Cen Yemeng had just thought of getting up when Jiang Ye gently reached out and pressed her shoulder.
"All the students are very beautiful, and this student speaks even more beautifully. I'd like to ask, what is the core of the interstellar Spring and Autumn and Warring States period theory I proposed? Whoever can answer, I will drink this cup with them."
The female students were dumbfounded.
Before the banquet, they had temporarily searched Jiang Ye's thesis online and only saw the title. How could they have the time to finish the tens of thousands of words? Who knew what it was about?
Jiang Ye changed the subject and chatted with them about various matters related to studying abroad, stating that Jiang Ye Star would do its best to take care of their living arrangements during their studies abroad and wished them good academic results. The female students no longer felt awkward, their faces lit up with smiles, and they left with their wine glasses.
Jiang Ye had just sat down and hadn't eaten a few bites when the second wave arrived.
More than a dozen decorated military officers, holding wine glasses, came over, stood at attention, and saluted Jiang Ye.
Jiang Ye stood up and returned the salute. According to the regulations of the Galactic Empire military, his rank was higher than these soldiers. Although it wasn't the army of a single planet, it still required the etiquette of superiors and subordinates.
"General Jiang, hello! We are representatives of decorated officers from Daughter Star. In the past few years, we have all fought against the Mir people, and we have all suffered injuries, minor or severe, or even disabilities to varying degrees. We have all been discharged from the hospital after recovery." The leader was a girl over 1.9 meters tall. She spoke to Jiang Ye with a slight bow. "Your army also participated in the battle against the Mir people. I heard that you personally commanded troops in places like Crane Star."
"My troops are all avatars fighting on the battlefield. Compared to your bravery, it's not worth mentioning," Jiang Ye said immediately.
"General Jiang is too modest. In short, the war with the Mir people is about to end. 'Do not laugh when lying drunk on the battlefield; how many have returned from ancient wars?' As people who have been on the battlefield, we want to toast you three cups!" The 1.9-meter-tall woman said with a hidden smile.
Jiang Ye was secretly shocked. Toasting three cups in a row, they were indeed veterans from the battlefield, with such strong killing intent!
The wine in the cups was 53% proof soy sauce aroma type, and the cups were as large as fists. Three cups would make one completely numb. Was this an attempt to kill with one blow?
Directly refusing to drink was definitely not an option. The reason for toasting, celebrating the war, was too significant.
Cen Yemeng looked at her husband, who was forcing a smile, and thought of getting up again, but as soon as she moved her buttocks, her husband's hand pressed on her shoulder.
"If the final offensive has already ended, I would not only drink three large cups but would have to drink three hundred cups! But now, the front line is still reinforcing and preparing for battle, the battlefield is on the verge of ignition, and many soldiers and compatriots are still waiting for the final battle with tension and anxiety. Some soldiers are exposed in dangerous forward observation ships, some are in the suicide squad, and some dare not close their eyes for 36 hours a day." Jiang Ye's lips moved rapidly. "The frontline soldiers are vigilant and enduring hardships. It is inappropriate for us to drink and have fun, isn't it?"
The 1.9-meter-tall woman was stunned.
She clearly hadn't expected that this could also be refused, and there was no way to refute it.
Jiang Ye picked up another empty cup from the side and signaled the waiter to pour water.
"When fighting on an alien planet, sometimes what soldiers look forward to most is drinking clean water. At this moment, the frontline soldiers must also be anxious and thirsty. Why don't we substitute water for wine and drink three cups to wish for military might?" Jiang Ye said.
The female soldiers had no choice but to pour out their wine and replace it with plain water, drinking three cups of water with Jiang Ye.
Jiang Ye appeared to be chatting and laughing on the surface, but in his heart, he was very flustered. He knew that he had to hurry up and drink and eat his fill, as an empty stomach would easily lead to drunkenness.
He thought this wave of attack would be quelled, but unexpectedly, the 1.9-meter-tall woman's eyes rolled, and she spoke again:
"General Jiang truly cares about the grassroots officers and soldiers. I suddenly thought that in the past few years of war, many soldiers have been wounded or even sacrificed, and countless soldiers have suffered psychological trauma. Humanity has paid a great price to win this war. Why don't we drink three cups together to mourn the martyrs?"
Jiang Ye really wanted to spit blood. These persuasion tactics were getting more and more serious!
