Red Wine That Doesn't Get You Drunk

Su Yang couldn't help but chuckle at the remark.

"Alright, alright, call me a cricket if you want. But when it comes to money, I’m nowhere near your league. Your cousin is Meng Wenzhou, after all. Others might not know, but I do."

"He’s my cousin, not my brother. His wealth has nothing to do with me."

"Well, that’s true. But your family’s definitely well-off too—what with your Lambo and Ferrari."

"Let’s just say we’re comfortable. It’s nothing compared to my cousin’s family."

"Obviously. His dad’s worth tens of billions. Not many can match that."

"But his vibe is nothing like your typical ultra-rich heir."

"Then what’s he like?" Pan Ning asked.

"Hmm, how do I put it? You know those super-rich heirs, like Brother Acong—always surrounded by beauties, not exactly the easiest personalities. But Meng Wenzhou’s different."

Pan Ning smiled faintly. "He’s been like that since childhood. Doesn’t carry himself like a spoiled rich kid. If you didn’t know, you’d think he was just an ordinary guy. You’ll see once you spend more time with him."

As they talked, the elevator arrived at Su Yang’s floor.

He pressed his fingerprint to unlock the door, and the lights automatically turned on as it opened.

"Come in."

"Got any slippers?"

"Yeah." Su Yang pulled out two pairs of cheap sandals he’d bought at the supermarket from the cabinet by the door.

Pan Ning swapped her shoes and walked in.

Su Yang closed the door and followed. "Make yourself at home. What do you want to drink?"

"Got any alcohol?"

"Wait—alcohol? You’re still drinking?"

"I’m not drunk. If you can’t handle it, pick something else."

"I—fine, whatever. This is my place—you think I’m scared? Tonight, I’ll risk my life to keep you company. Let’s drink!"

Su Yang headed to the kitchen and opened the built-in double-door fridge.

He scanned the contents and realized he hadn’t bought any beer.

"Uh, I just moved in, so no beer yet. Only red wine and baijiu left. Which do you want?"

"Either’s fine. Is the baijiu Moutai?"

"Yeah. Wait, so you only drink Moutai?"

"Not exactly. It’s just the only white liquor I’ve had since I was a kid. Can’t stand the others."

"Damn, raised on Moutai? No surprise—rich girl through and through."

"So, Moutai then?"

"Moutai it is." Pan Ning plopped onto the couch, indifferent.

"Honestly, I’m shocked you didn’t pick red wine. Drinking baijiu in this moody lighting?"

Su Yang had dimmed the living room lights after entering, perfect for a glass of red.

"Red wine won’t get me drunk."

Su Yang: "..."

"You want to get drunk?"

"If I’m drunk, won’t you have your chance?" Pan Ning leaned back, her eyes teasing him.

"Whoa—that’s a straight-up seduction! Don’t blame me if I can’t control myself later."

"Only if you can outdrink me."

"Cocky!" Su Yang feigned outrage and marched to the liquor cabinet, pulling out a box of Moutai.

He grabbed two bottles and sat back down on the couch.

"Tonight, I will drink you under the table."

"Less talk, more action."

"Alright, just wait."

"Though we don’t have any snacks to go with it." Su Yang eyed the empty coffee table.

"Peanuts are fine."

"Peanuts?" Su Yang stared at Pan Ning, unable to picture this elegant woman chugging baijiu with peanuts.

"You never fail to amaze me. Never thought you’d be this... unrefined."

"You don’t have anything else. Otherwise, I wouldn’t settle for peanuts."

"Well, I just had a bowl of noodles earlier. I’ve got steak, fruit, snacks—just no peanuts."

"Then whatever’s easy. I’m not picky."

"Got it. Wait here—I’ll cook two steaks. You mind washing some fruit?"

"Sure~"

Soon, Su Yang served the steaks. Pan Ning had already finished prepping the fruit and was waiting on the couch.

"Here you go~"

Su Yang set the plates down, then uncorked the Moutai. He wiped two small cups from the box and, mimicking how he’d seen others do it, tugged off the red ribbon.

