Chapter 134

"See you tonight."

Li Zhiguo got out of the car and quickly walked into the store.

"Cai Quanwu, did that guy just give you money?"

Suddenly another tricycle arrived. It was Lao Cai's friend Qiangzi, who also looked anxious and seemed to be in his forties, but was actually only twenty-three.

"He's Brother Li, my brother, why should I give him money?"

Cai Quanwu is very proud of being called brother.

"Your brother, from the back you can see he's a rich man. By the way, you've heard about the opening of the tavern, right? Let's go have a drink together after you finish carrying the heavy bags in the evening."

In addition to riding a tricycle, Qiangzi also works part-time as a carrier of heavy bags, two cents a bag. Anyone who doesn't carry one is a fool.

"Okay, I'll definitely go."

Cai Quanwu glanced into the store and saw Li Ge'er holding a child. It was too far away to see clearly, but he thought it looked like Xiao Guan Xiang.

"Xue Ru, you've heard that the tavern is opening tonight."

Li Zhiguo held his youngest son in his arms. He hadn't seen him for several days and missed him terribly.

"I heard that. After I send Xue Yi back this afternoon, you can come with me to the tavern later."

Chen Xueru also wanted to live a life with someone else, which was a bit like dating.

"Of course we'll go together!"

Li Zhiguo lifted his son up high to amuse him, and when he saw that the store was quite busy, he took his son out to play.

Who would have thought that I would meet Xu Huizhen while watching people fighting crickets in Dazhalan.

"Brother Li, isn't this kid learning chess?"

Master Xu Hui was dumbfounded, as she met two people who shouldn't be together.

"It's Xueyi. Chen Xueru is busy, so I'll help her look after the child."

Li Zhiguo was quite surprised, but it didn't matter. With him around, Xu Huizhen had no chance of defeating his concubine.

"Ah! Your friend is Sister Xueru!"

Xu Huizhen never expected that this was not a remote relationship at all. She always thought that the place where Lao He's family lived was a slum, and it was near Dongzhimen Beixinqiao.

No matter how capable Brother Li is, he cannot implicate Chen Xueru, the leader among the merchants in Qianmen Street.

But now people take their children out for a walk.

"Yeah, didn't I say that before?"

Li Zhiguo directly turned the tables, saying that this young widow was eloquent and calculating. Not to mention ordinary people, there were few people who could win the argument and she never suffered any loss.

But coincidentally, he is also such a person, who is always at loggerheads with others.

"Oh, Brother Li, the tavern will open tonight, please come and support us."

Although Xu Huizhen did not notify Cai Quanwu, she still had to invite him to meet.

"Okay, keep two seats. I'll bring Chen Xueru over in the evening."

Li Zhiguo thought that he couldn't use the power of morality on Qianmen Street, but he could cut off the source of the problem. Never mind, as long as he didn't offend his concubine, he was too lazy to take action.

"okay!"

Xu Huizhen originally wanted to say that in a tavern, everyone finds a seat by themselves and there is no rule of reserving seats.

But the three members of the He family have reminded her many times that Brother Li is unreasonable.

Xu Huizhen walked a few steps and saw Mr. Zhao, who was selling handicrafts in Dazhalan, running out of the store and giving Xueyi a rattle.

"Oh, Chen Xueru is really prestigious." She shook her head and walked away. This prestige was earned slowly.

"Boss, this is a toy for my child, how can I charge for it?"

Boss Zhao had a flattering look on his face. Once, when he went to the street office to do some work, he saw Director Li talking and laughing with this young man. He couldn't help but ask him a question at that time, and only then did he know that this young man was the first accountant of the street office.

"Zhao Fengnian, right? OK, I'll remember that."

Li Zhiguo accepted the gift without any hesitation. It was given to Xue Yi. What did it have to do with him? Who would dare to report it? It just so happened that the countryside was in need of people to farm.

"Hey, leader, you have a good memory. I am Zhao Fengnian."

Boss Zhao was also tactful. He said a few polite words and left.

"Lao Zhao, that person is your relative, he is so eager to send you gifts."

The owner of the shop next door came over to inquire, and they were all acquaintances, so when there were no customers, they would chat.

"We are not relatives. It is hard to say."

Zhao Fengnian kept his mouth shut at critical moments. The fewer people who knew about this kind of inside information, the better. The young man just now could say his name right away, which meant he knew the merchant very well.

