Half drunk, Chen Liming and Li Zhengyang started chatting about family matters. Men, after a few drinks, would rummage through their memories, eager to boast about anything they could.
"Let me tell you, my youngest daughter, she got into Ren Da. You know Ren Da? Her scores were even higher than Tsinghua and Beida. And the Foreign Studies University, you know that one? It's part of Ren Da."
In the seventies and eighties, Ren Da indeed had the credentials to be boastful. In a sense, at that time, Ren Da was on par with Tsinghua and Beida, even surpassing them in admission scores. Those who graduated from Ren Da's Marxism College had more predecessors in politics than those from Beida's School of Social Sciences and Literature. Where there are people, there is a world.
This laid the foundation for Ren Da alumni to have a smoother path in politics. Of course, this also depended on the school's excellent teaching quality and the students' own merit. If one is incapable, even if Zhuge Liang were alive, Liu Shan would still be an unsupportable figure.
"Zheng Peng told me, Chen Yu is quite remarkable. She's such a good student. Perhaps the Chen family will have a high-ranking official in the future."
Li Zhengyang echoed the toast. He wouldn't be jealous of his son's sister-in-law's success; it was a good thing. His son was her brother-in-law, and if his sister-in-law was capable, she would surely lend a hand in the future. Just like now, his daughter-in-law's younger brother was wealthy, and he would naturally support his son and daughter-in-law. Not to mention, the house his son and daughter-in-law lived in Jinling was not smaller than this small villa in Shanghai, and they were living in it.
"Dad, you're exaggerating."
"If that girl Xiao Yu hears this, she'll get a big head. She's already prone to showing off, she can't handle too much praise."
Chen Juan wasn't intentionally undermining her father. Her sister's academic prowess was acknowledged by the whole family, but her sister's tendency to show off was also universally recognized. If you praised her excessively, her tail would wag all the way to the sky.
"You, girl, don't seem to like praising your sister."
"Xiao Yu is just smart. As soon as she goes to school, she's number one in every subject. She's even in the student union, and when she came back for the New Year, she said that once the student union president graduates next year, she'll take over."
"Look, at such a prestigious school, she's been there less than a year and already achieved this. For a young lady, where can you find anyone more accomplished than her?"
Chen Liming was unconvinced. You couldn't argue with a drunk person; they wouldn't listen or want to listen, and would only stick to what they believed.
"Alright, you can praise her however you want. She's not here anyway, so don't praise her so much when she's in front of you."
Chen Juan felt like crying and laughing. Chen Yang, hearing his father and sister, didn't know what to say. His younger sister's personality was indeed a bit too lively and unrestrained. However, one thing no one had anticipated was that as she grew up, she would become the most sensible and considerate to her parents and family.
In his previous life, Chen Yang's overseas studies were thanks to his elder sister and brother-in-law. His return to China to start a business was aided by his younger sister and her husband. For him, his younger sister tirelessly introduced her classmates, some in politics and others successful businessmen who had entered the market. Many of these individuals developed deep relationships with Chen Yang in various aspects in the future. Without his younger sister's constant help, Chen Yang's entrepreneurial journey wouldn't have been so smooth. Even later, when his parents got older, she was the most resolute in bringing them to live with her. Every day after work, she would accompany the elderly couple for walks, rain or shine, never missing a beat.
"Sister, Xiao Yu is still young now. Once her temper mellows, she definitely won't be like this."
"If you really think about it, at her age, we two might not have been as sensible as Xiao Mei. You only learn these things through experience."
Chen Yang had a great deal of tolerance for Chen Yu. She was proud at heart, but towards her family, she was never arrogant.
"Fine, I'm the only one who's harsh and doesn't like praising my own sister."
Chen Juan helplessly pinched her son's chubby little face. She wasn't angry, just worried that her parents and younger brother would spoil her sister too much. This girl was already a law unto herself at home. As an elder sister, she feared she would become arrogant due to excessive pampering.
"Alright, my good son, give Mommy a smile and cheer me up."
Li Zhengpeng quickly stepped in to smooth things over. Although he knew his wife wasn't truly angry, if his precious child pouted and he didn't react, it would be his failing as a husband.
"If I didn't know Brother-in-law could coax you, I wouldn't dare tease you."
"Sister, don't be angry. I'm just joking with you. Tomorrow, I'll treat you to Huaiyang cuisine, something you absolutely love."
Chen Yang knew his elder sister's taste well; Huaiyang cuisine was her favorite.
"I'm not that petty to be angry with you."
With Li Zhengpeng and Chen Yang taking turns, the atmosphere quickly livened up. Of course, this was also because Chen Juan wasn't truly angry; disagreements within a family were normal and not cause for serious anger.
Shen Xue also brought Chen Peng over to play. The entire living room was soon filled with the baby talk of Li Yi and Chen Peng, as if they could truly communicate.
"Brother-in-law, Sister-in-law, come to our house for dinner tonight. We've also prepared a meal. Although it's not as lavish as Yangzi's spread, they are all signature dishes from my wife."
Li Zhengyang was clearly quite drunk and was dozing off. Lou Xiaohui, however, enthusiastically extended the invitation.
"Mom, Dad is so drunk, what else can he cook? I'll do it when we get back."
"Yangzi, we'll need Baoguo to give us a ride later. We're taking the kids home tonight and will come back tomorrow."
Li Zhengpeng wasn't drunk. Ever since he got drunk at Chen Yang's house last time and almost became sworn brothers with Chen Liming, Chen Yang's brother-in-law had never gotten drunk again. He drank just enough to maintain a clear head.
"No problem, Baoguo isn't drinking. He'll drive you. He needs to go to the factory anyway."
Lei Baoguo usually stayed at the factory. He was essentially Chen Yang's representative at Zhenhua Electric Appliances. With him there, everyone worked more diligently. When Lei Baoguo saw something, it was as if Chen Yang saw it, and Boss Chen was indeed generous with bonuses. Other people might give verbal praise or a medal, but Boss Chen gave real cash bonuses. That time, the first prize was double the monthly salary! In an era where salaries were fixed, an extra two months' pay was a powerful incentive for employees. From then on, all employees loved to perform well in front of Boss Chen. Although only three people received rewards each month, winning meant an extra two months' salary as a bonus.
This was the spirit of reform and opening up: distribution according to work, more work, more pay. Chen Yang fired the first shot in the reform of wages!