Seeing this, Jun Yi smiled slightly and said to Ning Rongrong, "No need to pour me any more, I don't like drinking."
When Ning Rongrong saw the smile on Jun Yi's face again, her heart skipped a beat. How long had it been since she had seen Jun Yi smile at her?
At that moment, Ning Rongrong's heart tightened. That familiar smile, that Jun Yi who had once captivated her, seemed to return before her eyes. "You don't like to drink either?" Ning Rongrong asked softly, her voice even trembling slightly. Jun Yi raised his head slightly, a deep sadness flashing in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it, replacing it with a faint smile, "It's not that I don't like to drink, it's just that I don't feel like drinking today." His answer made Ning Rongrong's heart clench again. She vaguely felt that the Jun Yi before her was just like the one she had first met—his eyes remained indifferent, and his whole being exuded a natural arrogance.
Just then, Xue Qinghe, who had been silent all along, suddenly stood up, raised his glass, and said to everyone, "Everyone, it is my honor to be able to gather here today. I believe it is also an honor for the Heaven Dou Empire. Here, I would like to thank everyone for their support and help. Let us toast to the future of the Heaven Dou Empire." Everyone raised their glasses in response. Ning Rongrong also put down her wine pot, returned to her seat, and raised her glass. When her gaze fell on Jun Yi's face again, she noticed that Jun Yi was slowly pouring a cup of tea into his wine glass without raising it. His gaze was quietly fixed on the wine glass, as if he were looking at his own reflection.
Everyone drank it all in one gulp.
" Brother Yi, why don't you raise your glass?" Xue Qinghe asked curiously. Jun Yi smiled slightly, raised his gaze from his wine glass, and looked at everyone: "I'm waiting for someone." "Waiting for whom?" everyone asked curiously. Jun Yi didn't answer; his gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on the doorway.
Ning Fengzhi, dressed in black, appeared in everyone's sight and nodded slightly to them upon seeing them.
After bowing, Ning Fengzhi walked to Xue Qinghe's side and said with a smile, "I apologize, everyone. I had some urgent matters to attend to today, so I'm a little late. I hope you can forgive me." " Sect Master Ning, you're too kind. It's my honor that you could come," Jun Yi replied with a slight smile.
"Alright then, I'll offer a toast to everyone as a way of expressing Fengzhi apologies."
As he spoke, Ning Fengzhi also picked up his wine jug and began to toast everyone in turn. However, halfway through, the wine jug was empty. He then picked up Tang Xiao's wine cup and said with a smile, "Sect Master Tang, I'll have the waiter bring you another jug later. How about I use this to toast you?"
Tang Xiao smiled calmly and said, "Of course, but I didn't expect that Sect Master Ning would drink alcohol."
"I'm so happy today, so I'm making an exception and drinking to my heart's content. After all, the war has temporarily stopped, so I'm happy." As he spoke, he filled Tang Xiao's glass with wine, and then poured one for himself as well.
"Come, Sect Master Tang, let me toast you, to thank you for taking care of Fengzhi all these years." Ning Fengzhi's face was slightly flushed, clearly indicating that he was already somewhat drunk.
Tang Xiao smiled slightly upon seeing this; Ning Fengzhi had only drunk a few cups, yet...
A hint of intoxication appeared on Ning Fengzhi's face. This businessman, who always seemed so clear-headed and composed, actually had this side to him. " Sect Master Ning, you..." Tang Xiao hadn't finished speaking when Ning Fengzhi raised his cup and downed it in one gulp. Then, his gaze turned to the Sword Douluo beside him. " Clear Sky Douluo, I toast you to thank you for taking care of Rongrong all these years." Tang Hao looked at the somewhat tipsy Ning Fengzhi, smiled slightly, and said, "Alright." As he spoke, the Sword Douluo also stood up, raised his wine cup, and tilted his head back to drink.
After Ning Fengzhi toasted all the Titled Douluo present, he went to Yu Xiaogang's side and said, " Yu Xiaogang, this cup is for you. Thank you for helping my disciple and offering advice during this time. I, Ning Fengzhi, have never admired many people in my life, but you are one of them."
As he spoke, he swayed and raised a toast to Yu Xiaogang.
Everyone present looked on with emotion at Ning Fengzhi's actions. They all knew that Ning Fengzhi had been working tirelessly and painstakingly for the Alliance all these years, and he was indeed the one who most deserved a rest.
" Sect Master Ning, I also toast you." Yu Xiaogang raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp.
Ning Fengzhi then walked to Dai Mubai and Xue Qinghe's side, filled their cups with wine, and said, "Your Majesties, please forgive Fengzhi, I am not a strong drinker, this cup is for you both."
Xue Qinghe and Dai Mubai both stood up.
The two didn't say much, and both drank their cups in one gulp. Seeing this scene, everyone was deeply moved; perhaps, Ning Fengzhi seemed exceptionally genuine today.
When he walked up to Jun Yi, a subtle smile appeared on his face. He shook the wine pot and found it was empty again. Just as he was about to borrow another pot of wine from Xue Qinghe, Jun Yi slowly poured Ning Fengzhi a cup of tea.
" Sect Master Ning, have a cup of tea to sober up."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head, looked at Jun Yi in front of him, smiled slightly, took the cup of tea, and drank it all in one gulp. " Jun Yi, in my entire life, I, Ning Fengzhi, have never misjudged anyone. You are the first. Your growth rate has completely exceeded my expectations." Ning Fengzhi looked at Jun Yi, patting his shoulder with a slightly tipsy smile. Jun Yi smiled faintly, "Life is unpredictable. Perhaps without you, I wouldn't have grown so quickly."
Ning Fengzhi burst into laughter after hearing this, "Yes, as the saying goes, times create heroes. Perhaps you are the hero created by my times."
"Teacher, you're drunk." Xue Qinghe stepped forward, helped Ning Fengzhi up, and helped him back to his seat.
"Come on, everyone, let's toast to the future of the Heaven Dou Empire!" Xue Qinghe stood up, raised his glass high, and said with great enthusiasm. Everyone stood up and raised their glasses in celebration. Jun Yi watched Ning Fengzhi being helped back to his seat, and couldn't help but feel a little emotional. He looked at the glass in front of him, his thoughts racing.
Jun Yi's gaze fell on the direction where Ning Fengzhi was helped back to his seat. Looking at Ning Fengzhi's somewhat tired back, he couldn't help but feel a little emotional. Only two years had passed, but Ning Fengzhi was obviously much more haggard, and his once jet-black hair was now mixed with many white hairs.
" Brother Yi, just how powerful have you become? Could it be that you've already become a god?"
Xue Qinghe asked Jun Yi with a smile, as if they were having a casual chat. All the Titled Douluo present pricked up their ears, eager to hear Jun Yi's reply.
(End of this chapter)