Shi Chun was not fond of drinking, because he was not a man who indulged himself. Ever since childhood, he had never had the luxury of losing his clarity of mind. Thus, over the course of their drinking session, he only finished a little under half a jar, and even that much was for the sake of keeping his companion company.
Li Hongjiu rose, patting his round, swollen belly in satisfaction. He had polished off three jars of fine wine by himself. Though the jars were not large, that was still no small amount.
Their false affection grew ever more tangible, and they went out with their arms around each other's shoulders, calling each other brother.
When the courtyard gate opened, Xiao Sheng was already waiting with a carriage. Once the two entered the compartment, he drove them off himself.
They toured the streets and alleys, until the carriage finally stopped not far from the Bai Family Rice Shop. Lifting the curtain afforded an angled view of it.
The shop's doorboards had been taken down. It seemed to have reopened.
Inside the carriage, Shi Chun pointed at the rice shop outside the window and told Li Hongjiu beside him, "Brother Hongjiu, just go through the motions. In and out."
A few cups of wine had clearly bolstered Li Hongjiu's courage, yet when the moment arrived, he actually began to lose his nerve.
He hesitated. "So I like her. Liking someone doesn't mean you have to say it out loud, does it? Why must I confess?"
Shi Chun could only stare. Hadn't we already agreed on this? Now that it's time, you're pulling this again? He immediately began persuading him in earnest. "Don't I need to make the excuse I used to get Bai Qiru out hold water? If I didn't