Chapter 02: Barbecue in Sanxi Town
At this moment, the barbecue owner with dyed yellow hair approached and said, "This cursed weather, it's going to rain. If you all want to continue eating, please move inside."
Zhang Chaofei intended to fix this oblivious fellow, poured a glass of wine, ignored the barbecue vendor standing beside him, and said to Cheng Xu: "You are Cheng Xu, right? You are a friend of Hehua, I toast to you."
During these two seasons, one can enjoy authentic Sanxi River fish barbecue, especially the grilled yellow catfish, which is particularly tender and flavorful. Placing a whole grilled fish into one's mouth, one can use chopsticks to grasp the fish's head and gently pull outward, allowing all the fish meat and spices to enter the mouth. That sensation is truly delightful
To the east of Sanxi Pond, there is a bridge that connects the residents on both sides of Sanxi Town. This bridge is called Sanxi Bridge, and it is crowded with people enjoying leisure time and shopping. Some young and daring individuals even sit on the stone railings of the bridge, chatting with friends.
At that moment, a strong gust of wind blew in, causing Cheng Xu to lose his balance. He stumbled and nearly fell to the ground. Fortunately, He Jie reacted quickly, shouting "Be careful" and hurriedly supporting Cheng Xu, completely ignoring Zhang Chaofei, and helped Cheng Xu to sit down in his place.
He Jie could not discern the underlying meaning in the words. With a slight smile, she said: "I drink with my friends, and everyone always accommodates me. I have always been carefree, while my friends finish their drinks. Don't believe me? You can ask Cheng Xu."
The phrase "treating each other with respect like guests" is used to describe a couple, and everyone understands it, so they follow Li Xian and laugh. However, Guo Debing remains steady at the fishing platform, his eyes carrying a hint of disdain, yet his face still bears a smile, demonstrating that he is putting in considerable effort to maintain appearances
Mayor Li Xian, in his thirties, is an official dispatched by the County Agricultural Bureau. He has served as the Deputy Director of the Agricultural Bureau. Sitting next to Zhang Chaofei, he shares many common topics with him, and the two occasionally whisper to each other, breaking into fits of subdued laughter.
Cheng Xu sat down in his place, touched his burning forehead with his hand, and had already lost track of what it meant to be drunk
To the south of Sanxi Town lies Gaomen Creek, to the north is Shuzi Creek, and to the west is Huangcao Creek, which is how Sanxi Town got its name. The three small creeks converge in Sanxi Town, forming a square water pool measuring one hundred meters on each side, known as Sanxi Pool, around which Sanxi Town is built. After the convergence of the three creeks, the water flows downstream to the east, merging with the Yangtze River in the city of Nanjian.
While speaking, he raised the wine glass to his lips, tilted his head back, and gulped down the wine.
Director Zhang, I respect you; please feel free to let me finish my drink.
Hmph
Cheng Xu, feeling drowsy from drinking, suddenly sensed someone pushing him. He quickly swallowed the fish meat in his mouth, raised his wine glass, stood up, and asked, "What happened?"
A slightly inebriated Li Xian joined in the commotion, saying: "Haha, treating each other with utmost respect."
Boom
When
Immediately following this, it is time to make a toast with a "penalty kick"
A torrent of colorful information surged into Cheng Xu's mind, leaving him with a blurred vision in front of his eyes and the book. However, he did not pay it any mind, merely attributing it to his drunkenness. He felt as if his head was about to explode, an extremely uncomfortable sensation.
Zhang Chaofei, along with the secretary and the town mayor, naturally became the primary targets for toasting
He Jie, standing nearby, wore a look of deep concern
Zhang Chaofei also felt a bit tipsy, and his courage gradually grew. He poured a glass of beer, personally walked over to He Jie, and said: "Hehua, let's have a toast. I toast to you"
Already intoxicated, Cheng Xu could not distinguish right from wrong. He hurriedly raised his glass to clink with Zhang Chaofei's, automatically ignoring the murderous glare from Zhang Chaofei.
Sitting in the main seat is Secretary Guo Debing, who was once a soldier. Perhaps due to middle age, he has gained weight, appearing somewhat bloated. He speaks little, but his personality is extremely generous. When others offer him a drink, he never hesitates, tilting his head back to drink. Even someone as insignificant as Cheng Xu is no exception. It is estimated that Secretary Guo consumes around 2 kilograms of alcohol daily, truly a heavyweight contender, and he is a highly competent grassroots official
He Jie looked at him with a smile in her eyes
Cheng Xu Machinery raised his glass, stood up, and stammered, "Thank you... leader... for your concern, come, let us drink"
He Jie spoke while shyly lowering her head and scratching her hair
What kind of major leader am I
He Jie blushed, raised her wine glass, stood up, and said with a smile: "Director Liu, you are a high-ranking leader; how could a little woman like me possibly deserve this."
Before long, several large plates of grilled yellow catfish were served on the table along with two bottles of beer. The service staff moved quickly, and with a few swift motions, opened a bottle for everyone. The guests filled their beer glasses, stood up, raised their glasses, and together took their first drink.
