On the two-tiered dining cart, the first tier held two large white bowls, the kind used in hotels for serving soup. The second tier held a case of twelve bottles of Kinmen Kaoliang liquor.
Chen Yang glanced at the packaging; it clearly stated an alcohol content of 58%!
Ning Kuncheng walked to the cart, personally took a bottle of liquor from the case, and said with a slightly smug look:
"I, Ning Kuncheng, am neither greedy for money nor lustful, I just enjoy a little drink. This is a 1978 Chiang Kai-shek inauguration commemorative liquor that I personally obtained from across the street. My stock is running low, so I brought out a case today. If you have the ability, you can finish it all!"
Chen Yang looked closely; the liquor was indeed quite old. The white porcelain bottle bore the inscription commemorating Chiang Kai-shek's 1978 inauguration, along with portraits of him and his deputy. This liquor was over thirty years old, practically an antique. Chen Yang knew very well that this batch of commemorative liquor, even an empty bottle, could fetch over a thousand yuan now. He hadn't expected Ning Kuncheng to have so much in stock—judging from his tone, it was at least more than just this one case.
It seemed his claim of being a connoisseur of liquor was true.
Chen Yang thought of Ning Qiaoqian's text message, then looked at the liquor in front of him, and hesitated. In his previous life, Chen Yang's alcohol tolerance wasn't too bad; while he couldn't claim to be invincible, he could easily drink about 1.5 jin (750ml) of liquor.
But this body belonged to his former college student, a complete loser. Chen Yang wasn't sure how much he could drink, especially since this was over thirty years old 58-proof sorghum liquor. After so many years, some evaporation would have occurred, so the actual alcohol content was at least 60% or higher.
To drink or not to drink, that was the question.
Chen Yang didn't hesitate for long. Thinking of Ning Qiaoqian's kindness to him in the bar, and their intimate moment on the top of Gushan Mountain, he knew this was an obligation he couldn't refuse.
Since drinking was unavoidable, strategy was key. Chen Yang's eyes darted around, and he quickly devised a plan.
He reached into the box and took out a bottle of wine, unscrewing the cap as he said with a smile,
"Uncle Ning, since you're in such a good mood, how could I possibly spoil it?"
Having decided to take the blame for Ning Qiaoqian, he had to play the part completely. When Chen Yang addressed him as "Uncle Ning," it was perfectly natural, without a trace of awkwardness, as if it were the only right way to address him.
Ning Kuncheng was overjoyed upon hearing this. Seeing Chen Yang already pouring wine into the soup bowl, he also opened his bottle and began pouring.
The two of them opened three bottles of wine before filling both soup bowls.
Ning Kuncheng smiled faintly and said,
"How about we have a drink?"
He reached for his wine bowl, but Chen Yang quickly stopped him,
"Wait! Uncle Ning, when we were in Rongcheng, Qiaoqian often told me that you're getting old, and drinking so much isn't good for your health, so she's been very worried about you…"
"Oh? Qiaoqian really said that?" Ning Kuncheng asked, surprised, a hint of delight in his voice.
Since his wife's unexpected death, Ning Qiaoqian had harbored deep resentment towards Ning Kuncheng, refusing to forgive him for over a decade. In the last two years, she had even gone to Rongcheng alone. Ning Kuncheng was naturally very worried about this young, attractive woman living alone in another city. However, despite numerous attempts to persuade her to return to Xiamen, she refused. Left with no other option, Ning Kuncheng had secretly assigned two of his trusted men to protect Ning Qiaoqian. So when Ning Kuncheng heard Chen Yang say that Ning Qiaoqian cared about his health, he was naturally surprised and delighted, but also a little uneasy, finding it hard to believe.
"How could I dare lie to you! Every time you mention your drinking, Qiaoqian gets really upset, and I suffer along with her..." Chen Yang chuckled, then continued, "Twice, she almost pulled my ear off!"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Ning Kuncheng was overjoyed, chiming in, "Qianqian was like that when she was little, she liked to pull people's ears when she was in a bad mood. A-Dao, you've been pulled ears too, haven't you!"
Hearing from Chen Yang that his daughter actually cared about him, Ning Kuncheng's mood immediately brightened, and he even started to find Chen Yang less displeasing. Hearing Ning Kuncheng's words, Brother Dao smiled and replied,
"Yes! She used to cling to me the most when she was little..."
Chen Yang chuckled inwardly. He had only overheard a few words from Ning Qiaoqian on the top of Gushan Mountain that night, knowing that the father and daughter had a tense relationship, so he fabricated Ning Qiaoqian's words. Unexpectedly, the effect was quite good.
"I hope Sister Qian won't blame me! Actually, I didn't really spread rumors. A daughter's concern for her father is natural; perhaps Sister Qian is just too shy to say it aloud." Chen Yang comforted himself. Banishing the random thoughts from his mind, Chen Yang continued:
"So, for Uncle Ning's health, and to ease Qiaoqian's worries, I have a plan for today's drinking. Let me tell you, and see if it's appropriate."
Ning Kuncheng was in high spirits and said with a smile:
"Tell me!"
