When Grandpa Hong suggested it, everyone naturally agreed and responded enthusiastically. Xiu'er said with a smile, "My husband is here too, and we have a few bottles of Moutai. You two can have one."
Without further ado, as the sun set and smoke curled from the chimneys of every household, Jiang Xiaoyan returned home and instructed Zhou Ya to move the table out. She then said to Zhang Fengxia, "Fengxia, if there's nothing to do at the factory, you can stay here tonight."
"Why are we moving the table outside?" Zhang Fengxia asked, puzzled.
"Grandpa Hong said that everyone in the alley should get together for a meal." Jiang Xiaoyan walked to Lu Feng's side, reached out and gently patted his back, and said, "Chen Hansheng's wife was really teasing me just now."
"How did I put you down?" Lu Feng looked at her and said, "Don't take some people's opinions to heart, and try to keep a good mood."
"I don't care at all. I'm very easygoing right now. I'll have to make a good impression when we go out to eat later." Jiang Xiaoyan said while sitting in her chair, "Chen Hansheng is a few years older than you. He owns a company. I don't know how his wife is showing off."
Lu Feng looked at her with some surprise. Was this Jiang Xiaoyan, whom he knew?
Jiang Xiaoyan used to be extremely timid, even when running a cosmetics factory, she always acted as if she didn't want to compete with anyone. Now, she's encouraging him to show off.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jiang Xiaoyan asked, puzzled.
"Aren't you afraid of trouble?" Lu Feng laughed and said, "I feel like you're a bit too confident."
“I’m pregnant now, and I walk with my head held high, I don’t care about anyone, I’m not afraid to go to your house.” Jiang Xiaoyan’s face was full of confidence.
“She’s like a completely different person,” Zhang Fengxia said from the side.
Indeed, Jiang Xiaoyan used to be quite introverted, as if there was a hidden black hole deep inside her that absorbed everything. But now she is much more cheerful, and her smile is full of sunshine.
"Let's not argue about these things, as long as we're happy," Lu Feng said cheerfully.
Duoduo ran around happily, shouting about picnics and cooking. The alley was already bustling with noise, and the sharp voices of several aunties pierced the twilight, adding a touch of warmth to the sunset.
In summer, there are many mosquitoes, so a bonfire was lit, and thick smoke first filled the alley. All kinds of dishes were served, and a group of men gathered together to chat about national affairs, from international to provincial, and from provincial to their work units, speaking eloquently.
Lu Feng carried pancakes and pickled vegetables outside tonight. In the dim light of dusk, a few people squatting nearby watched Lu Feng leave.
"So this is Jiang Xiaoyan's man?"
"Wasn't he supposed to be some kind of CEO? He's so young!"
"Nonsense, how old is Jiang Xiaoyan? She's not like Bao Ernai, so she can't be much older."
A lean man stood up and walked over, saying to Lu Feng, "Are you Xiaoyan's man?"
"Yes, my name is Lu Feng." As Lu Feng spoke, he placed the pancake on the table and said, "Come, come, try this pancake. Aunt Liu's pancakes are delicious."
"No rush, come on, have a smoke!"
As he was speaking, a cigarette flew over. Lu Feng caught it and said, "I haven't smoked for a long time. I've quit."
There were about thirty people in the alley, men and women, young and old. It was getting dark. A 100-watt tungsten filament lamp was hanging above the door of one of the houses. The flames of the bonfire were also leaping up. Several children pulled out some burning sticks from the fire and played with them, which naturally earned them a scolding from the adults.
"Xiuer, call your Hansheng for dinner," Aunt Er called out.
A short while later, a man in his thirties came out. He was about 1.75 meters tall, not particularly strong, and dressed in casual clothes. He had the air of a wealthy man and was carrying several bottles of wine.
"Come, come, sit here. Let's all sit at one table, a bunch of grown men," Grandpa Hong invited.
Chen Hansheng walked over, glanced at the cramped seating, put his hand on Lu Feng's shoulder, and forcefully pulled him to the side.
Lu Feng was almost pushed over along with his chair, and quickly squeezed to the side.
"It's alright, everyone squeeze in and give Grandpa Hong some space." Chen Hansheng sat down, glanced at Lu Feng, and asked, "Xiaoyan's man, right?"
"Hello!" Lu Feng said politely.
"Don't underestimate Xiaoyan just because she hasn't been here long. She's very familiar with everyone in the alley and often mentions you, saying you're doing big business outside, I heard it's worth hundreds of millions?" Chen Hansheng asked, somewhat sarcastically.
"It's alright." Lu Feng didn't want to talk about it in depth. He was afraid to talk about company matters now, otherwise all sorts of people would come knocking on his door to try and build relationships after a while. He just wanted to get closer to people, since refusing someone is quite embarrassing.
“We’re all small business owners here, and we’ve never met any big bosses. We don’t really understand how you managed a business worth hundreds of millions.” Chen Hansheng was quite persistent.
He thought Jiang Xiaoyan was definitely exaggerating. Assets of hundreds of millions must be huge business, how could someone like that live in a courtyard and rent it out?
Moreover, Lu Feng is so young and doesn't have any of the airs of a boss. He imagined that a big boss would always come and go in a group of people, with a bunch of people following behind him, and would definitely be someone strangers should not approach.
"Let's not talk about work. I've had enough of a headache lately." Lu Feng naturally saw what he was thinking and smiled, saying, "That's how it is in business. You have to put on a good show when you're out in the world."
Chen Hansheng laughed, opened the bottle and poured some wine for Grandpa Hong, saying, "Please have a taste. In this alley, I used to be the youngest, but not anymore. In a few decades, I'll be like Grandpa Hong, basking in the sun. But I can't compare to Grandpa Hong. He's basking in the sun, making decisions from afar."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
