DreamersGN Chapter 328 Going to the Meeting Alone
Chapter 328 Going to the Meeting Alone
When they arrived at the entrance of a state-run restaurant, Lu Yao stopped the car.
Look at this grand restaurant with four bright red wine signs hanging at the entrance.
Restaurants with only one sign usually serve snacks. Restaurants with two signs indicate that they offer stir-fried dishes and can also cater banquets.
Restaurants with four different names can not only cater banquets, but also offer a wide variety of dishes; there's nothing a customer can't imagine that their chefs can't make.
As for restaurants displaying eight signs, it means that the restaurant serves both northern and southern Chinese cuisine, as well as the Manchu Han Imperial Feast; there's no dish they can't make. If a customer orders a dish that the restaurant can't prepare, the customer can remove the sign to show that the restaurant isn't qualified.
There are basically no restaurants that big in the county town.
Having four fronts is already quite impressive.
Moreover, the state-run No. 1 Restaurant is one of the few multi-story buildings in Jiangzhou County, with four floors.
This little red brick building was actually built by the Japanese. It is said that it took four years to build, and the Japanese surrendered as soon as it was finished.
It's the tallest building on this street.
Lu Yao glanced at the bustling entrance and pondered to himself.
On the surface, Shi Shouyin seems to want to befriend me, but this is a bit unusual.
Why did he do that?
He has already investigated his background. Could it be that he already knows that I was the one who assassinated him at the state-owned cotton mill?
Then, setting up a trap here is like digging a deep pit to lure tigers and leopards, or setting up bait to catch a golden turtle.
who cares!
What is meant to be will be; what is meant to be will be.
If he truly knew he was an assassin, there was no way to escape it.
We might as well just fight them to the death.
Lu Yao was also highly skilled and daring.
He took out a 20-shot mirror-finish pistol and chambered a round.
With the bike slung diagonally under his right side, he set it up and headed into the restaurant.
A whiff of stir-fried vegetables wafted over.
In those days, people were often hungry and had little lard, so the smell of this dish would make their mouths water.
Upon entering, the room was bustling with activity.
"Three stars shine, five champions rise..."
"Eight horses... six six six..."
There were two tables where people were playing drinking games, which created a very lively atmosphere.
This culture of drinking games at the dinner table disappeared in later periods, replaced by everyone bragging about their own things.
The guests at each table inside were all simply dressed, but their faces were radiant with health.
Several tables were occupied by colleagues from the same work unit having a meal together; the best dishes they served were braised pork slices or stewed fish.
However, they all ate heartily and enjoyed their food very much.
There are also some temporary workers who grab a bite to eat outside at noon. A few people who don't know each other can share a table and sit together, ordering a bowl of noodles or two steamed buns.
In the late 1990s and beyond, eating these kinds of food was considered a compromise, but in the 1970s, eating out was a luxury no matter what you ate.
As soon as Lu Yao entered the door, a waiter dressed in white shirt, white hat and blue arm sleeves asked him:
"Comrade, are you Company Commander Lu?"
Do you know me?
"No, it was Director Shi who told me to wait at the door. He said I should wait for a handsome company commander named Lu who was carrying a gun. He told me he's in a private room on the third floor, room 306."
"Oh, thanks."
Shi Shouyin really put in a lot of effort.
Everyone says he's arrogant and has high standards, so it's impossible that he would befriend a lowly militiaman like himself for no reason.
Lu Yao became more cautious.
Climb the steps.
When we got to the third floor, there were two big men standing at the top of the stairs, both carrying guns.
"Company Commander Lu, please come in. Our director is waiting for you."
Further in, there were several men with guns and red armbands on their arms, strolling back and forth in the corridor.
We stopped at the entrance of 306; the door was open.
Inside, Shi Shouyin was sitting drinking tea, a cigarette between his fingers.
Lin Dong paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back.
Upon seeing Lu Yao arrive, Lin Dong came over to greet him.
He extended his hand, and Lu Yao also reached out to shake his hand.
After shaking hands, Lin Dong's hand was still outstretched: "Company Commander Lu, give me your gun, I'll keep it safe for you."
Lu Yao frowned and looked at Shi Shouyin:
"Director Shi, what do you mean? You disarmed me as soon as I walked in. If you're this wary, then I might as well skip this meal."
