All the heavens begin with the love in the courtyard.

The hotel is now divided into a lobby area, private rooms, and VIP rooms. With so many people, they naturally all stay in the lobby area.

Xu Damao had been waiting for a long time. Qin Jingru, who was beside him, also seemed to be radiant, smiling as she greeted the neighbors.

Although Xu Damao had already booked fifteen tables, with ten people per table, there were still people coming after the second batch of people had arrived. Xu Damao gritted his teeth and asked the driver to go back and pick them up again.

These fifteen tables weren't enough to seat everyone, so many neighbors from the neighborhood came, some even bringing their entire families. By my count, there were almost 250 people.

Helpless, Xu Damao had no choice but to add another table. But this was Jingchuan, not an ordinary restaurant. Yesterday, he had to say a lot of nice things when he added five tables, but now, when he added ten more, the manager apologized and said that there were no more tables available for the time being.

Seeing the commotion, He Yuzhu quietly gave the manager a wink and, when they reached the restroom, told him to make arrangements first, and if there were no seats available in the main hall, to move people into private rooms.

The manager naturally nodded in agreement and began making arrangements.

Soon, Xu Damao personally arranged for some elderly people and children to enter the private rooms, showing great politeness and giving everyone face, while he himself stayed in the lobby with everyone.

He also apologized to the other neighbors, saying that the arrangements for today were not ideal, but everyone understood. After inquiring, they found out that a table cost 999 yuan, and everyone's hearts were pounding. How could they not be satisfied?

After everyone was seated, Xu Damao called the waiter to start serving the dishes and drinks. Regardless of the actual taste of the food at Jingchuan Restaurant or its high price, everyone was bursting with vanity at this moment.

Everyone ate and drank with great gusto, with countless people toasting Xu Damao and showering him with compliments. Their excitement was indescribable.

Many young people took the opportunity to inquire about Xu Damao's company, clearly hoping to make some money along the way. However, Xu Damao didn't mention any of that, only chatting, drinking, and eating with everyone.

He Yuzhu ate his food with a sullen face. He didn't sit at the same table as Xu Damao. Ran Qiuye had to go to class and didn't come. Uncle Yi had to accompany his little yellow dog and didn't want to come either. He Yuzhu wanted to come and see what was so interesting, since he was free all day anyway.

However, he was facing Banggeng and his wife. Qin Huairu didn't come, and the old woman with the slanted eyes, who had difficulty walking, also didn't come.

He Yuzhu could clearly feel that several times, Bang Geng picked up his wine glass, intending to toast Xu Damao's table, but ultimately did not stand up. His wife would complain to him from time to time, and Bang Geng's eyes would also frequently glance at Xu Damao's table.

It wasn't until after the meal that Bang Geng mustered up the courage to pick up his cup and walk toward Xu Damao's table.

He Yuzhu looked at all of this with a sense of wonder. Bang Geng had indeed become much more tactful in recent years, but his relationship with him had always been just so-so. How could their relationship be good when neither of them needed anything from the other?

However, it was quite unlike the image of the lovable guy He Yuzhu had of Xu Damao, who had once hurt his mother.

Money really can move people's hearts!

A money-driven society is on the horizon, and people's hearts are changing accordingly.

A moment later, Xu Damao's hearty laughter and words of encouragement came from the other side. It was clear that the two had reconciled and even re-established their kinship as uncle and nephew.

He Yuzhu was also filled with emotion, realizing that he could no longer understand this world.

Just then, Banggeng returned, his face flushed and oily. It was clear that he was very excited, perhaps even a little too excited. He tried to pour himself another glass of wine, but he spilled it all over the floor.

How could he not be happy?

My aunt's husband just said that he would talk to him alone when he had the chance. He heard that he was working in a repair shop. Xu Damao said that there was no future in it. If his mother didn't mind, she could work with him. He would definitely not treat him badly!

Bang Geng's excitement at that moment was indescribable. He was surrounded by envious and jealous eyes, and at that moment he felt that he had reached the highlight of his life.

He Yuzhu watched all this with a cold eye. Although he didn't know what Xu Damao was up to, he had a feeling that things weren't so simple. However, he didn't want to meddle with the people in the compound.

Besides, if I were to meddle now, I'd probably get yelled at and cursed. Let's wait and see!

Just then, Xu Damao, carrying a wine glass and a bottle of Moutai, walked towards He Yuzhu's table. Xu Damao was obviously drunk today, but he was still quite sober, though he was walking a little unsteadily.

