"Everyone, it's a little early to go to dinner now," Qu Changguo looked at his watch, "That's it, let's leave in 30 minutes, it's still the old place." Everyone is voluntary, and those who need to accompany their daughter-in-law to watch the children can not participate, of course, if you want to bring the main and secondary matches, we will not stop you. ”

"Changguo, you can Zhang Luo for tonight's dinner, I still have something to do. Remember, be sure to leave me a few sober soldiers, in case there is an emergency at night and there are no soldiers available, I will ask you. Yu Chongming found a reason and left.

"I'm not going either, you guys have fun. Chen Lu also pushed it away.

Qu Changguo knew in his heart that Yu Chongming had concerns about not participating in the dinner. The newspaper has always had strict rules for directors to attend dinners, and for a cautious person like him, it is only safe to not participate. Chen Lu is not shy about this kind of occasion, but she knows too well the routines of these reporters - there can be less food, and there must be enough wine! This is really not easy for her, a little woman in the south of the Yangtze River.

Everything was arranged, and Qu Changguo called Xiangbei to the office.

"How's it going, it's been hard these days, right?"

Xiang Bei understands that this is a small summary of the conversation.

"What's so hard, over the years, haven't we all experienced the harder than this and this tiring work. ”

"That's right. We really have a fate with this Luohe Village, do you still have an impression, we have been to this Luohe Village before. Qu Changguo said.

"When you say that, I remember that I once interviewed a rural e-commerce company and went there. Xiangbei suddenly realized, no wonder he felt familiar when he first arrived in Luohe Village, "It seems to be three or four years ago?"

"Yes, 2011, I remember it was summer. At that time, e-commerce was just emerging, and the villagers were selling cherries, peaches, and walnuts online. The whole village is engaged in e-commerce, which seems to be nothing now, but at that time it was the only one in the whole Bac Giang Province! After the draft was sent, Luohe Village suddenly became popular and became a well-known e-commerce village in the whole country. Qu Changguo sighed, "I was deeply impressed by that interview. Chinese people are already smart, as long as they have diligence, they really have a bright future. ”

"Yes, I remember that our manuscript also won the second prize of the Bac Giang Provincial Journalism Award that year. ”

"Hmm. In this way, Luohe Village is really our blessed land. At present, it seems that the report effect is so good, it should not be a problem for you to win an award in the province. This time, with this east wind, I will build more momentum for you in the club and help you go to the next level. ”

Speaking of "blessed land", Xiangbei suddenly remembered that the draft of rural e-commerce back then established Qu Changguo's status in the newspaper. Soon, he was promoted to deputy editor-in-chief. No wonder he remembers the situation so clearly.

"Leader, speaking of the Luohe Village case this time, I think there are many doubts, and there are still many problems that cannot be explained, which can be dug deeply, maybe it is another blockbuster news. Xiang Bei is full of this interview.

"Oh, for example?" Qu Changguo seemed intrigued by his doubts.

"The project process, the written materials, the villagers' reactions...... It's all strange, especially the villagers, everyone seems to be deliberately hiding something. ”

"Daxiang," Qu Changguo stood up from his seat, suppressed his throat, and his expression was instantly solemn, "I'm just a deputy editor-in-chief of the newspaper, and I don't have the word 'executive'." So, I don't have the right to decide what you think, after all, there are still a bunch of leaders up there who can get ideas. We are good brothers, and what I say is just personal advice. If we have to find out everything, then why do we need the police? What do we need other departments to do?"

Qu Changguo's words surprised Xiangbei, although he often put the word "brother" on his lips, but when he said this, he still felt uncomfortable.

But whether it's right or wrong, after listening to Qu Changguo's words, Xiangbei was speechless. Could it be that I have lost my ability to judge?

Four Seasons Barbecue is less than two kilometers away from the Bac Giang Evening News, and it is only a 10-minute walk.

Coming out of the Beijiang Evening News, crossing a two-way four-lane road, then bypassing the Hedong City Gymnasium, walking a few hundred meters along the north-south Minsheng Street, you can see a snack street, which is scattered with Hedong's local characteristic barbecue and large and small Sichuan restaurants, Northeast restaurants, and Shandong restaurants.

Among them, a vertical row of LED displays is particularly conspicuous, with four words flashing on it: Four Seasons Barbecue, and a row of small words next to it: freshly cut mutton, all kinds of stir-fried vegetables.

Barbecue is a business card of Hedong, every summer night, dozens of barbecue restaurants on Minsheng Street are busy, rows of ovens stand on the street, one or two meters short, four or five meters long, spliced together, set up a black city wall. Skewered mutton, tendons, chicken wings, and leeks were placed on the "wall", and smoke rose from ...... white smoke that jumped up along the wind, submerging the old-fashioned residential buildings on both sides, leaving only the light of the windows.

