Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 145 Opening

"Director Chen."

"Hello, Director Chen."

"Chief."

Old Chen nodded with a serious expression and said, "Thank you all for your trouble, waiting for me here in the dark." The middle-aged men quickly replied that it was nothing and that it was their pleasure.

Old Chen turned to look at Xiao Wei and his two friends, then said to the middle-aged men, "I'm here on personal business. These are my son's two friends. Their restaurant is opening tomorrow, and I, as an elder, am here to show my support. Are you all free tomorrow? If not, come along. It'll be more lively with more people. It's been a long time since I've had a drink with you all."

Several middle-aged men said they were free tomorrow, very relaxed. Old Chen turned to Xiao Wei and the others and introduced them: "This is Director Chen of Longcheng Power Company, he's from the same clan as me. This is Deputy Director Liu, this is Director Wen of the Power Company, this is Xiao Li from the Power Supply Company. Director Li, you can call him Uncle. Keep in touch in the future. If you need anything, just say so. They're all my old brothers, don't be so polite with them."

Old Chen then said to the group of bureau chiefs and directors, "This big guy is Xia Xiaolan's nephew from Chuanzhou, Xia Maosheng. You don't know this elder well; he's from Fengtian and is about my rank. His name is Zhang Wei. These two lads are capable; they've been making quite a stir these past few days. I won't be able to come here often in the future, so we'll need your help with things here."

Several bureau chiefs and directors came over to shake hands with Xia Maosheng and Xiao Wei, repeatedly saying that it was their duty and no problem.

This is the Longcheng Power Guesthouse, which is significantly better in scale and quality than the place where Xiaowei and his friends are staying.

These days, guesthouses all have canteens. After exchanging pleasantries, the two groups were led by Director Chen to a private room in the canteen restaurant, where they were seated according to their age. Dishes were immediately served one after another, and the preparations were quite thorough.

Director Liu took out two bottles of century-old liquor to open, but Old Chen waved his hand and said, "It's so late, I won't drink anymore. You're all feeling unwell, and I'm afraid you'll overthink things if I don't let you have this meal with me. Let's just have a bite to eat, and save the liquor for tomorrow over there. Don't embarrass our power industry then." Director Liu put the liquor on the cabinet behind him and said, "Alright, we'll see how we perform tomorrow. It would be a real laughing stock if a bunch of us veterans got knocked out by the government." In this era, the power system had a lot of elderly veterans, and they all had a military style in their speech and actions.

They ate while chatting, and the meal ended quickly. Several bureau chiefs and directors escorted Old Chen to his room, said goodbye, and went home. Old Chen led the three brothers into the room, put his bag on the bedside table, took off his leather jacket, loosened his collar, and said, "Find a place to sit." He went into the bathroom to wash his face.

Wiping his hands as he came out, Old Chen asked Chen Hui, "How have you been these past few days? Any thoughts?"

Chen Hui scratched the back of his head and said, "What are my thoughts? Nothing much. It's just that it's much colder here than in Fengtian. I almost froze to death the day I arrived. That old woman at the guesthouse wouldn't let me in, saying I didn't have a letter of introduction. It made me so angry."

Old Chen hung the towel on the coat hook on the wall and said, "That's it? Seeing that your buddy's opened a restaurant and set up a school, don't you have any ideas?"

Chen Hui thought for a moment: "What do you think? I'm happy for them, but they live a bit far away, so they can't really freeload off them."

Old Chen shook his head with a wry smile and said to Xiao Wei, "Xiao Wei, I hope my sudden visit won't cause you any trouble?"

Xiao Wei shook his head and said, "No, we're overjoyed! Uncle Chen, you're so thoughtful, it's truly inspiring."

Old Chen chuckled and said to Chen Hui, "Look at you two, you're about the same age, but he's managed to do such a big thing on his own. And you? Even with help, you can't get anything done. What are you thinking about all day?" He walked to the bedside, sat down, took off his shoes, put on the cotton slippers provided by the guesthouse, and placed his own shoes under the radiator.

Chen Hui thought for a moment and asked his father, "Dad, do you think I'm particularly stupid? How come they can think of things that I can't?"

Old Chen took out a pack of cigarettes from his bag, opened it, and handed some to the three people, saying, "Wow, you've improved. You know how to reflect on yourself now."

Xia Maosheng took the cigarette from Old Chen and said, "You're not stupid, you're just not focused on the right thing. You were more thoughtful than I was when it came to buying things. How should I put it? Uncle Chen has protected you too well. You don't have to worry about anything yourself. You've gotten used to it and now you just wait for Uncle Chen to do everything, so you don't think about it yourself anymore."

Old Chen nodded, lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said, "Maosheng is right. I've spoiled this kid. He's like he'll never grow up. All he thinks about all day is playing. Xiaowei, when you finish at the restaurant tomorrow at noon, take me to that bone restaurant you mentioned. I want to try it."

Xiao Wei nodded and said, "Okay, anytime is fine."

Old Chen nodded and said, "Then that's settled. I'll go directly to your restaurant tomorrow. Xiao Hui, are you staying here with me or going to their place?"

Chen Hui said, "I'm going over there. There's no point in staying with you."

Old Chen laughed and said, "Alright, then you can go back now. Need a ride?"

Xiao Wei said, "No need, it's not far, we can walk there."

Old Chen rested, and the three of them left the guesthouse and walked back along the road. The heavy snow was still falling, and the snowflakes swirled and danced in the light of the streetlights. The wind had subsided quite a bit, and it wasn't so cold anymore, which was a rare treat.

November 22, Jubinge.

Four newly made large red banners were hung at the main entrance, and everyone was dressed in clean work clothes, looking energetic as they tidied up the shop.

The shop was spotless after being cleaned, with new tablecloths covering the tables and bowls, chopsticks, and wine glasses all set out. Li Bing and Li Wen were currently folding napkins into flowers and inserting them into their wine glasses. The kitchen was bustling with activity, with Sister Zhang, Sister Shang, Xie Na, and Chef Zhai working efficiently and methodically.

Li Gengsheng was over there watching the steamer, and Liu Hongliang was there, uh, breaking coal. They'd be burning a lot today, so they'd have to break some good coal for a while. They were squatting in the freezing cold. Oh, now there was a shed, but it was still freezing cold. White smoke was rising from their heads, their hairstyles were gone, and their faces were covered in black and white patches. They looked so pitiful, but nobody was looking at them.

"Gengsheng'er, how about we switch shifts? You can smash things for a bit, okay?"

"I won't change it, I'm too tired to smash it properly."

"You don't need to exert any effort, look, it's easy. You can smash it for an hour, okay?"

"No, I won't change. It's so cold outside. Look, your hands are all blue."

"Don't you feel a little embarrassed just standing there watching me? Come on, you smash things for a bit, I'm going inside to warm up, okay?"

"No, I won't change it. It's too dirty. My clothes are still new."

"Li Gengsheng, we've been in the same unit for so long, how can you just stand by and watch me work here?"

There was no sound. Liu Hongliang looked up and saw that the boiler room door was closed. Hmm, he couldn't see it now.