Chu Shichen made an excuse that he had something to do and asked Mrs. Chu and Chu Shihui to go home first.
Li Heng drove there in advance, and Li Zangqiu fell behind and asked, "I heard that the Xiang family is in another hall?"
Chu Shichen said: "Well, it's over."
At today's dinner, Chu Shichen first ruined the engagement plan, and then left the table in the middle of the meal. Li Zangqiu slowed down and said, "Shichen, it doesn't matter if you neglect me, but you shouldn't interfere in Xiaohui and Li Heng's affairs."
Chu Shichen understood that Li Zangqiu was unhappy, and said, "I was just wondering, if my father were alive, would he support or oppose it today?"
"Why make assumptions?" Li Zangqiu said seriously, "We should be realistic. Your father is gone."
Chu Shichen seemed to be hinting at something: "So many people and things have changed."
Li Cangqiu stopped and stared at Chu Shichen for a moment through the lenses. The elevator door opened, and Chu Shichen raised his hand to see him off without being humble or arrogant, adding, "Goodbye, uncle."
Today is really funny.
One side was perfect and the other side was harmonious, but both failed.
Chu Shichen returned to the Meiman Hall. Xiang Mingzhang was still sitting at the table. The soup he hadn't had time to drink had gone completely cold, and a fine crack had appeared along the rim of the bone china bowl.
At the beginning of the birthday banquet, relatives, friends and directors took turns to wish Xiang Xingzhao a happy birthday.
Xiang Mingzhang accompanied Xiang Xingzhao, patiently introducing who each person was and showing him the gifts, gold and stone jade artifacts, antique calligraphy and paintings, cordyceps and ginseng. The hall was filled with the atmosphere of bells and drums and food that the Xiang family loved the most.
Xiang Kun was the eldest son, so he gave him a calligraphy work by a famous calligrapher, and said earnestly, "Dad, when you get better, come and appreciate this calligraphy."
Xiang Xingzhao raised his finger and pointed, muttering, "Ming... Ming, Zhang."
Xiang Huan couldn't help laughing: "Brother, Mingzhang knows calligraphy, Dad thought it was written by Mingzhang."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Aunt is too kind to me."
"You can copy a picture and let your grandfather choose. Maybe he won't really want your painting." Xiang Kun smiled and said, "Hey, Mingzhang, where is your gift?"
My uncle said, "We are just throwing out some ideas. Mingzhang's gift should be given last. He is the most filial to the old man, so he must have prepared a big gift carefully."
Xiang Mingzhang ordered Uncle Qi to bring the gift over. It was an ebony box more than a palm high with bat patterns carved along the edges. When it was opened, a pair of green jade pine and toon tree carvings were found inside. The pine branches were dense, the toon leaves were lush, and the jade was crystal clear and translucent. It was a rare and fine item.
If it is indeed a "great gift" in terms of value, Xiang Rugang said: "This item is valuable enough, but it lacks a bit of novelty."
The eldest aunt said, "It takes time to think about it. Do you think Mingzhang has as much free time as you do? This jade sculpture is auspicious and will look good at home."
There was a piece of plain paper in the box. Xiang Mingzhang picked it up. On the paper were two lines of neat small regular script, which were a poem by Yuan Haowen. After reading it, he held it in his palm, picked up the wine cup and stood up.
Everyone raised their glasses and looked over.
The head of the Xiang Mingzhang family showed his attitude: "'In the midst of music and singing, we spend our years with laughter'. Thank you all for coming today to celebrate Mr. Xiang's birthday."
After saying this, he turned to face Xiang Xingzhao, and using the guests as witnesses and the jade carving as a guide, he said the second half of the sentence: "Grandpa, 'I hope you will be rich and have children and grandchildren, and I wish you a long life.'"
Several old directors took the lead in cheering, and everyone stood up and congratulated Xiang Xingzhao again, and the place was filled with noise.
The banquet officially began only after Xiang Mingzhang finished drinking the cup of wine.
