The programmer and his woman

After countless days and nights of anticipation and anxiety, the art department finally completed the image data in the design drawing. I knew its significance to the entire project, so I immediately handed it over to the expert in the R&D department.

After Lao Gao received the picture, he did not immediately get back to work, but suddenly changed the topic to something seemingly unimportant. "Xiao Wang, you see, the core of this product development is actually still supported by our programming department. Did you forget the meal I mentioned to you last time?" His words revealed a bit of ridicule, but it also made me realize that I had indeed neglected the appointment with him because of my recent busyness.

I quickly explained, "Mr. Gao! I'm so sorry. I've been so busy lately that I feel dizzy. Please bear with me! Or you can set a time and I will definitely treat you to a meal to make amends."

Lao Gao raised his lips slightly, waved his hand gently, and said with a smile: "Don't think too much! I actually just want you to meet Liang Zi, the person in charge of our backend R&D, so that you can get to know each other better and build up a relationship! After all, you will need to work closely together in the future, right?"

Hearing this, I woke up as if from a dream, and nodded repeatedly in response: "Oh, I see! You are very thoughtful."

"Then let's just choose today. We have time after get off work, so let's go together." Lao Gao suggested.

Without even thinking about it, I immediately agreed: "Okay, I'll follow your arrangements!"

As the workday was about to end, I asked several colleagues in the office if they were willing to go to the dinner together. The reason why I had this idea was actually very simple: first, I had never participated in such an event organized by the company before, so I needed someone to accompany me, so that I would be more natural in dealing with it; second, if there were other people present, they could serve as witnesses to prove that this dinner was not for personal purposes, but was entirely for work.

However, what I didn't expect was that when I made this invitation, many colleagues expressed their wish to go home early. Only Xiao Chen was willing to go with me. Although I was a little disappointed, I was still very grateful for his support.

So, Xiao Chen, I, Lao Gao from the R&D department, and Liang Zi, the backend manager, set out for the restaurant recommended by Lao Gao. This restaurant is located in a busy street and very close to our company. Looking from a distance, you can see its extremely wide storefront, and the overall decoration style exudes a luxurious atmosphere everywhere.

As soon as he entered the restaurant, Lao Gao was attracted by the huge seafood tank at the door. Through the clear glass, he could clearly see all kinds of fresh seafood swimming in the water, as if showing people their freshness and vitality.

"Liangzi, what do you think of this lobster? How about we try it?" As Lao Gao spoke, he pointed to a huge lobster in the tank that was half a person's height.

Liangzi looked in the direction that Lao Gao pointed, his eyes fell on the lobster, then turned back to Lao Gao, smiled and nodded in response: "Okay, Mr. Gao, everything is up to you."

At this moment, I was staring at the huge lobster, and I couldn't help but feel panic. Such a big lobster must be very expensive, right? So, how much money would it cost to satisfy my meal?

At this moment, Lao Gao called out, "Director Wang, let's go in first and find a seat to sit down and talk."

He seemed to notice that I was distracted, so he added: "Don't worry, I didn't choose the biggest lobster, I just picked a smaller one."

I was relieved to hear this, but I was still a little nervous about the upcoming feast. After all, even a small lobster would not be cheap.

But now that things have come to this, I can only bite the bullet and follow Lao Gao into the restaurant. After we each found a seat and sat down, Lao Gao suggested that we should have a couple of drinks to celebrate today's joy.

At the banquet with bright lights and noisy voices, Lao Gao, with a red face, confided to me with hazy eyes: "Brother! Actually, we should have had this drink earlier today! When you first joined the company, we should have found a place like this to get together and keep in touch! After all, we all work for the boss, and many things are fine as long as we understand them, and there is no need to be too serious. You just came to the company, and I can see at a glance that you are different from those who focus on products. You must have experience in development, right? However, I have to remind you that this company is not yours, nor mine. We just need to do our part well and appear to be acceptable on the surface." After that, Lao Gao raised his glass enthusiastically and called out loudly: "Come on, brother, don't say anything, just drink this glass!"

At this moment, Lao Gao's voice was a little hoarse, but the enthusiasm in his eyes had not diminished at all. As he spoke, he skillfully filled my glass with wine again. The crystal clear amber liquid sparkled charmingly under the bright light, as if telling the endless emotions and stories in Lao Gao's heart...

I held the wine glass tightly, and a hint of coolness came through my fingertips. I raised my head and my eyes fell on Lao Gao. His face was flushed, his eyes were slightly narrowed, and he was obviously a little drunk. "Oh, Director Wang, this is not very nice of you." Lao Gao glared at me and said with a slightly dissatisfied tone, "You are taking small sips, do you look down on me, or do you think my wine is not good enough?" There was a hint of ridicule in his tone, but more of it was an earnest expectation.

I quickly explained, "Mr. Gao, you misunderstood. I really can't drink too much." However, before I finished speaking, Xiao Chen, who was sitting next to me, suddenly stood up. He was thin, but at this moment he showed extraordinary determination. "Mr. Gao, I'll drink this glass for Mr. Wang." Xiao Chen's voice was clear and firm. He reached out and grabbed the bottle of wine on the table, raised his head without hesitation, and drank the wine in the bottle. The wine rushed down his throat like a waterfall, and he closed his eyes tightly, as if he was enjoying this moment of heroism.

"Oh, the more I look at Xiao Chen, the more I like him." Seeing this, Lao Gao showed a hint of admiration on his face and couldn't help but exclaimed in admiration.

He patted my shoulder gently and continued in a firm tone: "Xiao Chen is the most valuable talent in your department! Although he has not been in the company for a long time, his work drive and positive spirit are really admirable. Come on, Director Wang, you have to learn from Xiao Chen and finish this bottle of wine."

