Li Cheng's reason for inviting Director Pi to dinner wasn't to actually ask him for a project. The renovation of the tape recorder factory dormitory was already very busy, so there was no need for the New Home Company to pick up leftovers from Director Pi.

But Director Pi didn't know that. He thought Li Cheng would beg him to give New Home Company some engineering projects. So, during the meal, Director Pi still looked arrogant.

Li Cheng never indulges this kind of person, but tries to find ways to discipline him.

So, Li Cheng decided to hold him up and lift him up to the sky.

"Director Pi, I heard from the old staff at the branch that you were also a transport escort in your time."

As he said this, Li Cheng respectfully poured him a glass of wine himself.

Director Pi said, "Oh, they still remember this incident? Back then, conditions were very different from today. A leaky jeep was the money transporter. It was cold in the winter and hot in the summer. The roads were difficult to travel on, and there were so many thieves. We were always worried every day."

After saying this, Director Pi shook his head slightly, as if he was unable to bear the past.

Li Cheng looked at Director Pi, who was nearly fifty years old, and thought to himself that you were not the only one who had such a hard time back then. People of similar age to you also went through the same thing.

But you, Chief Pi, are the one who gets the most jokes behind your back. There's the safe in the basement, the way he deliberately soils his clothes like a wild boar scratching a tree, the way he only drinks Moutai and only smokes imported cigars...

There were many rumors, some true and some false. Li Cheng felt that judging by Director Pi's behavior, most of the rumors were true.

Li Cheng glanced at Weng Xiaozhu, who understood and raised her glass, saying, "Director Pi, after hearing what you said just now, I now understand how difficult it was for you back then. You've also made great contributions to the development of our city's financial sector. I offer you a toast."

Director Pi raised his cup and said, "I can't say I've done anything great, but I'm definitely tired."

After saying that, he drank it all in one gulp.

Li Cheng poured him another glass of wine and said, "Director Pi is a big drinker. He is truly generous. I will follow Director Pi's example in the future. I will work hard, drink generously, and be generous in my life."

Director Pi burst into laughter upon hearing this. He then looked at Weng Xiaozhu and said, "Boss Weng, don't underestimate Li Cheng because he's young. He has a good attitude towards learning."

Li Cheng and Weng Xiaozhu also started laughing.

The most feared thing at the dinner table is a dull silence. To avoid a dull silence, the best way is to persuade guests to drink. As long as you get them to drink, everything else will become easier.

So, every time Li Cheng flattered Director Pi, Weng Xiaozhu would have a drink with him. Like a sniper team, the two of them worked in perfect harmony, hitting wherever they pointed, and eventually, Director Pi's tongue was swollen.

Li Cheng glanced at the three empty bottles of Moutai lying nearby and thought, "Is that enough?" Then he looked at Director Pi, who looked like he could still drink a little more.

Even though he could drink, Li Cheng wouldn't let him. He had something serious to discuss later, so he couldn't get drunk. Li Cheng approached Director Pi and said, reeking of alcohol, "Director Pi, Brother Pi, what do you think we should do next?"

Director Pi was actually quite drunk, but as a seasoned drunk, he was more able to control himself than Li Cheng and the others.

He looked at Li Cheng with drunken eyes and said, "Little brother, we'll drink it the way you say. I'll listen to you."

Li Cheng smiled and said, "Listen to me? If you listen to me, we won't drink."

"Not drinking anymore?"

"Stop drinking, stop drinking. If you keep drinking, I won't be able to carry out the program I arranged for Brother Pi."

When Director Pi heard Li Cheng say that he had arranged some activities for him, he thought it was a foot massage parlor or a karaoke room. At that time, these two activities were usually arranged after drinking.

Director Pi probably went to these two places too many times. So, he shook his head and said, "No, no, it's not interesting. Let's go to Mr. Weng's place for tea."

Li Cheng glanced at Weng Xiaozhu, implying that Director Pi had some taste and knew that your place was good. However, although the activity Li Cheng arranged for him to go to the Tea House was also to drink tea, it was not for him to drink tea.

Now, hearing that Director Pi wanted to go to Weng Xiaozhu, Li Cheng said happily, "What a coincidence! The program I arranged for Brother Pi is to go to Mr. Weng's place."

Director Pi looked at him with some confusion. Li Cheng stood up and said, "Let's go to Mr. Weng."

On the second floor of the Tea House, in an elegantly decorated mahjong room, Li Cheng, Weng Xiaozhu, Principal Han, and Director Pi set up their chessboard.

A popular way to bribe people nowadays is playing mahjong. When Director Pi entered the mahjong room, he immediately understood what Li Cheng was going to do.

He thought about what Li Cheng had said at the dinner table, asking him to take care of Mr. Weng's New Home Company. If he had any projects, could he consider cooperating with the New Home Company?

But then Director Pi thought about it and realized he didn't have any decent projects for New Home Company to do. It was okay in the past, with a dozen dormitory buildings and a branch office renovation project—those were big projects!

But Director Pi would never say that he has no projects. If he doesn't have big projects, then what about small projects?

Thinking of Li Cheng's connections, he had to do some work for the New Home Company. After all, he had President Gao's support, and Director Pi himself was a very smooth person.

So, he promised Li Cheng over dinner that he would hand over the renovation project of a savings bank to Xinjiayuan Company. He also told Li Cheng and Weng Xiaozhu that the savings bank was not very large, but the renovation budget was 200,000 yuan.

Of course, this was a budget, and he would eventually settle with New Home Company based on the actual costs. The words were clear, and it was up to Li Cheng to decide how to proceed.

But after hearing what he said, Li Cheng just said "I understand", and then continued to drink with him without mentioning the kickbacks at all.

It was Weng Xiaozhu who said to him, "Thank you Director Pi for your care. We will follow the rules and will not forget Director Pi's kindness."

Now, when he arrived at the mahjong room, Director Pi felt that his benefits were coming. Sure enough, after a few rounds of mahjong, Director Pi had more than 10,000 yuan in front of him.

Director Pi knew this was just a small price to pay. For a 200,000 yuan project, he should at least get 20,000 yuan.

The mahjong game continued, and when Director Pi inexplicably lost again, Li Cheng suddenly said, "Hey, Director Pi lost again!"

Director Pi said proudly, "I'm lucky, there's nothing I can do. One hundred per family, hurry up and get the money."

Li Cheng and the others each took out a hundred yuan and gave it to him. Then Li Cheng said, "Brother Pi, I heard that our bank will distribute houses next month?"

Director Pi put the money into the small drawer in front of him and said, "Yes, the house will be allocated soon. Oh, Li Cheng, are you married? If not, get married quickly and I will allocate a house to you."