When it was ti to pay the bill after the al, Chen Bin casually asked the server.
"Where is the distillery around here? I’d like to take a look."
The server looked a bit surprised, "Why are you asking about that?"
Without pausing to think, Chen Bin imdiately gave the reason he had prepared beforehand.
"I have a friend who runs a shop in the city. I think the liquor here tastes pretty good, so I plan to bring so back for him to try."
After nodding slightly, the server responded.
"When you leave, turn left and walk straight until you see the river. Follow the river upstream, and you’ll find it. If you can’t find it, just ask for Old Ma, who brews the liquor—everyone knows him."
"Alright, thank you!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Chen Bin imdiately left with Cheng Zhuang and Qian Lang.
They took a cab to a small workshop, with a sign at the entrance that read "Liquor Wholesale" in bold letters.
Seeing an old woman sitting in a recliner fanning herself, Chen Bin politely asked.
"Hello, is Old Ma at ho?"
The old woman opened her eyes and, noticing they were strangers, shook her head.
"No, are you here to buy liquor?"
"Yes, I have a friend who runs a shop in the city. I think your liquor tastes pretty good, so I plan to take so back for him to try."
Hearing it could be a big business deal, the old woman quickly sat up from her recliner, a wide smile spreading across her face.
"Co in, co in, quick!"
As they walked into the workshop, they saw rows upon rows of liquor vats packed close together.
The aroma of liquor filled the air, creating a pleasant sensation.
Soon after, the old woman brought out six cups, pouring two cups for each of them.
"We have two kinds of liquor here—fragrant liquor and sauce-flavored liquor. The fragrant kind is easier to make, so it’s slightly cheaper price-wise..."
The three of them sampled the liquor while listening to the old woman’s introduction.
Chen Bin preferred the sauce-flavored variety, while Cheng Zhuang gravitated toward the fragrant type.
As for Qian Lang, although he liked drinking, his tolerance for alcohol was quite poor.
He babbled incoherently, offering no useful suggestions.
Chen Bin proceeded to ask, "Your liquor has a very special taste—it must be because of your unique brewing techniques, right?"
The old woman’s face lit up with pride as she grinned widely.
"My Old Ma’s ancestors made a living brewing liquor for generations. We’ve been doing business here in Bailing Town for over two or three hundred years. Plenty of people have tried to compete with us, but in the end, they all co away empty-handed."
Smacking his lips, Cheng Zhuang asked in curiosity.
"Your liquor tastes so good—aren’t you worried soone might steal your techniques?"
"Never! Old Ma’s liquor brewing techniques are passed down through the family. Without the recipe, no one can replicate it."
Nodding slightly, Chen Bin had a general understanding of the situation.
"Alright then, give ten bottles of each type. I’ll bring them back for my friend to try."
"No problem, I’ll leave you my contact number so it’s easier to connect later."
The old woman’s household didn’t use proper liquor bottles; they bottled the liquor in mineral water bottles bought online.
Chen Bin didn’t mind—what mattered to him was the quality of the liquor.
After paying and leaving, Cheng Zhuang carried two large plastic bags, looking rather excited.
"Buddy, you bought so much liquor. Don’t tell all of it’s for ?"
In his mind, Chen Bin wasn’t one to enjoy drinking.
And with Qian Lang’s low alcohol tolerance, the conclusion seed to point only to himself.
With a slight smile, Chen Bin responded mysteriously.
"I can only give you half of it. As for the other half, it has a different purpose."
Only then did Cheng Zhuang realize his misinterpretation, his face reddening instantly. "Why don’t you keep it for yourself? I was just joking earlier."
Chen Bin, clearly noticing his embarrassnt, patted his shoulder directly.
"I can’t use all of it anyway. I know you like drinking—which is why I prepared half for you."
"Really? That’s aweso!"
Nodding, Cheng Zhuang looked at Chen Bin with eyes full of gratitude.
The three hailed a cab to drop Cheng Zhuang ho before returning to the County Committee and County Governnt.
Back in his dormitory, Chen Bin took out three bottles of each type of liquor.
