As the veterans chatted and laughed, the atmosphere relaxed again.
Mr. Xu greeted Mr. Xu and quickly entered the room to prepare for dinner. Everyone came up and surrounded Yang Xiaotao to ask questions. Xu Hu was even encouraging him. He must have a drink at noon. The implication was that he wanted to have a drink at the wine table.
To regain face, Yang Xiaotao took it easy himself.
Xu Yuanshan looked on. He didn't know Yang Xiaotao's drinking capacity, but he had heard about it.
These boys in my family want to pour wine on others, but I guess they are fine, so I will lie down on the table first.
He didn't say anything, just take it as a lesson.
While waiting for dinner, another problem occurred.
There were a few old people sharing a table, and they were in the innermost room. They said they wanted to eat more for their brothers who had died, so that no one would disturb them.
The remaining people were divided among three tables.
There was a table for men from Xu Jianghe's generation, a table for adults from the younger generation, and finally a table for women and children.
Yang Xiaotao originally went to Xu Long's table, but Xu Jianghe forced him to sit together, so Yang Xiaotao had no choice but to go over.
Fortunately, Xu Long and Chen An came to accompany me.
Everyone sat down. Although the meal was simple, it was enough to satisfy everyone.
Yang Xiaotao was sitting there, not knowing anyone around him, so Xu Yuanshan introduced him.
Mr. Xu has two sons and one daughter, the eldest son Xu Jianghe, the eldest daughter Xu Hongxia, and the second son Xu Yuanshan.
The next two people who followed were Mr. Chen’s grandson Chen An and the sons of the other two old men.
After several people met, they started talking at the wine table.
But most of them asked about Yang Xiaotao's work and life. Yang Xiaotao understood the concern of his elders and chose good things to talk about.
Xu Yuanshan also took the opportunity to ask about the recent situation of steel rolling.
"The workshop has been very busy recently. One thousand tractors in the northwest have just been delivered, and orders from other places are still coming in."
"Now the first workshop and the sixth workshop are also responsible for part of the engine building tasks, which speeds up the speed..."
As Yang Xiaotao said, Xu Yuanshan sighed, if he had not left the steel rolling mill, he would have had a share of this honor.
Several people at the table heard that this tractor was so popular because it was designed by Yang Xiaotao himself, and they even sighed. Compared with the ones in front of them, their children are simply useless.
As the old saying goes, the same rice can feed a hundred kinds of people.
"Uncle Xu, how is the chemical plant?"
Xu Yuanshan shook his head, not wanting to say more, or not knowing how to say it.
"It's such a mess that I almost want to kick my ass off."
Xu Yuanshan complained, and Yang Xiaotao remembered what Liu Huaimin said last time and was too sensible to ask any more questions.
After three drinks, most of the food was eaten, and some people were getting drunk, people at the next table began to come over and propose a toast.
Not long after, Yang Xiaotao was pulled by Xu Hu to his table.
Yang Xiaotao sat down, and Xu Yuanshan's son Xu Ying came over with a wine bottle, "Brother Tao, this is what you want now."
He gestured with his thumb as he spoke, but his eyes were filled with evil ideas.
"This is the first time we brothers met, but you were completely shocked. I dare not say anything else. There is absolutely no one in this compound who can beat you."
"For this reason, I offer you a toast."
Xu Ying held up the wine glass, and Yang Xiaotao was not shy, holding the wine glass as well, "I'm not a big drinker."
Xu Ying smiled and said, "Brother Tao, you are not so open now."
"Yes, brother Xiaotao, why are you so modest when you are drinking here?"
Xu Hu was holding a wine glass at the side, "This way, let's drink together."
Yang Xiaotao looked over and smiled sincerely, "Okay, let's drink together."
"Dry!"
The table became lively, and several young people at the next table also came over to watch the fun.
They knew for sure that their brothers were going to do something bad, and they would see what they were doing when the man got drunk.
"Brother Tao, have fun, eat food, eat food..."
