In the corner of the business area, in a relatively lonely single room.
Kang Shude, Master Luo, Aunt Bian, Liu Yongqing who makes antique porcelain at the Jingcheng Handicraft Factory, Ma Kaiyuan from the silk figurine group at the Brocade Box Factory, Chang Yuling, a descendant of Putao Chang, and the foreign aid of Donghuashi Street Production Co., Ltd.
Master Zou, the factory's senior technician, sat at the same table.
In addition, there are two empty seats, reserved for "Zhang Dashao" and Master Pang who should have been sitting here long ago.
The reason for making such an arrangement was that Ning Weimin took into account the personality characteristics of these craftsmen.
He knew that these people did not like liveliness, were not good at sociability, did not understand flattery, and did not bother to curry favor with the powerful.
They neither want to manage others nor be managed. They only value their skills in their respective fields and are proud of their status and reputation in the industry.
Therefore, he believed that it was not appropriate to arrange the old masters to sit together with businessmen or officials.
It would be nice to have them sit together.
Even if they are in different industries but are of similar age, there must be some common topics we can talk about.
It should be said that this original intention is very good, and Ning Weimin's consideration cannot be said to be unthoughtful and considerate.
There was just one thing he didn't expect.
That is, these people are older and stubborn craftsmen, and both their paranoia and honesty have been deeply rooted in their bones.
In terms of dealing with others, almost all of them are passive recipients.
As a result, the more similar these masters are in temperament, the less likely they are to get to know each other.
If you really want them to get along harmoniously, you need someone who fully understands them and can guide them and introduce them to each other.
However, only Ning Weimin can handle this matter, because only he knows the respective situations of these old artists.
But the problem is, he never showed up.
The result was that, except for Kang Shude and Aunt Bian, who was barely a show-stopper, they were still able to persuade the guests to drink, offer food, and use kind words to maintain the scene.
The other people sitting at the table were extremely dull and restrained.
The old masters all feel a little embarrassed because they have never seen the world, and they are afraid that they will behave inappropriately and be embarrassed.
All of them are like boring gourds. They can only nod politely and are not even active in using chopsticks to eat.
It can be said that among all the guests, their table was really deserted and not at all lively.
No matter how good the food is, these people don't taste much of it.
It makes no sense, why are outstanding craftsmen such introverts who indulge in their own world?
If not, it would be impossible to concentrate on your skills and reach a height that is difficult for others to reach.
But there are always exceptions to everything.
Master Luo's situation is very different from others.
First of all, he was familiar with Kang Shude and Aunt Bian, so he didn't feel much discomfort in today's strange situation.
Secondly, because of lumbar muscle strain and the need to relieve pain, he is now increasingly addicted to alcohol.
I also developed a bit of a chatterbox habit and always liked to complain about things I didn't understand.
On this day, when others were too embarrassed to raise a glass, he actually drank freely.
In addition, the wine is rare and good, so after a few glasses of Maotai, he couldn't control his tongue and became more talkative.
It is conceivable that he will not have any scruples when speaking, but just say what he wants to say.
The most amazing thing is that it was thanks to his drunken and immoral talk that he accidentally stirred up the atmosphere at this table.
"Old Kang, I came here today and it's an eye-opener. This evil trend of eating and drinking with public funds is so evil! Hey, let's talk about these dishes in front of you. Can you calculate how much they cost? If you want me to see them, they will be served right now.
These things must be worth at least half the price of a fan of pigs. Luxurious! Too luxurious! How can those officials feel at ease when they eat a mouthful of pig in one meal?"
Kang Shude saw that he was a little drunk and understood his situation, so he followed his words and teased him.
"The current social atmosphere is like this, and it is the same everywhere. Some people know how to drink, indulge in sex, and only want to benefit themselves. They will only put the interests of the people first. Otherwise, the people below will be dissatisfied. What do you say?
People's chairs are too short for them to sit on, their chopsticks have long been too short for them to eat, public funds are almost gone for them, and all their belongings have to be eaten up. But the problem is, you can't do anything if you don't eat or drink.
"Stick to your principles, and you won't be able to get things done. If you want to get things done, you still can't stick to your principles. It's hard!"
The old man actually speaks quite well.
Not only did I express my approval, but I also left sensitive topics untouched.
But the problem was that Master Luo's temper became aggravated as soon as he drank wine, and he was not very satisfied with this.
His voice even suddenly became louder due to emotion.
"What are you talking about? According to you, officialdom and shopping malls are inseparable from wine shops, so eating and drinking has become the engine of reform and opening up? Is it necessary to have so many plates and bowls, and so many
Expensive dishes are squandered and wasted. Taking public funds to eat such a banquet is just a prodigal who sells his property and doesn't feel sorry for him! You old man, don't create a name for them and justify their evildoings. I don't know yet.
You, you have selfish motives, aren't you just afraid that the crimes I mentioned will implicate Ning Weimin..."
Okay, now everyone else at the table heard it, and everyone paid attention to it.
Curiosity, puzzlement, dissatisfaction, astonishment, exploration, all kinds of emotions...
Especially the word "crime" and Ning Weimin's name made the faces of those who came over look unhappy.
Kang Shude was afraid that Master Luo would ruin the atmosphere at the table, so he quickly asked him to silence him.
"Okay, please keep your voice down. Don't scare others by saying such shocking things. Besides, what does it have to do with the people you are talking about? If he doesn't run this restaurant, no one will eat it.