He then knocked on Wang Jun’s door.
Seeing Chen Bin, reeking of liquor, holding the bottles in his hand, Wang Jun couldn’t help but ask.
"What’s the occasion? Coming to drink with so late at night."
Chen Bin chuckled and replied, "It’s nothing major—just thought this liquor tasted good and wanted to let you try it."
Once inside, Chen Bin imdiately placed the bottles on the table.
He took the glass Wang Jun handed him and poured both kinds of liquor for sampling.
"Try this one first, godfather."
Wang Jun didn’t hesitate, picking up one glass and sipping slowly.
"This liquor...it’s like Wuliangye, but the flavor feels richer. What kind of liquor is this?"
Due to rules against extravagance from the higher-ups, many officials would hide premium liquor in mineral water bottles during gatherings.
Wang Jun assud the liquor Chen Bin brought was packaged in the sa manner.
However, Chen Bin didn’t bother explaining.
He picked up the other glass and said, "Now try this one."
Nodding, Wang Jun sampled it and looked even more surprised.
"Xiao Bin, you’re practically my advisor now—if there’s sothing you need, just say it. No need for sending gifts like this."
Chen Bin was quite satisfied with his reaction.
He replied with a smile, "I really don’t need anything. I just wanted you to taste the liquor."
Wang Jun, being a high-ranking official, had tried almost every renowned liquor on the market.
Yet, he couldn’t identify the ones Chen Bin brought.
"Xiao Bin, don’t keep in suspense. Just tell —what kind of liquor is this?"
Chen Bin then explained the origin of the liquor.
Upon learning it was locally produced, Wang Jun imdiately grew interested. He quickly emptied the glass in front of him.
Finally, he nodded in satisfaction.
"Not bad. This liquor really stands out. If it’s mass-produced, it could definitely boost the county’s economy."
Seeing his enthusiasm, Chen Bin seized the opportunity to say.
"Liquor production falls under industry but doesn’t harm the environnt. That’s why I thought of letting you try it."
Wang Jun patted Chen Bin’s shoulder with excitent.
"Well done! You’re truly my son. Once I get promoted, there’ll be rewards coming your way!"
Nodding, Chen Bin didn’t say anything further.
He could see Wang Jun wasn’t the scheming type—what he said, he ant.
After a brief mont of thought, Wang Jun suddenly stood up.
"Let’s pay a visit to Bailing Town!"
Seeing it was already past nine in the evening, Chen Bin instinctively shook his head.
"It’s so late—the owners are probably resting now."
"Oh, co on! Just co with ; otherwise, I won’t sleep a wink tonight."
As he spoke, Wang Jun grabbed Chen Bin by the arm and rushed out.
Sighing quietly, Chen Bin felt a bit helpless.
That nickna of Wang Jun as the "Speed Demon" was clearly well-earned.
Everything he did had to be fast and intense.
By the ti they arrived at the distillery, it was already close to ten.
The old woman was holding a bowl of warm water, washing the feet of an elderly man in front of her.
Upon seeing Chen Bin, she exclaid with pleasant surprise.
"Young man, why did you co back so soon?"
Chen Bin quickly gestured toward Wang Jun and said, "This is my friend. He thought the liquor I brought back tasted great and insisted on coming to see for himself."
"Hello, boss!"
The old woman imdiately stood up, hastily wiping her wet hands on her clothes.
She wanted to shake hands with Wang Jun but hesitated, seemingly recalling sothing, and awkwardly pulled her hand back.
Wang Jun, however, paid no attention to her, instead focusing his gaze on the old man.
The elderly man’s hair was graying, his skin darkened by years of labor.
Standing at barely five feet tall with a frail build, he took just a glance to assess his deanor.
"Hello, sir. My last na is Wang."
The old man continued to dry his feet with a towel, ignoring him entirely.
The old woman’s expression turned noticeably sour.
"Old man, can’t you at least try? These people ca here just for you!"
Without lifting his head, the old man puffed on a hand-rolled cigarette and muttered.
"If you’re here to buy liquor, say so. What does your last na matter to ?"
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