A doctor who travels through two eras

But Lin Sanqi didn't say anything. He was there to do business, not to follow the rules. He would eat if he could, and if he couldn't, he would just go back and order takeout. It didn't matter.

Southerners are pragmatic in business; they don't care much about formalities.

Yao Zhuohan saw that the chairman of the other company was sitting to the left of his boss. He was about to sit down next to his boss to the right when he was stopped by a female public relations officer at the door.

"Secretary Yao, you're mistaken. You are a distinguished guest today and should sit to Mr. Zhou's left."

Lin Sanqi blinked, realizing the flavor, and thought there must be some local custom involved, so she asked curiously:

"Jay Chou, and this beautiful lady, is the way you're sitting related to any local custom?"

The female public relations officer was named Huang Yuqi. She was the head of the reception office at Daisy Company. She was about 30 years old, wore a professional suit, had long wavy hair, and smelled of a pleasant perfume. She was very elegant.

The worst part is that she was wearing a tight-fitting undershirt, and the slit in her bra was almost up to her navel. Her ample bosom was so dazzling it could blind anyone.

Huang Yuqi then spoke up with a smile, introducing:
"Chairman Lin, there are strict rules for seating arrangements at banquets in Dongshan Province."

Typically, the host sits in the center of the table, while other guests are seated in order of status and relationship to the host.

This seating arrangement not only reflects respect for the host, but also demonstrates the order and etiquette of Dongshan people at the dinner table.

For example, Jay Chou's seat is called the host's seat, which is the most important position for the host and is usually held by the highest-ranking person or the most distinguished person to drink with.

This position, located directly opposite the entrance, is crucial for controlling the pace of the entire banquet, including managing the duration and the amount of alcohol consumed.

At a banquet in Dongshan, the host plays a crucial role, not only as a symbol of the host's status but also as a key figure in controlling the entire banquet process.

I sat directly opposite the host, with my back to the door. This was the second-in-command position, the second most important person to the host.

In the traditional sense of Dongshan, this position was usually occupied by the person who would treat others to a meal and pay the bill.

However, with the popularity of hosting guests, the host often brings a whole host of guests, so the task of paying the bill does not actually need to be handled by the second host.

Therefore, the main responsibility of the assistant host is to guide the guests to drink freely and to do a good job of accompanying them while they drink.

For out-of-town friends who are unfamiliar with this rule, like Chairman Lin and Secretary Yao, there is actually a simple way to tell: just observe how the napkins in the cups on the table are folded.

Mr. Lin, please note that the way the host and co-host fold their napkins is unique and clearly different from the way they are folded in other positions.

The host's napkin is usually folded into a cylinder and placed in the glass, while the co-host's napkin is cleverly folded into a fan shape. By observing these subtle differences, we can easily identify these two key positions.

Following this logic, the person seated to the right of the host is the "main guest," the most honored guest of the evening, while the person seated to the left of the host is the "second most honored guest," and Secretary Yao is the second most honored guest tonight.

Lin Sanqi looked around and, seeing that everyone was already seated, asked curiously:
"Is there any particular arrangement for the other guests' seating? Manager Huang, please help me out. I'd be so sorry if my ignorance of the rules spoiled everyone's fun."

Huang Yuqi's smile was like a spring breeze, exuding the demeanor of a mature woman, making Yao Zhuohan feel extremely inferior.

"Chairman Lin, you've come to the right person. There are indeed other rules regarding seating arrangements. For example, the seat to your right is called the Sixth Guest, the one next to it is called the Third Accompaniment, and so on down to the Fifth and Fourth Guests."

Counting from my right, there are the third guest, the eighth guest, the fourth accompanying guest, the seventh guest, and then up to Secretary Yao, who is the deputy guest.

Since Chairman Lin and his two colleagues are here today, the seats that were originally reserved for guests have been taken over by several managers from Daisy Company.

As Manager Huang introduced the liquor, he stood up, took the Moutai liquor from the waiter, and personally filled the bottles for Lin Sanqi and the others.

Lin Sanqi wasn't a big drinker, nor did he particularly like baijiu (Chinese liquor). Seeing five whole cases of Moutai displayed next to the waiter, he was immediately alarmed and quickly tried to dissuade him:

"Chairman Zhou, Manager Huang, since there are specific rules about seating arrangements, I suppose there are even more rules about drinking in Dongshan Province?"

Looking back, I saw that the small wine glasses in front of me were already filled to the brim.

If you drink one of these, you'll probably get drunk before you even get to eat any cold dishes.

Zhou Daxin stood up with a smile, giving Lin Sanqi no chance to refuse:
"We have a distinguished guest today. Chairman Lin has traveled all the way from Huadu to support our Daisy Company's business. Let's raise a glass together to welcome Chairman Lin. Deep feelings lead to a good drink!"

The crowd cheered and everyone stood up, raising their glasses. Lin Sanqi's lips twitched, thinking that he should at least give the host face with the first drink, so he gritted his teeth and picked up his glass as well, and everyone downed their drinks.

What Lin Sanqi didn't know was that this first cup was called the "entrance wine." According to the rules, the host would take three sips, the deputy host would take three sips, and they would finish the cup in six sips.

