Sweet Nostalgia of the 80s

"Thank you very much, Mr. Hou. It’s very generous of you!" Mrs. Xiao said graciously.

"What generosity? Lin and I are business friends, if I didn’t know it was your birthday, that would have been it. But now that I do, I have to express my regards somehow," Mr. Hou said with a smile.

"Mr. Hou, please take a seat. These are all my family members; just make yourself comfortable," the old lady said.

"Thank you!"

Lin Qiushu did not introduce Mr. Hou to everyone one by one, as she did not have a very good impression of him.

But as someone in the business world, it was impossible not to interact with him.

The Lin Family’s business had always been huge, dominating this region domestically with her and her mother at the helm.

Having one more friend opens another pathway; having one more competitor builds another wall.

"Mr. Hou, please don’t be so formal, have a seat," Lin Qiushu said as she pulled out a chair for him; the seat was to the right of the old lady.

"Since we are here, it’s originally for my birthday celebration. We can’t not drink. I’m old and can’t drink much; you all drink on my behalf," she said.

"Let’s all raise our glasses together. To wish the elder a happy birthday!" Mr. Hou suggested with a smile. He wasn’t here to drink, so he couldn’t afford to get drunk and sloppy.

Especially since his alcohol tolerance wasn’t all that great.

Since he suggested it, everyone raised their glasses to toast the old lady.

After that, there was a round of polite chitchat.

They talked a bit about the business world, but those were just pleasantries; everyone understood they couldn’t be taken too seriously.

Qin Jian disliked these slick businesspeople the most, yet ironically Mr. Hou seemed quite eager to engage with him.

"Commander Qin, they say that meeting is fate. In my life, I admire soldiers the most. I’m fortunate to meet a military officer of your rank today. I hope you can give me some face, and let’s have a drink together," Hou Zicheng said.

Though Qin Jian wasn’t versed in business affairs, he could read people well, and he wasn’t mistaken.

Mr. Hou’s intent was not on the wine, how could Qin Jian not understand?

Seeing everyone’s eyes on him, Qin Jian slowly lifted his wine glass.

"Thank you, Commander Qin!" Mr. Hou said with a smile, "After this glass, we’ll be friends when we meet again."

Qin Jian looked at Mr. Hou with a detached gaze and said unhurriedly, "We can drink, but let’s not talk about friendship."

Mr. Hou’s face suddenly changed; he hadn’t expected Qin Jian to reject him so bluntly.

Wondering where he had gone wrong with Qin Jian, he heard Qin Jian continue, "As the saying goes, ’Those who do not share the same values do not make plans together.’ I’m not on the same path as Mr. Hou. So let’s forget about friendship..."

Mr. Hou’s face turned awkward as he looked at the others, and raising his glass with a strained smile, he said, "Commander Qin, you’re truly genuine. Even if we can’t be friends, it doesn’t stop my admiration for you! I’ll finish this drink!"

Qin Jian also tilted his head back and finished his glass.

Worried that Mr. Hou would feel he had lost face, Lin Qiushu also picked up a glass with a cheerful smile to return the toast.

ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by ɴovᴇl_Firᴇ.ɴet

"Mr. Hou, here’s to you! Let’s do business together again in the future," she said, and then she drank up.

Mr. Hou finally regained some face and also promptly emptied his glass.

..........................

By the time Qin Jian got home, it was around ten o’clock in the evening.

When he opened the bedroom door, An Hao was sitting at the desk reading a book.

"Why aren’t you asleep at this late hour?" Qin Jian said as he took off his military T-shirt and walked towards An Hao.