Chapter 50

Jia Zhangshi dragged Banggeng back into the room: "Eat, eat, eat, all you know is eating; only beasts like to eat chicken."

Cao Weiguo ignored Jia Zhangshi, put his bike away at home, and carried the roasted chicken to the Xu residence.

"Brother Xu, taste the roasted chicken I made."

"Weiguo, don't bring anything next time you come over."

Xu Damao took the roasted chicken with a beaming smile and enthusiastically invited Cao Weiguo to sit down.

Lou Xiaoe walked out of the kitchen with dishes: "Weiguo, you got off work quite late."

Xu Damao said: "What do you know? Weiguo is a director now; he's busy with work and has many things to do."

Cao Weiguo said with a smile: "Not busy, not busy; I was just making a roasted chicken in the kitchen, which delayed me a bit."

The table was set with dishes, every one of them a hearty meat dish.

Xu Damao brought out a bottle of fine wine: "Weiguo has been promoted to Deputy Director; this is such a joyous occasion, we must drink a few more cups."

Lou Xiaoe said: "Weiguo is so capable; he will surely have a smooth official career in the future."

Cao Weiguo thanked them: "Thank you, Brother Xu! Sister Xiaoe!"

Xu Damao and Lou Xiaoe treated him with great hospitality, and the atmosphere was harmonious and joyful.

The Second Uncle walked into the room holding a bottle of wine: "You guys are fast; you've already started eating."

Xu Damao said unhappily: "Second Uncle, I'm treating Brother Weiguo to dinner; why are you interfering?"

The Second Uncle said with a smile: "Hey, it's just that I was confused last night and offended Weiguo; I feel bad about it and wanted to offer some wine to apologize to Weiguo."

Cao Weiguo said: "Second Uncle, you speak too harshly; I know that wasn't your original intention, but that you were provoked by Shazhu."

The Second Uncle said happily: "And they say Weiguo is capable of being a director; he truly sees everything clearly."

Once Xu Damao heard that Shazhu was involved, he immediately perked up: "That grandson Shazhu has no good intentions; he's a total troublemaker."

Lou Xiaoe kicked Xu Damao in disgust: "We're eating here; stop spitting out whatever comes to mind."

Xu Damao laughed sheepishly: "I just can't suppress my anger; that bastard Shazhu is just too infuriating."

The Second Uncle fawned: "Weiguo, although Shazhu provoked the trouble, I also acted wrongly last night; I hope you are magnanimous and won't hold it against me."

Cao Weiguo said: "Second Uncle, look at what you're saying; I forgot about that little matter after a night's sleep."

The Second Uncle said happily: "Alright, with those words from you, my heart is at ease; consider this wine a gift from me for your promotion to Deputy Director."

Cao Weiguo took the wine with a smile and looked at Xu Damao to ask: "Brother Xu, since the Second Uncle is already here, why don't we invite him to eat together? It's livelier with more people."

Xu Damao said with a smile: "Since Weiguo has spoken, that's no problem; Second Uncle, please take a seat."

The Second Uncle said happily: "Then I'll be thick-skinned and sit down; if we're talking about this courtyard, the two of you are the only ones with real ability; the others don't count."

Lou Xiaoe got up to fetch a set of bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen and poured a glass of wine for the Second Uncle.

With the addition of the Second Uncle, who was obsessed with officialdom, every three sentences were about national affairs.

Xu Damao was no less impressive, able to brag and chat, claiming to be well-informed.

The two of them sang in harmony, talking from the factory to the countryside, from the street to the Sihe Academy.

Lou Xiaoe curled her lip while listening, and Cao Weiguo endured the annoyance and chimed in.

Drinking someone else's wine, he couldn't bring himself to ruin the mood.

In Xu Damao's house, they ate meat and drank wine, clinking glasses in a lively atmosphere.

This made the Third Uncle, the First Uncle, and other neighbors envious and jealous.

Banggeng smelled the fragrance and kept shouting that he was hungry, clamoring to eat meat and chicken.

Jia Zhangshi cursed with jealousy and hatred, and Qin Huairu felt distracted and annoyed.

Qin Huairu: "Mom, stop cursing; it won't be good if they hear you."

Jia Zhangshi scolded angrily: "Qin Huairu, you cheap woman, have you taken a fancy to Cao Weiguo? I've only cursed a few times and you're already unhappy."

Qin Huairu said: "Cao Weiguo, Xu Damao, the Second Uncle—which one of them is easy to provoke? If you curse like this and it gets heard, or reaches their ears, will we have any good days left?"

Once Qin Huairu said this, Jia Zhangshi calmed down, her face gloomy as she stopped speaking.

Qin Huairu thought for a moment and said: "Mom, what do you think if I introduce my cousin Qin Jingru to Cao Weiguo?"

Jia Zhangshi said angrily: "Hey, you cheap bone, Cao Weiguo bullies our family, and you're still rushing to introduce him to a match."

Qin Huairu suppressed her anger and explained: "Mom, can't you look further ahead? Cao Weiguo is alone, has money and power; if I introduce my cousin to him and it works out, Cao Weiguo will be a relative of our family; won't he be able to help us?"

Jia Zhangshi's eyes lit up instantly, like a jackal seeing a fat sheep.

Qin Huairu's idea was not bad; although Cao Weiguo's character was poor, he was indeed doing well.

If the Jia family had such a "good relative," life would be much easier in the future.

Jia Zhangshi slapped her thigh and said: "What you say makes some sense; then let's let Cao Weiguo that beast have the advantage for now; once we're relatives, see if I don't bleed his family fortune dry."

Qin Huairu reached out: "Give me some travel money; I'm going back to my maiden home this weekend to bring Qin Jingru over quickly."

Jia Zhangshi covered her pocket and waved her hand: "Go, go, go; what I've saved is all for my old age; if you're introducing a match to Cao Weiguo, go ask Cao Weiguo for the travel money."

At the Third Uncle's house

The family sat around the dining table, drinking thin porridge and eating steamed buns, with the pickled vegetables divided by the stalk.

The Third Aunt said with a smile: "Old Yan, you don't know, Yu Haitang's miserable look—you could tell she regretted it to death without her saying a word."

Yu Li's face looked ugly: "Mom, how can you say that?"

No matter how bad Yu Haitang was, she was still her own sister.

The Third Aunt said: "Can't I tell the truth? Is what I said a lie?"

Yu Li frowned: "The truth is the truth, but you can't say it like that; she is my sister after all, and a relative of our family."

The Third Uncle nodded while holding his bowl: "Yu Li is right; mother of the children, pay attention to what you say in the future."

Yan Jiecheng asked with concern: "Is Yu Haitang willing to go on a blind date with Cao Weiguo?"

The Third Aunt said with a smile: "Yu Haitang is willing, of course; however, it depends on whether Cao Weiguo is willing."

The Third Uncle said: "I'll go find Cao Weiguo in a while; even if I have to wear my tongue out, I must get him to nod."

Yan Jiecheng said excitedly: "Dad, this matter must be pushed forward; Cao Weiguo is incredible now; if we become relatives, I'll be able to bask in his glory in the future." ===== CHAPTER 52 =====