Cheng Xu's mind was not on drinking; when someone toasted him, he would respond with a sip of wine, but his attention was focused on dealing with the yellow catfish in his bowl
Guo Debing smiled subtly and nodded discreetly to Cheng Xu
Zhang Chaofei, after having a meal in the town, came to Luo's Barbecue accompanied by the secretary and the town mayor. They moved a rectangular low table and placed it on the open square, where the group sat around the table, engaging in casual conversation
I didn't eat enough in the evening, so here I am, having barbecue, which is both expensive and appropriate
A crisp sound echoed as two wine glasses clinked together. Cheng Xu tilted his head back and gulped down the wine, but suddenly, a tumultuous wave surged in his stomach. The beer he had just consumed threatened to surge back up his throat. Cheng Xu quickly covered his lips, forcing the beer that had risen to his throat back down.
Then, take a light sip
He Jie is seated opposite Liu Chaofei, while Cheng Xu is sitting next to He Jie
For dinner, I drank white liquor, and while having barbecue, I drank beer. Mixing the two types of alcohol is quite intoxicating
When ! ''
Hello, friend, hello
Cheng Xu was focused on dealing with the yellow catfish in his bowl and did not notice the suddenly strange atmosphere that had enveloped the table
The barbecue owner is named Luo Kui, the second child in his family, and is nicknamed "Er Gou". He is a former gangster who has turned his life around by selling barbecue, making him a notable figure in the town. The newcomers respectfully address him as "www.hetushucom.com Er Gou", fully aware that this "Er Gou" can be quite aggressive when provoked
A thunderclap exploded in the sky, and everyone felt a flash before their eyes, suddenly plunging into complete darkness as the power went out
Zhang Chaofei, upon seeing He Jie display a childlike demeanor, was instantly at a loss, downing the wine in his cup.
Director Zhang does not engage with you casually, but it is necessary to finish drinking. Director Zhang, is that correct
Every year during the summer and autumn seasons, the number of fishermen using fishing boats on Sanxi Pond and leisure anglers fishing with rods by the pond increases. The catch primarily consists of carp and green wave fish, and those fortunate enough may catch a small fish, no longer than three inches, entirely yellow in color, known as Huanglading.
While speaking, he pushed Cheng Xu's shoulder, who was sitting beside him.
On both sides of the bridge, there are about ten barbecue stalls, among which Luo's Barbecue is the most authentic and renowned.
Zhang Chaofei quickly expressed his modesty with a hint of pride, suggesting: "We can become friends."
Li Xian took the lead in applauding, and he had yet to finish his sentence, "Boyfriends and girlfriends are even better"
The leader is casual; do you dare not finish it?
Zhang Chaofei smiled while glancing at He Jie with the corner of his eye, his gaze filled with a sense of pride
Zhang Chaofei was able to call He Jie by her nickname, which was told to him by Li Xian. He did so in order to appear more affectionate
Unbeknownst to him, Cheng Xu had already consumed two bottles of beer, and he appeared to be in a daze. Not only did Cheng Xu feel this way, but everyone present, except for Secretary Guo, felt similarly, as they had all partaken in a banquet and had consumed more alcohol than Cheng Xu.
When it comes to the barbecue in Sanxi Town, it is truly exceptional
Having finished drinking, having finished drinking, definitely having finished drinking, deep feelings, just one sip.
Zhang Chaofei let out a muffled grunt through his nose as he returned to his seat, his face a shade of iron blue, possibly due to having consumed alcohol
In stark contrast to Guo Debing is Zhang Chaofei, the Deputy Director of the County Party Committee Office and the Director of the County Confidentiality Bureau. He has a slender build and is dressed in a well-fitted casual outfit, complemented by a pair of high-end sports shoes. When he speaks, his eyes dart around energetically. It seems that Director Liu has a decent capacity for alcohol, but his enthusiasm for drinking does not match that of Secretary Guo. When the Secretary and the Town Mayor toast him, he does not hesitate at all, downing the drink in one go with great decisiveness. However, when others toast him, he merely raises his glass slightly and says, "I have a poor tolerance for alcohol and am not feeling well, so please feel free, everyone, feel free." It appears that Director Liu has a decent capacity for alcohol, but his enthusiasm for drinking does not match that of Secretary Guo. When the Secretary and the Town Mayor toast him, he does not hesitate at all, downing the drink in one go with great decisiveness. However, when others toast him, he merely raises his glass slightly and says, "I have a poor tolerance for alcohol and am not feeling well, so please feel free, everyone, feel free."
Director Zhang is toasting to you
No one noticed as a bolt of lightning struck directly into Cheng Xu's brain
Indeed, the prices are not cheap. A grilled yellow catfish is charged according to its size, with smaller ones costing 10 yuan and larger ones 20 yuan. Eating ten yellow catfish is hardly filling for one person, and that would amount to one or two hundred yuan. Cheng Xu did not have the courage to spend that much. Usually, when he smells the aroma of grilled yellow catfish and sees others eating, he can't help but salivate. Today, he can finally indulge himself; after all, it's a public expense, and one should take advantage of it, as everyone understands.
Having just consumed alcohol, Cheng Xu could no longer maintain his balance and collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness. The beer glass in his hand shattered into pieces.