The second floor of the Winery had a more understated, dignified decor, with several sofa booths arranged neatly around the corners.
Everyone seated nearby knew one another. Before Ji Huaijin even had to speak, Lin Shuyang took Cheng Yue around and introduced him to everyone.
Unlike the confrontations and snobbery in novels and TV dramas, everyone who could sit here came from a good family and had good manners. Whatever they might have thought privately, they were all perfectly cordial on the surface.
Of course, everyone knew the most important reason for that, and Cheng Yue understood it too: Ji Huaijin had a great deal to do with it.
"Want a taste?"
Ji Huaijin chose a bottle of red wine with a lower alcohol content, poured a glass, and set it in front of him. "Just a couple of sips. Don't get drunk."
Cheng Yue shot him a discreet glare. "My tolerance isn't that bad!"
Even another two small servings like this wouldn't get him drunk!
Ji Huaijin smiled without a word. Leaning back in his chair, he straightened Cheng Yue's collar, making no attempt to hide either his actions or his expression from anyone.
Long since accustomed to his hands wandering, Cheng Yue held his glass and focused on tasting the wine.
The others, however, were a different story. Apart from Xi Ming, who had already witnessed this earlier, even Lin Shuyang, who had grown up with Ji Huaijin, stared wide-eyed.
Was this still his best friend, who stood aloof from the world, untouched by earthly affairs?
"He really has descended into the mortal world..."
As Lin Shuyang muttered to himself, he pinched his upper thigh hard, and a sharp stab of pain shot straight to his brain.
He jumped up with a yelp.
Startled, Cheng Yue nearly knocked