Chapter 104: Drunken
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
In the study.
“Brother Yang, why did you rush over here in such a hurry? Have you settled everything?” Zhou Chao handed a cigarette to Xiao Yang and lit one himself, seeming quite carefree.
“Duh, of course. If things weren’t settled, could 1 have come here?” Xiao Yang felt frustrated every time he encountered Zhou Chao. He had spent the entire day working tirelessly on Zhou Chao’s behalf, skipping meals and enduring hunger.
“Hehe, Brother Yang, judging by your expression, I guess things are resolved, right?” Zhou Chao looked at Xiao Yang expectantly.
“Just relax, that’s all you need to do. Oh, and this is for you.” Xiao Yang took out a blue credential from his jacket pocket and tossed it to Zhou Chao, who quickly caught it.
“Special Advisor to the Security Department? With my photo and name?” Zhou Chao stared at the credential and scrutinized it closely. “Brother Yang, does this mean I’m officially talcing up the role?”
Thinking about the things Zhou Chao had shown this time, which couldn’t be easily explained and didn’t mention his hidden secret, made Xiao Yang feel a mix of emotions. This situation was already making him feel uneasy, and the fact that Zhou Chao was getting a proper identity added to Xiao Yang’s feelings being complicated.
“I haven’t finished talking yet.” Xiao Yang flicked his cigarette and continued.
“What else?” Zhou Chao looked surprised when he heard that Xiao Yang had more to say.
“After the successful manufacturing of the lithography system, the higher-ups plan to establish a company specifically for its production. They’ve already decided to give you a 10% stake. Don’t think too much about it; this is the nation’s way of protecting you.”
Xiao Yang took a drag of his cigarette and continued, “If you tried to establish your own factory and invest, would Western countries let you produce this? Would the consortium behind ASML let you manufacture it?”
Xiao Yang’s words made Zhou Chao deep in thought. He had only considered how to set up a factory to make money, but he hadn’t thought about the consequences it could bring. Suddenly, he felt a cold sweat down his back.
“I understand, Brother Yang.” Zhou Chao put out his cigarette and looked at Xiao Yang earnestly.
“You don’t need to worry about this matter anymore. When the successful development is achieved, they will inform you before releasing the information to the public.”
“Okay.”
“Knock, knock, knock! Boss, the food is ready.” Lin Wu’s knocking interrupted their conversation.
“Let’s go, Brother Yang. I’ve prepared some good wine.” After saying this, Zhou Chao stood up and headed downstairs.
“If the wine isn’t up to my expectation, you’d be in trouble, kid.” Xiao Yang followed behind and said with a laugh.
“Don’t worry, I won’t disappoint you. Brother Yang, have a seat first; I’ll go to the wine cellar and get the wine for you.”
“Sure, hurry up.” Xiao Yang sat at the dining table and watched as Zhou Chao went into the wine cellar.
“Lin Wu, does your boss really have good wine?”
“Instructor, 1 told you, please don’t rat me out to my boss.” Lin Wu gave a preemptive defense, afraid that Xiao Yang would betray him.
“Go ahead, 1 promise not to tell.”
“Last time, my boss and his friend drank a bottle of Han Emperor Moutai!”
“What? He had such good wine and didn’t invite me to drink? Well, I’ll deal with him later.”
“Hey, Instructor, you promised not to betray me!” Upon hearing Xiao Yang’s words, Lin Wu became anxious instantly.
“Understood, 1 won’t spill the beans.” Xiao Yang waved his hand.
“What are you two whispering about?” Zhou Chao emerged from the wine cellar with two bottles of wine in hand.
“Let me tell you, if the wine isn’t up to my expectation, don’t blame me for scolding you.:
“Brother Yang, rest assured, it’s definitely good wine.” Zhou Chao handed one of the bottles to Xiao Yang.
“Lai Mao? And it’s the 1930 Lai Mao! Aren’t you being too extravagant, and you even have two bottles??” Xiao Yang was now truly astonished; it was worth millions, and quite rare.
“I said I’d arrange good wine, so naturally, there’s good wine.” Zhou Chao opened one of the bottles directly, releasing a strong aroma.
“Hey, open just one bottle! Open just one bottle! I’ll take this one back to the old man.” Xiao Yang looked at Zhou Chao, who wasn’t the least bit distressed about opening a bottle. Xiao Yang clung tightly to the bottle he held.
“Go ahead and enjoy, 1 still have two bottles. Just take one back for the old man when you return. These two are meant for drinking.”
“You’re not tricking me, right?”
“I’m not tricking you, if you don’t believe me, ask Lin Wu.” Xiao Yang immediately shifted his gaze to Lin Wu, who was nearby.
Seeing this, Lin Wu quickly said, “There’s more in the boss’s wine cellar. You can drink without worries.”
After hearing that, Xiao Yang loosened his grip on the tightly held bottle just a bit.
“Alright, let’s eat. If we keep talking, the dishes will get cold. Lin Wu, Wang Feng, come over and join us.” Lin Wu went to the wine cellar again and brought out several bottles of Maotai.
A wine-drinking contest began at the dinner table, with Lin Wu and his four companions against Xiao Yang. Zhou Chao, on the other hand, became a spectator.
Listening to their stories about the past and sharing their embarrassing experiences in the military camp, Zhou Chao teared up when Lin Wu mentioned leaving the army due to his father’s situation.
“Hey, Da Wu, go outside and see if Brother Yang’s bodyguards are there.” Zhou Chao shook his head as he looked at the intoxicated Xiao Yang, Lin Wu, and Wang Feng.
“Boss, they’re outside.” Dawu quickly ran back.
“Alright, wait for me.” After saying this, Zhou Chao went to the wine cellar, then returned with a bag in hand.
“Da Wu, Xiao Wu, help Brother Yang and get him into the car.” The two bodyguards assisted Xiao Yang, following Zhou Chao out.
Meanwhile, the guards in the car saw Xiao Yang being helped out and quickly got out of the car to assist.
“You carry this, take it back to the old man. Da Wu, get him into the car.” Saying this, Zhou Chao handed the wine to the guard.
Watching the car gradually drive away, Zhou Chao turned back and walked inside. He saw the two people lying on the sofa and shook his head helplessly. It seemed that he needed to advise them to drink less in the future.
“Da Wu, Xiao Wu, each of you is responsible for one of them.” After saying this, Zhou Chao went upstairs to take a shower.
After taking a shower, Zhou Chao lay on his bed and sent a message to Jiang Li on his phone: “Darling, I miss you.” It didn’t take long for him to receive a reply from Jiang Li.
Zhou Chao thought for a moment and initiated a video call with Jiang Li, who answered almost instantly.
“Xiao Chao, have you been sneaking around with pretty girls behind my back?”
“How could I? You’re the only one in my eyes.”
“Hmph, 1’11 be back in Jingdu in another month. If 1 find out you’ve been fooling around, you’re in big trouble.”
“Trust me, that won’t happen.”
“Just obediently wait for me to return to Jingdu. We’ll see how you behave then, and I might consider rewarding you accordingly.”
“Really!” Zhou Chao widened his eyes and a mischievous grin appeared on his face.
“Hmph, are you scheming something naughty again, you rascal?” Jiang Li could tell what Zhou Chao was thinking from his expression, and her face turned red.
They kept chatting until the early hours of the morning. Jiang Li couldn’t stay awake any longer, so they reluctantly ended the video call.
During the night, Zhou Chao tossed and turned in bed until dawn gradually settled in, and he drifted off to sleep..