At this time, the whole street is filled with the aroma of meat skewers sprinkled with chili noodles and cumin powder. Diners are even more strange, the hotter it gets, the less they want to stay in the air-conditioned city. Rows of mazars and low tables are placed in front of the restaurant, making it a great place for diners to eat shirtless and toast.

From a distance, the whole street is full of noise, shouting, wine, meat, and fireworks, which is a good night scene!

Among the many barbecue restaurants on Minsheng Street, if you want to award the Internet celebrity, the Four Seasons Barbecue must be in the top three. Strange to say, whether it's skewers or stir-fries, the Four Seasons Barbecue isn't the best, but it's full every night. Maybe it's a good business, maybe it's a herd mentality, the more full the seats, the more customers patronize, but those barbecue restaurants are more deserted.

I don't know when the Four Seasons Barbecue has become a "stronghold" for the reporters of the Beijiang Evening News to have a dinner, but whenever someone wins an award, a clockwork or a big draft, or a happy event in the family to get married and have children, they will gather here, eating skewers is secondary, and what you want is to drink a large glass of beer.

Of course, in most cases, this kind of dinner is only limited to those front-line reporters who are tired of "moving bricks", and if there is an occasion for leaders to participate, it is necessary to consider the atmosphere and grade, at least from the seat can be divided into a main and deputy seats.

At half past six, everyone had gathered at the Four Seasons Barbecue.

The barbecue is usually in the summer, otherwise the name of this restaurant is "Shiki", so it is natural that it will be open nowadays.

Because it is winter, it is natural that you cannot eat outdoors. Qu Changguo booked a private room in advance, which can accommodate more than a dozen people. Including Xiang Bei, Luo Fangyi, and Qu Changguo, there were exactly twelve people who came to the dinner.

These people are roughly in these categories: lively, childless, late to the club, and single dogs. Probably only these people will have a lot of energy and passion for dinner parties (in fact, they drink until eleven or twelve o'clock in the middle of the night).

And once you have a child, once you enter greasy middle age, the dinner party will be another style of painting: there are children who end early, greasy men sit together, a glass of beer in their stomachs, and start to talk about life, if there is a person of the opposite sex to accompany her, she doesn't need to show off her branches, and she doesn't need to say anything, as long as she looks and listens with adoring eyes, these old men can talk about the second half of the night. Then everyone went to KTV to order songs, and all the songs they ordered were such enlightening songs as "Friends Don't Cry" and "Wordless Ending".

Although Qu Changguo said that this was a dinner party between brothers, and the seats were not divided into primary and secondary, the reporters who were immersed in various occasions every day naturally understood the importance of the rules, and everyone agreed that Qu Changguo should sit in the position of the guest of honor and sit as the deputy guest of honor to the north.

However, Qu Changguo thought that he was the host and not the guest, and insisted on sitting in the position of the host, and the guest of honor was postponed to Xiangbei.

The menu was presented, everyone ordered all the things like their brains, and a few cold dishes were served, and the finale was a box of liquor brought by Qu Changguo.

This time there were 12 people, including 8 boys.

"Waiter, make up for the brothers with eight strings of big waists. Qu Changguo joked, and deliberately pronounced the big waist as the big waist.

"Mr. Qu, you didn't count yourself. A male reporter also joked.

"I'll forget it, at my age, I've basically said goodbye to my big waist, you are young, make up for it, and your family and career are correct. ”

At the beginning of the dinner, Qu Changguo first commented on the report in Luohe Village, praising Xiangbei for living up to expectations and praising Luo Fangyi for his fearful future. Then he brought up three glasses of wine.

The first cup, welcome, welcome to the north and the triumph of Rofonyi. The second cup, congratulations, congratulations to both men for making a significant impact on their reporting. The third cup, friendship, the brothers here are all his brothers in the country, and everyone will work together to achieve better results in the future.

The whole toast is official. This is a tradition in Bac Giang province.

Three glasses of liquor in the stomach, alcohol through blood circulation from the stomach into the brain, everyone quickly got a state, you and I said, each chatted.

"Xiangbei, it doesn't matter if others come to this meal or not, I have to come! You and Luo Fangyi have merit and hard work, I must comfort you!" Qu Changguo and Xiangbei sat next to each other, and the two bowed their heads and whispered.

