Chapter 274: A Young Man Who Knows His Limits

Just as the atmosphere in the private room was becoming somewhat subtle, the bellboy brought in two more people. They were the other two participants of this gathering, Zhang Bin and Zhang He, who had been in the same dormitory as Su Xinghui.

When they saw Su Xinghui, they happily came up to hug him. They hadn't seen him for over half a year either.

Zhang Bin now worked at the *Jiangcheng City Daily* as a reporter, while Zhang He worked in the Propaganda Department of the Jiangbei District as a propaganda officer.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Min Tong asked the waiter to start serving the drinks and dishes. This was indeed a high-end hotel; the food and wine were brought up quickly, filling the table with an eye-dazzling array. Min Tong then asked the waiter to step out, saying she didn't need to stay and wait on them.

After the waiter left the room, Su Xinghui said, "Fatty, isn't this too extravagant? You ordered so many dishes."

Min Tong said, "It's not easy for you to come back for a visit, is it? Of course, I have to set up a decent table. We can't keep eating barbecue at roadside stalls."

Su Xinghui laughed, "Actually, I prefer eating barbecue and drinking beer at roadside stalls. Didn't we all gather like that when we were in college?"

Old Bao said, "Even if Min Tong were willing to treat you at a roadside stall, there aren't any open right now. We have no choice but to come here."

Everyone nodded. It was only the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. The custom in Hudong Province was that businesses didn't open until after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Although not everyone followed this custom anymore, it was still hard to find roadside stalls on the streets, and even small restaurants were rarely open. Only high-end hotels like this were still operating.

Min Tong added, "Anyway, when my dad heard I was treating my classmates to a meal, he readily pulled out a stack of 'Old Men' 【banknotes】 and gave them to me. He didn't even count them. I counted them, and there were over two thousand yuan—enough for our consumption tonight."

Zhang Bin laughed, "Then today we'll eat at the expense of Fatty, the wealthy man."

Min Tong opened a bottle of champagne first and poured it for Lu Xiaoya: "Ladies first, I'll pour for you first!"

After saying that, he opened a bottle of Jiangcheng Chun and poured it for the other classmates, saying, "Come, for the friendship we shared living in the same dormitory for four years, cheers!"

The group raised their glasses together and said, "Cheers!"

After finishing the drink, Zhang Bin said, "Xinghui, you're working in that Meng Hu Ling Township, right?"

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "That's right."

Zhang Bin said, "You're doing a great job there. I saw your name in the newspaper. I've been meaning to go to your township to visit you, but our newspaper office has heavy reporting tasks, and since I'm a newcomer, I can't turn down the assignments the leaders give me. Once I'm a bit freer, I'll go visit you there."

After Zhang Bin said this, Zhang He also nodded and said, "That's right. Zhang Bin showed me that report too. You've really done a great job. I even showed that newspaper to others, telling them that the person on it is my classmate. We're all proud of you!"

Min Tong said, "I showed that newspaper to my dad too. I told him this is my classmate, and my dad told me to learn from you. That's why he was so generous today when I said I wanted to treat you to a meal."

Su Xinghui laughed, "Don't praise me like that, you're making me feel embarrassed!"

Zhang Bin raised his glass to Su Xinghui and said, "Come, Xinghui, I'll toast you. I sincerely admire you. A great talent like you is willing to go work in such a remote township, and not only work there but also achieve such dazzling results. This is truly like an awl in a sack—it can't be hidden!"

Su Xinghui drank with him and picked up a piece of catfish with his chopsticks, putting it in his mouth. While chewing, he said, "I had some luck, and I had people helping me, which is why I achieved some results. I don't deserve your praise."

Min Tong said, "Zhang Bin, whenever you go to Xinghui's place, call us. We'll go together to see what it's really like there."

Old Bao nodded and said, "Right, I've been wanting to go see it for a long time too."

Zhang He said, "I need to go learn from your experience too. I've been sitting in government offices for too long and lack experience in grassroots work. I need to learn a lot from you."

Su Xinghui said, "Sure, you're welcome to come. If you go, you'll definitely see many things. Meng Hu Ling Township is now a vibrant new countryside!"

Zhang Bin said, "That's great. Let's find a time to go to your place as soon as possible."

Su Xinghui raised his glass and said, "Alright, it's a deal!"

Everyone raised their glasses together and said, "It's a deal!"

Lu Xiaoya watched this scene, her face full of happy smiles.

This meal lasted for over two hours. The good brothers talked and laughed, and it was far from lonely. After eating, Min Tong settled the bill and said to everyone, "Let's go, let's go sing. A few new karaoke halls have opened in the River Beach area, and the sound systems are quite good."

Lu Xiaoya looked at her watch and shook her head, "Forget it, I won't go. You guys go sing. My family has a rule that I must be home before nine in the evening, and it's almost eight o'clock now."

Since Lu Xiaoya was a girl, everyone didn't want to force her. They all looked at Su Xinghui. Su Xinghui said, "Lu Xiaoya really needs to go home. Let's skip the singing today. I'll take her back. You guys can come visit me next time."

Although Min Tong felt a bit unsatisfied, he could only nod and say, "Alright, we'll sing next time when we have time."

Old Bao laughed mischievously, "Xinghui, you must make sure to get Junior Sister Xiaoya home safely."

Zhang Bin and Zhang He also chimed in. Lu Xiaoya looked away with a blushing face. Su Xinghui laughed, "Alright, I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"

Su Xinghui and Lu Xiaoya left the hotel first. After they had walked far away, Old Bao said to Min Tong and the others, "Do you guys know what I saw today?"

Min Tong and the others asked in unison, "What did you see?"

Old Bao said, "I had an appointment to meet Xinghui at the Sages Pavilion today. As I hurried there, I saw Lu Xiaoya kissing him."

The group asked in unison, "Are you telling the truth?"