“Sorry, everyone. Something came up and held me back, so I’m a little late. I’m truly sorry.”

Feng Xun stood at the door, panting as he hurriedly apologized to everyone, barely able to catch his breath...

Feng Xun could’ve arrived much earlier. Even though Big Couch-Potato Qin had clung to him in the private room and wasted some of his time, he still could’ve made it here early.

But not long after he left, his father called from the company. Feng Xun saw that it was still early, so he went to the lounge on the first floor to take the call.

But his father really did have a thorny issue to discuss, and Feng Xun disagreed with the old man. The two of them argued, and things nearly escalated into a full-on fight. They got so caught up in it that neither of them noticed the time. By the time Feng Xun came to his senses, the banquet had already been underway for quite a while...

Feng Xun hung up on his father, didn’t wait for the elevator, and hurried toward the banquet room on the sixth floor—

on foot, taking the stairs.

When he finally arrived and opened the door, all the guests turned to look at him. Feng Xun quickly lowered his head and apologized. It was a banquet this important, yet he’d made so many people wait for him. That was completely improper—and terribly rude...

Everyone looked at Feng Xun and began quietly discussing him. Fortunately, there were some considerate people among them, and someone soon spoke up to break the awkward silence.

“Young Master Feng, everyone’s been waiting for you! This is a gathering personally arranged by our very own Miss Qing. Since you’re late, you have to drink three cups as punishment!”

As soon as he finished speaking, someone nearby chimed in.

“That’s right, three cups for sure! If you won’t show us any respect, at least show some respect to Miss Qing! Isn’t that right, everyone?”

“Hahaha, absolutely!”

...

More and more people joined in, and the awkward mood quickly lifted.

As the person at the center of it all, Feng Xun couldn’t spoil the mood. Besides, he was the one who’d messed up first. Since everyone was willing to give him a way out, he had to appreciate it.

“All right. I’ll do as you say and drink three cups as my punishment.”

“Miss Qing, I’m truly sorry for making you and the guests wait so long. Do you think these three cups are enough to make it up to you?”

Feng Xun was clever enough to read the room. These guests were certainly important, but the true host was still seated above him and hadn’t said a word.

He had to go and make amends with her himself.

Qing Nianyi smiled and nodded, then spoke softly.

“You’re too kind, Young Master Feng. Everyone here is a friend and a future business partner. Besides, it’s only been a little while. We haven’t been waiting that long.”

“Since everyone’s having a good time and the mood is just right, three small drinks will do. Don’t force yourself.”

Feng Xun didn’t say another word. He quickly stepped forward and took his seat, and someone nearby immediately brought him a glass.

The glass was milky white, with a slender stem and a fairly narrow opening. When Feng Xun saw the glass they’d brought him, he finally let out a breath of relief.

He could hold his liquor a little better than someone like Qin Heng, who was out after half a cup, but he still wasn’t much of a drinker. Half a bottle of beer would probably go straight to his head.

With glasses this small, three sips shouldn’t be a problem. Worst case, he could go sober up in the restroom afterward...

But that thought vanished the moment he saw one of the guys bring over a glass of Erguotou.

Feng Xun: ?

Dude, you’ve gotta be kidding me! You brought baijiu? Wasn’t it supposed to be regular wine?!

Feng Xun immediately turned to look at Qing Nianyi, seated at the place of honor. She still just smiled warmly and nodded at him.

At first, Feng Xun thought Qing Nianyi might’ve told them to bring the baijiu. Maybe his lateness had offended her as the host, so she’d asked them to prepare the Erguotou.

But judging by her reaction, that clearly wasn’t what had happened. Besides, Senior Nianyi couldn’t possibly be so petty.

He glanced at the group of people cheering him on nearby, and only then did Feng Xun slowly realize that the problem wasn’t anyone else. It was him...

Everyone here was a battle-hardened business elite, just like him. They knew their way around banquet etiquette, and their drinking skills went without saying—they were all pros. So, to them, three cups of baijiu were nothing. But to Feng Xun, who’d used his status to skip class ever since he was a kid, this was practically an extreme challenge...

Feng Xun stared at the three glasses of baijiu already filled in front of him and swallowed. It was far too late to back out now.

He’d just accepted so readily in front of Senior Nianyi and all these guests. How could he turn around and tell them he was actually a terrible drinker, and had never even touched baijiu before? No way!!!

“Young Master Feng, do you think that’s too little to be any fun? I’ll pour you a few more, brother.”

“Haha, no, no. Three cups is plenty—plenty, haha.”

Young Master Feng quickly laughed it off. The longer he put it off, the more dangerous it’d get. Seeing the people nearby getting ready to egg him on again, Feng Xun had no choice. He picked up a glass and brought it straight to his mouth.

“That’s it! What a man!”

“Not bad, brother! Come on, fill his glass again!”

...

The baijiu hit Feng Xun’s mouth, and it felt like his whole mouth was on fire—burning and stinging. The glass had barely left his lips before the alcohol hit him. His head started to buzz, his face turned bright red, and the noise of the people around him only made the dizziness and pain worse...

But in this situation, all he could do was force a smile. Young Master Feng had meant to say, “I’m fine. Keep them coming,” but the moment he tried to open his mouth, a sharp pain flared in it. He couldn’t get a single word out.

The people around him kept cheering, completely oblivious to his condition. Before long, someone handed him a second cup.

Feng Xun started to reach forward to take it, but his legs suddenly turned to jelly. He took just one step and nearly fell. Luckily, someone behind him caught him...

Feng Xun shook his head to clear it and turned around to thank them. Then he took a closer look and realized the person behind him was none other than Qing Nianyi!

Before Feng Xun could react, Qing Nianyi stepped forward and took the glass for him. Then, under everyone’s astonished gazes, she spoke.

“Young Master Feng seems to have had quite a bit to drink tonight. I’ll take the remaining two cups for him.”

With that, Qing Nianyi boldly downed the drink in one go. She did the same with the third glass...

You’d never guess it from Qing Nianyi’s refined, elegant appearance—the air of a mature big-sister type and a rich young lady...

But two cups of Xiao Bai really were nothing to her. She downed them both, and not even a hint of red appeared on her pretty face.

Qing Nianyi held the glass in one hand while using the other to support Feng Xun, who was swaying on his feet...

Everyone nearby had just seen Miss Qing, who’d claimed to be “feeling unwell,” step in and take the drinks for Feng Xun herself. The looks on their faces were something else.

Even Feng Xun himself couldn’t process it. In his dazed state, he figured he had to be drunk and imagining things...

Because none of this made any sense, right?

He’d already shown the banquet’s host a complete lack of respect by arriving late. He should’ve been grateful that Senior Nianyi wasn’t angry. But now she’d stepped in to take his drinks for him??? She was even willing to support him?!...

And forget about them being close. Including this time, he’d only met and spoken with Qing Nianyi twice. What sort of relationship could they possibly have?

Heh. He had to be drunk. It was all just a dream. Anything could happen in a dream...