Upon meeting Han Qing’s eyes, Yan knew that he understood her. Coincidentally, Mr. Zhou came back to his senses. “Little girl, what are you whispering at Qing? Come, Qing, let’s continue drinking.”
“Sure, Uncle.” Han Qing raised the glass and clinked it with Mr. Zhou.
One glass, the second glass, and the third one… Yan panicked slightly while observing them because time was ticking, but the two of them didn’t look as though they were about to stop. I already made it clear to Han Qing. Didn’t he understand what I meant? That’s impossible. With his intelligence, he would have guessed what’s happening without me spelling things out for him. In that case, what is the reason he’s doing this?
Just when Yan was about to say something, Han Qing appeared slightly drunk. However, he placed his glass on the table steadily. After that, he flashed an apologetic smile at Mr. Zhou. “I’m sorry, Uncle. I don’t think I can go on.”
Mr. Zhou was delighted when he heard that. He smacked his thighs while exclaiming, “Qing, are you already drunk? You can’t hold your liquor, I see! We barely drank!”
Luo Huimei, who was eavesdropping on their conversation, pinched Mr. Zhou discreetly. He knew what she meant, but he was delighted. “Are you sure you can’t have more? I’m just warming up and I’d love to have more!”
In all honesty, Mr. Zhou was nearing his limit. He knew that he should not have too much to drink, but after things started, as long as Han Qing was still willing to drink, Mr. Zhou would be too proud to stop drinking himself. Hence, Mr. Zhou was adamant on enduring it while maintaining appearances. If Han Qing collapses first, I’d have my pride intact and I can stop drinking. I’d have the best of both worlds. Therefore, to keep up his appearance, Mr. Zhou urged Han Qing to drink with him, but he had different thoughts in his mind. Please collapse now. I don’t have to drink more if you collapse first.
On the other hand, Han Qing never disappointed Mr. Zhou, for he supported his forehead with his hand while apologizing to the old man, “I’m sorry, Uncle. I honestly can’t take it anymore.”
Mr. Zhou answered him, “That won’t do. We barely started, Qing. You—”
“That’s enough from you.” Luo Huimei pinched Mr. Zhou again. She increased her strength this time while glaring vehemently at Mr. Zhou. “Can you please have the grace of an elderly? Qing already said that he can’t take it anymore. Why are you forcing him to drink?” she complained.
“Cough. Cough…” Mr. Zhou cleared his throat while waving his hand. “Fine. Since Qing can’t take it anymore, we will stop drinking. Yan, get your boyfriend to have some hangover-cure soup. After that, take him to rest.”
Yan let out a sigh of relief when she heard that and brought the hangover-cure soup to Han Qing immediately. “Have some first. I’ll help you later when you need some rest.”
Han Qing took several gulps of the soup. Then, Yan helped him up to get some rest. Once they left, Mr. Zhou, who was keeping up his appearance, finally released the glass in his hand and slumped against the table weakly. He sighed, “Yan’s boyfriend… can hold his liquor well.”
Luo Huimei couldn’t help but roll her eyes when she heard that. She commented in disdain, “Well, that’s only natural because he is still young. What do you gain by drinking more than him? If it’s possible, he might end up as our future son-in-law!”
Mr. Zhou was motionless while lying on the table. “You don’t understand. I’m testing him,” he answered her.
“Testing him? What are you testing him for?”
“I’m testing his sincerity toward Yan.”
Luo Huimei was rendered speechless when she heard that. “Testing his sincerity? You are truly special to test a person’s sincerity through drinking.”
“Hmph! You don’t get it and I won’t explain it to you!” Mr. Zhou, who was slightly drunk now, started to throw a tantrum. Luo Huimei felt helpless, so she had no choice but to coax him into drinking the hangover-cure soup. However, Mr. Zhou commented unexpectedly, “Why would anyone drink this? I can hold my liquor well. I don’t need this. Take this away! I won’t drink this!”
“Are you not drinking this? I put in a lot of effort to prepare this hangover-cure soup. I’ll beat you up if you dare to refuse to drink the soup.”
Mr. Zhou was at a loss for words by her reaction.
On the other side, Yan helped Han Qing into her room and felt her heart skip a beat upon entering her room and looking at her feminine bed. Why did I bring him into my room? We have a guest room in our house and I should have taken him to the guest room. Just when Yan was wondering whether she should bring Han Qing to the guest room, he already laid down on her bed with her help. She was rendered speechless when she saw that. Fine, I can’t go back anymore.
After lying down, Han Qing massaged his temples while his eyes were closed. He had a slight frown as though he was in a lot of pain.
“Are you alright?” Yan was feeling embarrassed earlier, but it vanished when she saw his current state. She sat by the bedside while regarding Han Qing anxiously. She thought of something suddenly and stood up abruptly. “Hang on.” Then, she ran into the bathroom to wet a towel before squeezing it dry and returning to the room to wipe Han Qing’s sweat away for him.
Han Qing had a lot to drink. In all honesty, he was able to hold his liquor, but he didn’t feel too good after drinking so much. He opened his eyes when he felt something cold against his forehead and looked up at the young lady wiping his forehead and cheeks with nervousness.
Seeing that he opened his eyes, Yan commented, “Why didn’t you listen to me? It would have been fine if you had admitted defeat earlier. Why must you drink so much? Do you feel horrible? Why don’t I prepare more hangover-soup for you?”
Han Qing held onto her hands right after that. “Don’t trouble yourself. I’m fine.” He pressed his thin lips together after replying to her. To be honest, I have my reasons not to admit defeat prematurely. We are both men, so I could tell that Mr. Zhou is testing me. It’s fine to admit defeat, but I can’t lose too early and I can’t surrender too late. That’s why I had to control the timing and my drinking well. I stopped just in time. Judging by Mr. Zhou’s gaze toward the end, I think I succeeded. However, I think it’s best not to tell the young lady about this.
Han Qing took the towel from Yan, yanking her hard. She leaned forward and he wrapped an arm around her to hug her tightly. Yan ended up lying directly against Han Qing’s body.
“Um…” What is he doing? Yan immediately tried to struggle. After all, this is my home and my parents are around. I didn’t even close the door after helping him into the room. What if Mom sees this if she gets worried and comes over to check on us? How embarrassing is that?
Just when Yan was shoving against Han Qing to release herself from his grip, he tightened his arm around her and pressed his chin lightly on her head while inhaling her sweet, feminine fragrance. “Stop moving. Let me hug you for a while.” His voice was husky, and it left a deep mark in Yan’s heart.
