CHAPTER 658: CHAPTER 441: DRUNKARD?

The first update arrived.

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Since Chuxia had known Zhou Mikang, this was the first time she had seen him so enthusiastic about someone.

Apart from their private interactions, he was always indifferent, even with relatives, saying only what needed to be said, without any affectionate gestures.

Like now, holding Lin Wenbin’s hand fervently, she really found it hard to adapt.

It wasn’t just her who found it hard to adapt, apart from Lin Wenbin, everyone did, and as things progressed, only Zhou Mikang and Lin Wenbin were talking at the table, while the others all wore thoughtful expressions.

Zhou Mikang wasn’t made uncomfortable by everyone’s gaze, but Lin Wenbin was the first to crack, "Brother-in-law, from what I know of you, you’re not usually this enthusiastic about people. Can I ask, what about me caught your eye?"

"Big uncle, then you tell me, we’ve been chatting for such a long time now, what do you think of me? Are you satisfied?"

Lin Wenbin hesitated a bit before nodding hesitantly: "It’s... it’s okay."

"Do you still think Chuxia marrying me was a loss?"

Everyone then understood, the reason for his enthusiasm was this, indeed a case of one thing overcoming another. All eyes turned to Chuxia, their smiles carrying a hint of deeper meaning.

Chuxia, feeling uneasy, coughed softly and subtly pinched Zhou Mikang. Yet, before she could retract her hand, he gripped it tightly, and no matter how she wriggled, she couldn’t pull it free.

In such company, she didn’t dare struggle too hard. Luo Xiaoqiong, from her angle, saw their clasped hands and couldn’t help but smirk, whispering to Chuxia, "Tsk tsk, such great affection, so sweet. I’m jealous to death."

Chuxia was exasperated. This was her best friend, this was her close girlfriend—no consideration at all. Didn’t she know people get shy? Couldn’t she pretend not to see anything?

After pondering for a while, Lin Wenbin finally seriously responded to Zhou Mikang’s question, "I believe, at that time, Chuxia marrying you was not entirely willingly, so, I’ll repeat what I said, if we had found uncle’s family earlier, we would not have let you marry Chuxia so easily.

However, even finding uncle’s family now is not too late. If you dare mistreat Chuxia, if there’s even a slight bit of wrongdoing towards her, the Lin Family, even if we have to spend every last dime, will not let you off.

Chuxia is our Lin Family’s child, my sister Lin Wenbin, protecting her, preventing her from getting hurt is my responsibility. That’s why I transferred to work in City A..."

Hearing this, Chuxia realized the real reason he had come to City A. Uncontrollably, her eyes welled up with tears. Indeed, if she had someone to depend on back then, it wouldn’t have been so easy to marry Zhou Mikang.

Ever since she arrived in this era, what she feared the most was that her own beauty would ruin her life. The doom often associated with beauty terrified her, so she lived cautiously and vigilantly.

When facing a forced marriage from the Xue family, although she wasn’t scared, she was confused. So, when Zhou Mikang proposed to marry her, even though she hadn’t decided at the time, she compromised.

For her at that time, marrying Zhou Mikang was a compromise with life, with fate. Fortunately, everything later proved that she had married the right person.

But, regardless, Lin Wenbin’s protectiveness now moved her! It also made her feel secure.

She autonomously picked up the bottle of liquor and poured herself a full glass, her voice quivering with a soft hoarseness, "Brother, thank you. I know drinking isn’t good, but right now, I feel I must express my feelings with liquor.

"Chuxia, it’s only natural for your brother to treat you well, what are you doing?" Lin Wenbin stared at her seriously, "Girls are not allowed to drink alcohol. Switch to water, and I’ll drink with you if it’s water."

"No, I want to drink liquor, just this once, it’s my first time drinking. Brother, if you don’t drink, it means you’re afraid of taking responsibility, afraid of me bothering you constantly in the future, afraid..."

"Alright, alright..." Hearing her keep on about "afraid," Lin Wenbin quickly raised his glass to clink with hers, "Brother’s done, you just dab it on your lips."

