"Zi Qi, how do you want to drink?" Pi Xiao Qian asked.
"Just as you said, I'll have a glass of baijiu and you'll have a bottle of beer. If I don't stop, you can't either."
"Alright. I'll risk my life to accompany you today. But we can't get drunk and act foolish afterwards."
"After drinking, everyone goes home to their own mothers."
"Wait a minute, is it just the two of us drinking? Won't Yang Zi be free then?"
"You two can drink against each other, but don't involve me. I'll pour the drinks for you, and for every glass you drink, I'll pour another. If you finish a bottle, I'll get you another. I'll provide top-notch logistical support. If we run out of skewers, I'll go get more. I'll make sure you eat and drink well today." Guo Xu Yang said with a chuckle.
"How come I feel like I've stepped onto a pirate ship?" Pi Xiao Qian muttered.
"Are you still drinking, or not? President Pi?" Lin Zi Qi asked.
"I'm drinking. Why wouldn't I drink? Am I afraid of a young girl like you?"
Lin Zi Qi wasted no more words. She picked up her wine glass and tilted it back. She showed him the empty bottom of the glass. Pi Xiao Qian directly started drinking from the beer bottle.
Lin Zi Qi downed three glasses in a row without touching any skewers. Pi Xiao Qian, on the other hand, drank three bottles of beer consecutively. Guo Xu Yang was quick on his feet. Seeing that the baijiu was finished, he quickly went to the bar and brought back two more bottles of Erguotou and a case of beer.
"Zi Qi, eat something first, then drink later. Drinking on an empty stomach makes you drunk easily." Guo Xu Yang advised her to eat skewers while pouring the drinks.
"It's okay. This is nothing yet," Lin Zi Qi said as she picked up a meat skewer and started eating. She hadn't eaten much at noon, so she was indeed a bit hungry and felt a little dizzy. After eating five beef balls and two beef skewers, her stomach felt a little better.
"President Pi, shall we continue?"
"Drink. This is nothing yet?" Lin Zi Qi drank three more glasses. Pi Xiao Qian followed suit, drinking three bottles of beer.
Lin Zi Qi's face turned red. Her stomach started to feel uncomfortable, and she felt like she was going to throw up.
"I need to go to the restroom." She stood up unsteadily.
"I'll help you," Lin Zi Xuan quickly stood up and supported Lin Zi Qi.
"Brother, what exactly do you mean by this?" Pi Xiao Qian, despite drinking six bottles of beer consecutively, seemed unfazed.
"What do I mean by what?" Guo Xu Yang feigned ignorance.
"Why are you so insistent on pushing Lin Zi Qi and me to drink against each other?"
"You figured that out?"
"I'm not that stupid or slow that I wouldn't notice."
"What do you think of Lin Zi Qi?"
"What do I think? She's very beautiful. Capable and fiery."
"How about I introduce her to you?"
"Get lost! If you don't want her, give her to me. What are you implying?"
"Why can't you understand what's good for you? Lin Zi Qi was my first love, it's true, but I never even touched her hand! Those were the most beautiful moments of my life. Although she's now working as a store manager under me, you know I already have enough women around me. I don't want to ruin that beautiful memory, neither the feeling she gave me nor the image I have in her heart. If you think she's suitable, how about taking her?"
"Aren't you afraid Li Min Xi will come after you? I've been waiting for her sister for years."
"How should I put this? Do you believe in fate? If you two were meant to be together, you would have been by now. Don't think I'm speaking ill of you, but even if you keep waiting, you might not get her in the end."
"Why?"
"There's no why. People's destinies are just that coincidental. Don't think your devotion will necessarily win her love; that's impossible. If you insist on waiting, then just pretend I never said anything. Even if you do get married, you might not be happy. This isn't a curse. Honestly, believe me."
"I think you really have the potential to be a fortune teller. What about President Wu's wife? Why haven't they had any children yet?"
"Do you believe in ghosts and spirits?"
"No."
"If you don't believe, then forget it. I have nothing more to say to you."
"Brother, what exactly is going on? If you don't tell me, I won't be able to sleep tonight."
"Wu Ai Li had a miscarriage at home. Although she had surgery at the hospital, the child by her side didn't leave. The reason I shook hands with Wu Ai Li was to confirm if my feeling was correct. Her hand was ice-cold, not just ordinarily cold. You heard her at her house, the doctor said she has cold uterus, hence unable to conceive. This is also correct. But they didn't say where the root cause was, or why she has a cold uterus. So no matter how many check-ups or how much medicine she takes, it's useless. I asked her to light the wine in the room to the west to burn away the resentment of that child. I didn't expect her to cover the wine cup with her hand, and the heat from the cup transferred to her, so she became aroused. I asked them to sleep in the west room for two reasons. One is to get forgiveness from that child, and the other is to give that child a chance. You ask me if they will definitely be able to celebrate their wedding, I really don't know. If that child forgives them, then they will definitely celebrate their wedding. If not, I don't know if they will be able to. However, the probability is quite high."
"Yang Zi, after you say that, I feel a chill all over. What do you mean by that child not leaving? Didn't she have surgery at the hospital?"
"Death is like a lamp extinguished; life depends on a breath. Wu Ai Li went to the hospital and had the placenta removed from her body, but that breath didn't leave. Can you understand what I'm saying?"
"You mean the child's soul didn't leave?"
"It's not a soul, it's just a breath, a consciousness."
"I still don't understand."
"If you don't understand, then forget it. What use is it to you whether you understand or not? Just knowing that's how it is should be enough. Why haven't the sisters returned yet? Has something happened?" Guo Xu Yang was about to go out when he saw Lin Zi Xuan supporting Lin Zi Qi back.
"What happened? Are you okay?"
"Zi Qi just threw up everywhere. She's feeling a little better now."
"Quick, drink some hot water. Don't drink anymore," Guo Xu Yang said, handing her a cup of hot water. Lin Zi Qi sat down and slumped over the table, completely ignoring Guo Xu Yang. Lin Zi Xuan took the hot water, called out softly a few times, but received no response.
"Is she asleep? She must be feeling very uncomfortable right now. Let her rest for a while," Pi Xiao Qian said.
"Zi Xuan, you haven't eaten much either. Hurry up and eat something. Fatty brought a lot of food, it'll be a waste if you don't eat it." Guo Xu Yang handed her a lamb skewer.
"Thank you!"
"Don't be so polite, eat quickly. After you eat, I'll drive you home."
"Zi Qi seems a bit unhappy today."
"It's okay. She'll feel better after sleeping it off. Come on, Fatty, let's have a toast."
"How shall we drink?"
"Drink however you like. I'm not going to compete with you in drinking, you can't beat me anyway."
"You really are a freak. Of course, I can't beat you."