Chapter 255 Party
Lu Liangchen held his forehead helplessly upon hearing this, then stood up and went over to greet them: "Chen Weiguo, Li Yuanchao, Liu Tiejun, you guys... why did you just barge in without even saying hello? Do you have any manners?"
His tone was filled with familiar reproach, but his face didn't show much anger.
The person who came was his childhood friend who he had played with naked since they were young. They grew up together in the military compound.
Although they now have different jobs, some in the army, some in factories, and some in government agencies, the friendship and the casual way of speaking and doing things have not changed at all.
In fact, it is rare for people like them to get together.
This time, if Lu Liangchen wasn't getting married, they might not have gathered together so completely.
The tall man named Chen Weiguo put his arm around Lu Liangchen's shoulders and spoke in a loud voice.
"Rules? What rules are we talking about with you, Director Lu? We know you're newlyweds, and we're understanding. We've given you a few days! But you're so good, you've never left the house. It seems you're going back to your Northwest Textile Factory to be the boss. If we don't get together soon, where are we going to catch you?"
He smiled and nodded at Jiang Haitang as he spoke, "Sister-in-law, I'm sorry, we are used to being rough around the edges, please bear with me!"
Li Yuanchao also said with a smile: "It's not that we are ignorant. We brothers know that you are busy and your sister-in-law is busy too, but this relationship cannot be severed."
Several other childhood friends also gathered around, calling her "sister-in-law" in unison, with pure curiosity and scrutiny in their eyes.
Jiang Haitang felt her cheeks getting even hotter. She could only try to curl the corners of her mouth and nod slightly as a response to this burning and unfamiliar enthusiasm.
"Alright, alright, calm down!" Lu Liangchen noticed Jiang Haitang's embarrassment and took a step forward, seeming to reprimand but actually protecting her. He put his arm around Jiang Haitang's slightly stiff shoulders, giving her a sense of reassurance. "Look at you guys, don't scare anyone."
"Hehe, don't scare me. My sister-in-law looks like a straightforward person!" Wang Weidong waved his hand nonchalantly, then announced his purpose with a big wave of his hand.
Jiang Haitang smiled and said, "Hurry up and sit down. I'll make you some tea. I'll go buy some good food and we'll have dinner at home tonight."
"No need to go to so much trouble. We can't let my sister-in-law cook for us. A few of us pooled our money and booked a table at the Xinqiao Restaurant, specially for you two! Firstly, we want to congratulate you on your wedding, and secondly, we want to give you a farewell party. We can't refuse this little bit of face to our brothers, right?" Li Yuanchao said, his arms around each other's shoulders.
Liu Tiejun also chimed in, "That's right! Brother Lu, don't worry, we're all family. We're just brothers here, so we won't make a fuss. Sister-in-law, you must also honor us and let us share in Brother Lu's joy!"
Jiang Haitang looked at these impetuous and enthusiastic young people and didn't know what to do for a moment.
She looked at Lu Liangchen with questioning eyes.
Lu Liangchen understood that these brothers were sincere, and since things had come to this point, it would hurt their feelings if he refused.
What's more, they really put a lot of effort into arranging the Xinqiao Hotel.
Lu Liangchen sighed, a helpless yet warm smile on his face.
He turned to his wife and said gently, "These guys are just brothers who have been together since they wore open-crotch pants. There's no need to be so formal with them. Let's go eat."
There was no reason for Jiang Haitang to refuse. Besides, a man who was willing to let his wife into his circle was the one who truly treated his wife as his own.
She put on a proper smile and agreed.
Chen Weiguo waved his hand and said, "Sister-in-law, we'll be waiting for you to come. See you at 6pm at Xinqiao Hotel!"
"Okay, okay, it's a deal." Lu Liangchen agreed with a smile, "But let's make it clear first, this is it. I still have to pack my luggage tomorrow."
"Okay! I understand! I won't delay your important business!" Li Yuanchao joked with a wink.
A few childhood friends laughed and joked for a while, then left in the same hurry as when they came. The sound of a jeep's engine starting up and driving away could be heard in the yard.
The living room became quiet again.
Lu Liangchen looked at Jiang Haitang, who was still a little dazed, and walked over to gently hold her hand.
"Not used to it?"
"They are quite extroverted." Jiang Haitang thought for a while and came up with this description.
Lu Liangchen burst into laughter.
"They've been used to being wild since they were little, running around in the compound, so they're not extroverts. But they're all very kind people, and they value friendship."
Jiang Haitang nodded, "I can tell they have a deep affection for you."
Lu Liangchen nodded. "The bond we have since childhood is naturally different from others. Children who grew up in the compound, especially our generation, rely on the contributions of our parents and sometimes are a little arrogant. We have suffered a lot over the years."
"It's a good thing to have so many good friends." Jiang Haitang is very happy that her husband has so many good friends.
Although Lu Liangchen never said it, from a proud position, in the end, he had to go to the northwest to be the director of a textile factory. Perhaps this was not what Lu Liangchen wanted.
The thousands of miles of mountains and rivers from the capital to Jincheng are not only a thousand mountains and rivers, but also sever the unrestrained youth and youthful spirit of those days.
The lively and vibrant aura of these childhood friends may be an indispensable part of Lu Liangchen's life.
In the evening, the Xinqiao Hotel was brightly lit.
In an era when materials were not yet abundant, this place was considered one of the top destinations in Beijing.
Holding a banquet here is not something that ordinary people can do.