Did you drink too much?"
Aunt Bian couldn't ignore it and also advised Master Luo.
"That's right, Lao Luo, I'm not talking about you. Are you really trying to get into trouble? It's better for you to eat well and drink well. In such an occasion, you should also say something nice and what should be said. You have to boil some pot.
What pot are you talking about? Why are you talking about these boring things? Could it be that Weimin opened this restaurant by mistake? They do it to make money from the Japanese and earn foreign exchange for the country..."
Little did I know that it would be useless. Master Luo always liked to argue, and when he got into the mood, he would not allow others to question him when he was drinking.
The more I persuade him, the less he likes to listen.
He waved his big hand and said it was more serious.
"Okay, Lao Kang, Sister-in-law Bian, please don't excuse that boy Ning Weimin. He runs this restaurant, and if you ask me, he is a bit of a collaborator. When I see him later, I really have to ask him face to face.
A few questions. Does he think it’s right to use public funds to eat and drink? Is there any unhealthy trend that violates party discipline and state laws? Is it a failure to let us people be sorry?”
Master Luo said it very happily.
According to his own feeling, neither Kang Shude nor Aunt Bian had any reason to say what he said was wrong.
Moreover, as long as the common people hear these words, they will probably cheer and applaud him for his righteousness.
But the reality was so beyond his expectation.
Yes, the two acquaintances didn't say anything, but the stranger at the same table quit, and there were outsiders looking for fault with him.
Following the "pop" sound, Liu Yongqing banged the table and stared.
"Are you here for a feast or to make trouble? Is this a place for you to talk nonsense?"
Master Luo looked up and saw that the face of the unknown master was extremely ugly, and he couldn't help but be startled.
"Hey, you... we just said a few words, what did it do to you? It's inexplicable..."
Unexpectedly, there was another "pop" sound, and Liu Yongqing actually slapped his chopsticks on the table, and said another even more surprising sentence.
"Who is confused? Manager Ning saved my porcelain and my craftsmanship, which is equivalent to saving half of my life! You can't speak ill of him in front of me!"
Moreover, Liu Yongqing was not the only one to speak out, the others also expressed their dissatisfaction almost at the same time.
"That's right, today is the day when someone else's restaurant opens for business. You are deliberately making things difficult for yourself! You are a person who eats and drinks other people's food, and you also say that they are bad and sick, right?"
"Who invited you here? You have made it clear. Manager Ning's conduct is obvious to all, and no one would give him a thumbs up! Why do you have to connect his restaurant with corrupt officials?"
Even a good-tempered old lady like Chang Yuling couldn't help but speak.
"Oh, I see you are over fifty, so it's not easy to arrange things behind your back. Manager Ning is a good person, why did he offend you?"
Master Luo was immediately dumbfounded.
For a moment, faced with such a sudden outburst of righteousness, he simply had no way to defend himself and couldn't think of a right answer.
But the more confused he became, the more ridiculous this matter became in the eyes of Kang Shude and Aunt Bian, and they couldn't hold back at all.
The two of them were just stunned for a moment, then laughed in unison, and then quickly explained.
"Hey, everyone, calm down and calm down. This Master Luo really doesn't mean any harm. He grew up watching Wei Min beat him up. He just drank some wine and got too familiar with Wei Min, so he spoke casually.
A little bit, but it’s actually only half-joking..."
"Yes, yes, everyone has misunderstood. We are all neighbors in the same courtyard as Xiaomin, and we are here specifically to support us. How can we arrange Xiaomin's fault? Especially this Lao Kang, he and Xiaomin are dependent on each other.
, a real family. I have to call him uncle..."
Well, this time it was reversed, and it was Liu Yongqing, Ma Kaiyuan, Master Zou and Chang Yuling who were stunned.
After a while, Liu Yongqing slapped his thigh and apologized with embarrassment.
"Hey, I really don't know. I was reckless. I'm sorry. How can I say this? I can't even see Manager Ning..."
Master Luo was also touched on the shoulder by Kang Shude, came to his senses, and waved his hand in the same way.
"Hey, he who doesn't know is not guilty. I also don't speak carefully, no wonder you misunderstood. Don't mind, I have to explain to you. By the way, how did you and Wei Min know each other? What did you say just now?
Half life..."
In this way, the saying "No fight, no acquaintance" has truly been fulfilled.
Because of this little commotion, the people at this table unexpectedly became closer together, allowing them to truly let go of each other and start talking freely.
Ten minutes later, when Ning Weimin and Zhang Shihui had finished entertaining their partners, they came to this private room with "Zhang Dashao" and Master Pang to introduce them to everyone.
Kang Shude was embracing the pride brought to him by his apprentice, and had a lively chat with Liu Yongqing and Chang Yuling, who had been praising Ning Weimin for a long time, because of their exquisite antique porcelain and utensils.
Everyone here can already enjoy the wine and food more comfortably.
And "Zhang Dashao" was not only happy to meet Kang Shude, whom he had long wanted to meet, but also happy to meet Master Luo, who made the jade dew frost.
Several people then talked about the pastry shop in the capital in the past, chatting about Master Luo's "Zhengming Zhai" and the Manchu milk pastry that had disappeared for many years...
In short, the people at this table have become close friends because of their common experiences, and they no longer have the initial restraint.
On the contrary, it made Ning Weimin's stay here more unnecessary.
So he didn't bother him anymore, arranged the food and drinks, and left with Zhang Shihui peacefully.