Chapter 305: Yue E Defends Her Husband, One Sentence Silences the Whole Room!

Lu Qingshan's words just fell, and the phrase "new weapon" was like a heavy bomb thrown into a tranquil lake, stirring terrifying waves in Zhang Xincheng and Liu Yuejin's hearts.

Their breathing suddenly halted!

They almost simultaneously exchanged a glance, seeing shock, heat and a trace of incredulous exhilaration in each other's eyes. This was no longer a ripple; it was a tsunami!

Their bodies involuntarily leaned forward, a subtle movement that betrayed the torrent of urgency inside them.

New weapon?

To be sold nationwide?

To wrestle with those established big brands?

The combined phrases were so weighty that they felt an invisible hand gripping their hearts, making them pound wildly! How many earth‑shaking trump cards does this kid still hide?

Zhang Xincheng's Adam's apple throbbed violently, his lips quivered, countless questions rose to his mouth but he forced them back down. He stared fixedly at Lu Qingshan, fearing that if he spoke, he would interrupt the grand blueprint capable of changing Jiangyuan County's fate.

Liu Yuejin, the county magistrate, rubbed his hands excitedly, his smile no longer hidden—a expression mixing anticipation, delight and great shock. "Comrade Qingshan… you…" he began, only to find his voice trembling.

This kid always thinks he has pierced the heavens, yet he can always tell you it's merely the first step of a ten‑thousand‑mile Long March.

Li Jianqiang received the order, like a soldier handed a command, chest puffed, a heavy nod, excitement flashing in his eyes: "Mission will be completed!" Having said so, he turned and strode out, his footsteps sounding as if eager to leap into the wind.

The dinner venue was set at the Shanwan Food Factory staff canteen.

To entertain the honored guests, the canteen prepared two adjoining private rooms. Inside, two large round tables were covered with brand‑new tablecloths; though the setting was simple, it was spotless, exuding a plain solemnity.

A wooden partition slightly separated the two rooms, also dividing two completely different kinds of merriment.

Lu Qingshan, Lin Yue'e, Zhang Xincheng and Liu Yuejin, along with Li Jianqiang, Qian Jin, Yao Bai'nian, Wang Ming—these factory heads—and Village Chief Zhao Yongnian, Team Leader Zhao Dazhi, sat around one table. The air was filled with the aroma of food, mixed with the participants' uncontainable excitement and anticipation over the "new weapon".

The table next door was arranged by Li Jianqiang, comprising Shanwan Village's main backbone and Zhao Tiezhu, Liu Houzi and other hunting‑team members who had broken out with Lu Qingshan. Their activity was louder—rugged laughter, slapping hands, clinking glasses—traveling through the wooden wall, full of harvest‑like joy and unrestrained merriment.

The hot dishes were brought out one after another: pork stew from a big iron pot, with sauerkraut to cut the greasiness and tender blood sausage; clumsy chickens from the forest stewed with hazelnut mushrooms gathered in the mountains, the broth golden and fragrant.

Zhang Xincheng and Liu Yuejin were truly hungry, and truly raved about the rustic mountain dishes, repeatedly lifting their chopsticks.

After three rounds of wine and five rounds of dishes, the atmosphere grew even more lively.

Lu Qingshan lifted the enamel tea jar filled with locally strong white liquor, slowly stood up. The fatigue of days of travel had quietly crept onto his brows, yet his gaze remained bright as a star.

"Secretary Zhang, County Magistrate Liu," his voice was steady and strong, instantly drowning out all the noise in the private room.

"Shanwan Village's present standing could not have been achieved without the support of the County Committee and County Government, nor without the care of each leader. This cup, I raise on behalf of Shanwan Food Factory, on behalf of all the village's young and old, to the two leaders, and to everyone present!"

"No superfluous words; they're all in the wine!"

Finishing, he tipped his head, downed the full cup of spicy white liquor in one gulp, as if a fire line burned in his throat.

"Good!" Zhang Xincheng led the applause, his face full of approval.

Liu Yuejin personally lifted a bottle, refilled Lu Qingshan's cup, and exclaimed excitedly: "Comrade Qingshan, you're being modest! It's we who should honor you! You are our Jiangyuan County's lucky general! This cup, I raise on behalf of the county's over three hundred thousand fathers and mothers, to salute your great contribution to our hometown!"

Unable to refuse the generous toast, Lu Qingshan lifted his cup, did not decline, and drank it down in one go.

When he set the cup down, his body swayed imperceptibly.

Two more strong drinks went down, combined with days of travel fatigue, the alcohol surged fast and fierce. The scene before his eyes began to double, and the chatter at his ears grew distant.