Xiangbei felt that Qu Changguo was a little drunk, and he spoke as he wanted. However, he can't be unscrupulous when he goes north, no matter how much he drinks, he must tense his nerves: "Thank you leader, hehe, if you want to talk about hard work, there is indeed a lot of tossing in the front." But if you want to say the credit, the editor-in-chief's office must come first. ”

"Hey...... Let's not talk about work today, we won't talk about work!" Qu Changguo shook his hand and said.

"Okay! no talk about work......"

Qu Changguo continued: "By the way, if you are not here for a few days, there are also changes in the personnel of the reporter......

"What change?" asked North.

"Lao Chen resigned......"

"Lao Chen, he's an old reporter, he has been in the company for more than ten years, earlier than you, how did he go?!" Xiang Bei was surprised.

"Old reporter? To the north, maybe we are in a different position now, and we have different feelings about the word 'old'. In my opinion, this word 'old', which seems to be an honorific title, is actually a kind of embarrassment that it is a pity to abandon it after it is tasteless. Qu Changguo felt it.

"Oh?" Xiang Bei was puzzled and embarrassed? If I remember correctly, in the past two years, Qu Changguo has often called himself an "old reporter" and "old comrade", which turns out to be a derogatory term?

However, he also knows very well that it is a hurdle for people to reach forty, not only to reach the greasy risk period, but also to have a sense of professional crisis. For journalists, this age is not up to the same age, and it is very embarrassing.

Generally speaking, a newcomer joins the company in his twenties and enters the prime period of his career after three years of employment, and his motivation and inspiration are at his best at this time. Even in the annual assessment rankings, it is always those young people who are at the top.

In the relationship between the sexes, the new person is always better than the old person, and the same is true in the workplace. This seems to be a universal law in the animal kingdom. In the journalist world, the age of 40 is considered to have entered the old age: the leader does not want to be seen, and he does not want to do it. If even the road to promotion is blocked, it is tantamount to early retirement.

"You also know Lao Chen's character, he is a good hand at work, needless to say, almost every year's news works can win awards in the group or province. But I haven't been able to handle this interpersonal relationship well, and I don't move around with everyone much. You say that you don't move much between you and your colleagues, and you don't move around much with your boss. You say, how can this work?!and...... He still has the stinky temper of a literati, and he is arrogant and arrogant! All these years...... The leaders have never been willing to see him, but they also think that he is a talent, so they have always adhered to one principle: use you but not promote you! This old Chen is also old, in his 40s this year, and he resigned in desperation and went to a small company to be the head of the department. ”

"Hey...... It's a shame. Xiangbei's heart couldn't help but tremble.

Among the reporters, Lao Chen is a well-known "old scalper", who works diligently and hard, is still single in his forties, and puts his enthusiasm into his work. But he also has fatal flaws: he is not good at expressing and communicating, his colleagues joke with him, and he often laughs.

Strange to say, such a taciturn person has some "amazing" works from time to time, and has won many national and Bac Giang provincial journalism awards. When Xiang Beigang worked, he was once assigned and cared for by Lao Chen, and was deeply impressed by his professionalism and personality.

"So, it's a true fulfillment of the saying, 'A crying child has milk.'" If you look at those children, crying and making trouble, the parents will take care of it, and they will give snacks to eat and milk to drink. On the other hand, those honest children, parents feel relieved, but they often don't get any benefits. ”

Especially in the workplace, not only must you be able to work hard, but also be able to do it skillfully, even if it is a very simple task, you must show how difficult and difficult it is, and you must often complain to the leader, and finally after eliminating all difficulties, you must finally successfully complete the task. Then it's time to prepare a work photo and write a work summary. Haha, leader, isn't this routine. A reporter on the side interjected.

"You kid, you're talking. Qu Changguo pointed at the other party and said with a smile, "It seems that you have an opinion on the editor-in-chief's office?"

"Hehe, don't dare. The reporter hurriedly added, "This is my concluding speech, Qu is always a close friend of the brothers, we have an opinion on which leader we will not have an opinion on Qu, everyone is right." ”

"Yes, let's follow Mr. Qu. The crowd chimed in.

"Don't talk nonsense," Qu Changguo raised his glass and shook his hand, "You can't say anything that doesn't talk about politics." I understand the feelings of the brothers, just put it in your stomach. From now on, everyone's business will be my business. Here, let's cheers. ”

Qu Changguo drank the wine in the cup briskly.

And they were killed.

It has the momentum of righteousness.

"Xiao Luo, you performed well this time, and it is a big plus for your internship. Qu Changguo turned the topic to Luo Fangyi.

Luo Fangyi was already slightly drunk, her face was white and red, her eyes were a little confused, and she looked a little more proud and cute.

"Thank you, Mr. Qu, the train runs fast, it all depends on the leader, uh, no! "Luo Fangyi is still as funny as ever.

