Era: 1962, the rise of vocabulary and related terms

I walked into the stairwell.

"Xiao Yan, are you free tonight? I have a business dinner, can you cover for me while I drink?"

He must have agreed to help cover for others' drinks without hesitation before last night's get-together. After all, he had shown off his drinking capacity to better integrate into the purchasing department and prove that he was "useful."

But after what happened yesterday, and seeing the idyllic facade of Corey just now, he finally came to his senses and realized that his previous actions had been somewhat naive.

however!

Yan Xiao nodded without much thought: "Sure, I don't have anything to do right now anyway, just call me when the time comes."

"Sigh, this is troublesome."

"You're welcome. We're all in the same department, so helping each other out is only right."

Yan Xiao agreed because he had promised everyone before. The key point is that even the promise of "a promise is a promise" has already taken effect, and he can't go back on his word. Otherwise, slowing down the progress is a minor issue, but losing the entry would be a real disaster.

If we're going to experiment, we shouldn't be targeting the precious phrase "a promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold."

He hasn't tried it yet.

......

evening.

Inside a private room at the Dongfenglou State-run Restaurant.

At the head of the table, Ding Xun, a junior clerk from the Planning Section of the Ministry of Coal Industry, became the absolute star of the evening.

He was in his early thirties, with a smile on his face that was just right, neither distant nor overly friendly.

Zhu Fugui smiled broadly, "Brother Ding, it's such a great honor for us that you could take time out of your busy schedule to grace us with your presence! I, Zhu Fugui, will drink first as a sign of respect, please feel free to drink as you please!"

After saying that, he tilted his head back and downed three qian of liquor, his throat burning hot.

Yan Xiao followed closely behind, his tone calm and measured: "Brother Ding, my brother often tells me that you are the fairest person when it comes to handling matters, and you understand the difficulties we in the purchasing department face. This drink is for you!"

He also downed his drink in one gulp, his movements swift and decisive.

[The "100-gram Unbreakable" effect is in effect...]

Ding Xun demurely picked up the small wine glass in front of him, took only a symbolic sip, and his smile remained unchanged: "Brother, Xiao Yan, you're too kind, you're too kind. It's all work, we should support each other."

The word "support" was spoken lightly, carrying a hint of perfunctory attitude.

They clinked glasses and exchanged toasts.

Zhu Fugui pulled out all the stops, using a barrage of compliments, complaints, and reminiscences of past hardships to launch into a performance.

Yan Xiao cooperated perfectly. He didn't say much, but he always followed up on Zhu Fugui's points, either adding details or emphasizing the difficulties.

The core message remains the same: for Ding Xun, this was nothing more than a "small favor".

He was even more proactive in offering toasts and drank more than Zhu Fugui.

After several rounds of drinks...

The two had drunk quite a bit of wine. Zhu Fugui's face was already as red as Guan Yu's, his speech was starting to slur, and his eyes were becoming glazed.

Yan Xiao also used up the effect of [Unbreakable], and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Fortunately, there was a 10% resistance effect, so it didn't blind him.

During this period of drinking, his alcohol tolerance has also improved. He used to vomit after drinking less than three ounces, but now he can drink half a pound without being affected. His alcohol tolerance has also improved.

Given enough time, Yan Xiao is confident that his alcohol tolerance can be further improved.

On the other hand, Ding Xun, despite being bombarded by the two men, could barely drink three ounces of wine.

In order to get more coal, Zhu Fugui and Yan Xiao drank recklessly.

Faced with Zhu Fugui's pleas and Yan Xiao's attempts to "win him over," he either laughed it off and changed the subject, or he brought out ironclad "rules" and "quotas," blocking all avenues of communication.

"Brother, I understand your difficulties, I understand them very well!" Ding Xun picked up a peanut and chewed it slowly.

"But I'm just a clerk right now. I don't have that much ability, and the authority I can use is just this little bit."

He gestured a tiny gap with his thumb and forefinger, his face showing a genuine sense of helplessness.

"So many factories in the city are waiting for coal to be used. If I open the door for you, what will happen to the other factories?"

"I really went through a lot of trouble to squeeze out 3000 jin of extra food for you. Any more than that, I couldn't do! If it weren't for our friendship, even this would have been difficult!"

His words were spoken in a grand and impeccable manner.

Zhu Fugui's heart sank to the bottom.

