Xiangbei has long seen through the essence of this kind of dinner - going through the motions and going through the form. He prefers to understand this kind of communication as socializing, even if everyone calls each other brothers at the wine table.

But then again, if it's not for work, who wants to force a smile all day long, eat and chat with some strangers, and talk to each other?

At the beginning of the dinner, Xiang Bei found that Zhang Tongwen was indeed a master of alcohol testing. Let's not talk about how to be active in this standard configuration of the awkward drinking game - most of them are new friends who have never met before, and they don't know each other.

Just talking about his outfit today, you can see that he is thoughtful: he is wearing a casual sportswear, which is extremely low-key among everyone. For a leader of his level, this is also a means of self-protection in public, and besides, this kind of dress is also a way to tell everyone that today is a private party, only to make friends, not to talk about work.

Another characteristic of the master is that he can quickly lock down the object of persuasion at the wine table. For this dinner, there were four local receptionists and eight media. As soon as everyone sat down, Zhang Tongwen "scanned" each person, as if reading everyone's identity information.

Soon, four people, including Xiang Bei and Luo Fangyi, became his targets for persuasion, and it goes without saying that Xiang Bei was chosen - as long as the opening acquiesced in pouring the first glass of wine, the outcome of the whole meal could be predicted. Just like Xiangbei's experience over the years, on this occasion, either don't drink, as long as you drink, how much you drink is not out of your control.

And the reason why Luo Fangyi was chosen is because her demeanor and demeanor look like she has just walked out of the university campus, and such newcomers usually don't know how to refuse the "enthusiasm" of the other party. In addition, for newcomers, it is necessary to block a few glasses of wine for seniors when necessary.

Xiangbei understands that in addition to dealing with this drinking situation, he also has to protect Luo Fangyi, and he doesn't want Luo Fangyi to be infected with this kind of atmosphere as soon as he enters society. But I feel powerless: even if I avoid this time, there are still countless drinking parties waiting for this newcomer in the future career......

During the conversation, Xiangbei quietly sent a WeChat message to Luo Fangyi on his mobile phone: Eat more vegetables, drink less, girls are outside, you must protect yourself.

Luo Fangyi quickly replied: The same goes for boys. A grimace was added to the back.

Today's young people, I don't know where they got so many emojis, Xiangbei couldn't help but laugh when he saw the grimace expression.

The hotel waiter knocked on the door and came in, "Leader, what kind of tea do you drink?"

"What's the tea?"

"There are green tea, black tea, Tieguanyin, Jin Junmei ......"

Zhang Tongwen did not finalize it immediately, but used this topic to tell the story of tea, "There is such a joke on the Internet, only drink Jin Junmei, either a leader or a big sum; only drink green tea, either petty bourgeoisie or elegant, only drink Pu'er, either sleep badly or a collector; only drink black tea, either a turtle or a bad stomach." I drink all kinds of tea, and I am either a tea man or a tea seller. Haha, I think we're going to be elegant once today, let's drink some green tea. ”

Hedong rules, three hot dishes on the table, you can drink. Zhang Tongwen seemed to be in a hurry, and before the cold dishes were served, he raised his wine glass: "Everyone, the carriage and horses are tired, and I haven't had time to wash the dust for everyone, today's meal should be regarded as a welcome banquet." Let's raise our glasses and pluck one cold. ”

This is a new word, and it is the first time I have heard of it in so many years. The meaning is self-explanatory, it is to have a drink on an empty stomach.

Hearing this, everyone looked at each other, did this mean to bring everyone down?

"Mr. Zhang, other experts have said that an empty breakfast is not good for the stomach, and this fasting drinking is not even worse for the stomach. Luo Fangyi suddenly interjected a cold joke.

The crowd laughed.

This little girl, I didn't expect to be able to talk and laugh so freely on such an occasion, and Xiangbei had a new understanding of Luo Fangyi.

Jokes and jokes, anyone who holds up a wine glass, no matter how reserved and how he refuses, will not escape this cold cup of wine in the end.

"This wine glass is only two taels, not much, don't be pressured," Zhang Tongwen added after the cold pulling, "The profession of a reporter is very hard, and I have to rush the manuscript at night, so let's order it today." ”

Zhang Tongwen said so, but did so. brought out his own three cups, and the deputy master accompanied Sun Xingjian to carry three more cups, so that several people who were not strong enough to drink were already slightly drunk.

The main escort and the deputy escort each finished carrying three glasses of wine, and the other two people in the command toasted each one, and then entered a state of melee. During this period, Xiang Bei blocked the person who was clinking glasses with Luo Fangyi several times, and drank the wine himself.

"Master, what did I tell you, boy, you have to learn to protect yourself when you go out. Luo Fangyi saw Xiangbei blocking his wine like this, and quietly reminded him.

At this stage, most people have entered a state of release, no matter what others say, the people who listen to it are basically in the left ear and out of the right ear. Hearing Luo Fangyi's words, Xiang Bei just smiled.

