In the "Wealthy Flower" private room, Song Hai and several of his drunken friends were boasting about their children. One bragged that his child was filial and had brought back expensive gifts from abroad, while another said his son was very capable, married a beautiful and dutiful daughter-in-law, and had twins.
Middle-aged men who drank too much often shared a few common traits: bragging and having too much pride.
When people get drunk, they often lose their sense of reason. It wasn't clear who started it, but they made a bet on whose children would come to pick them up. To avoid cheating, they all monitored each other's phone calls.
"I'm telling you, my son runs a listed company and makes... makes this amount," a thin man held up nine fingers, clinking glasses with Song Hai. "Old Song, I remember your daughter is still unmarried. Why don't you arrange for the kids to meet? Let's become in-laws."
"No, no," Song Hai shook his head repeatedly, spilling some of his drink. "Your kid is already thirty, six years older than my daughter. Too old."
"Men are in their prime at thirty-one, just the right age to be successful. Isn't that perfect?" The thin man wasn't happy. "And my son is so capable; so many women want to marry him."
"Still, that won't do. My daughter wants a good-looking boyfriend," Song Hai set his glass down on the bed. "What's money worth? All my assets belong to her, so she can have any man she wants."
"What's the use of good looks? You can't eat them."
"Pah, isn't there a saying that beauty is a feast for the eyes?" Song Hai drunkenly leaned back in his chair, muttering, "No matter how rich your son is, he won't come to pick you up."
"Nonsense! My son is the most filial!"
"My son is filial too."
"Bullshit, our kids are the most obedient and capable. Just wait and see, my kid will definitely come first."
The drunken men's habit of bragging reached its peak among this group.
"Mr. Yuan, this is the place," the hotel manager stood outside the private room, turned to Yuan Yi, and then looked at Yan Xi, waiting for a response.
"Thank you," Yan Xi politely smiled at the manager.
"It's no trouble at all," the hotel manager responded graciously, walking up to gently knock on the door. The hotel's soundproofing was so good that without opening the door, no one could tell what was happening inside.
"Here they come!" Several old men stumbled up from their chairs, all trying to rush to the door. In the end, the thin man, taking advantage of his position, managed to open the door first.
"Sorry to disturb you, distinguished guests." The hotel manager, seeing the mess of glasses and dishes on the table but no signs of a fight, knew they were just having a meal, not engaged in illegal activities.
"Hi." The old men, seeing the hotel staff at the door, quickly returned to their seats, disappointed.
Yan Xi, her heart still racing, overheard the men talking about a bet and how their children were the most filial. She quickly figured out what had happened. She didn't rush inside but instead scratched her head and said to Yuan Yi, "Sorry, I didn't expect them to be so childish."
A group of bored middle-aged men, what were they doing? They almost scared her to death.
Yuan Yi, who had also overheard the conversation, leaned against the wall and said lightly, "It's fine. Women tend to be more nervous and overthink things, I understand."
Yan Xi didn't know whether to thank him or defend women. But considering how much Yuan Yi had already helped her, she decided it was best to pretend she hadn't heard those comments.
"Dad," Yan Xi crossed the hotel manager and walked into the room, gently asking Song Hai, "Dad, why did you drink so much? Are you feeling unwell?"
"Yan Yan is here?" Song Hai's eyes lit up, and he turned to his friends. "See, my daughter came to pick me up!"
The others were a little disappointed, but when they saw how Yan Xi was attending to her fatherâserving him water, wiping his hands, acting so sweet and considerateâthey all envied and even felt jealous. Indeed, having a daughter was great; they were always so caring.
Yan Xi helped Song Hai say goodbye to his friends and left the room without saying much. Yuan Yi hesitated for a moment and then walked to Song Hai's other side, supporting his arm.
He was worried that Song Hai was too heavy and that Yan Xi, with her slender arms, wouldn't be able to support him alone.
The hotel manager, who had tried to help, quickly withdrew his hand, glancing at the other staff and signaling them to mind their business. Didn't they see Mr. Yuan flattering his future father-in-law? In this world, if you didn't know how to read the room, how could you get promoted and rise to the top?
