Chapter 140: Drunk to Numbness

These days, the guesthouse isn't for ordinary civilians to stay in; mainly because they're unwilling.

Usually, to stay you must also bring an introduction letter and stay in the Large Dormitory's multi‑person rooms, costing anywhere from five mao to one yuan per night.

Let alone the standard double room that Lu Cheng and Da Kui occupy—there's heating, not to mention a private bathroom.

A tiled squat toilet, a water tank hanging on the wall, and a rope beside it.

Da Kui didn't come out after using the toilet; he stayed inside for a full hour while Lu Cheng sorted the wolf skin outside, occasionally hearing the splash of the water tank being pulled.

"Da Kui, stop playing. What's so fun about a broken water tank?"

"It's fun; it can flush away my poop."

Lu Cheng shook his head; he still had the intellect of a child.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Lu Cheng opened it and saw Tian Shukuan, the bespectacled one.

"Section Chief Tian? Aren't you assisting the technicians with research and repair data? How do you have time to come to me?"

Tian Shukuan pushed his glasses back; after a shower, he shed the disheveled look from the forest and became the intellectual on the train again.

"Group Leader Lu, we just split up a moment ago and you're already so polite to me; I still prefer you call me comrade Tian Shukuan—it sounds friendly."

Lu Cheng smiled and let him in: "You also call me Group Leader Lu, right?"

"No, no, I called you Group Leader Lu out of respect at first; now you call me Section Chief Tian, which is precisely a distancing from me."

Lu Cheng waved his hand: "You intellectuals, your speech is just too roundabout."

Tian Shukuan laughed: "Alright, I'll speak plainly. Factory Director Zheng specially asked me to call you all over to the Steel Factory Canteen for dinner, as a thank‑you for Group Leader Lu's help."

Lu Cheng didn't refuse: "I thought the Steel Factory had abandoned us here, leaving us to fend for ourselves."

"That can't be; Factory Director Zheng said that whenever you're in Spring City, just come straight to the Steel Factory to find him—food and lodging will be fully arranged for you."

Tian Shukuan said, glancing: "By the way, where's Da Kui?"

Lu Cheng pointed to the bathroom: "He's inside playing with the water tank; I've never seen such a fancy toy."

"Haha, I really wish I could keep you all here a few more days. Let's go, we're off to eat."

Tian Shukuan led the way; once inside the Steel Factory, he easily found the Canteen, suggesting it wasn't his first time here.

These days many state‑run factories tend to build a Canteen.

Unlike the main cafeteria, the Canteen is reserved exclusively for the leaders to eat.

When leaders come to inspect work, they can't cram onto a single table with the workers to share the Big Pot Rice.

Some factories are truly short on funds and don't want to build one, but when others have it and you don't, it feels off, so they tighten their belts and still put together a Canteen.

Wealthy enterprises even construct Guesthouses and clubs or other entertainment facilities, focusing on good food and fun.

As he walked, Tian Shukuan noticed Lu Cheng's Military Coat: "Group Leader Lu, the back of your coat got torn; let's swap it."

After all, this is a dinner specially hosted by Factory Director Zheng; what he wears doesn't matter, but we shouldn't embarrass Lu Cheng.

But Lu Cheng felt none of that; instead, he proudly patted his back.

"No need, this is my Honor Medal; ordinary people haven't even had the chance to be grabbed by a wolf yet."

Tian Shukuan burst out laughing: "Group Leader Lu really is different from others—please, Group Leader Lu."

As they spoke, they had already arrived at the Canteen.

After entering, they discovered that not only Factory Director Zheng was present, but also several Steel Factory directors and department heads—a single table held over a dozen people.

So many drinking companions—truly a way to give Lu Cheng plenty of face.

Seeing Lu Cheng enter, Factory Director Zheng rose personally and pulled him close: "Group Leader Lu, sit quickly, please sit."

Lu Cheng's torn coat on his back was conspicuous, yet no one thought it shabby; instead they were surprised and curiously asked for details of his fight with the Alpha Wolf.

While eating and drinking, he recounted the incident, leaving everyone listening in hushed awe, faces shocked.

In fact, when Lu Cheng reflected again on the forest encounter, he felt immensely grateful.

If the wolf pack had charged then, with only the two bullets left in his gun, there would have been no chance of victory.

Perhaps the Alpha Wolf didn't want to lose its authority within the pack, so it deliberately chose to duel the brave one, which gave him the opportunity.

During the round of toasting, some offered three qian, others one liang, and by the time the meal ended, Lu Cheng had been downed a full one and a half jin of alcohol.

You can't refuse; Northerners are too generous—refusing is giving no face.

The dishes were lavish, both meat and vegetables; Da Kui spent the whole time busily cooking rice, and after it ended, Lu Cheng was carried back to the Guesthouse by him.

He slept until the sun was three rods high; upon waking, his head was still hazy.

The sound of the water tank being pulled came from the bathroom; it must be Da Kui inside.

Shaking his head twice, Lu Cheng got up, entered the bathroom, splashed his face, and, having blacked out from drinking last night, remembered nothing of what followed.

He looked at Da Kui and asked, "Da Kui, I didn't brag last night, did I?"

A drunk like this, even if he doesn't say it out loud, worries about what jokes he might have made at the table last night.

Niu Da Kui pulled the water tank again and said, "You bragged, claiming you've touched every little girl's hand in the Capital City, and you still say you're the man five hundred million women can't have."

Now the nation's population exceeds 900 million, with the male‑female ratio almost equal.

Hearing Niu Da Kui's words, Lu Cheng awkwardly slapped his forehead, realizing he'd indeed made a fool of himself; the alcohol truly shouldn't be over‑indulged.

"You also said…"

"Don't say any more!"

Lu Cheng hurriedly reached out to stop him; being drunk isn't scary, but having someone remind you the next day is.

After freshening up, Tian Shukuan came over and said Factory Director Zheng wanted to treat everyone to lunch and have a bit more wine to loosen up.

Lu Cheng politely declined, saying he had to catch a train in the afternoon; embarrassed to face people, he immediately had Da Kui shoulder the wolf skin and headed to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

The Northeastern weather was brutally cold; everyone on the street was bundled up tightly, and they cast curious glances at the wolf skin on Niu Da Kui's shoulder.

At the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, Lu Cheng took off the wolf skin and tossed it onto the counter, instantly startling the young sales clerk, who shrieked.

Oh my goodness, what is this thing? It's scary, huffing and puffing.

Wolf Skin, you don't take these? Lu Cheng asked.

Now the Supply and Marketing Cooperative usually buys pelts, and there is also a procurement task from above, thereby exporting to earn foreign exchange.

Hearing it was Wolf Skin, the little girl still didn't dare approach, waving her hand and saying: "You you, go to the procurement section of the side room, go find Section Chief Liu Kezhang, don't put it here, it's too scary!"

Unlike the little girl's reaction, upon arriving at the procurement section, Section Chief Liu Kezhang, who was drinking tea and reading the newspaper, upon seeing so many Wolf Skins, his eyes lit up.

The procurement task from above hasn't been completed yet; these few Wolf Skins came just in time.