The Lantern Festival on the Qinhuai River was a grand affair. Chen Yang took his family to enjoy the long-missed festival.
The two little ones experienced the bustling city for the first time, a sight their small village life had never offered.
After the Lantern Festival, the year effectively concluded.
On the sixteenth of the first lunar month, his brother-in-law and elder sister returned to their jobs, and Chen Yu went back to school. Su Dan Novel Network.
With less than five months until the college entrance examination, no one dared to slack off.
Chen Yang, along with Zhang Weiyang and Lei Baoguo, had Li Jing arrange a meeting with her childhood friend from the same compound.
Chen Yang learned from Li Jing that this young master now worked at the Jiangsu Provincial Bureau of Material Approval and Metrology. Even setting aside his father's position as a leader in the Administration for Industry and Commerce, the very title of an employee at the Approval and Metrology Bureau made Chen Yang and Zhang Weiyang eager to forge a connection.
"Dehan, let me introduce you to my boyfriend, Lei Baoguo."
"Baoguo, this is my brother from the same compound, Zhao Dehan. He's 28, born in '51, just like your older brothers. Don't let his age fool you; he's a de facto deputy section chief at his workplace and has even been nominated for section chief. You should learn from Dehan."
Li Jing was a very astute person. Instead of introducing Chen Yang and Zhang Weiyang first, she played the role of a familiar neighbor, introducing her boyfriend to her childhood friend. This approach dispelled any sense of distance and prevented them from appearing to have ulterior motives.
"Jingjing, you're moving fast! I remember around this time last year, your brother and sister-in-law asked me to find a young man for you at the unit."
"Baoguo, right? I grew up like brothers with Li Jing's older brothers. Her sister is like my own sister. You better not bully Jingjing, or we brothers won't let you off."
Zhao Dehan shot Lei Baoguo a stern look, his gaze then drifting to Chen Yang and Lei Baoguo. People from their backgrounds were naturally sharp-minded. Li Jing's introduction of her boyfriend first, rather than the other two, indicated a special relationship with them. If these individuals needed his help, Zhao Dehan would assist them, otherwise, it would be disrespecting Li Jing. If Li Jing had initially offered to introduce him to some friends, it would have meant she was merely a facilitator, her favor expended. This would imply her relationship with those individuals was merely acquaintances, leaving Zhao Dehan in control. If others genuinely sought his assistance, he would help if they met his requirements, and not helping wouldn't displease Li Jing.
"Dehan, I almost forgot to introduce them. These are my boyfriend's two good brothers, Chen Yang and Zhang Weiyang."
"Dehan, didn't Uncle Zhao mention at the compound that he wanted to find an opportunity to visit Anhui province to investigate the first private enterprise that made headlines nationwide?"
"See? These two brothers of my boyfriend are the ones who started it. When I heard about this guy, I immediately thought about whether to introduce them to Uncle Zhao."
"I was worried Uncle Zhao might be too busy, so I came to you first to gauge his availability."
Sensing Zhao Dehan's gaze, Li Jing smoothly introduced Chen Yang and Zhang Weiyang.
"Jingjing, it's really thoughtful of you to keep my father's matter in mind."
"You know, if my father knew I helped him find the founder of the nation's first private enterprise, he'd give me half a jin of sweet potato liquor as a reward."
Zhao Dehan looked at Chen Yang and Zhang Weiyang as if he had discovered treasures. He knew his father had always wanted to study the concept of private enterprise. Jiangsu Province had always been a prosperous region, a hub for commerce. With the nation's reforms and economic development, industry and commerce were unavoidable components. Zhao Dehan understood his father's focus on private enterprises.
"Dehan, since Director Zhao is interested in the private economy, is there anything you'd like to ask us? We'll tell you everything. The food is here, how about we talk while we eat?"
Zhang Weiyang was quick to act, promptly opening a bottle of Yanghe Daqu. At that time, it was the most renowned and expensive liquor among all brands in Jiangsu. This single bottle cost six yuan and fifty cents, while Moutai was only eight yuan. If not for transportation difficulties and the prevalence of local brands in state-run stores, Zhang Weiyang would have bought Moutai or Wuliangye, the most impressive high-end spirits for a banquet.
"Young man, don't be so polite."
"I prefer strong liquor when I drink. Who drinks Yanghe Daqu when they're a proper person? Waiter, get me two jin of sweet potato liquor."
Unexpectedly, Zhao Dehan did not accept Zhang Weiyang's offering and instead asked for two jin of sweet potato liquor. This liquor, brewed from sweet potatoes, had a higher alcohol content than typical grain liquors and a slightly bitter taste. The production of sweet potato liquor was becoming rare, with most breweries now using grains because the yields of sorghum, corn, and rice had increased significantly. As grain production continued to rise, such liquors would become even less common. Unlike grain liquors that left a sweet aftertaste, the bitter and pungent taste of sweet potato liquor was gradually falling out of favor with the public. It was like choosing between a beautiful young woman and a widowed woman in her forties from the next village; one wouldn't hesitate.
"Dehan, you're still the same, you can't forget your fondness for this."
Li Jing, hearing Zhao Dehan's words, recalled her father's and Zhao Dehan's father's preference for sweet potato liquor. She heard that during the war, times were hard, and people suffered. Beyond grains, even sweet potatoes were life-saving food. Few could spare any for brewing. The liquor was primarily used to sterilize and disinfect wounded soldiers due to its high alcohol content. Thus, even sweet potato liquor was incredibly precious in their era, and obtaining a sip was a rare feat. This habit even influenced Zhao Dehan's generation.
"Sweet potato liquor it is."
"It's just that this liquor, when you get drunk, gives you a headache the next day."
"We're really sacrificing ourselves for your company this time."
The liquor was soon served. With Li Jing's lively presence, Chen Yang, Zhang Weiyang, and Lei Baoguo quickly became acquainted with Zhao Dehan. As they chatted, Chen Yang discovered that Zhao Dehan, despite his background from a prominent family, was a remarkably frugal and simple person. Though he was from Jiangsu, his drinking capacity was formidable; he single-handedly intoxicated Chen Yang, Zhang Weiyang, and Lei Baoguo to the point of dizziness. However, the meeting was productive. Zhao Dehan patted his chest and promised to introduce them to his father the next day.