Chapter 140: A Drinking Contest

The four of them wandered through the park for several hours, visiting various springs and strolling among numerous flower pavilions and terraces.

By eleven o'clock in the morning, Bai Muqing glanced at the time and suggested it was time for lunch.

Xu Yuqing immediately agreed. "There’s a hotpot restaurant nearby that I’ve wanted to try but never had the chance. Why don’t we go there this time?"

Zhang Mingyang had no objections. He looked at the two beside him and asked, "What do you think? Hotpot okay?"

Bai Muqing nodded. "Sure."

Xu Zihan was indifferent. "Then let’s go."

"Xu Jie, you lead the way."

"Okay."

Under Xu Yuqing’s guidance, the four left the park heading north. "It’s just up ahead; no need to take a car."

Xu Yuqing walked ahead alone, while Bai Muqing and Xu Zihan flanked Zhang Mingyang. Bai Muqing asked him, "Mingyang, your injury isn’t healed yet. Eating spicy food might not be good for you, right?"

"Hotpot isn’t all spicy. He can eat the clear broth," Xu Zihan retorted to Bai Muqing.

"You...!"

Seeing the two about to argue again, Zhang Mingyang quickly separated them and said to Bai Muqing, "She’s right. I’ll just eat mild food."

Then he turned to Xu Zihan, "She means well. Why argue with her?"

"Here we are! South City Hotpot," Xu Yuqing pointed to the sign, inviting everyone inside.

Upon entering, a female server approached them. "Miss, how many in your party?"

"Four. Please find us a quiet private room," Xu Yuqing replied.

"Certainly. Four, please come upstairs with me."

The server led them to the second floor. Because the restaurant was near a tourist spot and it was Sunday, the place was packed. The noise of adults and children filled the air.

"Room 204, this is yours," the server said as they entered the private room.

The four sat around the round table. Looking at the digital menu before them, Xu Yuqing asked the others what they wanted to order.

Zhang Mingyang gestured for the ladies to order first. Bai Muqing chose a half-and-half hotpot and several vegetables. Xu Zihan ordered various meats. Xu Yuqing then asked if anyone wanted drinks.

Bai Muqing replied, "Just some tea will do. Mingyang can’t drink alcohol, and it’s best if he avoids soft drinks too."

Xu Zihan smiled. "I’ve ordered two bottles of Coke. Mingyang loves it."

Bai Muqing immediately looked at Zhang Mingyang. "Really?"

Zhang Mingyang nodded. "Yeah. I haven’t had it in a long time. Today’s a good day for a bottle."

Hearing this, Bai Muqing was surprised by how well Xu Zihan knew him.

"Alright, then I’ll order two bottles of baijiu. I guess I’m the only one here who can drink a little."

"I want some too!" Xu Zihan wasn’t to be outdone and ordered two bottles as well.

"Why are you drinking?" Xu Yuqing, the older sister, quickly tried to dissuade her younger sister upon hearing this. "I thought you couldn’t drink."

"Who says I can’t? I’ve long since built up my tolerance," Xu Zihan insisted defiantly. She was determined to challenge Bai Muqing today; even if she couldn’t handle it, she was going to drink.

Bai Muqing felt a pang of guilt hearing Xu Zihan say she wanted to drink too—she herself had never actually drunk alcohol before.

Within ten minutes of ordering, the food and drinks arrived. Bai Muqing and Xu Zihan each opened two bottles of 45-degree baijiu, poured a glass, and raised them.

"A drink?"

"Cheers!"

They clinked glasses and drank in one gulp.

"So spicy!"

Bai Muqing covered her mouth, surprised by the burning sensation of the liquor. Xu Zihan also felt the heat spreading down her throat and through her stomach.

"Are you really just drinking it straight like that?" Zhang Mingyang watched the two, unsure if they were truly good drinkers or just pretending. But one thing was certain: both would be flat on their backs before long.

"Sis, you better not drink anymore," Xu Yuqing looked at her sister’s flushed face with concern. She regretted bringing her along.

"You clearly don’t know how to drink," Bai Muqing teased Xu Zihan.

"Who says? Watch me!" Xu Zihan downed another glass. Bai Muqing wasn’t to be outdone and followed suit.

"Hey, you two should at least hold onto each other," Zhang Mingyang said, picking some food from the dishes and offering it to them.

"None of your business!"

"Shut up!"

The two snapped at him and resumed their drinking contest. Seeing this, Zhang Mingyang nudged Xu Yuqing to intervene.

To his surprise, Xu Yuqing shook her head and refused. Zhang Mingyang was baffled. Was she really his sister? She didn’t even care that her own sister was drinking herself into a stupor.

"Keep drinking!"

Before long, they had each downed half a bottle. Bai Muqing’s face was flushed bright red; she couldn’t even sit steadily. She was clearly drunk. Xu Zihan was no better and started to act wildly.

"Don’t stop me! Tonight I’m going to drink her under the table!"

"Drink me under the table? You’re still too green, little sister," Bai Muqing raised her glass again.

"Enough! Enough! You’re already this drunk and still drinking," Zhang Mingyang grabbed their glasses to stop them.

"Give it back!" Xu Zihan swayed, pointing at him. "Who’s in charge here, you or me?"

"You are," Zhang Mingyang answered without hesitation. "Now stop drinking."

Just then, Zhang Mingyang sensed something off. Xu Yuqing was staring at him wide-eyed.

"Oh, Xu Jie, I was just trying to stop him. Don’t read too much into it."

"Honey…!" Xu Zihan suddenly linked arms with Zhang Mingyang and called him affectionately, which sent chills down his spine. He quickly pushed her away. "Xu Zihan, let’s stop drinking. We’ll go home soon."

Dazed, Xu Zihan protested, "I’m not going back yet. This bottle isn’t finished. I’ll drink her under the table before going."

She grabbed another glass and poured herself a drink.

Bai Muqing snatched the glass as well. "Drink! Whoever passes out first quits."

"Deal!"

Xu Zihan slammed the table and downed her glass. "Whoever passes out first quits. Don’t back out."

"Losers stay single forever!"

With that, they refilled their glasses and drank again.

Watching this uncontrollable scene, Zhang Mingyang was at his wit’s end. He looked at Xu Yuqing. "Xu Jie, please drag Xu Zihan home."

Xu Yuqing shook her head. "She’ll stop bothering you once she loses. This is her choice. I can’t make decisions for her."

"Oh, come on!"

Zhang Mingyang was stunned by her response. She didn’t care about her own sister!

Seeing Xu Yuqing helpless, Zhang Mingyang gave up and leaned back in his chair, watching the two women fiercely battle it out.

...

By six in the evening, Bai Muqing and Xu Zihan had finally finished four bottles of baijiu. Neither knew how many times they had thrown up. Zhang Mingyang stayed by their side, tending to them.

"Alright! Finally done!"