Chapter 78: Since Childhood, We

Seeing Xu Damao had already started swaying.

Li Xuewu raised his cup and said, “I’m the youngest here, not a leader—we all live in the same courtyard. Today, by luck, we’re basking in the leader’s glory; just one drink among brothers is enough.”

siluke.

Seeing Li Xuewu speak so gracefully, Xu Damao grew more animated, waving his arms: “N-no... wrong... you... are the leader, you’re the leader... ah, even you... are... my... leader...”

Li Xuewu steadied Xu Damao and urged, “Don’t say that—everyone here is our leader. I dare not act superior in front of all you leaders and you, a distinguished senior.”

Li Xuewu meant well—he wanted to guide Xu Damao, flatter him a bit, and keep him from clashing with him.

But unexpectedly, Xu Damao began mumbling incoherently.

“I’ve failed... What kind of senior am I... I don’t even have a child... I should’ve learned from you... gone and adopted one... ah... hmm?... You’re not married yet, are you?”

After speaking, he pushed away Li Xuewu's arm and drank three cups in quick succession.

Fuck your grandpa!

I’ll swear brotherhood with you like Liu, Guan, and Zhang in the Peach Garden!

I’ll burn incense with you like the outlaws of Liangshan!

He mumbled when speaking of his sorrows, but spoke crystal clear when stabbing himself in the back!

The leaders beside the table all frowned, especially Secretary Yang, in charge of discipline—his face was the darkest.

Conduct is now the top criterion for evaluating cadres—almost a one-vote veto.

Li Xuewu felt this kid was doing it on purpose.

Before drunkenness, the body may lose control, but the mind stays clear; besides, that shove away from him wasn’t weak or uncontrolled—it was deliberate.

It’s entirely possible Xu Damao was using his drunkenness to sabotage Li Xuewu’s reputation.

But Li Xuewu had no past grudge or recent conflict with this guy—why would he sabotage him in such a setting?

This bastard probably saw Li Xuewu carrying a child back from the loading bay, thought of his own childlessness or something else, and his gaze at Li Xuewu when he entered the room was already off—now, drunk, he’s acting like a fool.

They always said there were no good people in the courtyard—and it turned out to be true.

Though he didn’t fully understand, he still gritted his teeth and calmly drank his cup dry under the suspicious stares of the leaders.

When he looked again at Xu Damao, the bastard’s eyes were glazed—he’d already drunk over two jin, truly playing the “die for a true gentleman” game.

He couldn’t let this fool keep acting up—he stood up and shouted to the canteen: “Ma Hua!”

“Ma Hua, Xu Damao’s had too much—come take care of him!”

Li Xuewu knew the kitchen still had someone waiting—he had plenty of chances to settle this bastard, and first, let He Yuzhu give him a beating.

But he didn’t want the leaders to suspect him of orchestrating Xu Damao’s punishment, so he deliberately called Ma Hua to help.

He Yuzhu had been waiting all along.

Hearing Li Xuewu’s call, He Yuzhu hurried in: “I’ll do it! I’ll do it! I told him not to drink so much, but he wouldn’t listen. Ma Hua, go home—I’ll handle this.”

As he spoke, He Yuzhu entered the private room. Seeing Xu Damao still conscious and trying to refuse him, He Yuzhu supported him and said, “Leaders, keep drinking. Xu Damao and I live in the same courtyard—we’ve been inseparable since childhood. I’ll take him home.”

The leaders were glad to have the drunken Xu Damao properly settled—Deputy Factory Director Li instructed He Yuzhu to take good care of Xu Damao.

He Yuzhu readily agreed and forcibly dragged Xu Damao out; by now, Xu Damao was half-dazed and couldn’t resist him.

Back in the canteen, He Yuzhu tied Xu Damao to a chair and quickly stripped off his underwear and cotton pants.

With Xu Damao gone, the others in the private room resumed quiet drinking and chatting; only Li Xuewu’s side felt awkward.

The Factory Office Director said to Li Xuewu: “Comrade Li, you’ve just accomplished a major mission and returned safely—this banquet is Factory Director and Secretary’s way of welcoming you back. Say a few words.”

The Factory Office Director was the lubricant at the banquet table, meticulously arranging the order and timing of every toast.

Now he was handing Li Xuewu the opening to explain Xu Damao’s remarks.

Li Xuewu glanced gratefully at the Factory Office Director, stood up, raised his cup, and addressed Li Huai and the others: “Thank you, Factory Director and Secretary, for your kindness, and to all leaders for your support. I, Xuewu, am unworthy, yet the factory entrusted me with heavy responsibilities. Thank you all—I’ll drink this cup.”

He raised the cup—over one liang of liquor—and drained it in one gulp.

Though Li Huai and Secretary Yang were displeased by Xu Damao’s words, they held great respect for Li Xuewu’s ability and raised their cups to drink with him.

At the banquet table, if a leader drinks the toast you offer, it’s a clear sign of attitude.

“Good—cultured people really are different,” Secretary Yang said, with a hint of sarcasm.

Li Xuewu picked up the thread: “Earlier at the door, I said you were my family—this wasn’t flattery. I truly have deep thoughts I want to report to you.”

Seeing Li Xuewu’s troubled expression, Secretary Yang and Deputy Director Li exchanged glances, then spoke seriously: “Everyone here is either your leader or senior—speak plainly if you have difficulties.”

After Secretary Yang finished, seeing all eyes on him, Li Xuewu frankly recounted the dangers of his mission and his process of adopting the child.

The content matched his official report, but human narration always carries emotion—especially when spoken by Li Xuewu himself.

Secretary Yang listened, examined the supporting documents Li Xuewu handed over, and nodded repeatedly to Deputy Director Li.

“I thought you were merely capable and highly educated, worthy of Factory Director Li’s favor—but I never expected you to be this kind-hearted.”

Secretary Yang then turned to Li Huai with sincere admiration: “You have talent and virtue—your eye for talent is superior, Director Li. You’ve truly gained an outstanding general. I envy you!”

“A gentleman is cautious when alone, never deceiving even in darkness; he humbles himself to cultivate virtue, and his inner excellence endures.”

“A true man stands between heaven and earth, upholding righteous qi, acting with integrity, mastering self, being cautious in solitude, guarding his heart, and clarifying his nature.”

“Some petty people may misunderstand or slander you—ignore them. The organization stands behind you.”

“Come, on behalf of the Rolling Mill Factory organization, I toast you.”

Secretary Yang, having admired Li Xuewu from the square, grown disgusted after Xu Damao’s words, and now fully understanding the truth, felt a surge of emotion—his expectations for Li Xuewu surpassed even before.

Li Xuewu, moved, wiped his eyes and raised his cup: “Thank you, organization, for your great favor.”

Everyone at the table, along with Secretary Yang, drank with Li Xuewu.

Li Huai was deeply satisfied with this subordinate—his subordinate had brought him such honor; it was worth all his support.

“Xuewu, you’ve just started work—you’ll inevitably interact with everyone here. Toast each person once.”

Li Huai’s words made it clear Li Xuewu was his man, and set the tone: no forcing him to drink more than one round.

Li Xuewu agreed, spoke politely, and toasted every leader in turn.

His face flushed slightly, his posture steady; he accepted every return toast without hesitation, earning nods of approval from all the leaders.

Alcohol tests character—drinking manners reveal true character.

The meal lasted until past nine, and everyone left through the front gate, leaving He Yuzhu to clean up the mess.