"Brother Ding, can't you even make an exception... can't you even make an exception? 3000 jin is far too little. If you put in a little more effort and get 1 jin, consider it a huge favor to you, brother. I, Zhu Fugui, will remember you for the rest of my life!"

1 jin?

Ding Xun cursed Zhu Fugui in his heart. He was just an ordinary clerk. He could use his power to help a little with a few thousand kilograms.

If the coal weighs over 10,000 jin (5,000 kg), only the section chief or station chief can make the decision. If he wants to take out that much coal, he has to explain to his superiors first.

He only dared to speak if his superiors agreed.

Ding Xun slowly shook his head, a hint of pity even in his smile: "Brother, it's not that I don't want to help. How about this?"

He seemed to have made a huge decision before finally uttering the number: "5000 jin! I'll take a small risk and, within my authority, I can only approve up to 5000 jin outside the plan."

"This is the absolute maximum! Any more, even if you get me completely drunk right here on this table, there's nothing I can do."

He raised his glass and clinked it against Zhu Fugui's. "5000 jin is still coal! It's better than nothing, right? I did my best."

"5000 jin?!" Zhu Fugui felt a rush of heat to his head, and his vision went black.

He had originally planned to have at least 1 jin of coal.

I heard that Yan Xiao got 3 jin from Zong Changyi of the Fourth Division last time. This time, he brought Yan Xiao along, so it shouldn't be too little, if not too much.

With such a small amount, why would he go to such lengths, getting himself half-drunk and even asking Yan Xiao for help?

"Brother Ding, how about some more? Last time Xiao Yan drank with your Station Chief Ding, he signed a contract for 30,000 jin of liquor!" Zhu Fugui grasped at the last straw.

Ding Xun replied, "Brother, it's because Xiao Yan is here that I added this 2000 jin for you! Before I came out this time, Station Chief Ding specifically told me to take good care of you because of Xiao Yan! Otherwise, I wouldn't have come!"

Ding Mo had lost face when Yan Xiao drank him out last time, so he already harbored the intention of making things difficult for the steel mill.

If Yan Xiao hadn't offered the toast so politely and spoken so pleasingly, making him feel comfortable, he wouldn't have received the extra 2000 jin.

The private room was deathly silent.

After a long silence, Zhu Fugui forced a smile: "Thank you... thank you, Brother Ding. You're right, 5000 jin is a timely help. On behalf of the steel mill, thank you."

He picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Yan Xiao slowly stood up, his face regaining its calm expression, and raised his empty glass to Ding Xun: "Brother Ding, thank you, thank you so much."

Seeing Zhu Fugui's bitter expression, the drinking session was over.

After finishing the last bit of wine in his glass, Ding Xun stood up: "Alright, it's getting late, I have something to do, so I'll be leaving now."

After saying that, he left first.

Seeing that Zhu Fugui remained unmoved, Yan Xiao stood up and said, "Brother Ding, let me see you off."

After watching the person leave, Zhu Fugui also left the restaurant.

"Thank you so much, Xiao Yan. If it weren't for you, we might not have gotten the next 2000 jin of coal. Thanks!"

"Not at all," Yan Xiao waved his hand.

"Alright, it's getting late, you should go home too."

"OK."

As Zhu Fugui's figure gradually disappeared into the distance, a gust of cold wind blew him away, and he could no longer hold it in and vomited by the roadside.

Yan Xiao was also experiencing mixed feelings at this moment.

He had been able to close deals at previous social gatherings over drinks, which made him believe that as long as he could get to the table, anything could be resolved.

Now it seems that this may not be feasible.

Perhaps Zhu Fugui's subservience in social interactions is the norm for the purchasing department. After all, they have gone from being the clients in rural villages to being the suppliers in the city, and they have to be mindful of the other party's mood when speaking and acting.

In some places and in front of some people, face is really not a valid thing.

"The task ahead is arduous and the road is long!"

Ding--

[Great tolerance is a virtue +1]

An incomprehensible panel appeared.

[Great tolerance is a virtue (Bai 2/?): Able to calmly accept negative situations such as blame, difficulties, and predicaments, without being affected by them.]

The entries that previously had no progress now showed progress.

"I've added 1 point of progress, but I don't know how much progress I need to advance to the next level."

"Great! This social event wasn't a waste of time. I helped Brother Zhu procure coal, tested my alcohol tolerance (half a jin), improved my vocabulary, and even had a hearty meal!"

"Not a loss at all!"

Yan Xiao's previously gloomy mood instantly brightened.