Chapter 74

In Sister Liu's office, some people gathered together whispering.

Some were lying on the desk napping, while others quietly read books.

Su Liyan's desk also had many books, all borrowed from the Bing Jia Chang library.

As mentioned before, Su Liyan had studied for several years at a private school, so naturally there was no need to worry about illiteracy.

Even if she didn't recognize a particular character, she could look it up in a dictionary.

Lu Yuan glanced over and saw there was a dictionary, some cultural studies books, and even more cookbooks.

Lu Yuan then said that over these past few days, Su Liyan's cooking had gotten better and better, and he didn't much like eating out anymore.

At this moment, Su Liyan was sitting sideways on Lu Yuan's lap, her jade-like hands embracing him, her head resting on his chest, also taking a nap.

However, although it was called a nap, she actually couldn't sleep, after all, being held by her own man in front of so many people made Su Liyan shy.

"Wifey, are those two ears on your head actually useful? Is your hearing especially sharp?"

Lu Yuan suddenly reached out and grabbed Su Liyan's white fox ears, rubbed them, and then said with a face full of curiosity.

At this moment, Su Liyan, feeling a bit shy, rubbed against Lu Yuan's chest and said:

"No… this is just a trait of the fox tribe, not real ears~"

Lu Yuan nodded, one hand rubbing Su Liyan's ears, the other gently patting her back, just like coaxing a child.

Not long after, Su Liyan murmured in Lu Yuan's embrace and drifted off into a drowsy sleep.

When it was time to go to work.

Lu Yuan also ought to head back soon.

When returning, he told the people in the courtyard to add another table, and had them go buy more food and drink for that table.

"Brother's leaving now, you stay here and behave."

Su Liyan was about to go to work; although she wanted to see Lu Yuan off, it wasn't proper, so she could only watch him leave with lingering affection.

……

Lu Yuan went to the stables of the Bing Jia Chang to find his horse, preparing to head back, when he suddenly saw two people guarding beside his horse.

They were no strangers—it was Li Qiu and Wang Da Jian.

Upon seeing Lu Yuan, the two had nothing else to say and immediately began wailing:

"Brother~~~ let us attend your and your sister-in-law's feast~~~~"

When Lu Yuan said they didn't need to go, these two were almost bursting with joy.

"There's still such good fortune?"

"We don't have to give a gift?"

But when these two went to the cafeteria and learned the situation, they instantly regretted it, regretted it deeply.

It turned out… it turned out the factory leaders were all attending!!!

These two immediately couldn't hold back, wanting to go find Lu Yuan, but thinking he was in Sister Liu's office and recalling those burly female workers, their hearts filled with dread.

They could only come here to the stables and keep watch.

Seeing the two's appearance, Lu Yuan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and say:

"You said you definitely wouldn't come, right?"

And these two put on a tearful face and said:

"Brother, we were wrong; let us share in the joy."

"Still wanting to share in the joy—what are these two thinking? Lu Yuan could hardly not know."

Immediately, Lu Yuan raised his brow and said:

"The seats are full; I can't specially arrange another table just for you two, can I?"

The two were taken aback, then immediately said:

"Then let us squeeze into a table; that would work too, brother… please…"

Lu Yuan looked at the two with interest, saying nothing.

The two were stunned, then simply burst into tears:

"Brother, let's just speak frankly: in a little over ten days, when the Little New Year is approaching, we have to take our promotion exam."

"The reviewing Director Qiu will also be there; if we could go and drink together, get familiar faces, wouldn't that make the exam easier!"

"Brother, please let us go."

Seeing the two's appearance, Lu Yuan chuckled a bit and said:

"But you also know, the gift money for my banquet is steep—people usually give ten-something."

"If you just give a few bucks and sit at a table with those who gave ten-something, what would they think?"

As soon as Lu Yuan finished speaking, the two immediately pulled out money and said:

"Brother, we'll chip in the same amount!"

After Li Qiu and Wang Da Jian learned of this while heading to the cafeteria, they skipped lunch and ran straight home to get money.

