Chapter 381: A Move with No Regrets

“According to the news from headquarters today, my position might be changing this year.”

Facing everyone’s expectant gazes, Qian Zhengxing beamed. “It’ll most likely be one of the provinces on the Southeast Coast, but there’s also a chance it could be one of the four first-tier megacities.”

“Good news!”

“This is absolutely fantastic news!”

Wang Baoshan’s eyes lit up as he exclaimed repeatedly.

“Qian Hang, congratulations in advance.”

Jiang Man offered her congratulations as well. “You’re getting to share your good news on someone else’s dime tonight. Once it’s official, you’ll have to be the one to treat us.”

“Qian Hang, if you’re going to put it like that…”

“…then we can’t just drink this glass normally.”

Gu Heng reached for the bottle of ’13 Kweichow Moutai with the brown label on the table. He first filled his own decanter, then proceeded to fill the decanters for Wang Baoshan and Qian Zhengxing.

“Bottoms up?”

Gu Heng raised his decanter, arching an eyebrow at the two men in a clear challenge.

“Bottoms up!”

“Let’s do it!”

Seeing this, the two men immediately followed suit and rose to their feet.

Downing a full decanter is probably the highest form of respect at a Northeast drinking table.

Qian Zhengxing and Wang Baoshan were both heavy drinkers to begin with, and with each having their own good news to celebrate, Gu Heng’s bold gesture filled them with a sudden, magnanimous spirit.

“I’ll join you for one!”

Seeing this, Jiang Man also stood up.

Even though Jiang Man was drinking red wine and had a low tolerance, she filled her glass to the brim as well.

With Gu Heng and the others in the private room on their feet, it made no sense for Luo Xiwen and Sun Xian to remain seated, so they joined in on the boisterous fun.

Amidst the CLINKING and CLANKING of glasses, the group drank their toast in a lively clamor. After that drink, the atmosphere in the private room reached its peak.

…

After dinner, the group left the Zhenshui Banquet in their respective cars. But instead of heading home, they all followed Gu Heng’s lead car, driving north.

“Aren’t we going home?”

Luo Xiwen asked, looking quizzically at the cars following behind them.

“Why?”

“Getting impatient?”

Gu Heng’s brow quirked as he asked softly, a smile in his eyes.

“I’m impa…”

“…What would I be impatient for?”

Luo Xiwen understood his implication but was too shy to admit it.

“Oh…”

“You don’t know?”

“Well, if you don’t know, then never mind.”

Gu Heng pretended to ponder this. “In that case, maybe we’ll find another place to drink with Qian Hang and President Wang. We won’t go home until we’re drunk, we’ll drink until dawn.”

“No~”

“We can’t stay out that late~”

Luo Xiwen’s face flushed slightly as she mumbled, “Fine, I’m impatient, alright?~”

“Impatient for what?”

Gu Heng continued to tease her.

Luo Xiwen’s face grew even redder, and she found it impossible to say the words.

Seeing her expression, Gu Heng couldn’t help but break into a gentle smile, deciding not to tease her any further.

As they spoke, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan soon pulled up before the main entrance of the Beichun International Financial Center. The chauffeured cars carrying Qian Zhengxing and the others, which had been following close behind, also pulled up to the entrance.

“Chairman Gu!”

“Miss Luo!”

Qi Min, the President of Zhen Cui Group, personally opened the rear car door for Gu Heng, greeting both him and Luo Xiwen politely.

At the main entrance of the Beichun International Financial Center, besides Zhen Cui Group’s President Qi Min, stood numerous other Zhen Cui Group executives and their families.

Looking further to the sides, one could faintly make out many ordinary Zhen Cui Group employees. Some had brought their whole families, others came in pairs, and all of them looked full of eager excitement.

“Is everything ready?”

Gu Heng asked Qi Min, his gaze sweeping over the scene.

“Everything is ready.”

Qi Min nodded in response. “We’ve already notified the district fire department in advance.”

“Then let’s get started.”

Gu Heng gave a slight nod and instructed Qi Min.

“Understood.”

Qi Min acknowledged and departed, while Gu Heng made small talk with the executives who came up to greet him, also exchanging a few pleasantries with their wives and children.

There were a lot of people, but the atmosphere was very relaxed.

“Did you forget what day it is?”

Gu Heng was crouching down, playing with a couple of chubby toddlers for a moment. He turned his head to look at the slightly bewildered Luo Xiwen and said with a smile, “Today is the ‘Breaking the Fifth’ day, for welcoming the God of Wealth. Even small street-side shops light a few strings of firecrackers to attract good fortune, to say nothing of a massive food and beverage enterprise like our Zhen Cui Group.”

Just as a look of realization dawned on Luo Xiwen’s face, she heard Qi Min giving a loud command into a walkie-talkie not far away.

“Zhang Peisi, light the fuse!”

As Qi Min’s voice fell, countless sparks instantly exploded in front of the Beichun International Financial Center, followed by an endless POPPING and CRACKLING.

Only then did Luo Xiwen notice that the open space in front of the Beichun International Financial Center had been completely covered with ten-thousand-shot firecracker rolls long before they arrived.

What did “completely covered” mean?

As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but the red of the firecracker rolls.

The moment Qi Min gave the order, people in four different directions lit the fuses simultaneously.

From the countless sparks igniting to the billowing smoke of gunpowder, it took no more than ten seconds.

“WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!”

“WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!”

At the same time, just as the firecrackers began to explode, countless flash-bang fireworks shot into the sky.

“Ten thousand cannons firing at once, what a spectacular scene!”

“So satisfying!”

“Incredible!”

Qian Zhengxing walked up to Gu Heng’s side, unable to help but cheer at the sight.

Hearing him, Gu Heng turned to Qian Zhengxing and said with a laugh, “Qian Hang, this is just the beginning. If you’re already this thrilled, what are you going to do later?”

“There’s more?”

Qian Zhengxing was stunned. ‘A spectacle this grand is only the beginning?’ he thought.

“Of course.”

Gu Heng replied with a smile, “If it were just firecrackers and fireworks, I wouldn’t have called you, President Wang, and Dean Jiang over just to watch the show.”