He won 900 million in the lottery.

Everyone has value and needs; there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.

It's lively with lots of people.

The kids are running around downstairs, while upstairs they've started drinking and playing drinking games.

Of course, it was the two tables where Xiaomai was.

This guy brought his brothers but didn't go to his own home. He's stuck here with me, saying he'll wait until the second son of the Zhang family finishes his toast before leaving!

I sat at a table with Sun Ce and his fourth uncle, and Zhang Jian and his wife, along with Mitsui Stool, were also at the table.

Mitsui: "Tenichi, your house is really lively this year."

Me: "There are quite a lot of people. Come on, let's have a drink first. I have something to do this afternoon, so I'll just have a drink with Section Chief Sun and the others."

Sun Ce and his three companions had originally planned to sneak in for drinks, but now that their identities were revealed, they had no choice but to drink beverages instead.

Half an hour after the banquet began.

My mom called and said that the Zhang family was at the door, carrying two cases of liquor.

Sun Ce and I exchanged a glance.

Me: "Let's go, let's go downstairs."

This play has to be performed right here at home, otherwise, how am I supposed to handle the scene where the Zhang family bullied me this morning?

The neighbors had to witness the scene of Zhang's second son bringing wine to apologize!

Once outside, not only Zhang's second son, but also Zhang's eldest son and Wang Shan, had already left by car.

Right now, there aren't many cars in front of the Zhang family's house, making it seem rather deserted.

Zhang's second son: "Tianyi, Section Chief Sun, I'm really sorry about what happened this morning. I have two cases of wine here, Tianyi, please don't mind, take them and have a drink."

I didn't say anything.

Sun Ce remained silent.

As for the likes of Wang Shan and Zhang Yue, they stood there as if they were invisible.

Now, I don't need to fawn over this kind of role, nor do I need to get angry.

I looked at the eldest son of the Zhang family.

The eldest son of the Zhang family stepped forward, took out cigarettes from his pocket, and lit one for me and one for Sun Ce.

Zhang's eldest son: "Tianyi, I know I was wrong. We're all neighbors, and we don't see each other much back in our hometown. When we get back to the city in a couple of days, I'll host a special dinner for everyone."

Wheat chimed in discontentedly, "Hey, what about mine!"

I scolded, "Xiaomai, you have no manners!"

The eldest son of the Zhang family had a flushed face, but he still lit a cigarette for Xiaomai!

Don't say that Xiaomai was unruly; this is Zhang's eldest son's just desserts!

It's what wheat deserves!

Those who fight for me will be rewarded for their merits!

inside the house.

Me: "Thank you, Xiaomai, and thank you all, brothers. Take a red envelope each. Hurry home with your people; it's almost time for your relatives to offer toasts."

Xiaomai took the stack of red envelopes I handed him and said, "Wow, this is too much, bro."

A group of young men also said no.

I put my hand on Xiaomai's shoulder and looked at the group of young men in the room: "Remember, you are all brothers. Do your job well, and Xiaomai will not treat you unfairly, nor will I."

A dozen or so people left in high spirits. They were still young and could still drink, and they hadn't had enough. They planned to have another drink at Xiaomai's house.

Around 2 PM.

The guests left after they had eaten and drunk their fill.

Besides my fourth uncle... he got drunk again, and after many years, he finally stayed overnight at my house once more.

4:30 p.m.

I received a WeChat message from Dongling and arrived at the high-speed rail station on time to pick her up.

At the exit, she was in the crowd, her porcelain-white skin highlighting her delicate features and natural gentleness.

Her long hair was loosely braided into a low plait, the ends tied with a beige woolen cord, and a few stray hairs were gently brushed aside with her raised hand, her fingertips slender.

She wore a dark gray coat over a beige turtleneck sweater and light brown straight-leg pants.

I recognized my wife immediately in the crowd.

I'll give you a princess carry as soon as we meet!

Dong Ling hugged my neck tightly with joy!

"It smells so good!"

"Hehe, surprised?"

Me: "Didn't you say in yesterday's video call that you weren't coming back?"

Dong Ling: "My supervisor has an urgent matter to attend to, so the seminar is canceled."

Me: "So, she doesn't need to ask for leave if she has something to do, but makes you all work overtime if she doesn't?"