Lu Yuan took their money pouches, weighed them, and muttered, "Hmm… about right!"

Immediately, Lu Yuan put them away, a smile appearing on his face as he said:

"Alright, after all we've worked in the same workshop together for so long; if you want to come congratulate me, how could I refuse?"

Li Qiu and Wang Da Jian also nodded repeatedly and said:

"Exactly, exactly."

As for where these two would be placed, they'd surely be shoved into the male workers' table.

As for whether the other ten would have objections, that definitely wouldn't happen.

After all, that table of male workers attending his banquet is different from the Siheyuan residents who come just for the food and lodging.

It's as if the factory leaders went to drink with Director Xu, and these people went to drink with the factory leaders.

They wouldn't care that two more people were added to this table; everyone would worry about getting less meat to eat.

After taking the money, he directly mounted his horse, looking at the two people below who were showing fawning smiles, he grinned and said:

"Then this matter is settled like that; tomorrow you just need to come. However, your coming to attend my banquet is voluntary, not because I forced you to come."

Li Sanqiu and Wang Dajian nodded repeatedly and said:

"Of course, of course."

Lu Yuan nodded, rode his horse, and strolled away.

Sigh, there's nothing to be done.

Being outstanding and popular, everyone wants to come congratulate him; Lu Yuan really can't do anything about it~

After Lu Yuan strolled back to the Siheyuan, he saw many people in the rear courtyard discussing tomorrow's affairs.

As for arranging the banquet, Lu Yuan truly didn't worry at all.

The people in the Siheyuan were more attentive than he himself.

Everyone was allocating the tables at the standard of ten dollars each, deciding what big meat to serve so it would be good to eat and enjoyable.

Then everyone added it up, hey, tomorrow we'll really get to eat heartily!

Each table must have a small rooster, a large pork elbow, a whole pig's head, plus dishes stir-fried with various fatty meat slices, and finally a three-catty fish.

The staple is nothing but white flour steamed buns!

Nobody dares to eat like this even during New Year!

And what excites the men is those bundles of various sundries bought back.

Tomorrow is Sunday again; we'll have a hearty feast, drink until we're dazed, then go home straight to sleep in, not getting up until night!

How wonderful!!

Seeing Lu Yuan return, the crowd paid him no mind; the banquet seemed not to be for him but for themselves, and they were especially attentive.

Lu Yuan stepped before the crowd and directly said:

"Um, I went to the factory to invite people today and accidentally invited an extra table, so we need to add another one."

As soon as Lu Yuan spoke, the people in the courtyard instantly pulled down their faces, unhappy, and said:

"On what grounds? We've already set the standard for each table!!"

Everyone would surely be unhappy; the ninety dollars for nine tables is everyone's money pooled together.

Now suddenly adding a table—are we supposed to have each of the nine tables contribute one dollar to split for this new table?

That one dollar is basically a small rooster gone!

On what grounds!

Lu Yuan also knew these people were unwilling, and he didn't want to take advantage of them, after all he had already earned so much.

Immediately Lu Yuan took out ten silver dollars and said:

"No problem, this is my issue; the money for this table counts as mine—you just help me buy the things and bring them back."

As soon as Lu Yuan's money came out, the tense atmosphere vanished instantly, and smiles reappeared on everyone's faces as they said:

"Alright, then let's go now to buy the food and drink for your table~"

As long as Lu Yuan doesn't give away the meat in everyone's mouths to others, then everyone will have no problem.

Immediately, several aunties took the money and went out.

Although it's just running errands, it's spending a lot of money; seeing those shopkeepers treat us with utmost respect feels so great!

……

Forging Bureau, conference hall.

Everyone here is a high-ranking leader, all wearing white cuffs.

And some leaders with blue cuffs are also factory directors and deputy directors under the Forging Bureau's various factories; they can only stand.

And amidst this crowd, seated is a high official in court robes!

Everyone in the hall knows who this high official is.

This is someone sent down from the Ministry of Works.

(End of chapter)