Lu Yumei had no choice but to sit down again, put down her wine glass, feeling quite uneasy.
This old bastard is truly disgusting, tonight let's have him perform first!
If you want to destroy him, let him go crazy first!
Sure enough, as soon as Zhang Zhengchang spoke, both Du Yuesheng and Zhang Tianbao stopped using their chopsticks and just smiled as they looked on.
Du Yuesheng was expectant, his brother-in-law was about to perform.
Zhang Tianbao sighed inwardly, alas, truly too overbearing!
Liu Zhizhong, on the other hand, was his usual self, only slightly drunk after having six taels of liquor, but completely in control.
His thoughts aligned with Lu Yumei's; let this undying old man go crazy first!
Not giving face to my mother-in-law, nor to his own mother-in-law, this old bastard is inhuman!
Zhang Zhengchang reached for a cigarette, but Du Yuesheng was quicker, grabbing his own first and lighting one for his brother-in-law.
Meanwhile, Du Yuesheng also gave one to Zhang Tianbao. Liu Zhizhong received a cigarette too, without hesitation from Du Yuesheng.
Du Yuesheng, indeed, handled the situation pretty well on the surface.
After all, he was now the secretary of the City Committee, and Liu Zhizhong, although idle, was still a leader in the city who would resume his duties and work someday, so Du Yuesheng could not be too oppressive.
Du Yuesheng sensed that Zhang Tianbao still favored Liu Zhizhong. That was something he needed to be mindful of, so even small gestures like offering cigarettes were performed by Du Yuesheng with attention to the atmosphere.
With a cigarette lit, Zhang Zhengchang squinted his old face slightly smiling, turned to Lu Yumei, and said, "Mother-in-law, Liu Zhizhong is hosting tonight, right? There's a rule in the drinking culture, whoever hosts should start the rounds and make the first toast! It's supposed to be Liu Zhizhong's turn to start, not yours, right?"
His words seemed reasonable.
Lu Yumei genuinely felt sorry for Liu Zhizhong who had just drunk six taels, it wouldn't be right for him to start hosting immediately.
Lu Yumei, suppressing her dissatisfaction with her father-in-law, said with a smile, "Father-in-law, I'm considered an elder here! Tonight, for the sake of Zhizhong's matters, it's customary for the elder to start. Besides, Zhizhong just drank quite a bit, and there's still a special dish, turtle blood, that hasn't been served yet..."
Zhang Zhengchang chuckled, interrupting her, "Mother-in-law, that's your reasoning, somewhat logical. However, it should be Liu Zhizhong who starts, as it should be! It's not logical to let a woman lead for him. If people heard about this, wouldn't they laugh at Liu Zhizhong? Besides, isn't Liu Zhizhong now the spokesperson for the Zhao family? A spokesperson should speak up and set the tone; if he doesn't lead with a drink, what kind of spokesperson is he?"
This old turtle sure had his ways with words.
Lu Yumei found it hard to argue with him, annoying!
Anyway, if they didn't comply with this old bastard, it would have been endless.
Lu Yumei had to say, "Right, right, father-in-law, truly worthy of being the old secretary, you make a good point, indeed!"
Liu Zhizhong smiled and, of course, got up, poured the drinks, and offered a toast.
The first toast naturally started with Zhang Zhengchang, the retired secretary of the City Committee, the most senior at the table, and also the person resolving the relationship between the Zhang family and Liu Zhizhong.
Zhang Zhengchang was hypocritical, not wanting to drink much, so he just sipped; but he demanded Liu Zhizhong to toast him, one glass, neither less nor more was necessary, it depended on his sincerity.
Liu Zhizhong cursed internally, but had to stiffen his resolve and finished a glass anyway.
Then, it came to toasting Du Yuesheng, the current secretary of the City Committee.
Du Yuesheng, this cunning man, wore a satisfied smile, black from head to toe; after all, he was enjoying the meal, and old turtle meat is greatly nourishing!
He wasn't as excessive as his brother-in-law Zhang Zhengchang; he asked Liu Zhizhong to drink the glass in three sips. Du himself also drank in three times, finishing off two taels.
Finally, it was time for Liu Zhizhong and Zhang Tianbao to drink, naturally one glass, two taels, finished in three sips. The conversation lacked the warmth of brothers, being very formal, as was required.
Zhang Tianbao didn't want the Zhang family members to think he and Liu Zhizhong were too close.
Liu Zhizhong played his part well, hitting all the right notes.
After this round of drinks, Liu Zhizhong faced three more glasses, another six taels down.
He truly began to feel dizzy and uncomfortable.
Lu Yumei saw it all, feeling somewhat distressed, and hurriedly urged everyone to focus on eating. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝓷𝓮𝓽
However, Zhang Zhengchang clearly had no intention of sparing Liu Zhizhong, stating directly, "Eat slowly, there's time! Liu Zhizhong, you've toasted me, Secretary Du, and Minister Zhang, you've reached everyone and fulfilled the formalities. But how come, at this point, you've forgotten your mother-in-law?"
This old bastard really was full of tricks!
Lu Yumei chuckled and said, "It's okay, Zhizhong has drunk quite a lot, let's slow down..."
"That won't do! As Party and government officials, we must value ceremony. Sister Yu Mei has been breaking her back for this family, especially for Liu Zhizhong's sake, attending this gathering tonight, providing company and laughter. As a mother-in-law, she's really had it tough. Shouldn't you Liu Zhizhong say something, express your gratitude, offer her a toast? Party and government officials hold to principles, and the wine culture is a principle of Yangzhou; but we must also speak of compassion, and surely you and your mother-in-law have to show compassion, right?"
Old bastard's spiel at the dinner table, oh, he had a way with words indeed…