The two children squatted in the corner playing marbles. Seeing their dad grinning like an idiot, they couldn't help glancing over.
Only after Ye Yaodong finished laughing did he say, "Don't try showing off in front of an expert. Standing next to me, even sticking your hair straight up wouldn't help."
"Shit, we can't be friends anymore. That's it, friendship over..."
"Come on, let's go. No point drinking here anymore..."
The two made to stand up, but Ye Yaodong held them back. "Hey, hey, sit down, sit down. Pretend I didn't say anything. Keep taking shots at me."
"You're still laughing!"
"No, I just haven't recovered from laughing earlier."
"I don't believe you!"
"Neither do I! Drink three cups as a penalty first."
"What for..."
The three laughed and joked as they drank until past eight, then headed home red-faced and belching. They still had to go out to sea that night, so they needed an early night.
After drinking so much, Ye Yaodong needed to pee. He went outside to relieve himself, planning to clear the table afterward, but when he came back inside, A Qing was already cleaning up.
"Didn't I say I'd clear it?"
Lin Xiuqing cast him a sidelong glance. "Just go to bed. Your face is all red."
Ye Yaodong wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, buried his head against the back of her neck, and inhaled deeply. Then he kissed her, sucking a pink hickey onto her skin.
"Stop fooling around. Go to bed. You have to get up tonight."
"Ah, why has it been sunny for so many days in a row lately? I've worked more than ten days straight without even a few days of rain to give me a break."
Lin Xiuqing slapped the large hand around her waist.