Dong Ling gently pecked my lips: "I call this going to school, that's studying!"

Me: "Alright, let's go home!"

It just so happened that Fourth Uncle was also there for dinner, and he also gave Dongling a red envelope. This time, the entire Shen family was present, and Dongling recognized each member of the family. The family members also gave red envelopes to each of them. Tianni, in particular, was overjoyed to see Dongling and called her "sister-in-law" over and over again, being as affectionate as could be.

Dinner is over.

The second son of the Zhang family actually came to visit again.

Zhang Xiang: "Tianyi, wanna come over for a couple of drinks?"

I glanced at Dongling.

Dong Ling: "Go ahead, I'll help tidy up at home."

The Zhang family.

My aunt saw that I was a little embarrassed, but that's how it is when tutoring people in the countryside. My mom feels like something's missing if we don't argue for three days.

Zhang Xiang: "Come on in."

Zhang Qing, the eldest son of the Zhang family, was also there. He stood up as soon as he saw me enter the room and said, "Brother, you've come. Have a seat."

They were neighbors and had fought together when they were young. They had also participated in battles with neighboring villages during temple fairs. However, as they grew up, the task of protecting the village was handed over to the next generation.

Perhaps there are no young people left in rural areas now.

The three of us felt a mix of emotions, including a sense of helplessness.

If I hadn't made a comeback, I certainly wouldn't have been qualified to drink with the Zhang brothers.

Now that the tide has turned in our favor, it's only natural for the two of them to back down.

Especially Zhang Xiang, the second son of the Zhang family, is still within the system.

There are no permanent enemies within the system.

Zhang Xiang: "Come on, three of you, let's have a drink!"

After drinking a few glasses.

Zhang Xiang: "Tianyi, I heard from my aunt that you just came back from Shanghai this year?"

I nodded: "I don't plan to leave. After all, I'm of age, it's time to get married."

Zhang Xiang: "Yeah, look at me and my older brother, we got married early and had kids early, so we can say we've accomplished our mission."

Me: "Xiangzi, which company are you working for now?"

If I had called him Xiangzi before today, he would have definitely sent someone to beat me up.

After today, if I call him Xiangzi, he will only feel affection.

Zhang Xiang: "Municipal Housing and Construction Bureau."

I nodded: "No wonder Brother Daqing is so rich."

Zhang Qing chuckled. He was still holding a grudge about being humiliated this morning, but it didn't matter.

Zhang Xiang: "Your presence is truly intimidating. I almost got caught today."

Me: "Nothing much, these are all friends I made over drinks."

Zhang Xiang: "Seriously, how about we host a feast when we get back in a couple of days?"

I laughed and said, "A trap?"

Zhang Xiang: "What are you joking about now? We know each other inside and out, we're from the same village. If we can stick together, making a name for ourselves won't be a problem."

Me: "You brothers have already fallen to this point, what more do you want?"

Zhang Xiang: "Tianyi, judging from your demeanor today, I'm certain you're no ordinary person. To put it bluntly, I want to test your background. If you can really find me a way, my brother and I will follow you."

Is it really that difficult to advance in officialdom?

Do we need big trees?

This is true for Suzhou and Hangzhou, and it's also true for Zhang Xiang.

Both are section chiefs, and both are the same age. Is this what they are striving for?

Me: "With your family being so wealthy, securing a future shouldn't be too difficult."

The approximate age range for normal promotions within the system.

Deputy section chief, 28-35 years old.

Section Chief, 32-40 years old.

Deputy Division Chief, 38-45 years old.

Current age, 45-53.

Zhang Xiang smiled bitterly: "At 35, you become a full section chief; at 45, you become a deputy division chief. We're about the same age. I'm a deputy section chief now, and if I can't become a full section chief in another two or three years, I'll have no hope for the rest of my life."

I laughed and said, "You've already done really well to reach the deputy section chief level."

Zhang Xiang: "In Liancheng City, a county-level city with four counties, there are more than 3000 deputy section chiefs. Half of them have connections or are older, and the remaining 1500 or so are like me, just getting close to the age limit. Either they will be stuck at this stage for life, or they will go further and shine."

I gradually began to make comparisons in my mind.

Suzhou and Hangzhou are seeking a better future.

Sun Ce is asking for money.

Wu Lei is in color.

Everyone has needs.