Li Zhiguo strolled around for a while, then walked back with his son in his arms, "Xue Yi, daddy, uh, uncle will take you out to play again some other day."

"Okay, okay!"

Xueyi was shaking a rattle in his hand. Although there were already several rattles at home, he still liked to play with it.

After returning to the store, he and Chen Xueru took their son to Chen's house and stayed there for dinner.

If Dongxu had given him money for lunch, he would not have spent a penny today.

……

As the sky gradually darkened, the tavern reopened and it was very lively. Anyone with a few cents in their pocket, whether they were cricket fighting or bird walking, peddlers, teachers or cadres, would come here for a drink.

Spend a little money, listen to music, kill time, and have face. It's the same as teahouse culture, a retro little bar.

Moreover, all the customers who came today were regulars, and the place was already full as soon as it got dark.

"Oh, I'm late. Fortunately, there are two seats. I'll take one."

Fan Jinyou walked into the tavern. He was late because he was delayed at the grain store today.

"Comrade Fan, long time no see."

"Don't call him a cadre. He is no longer a cadre. Now he is working in the Dazhalan grain store."

Fan Jinyou was not annoyed after hearing this. How could outsiders know that he was a young cadre who was being trained by the director?

Just as he was about to take his seat, someone suddenly appeared and blocked his way.

"I'm sorry, this one has already been reserved."

Cai Quanwu stopped the man, this was the seat reserved by Li Ge'er.

"Oh, I remember you, the one carrying the big bags at the grain station, right? Who reserved this seat? I'm going to sit here today."

Fan Jinyou pushed Cai Quanwu and sat down, shouting, "In the past, there was no rule for reserved seats in taverns."

"Yes, yes, there is no such rule."

Xu Huizhen hurried over from the counter and said, "Officer Fan, this is a seat that a friend of mine asked me to reserve. Please don't make it difficult for me and let's go to another table."

"Madam, this won't do. The seats are all empty. Besides, there's still one seat left."

Fan Jinyou sat down and didn't move, "Boss lady, bring the wine!"

"Okay, okay!" Xu Hui was really reasonable, but there was indeed no rule of reserving seats in the pub.

He had no choice but to give Cai Quanwu an apologetic look. At this time, He Daqing pulled his brother over. He did not treat himself badly and had already sat down and started drinking.

The tables in the tavern are small, and although there are long benches, usually only one person sits at each seat, but if they get together two people can share one bench.

"Brother, that man seems to be a cadre. Don't bother with him. I will give him my seat when Li Zhiguo comes."

He Daqing dragged his brother to drink, thinking that once he married into the family, he and Huizhen would run the tavern together, and then have a child. Then their lives would be good.

"Ok!"

Cai Quanwu nodded, but did not sit down. He squatted in the corner near the counter to see if he could help. He silently said to himself that the more Huizhen owed, the more people would have to be involved.

"Oh, I'm late. There happened to be a meeting at school today."

Suddenly, another person came in to the door of the tavern. He was Xu Hesheng, a fourth-level primary school teacher with a monthly salary of 58.5 yuan. It was not easy to reach such a high level in primary school.

"Hello, Teacher Xu."

Xu Huizhen greeted him, saying that this was her father-in-law's friend, who had come to the tavern to drink before and she knew him.

"I haven't been here for a while, boss lady, you run a really good store."

Seeing that there was still one seat available, Xu Hesheng quickly took his seat.

"Hello, Teacher Xu!"

"Hello, Boss Zhao."

There are two other merchants at this table, both from Dazhalan, one sells handicrafts and the other sells tea.

Cai Quanwu frowned with some worry. It was all over now. No seat was reserved for him. He hoped that Brother Li could understand.

Just these two people, one is a cadre and the other is a teacher Huizhen knows, it is really impossible to stop them.

"Teacher Xu, did you reserve the seat?" Fan Jinyou couldn't help but ask, "Xu Hesheng, you must have heard the news and came here for Xu Huizhen."

"What reservation?"

Xu Hesheng looked puzzled. He was wearing very expensive clothes today, and seeing Fan Jin's attitude, he knew he had met his match.

Seeing that the seats were full, Xu Huizhen wanted to say something polite, but suddenly Cai Quanwu stood up, walked a few steps to the counter and whispered, "Huizhen, wait a moment, Brother Li hasn't arrived yet."

"Ok!"

Xu Huizhen responded. If it was just Brother Li, it would be fine, after all, he was not a merchant here, but since Chen Xueru hadn't come yet, it felt a little less interesting.

