Chapter 46: Shi Yang Discharged from Hospital (Part 2)
That evening, Zhao Dazhuang sat next to Director Shi, while Liu Xiue sat with Shi Yang’s mother, and Zhao Meimei squeezed in with Shi Yang.
During the meal, Shi Yang rarely indulged and didn’t dare to eat much; he’d just taste a dish to try it and then stop, turning to assist Zhao Meimei with her meal.
Director Shi raised his glass to Zhao Dazhuang: "All these years, I’ve been indebted to you and your wife for looking after Yangyang and his mother. I’ve kept all of this in my heart, and I’m truly grateful. Look, I’m a few years older than you, so from now on, just call me Brother instead of Director Shi; it sounds too formal."
Zhao Dazhuang, being a sentimental person, was deeply moved by Director Shi’s words. Holding his glass warmly, he alternated between taking bites and sips, drinking heartily.
With someone of Director Shi’s status, social drinking couldn’t be avoided. He had some capacity, but overwhelmed by genuine emotion today, by the end of the meal, both were a bit tipsy.
Zhao Dazhuang and Director Shi hugged each other and uttered quite a few nonsensical things.
Zhao Dazhuang, being a chubby man with a beer belly, had his face flushed from drinking, feeling overheated, he directly lifted his short-sleeved shirt, exposing his belly.
Director Shi, usually well-groomed and dignified, had his shirt collar pulled open. At first, while slightly drunk, he was mindful of his appearance, but as he drank more, he became warmer, breaking into a sweat, and eventually unclasped his shirt buttons, leaving it open.
Director Shi was grateful to Zhao Dazhuang’s family of three for sincerely taking care of Shi Yang and his mother, acknowledging the hardship they endured. No need to speak of distant events, just this recent hospitalization showed that they were truly kind-hearted people.
Zhao Dazhuang, on the other hand, was mindful of the enrollment spot Zhao Meimei received for primary school. Without Director Shi’s help, he would have run himself ragged, and yet it might not have worked out. Whether Zhao Meimei could attend a good primary school greatly impacted her future; it was a major life event.