In the corridor of the private kitchen restaurant, Peng Yang returned from the restroom, frowning as he thought things over. When he reached the private room and was about to turn the handle, the door opened first. Someone came out, brushed past him, and even greeted him with a smile. "President Peng."
Peng Yang grunted. The man's shoulder knocked against him, making him stagger slightly. He instinctively looked back, but only saw the man's retreating figure heading toward the restroom. He did not think much of it and entered the warmly lit private room. The people inside were chatting merrily, and few noticed his return.
In the private room, Ang Tun, a fellow deputy director of the High-Energy Center, was far more uninhibited than Peng Yang. He was somewhat drunk now, patting his big belly and laughing loudly. Beside Ang Tun sat Pu Kang, deputy general manager of the Giantwood Consortium's East 725 District branch. He was even fatter and larger than Ang Tun, and was drunk into an endearingly silly state, swaying with laughter. Sitting together, they looked almost like blood brothers.
Diblong, the white-haired deputy director of the Intelligence Management Center, was discussing night-fishing spots with Liu Xuezhi, who was similarly close to retirement. He spoke of how rare and peaceful they were, yet he was perfectly at ease amid the private room's clamor.
The remaining few were there to drink and dine with them, busy attending to everyone. Peng Yang could not be bothered to remember any of their names.
This was the follow-up to that gathering of subordinates before the joint major manhunt operation by the Giantwood Consortium, Intelligence Management Center, and Internal Affairs Bureau. This time, Peng Yang had learned his lesson and invited Ang Tun, who held greater authority in the district center. Sure