Shi Shouyin laughed and said to Lin Dong, "Brother Dong, you're being too cautious. Company Commander Lu is a hero, and he's just a militiaman. What are you so worried about? No need, no need, come in, come in."
Lu Yao breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as you carry a gun, that's fine.
If Shi Shouyin has any bad intentions, we'll take him hostage immediately.
Lin Dong stepped aside.
His eyes were full of wariness.
Shi Shouyin called out to Lin Dong, "Brother Dong, tell the kitchen to serve the dishes! Bring out my bottle of Wuliangye."
Lin Dong pointed to a leather bag on the wall:
"It's right in my pocket."
Then go outside to the door and tell the person guarding the door:
"Go tell kitchen staff to serve the food."
Shi Shouyin saw that Lin Dong didn't move when he was asked to get the wine.
He couldn't help but smack his lips and mutter a curse under his breath.
Then he got up and took out a two-pound bottle of Wuliangye from his leather bag.
"Brother Lu, this is my treasured wine, over twenty years old, pure and fine!"
Seeing that there was no one else in the room, Lu Yao couldn't help but smile and say, "Director Shi, you're too kind. Why am I the only guest here? Are there no other guests?"
Shi Shouyin, with a righteous air, waved his hand, his belly protruding:
"Oh dear, no one else is worthy to drink with me! I'm inviting a great hero for drinks, so naturally it's just you."
Lu Yao cautiously took the wine: "I'll open it."
When they said they were opening the bottle cap, they meant to check if it was the original seal.
I'm afraid this guy might tamper with the drink.
Shi Shouyin gave a thumbs up:
"This young man is so humble, unlike some people who, once they have a little talent, start acting all high and mighty!"
As he spoke, he glanced at Lin Dong out of the corner of his eye.
Lin Dong was still standing sideways at the door.
Lu Yao noticed that the holster was open, indicating that he, like himself, was always ready to draw his gun.
Two waiters came in and served the food.
First came four cold dishes.
Pork skin jelly dipped in garlic sauce, home-style cold dishes, smoked pig's trotters, and roast chicken torn apart and arranged in a decorative way.
Shi Shouyin reached out and pulled Lu Yao, saying, "Come, come, sit down..."
Looking at Lin Dong, he said, "Brother Dong, why don't you take Lao Hou and the others to the private room across the street? The dishes are all about the same. I'd like to have a private chat with Brother Lu."
Lin Dong's face was gloomy, showing no emotion whatsoever.
He nodded, walked out, and left the door open.
The door to the room across the street was also open.
There were eight people sitting at the table.
Those carrying guns went inside the corridor.
Lu Yao saw the dishes being served.
Home-style cold dishes, shredded radish from Xinlimei, stir-fried peanuts, and pork skin jelly are considered meat dishes.
The hot dishes in the room were served next.
Braised pork slices, fish with sauce, beef stew with radish... and the last dish was braised bear paw.
A typical eight-course meal consisting of four cold dishes and four hot dishes.
The other side was much worse; they had braised dried tofu and spicy tofu.
After serving the dishes, Shi Shouyin instructed the waiter:
"Close the door."
The waiter casually closed the door behind him.
As the door closed, Lu Yao saw Lin Dong sitting in the opposite room, his eyes still fixed on this room.
He wasn't craving the food in the house; he simply possessed the professionalism of a bodyguard.
They are suspicious of anyone who gets close to their owner.
Lu Yao tried his best to look casually over there, but Lin Dong stared at him with undisguised eyes.
The door closed.
At this moment, it would be as easy for Lu Yao to kill Shi Shouyin.
But Lu Yao would never do that.
Lu Yao would never do something so desperate unless he was driven to the brink of despair.
He was still pondering Shi Shouyin's purpose.
Shi Shouyin personally poured wine for Lu Yao:
"Comrade Xiao Lu, I like strong men the most... no, strong people! You are one of them! The moment I met you, I had an urge to get close to you... no, to befriend you."
Then I poured myself another half cup:
"I'm a little injured and can't drink much, so I'll just have half a glass with you. But you have to drink your fill, okay? Don't pretend, or you're not a Northeasterner!"
Lu Yao laughed heartily: "Director Shi is being so polite and going to such lengths. You can't just want to have a drink with me, can you? Northeasterners don't pretend. Just say what you want."