The manager stayed in the hall to serve, and the executive chef came to ask if the dishes were satisfactory and received a big red envelope.
After three rounds of drinks, both the host and the guests were in great joy.
Everyone drank slower and chatted while eating. A dish of Huaiqi, conch and fish maw soup was served, which was the signature dish of Meijinlou.
Xiang Mingzhang filled a bowl and said, "Grandpa, it's too hot. Let it dry for a while."
Xiang Kun praised: "The food here tastes good."
"It's fine as long as everyone is used to the food." Xiang Mingzhang said, "Uncle, come here on your birthday and I'll help you with it."
The eldest aunt said politely, "It's enough for him to set up two tables at home. It's not worth such a big ceremony."
Xiang Huan felt rather sorry: "Compared to the past, this is nothing compared to the pomp and circumstance. Dad has not been in good health in the past two years, so we have tried to keep it as simple as possible."
My uncle comforted me, "Don't be sad. It doesn't matter where we hold it or how many people come. The most important thing is that the whole family gathers together to celebrate with Dad."
Xiang Rugang said casually: "Not all the people are here, my aunt didn't come."
Xiang Mingzhang held the bowl and lowered his head to stir the soup to cool it down faster, as if he didn't hear what was said just now.
"Yes." The eldest aunt sighed regretfully, "Yongti didn't come last year, and she didn't come this year either. She hasn't shown up much since she moved into Manzhuang."
Xiang Mingzhang lowered his eyes: "Is there any occasion where you need to show up?"
"Yongti has a quiet personality, which is understandable," said her uncle. "But today is Dad's birthday, so it's only natural that I should come and congratulate him."
Xiang Mingzhang suddenly raised his head and asked, "If my aunt doesn't come, will my uncle come? If my uncle doesn't come, will my aunt come?"
Xiang Kun frowned suddenly: "What are you talking about?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "I mean, I don't even know where Xiang Long is."
Everyone at the table was secretly shocked and hurriedly glanced at Xiang Xingzhao's reaction.
Xiang Kun lowered his voice and said, "Why did you mention this name for no reason? It's wrong for him to abandon his family, but isn't grandpa good enough to you and your son?"
The eldest aunt advised: "How the old man treats all of you is obvious to all of you. We all regard Yongti as a family."
Xiang Mingzhang lost his patience: "That's enough, stop mentioning my mother."
Xiang Mingzhang covered the mouth of the bowl with his big hand and placed it heavily on the table with a thud!
The thin bone china immediately cracked. His voice was not loud, but his face was extremely gloomy: "Who the hell cares!"
Everyone in the room was shocked and the whole hall suddenly became silent.
Suddenly, Xiang Xingzhao began to pant rapidly, making unclear syllables, as if saying "no" with a crying tone of a suddenly frightened person.
Xiang Huan hurried over, squatted down to comfort him, and then said sternly: "Ming Zhang, you are really trying to make everyone unhappy, right? Your grandfather owes you, and you are provoking him like this?!"
"He's crazy!" Xiang Kun was furious and glared at Xiang Mingzhang, "I knew you were crazy, but now you dare to act wildly in front of a table of elders!"
Xiang Mingzhang said coldly: "Then don't make me uncomfortable."
Xiang Rugang slammed the table and stood up: "Enough! Don't go too far!"
Xiang Ruxu, who had not interrupted the conversation, held his eldest brother tightly and tried to act as a peacemaker: "It's Grandpa's birthday and everyone should be happy. Can we stop arguing..."
Xiang Kun snorted: "If Mr. Xiang is unhappy, who else dares to be happy?!"
The directors watched in silence. Usually they took sides based on the reality of power and the pros and cons of the situation. Today's matter involved the privacy of the Xiang family, so no one could interfere.
But as a general rule, one must be patient at a birthday party, as the one who loses temper first is bound to be in the wrong.
Xiang Kun was furious and pushed the wheelchair out. Xiang Xingzhao sat there trembling and still crying hoarsely.