When Yuan Yi supported Song Hai, he realized just how heavy the man was. He glanced at Yan Xi, who remained unfazed, and swallowed his pride, determined not to show any weakness. He was a man, and he couldn't falter at this moment.
"Young man, you look good. Are you a hotel employee?" Song Hai, still drunk, looked at Yuan Yi with bleary eyes. After showing off to his friends, he was in the mood to praise anyone he saw. "You'd be wasted as a hotel worker. You should be a star, maybe the lead actor..." He shook his head. "Although you lack a bit of righteousness, you could be a great villain. Young people today love the bad guys, you should give it a try."
Yan Xi watched her dad praise Yuan Yi and felt a bit indifferent. Dad, he's not a hotel staff member; he's a golden opportunity that you could only dream of.
"Thanks, but I'm not interested in the entertainment industry." Yuan Yi, feeling physically fit, often worked out, but... why was Yan Xi's dad so unaware?
"Young people should be grounded and hardworking, that's good too," Song Hai pulled his arm away from Yuan Yi and patted his shoulder. "You have a future, just like I did when I was younger. You'll be a successful person."
Just as he finished speaking, he swayed and almost fell to the ground, but Yan Xi pulled him up.
Watching Yan Xi drag Song Hai up, Yuan Yi thought maybe he should focus on weight training instead of running. Men's pride was utterly destroyed at this moment.
Not wanting to argue over trivial matters, Yuan Yi grabbed Song Hai's other arm again.
They managed to get Song Hai into the car. Yan Xi shook her sore arms and fastened her father's seatbelt. "Yuan Xiao Er, you've really helped me a lot today."
"Do you think you can handle it alone?" Yuan Yi looked skeptically at Song Hai, who was still groaning. "I'll go with you."
Drunk people are irrational, and if he started acting out in the car while Yan Xi was driving, it could be dangerous.
"Yuan Xiao Er, you truly are the best man in the world," Yan Xi was touched by Yuan Yi's helpfulness, but still, she playfully, somewhat insincerely, and modestly refused, "But won't it be too much trouble for you? That would be embarrassing."
"It's no problem. You've already troubled me enough tonight," Yuan Yi got in the car. "It's not a big deal, let's go."
"Can't you just say something nice?" Yan Xi grumbled quietly as she got into the driver's seat. "For example, 'We're good friends, so helping you is the right thing to do.' Or, 'It's my honor to help such a beautiful lady.'"
"Overthinking is a sickness. Just drive," Yuan Yi clicked his seatbelt in place. "I still need to go home and sleep."
Yan Xi: ...
Not angry, not angry. She was very grateful, and as a woman, she needed to be magnanimous!
"Yanyan," Song Hai said cheerfully, "Let me sing you a song." Before Yan Xi could refuse, he opened his mouth and began to sing.
"Coming in a rush, leaving in a rush, tides rise and fall, love and hate are in an instant..."
However, he hadn't sung more than a few lines when Yan Xi mercilessly interrupted, "Dad, if I were you, I'd stay silent now." She turned and glared at Song Hai, "Do you know that small drinks are for enjoyment, but excessive drinking harms the body?! And you even made a bet with someone! What would you do if I didn't come pick you up? What about your face?" She had been holding back her anger for her father's sake, but now that she was in the car, she couldn't stand it anymore. "Cigarettes harm the lungs, alcohol harms the liver. If you want to live a long life, stay away from both. You're already fifty, do you really think you're a child?!"
Song Hai shrank his neck, and even stopped singing.
"Dad, I don't care how you lived before, but now that I'm here, I won't let you do whatever you want," Yan Xi said sternly. "Next time you drink this much, I'll move out!"
As soon as he heard his daughter might move out, Song Hai sobered up a little. He repeatedly promised that he would never drink that much again, not make any bets that would worry his daughter, and slowly started quitting smoking. He promised he would never joke with his health again.
Sitting beside them, Yuan Yi watched as Yan Xi's mood shifted in an instant. Just a moment ago, in front of others, she seemed like the perfect, dutiful daughter, and he had found it a little strangeâshe didn't seem like someone with such a good temper.
Now, seeing her sternly scolding Song Hai, Yuan Yi was both surprised and felt a little relieved.
Finally, she's acting normal.
"Yanyan, I'm sorry. It was my fault this time. I'll never do anything to worry you again."