"This girl is not only bright and fast, but also a living treasure. I have been in Luohe Village for two weeks, it was a lonely and lonely cold, and it was all up to Xiao Luo to relieve me of loneliness. Xiang Bei said.

"Brother Xiang, can you tell me why you are dispatched? show us how, haha. The male colleague next to him followed suit.

"Come on, come on, I've got wine, tell your story......"

Everyone turned on the heckling mode. Seeing that the atmosphere of the wine bureau is about to deviate.

"You kid, it's really dirty. No wonder everyone said that when they went on a business trip with you, the car turned yellow. Xiangbei realized that he had said the wrong thing, and took advantage of the situation to gag, "Don't defile our beautiful intern reporter with your filthy soul, people are still simple little girls." ”

Hey, even Master is like this...... These reporters usually seem to be sanctimonious, but when they talk about small paragraphs, they talk endlessly, one is worse than the other. Luo Fangyi couldn't help but sigh in his heart, in this world, how can there be any absolute seriousness? Even CCTV's internal Spring Festival Gala is not also a variety of shocking programs?

"This is not a bus to kindergarten, I want to get off!" Luo Fangyi also threw out a popular meme on the Internet to resolve the embarrassment.

"Okay, let's get some virtue. Seeing that this conversation was about to evolve into the scene of the accident, Qu Changguo urgently stopped, "Xiao Luo, see how much wine there is left?"

Qu Changguo glanced at the counter directly opposite, on which were all kinds of beer and liquor that had been disassembled. He wanted to test the college student in front of him how much he knew about the routines of the drinking field.

"Okay. Luo Fangyi quickly moved his steps and counted the boxes on the counter, "Mr. Qu, there is still half a bottle of liquor left that has been opened, and there are still six bottles of beer." ”

"So how much did we drink? At this moment, you are the accountant. Qu Changguo asked.

"There are 12 of us, 8 of them drink liquor, 4 drink beer, three bottles of liquor, less than half a catty per person, and 14 bottles of beer, more than three bottles per person. ”

"No, no, it's too bad. Surely there are those of you who are lazy. Fill up the rest of the wine. One by one, I shouted to stop to stop. Qu Changguo played the role of a referee.

"Leader, this is a high degree of wine, half a catty is a lot. There were journalists "protesting".

"You kid still dare to resist. I don't know your amount yet, Xiao Luo, pour it for him first!

Luo Fangyi looked serious and seriously filled everyone's wine glasses.

"Next, I announce that the 'first game' is coming to an end, and we will clear this glass of wine in three sips. Qu Changguo raised his glass, "As for the 'second game', everyone raised their hands to vote. Go to the old place and sing. ”

The rule of Bac Giang is that after one drink, if you don't have a good time, everyone usually organizes a second one.

Everyone was almost excited at this time, and they all raised their hands in response.

"Leader, I'm not going, I've been out for so long, I have to go back quickly, the leader at home is still waiting for me. Xiang Bei was quite tired and asked Qu Changguo for leave.

"Mr. Qu, I also ask for leave. Luo Fangyi raised his hand.

Qu Changguo looked at the two of them and joked: "You two seem to have discussed it." To the north, you can't make a mistake. I'm your boss and I'm jointly and severally liable. ”

"Do you hear that, Xiao Luo, keep your concentration!" Xiang Bei also joked.

"Hehe, it's so stressful. I tried my best, I tried my best. "This girl is playing treasure again.

"Alright then, this drinking party is for the two of you, and as soon as you two leave, everyone's interest will be halved. Hey, I'm not going to go to the second game either. Qu Changguo sighed.

"Don't, leader, we'll feel guilty in that case. "To the north.

"Yes, Mr. Qu, if you don't go, wouldn't everyone be even more disappointed. Luo Fangyi said.

"I'm kidding. However, I really can't play in the second game. Qu Changguo took out his mobile phone and showed it to everyone, "A friend just WeChat me and said that there is something important. I need to go. But don't worry, I'll invite you to one or two games, so let's have fun. ”

Qu Changguo, Xiang Bei, and Luo Fangyi said goodbye to their colleagues and left the hotel.

"Daxiang, let me insert another word about work, about the interview in Luohe Village, the newspaper has a lot of considerations. You must know that the newspaper office not only publishes a few more articles, but also has various aspects of relations! Therefore, you said before that you think there are suspicious points inside, so I suggest that you first look at the arrangement of the newspaper office. However, if you insist on going, we can talk about it later. Before parting, Qu Changguo told again.

Xiangbei pondered the meaning of his words in his heart, and also pondered whether to stick to his own ideas: go to Luohe Village again!