A song from Chengdu revived a closed-down pub.

As Zhou Haiyang emerged from the mourning hall, his gaze fell upon Qin Shen.

To be precise, it landed on the phone that was still broadcasting live.

Upon seeing this, Qin Mingdong's expression changed slightly, and he lowered his voice to reprimand Qin Shen: "What are you all standing there for? Turn it off right now!"

"What's the big deal?" Zhou Haiyang interrupted. "I think this is a good approach. It allows audiences across the country to learn about our local customs and culture."

As he spoke, he walked over to Qin Shen, stood naturally in front of the camera, and waved to the live stream audience.

"Hello everyone, I am Zhou Haiyang from the Harbin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism. I am here today as a junior to send off a centenarian on his final journey."

Everyone was a bit confused, having no idea why the Culture and Tourism Bureau had come here.

Zhou Haiyang continued, "In Northeast China, for an old man like this, who is 100 years old, healthy and without any suffering when he passed away, we call it a happy funeral. It's not that we're not sad, but we don't have to be too sad. The old man lived a fulfilling life and passed away peacefully. This is his life's blessing and also a blessing for his family."

Everyone knows this.

After all, Qin Shen had already explained it several times before.

Zhou Haiyang continued, "So you see, there's no crying in this courtyard, everyone's faces are smiling, burning paper money and stewing meat as usual. This isn't disrespectful, it's the greatest respect. We're sending the elderly off in the warmest way, so that they can feel the warmth of home in another world. This is the Northeasterners' view on life and death: come cleanly and leave warmly."

Su Fan watched from the side, wondering to himself, "What are they trying to do?"

Qin Mingdong was also completely puzzled.

He's a bureau chief who works within the system and has dealt with many leaders, but he's never seen a bureau chief go to an ordinary person's funeral to broadcast live.

He didn't believe that a city's cultural and tourism leader would suddenly start chatting with everyone in the live broadcast room for no reason.

The viewers in the live stream thought Zhou Haiyang was a nice person, not at all arrogant.

Zhou Haiyang continued, "Our Northeastern folk customs are rooted in the soil and the fire. Today's live broadcast has shown friends all over the country that our Northeastern funerals are not unlucky or gloomy, but warm and heartwarming. We also welcome friends from all over the country to come to Harbin, take a look, taste our food, drink our wine, and feel the warmth of our Northeastern people."

After speaking, he bowed slightly and stepped out of the camera's view.

After watching, Su Fan exclaimed, "What a talent!"

Qin Mingdong thought to himself, "This actually works?!"

Zhou Haiyang went through all that trouble, but managed to promote Harbin City by taking advantage of the old man's funeral.

Regardless of whether the connection is far-fetched or not, there's really nothing wrong with what was said.

It's all about folk customs, warmth, and the enthusiasm of Northeasterners.

This kind of subtle promotion is much better than a hard, dry "GG".

People in the live stream have already started asking questions.

What are some fun things to do in Harbin?

Which restaurant serves the best iron pot stew?

"Will it be too cold to go during the Spring Festival?"

……

Zhou Haiyang's subordinates quickly chimed in with comments, recommending several official accounts of tourist attractions.

Upon seeing this, Su Fan couldn't help but give Harbin's cultural and tourism sector a thumbs up.

Then, the banquet began.

Several large iron pots in the yard had their lids lifted at the same time, and the aroma of stewed meat instantly filled the entire yard.

Braised fish, braised pork ribs, chicken stew with mushrooms, pork stew with vermicelli...

Large trays carrying dishes were placed on each table.

Qin Shen, holding his phone, began scanning each table, introducing as he went: "Let me tell you, this is a traditional Northeastern Chinese banquet. Look at this braised pork ribs, just this color, a deep reddish-brown. Let me tell you, you won't find this kind of cooking outside of Northeast China!"

The comments in the live stream have lost their original meaning.

"Please stop introducing me, I'm drooling on the screen."

"Watching this during mealtime? Are you even human?"

"I've already opened the food delivery app, but there's no Northeastern Chinese food! I'm so upset!"

……

The courtyard was bustling with noise and steaming with activity.

Just as Su Fan was about to find an empty table to sit down, Qin Mingdong came over and pulled him aside, saying in a low voice, "Xiao Fan, come here and sit at the head table."

Su Fan was stunned for a moment. Before he could refuse, he was pulled to the large round table next to the mourning hall.

Several people were already seated at the table, including cadres from the Culture and Tourism Bureau brought by Zhou Haiyang, as well as elderly people of high seniority from the village.

Just as Qin Mingdong was about to introduce Su Fan, Zhou Haiyang raised his hand and beckoned, "Xiao Fan, come, sit here."

Su Fan walked over, sat down next to Zhou Haiyang, and greeted him with a smile, "Hello, Director Zhou."

Zhou Haiyang said, "I heard this is your first time here? You should definitely try some of our Northeastern cuisine."

Su Fan didn't mince words: "I've been eyeing this for a long time. I've been thinking about it a lot back in Qin Province."

At this moment, Zhou Haiyang suddenly asked, "Seventh Brother should have called you, right?"

Su Fan was taken aback. Although he knew that the "seventh brother" Zhou Haiyang was referring to was Qi Tongwei, he was still stunned for a moment.

Zhou Haiyang explained, "Dawei is the seventh oldest in our class, and since his surname is Qi, we all call him 'Seventh Oldest'."

Zhou Haiyang's way of addressing Su Fan clearly shows that he doesn't consider Su Fan an outsider.

Su Fan replied, "I called. Director Qi said Harbin is a great place and told me to experience the local customs and culture. He also said that if possible, he would help promote our area."

That was a well-chosen statement; it wasn't an empty promise, it subtly conveyed Qi Tongwei's meaning, and it gave Zhou Haiyang a convenient way out.

Zhou Haiyang smiled upon hearing this, picked up his wine glass, and raised it to Su Fan: "Alright! Since Seventh Brother has said so, let's eat and drink to our hearts' content. We shouldn't drink too much on this kind of occasion, but today is different. Today is a joyous funeral. The old man passed away happily at the age of one hundred. Let's celebrate for him. Come on, let's have a drink!"

Su Fan then drank a glass as well.

The liquor from Northeast China is strong on the palate and has a powerful aftereffect; a single sip can burn from your throat all the way down to your stomach.

Su Fan was well aware of the drinking capacity of people from Northeast China.

In his previous life, he drank a lot with his friends from Northeast China, and that's how he developed his drinking capacity.

Even so, after a few drinks, he realized that he had overestimated himself.

It wasn't that the other person was forcing him to drink; they weren't forcing him at all, they were just drinking along with him.

You drink one glass, he drinks one glass.

You drink two glasses, and he drinks two glasses.

Zhou Haiyang drank alcohol as easily as drinking water, without changing his expression or even losing focus.

The officials from the Culture and Tourism Bureau next to them were all heavy drinkers.

Su Fan drank about half a jin (250ml) of the liquor, and his mind started to wander.

He glanced at Zhou Haiyang, who looked very energetic.

Su Fan took a deep breath, knowing he couldn't drink anymore; if he did, he'd definitely have to crawl under the table.

Just then, Zhou Haiyang picked up his glass again and turned to him: "Xiao Fan, come on, let's have another one!"

Su Fan pleaded, "Director Zhou, you're being too enthusiastic, I'm a little overwhelmed. But to be honest, I suddenly had an idea and I want to write it down quickly, otherwise I'm afraid I'll forget it later. Can I owe you the wine?"