"Brother Xiaotao, you are really capable. It shows that I must be a great hero. Let's toast him together..."
Yang Xiaotao smiled and raised his glass, "Okay, here's to the hero."
"Dry!"
...
After three glasses of wine, Xu Ying and others looked at Yang Xiaotao, who had no expression on his face, and suddenly realized that something was wrong.
"It's an honor for me to meet several brothers today. I would like to toast you all with this cup."
"Dry!"
"My little brother was offended a lot just now, so this cup is an apology."
"I did it!"
"Fuck~~"
boom
The wine glasses clinked together, and at this moment, seven or eight glasses were consumed.
Xu Ying's eyes were blurred, and she lay on the table, mumbling in confusion.
As Xu Ying lay down, the others could no longer hold out, and Chen An beside her even weakened her legs and got under the table.
Those who were watching the excitement quickly helped him up and took him to the house.
The others did not dare to drink anymore and were helped to leave.
Seeing his son being so useless, Xu Yuanshan snorted in his heart, "You are not as good at studying as others, and you can't even drink alcohol. Let's see what else you have to be proud of."
Xu Jianghe put his arm around his third brother's shoulders and said, "Young man, please talk to me carefully."
"He, let's start with his father saving the machine..."
As he said this, at the table next to him, two brothers, Xu Long and Xu Hu, looked at Yang Xiaotao, who smelled of alcohol but was not drunk at all, with expressions of admiration.
"Brother, let's drink again."
As Xu Hu said this, he picked up the wine bottle and was about to pour wine for Yang Xiaotao, but Yang Xiaotao put the wine bottle aside.
"Second brother, this is our first meeting. Let's talk and get to know each other better."
"If you want to drink, come to my house and let's have a good drink."
Seeing this, Xu Long on the side also thought that this was the case, "Xiao Tao is right, second brother, I will have time to drink in the future."
Xu Hu nodded after listening, and then...
He flopped down on the table.
Seeing this, Xu Long smiled helplessly. This guy was also holding on.
I guess Yang Xiaotao noticed it and refused.
Sure enough, I can't even drink alcohol.
"Brother, where are you?"
Yang Xiaotao changed the topic. Xu Long was also drunk and was not polite when Yang Xiaotao asked.
"Brother, you can see that I am a soldier."
"On Tianshan Mountain, be a squad leader and guard the border..."
Xu Long then told his story without worrying about leaking the secret. As for Xu Jianghe and others next to him, they did not stop him.
Yang Xiaotao held the wine glass and sipped while listening to Xu Long's words.
"Where we are, the sky is blue and white, and the strong wind..."
Xu Long patted Yang Xiaotao on the shoulder.
"Brother, do you know, we have a song there, let me sing it to you."
Xu Long's eyes were a little hazy, not from drunkenness, but from pride.
“Tianshan is a ruler to measure people, Tianshan is a barrier to stop people.
If you don't have the courage of a man, don't go near that mountain.
The Tianshan Mountains are an endless road, and the Tianshan Mountains are an endless mountain.
If you can't bear the hunger and cold, don't climb to the top of the mountain."
Xu Long's voice was harsh and unpleasant.
But the singing is very nice.
Everyone around is immersed in it.
"Brother, it would be a real pity if you don't go to Tianshan Mountain in your life."
Xu Long said, wiping the tears from his eyes.
Yang Xiaotao picked up the wine glass and said, "Brother, this glass is for you, for you."
"Dry!"
"Dry!"
The two drank it all in one gulp.
Xu Long then talked about interesting things about the garrison, but of course he was also sad.
After a meal, when it was time to disperse, Xu Long had already leaned on the chair and snored.
His train tonight will take him three days to get back.
It was already mid-afternoon when Yang Xiaotao left the yard, and Xu Jianghe and Xu Yuanshan saw him off personally.
Before leaving, he was given a rifle with a bayonet and twenty rounds of ammunition.
Yang Xiaotao thanked him, put it on his shoulder, and rode to the courtyard this time.
