“Mr. Sun, this dark ceramic bottle of yours, you probably didn’t buy it for a few cents at the market, did you? You can’t be trying to fool us.”
Factory Director Li couldn't resist looking at the counterfeit goods in front of him.
If you told me this contained fine wine, even a ghost probably wouldn't believe you.
"Brother Sun, if all else fails, let's just drink my bottle of Fenjiu! Yours looks high-end, classy, and sophisticated; I'm afraid we won't be able to appreciate it."
Faced with Director Zhang's sophisticated sarcasm, Sun Zhengguo didn't offer any explanation. Instead, he looked at Deputy Factory Director Liao, wanting to hear what he had to say.
Seeing this, Deputy Factory Director Liao didn't say anything, but instead made a gesture of invitation, meaning, "Let's see your performance."
Seeing that none of the three thought highly of his bottle of wine, Sun Zhengguo didn't explain. He just said, "You'll understand what good intentions are in a little while."
He picked up the scissors from the cabinet next to him, carefully pried off the seal around the bottle cap, and then slowly opened the cap.
The moment the bottle cap was opened, a strong aroma of wine mingled with the fragrance of herbs, creating a delightful and pleasant scent.
"Mr. Sun, this smells good. Besides the aroma of wine, there seems to be a medicinal fragrance as well. I just wonder what it tastes like?"
Seeing that Director Li was still unconvinced, Sun Zhengguo remained silent and poured him a drink.
Only then did the group notice that the wine in the glasses was golden in color, like amber, and its aroma was so irresistible that they wanted to drink it as soon as possible.
Even if Director Li was completely clueless about quality, he had to admit that the wine looked good, but he didn't know how it would taste.
"Try it, Director Li."
Seeing Sun Zhengguo make a gesture of invitation, Director Li hesitated for a moment before picking up his wine glass and taking a small sip.
Deputy Factory Director Liao and Section Chief Zhang kept staring at Factory Director Li, wanting to see what he would say.
However, after drinking the wine, Director Li stood there stunned and didn't say a word.
Whether they were drunk or suffering from amnesia, if they hadn't seen that he was still sitting there perfectly fine, the two of them would probably have suspected that Sun Zhengguo had poisoned the drink.
"This is truly excellent wine!"
The sudden resurrection of Director Li startled the two of them.
Before they could even speak, they saw Director Li grab his wine glass and down the rest of the wine in one gulp.
"Damn it, I've been drinking for so many years, and this is the first time I've ever tasted such good wine. It's awesome!"
Seeing that Director Li was acting like a madman, the two couldn't help but exchange a glance. Then, without Sun Zhengguo even lifting a finger, they picked up the wine bottle and poured the wine into their glasses.
After pouring the wine, the two couldn't wait to take a sip, and then followed suit, downing it in one gulp.
After finishing that glass of wine, Director Zhang went "mad" and, before the other two could react, poured himself two more glasses of wine and drank them down.
"Hey! Old Zhang, what do you mean by this? Why are you secretly drinking?" Deputy Factory Director Liao reached out and snatched the bottle away, saying with considerable displeasure.
Director Li, who was standing to the side, shared the same idea and stared at Director Zhang, seemingly demanding an explanation.
"Two factory directors, have you forgotten that I'm late? It's a rule you set for me to punish myself with three cups of wine."
Director Zhang looked smug, as if he had gained a huge advantage.
"No, you're taking more than your share. You have to drink less later to make it up to us."
The two factory managers argued their case forcefully, showing a willingness to fight if they disagreed.
Fearing the three would start fighting again, Sun Zhengguo could only helplessly try to dissuade them.
"Don't argue, everyone. You've all come to my place as guests, how could I possibly skimp on your drinks?"
"Mr. Sun is a true friend!"
"Director Sun is very generous."
"Brother Sun is straightforward."
Well! Sun Zhengguo felt he had been tricked again. The others were putting on a duet, but these people were putting on a trio.
Life really is like a play, and it all depends on acting skills.
After this little incident, the atmosphere at the dinner table became even more intense.
Everyone happily drank their wine and ate their food, constantly asking about the origin of the wine and its special uses.
Sun Zhengguo didn't hold back and briefly introduced the benefits of drinking this wine.
But where exactly did it come from? Naturally, it's the omnipotent countryside, which took all the blame.
As for the raw materials for brewing?
I'm sorry, apart from the food, everything else comes from deep in the mountains and forests, places rarely visited by people. Let's put an end to their hopes for now.
Gradually, the banquet came to an end, and four empty wine bottles appeared on the table.
But these men were all seasoned veterans, and showed no signs of intoxication whatsoever.
During this time, Sister Zhang came over to check a few times and found that no more dishes were needed, so she stopped paying attention.
As the event was about to end, Director Li and the others were still considering how to get Sun Zhengguo to bleed some money.
At this point, Director Zhang, who had to rush back to work, couldn't hold back any longer and, under the influence of alcohol, started talking nonsense.
"Brother Sun, I have a favor to ask. My father was shot in the leg and waist during the War of Resistance Against Japan. Whenever it's windy or rainy, he feels uncomfortable all over and aches everywhere."
"I'm a useless son, and it worries me deeply. I was chatting with you earlier, and I heard that this wine has good effects. I wonder if it can help...?"
Upon hearing Director Zhang's words, the other two's eyes lit up. Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! How come we didn't think of that!
"Mr. Sun, I suddenly remembered..."
"Stop, stop." Just as Director Li was about to speak, Sun Zhengguo stopped him abruptly.
“I know you all have your difficulties, so there’s no need to go into details. All the wine is in the cabinet; you can decide how to divide it.”
Seeing how 'understanding' Sun Zhengguo was, the group stopped pretending and swarmed around the cabinet next to them.
After opening the cabinet door, there really was wine inside, and as if to prevent them from splitting the spoils unfairly, there were exactly six bottles left.
In a moment, the group exchanged glances, as if they had reached a consensus, and quickly divided up all six bottles of wine.
After the spoils-sharing meeting ended, the three men, perhaps realizing their table manners were somewhat unseemly, put the wine they had brought into the cabinet and made a promise.
"Don't worry, Mr. Sun, we won't let you suffer any losses. We'll bring over a few more bottles of good wine later to replenish your cabinet."
“Yes, yes…” the other two echoed.
"Forget it, there's no need to make up for it. Anyway, the only people who come to my restaurant are you few. If we keep making up for it, you'll just end up drinking it all."
"Hahaha……!"
Sun Zhengguo's words made the three of them burst into laughter, and it was a genuine laugh from the bottom of their hearts.
This statement also shows that Sun Zhengguo not only considered them as friends, but as true friends.
With the goods in hand and the banquet over, the leaders left satisfied.
Sun Zhengguo couldn't clean up the leftovers on the table, so he could only let Sister Zhang and He Yushui take them away.
After all, they've been busy for so long, they shouldn't have worked for nothing.
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