Chapter Thirty-Eight: Bit by Bit

Xu Fei nodded with a smile.

“Director Shen, I truly didn’t know you and my third brother were acquainted before this. It was only yesterday morning, when I asked him, that I learned his father was an old leader in the supply and marketing system.”

Shen Shuming nodded and replied, “That’s right. My earliest work was in the supply and marketing cooperative, and back then, Mingyang’s father was already our leader. In the blink of an eye, forty years have passed.”

At that moment, Zhang Mingyang smiled and refilled Shen Shuming’s teacup.

“My dear Uncle Shen, you must be nearing retirement, aren’t you?”

“Yes. How is your father these days?”

“The same as always—he spends his days fishing and playing chess.”

“Haha, that’s wonderful. When I retire, I’ll go look for him.”

Zhang Mingyang nodded. “Great! The old man at home always said you were clever, and he liked chatting with you even back then.”

“That’s true; your father and I have always gotten along.”

With Zhang Mingyang present, what might have been an awkward gathering instantly became lively and familiar.

Just then, all the dishes were served. Xu Fei stood and filled everyone’s glass.

“Director Shen, I’m the youngest here, so let me toast you first.”

“Alright.”

After they drank, Shen Shuming looked at Xu Fei with a smile. “Now, tell me, what have you come to ask of me?”

Xu Fei glanced at Zhang Mingyang and grinned. “Third Brother, why don’t you explain it to Director Shen?”

“Oh, come now. How could I make it as clear as you? You should do it.”

Xu Fei, seeing this, nodded, stood up, and assumed a tone as if making a formal report.

Shen Shuming waved his hand. “No, no, Xiao Xu, just sit and speak.”

“Yes, don’t make it look like we’re holding a performance review here. Just sit and talk,” Zhang Mingyang said with a laugh.

So Xu Fei sat down, though he still seemed a bit nervous. “Director Shen, about this matter…”

He then explained everything to Shen Shuming, detailing his thoughts and plans.

After Xu Fei finished, Shen Shuming didn’t respond immediately but fell silent, deep in thought.

The atmosphere at the table suddenly grew tense.

Zhang Mingyang glanced around, then tried to ease the tension with a laugh. “Uncle Shen, if this is too difficult for you…”

“No!”

Shen Shuming suddenly looked up at Xu Fei. “I never expected you to be such a remarkable young man!”

Chen Da: ????

Wang Yiming: ?????

Zhang Mingyang was even more bewildered.

The shift was too abrupt. Just a moment ago, he’d thought Director Shen was about to refuse.

“I’ll do it,” Shen Shuming said readily.

That one sentence nearly made Xu Fei leap out of his chair with joy.

He raised his glass, his voice trembling with excitement. “Director Shen, I… I drink to you!”

He downed the glass in one go.

“Hahaha, Xiao Xu, you seem very surprised.”

Xu Fei put down his glass and nodded vigorously.

“Of course, Uncle Shen! Even I’m amazed. I thought you were going to turn us down.”

“Why would I? This is a good thing. The whole country is encouraging economic vitality and reform—this aligns perfectly with the higher-ups’ directives. Of course, I should support you.”

Hearing this, Zhang Mingyang picked up his glass. “Uncle Shen, my father was right about you—you always keep up with the times. I’m impressed!”

“Alright, enough with the flattery. You young people are lucky to live in these times. The state’s policies are backing you, so make the most of it. I may not have the energy to do much myself, but I can still support you.”

“Agreed!”

Zhang Mingyang exchanged glances with Chen and Wang.

The three of them raised their glasses together.

Xu Fei also lifted his glass.

“Come, let’s drink to Uncle Shen!”

The four of them stood, bowed deeply to Shen Shuming, then drained their glasses.

“If you keep drinking like this, I really will have to leave,” Shen Shuming said.

“Why, Uncle Shen?” Zhang Mingyang asked, confused, worried they’d somehow offended the director.

“Since when does anyone bow when toasting someone?”

“Ah?”

Only then did the group realize.

Xu Fei hurriedly stood up. “That’s on me—I’ll drink another as punishment.”

He took another drink.

But Shen Shuming’s expression darkened. “Well, look at you all, drinking up while I haven’t even touched my glass yet! Is this how you host a guest?”

He put on a stern face, but then, unable to keep it up, burst out laughing.

Everyone was startled for a moment, then relaxed, realizing Shen Shuming was teasing them.

In that instant, all four understood just how approachable he really was.

Xu Fei felt a bit of regret for not meeting him sooner.

Who could have thought that, in this new life, not everyone he met would be like Sun Xing or Wang Guoqing.

…

By the time Xu Fei got home, it was already past midnight. He’d walked Director Shen home before returning by himself.

Xu Fei felt more than just gratitude toward Director Shen; there was a genuine sense of having encountered someone who recognized his worth.

In an environment like this, there were few who could truly understand and support him—let alone someone as respected as this old comrade.

Xu Fei had originally wanted to tell Shen Shuming that he’d make sure to give him some benefit, perhaps even a small share in the business. In the end, he dismissed the thought—it would have felt insulting.

“You’re back?” Du Man greeted him with a smile as she came out from the house.

Xu Fei nodded a bit sheepishly.

“Drank too much again? Come on, give me your clothes.”

Though she sounded as if she were scolding him, there was not a trace of reproach on her face. She helped him off with his coat and hung it up.

“Go lie down—I’ll get some water for your feet.”

Although he’d had a lot to drink, Xu Fei was one of those people who never got drunk, no matter how much he drank.

It was a kind of talent. The last time he’d drunk all night with Zhang Mingyang, he’d realized this about himself. Even now, reeking of alcohol, he was as clear-headed as ever.

“I can do it myself.”

“No, you’ve been working all day. Go wait in the room,” Du Man insisted, gently pushing him inside.

In her eyes, what Xu Fei did for the family went far beyond just drinking with others.

Ever since the incident with the sugar, Du Man had realized that everything Xu Fei did now was no longer just for himself.

Soon, Du Man brought in a basin of steaming hot water.

Xu Fei sat up in bed and started to take off his socks, but before he could put his feet in the basin, Du Man reached out to hold them.

“It’s hot,” she said, cupping his foot in her hands.

She gently splashed the hot water over his feet, letting him grow accustomed to the temperature before slowly lowering his feet into the basin.

“Let me do it myself,” Xu Fei protested.

Du Man glanced at him in puzzlement.

“You used to ask me to wash your feet for you.”

“I did?”

She frowned slightly. “You don’t remember?”

Xu Fei didn’t dare shake his head, but deep down, he didn’t want her to stop. He simply stared blankly as Du Man’s soft, delicate hands slowly massaged between his toes.