Qian Binzi pushed away Li Xiangdong, who was staring into his eyes, and said helplessly, "I'm really not drunk."
Li Xiangdong smiled. "Alright, then let's clean up the table."
"No… no need… leave it… I'll… I'll clean tomorrow when I'm up."
Azhe suddenly grabbed the table, struggling to stand, swaying so much he nearly fell. Li Xiangdong quickly steadied him. "Sit back down."
He pushed Azhe back into his chair, made sure he was settled, and grabbed the thermos to pour a cup of water for him, Xiang Lin, and Zhang Sen, who were already plastered.
"Xiao Linzi, Sanmu, drink some water to sober up. We should head back soon."
In his past life, Li Xiangdong would've just dusted off and left, no way he'd be babysitting these drunks.
But now, he couldn't do that. Having lived decades longer than the others, he understood basic courtesy.
Besides, the room was a mess—cups and plates everywhere, bones strewn on the floor. They couldn't just leave it for Azhe's dad to clean up, could they?
Hearing the sound of running water from the courtyard, Azhe's father came out of the east wing and saw Qian Binzi washing dishes. "Leave it, you don't need to do that. If you're done drinking, head home so your families don't worry."
Li Xiangdong stepped out of the main room, tossing the table-cleaning rag to Qian Binzi. "Uncle, don't worry about it. We're waiting for Xiao Linzi and Sanmu to sober up anyway. We're idle, and there's not much to do—it'll be done in a bit."
Qian Binzi added, "Uncle, go rest."
"Then I'll grab the flashlight for you guys to use on your way back."
Azhe's father soon returned with a flashlight, clicked it on and off to check the battery, and handed it to Li Xiangdong. "Dongzi, take this. It'll light your way home."
"Thanks, Uncle."
Li Xiangdong and Qian Binzi split the work—one swept the floor and wiped the table, the other washed dishes. It looked like a lot, but it didn't take long.
Back in the main room, they waited for Xiang Lin and Zhang Sen, slumped in their chairs sipping water, to sober up.
Azhe's father helped his blackout-drunk son back to his room, then joined Li Xiangdong and Qian Binzi in the living room. The three lit cigarettes and chatted.
Azhe's father was in high spirits today and thought highly of Li Xiangdong and his friends. Figuring they'd find out eventually, he shared his plan to go abroad with Azhe.
As the conversation flowed, Li Xiangdong subtly offered a few words of advice.
Azhe's father, perhaps having been in a state of anxiety before, suddenly saw things clearly after the nudge. "Dongzi, you're right. We should send a letter first to check on Azhe's mom's situation abroad. Otherwise, we'd be going in blind."
Qian Binzi said, "Uncle, I don't think there's anything great about going abroad. They're talking about reform and opening up now, right? You don't need to worry anymore. Why not go back to teaching at the university? It's steady."
"I'll think it over, I'll think it over."
Azhe's father waved his hand. A few days ago, a colleague from his old university had told him his job would soon be reinstated, but he wasn't keen on returning.
Recalling how his own students had dragged him off the podium back then, he no longer had the courage to stand up there again.
Li Xiangdong noticed Azhe's father's hesitation. In his past life, Azhe had mentioned that his dad saw a psychologist abroad and was diagnosed with some kind of mental condition.
Li Xiangdong, a rough guy, didn't know the details of psychological disorders—he only understood things like diarrhea—but he knew Azhe's father couldn't face the podium anymore.
He suggested, "Uncle, I don't think you need to go back to the university. You taught economics, right? You could try transitioning to a government job. Reform and opening up is all about developing the economy—it's right up your alley."
Azhe's father's eyes lit up, though he remained uncertain, deciding to put it off. "Enough about me. Let's talk about you guys. You've all gotten married these past few years. How old are your kids…"
The three chatted for over half an hour. Xiang Lin and Zhang Sen, after downing several cups of water, were much more sober.
"Uncle, thanks for having us. We're heading back."
Li Xiangdong remembered Azhe's promise about the square stools. "Uncle, Azhe said you don't want those stools anymore. Can I have them?"
"We don't need them, but Dongzi, why do you want these old-fashioned things? I don't want to get you in trouble. Let's just toss them."
Azhe's father had no fondness for such items now, fearing they'd bring trouble.
Li Xiangdong found his reaction amusing. "Uncle, you don't need to live on edge like before. That's all in the past. Just put your mind at ease."
He called Qian Binzi and the others to help, each grabbing a stool for him.
There was no moon tonight, and it was pitch black outside Azhe's place.
With the country's electricity supply limited, prioritized for industrial use, even in the capital, households often faced power outages. Candles were still a daily necessity.
Streetlights? Forget it. Even if they existed, they were mostly decorative.
Li Xiangdong led the way, holding the flashlight Azhe's father had given him.
The silent alley made him, someone who'd just returned from the bustling future, feel a bit uneasy.
To keep his mind off it, he spoke up. "Xiao Linzi, Sanmu, you two alright now?"
Zhang Sen said, "I'm fine. Pissed it out, feeling much better."
"Then hold those plates tight. Don't drop them, or you'll get an earful from your wives when you get home."
Each of their families had contributed a dish, so the plates had to be returned after the drinking. A broken home's worth a fortune—every needle and thread costs money!
"I brought back so much meat. Even if I smashed the plate, what's she gonna do? Dare complain, and I'll give her a slap!"
Xiang Lin, staggering as he walked, was emboldened by the liquor. With his wife not around, he could talk as big as he liked.
"Tch, what a load of bull."
"I bet it's your wife who'd slap you."
"Hahaha, Xiao Linzi's a head shorter than his wife. He couldn't reach her even if he tried."
Their laughter grew louder, prompting a nearby resident to open a window and yell at them.
Having wives and kids now, they were more mindful of their reputations than before and quickly ducked their heads and scurried off.
"Just leave the stools by my gate. You guys head back. Don't forget to return the flashlight to Azhe's place tomorrow."
Li Xiangdong stood at his front gate and handed the flashlight to Qian Binzi, whose home was the farthest.
Looking at the tightly shut gate, he gave it a push—it didn't budge. At this hour, everyone at home was asleep, especially his grandparents, who were old and slept lightly. Waking them wouldn't do.
Li Xiangdong squatted by the gate, pulled out his last cigarette, and lit it. After watching Qian Binzi and the others disappear around the alley corner, he stood up and walked to the back wall of the west wing where he lived, near the earthen bed.
He gave the wall two hard kicks, listened for any sounds from inside, then leisurely smoked as he strolled back to the gate.