This was his first time opening a bottle of Moutai in his life.

Pan Ning frowned. "Those tiny cups?"

"Uh, yeah? This is baijiu!"

"Get bigger ones. We’ll be here till dawn at this rate."

Su Yang laughed helplessly. "Damn, sis—I bow to you. Fine, hold on."

He went to the kitchen bar and returned with two whiskey glasses.

"These work?"

"Mm, acceptable."

"Absolute legend." Su Yang gave her a thumbs-up.

He poured the drinks and raised his glass. "Cheers."

They clinked. Su Yang took a sip; Pan Ning downed half her glass in one go.

Su Yang’s eyes widened. "Seriously? This is baijiu. Who drinks it like that?"

"Stop nagging. Regretting coming here already. You drinking or not?"

"Fine, forget I said anything."

"Maybe eat something with it?"

"Mm."

Pan Ning speared a piece of steak with her fork and took a bite.

After chewing, she asked, "Where’d you buy this steak?"

"Supermarket. Why?"

"Tastes average. Doesn’t seem like prime cut."

"Really? The label said prime."

"Try it yourself. It’s edible, barely."

Su Yang took a bite but couldn’t tell the difference—he’d barely eaten steak in his life. To him, it tasted great.

"Seems fine to me."

"Then you have it. I’ll stick with fruit."

Pan Ning popped a cherry into her mouth. "If you like steak, I’ll send you some better ones later."

"Sweet. Convenient, too. By the way, where do you live?"

"Qianshan Peninsula."

"Where’s that? Never heard of it."

"Just a regular villa district."

‘Vil—no wonder. I worked in real estate but only on high-rises and townhouses. Never touched villa projects.’ Su Yang thought to himself.

"Far from here?"

"About five miles. Not too bad. Now drink—you talk too much."

Pan Ning raised her glass again.

Inspired by her boldness, Su Yang took a bigger gulp this time—and nearly choked.

"Cough—whoa, too strong."

"Here, have a cherry." Pan Ning held one to his lips.

"I’ll do it—"

"Open up!"

"Ugh, fine." Su Yang let her feed him.

"Good?" Pan Ning smirked.

"Yeah... just kinda terrifying."

"I’m terrifying?"

"No, no—let’s drink."

Pan Ning shot Su Yang a glare as the two leisurely chatted and drank together.

The dim lighting and enchanting night view outside the window were occasionally interrupted by a gentle breeze drifting in. The Harman Kardon sound system in the living room played music that perfectly matched the mood, while they lounged on the carpet by the sofa, laughing and sipping their drinks.

Su Yang gazed at Pan Ning—the warm, muted light cast a glow on one side of her fair face, accentuating her delicate features to perfection.

[Ding! System detected the host is thoroughly enjoying this moment. Reward: 2 million yuan.]

...

Time flew by, and soon it was 4 a.m.

Su Yang had downed about three taels of liquor, while Pan Ning polished off the rest.

By now, Su Yang's head was spinning—he was certain one more sip would send him over the edge. He glanced at Pan Ning, who looked completely unfazed.

"Seriously, sis, I’m done. I can’t drink another drop. Maybe another time?"

"Fine, this bottle’s empty anyway. I’m gonna shower—where’s the bathroom?"

"Bath...room," Su Yang slurred, his words barely coherent.

He wobbled to his feet. "Over there. I’ll show you."

Pan Ning stepped forward and steadied him. "This little lightweight can’t even handle a few drinks."

"Yeah, yeah, I admit it. You’ve got me beat."

Su Yang was utterly intimidated by Pan Ning’s drinking prowess. Even back at the bar, she’d outdrunk everyone.

Though she rarely lost drinking games, she’d always use "being thirsty" as an excuse to take extra shots.

The losers never drank as much as she did.

And now, after downing over half a pound of baijiu, she still looked completely unaffected.

Su Yang couldn’t help but admire her legendary tolerance.