Cen Yemeng hesitated whether to stand up.
Jiang Ye had already spoken, "The final battle has not yet been fought, and the final battle is precisely the largest battle. I hope that every participating soldier on the front line can return home alive. With the great battle imminent, good luck and auspiciousness, it is probably not appropriate to drink sacrificial wine at this time. Why don't we still substitute water for wine and drink three cups, taking auspicious meaning, wishing the soldiers a hearty fight, and when they are so thirsty that their mouths are dry, they have a mouthful of cool water to drink. Moreover, the Mir people's blood is transparent, like clear water, which also foreshadows the soldiers laughing and talking as they drink Mir blood."
The 1.9-meter-tall woman was dumbfounded. She didn't expect this to be turned around as well.
There was no other way, so the soldier representatives drank another three cups of plain water.
When the soldier representatives left, they all felt like their stomachs were churning with sourness. They had drunk too much water.
Jiang Ye sat down and wiped his sweat, quickly grabbing dishes to eat.
Especially those with hangover-reducing effects, such as tomatoes, yogurt, honey desserts, grapes, and celery, he ate them desperately. If he couldn't resist the wine and had to drink, it could at least buffer it a little.
He had just taken a few bites when the enemy arrived again!
This wave was from the Women's Rights Association of Daughter Star, eight people in total, with the president and vice-president leading six secretaries.
They didn't attack Jiang Ye directly but turned to target Cen Yemeng.
"Director Cen, your reputation precedes you. Seeing you today, you are truly elegant and charming, with a distinguished demeanor. Daughter Star has a great fondness for female leaders like you. May I ask if you would be willing to drink a cup with us admirers?" the vice-president said.
Cen Yemeng picked up her wine glass and stood up, her smile awkward. She was completely caught off guard.
Jiang Ye was startled. This move was like borrowing the strategy of "Besiege Wei to rescue Zhao" and "Striking the grass to startle the snake," trying to make him play the hero saving the beauty and block the wine for his wife?
A stratagem!
Too insidious!
But he had no choice but to fall into the trap. As Jiang Ye stood up to drink on his wife's behalf, Cen Yemeng's hand pressed on his shoulder.
"I should drink this cup with you, but... I am pregnant. I just found out before coming, so I'm really sorry. For the sake of the baby, I cannot touch alcohol," Cen Yemeng said with a smile.
Jiang Ye's eyelids twitched. Pregnant?
No, if she were pregnant, she would have said so. This must be a polite excuse she came up with on the spot.
Using a child as a shield was indeed effective. If they continued to persuade her to drink, it would be considered rude at best, and reckless of human life at worst. They would never dare to do so.
Jiang Ye nodded in his heart. His wife was quite capable.
Unexpectedly, Cen Yemeng had a follow-up. She said with a smile, "It's fate that we meet, so we should drink a cup. How about I substitute water for wine, and you enjoy the fine wine?"
The other side was collectively stunned.
Cen Yemeng's hands moved quickly, she took Jiang Ye's water cup, tilted her head, and drank it.
The other side was even more stunned, and they had no choice but to drink the strong liquor in their own cups, each one wincing from the burn.
They failed to force others to drink but were instead forced to drink, and it was evident that they were all very annoyed.
Jiang Ye cheered inwardly. His wife was truly amazing, her skills even higher than his. She could not only protect herself but also counterattack!
This battle was fought beautifully!
Before he could finish rejoicing, he saw the eight toasting guests on the other side pick up the wine bottles next to them and pour themselves full glasses with a splash.
Then, they all turned to face Jiang Ye, a smile on their faces.
The smile on Jiang Ye's face froze. The cannons on the other side were clearly loaded and aimed at him.
"We truly admire Ms. Cen, and at the same time, we also admire Mr. Jiang. Unfortunately, Ms. Cen is in a special condition today and cannot drink. Why don't Mr. Jiang drink a cup with us on her behalf? This cup is to wish you a happy and blissful marriage and for your child to grow up healthy and successful." The president's smile was gentle, and he increased the firepower. "I heard that Mr. Jiang has always respected women. A few of us women want to have a drink with you. You wouldn't refuse, would you?"
Jiang Ye cursed inwardly. This move was truly ruthless!
They were really good at putting him in a difficult position!
If he didn't drink, he would be considered disrespectful to women! In Daughter Star, being labeled with this, how could he bear it?