Evening.
A little after eight.
After three rounds of drinks and a half-full meal, the atmosphere in the north room of the Yao Family's Small Courtyard grew increasingly lively. They had said they would stop at the right point, but in the end, they still started urging each other to drink.
"County Chief Jiang, let me toast you."
"County Chief Dong, have another drink."
"I really can't anymore. I've already had quite a bit."
"What do you mean, can't? Fill it up and bottoms up again."
"I really can't. I'll only pour half a glass more, at most."
At the table, Jiang Fangfang held the highest rank, so naturally no one dared force drinks on her. County Chief Jiang merely took a sip each time and never drained her glass. Dong Xuebin was not so fortunate. He was hosting the dinner today, and he had made such a tremendous contribution earlier, winning considerable political benefits for Jiang's faction. Strictly speaking, Dong Xuebin ought to have been the star of tonight's dinner. Pu An and Jian Xiangrong did not let him off either, repeatedly clinking glasses with him. After several ounces of liquor went down Dong Xuebin's throat, he was a little lightheaded, though not drunk yet. He had simply had enough.
Pu An's form of address changed as well. "Xuebin, I heard you climbed six stories barehanded today? And you even jumped down from the sixth floor carrying someone, yet came out fine?"
Lu Zhi really had a poor tolerance for alcohol and had already put down his glass for good. Hearing that, he looked curiously at Dong Xuebin as well. "Yeah, I heard about it too."
Neither of them had been there at the time, nor had they seen it with their own eyes.
Dong Xuebin waved his hand.