celebratory wine

Zhao Dongchuan put all the other bicycles back into his storage ring space, then stood this one upside down on the ground, took out a small knife, and slowly rubbed the back of the knife against the steel stamp numbers on the frame, making them a bit faded and blurry.

Then, Zhao Dongchuan took out the tools he had prepared from his space and made some subtle adjustments to the bicycle, making it look quite different from its original state!

After a long period of work, he finally completed the task.

“Hehe, now it’s so modified even its own mother wouldn’t recognize it!” Zhao Dongchuan chuckled, patting the bicycle.

Subsequently, Zhao Dongchuan put the dilapidated bicycle and other small tools back into his space.

Some of those tools were taken from Hei Lao Da, and some were bought from stores in Yuanxi County. Every time he went to a new place, he would go to the local stores to collect some items. Over time, his storage ring space was full of various kinds of items, with a complete range.

However, many things could not be bought even with tickets, so he naturally didn't have them. Some things, like firearms and ammunition, were simply not for sale. He couldn't get these items through normal channels, and he didn't have a need for them at the moment.

After tidying up, Zhao Dongchuan slung his bag over his shoulder and walked towards the Cultural Center.

The work day hadn't ended yet, and he still needed to check how Jia Bing was progressing with the sample publication.

Midway, Zhao Dongchuan found a spot to take off his glasses and then entered the Cultural Center.

“Teacher Jia, how is it? Have you finished reading it?” Zhao Dongchuan asked, seeing Jia Bing still holding the magazine in his hands.

“Hmm, I’ve finished the part where your ‘yellow earth’ is serialized. I’m looking at other sections. This issue of the magazine has many interesting articles and poems. Take a look!” Jia Bing said, handing the magazine to Zhao Dongchuan and pointing out sections for him to see.

Zhao Dongchuan took the periodical and, following where Jia Bing pointed, slowly began to read!

Hmm, interesting. The articles published in this issue actually contained a hint of explicit description.

The poetry also included more verses describing vague love.

Through these phenomena, Zhao Dongchuan clearly felt that there seemed to be some loosening in censorship.

This was a good sign, indicating that the wind that had been blowing for nearly ten years was about to stop.

“Hahahaha, it’s indeed interesting, Teacher Jia. For this, we must celebrate properly today!”

“Yes, yes, yes, we must celebrate! Oh, right, I was so engrossed in reading that we haven’t reported to Director Wang yet! Come on, let’s go find Director Wang!” Jia Bing said, clapping his hands happily.

Zhao Dongchuan naturally had no objection.

Subsequently, the two arrived at Director Wang’s office and found Director Wang packing his briefcase, preparing to leave work.

“Judging by your looks, there’s good news, isn’t there?”

Director Wang looked at Zhao Dongchuan and Jia Bing, who had just walked in, with a smiling face.

“Director Wang is truly clairvoyant. There is indeed good news! Today, the sample publication from the magazine arrived. Little Zhao’s novel has been published! Here, take a look!”

Director Wang put down his briefcase, took the magazine, and began to flip through it.

“Mm-hmm, very good, Little Zhao. Your novel being serialized is not just your personal honor, but also the honor of our Cultural Center. You have made a great contribution to the cultural cause of our Huangyuan region! Tomorrow, I will report to the Cultural Bureau and request a commendation for you!” Director Wang said, patting Little Zhao’s shoulder with a chuckle.

“That’s right, I think we should hold a celebration banquet for the successful publication of Little Zhao’s novel!” Jia Bing suggested.

“There’s no need to make such a big fuss. How about this: I’ll treat Director Wang and Teacher Jia to a casual meal at a restaurant as a celebration. Director Wang, Teacher Jia, you must do me this favor!” Zhao Dongchuan said.

“You’ve made a great contribution to our Cultural Center. Why should you treat us? How about this, I’ll treat you all, let’s go!”

With that, Director Wang, regardless of whether the two agreed, directly picked up his bag and left, signaling for them to follow.

Zhao Dongchuan and Jia Bing exchanged helpless glances and then quickly followed.

Subsequently, the three, led by Director Wang, arrived at a state-run restaurant named “Apricot Blossom Rain.”

“Today, you two are in for a treat! The chef at this restaurant is a true inheritor of imperial cuisine!” Director Wang said, entering the restaurant.

“Please come in!”

A waiter, dressed somewhat like a traditional shop assistant, stepped forward to greet them.

Zhao Dongchuan hadn’t expected that such feudal remnants would still be preserved here!

How interesting!

Zhao Dongchuan didn’t say anything and just silently followed Director Wang upstairs.

Then, the three took their seats!

“Three distinguished guests, here is the menu, please take a look!” The waiter said, then stood patiently to the side.

“Although this is a state-run restaurant, the actual management is unique, having the staff wear old-fashioned clothes, and the service attitude is very good.

It’s just that it’s quite expensive here, so I rarely come. Let’s order first!” Director Wang explained patiently.

Director Wang ordered a braised duck, and Jia Bing ordered stewed pork with potatoes. Seeing that both of them had ordered meat dishes, Zhao Dongchuan ordered a seaweed and egg drop soup.

They also asked for two plates of white flour steamed buns and a bottle of xifeng liquor.

“Enough, enough, no need to order more. We can order again if it’s not enough!” Zhao Dongchuan quickly stopped Director Wang, seeing that he was about to continue ordering dishes.

Director Wang nodded and stopped ordering, returning the menu to the waiter.

The three chatted for a while, and soon the wine and dishes were served.

Zhao Dongchuan opened the bottle and poured a glass of wine for Director Wang, Jia Bing, and himself.

“First, for the successful publication of Little Zhao’s new work, ‘yellow earth,’ let’s have a toast!” Director Wang said, raising his glass.

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

All three drained their glasses!

Time to eat!

Eating and drinking, the three chatted about everything under the sun. One moment they talked about Zhao Dongchuan’s novel, the next about Jia Bing’s poetry, and Director Wang also recounted his difficult years living in a “cow shed.”

Finally, they inevitably talked about the “wind” that had been blowing for almost ten years, and when this topic came up, everyone’s voices unconsciously became quieter.

“Recently, it seems the atmosphere has changed a bit!” Jia Bing whispered.

“Yes, recently, the attitude from above has been a bit subtle!” Director Wang said, frowning.

Zhao Dongchuan also nodded secretly from the side and echoed, “It seems there are some changes, and they are good changes!”

After a few sentences, the three stopped mentioning it and talked about other things, as walls have ears, and it’s better to say less!

The host and guests enjoyed themselves, and soon Jia Bing and Director Wang were a bit tipsy. Seeing that there wasn't enough food, Zhao Dongchuan added two more dishes!

Towards the end, Zhao Dongchuan saw the two of them talking with flushed faces and found an excuse to go settle the bill.

“Little Zhao, you settled the bill?” Director Wang asked, looking at Zhao Dongchuan who had returned.

“Oh, I said I’d treat! You young people still need to save more money to marry a wife, that’s more important!” he said, taking out 30 yuan and handing it to Little Zhao.

Zhao Dongchuan naturally wouldn't take it and firmly refused to accept!

The scene was like stuffing red envelopes during Chinese New Year. After some back and forth, Zhao Dongchuan still didn't take it.