Free Web NovelChapter 418: Chapter 416: Drunken State
Grandma Sun still remembered how the Eldest Young Master Guan, indignant after hearing her decision, had come looking for her. He’d asked why she chose the Sun Family over him. Her parents tried to keep her away, but her temper flared. She confronted the Eldest Young Master Guan and made things crystal clear.
She remembered how furious the Eldest Young Master Guan had been. He’d tilted his head back, his gaze boring into her like a snake’s, and told her she would definitely regret not choosing him. He promised she would have a miserable life.
’What did I say back then?’
She’d told him her life was none of his business. It was her choice, and she would be content even if it meant a life of poverty. She added that she trusted her own judgment and believed Grandpa Jia Ming would be good to her. As for someone like the Eldest Young Master Guan, he looked down on everyone in his heart. Life as his wife would be miserable.
Her words sent the Eldest Young Master Guan storming off.
The dreams of youth are always so lovely. She married Grandpa Jia Ming with such wonderful expectations. After they were wed, Grandpa Jia Ming was very good to her. Because she was from the south and had a more delicate constitution, he almost never let her do manual labor. Some people said Grandpa Jia Ming had married a pampered young lady, but Grandpa Jia Ming would say, "When you take a wife, you have to be good to her for a lifetime. If you don’t dote on your own wife, who do you expect will do it for you?"
When problems arose, Grandpa Jia Ming would discuss them with her. Even if she didn’t understand at first, he would never get angry with her. Instead, he would explain things slowly until she understood. Then, when no one was around, he would pick her up and spin her around. She would be so startled she’d wrap her arms around his neck and shut her eyes, too scared to look, but her heart would be filled with joy.
In the entire village, she was the woman who did the least amount of labor, yet she was the one who had her husband’s utmost respect. Her husband’s adoration for her was famous throughout the village. Because of this, no matter how hard life with Grandpa Jia Ming got, and no matter what decisions he made, she never once objected. Her man gave her what she wanted, so she entrusted her entire self to him, offering her unconditional support.
Thinking back now, if she hadn’t been bold enough to secretly size up her two suitors in her youth, her family would have certainly chosen the Eldest Young Master Guan for her. The Guan Family was wealthy, but the woman who married him didn’t even live to be thirty. Word was the Eldest Young Master Guan had no respect for her whatsoever and treated her however he pleased. She had no status in the Guan Family and didn’t even dare to speak her mind. She’d never known a single day of peace.
She was truly thankful she hadn’t made the wrong choice. More than wealth, she’d hoped to marry someone she could connect with.
Ah, the days of her youth. Thinking back, those times were truly wonderful. It was a pity they were gone forever. But she was content with the life she’d lived. At this thought, Grandma Sun smiled.
Another song started up, and everyone present soaked in the atmosphere, likely reminiscing about their own pasts.
The singing went on for a long time, and the drinking went on for ages. Gu’er saw that it wasn’t just Dingzi, Sun Jiaming, and Li Zhi who were red-faced from drinking; even Lin Shan and the others were flushed. Lin Shan, Li Zhi’s father, and Dingzi’s two bosses were already calling each other brothers, arms slung over each other’s shoulders, shouting as they drank.
It wasn’t that they were naturally loud; it’s just that people who’ve been drinking unconsciously raise their voices, as if afraid no one can hear them.
Most of the relatives and friends had left. Sun Zhuzi, Cao Qiu, and Wei Hong also escorted Grandma Sun back to the Sun Family’s home.
Grandma Dingzi watched Dingzi and the others with some worry. She wasn’t afraid of them drinking, nor was she pained by the money spent. Her main concern was that they would feel sick from drinking too much.
"Sirs, boys, why don’t you head home to continue? If you drink too much there, at least you’ll have a place to lie down. Get drunk here, and there’s nowhere to go. You’ll feel miserable."
After some thought, Grandma Dingzi decided to step in and say something.
"No, no more drinking. I... We’ve had plenty. Main... Mainly because we’re hap-happy today. We’ll... We’ll be going now."
One of them slurred, his tongue thick in his mouth.
A little while later, everyone got up. Many were unsteady on their feet, leaning on each other for support, chattering as they staggered toward the exit.
Sun Jiaming and Li Zhi had both drunk a great deal. Each had downed at least a liter of baijiu. Fortunately, they could hold their liquor and hadn’t passed out at the table. Sun Jiaming stayed behind to settle the bill with the restaurant, while Li Zhi was in charge of finding cars to take the others back to their hotel and get them settled.
Chen Fengjiao was worried about Lin Shan and hadn’t left. Seeing his state, she rushed to support him, muttering about how he’d drunk so much and wasn’t taking care of his body. Lin Shan just chuckled. Seeing that he was more or less okay, Chen Fengjiao said a word to Gu’er, then helped Lin Shan into a car to go home.
Li Zhi’s mom also helped his still-singing father home.
By the time Sun Jiaming had paid the bill, Dingzi and Marina had returned from seeing people off.
Dingzi’s face wasn’t very red, but his eyes weren’t as bright as usual. Gu’er knew that Dingzi was also drunk; it just didn’t show on his face.
Marina’s face was beet-red, but her gaze was still clear. She probably hadn’t drunk much.
"Let’s go, too."
Gu’er went to support Sun Jiaming, but he dodged her. Before she could react, he took her hand in his. His hand was burning hot. Gu’er understood. It was because she was pregnant. He couldn’t bear to put his weight on her, afraid of hurting her, and also afraid that if he stumbled, he would take her down with him.
"Let’s go. How did you drink so much? Good heavens, were you all drinking liquor like it was water?"
Grandma Dingzi clicked her tongue in amazement as she looked at the empty liquor bottles. If she had to drink all that, it would probably take her a lifetime.
Marina supported Dingzi, Sun Jiaming and Gu’er walked hand-in-hand, and Grandma Dingzi followed behind. They found a car and headed home as well.
On the way, Sun Jiaming was still talking to Gu’er, while Dingzi hadn’t made a peep. But when they arrived and were about to get out of the car, Gu’er heard a faint snore. She looked over and saw that Sun Jiaming had fallen asleep.
Gu’er couldn’t help but chuckle.
"Dingzi! Dingzi, wake up! Are you okay? Don’t scare me."
Marina cried out for Dingzi in a panic. Gu’er glanced over and saw that Dingzi’s eyes were closed, too. In her panic, Marina even put a hand under his nose to check for his breath.
"It’s fine. They probably didn’t sleep well last night. They drank too much, so they fell asleep as soon as they had something to lean on. It’s nothing serious."
Gu’er quickly reassured her.
Just then, Dingzi opened his eyes. His gaze was hazy. After about three seconds, some light slowly returned to them. He got out of the car, but perhaps because he was in a hurry or not paying attention, he bumped his head on the roof.
Gu’er burst out laughing. ’Is this still the same agile Dingzi? So this is how sluggish he gets when he’s drunk.’
Sun Jiaming woke up too, groggy and seemingly unaware of where he was. He mumbled indistinctly, "Gu’er, I’m going to sleep first. Don’t wake me for dinner. I’ll get up after I’ve had enough rest."
This time, Marina and Grandma Dingzi couldn’t help but laugh as well. So, Sun Jiaming thought he was already in his bed at home.
Thank you to Mo Xiaoyan for the peace charm and the monthly ticket, and thank you all for your support.