Lu Liangchen and Jiang Haitang walked into the reserved private room. Chen Weiguo and his friends had already arrived. On the table were several bottles of Moutai and a bottle of red wine, which was rare. There were also some exquisite cold dishes and even a small piece of cream cake, which obviously took a lot of effort to get.
"Brother Lu! Sister-in-law! Come on, come on, we're waiting for you!" Liu Tiejun greeted them warmly.
"You've spent so much money on so many good things." Lu Liangchen said politely.
"After becoming the factory director, he's still being polite to us brothers. We're all family, so let's have some fun!"
"Of course you are! You're the first among us brothers to become a factory director, and you've married such a powerful wife! It's a double blessing! We have to drink this wine!"
The brothers talked and poured wine, and the atmosphere quickly became lively.
"Come on, let's all raise our glasses and have a go!" Liu Tiejun said, raising his glass.
"We drink, your sister-in-law can just drink soda, the wound on her arm hasn't healed yet."
Lu Liangchen picked up the soda bottle on the table and filled the cup in front of Jiang Haitang. The orange-yellow liquid was filled with fine bubbles.
"Liangchen still cares about his wife. Come on, Liangchen, your sister-in-law doesn't drink, so you can't not drink." Chen Weiguo looked at Lu Liangchen caringly taking care of Jiang Haitang, picked up the wine glass and said, "Come on, brothers, let's drink to Liangchen and your sister-in-law! I wish you two a happy life together and a baby soon!"
The atmosphere became lively again under his leadership, and the sound of clinking glasses could be heard.
After three rounds of drinks, the childhood friends started talking.
They recalled the embarrassing moments of their childhood when they robbed bird nests in the compound and secretly rode military motorcycles, lamenting the passing of time.
Jiang Haitang just ate her food silently and listened to them talk about these stories from their youth.
Looking at Lu Liangchen and thinking about the current Lu Liangchen, there is no trace of the mischievousness of the past.
At the same time, I feel sad that such an outstanding person has to leave the army and come to the local area.
Chen Weiguo raised his wine glass, his face slightly flushed, but his tone became serious. "Liangchen, honestly, we brothers admire you! You actually went out to work in the windy and sandy land of the northwest. I heard that the textile factory business is very complicated... It's not easy!"
"But I know you're not the kind of person who gives up on yourself. Even in the Northwest, you really want to do something practical! This glass of wine is to toast your determination! And also to my sister-in-law for being able to accompany you through hardships!"
Li Yuanchao also raised his glass: "Weiguo is right! Brother Lu, you are fighting in the front, and we will take care of the logistics! If you have any difficulties, please send us a message! The northwest is far away, and we can't get through. Take care of yourself!"
Lu Liangchen was moved and raised his glass in return with Jiang Haitang.
Jiang Haitang also truly felt the deep brotherhood and heartfelt support for her husband from these seemingly carefree young men.
She toasted everyone gracefully to thank them for their hospitality.
Naturally, there was discussion about current affairs and work during the meal.
Some of these childhood friends are in charge of production in factories, while others are in the army. They have all felt some changes in their respective positions.
They talked about their experiences in their respective units, and their words were filled with the sharpness and expectations unique to young people.
Jiang Haitang listened quietly, occasionally interjecting a word or two on the topic of textile technology innovation, which also won everyone's sincere praise.
These people all came from high-class backgrounds, and they knew Jiang Haitang from various sources. They knew that she was a very capable girl who could make contributions to the Northwest, and was valued by Vice Minister Zhou and taken to study abroad. Only a girl like this could be worthy of an outstanding man like Lu Liangchen.
When everyone was drunk, someone started humming the tune of an old Soviet song that was popular at that time, and the others followed suit.
The private room was filled with a sense of nostalgia for their youth and longing for the future.
The party lasted until around nine o'clock in the evening.
Lu Liangchen and Jiang Haitang declined their childhood friends' offer to drive them home and chose to walk.
The heat in Beijing at night in July has not yet dissipated, but the evening breeze brings a hint of coolness.
Walking in the quiet alley, away from the hustle and bustle of the restaurant, neither of them spoke for a while.
Jiang Haitang held Lu Liangchen's arm and leaned against him gently.
She could smell the faint smell of alcohol on her husband, and could also feel the turmoil in his heart at the moment.
"They... are very enthusiastic. I think you were the same back then!" Jiang Haitang said softly.
If it weren't for the high pressure in recent years, if the Lu family didn't need to cut off its tail to survive, perhaps Lu Liangchen would have shown his prowess in the army.
"Yes! Back then, I was similar to them, but... it's all in the past." Lu Liangchen's voice was filled with a barely perceptible sigh.
"Have you ever regretted it?" Jiang Haitang asked.
"I don't regret it. If I had stayed in the army, perhaps I wouldn't have met you."
In the past, he felt somewhat upset, but now, he has let it go. Perhaps, he transferred to the northwest just to meet Haitang!
He held his wife's hand tightly and said, "I won't regret having you by my side."
Jiang Haitang raised her head, her eyes clear and determined in the moonlight: "Let's work hard together for the future of the textile factory. Once the textile factory is on the right track, we will return to the capital!"
Lu Liangchen has been very conflicted these days. He missed this opportunity to return to the capital, and he has no idea what changes will occur in the future. Perhaps they will never have the chance to return to the capital again.
He held her hand tightly, his voice low and powerful: "The excitement is theirs, and the days are ours. In the northwest, perhaps we can take a different path."
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