Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Surrounded by praise and approval from those around him, Lin Lei’s ego soared, and his disdain for Ye Fengyun grew even stronger.

“If you’re so eager for me to slap you in the face, I’ll grant your wish. Let’s make a bet: we’ll drink, and whoever collapses first loses. If you lose, you’ll kneel before everyone here, apologize for ruining the evening, and call me ‘dear grandpa’ a hundred times,” Lin Lei declared, his words causing the crowd to break into laughter.

Ye Fengyun became interested. “And if you lose?”

Lin Lei burst out laughing. “Me? Lose? How could I possibly lose? Everyone, tell this ugly fool what my nickname is!”

“King of a Thousand Shots!” the crowd replied, laughing along.

Tang Shihan anxiously tugged at Ye Fengyun’s sleeve and whispered, “Don’t do anything reckless.”

Ye Fengyun patted her hand reassuringly and gave her a comforting look. He turned to Lin Lei. “Then tonight, I’ll break your so-called record.”

“Ridiculous!” Lin Lei fetched several bottles of XO, full of confidence. “Come on, I won’t even say you have to drink until you collapse. As long as you can drink faster than me, I’ll admit defeat.”

“Fine. If you lose, I won’t make you kneel or anything. Just bark like a dog a few times. After all, you’re quite the dog yourself,” Ye Fengyun replied with a smile.

Tang Shihan couldn’t help but giggle. In such a tense atmosphere, Ye Fengyun could still joke like this. She was exasperated and amused by him.

“Hmph, I’ll let you start,” Lin Lei said, tossing a bottle of XO to Ye Fengyun.

Ye Fengyun caught it. “Let’s drink together. Otherwise, I’m afraid you’ll cheat.”

“Looking for trouble!” Lin Lei grabbed a large glass and began to pour the liquor.

Ye Fengyun simply shook his head and tipped the bottle straight to his lips, downing the contents in one go.

The onlookers were stunned.

This was XO, not beer!

He actually drank it straight from the bottle? Was he trying to kill himself?

Even Lin Lei was shocked. Was this guy insane, chugging XO directly?

As everyone stared in disbelief, Ye Fengyun had already finished an entire bottle.

“What kind of liquor is this? It’s so weak. It’s not even as strong as the stuff I brew myself up in the mountains.” Shaking his head, Ye Fengyun picked up another bottle and began to chug again.

Lin Lei was dumbfounded.

Weak? Was this fake XO or something?

Determined not to be outdone, Lin Lei copied Ye Fengyun and brought the bottle to his lips. The moment the liquor entered his mouth, the burning sensation made his tongue go numb.

But since he’d already started, he couldn’t back down halfway—his pride was on the line.

Forcing himself to continue, Lin Lei barely made it through half the bottle before he doubled over, retching.

“Cough, cough, cough!”

Lin Lei fell to his knees, clutching his stomach in agony.

The liquor was far too strong; he felt as though his insides were on fire.

Meanwhile, Ye Fengyun finished his second bottle with no sign of discomfort. Looking down, he noticed Lin Lei was already kneeling on the floor.

“Why are you kneeling? Giving up already?” Ye Fengyun asked in puzzlement.

Lin Lei’s head was spinning as he cursed, “You cheated! There wasn’t even real liquor in your bottle, was there?”

Ye Fengyun laughed. “What, can’t handle losing?”

“Can’t handle losing? You tricked me! I was drinking real XO, but you just had water in yours, didn’t you?” Lin Lei resorted to shameless accusations.

Ye Fengyun looked at him, speechless. “I knew you were a dog, but I didn’t think you’d be this shameless.”

“What did you say? Are you tired of living? Don’t you know I practice martial arts?” Lin Lei rolled up his sleeves, ready for a fight.

Ye Fengyun shrugged. “No, I didn’t know that.”

“Then let me show you! You country bumpkin with no manners, I’ll teach you a lesson on behalf of the old man!” Lin Lei advanced toward Ye Fengyun, sleeves rolled and fists clenched.

The security guards on site noticed the commotion and asked Long San, “Mr. Long, should we intervene?”

Long San raised a hand to stop them, his eyes narrowed. “Wait and see.”

Xu Meijiao, who was planning to win Ye Fengyun over, saw this as the perfect opportunity to do him a favor. She stepped forward and said, “Mr. Lin, you certainly act high and mighty. Anyone who didn’t know better might think your last name is Long.”

Lin Lei turned to glare at Xu Meijiao, ready to curse her out—only to be momentarily distracted by her striking figure.