Chapter 50: Drinking Contest
Captain Zhou entered the best Hunan restaurant, known as Changsha Restaurant.
The name was straightforward—clearly a Hunanese cuisine spot.
Changsha Restaurant had three floors, with a row of cottages behind the building where the kitchen was located.
This design prevented cooking smells from reaching the main building, ensuring customer satisfaction.
The group reached the third floor and entered a private room named "Dongting Lake."
Two casually dressed individuals were already inside—one in their thirties and the other in their twenties.
Seeing Captain Zhou, they stood up and greeted, "Welcome, Captain Zhou."
Upon hearing this, Captain Zhou realized the dinner was hosted by these two.
As expected, the older one instructed the younger one, "Inform them to serve the dishes."
When the younger one left, Captain Zhou sensed something amiss but remained silent, standing behind Captain Zhou like his security guard.
The older person smiled at Captain Zhou, saying, "You've been away from your hometown for over a decade; we, your old classmates, miss you. When can you return? Let's go to the restaurant near the school and relive the past."
Emotions stirred on Captain Zhou's face; it was a sense of hometown nostalgia.
Hometown feelings are omnipresent—there during joy and sadness alike.
Captain Zhou sighed, saying, "Once in the military, fate is beyond one's control. I hope in my lifetime, I can revisit the old places."
"Definitely! Definitely!"
Captain Zhou took the offered cigarette, and Zhou Lin lit it for him.
After a puff, Captain Zhou asked, "Gu Shang, why did you come to Shanghai?"
Gu Shang lit his own cigarette, replying, "Business back home became tough. Someone suggested trying my luck outside. So, I came to Shanghai. I heard you became a high-ranking officer in the artillery division. I thought of coming over, seeing if I could do some business within your sphere."
Captain Zhou nodded, "For Hunanese people in Shanghai, except for this town, it's challenging to do business elsewhere. If you're interested, open a Hunan specialty shop in this town. With the people from my division, you'll thrive."
Gu Shang happily bowed, "Thank you for your help."
Captain Zhou said, "We have over eight hundred Hometown Army soldiers here. Everyone craves local dishes. Last time, he prepared Zhi Jiang duck, excellent but missing a particular ingredient."
Gu Shang continued, "Is it Zhi grass?"
"Yes! Exactly Zhi grass. Without it, the dish loses its flavor. If you can bring in a batch of Zhi grass, the first deal is guaranteed. I'll buy everything."
Gu Shang eagerly agreed, "I'll send a telegram home immediately, have our family business procure Zhi grass and ship it to Shanghai."
Captain Zhou added, "Not just Zhi grass; we lack many spices. Even chili here is not as good as in Huaihua."
The conversation became lively, discussing business and hometown memories.
At that moment, the younger person returned.
Captain Zhou asked, "Your son?"
Gu Shang laughed, "My son is only seven. This is my nephew, my elder sister's son."
Captain Zhou recalled Gu Shang's elder sister, older by seven or eight years.
With the dishes served, Captain Zhou and Gu Shang sat down.
Zhou Lin and the bodyguard stood behind Captain Zhou.
Gu Shang's nephew stood behind him.
Zhou Lin also took on the role of pouring wine.
They ate and drank for half an hour, finishing a bottle of white wine.
By this time, the atmosphere had warmed up.
The two men started a drinking contest, reminiscing about their youth when they often competed until one of them fell.
This reunion brought back memories, and they engaged in a heated drinking competition.
Gu Shang couldn't match Captain Zhou's capacity and suggested, "Let my nephew drink on my behalf."
The nephew quickly lifted his glass, "Captain Zhou, you are a good friend of my uncle and my elder. I'll finish this, you relax."
After drinking, Captain Zhou smiled, "I'll take this one. Considering I've had enough. Let Shuangmu drink with you. If you can make him drink too much, I'll grant you a request."
Upon hearing this, the nephew's eyes gleamed, "Then, I'll respect your decision."
The two elders sat sipping slowly, while the younger ones stood and drank.
Captain Zhou trusted Zhou Lin, and Gu Shang knew his nephew well. This gave them confidence.
Initially, they drank one cup each, but as the interest grew, the nephew poured six cups, saying, "Let's drink three in a row."
"Good! Let's drink!"
After six cups each, Gu Shang needed to use the restroom. However, being somewhat drunk, he couldn't stand straight. So, the nephew accompanied him.
As they left, Captain Zhou told Zhou Lin, "Follow them."
Zhou Lin nodded and exited.
Captain Zhou wasn't foolish. Reconnecting with someone after more than a decade, especially when the relationship wasn't good back then, raised suspicions.
It was highly unusual.
Having studied in Japan, Captain Zhou quickly recognized the nephew's abnormality due to his crossed legs, a result of sitting in seiza for prolonged periods.
This position affected the leg shape, especially noticeable when walking quickly.
The nephew's hurried exit revealed the curvature of his legs, a characteristic of the seiza posture.
This indicated that the nephew was Japanese.
Associating with a Japanese and letting them persuade others to drink was a clear attempt to intoxicate Captain Zhou.
Captain Zhou suspected Gu Shang and his nephew had ulterior motives, especially concerning the artillery division.
Coincidentally, bringing Zhou Shuangmu today provided Captain Zhou with some leverage.
"You want to get me drunk? I'll make sure you get drunk."
Perhaps seeing Zhou Lin's performance made them doubt their chances of success. So, Gu Shang and his nephew temporarily left, likely with another plan.
Zhou Lin followed the pair, pretending to need the restroom.
In the restaurant, were they the only ones, or were there additional accomplices?
Without certainty, Zhou Lin couldn't trail too closely.
Once in the restroom, the two checked for anyone else and then spoke.
The nephew said, "That guy has a high alcohol tolerance. I couldn't surpass him even after taking a sobriety pill."
Gu Shang said, "If his alcohol tolerance were weak, Old Zhou wouldn't bring him. What now? Keep drinking? "
"We have to. If we can make that guy collapse, Old Zhou's words will be irreversible. At that time, you can say I admired the military since childhood, and ask Zhou to accept me into the artillery division."
"Okay! I'll talk to him. We were college buddies; he should give me this face."
(End of this chapter)