Late at night.
It was past eleven.
Moonlight spilled over the pitch-black woods. Inside the car, Xu Yan and Dong Xuebin drank mouthful by mouthful, passing the Wuliangye back and forth between them. "Little Dong, can you still drink?"
"More or less. But if you want to drink, I'll keep you company."
"Fine, then let's move to the back, like mother and son."
"Sure. It's roomier in the back. Watch your head."
"I won't bump it. Don't worry, Big Sister isn't drunk yet."
"Then watch yourself too. Hey, careful, careful."
They opened the doors and got into the backseat. Dong Xuebin had not dared drink too much. Mainly because Big Sister Xu was in such low spirits—if he got drunk too, how would the two of them get back? So he had kept himself in check and did not dare pour the liquor down his throat in earnest. From time to time, he watched Xu Yan's condition, intending to take her home once she felt a little better.
"Come on, Little Dong. Drink."
"I think we've had about enough. How about I drive us back first?"
"What's the rush? Big Sister hasn't had enough yet."
"I mean, I'll drive us back first, and you can take your time drinking. It's already past eleven, and I'm worried you won't make it back. Oh, how about staying at a hotel? I can have someone book you a room."
"No need. Big Sister doesn't want to go anywhere right now."
"Uh, then... all right."
"Do you have something to do? If so, you can leave first. Big Sister will sit by herself for a while."
"Don't say that. I'm free. I said I'd drink with you today—how could I leave?"
Big Sister Xu had already had a little too much, so naturally Dong