Just as he was thinking about it, the door of the tavern was suddenly pushed open. Speak of the devil, here comes Li Zhiguo and Chen Xueru.

"Hey, Boss Chen, you are late."

"Boss Chen, who is this person? Why does he look unfamiliar? Could he be your new lover?"

Everyone was joking because they knew Chen Xueru was not that stingy. Besides, this was a pub, a place for drinking, so it was inevitable that people would insult each other.

"Ah! Li Zhiguo, why are you with Chen Xueru?"

Fan Jinyou was confused. Wasn't this Director Li who was supposed to assist him? Could it be that he had taken down Chen Xueru first?

"His name is Li Zhiguo!"

Only then did Mr. Zhao, who was sitting at the same table, know the name of the street accountant.

The tea seller next door also remembered who the visitor was. Wasn't he the one who watched crickets with his child in Dazhalan that afternoon? Who was this person?

"Brother Li!" Cai Quanwu shouted and hurried to meet him.

Everyone was looking over here, feeling that it was getting lively. Chen Xueru was the focus wherever she went. What's more, a handsome guy had come. Some people even knew him, so he might be a capable person.

Chen Xueru looked around and frowned, saying, "Huizhen, didn't I ask you to keep your seat?"

Li Zhiguo also frowned. This was the seat he had personally reserved in Dazhalan that afternoon. Didn't the young widow take him seriously and not give him any face?
"Oh, I'm sorry, Sister Xueru. We just had a seat reserved for you. But now Officer Fan and Teacher Xu are here. We can't let people stand and drink."

Xu Huizhen also hurried forward to explain that one should not offend anyone too much, nor should one let others lead them around.

He Daqing was just stunned. Why did Li Zhiguo bring a beautiful woman with him? Could it be that the wise man wanted to be his teacher, so he found a widow outside first?
When he came to his senses, he shouted, "Li Zhiguo, come here, I'll give you my seat."

"Lao He, just drink it, you don't need it!"

Li Zhiguo smiled and said it was okay. It was just a seat. He could just make up for the loss of face. Besides, did he have any shame?

"Brother Li, look..."

Cai Quanwu knew that something was wrong. Even though Li Ge'er was smiling, he would turn around and trick people. He didn't know where to help Huizhen defend herself.

"Lao Cai, go to your brother's place and have a drink. Don't drink too much. We'll be waiting for you to pull the cart tonight."

Li Zhiguo interrupted and didn't let Lao Cai continue.

After the capitalist transformation a few years ago, there are still 813 private businesses left in the entire Qianmen Street. He has all the information and has studied it professionally.

Otherwise, how can you be both a contestant and a referee? There are many merchants present here, and they are all at the mercy of others.

"Okay!" Cai Quanwu stepped back and went to his brother's side, sitting halfway on the stool, but still looking over here.

Chen Xueru responded, "Huizhen, you are not giving me face. Li Zhiguo made an agreement with you this afternoon, and you also agreed to keep the seat!"

Chen Xueru was very angry and felt that Xu Huizhen looked down on her man, which made her even more angry than if she had been disrespected.

"Sister Xueru, Brother Li, I'm so sorry. How about I ask someone to make room for us?"

Xu Huizhen had no way to refute it, she was in the wrong.

Suddenly someone stood up and shouted, "Madam boss, you don't need to ask. I'll give you my seat and drink while standing."

"Zhao Fengnian, what's wrong with you? You want to please Boss Chen, but you don't even consider the time."

Someone made a joke, but as soon as the words were said, I felt something was wrong.

"You know shit!" Zhao Fengnian replied, then walked out of his seat with the wine jug.

"I'll give up my seat, too."

The boss selling tea next door finally reacted. Lao Zhao was plotting something bad. He was not giving face to Chen Xueru at all. He was clearly trying to please the handsome guy next to him.

Two well-known merchants in Dazhalan gave up their seats one after another, and the pub suddenly became quiet. Although no one noticed anything unusual, they also felt that something was wrong.

"It's over!"

Cai Quanwu muttered softly. He always felt that besides being the descendant of Xinyuanzhai, Brother Li probably had some unknown identity.

"Thanks, Boss Zhao!"

Li Zhiguo and Chen Xueru walked over. What a coincidence! Fan Jinyou and Xu Hesheng were at the same table.

Both of them are really cruel to Xu Hui.

That is to say, having unrealistic ideas and wanting to possess someone.

