After dinner, Jiang Xinyu returned to her office, sat down, drank a glass of water, and picked up the phone to call Wei Kaiyun.
"It’s me. This Friday, I’ll drive the textile factory’s car with the two kids and Master Shang to the seaside for a trip, and we’ll be back on Sunday."
"I’m a bit busy with work here; I plan to come back during the Mid-Autumn Festival."
"Alright, I’ll tell the kids; they both asked about it yesterday."
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Xinyu went to rest in the back. With this confirmed news, Jiang Xinyu felt a bit happy. Although they were a couple, not being able to live together made her miss him deeply.
The two children, though they didn’t say it, must miss him too. When will days like these come to an end?
After work in the afternoon, she rode her bike straight home. The two kids were, of course, happy to hear the news that Wei Kaiyun was coming back.
Seeing the slightly excited kids, Jiang Xinyu didn’t feel at ease. Even someone as strong as her needed a man by her side.
Kong Demin was particularly pleased recently. Having his own son made him feel at least superior to Changjun, and the child could call him dad.
After work today, he intended to go home but was invited out by his subordinates for dinner instead.
Thinking there wasn’t much going on and finding no interest in going home, he decided it might be good to have some fun outside.
The location was at Wang Dajiang’s house. He had already prepared, stewing dog meat and pork, which made up two big pots, along with over twenty bottles of liquor. For the men, this was an excellent spread.
There were a total of six people, "Director Kong, Sun will bring some peanuts shortly."
"Yes, she heard we were drinking and offered to bring some snacks. Of course, I didn’t refuse."
Kong Demin thought of Sun Hongxia, who was average-looking and quite stocky. Since her family worked in the steel factory, she got into the Revolutionary Committee through connections. Her work capability was average; she hadn’t even completed junior high school, and frankly, she looked a bit dense.
However, she got along well with male colleagues, being forthright and displaying a bit of the current feminist demand for gender equality.
"How did you get so close to her?"
Wang Dajiang just smiled and didn’t say anything.
Kong Demin quickly understood that these guys had ulterior motives.
"Be careful; after all, she’s a colleague. You’ll see each other often; don’t go too far."
The group laughed. They just wanted to take small advantages and didn’t think about anything more.
They ate and drank at the same time. When men drink together, they tend to talk without restraint, saying all sorts of things.
"Director Kong, when should I deliver the good stuff from last time?"
"Load it onto the truck Friday night; the rest you needn’t worry about."
Kong Demin had already decided that these good things couldn’t be kept in the county—too many people, mouths gossiping, wouldn’t be good to spread around. It’s better to keep them in the city’s house, where there was even a cellar to store them securely.
He never intended for the women at home to know about these things. So hiding them was best.
Each of them had already had a couple of drinks when there was a knock at the door. Wang Dajiang went to open it, and Kong Demin could hear voices outside.
"Hey, Mr. Sun, want to have a drink with us?"
"No need; my cousin and I have something to do."
"What’s up? You’ll have to eat anyway, come join us for a bit—there’s good food."
In the end, Sun Hongxia came in. Everyone greeted her with smiles.
Sun Hongxia felt quite proud, having good relations with everyone.
Seeing Kong Demin, she immediately greeted him, "Hello, Director Kong."
"Hello, Mr. Sun. Sit down and have some food with us."
"Thank you, Director Kong. Cousin, we’re lucky to share in this feast today; let’s satisfy our cravings a bit."
"Hongxia, we should head back."
Kong Demin kept an eye on the girl who came in, noticing she was much prettier than Sun Hongxia, with a particularly pleasant voice.
Kong Demin became interested, "Mr. Sun, sit down with us. Dajiang, do you have extra bowls and chopsticks?"
"Of course, how could we not? I’ll get them right away." Wang Dajiang left with a smile.
In the living room, his face wore a sardonic smile, hoping Kong Demin would pay attention.
The remaining three people made room by moving aside, opening a space next to Kong Demin.
Sun Hongxia sat directly next to Kong Demin.
Xiao Qiang poured drinks for them, "Mr. Sun, try this wine. I specially got it from the distillery." Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝕟𝕖𝕥
"You can learn. How can you eat meat without drinking?"
"Come on, give it a try. I’ll learn to drink today; there’ll be plenty of opportunities to drink in the future. Mr. Sun, with such charisma and capability, how can you not drink?"
These words made Sun Hongxia happy. She didn’t refuse any further.
Her cousin, Wang Zhenzhen, tugged at Sun Hongxia, "I won’t drink; I won’t be able to explain it when we go back. You shouldn’t drink either, or uncle will be mad."
"It’s okay; my dad is on a night shift today."
"Hongxia, don’t be . I have to go back first."
"Alright, alright, if you won’t drink, don’t drink. I’m just tasting it today; I definitely won’t drink too much.
You can come to my house later; doesn’t Auntie know you’re with me?"
Wang Zhenzhen was filled with hatred for the thoughtless Hongxia.
Kong Demin listened to the conversation between the two, but didn’t say anything.
The four of Wang Dajiang and them weren’t sincere, seeing they couldn’t persuade Sun Hongxia’s cousin, they let her drink alone.
And to say, Sun Hongxia did have a bit of tolerance for alcohol; she had already had two cups and was still fine.
"Hongxia, we should head home."
"Cousin, it’s rare to have so much meat today, don’t be polite, eat more."
"Hongxia, if you won’t leave, I will."
"Cousin, why are you being such a killjoy?"
"I’m leaving." With that, Wang Zhenzhen stood up.
Kong Demin put down his bowl, "Dajiang, I’m heading off. You all continue."
"Mr. Sun, should I walk you both home? Two girls walking at night isn’t safe."
"Director Kong, are you escorting us? Then alright, guys, I’ll head off first."
Wang Dajiang saw that Kong Demin was leaving and didn’t try to dissuade further.
"Mr. Sun, you’re not done drinking yet. When we’re done, I can take you back, and let Director Kong just take your cousin home."
"Hongxia, let’s go home together."
In the end, it was Kong Demin who pushed the bike home with the two women.
Walking down the quiet street, with a breeze blowing, Hongxia felt a bit dizzy.
"Cousin, I’m feeling a bit dizzy."
"You’ve had too much to drink, let’s hurry home, sleep it off, and you’ll be fine."
Along the way, Kong Demin didn’t say a word, but walked behind Wang Zhenzhen.