After three rounds of drinking, Zhang Tongwen is indeed like today's opening, only talking about interesting anecdotes in life, occasionally interspersed with some connotative jokes, which made everyone laugh. Xiang Bei also admires this kind of person, a person can hold the wine table, and he can't do it without one or two decades of cultivation. Moreover, the other party can also tell small jokes one after another, which can not only make everyone laugh, but also leave everyone with stubble. Xiangbei even wondered if this person usually had a small book, which specialized in collecting small paragraphs, and then memorized them repeatedly, and played them on needed occasions.

From this point of view, Zhang Tongwen can be regarded as a master. In the face of such a master, Xiang Bei only smiled and nodded, occasionally catering to a few words.

"How old is Mr. Zhang this year?" the beautiful reporter sitting in the escort position suddenly interjected.

The atmosphere suddenly cooled down, and everyone's eyes were fixed on Zhang Tongwen.

Perhaps because he felt that the other party's question was a bit blunt, Zhang Tongwen frowned, "I'm ashamed of such a private question, I belong to the pre-aging type, five out of forty." ”

"Oh, yes, it doesn't feel like it, Mr. Zhang is in such good shape, he looks like he is only in his thirties. ”

The crowd laughed unexpectedly.

"Everyone doesn't know, when people reach middle age, they must do two things, keep their mouths shut and open their legs, otherwise they will become greasy middle-aged. Therefore, I really envy all of you here, they are all handsome guys and beautiful women. ”

The profession of journalist is also a meal of youth, especially with the rise of new media, some young people with fashionable clothes and foreign hairstyles have also joined the army of journalists, and reporters are no longer the traditional image of wearing thick lenses, striped shirts, and belts tied outside. Looking at them to the north, he also felt that he was already old.

The whole meal lasted nearly two hours, probably because the strength of the host and away sides was equal, and the offensive was not as fierce as Xiang Bei imagined. In the end, Zhang Tongwen said a few polite words and ended the drinking game.

When everyone said goodbye, Xiangbei quietly walked to Zhang Tongwen's side and whispered: "Mr. Zhang, we want to interview the competent department of the land acquisition project in Luohe Village, I don't know if you can arrange it?"

"Authorities?"

"Yes, for example, the Ministry of Land. ”

At tonight's wine party, this request has been kept in mind by Xiangbei, waiting for the opportunity to put it forward, and the reason why he did this is because if he contacted the land department directly, the other party's reply was likely to find various reasons to refuse. It is better to let the project command coordinate directly, after all, there is business between them.

Zhang Tongwen squinted his eyes, thought a little, put his arm around Xiang Bei's shoulder and said, "Brother Xiang like this, I'll arrange it, it's too late today, I'll reply to you tomorrow morning." ”

"You must be more concerned about this matter, the people of the whole country are paying attention to this matter, netizens have different opinions on the matter of Luohe Village, and there are also some smears and slanders, rather than fermenting on the Internet, it is better for us to take the initiative ourselves......" reminded the north.

"I understand, brother, don't worry, I'll leave it to you. ”

Greetings, send-offs, goodbyes......

After a meal, Xiang Bei was quite tired. He stood in front of the revolving door of the hotel, thoughtful. "Xiao Luo, let's take a walk around the hotel. ”

"Yes, Master. ”

Around the hotel building is a path of concrete and cobblestone, which zigzags through several pavilions and pools, and is illuminated by backlights, purple, green, and red...... It's quite poetic. The music background system at the side of the trail plays "Serenade", which is Mozart's piano music, with a beautiful and soothing melody.

As you walked north, she took a cigarette from her pocket and lit it.

"Master, you smoke too?!" Luo Fangyi glared and pouted as he looked to the north. In her impression, Xiangbei should be a suave and bookish image.

"It's easy for journalists to make friends with cigarettes, especially when they're writing. However, I'm one of those people who drink and make friends with cigarettes. Belch...... I won't choke you......"

"It's okay, it's okay. But it's better to smoke less, it's not good for your health. ”

glanced at Luo Fangyi to the north, in the haze, this young girl was really a little playful and cute, "How about it, don't you drink much today, aren't you still used to this kind of dinner?"

"A cup of more than a white bar, my head is a little dizzy, haha......" Luo Fangyi pondered slightly...... "Master, is it a journalist, there are often such entertainments?"

"It's inevitable that there will be such occasions, and of course, there are two sides to everything. Journalists have to learn to communicate, because communication can bring us closer to the people we interview, and of course, if we indulge in this kind of communication, it becomes a kind of pressure, which will affect our work. Everyone says that journalists are the uncrowned kings. But over time, you will find that many things are not within your will, and the aura of this profession will slowly fade with the passage of time, and people will become more and more realistic...... People should not only rely on ideals, but when necessary, they should bow to reality. However, I think we should keep a little bit of our original intention, if we don't have that original intention, our stance on journalism will be sour, and we won't even be able to write a script!"