Chen Yang nodded and said readily:
"Today is my first visit, so I'll drink both bowls of wine as a toast to you! You are my elder, so please feel free to drink as you please. What do you think?"
Ning Kuncheng was surprised... After glancing at Chen Yang and pondering for a moment, Ning Kuncheng said, "Alright! That's straightforward! I agree! Chen Yang, I'm putting this out there: if you finish these two bowls of wine today, I will absolutely not interfere in your relationship with Qiaoqian! As for whether you can become my son-in-law, that depends on your fate!"
Having said that, Ning Kuncheng took a small beer glass from a drawer on the side of the food cart. He initially intended to open another bottle, but after a slight hesitation, he decided against it and instead symbolically scooped half a glass of beer from one of the soup bowls. Ning Kuncheng held the glass, looking at Chen Yang with a half-smile.
Chen Yang gritted his teeth, thinking to himself: Sister Qian, I'm risking my life today! Reaching for a soup bowl, Chen Yang said,
"Uncle Ning, this first bowl of wine is a toast to your good health, family harmony, and prosperous business. I'll drink it all in!"
With that, Chen Yang brought the bowl to his lips, closed his eyes, and began to drink in large gulps.
The first sip almost made Chen Yang choke. A pungent, spicy taste assaulted his nostrils, making him dizzy. The 58-proof sorghum liquor burned his way down to his stomach, his esophagus feeling like it was on fire. Even worse, as he swallowed, the fumes rose from his stomach, almost making him vomit several times.
Chen Yang knew he couldn't stop, or he wouldn't be able to drink anymore. So, he suppressed the urge to vomit, held his breath, and finished the entire bowl.
Chen Yang showed the bottom of the bowl to Ning Kuncheng, his body swaying slightly, his vision blurring. While still somewhat sober, Chen Yang quickly picked up his second bowl of wine, panting heavily, and said,
"Uncle Ning, this second bowl is to express my apology. I should have come back to see you with Qiaoqian long ago. I was rude! I'll drink it all!"
With that, Chen Yang tilted his head back and drank again.
Chen Yang swallowed the wine almost mechanically, his consciousness slowly beginning to blur. Only one belief kept him standing: Sister Qian's request, which he must fulfill!
Seeing Chen Yang working so hard, Ning Kuncheng's face showed a hint of emotion. He could see that Chen Yang was at his limit. From this young man, Ning Kuncheng sensed an extremely resilient quality, and seeing him risk everything for his daughter, Ning Kuncheng felt a sense of comfort. Finally, Chen Yang finished his second bowl of wine. He put down the bowl, wiped his mouth, and then braced himself against the serving cart, supporting his swaying body. With hazy eyes, he looked at Ning Kuncheng and gasped, "Uncle Ning, I...I've finished! Please...please help yourself!"
In his daze, Chen Yang caught a glimpse of a figure in a pale yellow nightgown pushing aside the burly man in black blocking his way at the stairwell and rushing downstairs. This person was Ning Qiaoqian. Seeing Chen Yang's distressed state, her eyes showed heartache, and she loudly questioned Ning Kuncheng:
"What are you doing! Making Chen Yang drink so much! What if he gets sick?"
Ning Kuncheng simply smiled slightly, downed his glass of baijiu in one gulp, and then said:
"Qianqian, so you still care about your father..."
"Caring about you, my foot!" Ning Qiaoqian rudely interrupted Ning Kuncheng, saying, "I'm asking you why you made Chen Yang drink so much!"
Ning Kuncheng chuckled:
"It's only natural for a silly son-in-law to offer his father-in-law a couple of bowls of wine on his first visit, isn't it?"
Upon hearing the words "son-in-law" and "father-in-law," Ning Qiaoqian, who always considered herself a strong woman, blushed. She secretly glanced at the bleary-eyed Chen Yang, then quickly looked away. Seeing his daughter's embarrassed expression, Ning Kuncheng continued with a smile:
"This lad isn't bad! I won't interfere with your relationship anymore. Also, your engagement with Shuming is off. I'll explain to Old Xing."
Ning Qiaoqian, who was patting Chen Yang's back, froze for a moment upon hearing this, but quickly resumed her cold expression, still ignoring Ning Kuncheng. Seeing this, Ning Kuncheng added,
"By the way, I'll also take care of your cousin's matter, so your uncle can rest assured!"
"I hope you remember what you said today!" Ning Qiaoqian snorted coldly, put Chen Yang's hand on her shoulder, and forcefully lifted him up, saying, "Come on, Chen Yang! Let's go upstairs and rest!"
Seeing Ning Qiaoqian struggling to help Chen Yang up the stairs, two burly men in black wanted to go up and help, but Ning Kuncheng waved them away, then laughed and shouted upstairs,
"Young man! Take it easy! Your health is important; don't overindulge!"
With a "bang," a vase at the corner of the stairs shattered on the living room floor—this was Ning Qiaoqian's reply to Ning Kuncheng.
"Ha! Ha! Ha!"
Ning Kuncheng's laughter echoed through the villa…