That evening, Liu Gaolou hosted a welcome dinner for Li Long. Bek joined them, along with a local middle-aged Han Chinese man.
"His name is Wu Yongbo. He's from Xinyuan and does business in Khorgos too."
"Hardly business, just a little trading. Without Mr. Liu looking after me, I'd never have gotten this far. Boss Li, Mr. Liu says you're an honored guest, so you're an honored guest of mine too. Here, let me toast you!"
Wu Yongbo stood, and Li Long rose with his glass too. They clinked glasses and drank.
Wu Yongbo was good at livening things up, telling jokes and local anecdotes. Some were a little crude, but they were all men; a few laughs soon warmed up the atmosphere.
Halfway through the meal, Wu Yongbo went out and brought back two girls in ethnic dress. He said with a smile:
"Just drinking is no fun. I've invited two friends to dance and liven things up."
Li Long was quite surprised. Did they already have entertainment like this?
He guessed Wu Yongbo had brought them in from outside, and that they had nothing to do with the restaurant. There shouldn't have been anything like that at this time.
Both girls were pretty. One was rather lively, joining Wu Yongbo in offering good wishes and doing a fine job of brightening the mood. The other was more reserved, holding her skirt with her head lowered without speaking. When Wu Yongbo began singing, the two girls started to dance.
Compared with the professionals of later years, their dancing wasn't outstanding, but their youthful energy was refreshing. Seeing how at ease Liu Gaolou looked, Li Long guessed he had experienced this sort of occasion often and was used to it.
The girls danced happily, and Wu Yongbo showed some skill