Although Chen Xueru didn't know how her husband knew Mr. Zhao and the other two, she was still unhappy after getting a seat because the person who gave up the seat was still standing.

"Huizhen, bring two pots of wine and some side dishes. I think we should set a rule from now on. Those who only drink wine and don't eat food should be more conscientious and squat by the wall instead of going to the table."

Oh my god, Chen Xueru just started to attack directly, offending all those who were drinking and waiting for seats, but it doesn’t matter, she is just a strong person.

"Go, go!"

"Okay, let's go. We can't afford to offend you."

Immediately, several people who had not ordered any food stood up and wanted to squat against the wall. They had no money in their pockets, or they were reluctant to spend money on ordering side dishes, which would only be a loss of face.

"Wait!"

Li Zhiguo quickly stopped talking and whispered, "Xue Ru, don't worry about this."

"Okay, I'll listen to you."

Chen Xueru kept silent. She just wanted Li Zhiguo to come forward and let people see that he was her man. Even if they couldn't explain their relationship clearly, she would be happy.

"The rules that Chen Xueru just mentioned don't apply. Once you're here, you're a guest. This is a tavern, a place for drinking. No matter who you are, whether you're drinking 7 cents or 1.1 ounces of wine, as long as you order a drink, you can get a seat.

The shop is open until closing time, and no one can drive people away. This is a new society, and class oppression is not allowed."

Li Zhiguo originally didn't want to say anything loudly, but who could blame his concubine for having such a clever mind that she could easily help the enemy? No wonder he couldn't defeat Xu Huizhen in the original drama.

As for the rule just mentioned, if it were established, wouldn't it be a disguised way of freeing up more seats for diners in the tavern, which would mean more money.

Most of the time, you don't make much money just by selling alcohol, because the profit comes from the side dishes. If people come only to drink alcohol without ordering any dishes, and they keep their seats and refuse to leave, then Xu Huizhen will be out of money.

"You said it very well. A tavern is just a place to drink. Who cares what dishes you order?"

"That's right. If we really want to eat, we can go to a restaurant. They also have wine there."

"When Old Man He was here, there was no such rule. When we were drinking, no one could drive us away."

A few customers who were stingy or really had no money to drink sat down immediately.

"It's over!"

Cai Quan was annoyed. Brother Li was not afraid to refute Boss Chen in public and was determined to stop this rule that was beneficial to the tavern. It was obvious that he was angry.

It’s over, it’s over. It’s not that easy to make Brother Li calm down. It’s hard to guard against.

Xu Huizhen also reacted suddenly and her face turned ugly. She saw that Brother Li was really a liar.

He Daqing was a chef after all, and he could see clearly that the bad boy had cheated someone, but the person he cheated was his future wife.

But Huizhen just wouldn't listen and offended the bad boy on the first day of opening.

Alas! I can only look back and try to reconcile.

There were many smart people present, and they reacted immediately and looked at this handsome unfamiliar guy with a different eye. He was really a powerful person, and he could even suppress the powerful Chen Xueru.

"Boss Zhao, you and Boss Qian, please sit down. Chen Xueru and I will share a stool."

Li Zhiguo stood up and sat down next to his concubine. This is called sharing a table, which is quite normal.

"Hey, thank you, Brother Li."

Zhao Fengnian couldn't call him leader because it was too flattering a title. He also had to save his dignity.

Qian Desheng was stunned for a moment before he sat down. How did this guy know his last name was Qian? He had never met him before.

"Madam, don't just stand there. I heard you have Niulanshan here. Bring me two pots to try."

Li Zhiguo reminded that the most famous liquor of Niulanshan is Erguotou, which is brewed with the help of Red Star Erguotou Distillery. It cannot catch up with Red Star in terms of fame or taste, but it has an advantage in price.

"Hey! I'll be right there."

Xu Huizhen turned around and gritted her teeth, thinking that something bad had happened. She just hoped that Brother Li would not cause trouble again. Afterwards, she would talk to him properly, admit her mistake, and let him save his face.

While Xu Huizhen was pouring wine, Fan Jinyou finally came back to his senses and immediately shouted, "Secretary Li, when did you become so familiar with Chen Xueru?"

When everyone heard this, they thought this was a new topic. They were also curious about this matter just now. Someone had asked about it before, but they hadn't waited for an answer.

Fan Jin also pointed out the identity of this person in one sentence: a clerk of the street office? Fortunately, he is not a cadre.

"We are friends from junior high school."

(End of this chapter)