The sky collapsed, and in the blink of an eye, I found myself transported to Nanluoguxiang.

The conversation was interrupted by the dishes that were served one after another, and the aroma filled the air.

At this moment, Manager Wu walked in with a smile.

Upon seeing this, Li Kaixin quickly stood up to greet him: "Uncle Wu, you've finally arrived! We've been waiting for you to start the meal!"

Manager Wu smiled and said to Li Kaixin, "I'm keeping an eye on things in the kitchen so as not to spoil everyone's fun."

Then, turning to the assembled guests, he greeted them warmly: "Your presence is an honor to our humble establishment!"

When everyone saw the newcomer, they all stood up and responded with smiles.

The leaders present were all familiar with Manager Wu, after all, the state-run hotel was an important place for entertaining guests in this area.

Seeing how familiar Li Kaixin was with Manager Wu, Li Huaide couldn't help but look at the young man with even greater respect.

When they sat down again, Station Chief Zhao and Li Huaide were seated in the main seats, and the others sat down in order.

Li Kaixin took out a bottle of wine he had brought and was about to open it.

Director Xie smiled and pressed Li Kaixin's hand down:

"Kaixin, you're the star of the show today, so let me do the pouring."

Li Kaixin quickly declined, saying, "Uncle Xie, how can I do that?"

"What's wrong with that?"

Director Xie had already opened the bottle skillfully, and while pouring the wine, he said, "Seeing you succeed makes me, as your elder, very happy."

After everyone's glasses were full, Station Chief Zhao raised his glass first:

"Let's toast to Comrade Kaixin today, celebrating his successful driver's license test and his becoming a full-fledged driver at our transportation station."

"Come on, everyone!" he said, standing up.

Everyone stood up and raised their glasses to Li Kaixin.

Li Kaixin was flattered and quickly raised his wine glass, saying sincerely:

"It is a pleasure and an honor for all the uncles, elders and leaders to grace us with their presence amidst their busy schedules."

"This glass of wine is a toast to all the elders!" With that, he tilted his head back and drank the wine in one gulp.

Director Xie laughed heartily, "Great! That's straightforward!"

With that shout, the atmosphere in the entire venue immediately became lively.

Just then.

Chef Xu Dabao brought in the last dish of stewed mutton, smiling as he said, "Distinguished leaders, all the dishes are served. Please enjoy your meal."

After saying that, he winked at Li Kaixin, who returned a grateful look.

After Xu Dabao left, Li Kaixin started urging everyone to start eating.

After Station Chief Zhao took the first bite, everyone else began to eat. The private room was soon filled with exclamations of delight as they savored the delicious food.

Li Huaide, a seasoned gourmet, took a bite of the mutton, his eyes lighting up. He said to Manager Wu, "Old Wu, this mutton is something else! Was it freshly slaughtered today?"

Manager Wu smiled and pointed at Li Kaixin: "You'll have to ask Kaixin about that; he brought all of these today."

Everyone was looking over curiously.

Li Kaixin scratched his head sheepishly: "I went to the countryside yesterday."

Apart from Section Chief Zhang and Li Huaide, who looked puzzled, everyone else suddenly understood.

Seeing this, Director Xie smiled and explained:

"Old Li, you might not know this, but Kaixin isn't just good at driving; he's also a skilled hunter."

"Last time we went on a business trip to Northeast China, this kid hunted a tiger all by himself!"

Director Wang, who had been silent all along, suddenly realized and looked at Li Kaixin with a big smile: "I knew it! The meat you brought last time didn't taste like pork; it was tiger meat!"

Li Kaixin smiled at Director Wang and said, "I'm glad Aunt Wang likes it."

At this moment, Station Chief Zhao, with a touch of warmth, joked, "Are you happy? So you gave them all to everyone else and forgot about me?"

Li Kaixin smiled sheepishly: "Station manager, I was just worried you wouldn't like these."

Seeing Li Kaixin's lively antics made everyone burst into laughter.

Then, seeing the lively atmosphere, Li Huaide took the opportunity to get closer to the other person:

"I'm happy. I'll follow Lao Xie's lead and call me Uncle Li."

"Seriously, would you be interested in coming to our steel rolling mill? Your father works there."

He paused for a moment, then added, "If you come, I'll give you an administrative rank and double your current salary."

Director Xie immediately became displeased: "Old Li, that's not fair of you! I invited you to dinner, and you're trying to poach my employee!"

Li Kaixin knew that Li Huaide was trying to recruit him, but he still refused with neither arrogance nor servility.

"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle Li. I'm doing very well at the transportation station. Station Master Zhao, Uncle Xie, and my mentor have all treated me very well."

Upon hearing this, both Station Chief Zhao and Director Xie showed expressions of relief.

Li Huaide didn't press the matter further and instead revealed his true purpose:

"If you get anything good while hunting in the future, remember Uncle Li. Our factory has a lot of duties to entertain guests, and we're short of these kinds of things."

Upon hearing this, Li Kai readily agreed: "Of course, of course! Uncle Li, please let me know what you need."

Li Huaide nodded in satisfaction.

The atmosphere was harmonious as everyone toasted and drank. Director Wang, the only woman at the table, drank one cup and then switched to tea instead of alcohol; no one urged her to drink more.

The three bottles of wine were quickly emptied, and Manager Wu had four more bottles refilled.

At the end of the banquet, Li Huaide reminded him, "Kaixin, come visit Uncle Li at the steel rolling mill when you have time."

Li Kaixin understood Li Huaide's meaning and nodded in agreement, "I will definitely visit Uncle Li."

After seeing off the leaders, Li Kaixin and Chef Chen stood at the restaurant entrance.

Master Chen asked with concern, "Kaixin, have you had too much to drink?"

"No, Master."

Li Kaixin shook her head first, then asked with concern, "Have you had too much to drink? Should I take you home?"

Master Chen smiled and declined, "No need, this little bit of wine isn't enough."

Before leaving, he patted Li Kaixin on the shoulder again and said earnestly, "Don't take such risks in the future. Hunting in the mountains is ultimately not safe."

Li Kaixin waved his hand: "Okay, Master, take care on your journey."

Watching Master Chen's departing figure, Li Kaixin turned around and went home.

When Li Kaixin pushed open the door, the lights were still on inside.

His parents were sitting at the table in the main room, clearly waiting for him.

"Father, Mother, are you still awake so late?"

Li Kaixin was a little surprised and closed the door behind him.

Qin Xiuli, Li Kaixin's mother, immediately stood up. As she approached, she smelled the alcohol on Li Kaixin and frowned with heartache.

"Why did you drink so much? Did the leaders give you a hard time?"

"Mom, you're not drunk!"

Li Kaixin patted his chest with a smile: "I know what I'm doing; I just had a few drinks with them."

Father Li Mingde carefully examined Li Kaixin's face, and seeing that his expression was clear, he slowly spoke:

"How did the banquet go?"

"Everything is fine."

Li Kaixin sat down on the bench next to his father and continued, "Station Chief Zhao, Uncle Xie, and the others are here. We also met Director Li from the steel rolling mill."

Upon hearing the words "Director Li," Li Mingde's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't ask any further questions, simply nodding.

"That's good. Now that you're a licensed driver, these social engagements are unavoidable, but please be mindful of your limits."

"Father, I know."

After talking for a while, they saw that Li Kaixin's expression was indeed normal.

Mother Qin Xiuli finally felt relieved: "It's getting late, go wash up and go to bed."

"Dad, Mom, you should get some rest too," Li Kaixin replied.

After saying that, they each went back to their rooms.