But Zhou Daxin was a soldier by training and had a straightforward personality. He liked to start by drinking three cups before following the rules.

After downing a glass of Moutai, Lin Sanqi's brows furrowed from the spiciness. Just as he was about to sit down and try some cold dishes, the assistant host, Manager Huang, poured him another full glass of liquor.

"Chairman Lin, I admire big bosses and entrepreneurs the most in my life. You became the chairman of Lingnantang Group at such a young age, becoming the largest wild ginseng supplier in the country and the owner of the top TCM clinic in the country."

"Just for your success in your career and your refined demeanor, I toast you. We people of Dongshan are straightforward; our drinking capacity reflects our sincerity. Chairman Lin, watch my performance."

After saying that, Huang Yuqi downed three ounces of Moutai in one gulp.

Lin Sanqi was now in a bind. If a woman had done it, how could he refuse?
So he chuckled and said, "Alright, Ms. Huang is a woman who doesn't yield to men. You have to give me face. I'll do it."

After downing the first two cups, six ounces of Moutai, Lin Sanqi instantly felt a burning sensation from his mouth through his esophagus to his stomach.

The secretary, Yao Zhuohan, could only desperately try to signal to her boss to take it easy. In this kind of situation, she was already being given face by being allowed to sit at the table, so naturally she had no right to speak.

Unexpectedly, the escorts stood up again, and Sales Director Kong Hongde raised his glass with a smile:
"Chairman Lin, I work in sales. Rest assured, our company's all-terrain vehicles, in terms of both design and quality, are in line with the most advanced international standards, but the price is the lowest in the world."

I, Lao Kong, can assure you with my heart that we will cooperate with Lingnantang with the utmost sincerity. Come, come, may our cooperation be as mellow and long-lasting as this wine. Can you feel the sincerity of us Dongshan people?

The other men drinking with them also laughed and cheered, shouting in unison, "Cheers!"

Lin Sanqi held the wine glass, feeling like he was about to vomit blood. However, he was too proud to refuse the three opening drinks given such politeness.

So, gritting his teeth, he raised his glass again: "Cheers to the enthusiasm of the people of Dongshan!"

“Okay~~~”

With a clatter, Lin Sanqi picked up his wine glass and downed it in one gulp. Then he immediately felt dizzy as the alcohol took effect.

Although he wasn't drunk—after all, he owned thousands of tons of Moutai liquor—he started to sway.

Seeing that the four companions were about to stand up again, Lin Sanqi couldn't stand it and quickly waved his hand, saying:
"Stop, stop, stop! I know how hospitable the people of Dongshan are, but stop here. I still want to eat your famous Dongshan dish, fish head. At least let me have a taste of your hot food!"

Lin Sanqi's words were half true and half false, but Zhou Daxin was a shrewd man and knew that if it were an ordinary guest, he would definitely have to go along with the host's wishes, which was somewhat like taking advantage of him.

But when it comes to a billionaire like Lin Sanqi, you can't easily offend him. If it were Ma Huateng, who would dare to force him to drink?

So Zhou Daxin gestured to his subordinates with his eyes, and everyone understood. Huang Yuqi, the social butterfly, immediately warmed up the atmosphere by saying:
"Chairman Lin is truly knowledgeable. There are many customs and etiquette surrounding eating fish at banquets in our Dongshan Province."

When a fish is served, its head must be facing the guest of honor as a sign of respect, and the guest of honor should drink three glasses of wine in return.

The person whose tail is facing the fish must drink four cups of wine; this is the traditional saying that the head is three and the tail is four.

There are also customs associated with eating fish. For example, fish eyes are given to leaders, which means to be highly regarded; fish fins are given to distinguished guests, which means to be a pillar of support; fish mouths are given to close friends, which means to be inseparable; and fish tails are given to subordinates, which means to entrust them with important responsibilities.

Give the fins to the offspring, soaring high; give the belly to new acquaintances, heartfelt words; give the buttocks to the downtrodden, for future blessings are assured; eat the fish meat as you please, for abundance year after year.

In short, Dongshan's drinking culture is very elaborate, and many people say it's too cumbersome. However, this is actually a sign of respect for the etiquette and culture passed down from our ancestors, and it further demonstrates the grandeur of our hometown, the land of Confucius and Mencius.

Lin Sanqi thought to himself, "These people from Dongshan are truly warm-hearted and hospitable, but they are also truly troublesome."

He glanced at his secretary again and saw that the young woman's face was as red as a female Guan Yu after drinking a glass of baijiu. He felt a little sorry for her.

"Mr. Jay, I appreciate the hospitality of the people of Dongshan. Let's relax and enjoy ourselves. Don't overdo it. I still want to try the best of your Boshan cuisine. Getting drunk would be a waste of your kindness."

Zhou Daxin put down his wine glass:
“Chairman Lin is right. We're from Malaysia, so let's just have a meal. All these rules are annoying. Listen to Chairman Lin, everyone can relax and no one is allowed to toast anymore.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Sanqi finally breathed a sigh of relief; if he drank any more, he really would have vomited. (End of Chapter)