When they reached He Yuzhu's table, Banggeng quickly stood up, thinking that Xu Damao had come specifically to see him. He excitedly pulled his wife up and said respectfully.

"Uncle, let me introduce you to this wife, Huang Jing!"

Xu Damao nodded with a gentle smile, put down the wine bottle, patted Banggeng on the shoulder, and said.

"Great! Great! The day after tomorrow, that's it. I'll send a driver to pick you up from your house. Your uncle will show you around my company. Great job, Geng! I have high hopes for you. Keep it up!"

Bang Geng was so excited that he couldn't contain himself and quickly nodded his thanks!

Xu Damao smiled and turned to look at He Yuzhu. He then picked up a bottle of Moutai, walked to He Yuzhu's side, and respectfully and carefully filled He Yuzhu's cup.

He Yuzhu watched his actions quietly without saying a word.

Xu Damao poured himself a glass, raised his glass, and gestured to He Yuzhu, who could only helplessly raise his glass in return.

Xu Damao lowered his glass and gently touched it to He Yuzhu's. He then downed his drink in one gulp. He Yuzhu couldn't refuse and followed suit.

Xu Damao put down his cup, his face flushed and beaming, and slowly spoke.

"Zhu Zi, this glass of wine represents the end of all our past conflicts. From now on, we'll address each other by seniority. We grew up together, and although I don't want to admit it, you'll always be my older brother. Come on, let's have another drink. With this one, our relationship will start anew. I'll call you 'Big Brother,' and you can call me 'Little Brother,' how about that?"

Xu Damao poured the wine again, picked up the glass, and called out earnestly and diligently.

"Brother Zhu, I'm sorry for what happened before!"

After saying that, he drank it all in one gulp.

He Yuzhu looked at the wine in his hand, unable to bring himself to call out "Brother Da Mao." He looked at the unfamiliar Xu Da Mao with a complicated expression, feeling a mix of emotions.

Seeing that He Yuzhu had been holding his wine glass for a long time without drinking, Xu Damao was not annoyed. Instead, he patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder and said magnanimously.

"Brother Zhu, I know that I gave you a really bad impression in the past. As the old saying goes, time will tell. From now on, you'll see what kind of person I am. What do you say?"

Having said all that, what else could He Yuzhu do?

Raise your glass and drink it all in one gulp!

"Good! Good brother!"

"Please enjoy your meal and drinks. If you're still hungry, ask the waiter to bring more wine. We'll have plenty tonight!"

At this moment, all eyes turned to him. Xu Damao poured himself another glass of wine and called out to the crowd.

"Everyone is the same. If there's not enough wine, ask the waiter for more; if there's not enough food, ask the waiter for more. Today, I, Xu Damao, bow and apologize to everyone. I have done many bastard things in the past, and I believe that many of you still have the same impression of me. But I still stand by what I just said: time will tell. I hope everyone will keep an eye on my character in the future!"

"Good job, Da Mao!"

"A prodigal son who returns is more precious than gold! Good! We believe you!"

"...!"

A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted, and everyone's face was filled with excited smiles.

Chapter 116: A Meal Costs 50,000

After the meal, in front of the waiter and many neighbors, Xu Damao accepted the money bag from his secretary.

He pulled out the cash one bundle at a time; the dark blue 10,000-yuan notes were brand new and shiny, making one's mouth water.

Xu Damao really went all out for this meal today. The food and drinks cost over 48,000 yuan. Those large bills of ten-yuan notes made all the neighbors no longer doubt Xu Damao's financial strength.

The news that the meal cost nearly 50,000 yuan will probably spread to more than a dozen surrounding streets tomorrow, not to mention the steel plant with thousands of employees.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Xu Damao arranged for a bus to take them home. He even had the driver take some elderly people with mobility issues in his own car. This gesture was so generous that even He Yuzhu couldn't help but give him a thumbs up.

After the meal, He Yuzhu did not return to the compound with them. Instead, he turned around and walked down another road. Not far away was Lou Xiao'e's hotel. Lou Xiao'e was going back to Gangcheng tomorrow, and it would be a bit unreasonable not to accompany her today.

By six o'clock in the afternoon, He Yuzhu, who had changed and cleaned himself, entered the courtyard, supporting his aching back. When he arrived at his doorstep, he finally cheered up and entered the house with a kind fatherly smile.

Inside, Ran Qiuye was cooking, and He Hua was listening to music with headphones on, shaking her head like a rattle. He Yuzhu pretended nothing was wrong, went inside, poured himself a cup of tea, and began to slowly sip it. This is life!

