Chapter 102 Call Me Uncle
Chapter 102 Call Me Uncle
"Brother, I can't thank you enough."
Zhou Daguo held up the fish, muttered something under his breath, and stepped forward, no longer showing the panic and helplessness he had shown before.
"Comrades, Xiao Zhang is right. I was too excited just now and didn't express myself clearly."
"What I mean is, through the leadership, we can present the fish as a symbol, along with the achievements we've made this year."
"Let's all go to the cafeteria now, raise the fish, and share in the good fortune."
After more than half an hour of fussing, the matter was finally settled.
The workers dragged over a large glass tank, half the height of a person, polished it until it gleamed, and gently placed the red-tailed golden carp inside.
As soon as the fish enters the water, its golden scales and red tail shimmer in the light, so bright that it's hard to open one's eyes.
Workers and canteen staff swarmed around, heads bumping against each other, pointing and whispering, their eyes full of admiration.
It was as if a celebration had been completed; pride was written on everyone's face.
"Hey bro, it's lunchtime, grab something to eat here."
"still----"
"Don't refuse. Even if you wanted to leave now, you probably wouldn't be able to." Zhou Daguo glanced at the increasingly dense crowd in the cafeteria and laughed heartily.
"Then I'll take my leave."
Zhang Wenshan thought it made sense and nodded in agreement.
Seeing everyone heading up to the second floor, Lang Qiuping subconsciously stopped in his tracks: "Brother Shanzi, I, I'll go outside and watch the cars."
As he spoke, he started to walk out.
"How could it get lost at a farm machinery factory?" Zhang Wenshan laughed and put his arm around the other man's shoulder. "Come on, let's have a good meal today."
Feeling the strength coming from his shoulder, Lang Qiuping's nose suddenly stung, and he nodded in a muffled voice.
At the same time, Zhou Daguo was also disciplining his apprentice.
"Be more polite to Brother Zhang in the future. Don't judge people with old eyes. He is very important to us."
Chen Youfu, with his neck stiff, retorted, "It was just pure luck."
He is very clear.
The master is making him bow his head and apologize, so that the previous grudge can be smoothed over.
But on what grounds?
He believed he had done nothing wrong.
"They have a lot more to offer than we do," Zhou Daguo said in a low voice. "They've been delivering to the state-run restaurants lately—and that stir-fried snail stuff too. The canteen mentioned it to me before, and the workers are clamoring for it too—"
"It's just snails, what difference does it make where you put them? I'm not going to bow down to him!"
"Do as I say." Zhou Daguo's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Otherwise, you shouldn't acknowledge me as your master."
Upon hearing this, Chen Youfu stood rooted to the spot, his face full of reluctance, and he couldn't understand why his master wanted to do this.
He's just a fishmonger.
It's good that they can make some noise for now, but what about the future?
If you've lost everything you had in those places, do you think you'll have the luck to find another one?
Who knows, they might bring over some junk one day and insist on selling it at a high price.
He'd seen this kind of thing many times before.
"I'll apologize later." Chen Youfu gritted his teeth. His master had already said so much, so no matter how unwilling he was, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree.
Soon the guests and hosts were seated, and while waiting for the dishes to be served, Zhou Daguo stood up.
"Since everyone here today is one of us, I'll take the liberty of wiping any unpleasantness from the past and getting to know each other anew."
"I'll acknowledge Comrade Xiao Zhang as my younger brother. He's also Deputy Section Chief Lin's brother-in-law, according to seniority."
Zhou Daguo steeled his resolve and said.
You should call him Uncle.
"???"
Chen Youfu's head buzzed, and he turned around with wide eyes.
Calling him Uncle Lin Deqiang is perfectly fine.
He's the deputy head of the security department, a soldier who's been to the battlefield.
But what gives Zhang Wenshan the right to do so?
He was a good-for-nothing who drank, gambled, and did nothing productive; he was a few years younger than him.
Call me uncle?
Lin Deqiang was equally taken aback and subconsciously looked at his brother-in-law, signaling him to be careful.
Zhou Daguo, that guy...