The eldest aunt and Xiang Ruguang followed closely behind, and Xiang Huan and her husband also left angrily. Xiang Ruxu hesitated for a moment and had to follow them.
Seeing this, the others left one after another.
Just now, the soup splashed on his palm, which was slightly hot. Xiang Mingzhang wiped it with a towel and let people pass by him without changing his expression.
After wiping it clean and leaving, only the mess of cups and plates was left.
Xiang Mingzhang threw away the towel and poured a cup of wine. It didn't matter. Drinking by himself gave him some peace and quiet.
Then Chu Shichen came.
Chu Shichen lowered his head and swallowed the hot liquor down his throat. He glanced at the plain paper dropped on the carpet, and bent down to pick it up. He wondered if Xiang Mingzhang was satisfied with the gift he had chosen.
It's all meaningless. He said regretfully, "Such a good birthday banquet ended so hastily."
Xiang Mingzhang sneered: "If I do it longer, will I live longer?"
Chu Shichen was surprised at Xiang Mingzhang's attitude. He was probably so angry that he spoke without thinking.
Outside the door, the restaurant manager looked around tremblingly, not daring to disturb them. Chu Shichen had no choice but to treat it as temporary overtime, and walked over to ask the waiter to wait for a moment, and not to serve the dishes and cakes that had not been served, and he could deal with them himself.
He notified the driver to come and move dozens of gifts away first. After settling them, he returned to the table and drank the whole bottle of white wine by himself.
Chu Shichen snatched it away: "If you want to drink it, go home and drink it."
Xiang Mingzhang stood up, his brows slightly furrowed, his eyes focused, and he looked almost the same as he did in the meeting. He walked steadily all the way and suddenly stopped when he walked out of the hall.
Chu Shichen asked: "What's wrong?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Don't book these two halls in the future, it's unlucky."
Restaurant manager: “…”
They came out of Meijin Building, the driver opened the door, and Xiang Mingzhang got in. Perhaps because he was drunk, he felt a little dizzy when he sat down.
Chu Shichen stood aside and said, "Send Mr. Xiang home and take him upstairs."
It was common for the driver to pick up Xiang Mingzhang for social events, but there were only a few cases where Xiang Mingzhang got drunk. What if he didn't serve him well... He said awkwardly: "Secretary Chu, I only know how to drive, please bear with me."
At this time, Xiang Mingzhang urged unhappily: "Do you want to leave?"
Chu Shichen had no choice but to see the Buddha off to the west. He got in the car, and the driver thanked him repeatedly, then immediately started the engine and set off.
Xiang Mingzhang was leaning against the car door, feeling an discomfort in his throat. He wanted to unbutton his shirt, but the alcohol made his fingers uncontrollable, so he simply pulled his collar roughly.
Chu Shichen moved closer and helped Xiang Mingzhang unbutton his shirt. He unbuttoned three buttons, exposing his neck and chest, which were flushed with drunkenness.
Unscrewing a small bottle of water, he handed it over: "Moisten your throat."
Xiang Mingzhang drank half a bottle and leaned back against the pillow. The light from the neon lights on the roadside flowed into the car, staining Chu Shichen's fair face.
Xiang Mingzhang looked at him and asked without any context, "Are you hungry?"
Chu Shichen didn't eat much tonight, so his stomach was already empty. He replied, "Not very full."
Xiang Mingzhang said to the driver: "I'm not going back to the apartment."
The driver understood and said, "Understood, let's go to Manzhuang."
Chu Shichen remembered that Manzhuang was where Xiang Mingzhang's mother lived. It was late at night and it was not appropriate for him as an outsider to disturb them, especially in the home of an unfamiliar elder.
He wanted the driver to stop the car and drop him off on the side of the road. Just as he was about to speak, Xiang Mingzhang pulled his sleeve not too gently.
Chu Shichen didn't understand what he meant.
Xiang Mingzhang half-opened his eyes, his eyelids also light red: "You've worked hard tonight, I'll take you out for dinner, are you willing?"
(End of this chapter)