With a healthy wife, children, and elderly parents, no shortage of money or housing, and no worries about daily necessities, anyone can do what they want and enjoy the life they desire at their own age.

Ran Qiuye may have realized her relationship with Lou Xiao'e, but both of them chose to pretend they didn't know. The only one suffering was He Yuzhu's aching back.

After the food was served, He Yuzhu asked He Hua to take a portion of the food to an old man. He Hua, listening to her headphones, skipped and hopped around doing some kind of dance and happily went over.

The family was preparing to eat in a peaceful atmosphere when they suddenly heard the sound of a porcelain bowl shattering from Qin Huairu's house across the street. This was followed by Bang Geng's angry shouts, the wailing of the squinty-eyed old woman, and finally Qin Huairu's uncontrollable sobs.

Finally, I vaguely heard Qin Huairu shout something.

"Once you walk out this door, you'll no longer have me as your mother!"

Bang Geng eventually left, holding his wife's hand, with the courage to never turn back until he succeeded. Only the wailing of the old woman with the slanted eyes remained in the house, while Qin Huairu's crying gradually faded away.

Ran Qiuye and He Hua looked up curiously at the opposite side, while He Yuzhu leisurely ate his steamed bun, coughed and scolded.

"Don't meddle in other people's business. If I'm not mistaken, it must be that Bang Geng wanted to make money with Xu Damao, but Qin Huairu refused, which is why all that mess happened!"

Ran Qiuye asked curiously.

"Zhu Zi, do you think Xu Damao has truly reformed, or is there something else going on?"

He Yuzhu pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke.

"I'm not entirely sure either, but the only thing I'm certain of is that Xu Damao has really made a lot of money. Do you know how much Xu Damao spent treating everyone in Jingchuan today?"

Ran Qiuye looked at He Yuzhu curiously, waiting for his answer.

At this moment, He Hua excitedly shouted.

"I know, I know, it cost 50,000 yuan!"

He Yuzhu asked curiously.

How did you know?

He Hua rolled her eyes at He Yuzhu, giving him a look as if he were a country bumpkin.

"Dad, you definitely didn't come back to the compound this afternoon, right? When I came back this afternoon, the whole compound and the surrounding area were buzzing with the news that Xu Damao is now worth tens of millions. He spends 50,000 yuan on a meal to treat everyone to dinner without even blinking. Now even a three-year-old knows that Xu Damao is rich!"

He Yuzhu smiled awkwardly, not expecting that even He Hua knew about this news.

Ran Qiuye had just gotten home from get off work, so she didn't know. After hearing He Hua's words, she immediately grasped a key point and looked at He Yuzhu with some suspicion, asking him a question.

"Weren't you going out for lunch? Why are you coming home so late? Where were you spending the whole afternoon in this freezing weather?"

He Yuzhu glared at He Hua fiercely. He Hua quickly picked up her bowl, covered her eyes, finished the food in her bowl, grabbed the tape recorder from the counter, and ran outside.

"Mom, I'm going to Grandpa's. I'll be sleeping in Great-Grandma's room tonight. You two can talk things over!"

After saying that, she disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving only He Yuzhu sitting upright, eating his steamed bun without any appetite. Ran Qiuye's eyes were like scorching sun, looking him up and down, which made He Yuzhu feel a little uneasy.

After dinner, He Yuzhu obediently lay down in bed, and two hours later, she shed tears of shame.

Looking at Ran Qiuye, whose face was rosy and who was fast asleep, He Yuzhu sighed deeply and reached out to wipe away the residue from the corner of her mouth. Men, you know, you have to grit your teeth and move on from the mess you made.

The commotion at Qin Huairu's house was just the beginning. Xu Damao's appearance was like a bomb, stirring up all the restless people in the compound and turning the place upside down.

Two days later, Banggeng appeared in the compound wearing a brand new suit. Many people in the compound were filled with envy and jealousy upon seeing this, and they were speechless.

Bang Geng successfully joined Xu Damao's Health Treasure Group and is now serving as Xu Damao's secretary, though he is still in his internship. Xu Damao is personally guiding him to make money and values ​​him highly.

The die is cast. Although Qin Huairu was extremely wary of Xu Damao, she couldn't control the child's situation anymore and could only accept the facts.

The squinty-eyed old woman went around bragging to everyone that her grandson could earn several thousand yuan a month, and everyone looked on with envy and jealousy.

During the Spring Festival of 1984, countless people's hearts began to stir with anxiety, especially Uncle Liu Haizhong, who was in a great hurry.