Chen Jiye took the keys and jogged out.
He seemed to have sobered up quite a bit. He was happy to have more good liquor on the way.
In less than two minutes, he came back carrying a bottle of Moutai. He set it on the table, label facing out, and the Flying Fairy design flashed under the light.
Gu Junhao took the bottle, twisted it open in a few quick motions, and filled his own glass first. He pushed a glass toward Fan Jingbang. Fan Jingbang waved him off. Chen Jiye readily took it and filled it, then raised his glass to Gu Junhao and drained it in one gulp.
Wang Xiaoliang paid them no attention and kept eating.
The cafeteria gradually grew louder, the clatter of bowls and chopsticks mingling with talk and laughter. He picked up some of the beef and potatoes the older woman had cooked and chewed a couple of times-she really could cook. The beef was tender, and the potatoes had soaked up the flavor.
He put down his chopsticks and stood.
It was a small movement, but those who needed to quiet down did.
More than twenty pairs of eyes turned toward him.
"I'd like to say a few words."
He looked around.
"My name is Wang Xiaoliang. I'm the new general manager sent by the group. Today is my first day, and there are still a lot of things I'm unfamiliar with."
He paused.
"Over the next two days, I'll speak with each of you individually to get a sense of the situation. I hope you'll cooperate."
He finished.
Li Shumei was the first to clap, her hands smacking together as though she meant to clap them raw. The others joined in with a few scattered claps. Some clapped twice before lowering