for the hotel's safety, and if any problem arises, we'll arrive here at once."

to guarantee the safety of the guests staying here.

This has enabled the Zaocheng Grand Hotel to be repeatedly voted the most popular hotel among guests, and all of this credit goes to Niu Ju's capable leadership.

Niu Ju waved his hand again,

"Jianqiang, in Zaocheng, some things shouldn't be forced. Did you see? That old Hou just now didn't know his limits, trying to set conditions with me. For the issues we raised, he refuses to make corrections.

Their hotel has many problems; next step we will conduct a safety inspection of the hotel. I've heard their bath center harbors illicit activities, which is a key target of our crackdown.

Our beautiful Zaocheng—how can we tolerate such corrupt and filthy behavior?

"Jianqiang, do you agree with what I'm saying?"

After hearing Niu Ju's words, I finally understood why he made Hou Laoban unable to step down—because Hou Laoban, in some matter, didn't listen to Niu Ju's result.

Today Niu Ju is killing a chicken to scare the monkeys.

He deliberately put on a show for me to see.

I hurriedly said, "Niu Ju is right; in our social environment, we absolutely will not allow those ugly things to happen."

Only under Niu Ju's governance will our Zaocheng society become safer.

Niu Ju laughed heartily,

"Jianqiang, but today a fight incident still occurred, and it is a very serious injury case; this incident can be classified as a criminal case. Li Kezhang also came, he has already obtained direct evidence. Captain Guo, can you guarantee to apprehend the law-breaking criminals?"

Li Kezhang and Captain Guo immediately stood up,

"We will protect anyone who carries out Niu Ju's orders; no matter who, we dare to arrest, we will make him admit his crimes based on evidence."

No need to ask, this Niu Ju is talking about Xiao Long's fight with Da Jun.

I hurriedly said, "Niu Ju, I came today specifically to explain this matter to you. Xiao Long's fight with Da Jun was just a momentary impulse."

Those two kids have grown up together since childhood, often roughhousing.

We are all elders; I hope to minimize this matter as much as possible, so it doesn't affect the children's futures and their relationship. Niu Ju, looking at our years of friendship, I hope you won't pursue this matter with Xiao Long any further.

After I finished speaking,

Niu Ju paid no attention to me,

He picked up a cigarette from the table, lit it, and began to smoke,

After taking two puffs,

He suddenly shouted at the waiter, "Why haven't you brought the wine yet? Are you not paying us?"

"Rest assured, tell Hou Laoban,"

"We will not owe them a single cent for our meal,"

"Feelings are feelings, interests are interests."

"Please bring the wine quickly."

The waiter then hurriedly ran out, and from outside brought in another case of wine and opened it.

Niu Ju then told the waiter, "Take the wine dispenser away and serve bowls. Today let's decide heroes over wine."

"Jianqiang, I've heard that Shi Yong is known as being able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk."

"Our Li Kezhang and Captain Guo are also known as being able to drink ten thousand cups without falling; let's have them drink a match, how about that?"

"Shi Yong, do you dare to take the challenge?"

Shi Yong then stood up,

He threw off his upper garment,

"'Great, finally it's my turn to appear.'"