After hearing what Lao Gao said, I tightly held the wine glass in my hand, feeling a little hesitant. Although Xiao Chen had already drunk a bottle of wine, which made Lao Gao very happy, Lao Gao obviously didn't want to let me go. I knew Lao Gao's personality very well, and he valued sincerity and generosity the most.

However, with my current alcohol tolerance, I'm afraid I'll fall to the ground drunk if I drink this whole bottle of wine. "Mr. Gao, don't be so anxious to get me drunk." I smiled bitterly and said softly, "The main reason we're here this time is to discuss matters related to program development."

Lao Gao waved his hand, seeming a little impatient with my evasion, "This is easy, Liangzi is here too, as long as you drink this bottle of wine, I will agree to your conditions on behalf of Liangzi." He patted his chest, showing a look of confidence and assurance.

I looked at the wine in front of me, feeling really torn. After all, this stuff is not a joke. If you drink too much, the consequences will be disastrous. Just when I was hesitating, Xiao Chen suddenly reached out, swept past my hand like a gust of wind, and snatched the bottle away. Then, he raised his head without hesitation, put the bottle mouth to his mouth, and gulped it down.

However, this time I noticed a subtle detail - when he drank, he slightly raised his chin, causing most of the wine to flow down his chin. Even so, he actually drank a considerable amount of wine. "Good job, Xiao Chen!" Lao Gao clapped his hands excitedly, with admiration in his eyes, "I really didn't make a mistake, you are indeed an honest person. Based on what you did just now, I will immediately promise you that Liangzi will write this program. Hey, Director Wang, I am saying this specifically to Xiao Chen, you have to thank him well."

I stared at Xiao Chen with worry, and saw that his face had turned pale, and it was obvious that his body was already exhausted. But he still managed to hold on, and waved his hand with difficulty, indicating that he was fine. Unfortunately, before he could finish his words, he collapsed on the table like a building that had lost its support, and fell into a deep sleep.

Lao Gao looked at Xiao Chen and sighed, "Oh, Chen'er's alcohol tolerance is not that good. But then again, he drinks even though he knows he can't drink much. This is a real man. I like it!" His words were full of praise and admiration.

Lao Gao glanced at me, as if he saw my worry. He patted my shoulder and continued, "Today is really thanks to Xiao Chen. This child is so sensible. Okay, this meal is good. Thank you, Mr. Wang, for your hospitality today. I will naturally do what I promised you. Then please go and settle the bill, Mr. Wang, and let's go."

I took the bill and saw the number on it. My heart trembled. This meal cost more than 2,000 yuan! I muttered to myself, can I get this money reimbursed when I return to the company? I turned around and looked at Xiao Chen, but he was already drunk and unconscious. In desperation, I had to take out my salary card and prepare to advance the fee first, and then discuss with the vice president how to reimburse when I return to the company.

"Mr. Wang, let's take a walk together?" Lao Gao invited me with a smile.

I waved my hand and replied with a smile: "Oh, no, we are not going the same way. I live over there." As I spoke, I pointed in the opposite direction from him.

Lao Gao quickly shook his head and explained, "Oh, I'm not going home, I'm going back to the company."

Hearing this, I couldn't help but wonder, "Go back to the company? Are you going to work overtime to write code?"

Lao Gao laughed and said jokingly, "It seems that you drank a lot tonight. You are talking nonsense. Who would go to the company to work overtime to write programs at night?"

I frowned slightly, becoming more confused. "Didn't you just say you were going back to the company?"

Lao Gao patiently explained, "I mean, we need to clock in at the office. You see, we've been eating outside for more than two hours. If we clock in later, it will be equivalent to working overtime for two hours!"

It suddenly dawned on me that this was what Lao Gao meant! Wasn't the last overtime star from their R&D department? It seems that their R&D department is very good at using this method.

"What about Xiao Chen? He's so drunk now, I guess he can't even walk." I asked with a worried look on my face. "Don't worry, you two can help him go back to the company to clock in, and then call a taxi to take him home safely." Lao Gao patted my shoulder and comforted me.

So, the four of us returned to the company. In front of the clock-in machine, Lao Gao personally took Xiao Chen's hand and pressed it, "Isn't that enough? Xiao Chen is such a good kid, how can we not let him make this money?"

"Well, Director Wang, Liangzi and I have some things to take care of, so we'll be leaving first. I'll trouble you to take care of Xiao Chen in your department." Lao Gao said, and quickly left, pulling Liangzi.

Xiao Chen and I were left standing in the empty office. I looked down at Xiao Chen, who was still drunk. I sighed and prepared to find a car to take him home.

However, things did not go as smoothly as I imagined. I stopped several taxis, but when the drivers saw how drunk Xiao Chen was, they refused without hesitation. I looked at Xiao Chen helplessly, smelling of alcohol and covered in dust, and couldn't help but sigh in my heart: Who would dare to take him?

Just as I was helping Xiao Chen sit on the curb in a daze, he suddenly mumbled, "I'm fine... I can go home by myself."

I shook my head and ignored his nonsense. I insisted on sending him home, but I stopped several cars and no driver was willing to stop. Seeing Xiao Chen like this, I was really worried.

Just when I was getting anxious, Xiao Chen suddenly stood up. He dusted off the dust on his body and said goodbye to me: "Director Wang, thank you. I'm really fine and can go home by myself." After that, he walked away steadily.

I stood there, watching his back gradually go away, and I couldn't help but feel a chill in my heart. Is this Xiao Chen really pretending? Was all his previous behavior intentional? Oh my God, this Xiao Chen's scheming is too scary!