He's not exactly bad, but he's not exactly a good person either; he's the type who won't act until he sees a clear benefit.
It has advantages; you can get along well with anyone.
It's true that his brother-in-law's stuff is impressive, but it's not enough to justify Zhou Daguo investing so much. His apprentice was formally apprenticed and raised by his side since childhood, almost like a son.
"Section Chief Zhou, you're too kind. Please speak frankly." Zhang Wenshan smiled and shook his head, not responding at all.
Shouldn't you refuse?
The other party's disregard angered Chen Youfu even more than if he had agreed outright.
"Brother, you really are an impatient fellow." Zhou Daguo glared at his apprentice, somewhat surprised.
Given Zhang Wenshan's age, he should be in the prime of his youth.
If someone can make those who used to be arrogant and look down on him bow down and admit defeat, wouldn't anyone get cocky?
How could he possibly bear it?
After a moment's thought.
Zhou Daguo cut to the chase: "Isn't your fishing and hunting group that helps people in need a bit too small?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.
Isn't the topic jumping around a bit too fast?
Zhang Wenshan tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, pondered for a moment, and then said, "The agricultural machinery factory also wants the snails from our Chishong Village?"
Zhou Daguo nodded: "It's all Lao Hong's fault. The workers gave him some good feedback when we sent them over before."
"Thank you for your kindness, Section Chief Zhou, but our fishing and hunting team is really limited in its capabilities. We have also signed a contract with a state-run restaurant, so we are simply unable to do what we are willing to do."
After he finished speaking, the table fell silent once again.
Lin Deqiang couldn't help but cough lightly, desperately trying to wink at his brother-in-law, urging him to reconsider.
Snails aren't anything rare. He understood what Section Chief Zhou meant: as long as it came from the fishing and hunting group, it was fine.
Let the villagers get some, put it under the name of the fishing and hunting group, and it's like picking up money.
Not only can you make money, but you can also gain favors from relatives and friends.
Lang Qiuping was also somewhat tempted, but he suppressed the urge to speak, lowering his head and turning his face red with embarrassment.
"You refuse?" Chen Youfu exclaimed in surprise.
He couldn't imagine anyone refusing to sell their goods to the agricultural machinery factory, especially not so directly and without any room for negotiation.
Even more strangely, the master didn't get angry.
"That's such a pity." Zhou Daguo sighed and changed the subject, "Brother, you delivered the goods just in time. The inspection team will arrive tomorrow, and our factory director will personally go to pick them up."
"That's because Section Chief Zhou is a lucky man—"
Before the few polite words were finished, the dishes were served one by one.
A braised fish, a plate of scrambled eggs, a large bowl of pork stew with vermicelli and cabbage, and a large white steamed bun as the staple food.
Lang Qiuping's eyes widened instantly.
His gaze was fixed on the plate, his Adam's apple bobbing incessantly, and despite his desperate attempts to control himself, he still swallowed hard.
Not just him.
Lin Deqiang also quietly swallowed.
With his salary, it shouldn't be difficult for him to improve his meals every now and then, but with several mouths to feed at home, he really can't bear to do it.
"Come on, come on, don't be shy, everyone pick up your chopsticks."
"Please go first," Zhang Wenshan said politely, then whispered to Lang Qiuping, "Eat as much as you like."
After saying that, he picked up his chopsticks first and took a piece of fish.
I must say, the cook at the farm machinery factory has really authentic cooking skills.
Seeing this, Lang Qiuping stopped pretending and started laughing heartily.
Soon, all four dishes were gone, leaving only a mess on the table.
After confirming the details of the subsequent transaction, Zhang Wenshan and the other two got up to say goodbye.
As soon as they left the room, Chen Youfu couldn't help but say, "They have no table manners at all, acting like they've never eaten before."
"Life is difficult in the countryside, which is understandable."
Zhou Daguo waved his hand, interrupting his apprentice.
Chen Youfu complained, "Why did you do this? You invited them to dinner, but that kid was completely unreasonable and didn't even say a polite word."
Suddenly, the room door opened.
The chef, clutching a wad of small bills, said awkwardly, "That young man just paid for his meal, see?"