9 p.m., the manor lounge.
Cheng Yue stared at the person before him in disbelief. "Why did you suddenly come back?!"
With May approaching, the weather was neither hot nor cold. Fang Lele wore a hoodie and fidgeted with his fingers, stammering without managing to explain himself.
Cheng Yue pinched the bridge of his nose, his head aching.
It had all started half an hour earlier. Lin Shuyang's wedding had wrapped up perfectly, and the evening belonged to the younger crowd.
His head swimming, Cheng Yue gripped his dice cup and faced off against Lin Shuyang. "Are you calling him or not? If you don't, I'm calling you!"
"Whatever you bid, I'm calling you!"
"I'm jumping up to call you today!"
Lin Shuyang wiped his face and wailed at the man beside Cheng Yue. "Keep him under control, please! I'm begging you!"
How little had he eaten to get this drunk?!
Ji Huaijin fed Cheng Yue a peanut he had just shelled. His lips curved slightly as he uttered something utterly heartless. "Jump up to call, and the penalty doubles."
Everyone else joined in, clamoring to jump up and call too. Chewing his peanut, Cheng Yue said, "I'm calling!" as he moved his dice cup.
Just as he was about to lift it, the manor manager suddenly approached their table. After greeting everyone, he said respectfully, "There's a young man named Fang Lele outside. He says he's looking for Mr. Cheng."
"Who?!"
Cheng Yue's muddled brain instantly cleared more than halfway. "Sorry, could you say that again? I didn't catch it. Who's looking for me?"
The manager repeated succinctly, "He says his name is Fang Lele, and he's your younger brother."
Two seconds later, Cheng Yue dropped his dice cup and all but scrambled to the front entrance.
And that