Chapter 2433

Chu Zheng immediately protested: "I admit I can't outdrink him, but I can still handle you."

Han Xiang Dong said: "Pfft, you only pick on me—dare you say that to Xinghui?"

Su Xinghui laughed: "Big brothers, enough already. Let's drink well, not to collapse."

The group all cheerfully agreed: "Alright, today we drink well, not to collapse."

The group and their friends found a restaurant, booked a private room for over a dozen people, and started drinking. Yanbei cuisine is generally coarse, not as refined as southern dishes, but each has its own flavor, and Su Xinghui still preferred the alcohol and food here.

After drinking two cups, Su Xinghui picked up a piece of roasted lamb chop and began gnawing on it. The lamb here was tender, and grilled like this was incredibly satisfying—this was one of Su Xinghui's favorite Yanbei dishes.

As he ate the roasted lamb chop, Su Xinghui asked: "Are you all getting used to life here these days?"

Yu Ruizhi said: "We don't find anything hard to adapt to—winter here is about the same as in Jingcheng."

Han Xiang Dong said: "But this place isn't as fun as Jingcheng."

Su Xinghui said: "Of course not—how could Yanbei's economy compare to Jingcheng's?"

As they spoke, Wu, Chu Zheng's friend, received a phone call. He answered, said two sentences, then covered the receiver and said with a strange expression: "The power bureau's Director Hu wants to invite us to dinner."

Director Hu of the power bureau was Hu Quanyou, head of the Yanzhong City Power Bureau, who last time had honored Wu's request by supplying electricity to the Yanfang Group.

After granting that favor, he seized the opportunity—he called Wu that same day, wanting to treat them to dinner—but Wu had declined, saying they'd see about it another time.

Today was already Hu Quanyou's third call inviting Wu and his group to dinner, claiming he wanted to fulfill his duty as a local host.

It wasn't Hu's fault for calling late—when Su Xinghui arrived at the hotel, it was barely five, and with this weather, dusk came early; by five, it was nearly pitch black. Now they'd only drunk two cups, and it was still five—perfect timing for an invitation to dinner.

Chu Zheng said: "Why not invite him? We just got a big favor from someone—we can't completely ignore face."

Yu Ruizhi nodded: "Fine. Xinghui's been with Yanfang Group these past days—he'll still need Hu's help."

The others had no objections; they already had over a dozen people, so adding one more didn't matter. Wu then told Hu Quanyou their location and asked him to come over.

Less than ten minutes later, Hu Quanyou arrived—a man in his forties, tall and built like a typical Yanbei man. He burst into the private room and shouted: "Director Wu, tonight's dinner's on me!"

Wu said: "No need, Director Hu. Have a seat."

Hu Quanyou, quick to read the room, pulled over a chair and sat down. The private room was large—the table could seat twenty, and adding him still left plenty of space.

Hu Quanyou called the server, ordered a few more substantial dishes, then poured himself a cup of wine: "I'm late—I'll drink three as punishment!"

He downed three cups in a row. Today's cups held five qian—small—but the liquor was strong, fifty-five degrees. Three in a row was no small feat.

Seeing Hu's boldness, everyone immediately took a liking to him. Wu introduced the names of those at the table to Hu, but kept their identities vague—if he knew their true statuses, he'd probably faint.

When Hu heard Su Xinghui was the group leader of the Yanfang Group task force, he immediately poured another cup: "Director Su, honored to meet you! Let me toast you!"

Su Xinghui said: "Director Hu, don't drink so fast—eat something first. You've already had three cups."

Hearing Su's words, Hu grabbed a piece of roasted lamb chop, bit into it, then lifted his cup again.

Su Xinghui said: "Director Hu, this cup should be mine to toast you. Without your favor, Yanfang Group might still be without power."

Hu Quanyou said: "It's no big deal. Director Wu's older brother is my superior, so Director Wu is my brother. You're his friends—so you're my friends too. Who else would help a friend?"

Director Hu was clearly skilled at building connections—he subtly drew himself closer to everyone at the table.

Director Hu went to such lengths to invite Wu and the others to dinner because he knew they were no ordinary people.

Wu was a third-generation red, and though his grandfather hadn't held a high rank during the Liberation and died early, the Wu family had always remained stable, with a vice-ministerial-level official still in the family.

Director Hu was well aware of the Wu family's background—anyone who socialized with Wu couldn't possibly be low-status.

Moreover, upon arriving, Hu quickly assessed that Wu was among the lowest-ranking here, while Su Xinghui clearly held the central position. And Su Xinghui, though very young, was already a division-level cadre in the State Planning Commission—someone like that was certainly no ordinary person.

Director Hu himself was a division-level cadre, not yet old, still aiming for advancement, so wanting to cultivate ties with these people was perfectly natural. Who knew which cloud might bring rain? More friends never hurt.

As for Yanfang Group's electricity bill—it didn't cost Hu Quanyou a cent. All state-owned enterprises, after all. Let them owe it.

Su Xinghui raised his cup, clinked it with Hu Quanyou's, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

After drinking, Su Xinghui said to Hu Quanyou: "Director Hu, since you treat us as friends, I won't let you down. Tell me honestly—do you feel pressure over the Yanfang Group matter? If it's too heavy, just say so—I'll find a way to help."

Hu Quanyou waved his hand: "Director Su, don't worry about it. I, Hu Quanyou, speak with one word, one nail—I never go back on my word. Besides, Director Wu's older brother is my superior. Do you think he'd let me get hurt?"

Su Xinghui said: "Then thank you. We'll still need your help with Yanfang Group's power supply going forward."

Hu Quanyou said: "Of course! Leave it to me. But Director Su—is Yanfang Group planning to resume production?"

Su Xinghui said: "Yes. I intend to restart Yanfang Group's operations, so power is the top priority."

Hu Quanyou raised his thumb: "Director Su, you're impressive—turning around a mess like Yanfang Group?"

Su Xinghui smiled: "We haven't even drawn the first stroke yet. It'll take time."

Hu Quanyou nodded, then toasted everyone else at the table. Soon, he'd downed over a dozen cups, yet his face didn't change color—this greatly surprised Su Xinghui and the others. The Yanbei men really did have formidable drinking capacity.