Chapter 500: I Choose Lu Cheng as a Friend

When he heard Qin Shou's words, Wu Zhekun thought he was truly childish; only a child would utter such a boring remark.

Of course Wu Zhekun had been that childish before, but after years of military service, especially having now been tempered by artillery fire, he had long since matured.

"Shou, can you stop pressuring me? I'm friends with Lu Cheng, and I'm also friends with you. Why must you force me to choose one?"

Qin Shou was displeased with that answer: "Of course you have to choose. Friendships must be useful; what's the point of befriending someone who is useless?"

Qin Shou momentarily didn't understand: "Friendships have to be useful?"

"Exactly. Take our two families, both living in the Military District Compound, with equal social status. The one surnamed Lu is just a Junior Police Officer, and has no right to even enter the gates of the Military District Compound."

This time Wu Zhekun understood; Qin Shou's "usefulness" referred to this.

In plain terms, both sides must be able to offer a certain benefit relationship.

Wu Zhekun suddenly couldn't help but laugh, his laughter inevitably tinged with melancholy.

He had always regarded Qin Shou as a good friend, often stepping up to fight for him in the past, and even when his father scolded him harshly, he didn't mind.

Putting a knife in a brother's side, he saw it as something to be proud of.

But in Qin Shou's eyes... he was merely a "useful" friend.

Qin Shou was stunned for a moment: "What are you laughing at? Choose quickly."

Wu Zhekun took a deep breath: "Shou, since you said usefulness is required to be friends, may I ask you, have I ever gained any benefit from you?"

The Qin Family's influence is vast, but Wu Zhekun considered that the Wu Family didn't need to cling to the Qin Family, and in his father's eyes, the Qin Family was essentially unworthy.

If we truly compare social status, the Qin Family has no standing to be compared with the Wu Family at all.

Facing Wu Zhekun's question, Qin Shou realized he had misspoken earlier.

"It's not, Shou, I didn't mean that. What I meant is that marriage requires a match of families, and friendships are the same; equal social status brings common topics. Clearly, that Junior Police Officer and us are not of the same standing."

Wu Zhekun nodded, and Qin Shou thought he had come around, about to be pleased, when Wu Zhekun suddenly made a choice.

"Then I'll be childish today as well; I choose Lu Cheng as my friend."

In Wu Zhekun's view, as long as they can get along, regardless of the other's status—even if the other is a Blind Drifter—he is willing to be friends.

And not merely for a benefit relationship.

Hearing Wu Zhekun's reply, Qin Shou's face flushed red instantly.

"You, you chose him as a friend? Do you realize that this thinking is extremely foolish, extremely wrong?"

"Wrong?" Wu Zhekun paused briefly: "Shou, in the past we fought together, stayed out all night, haven't we made plenty of mistakes?"

Qin Shou was stunned again, wondering why Wu Zhekun was now speaking so vaguely, bringing up the past for no reason.

"Don't bring up those useless things; I only ask you one question: are you sure you want to choose the one surnamed Lu as a friend? Think it over."

Wu Zhekun felt a pang of sadness, because Qin Shou said that the past fights and sleepless nights were useless.

Yet sometimes, when he recalled them, they felt quite happy.

"I'm sure."

Wu Zhekun answered without any hesitation, not even wanting to say more, and, leaning on his two crutches, turned and walked away slowly.

Leaving Qin Shou standing there with a stunned expression, he couldn't understand why Wu Zhekun persisted in choosing Lu Cheng as a friend.

At that moment, he heard laughter and chatter coming from Wu Zhekun's home.

"Lu Cheng, come, come, you're starving, grab your chopsticks and eat. Treat this place as your own home, don't be too polite…"

It was Liang Ayi's voice.

"What are we eating? First, drink. Lu Cheng, I'll pour you wine myself; you need to drink a couple more today, otherwise you won't get through this gate…"

It seemed to be Fan Junzhang's voice.

"Alright, Senior Brother Gao, don't force him. Let him drink as much as he can; today we're rare to gather together, mainly to chat…"

It seemed to be Gao Siling's voice.

Standing at the doorway, Qin Shou was full of bewilderment, truly strange!

How could Lu Cheng be getting along so well with such big personalities, and clearly be the centerpiece at the table?

If he went in, facing such dignitaries, even being able to pour a drink beside them would be considered having face.

Listening to the merriment inside, Qin Shou ultimately couldn't stay any longer, lest he appear even more devalued.

"Alright, you all, at least eat some food; you can't just keep clutching your drinks. If you end up getting Lu Cheng drunk, you'll just wait to be scolded by Xu Erye."

Fan Junzhang chuckled: "No problem, sister-in-law, as Xu Erye's disciple, I'm not afraid of drinking. Hey, speaking of Master, how has he been lately? Is his health still good?"

In that short time, Lu Cheng had already downed two large cups, roughly half a jin.

He drank a bit heavily, inevitably feeling a little tipsy, and steadied himself before replying.

"Master is fine; the old man is lively every day. Lately he's taken up winter swimming, stripping naked daily, showing off his muscles to a group of Big Aunts, just like that old peacock…"

Lu Cheng's analogy made everyone laugh.

Knowing Master was healthy, everyone relaxed.

Gao Siling stood up at that moment: "Come, Lu Cheng, Fourth Senior Brother offers you a toast, thanking you for taking such good care of Master."

Lu Cheng was instantly a bit flattered and surprised; this was the top leader of the Military District, and having the chance to share a meal was already an honor, let alone being invited to toast.

Today truly benefited from the old man's influence, being able to dine with this table of big shots.

Lu Cheng hurriedly lifted his cup: "Senior Brother Gao, you flatter me; I should be the one to toast you."

"Since I'm close to Master, I often go to see him; looking after Master has always been my responsibility."

Even when Lu Cheng was previously out of line, he had no excuse with Master; if he dared to be disrespectful to Master, his own parents wouldn't forgive him.

He owes his current position to Xu Erye's connections that got him into the Railway system; the Railway Department is now the most enviable job.

Just for that, Chen Xianglan would gladly be supported by Xu Erye in old age.

Gao Siling nodded: "Very well, I won't bother with polite words. As Wu Shixiong just said, whether Master has any difficulties or you need assistance, feel free to contact me."

Lu Cheng knew that the other person's words were not just polite talk, but he also had to be sensible.

For someone of that stature, it's really not appropriate to bother them over trivial matters, unless it's something huge.

But no matter how you say it, this is equivalent to a protective charm.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Gao. If I have time, I will definitely come to visit you."

Another cup of wine went down, a large cup of two taels; today we're drinking Mao Tai, which at current prices is eight dollars a bottle.

Lu Cheng saw Wu Jingxuan casually pull out four bottles, guessed there were more at home, and immediately felt the urge to collect.

This is Mao Tai from the 1970s!