Lin Yue'e, who had been sitting silently beside him, instantly sensed his distress. The hand she had placed under the table slipped forward, gently supporting his arm; her fingertips clearly felt his muscles stiffening and tightening in an instant.

She lifted her head, and at that moment, Factory Director Yao Bai'nian also stood with a cup, his face flushed, shouting: "Brother Qingshan, without you our canned‑food factory would not be where it is today; this cup I must honor you with!"

As the third cup was about to be handed over, Lu Qingshan tried to force himself to stand, but a gentle hand pressed his shoulder.

Lin Yue'e stood up, facing the smiling Zhang Xincheng and Liu Yuejin, and gave an apologetic smile.

"Secretary Zhang, County Magistrate Liu, we're really sorry, our Qingshan has been traveling for days, truly exhausted, his alcohol tolerance is gone, he can't drink any more."

Her voice was soft yet clear and gentle, carrying an unyielding insistence.

In an instant, the whole room fell silent.

Hearing this, Zhang Xincheng and Liu Yuejin looked closely and saw the flush spreading from Lu Qingshan's face to his ears, his gaze slightly glazed.

"Oh dear, look at us, we're just getting carried away with joy!" Zhang Xincheng slapped his thigh, hurriedly saying, "It's our fault; Comrade Qingshan has been toiling all the way, he should be allowed to rest properly."

"Yes, yes, Comrade Yue E is right!" Liu Yuejin echoed, his gaze at Lin Yue'e now holding a hint of admiration, "Take Comrade Qingshan back to rest; we've got you here."

With a step available, Lin Yue'e helped Lu Qingshan to his feet. Lu Qingshan truly had reached his limit; he waved at the crowd, muttering "You all continue," his steps already unsteady.

Zhao Laonian, whose arrival time was unclear, came over from the neighboring table, said little, silently moved to Lu Qingshan's other side, offered a hand, and braced him with his own thin yet strong arm.

The three stepped out of the bustling canteen, a cold night wind blowing straight at them, snapping Lu Qingshan's foggy mind awake for a moment. In his dazed consciousness, a flash of the past life's desperate drunken collapse on a snowy street appeared. But the next second, on his left his wife's soft warm support, on his right an elder's firm strong backing; the warmth instantly dispelled all gloom.

Winter night in the village was unusually quiet, only a few distant dog barks and the "creak" of snow underfoot. Lin Yue'e and Zhao Laonian, one on each side, supported him, stepping unevenly toward home.

Reaching the doorway, a rush of warmth seeped through the crack. Pushing the door open, the interior was cozy, the heated kang blazing hot, driving away all the night's chill.

Zhao Laonian had already, during the meal break, returned early to stoke the house fire. He helped Lu Qingshan sit on the kang edge, glanced at the water jar to confirm it was full, then nodded to Lin Yue'e, turned and silently left, melting into the deep night.

Only the couple remained inside.

As soon as Lu Qingshan touched the warm kang, he could no longer hold himself, his body tilted and collapsed onto the bedding.

Lin Yue'e looked at his sleeping profile, a faint whiff of alcohol in his breath, feeling both a bit annoyed and amused. This man, who outside could banter with the county magistrate and secretary, stirring the winds, fell at home after just two cups of white liquor.

She bent down, watching his slightly furrowed brows from drunkenness, extended a finger, intending to smooth them.

It was truly foolish. She chided herself softly in her mind. He could barely drink, yet insisted on forcing himself.

But her fingertips touched his warm skin, seeing his weary sleeping face, that slight scolding instantly turned into a flood of affection. She knew he wasn't forcing himself; he simply wanted to respond to others' kindness and expectations in the simplest way.

Lin Yue'e sighed, yet her mouth involuntarily curved upward in a gentle smile.

She stood, quietly slipped off Lu Qingshan's coat and shoes, pulled a thick quilt over him, carefully tucking it. Just as she secured the quilt's corner at the kang edge, preparing to straighten up, a large hand seized her wrist.

Startled, she looked down and saw Lu Qingshan still with eyes closed, apparently still asleep, but his lips moved slightly, uttering a dream‑like murmur: "Yue E… having you… is truly wonderful…"

The voice was soft, yet like a warm current, instantly striking the softest spot in Lin Yue'e's heart. Her eyes welled, a misty haze, and all her hardships and worries at that moment turned into endless sweetness and worth.

She grasped his hand with her other hand, placed it under the quilt, her voice feather‑light: "Fool, we're home, sleep now."

Outside the window the snowstorm raged, inside the fire blazed.

This winter seemed unusually warm.