After watching Yang Xiaotao leave, the two of them returned home. Seeing Mr. Xu's calm expression, both of them were stunned.
"father!"
"snort!"
Mr. Xu snorted coldly and pointed at a group of drunk guys in the room, "Look, is this all you have?"
"It seems that the good times have passed for a long time, and the bones have become soft."
"Next month, send them all to the military camp. If you can't practice well, don't come back."
"yes!"
The two brothers looked at each other, understanding each other tacitly.
This old man is really impatient.
If we really lose three games in a row, then I really can’t hold my head high.
On the other side, Yang Xiaotao rode back to the courtyard with a rifle on his back.
In the front yard, Yan Fugui was sitting under a tree playing chess with others. He saw Yang Xiaotao coming back from a distance. When he saw the gun behind his back, he was startled.
If it weren't for the current lax gun control, he would really want to go to the street office to report it.
However, there has never been a gun in this courtyard. This thing is too dangerous, so I have to ask clearly.
"Xiao Tao."
Yan Fugui stood in front of the car and Yang Xiaotao stopped the car.
"Where did you get this gun? We don't have this kind of thing in our compound. It's too dangerous."
Yang Xiaotao glanced at it and said, "This is a gift from the elders."
After saying that, the car swung around and passed by.
Yan Fugui opened his mouth wide, still thinking about saying, be careful to put things away, but the person has already left.
"Humph, if something happens, I won't let you walk around without food."
Back in the middle courtyard, everyone saw the spear on Yang Xiaotao's back and started talking about it.
Someone who had something to do came forward to inquire. Yang Xiaotao glanced at Jia Zhang who was scratching lice at the door and said deliberately, "The superiors said to prevent enemy agents from sabotaging."
"Anyone who destroys people's property, endangers people's safety, or steals things can be shot on the spot if caught."
Jia Zhang's hands trembled and she pulled out two more hairs.
As for Bang Gu, who was lying in the house, after hearing this, he hid behind the door and looked at the spear outside, and he also shivered mentally.
Back home, Yang Xiaotao told Ran Qiuye what happened today, and even boasted that he had made his grandfather angry.
Ran Qiuye said that he didn't save face for others and what he did was ridiculous.
Yang Xiaotao smiled, "Face among men, if you lose, you won't be ashamed, just win it back."
But if you can't afford to lose, that would be a shame.
Ran Qiuye looked at the gun Yang Xiaotao brought back and was not surprised.
After saying a few words, Yang Xiaotao placed the gun on the beam and asked Xiaowei to fix it before returning to the house and lying down to sleep.
When I woke up again, it was already dark, and Ran Qiuye was cooking in the house.
Yang Xiaotao got up, looked at his son sleeping soundly and slowed down his movements.
Ran Qiuye heard the commotion and started setting out the food.
"You must be hungry, I let you drink so much!"
Yang Xiaotao chuckled and then looked at the table.
There is no shortage of food at home, Ran Qiuye's cooking skills are also improving, and the weather is hot, so eating is simple.
"This rice is good and sweet."
Yang Xiaotao took two mouthfuls of rice, which was chewy and warm in his stomach.
"If it tastes good, eat more."
Ran Qiuye said happily, then picked up the shovel and took it out of the pot.
At this time, Yang Xiaotao was suddenly stunned.
The chopsticks in his hands fell on the table. Ran Qiuye was startled and quickly reached out to touch his forehead.
Yang Xiaotao held Ran Qiuye's hand and said, "Daughter-in-law, wash this pot quickly. Wait for me."
After saying that, he rushed to the house, picked up his notebook, thought for a moment and started writing seriously.
Ran Qiuye was curious, but didn't ask any more questions. He just followed Yang Xiaotao's instructions and started cleaning up the pots.
After a while, Yang Xiaotao came out, found a sack and put the pressure cooker inside. Looking at Ran Qiuye who was hesitant to speak, Yang Xiaotao stepped forward and hugged her and gave her a kiss.
"I'll tell you when I get back."
After saying that, he picked up the pot and ran out on his bicycle.