"Fine, I forgive you," Yan Xi said, her expression softening a little. "Now sit tight, I'm driving."
"Okay." Song Hai responded cheerfully.
On the way back, half-drunk, Song Hai finally realized there was someone sitting beside him. He squinted for a while before recognizing the kind-hearted waiter from earlier and began praising the hotel's service.
Yuan Yi didn't argue with a drunk person. He just answered vaguely to whatever Song Hai said.
He figured, "Look at the monk's face, not the Buddha's," though the man was a bit noisy, he was still Yan Xi's father. So out of courtesy, Yuan Yi endured it.
When they reached the Song family home, Yuan Yi and Yan Xi helped Song Hai into the room. Song Hai mumbled, "Yanyan, call the driver to take this young man home. It's so late, his family must be worried."
Standing at the door, Yuan Yi slightly lowered his eyelids but didn't say anything.
"Okay, I know. You get some rest." Yan Xi comforted Song Hai to sleep and then closed the door, stretching her shoulders as she said, "Yuan Xiao'er, thanks to you, or I'd really be worried if I could get my dad home."
"Come on, I'll take you back." Yan Xi led Yuan Yi downstairs and casually grabbed the car keys from the coffee table. Her dad's driver's wife had just given birth, and it was so late; she didn't want the driver to leave his wife and newborn just to drive her.
"No need, I already texted my driver to pick me up." Yuan Yi checked his watch, noticing it was already past 11 PM.
"Then wait a bit, I'll get you a cup of milk." Yan Xi went to the kitchen, took out fresh milk from the fridge, and simmered it in a pot for a few minutes. "Yuan Xiao'er, do you take sugar in your milk?"
"Whatever," Yuan Yi, who had been secretly inspecting the living room's decor, immediately looked away. "I'm not picky."
'Whatever' meant adding sugar, Yan Xi understood.
She poured the milk into two cups and set the tray down on the coffee table. "It's a bit hot, so be careful."
"Thank you." Yuan Yi inhaled the faint scent of milk from the cup, and as he watched Yan Xi blow on the milk, he felt his face grow warm.
Was it the steam from the milk?
The villa where Yan Xi lived was considered a luxury house to many, but to Yuan Yi, the decor style was a bit outdated, with a mix of various styles that couldn't be called elegant, even if he had to lie. However, the house was clean and filled with a vibrant, lived-in feel.
Before finishing his milk, the driver arrived, and Yuan Yi quickly finished the rest of his milk in one go. Calmly wiping his mouth with a handkerchief, he stood up, glanced out the window, and said, "You get some rest, good night." He walked toward the door and looked outside, "Don't come out. Be sure to check the doors and windows, and check the kitchen. Lock the door behind me."
"Okay, Boss." Yan Xi waved at Yuan Yi.
Yuan Yi responded with a 'hm,' and without looking back, he walked out, also helping Yan Xi close the door.
Standing by the window, Yan Xi saw Yuan Yi walking toward a black Bentley. The driver opened the door for him.
"Second Young Master, please get in."
Yuan Yi looked back at the villa, where he saw a shadow at the window. He bent down to enter the car, and perhaps because of the warm milk, he didn't feel a headache despite the late hour.
Back at the Yuan family home, Aunt Li was still awake. Yuan Yi handed her his coat. "Has my brother returned from his business trip?"
"Mr. Yuan called today and said he'll be back tomorrow," Aunt Li said, a bit worried. "Second Young Master, why are you so late today?"
"Just handling a small matter." Yuan Yi rubbed his temple and tossed his tie on the sofa.
"Mr. and Mrs. Yuan are already asleep," Aunt Li added. "Should I heat up some milk for you?"
"No need, I already had some at my friend's place." Yuan Yi looked at Aunt Li. "It's late; you should go to sleep."
"Okay," Aunt Li nodded, then remembered something. "Oh, by the way, Mr. Yuan wanted to talk to you, but you were already out, so he went to sleep. He said you should go see him tomorrow morning."
But where did the Second Young Master go tonight? Serving guests with milk?
"Hmm, I know." Yuan Yi answered casually.
Seeing his indifferent response, Aunt Li didn't say anything else. She quietly collected his suit and tie, then returned to her room.