"Mm, I’m careful. If I drank this whole glass all at once, I probably couldn’t handle it." Chuxia lifted the glass, held her breath, and drank half of it. Zhou Mikang quickly picked up a cucumber slice and stuffed it into her mouth, "Hurry up and eat, you’re really proving your point," he said with a face full of jealousy, looking at Lin Wenbin, "It’s all your fault."

Sitting next to Director Xu, Jing Zhe had a faint smile on his face, but deep down, he felt a profound loss. From now on, as a brother caring for and protecting her, he couldn’t...

"Big brother..." After eating a few bites, Chuxia raised her glass to Jing Zhe, "This drink, I must toast to you, big brother. Ever since I joined the military, you’ve been helping me.

I won’t say the superfluous polite words. In any case, big brother, in my heart, you definitely don’t weigh lighter than second brother, but missing a blood relationship gives people grounds for criticism, so in the future I will be more careful, but it doesn’t mean big brother and I aren’t close, you should understand."

"I understand." Jing Zhe’s eyes slightly moistened, his heart felt uneasy, he understood Chuxia’s intentions and knew it was for the best, but he still felt like he was being abandoned.

He wanted to tell Chuxia to drink less, but afraid that the choked sound in his voice would cause unnecessary speculation, he tilted his head back and downed a glass of alcohol. With the searing burning sensation in his stomach, he finally suppressed the slight sadness in his heart.

Zhou Mikang wanted to stop Chuxia, but he extended his hand halfway and then pulled it back. He knew all too well how much Jing Zhe had sacrificed for Chuxia. When he was not around, Jing Zhe had always been looking after and protecting her without any ulterior motives. From every perspective, he should be grateful to him. After all, if she got drunk, he would look after her. Having been a soldier for so many years, he knew some quick ways to sober up without causing discomfort.

Having finished the liquor in his own cup, Jing Zhe reached out to grab Chuxia’s cup: "Drink less just for the gesture, I understand your intention. Don’t torture yourself with alcohol."

"I’ve already finished drinking." Chuxia aired her empty cup, blinking her innocent large eyes, "The alcohol was quite nice to drink, a bit sweet and a bit spicy, and it even felt cozy." She said, placing it in front of Zhou Mikang, "Pour me a little more, please."

"You are not allowed to drink anymore." Zhou Mikang glared at her, "This is alcohol, not water, and you still have to work this afternoon. What are you fussing about?"

"I’ll toast Director Xu and the teacher with one cup, then I won’t drink any more. How about that?" Chuxia blinked her big eyes, looking like a puppy begging for food, softening Zhou Mikang’s heart as he hesitated whether or not to pour her some more.

Seeing his struggle, Director Xu smiled and said, "Chuxia, if you want to toast us, water will do."

"Chuxia, do you really think the alcohol tastes good?" Song Xiaoyu asked curiously.

Chuxia nodded vigorously: "Yes, teacher, why don’t you try a little?" Because it was the afternoon, both Director Xu and Song Xiaoyu hadn’t drunk any alcohol.

"Let me try." Luo Xiaoqiong couldn’t wait and moved forward with a cup, eagerly looking at Zhou Mikang, "Commander, just a tiny bit for me to taste, please."

Zhou Mikang then poured her a tiny bit at the bottom of the cup.

"Cough... sigh sigh sigh..." The action was too quick, and the alcohol went straight to her stomach. Luo Xiaoqiong, panicked, tried to scoop at her throat while pointing at Chuxia, unable to speak.

"Is it necessary?" Chuxia looked at her, puzzled, "Are you serious, or are you pretending?"

"I... what reason do I have to pretend..." Luo Xiaoqiong rolled her eyes at her in displeasure, "Actually, I wanted to ask you, are you for real or are you pretending?"

Chuxia, looking serious, said, "I really think it tastes quite good." Then suddenly, with a realization, she slapped her forehead, "It seems this is my special talent. I couldn’t believe it; I even have such an incredible talent."

"Stop right there..." Zhou Mikang glared at her, "Even if you have that talent, you are not allowed to drink. Just because you don’t feel it, it doesn’t mean it won’t harm your liver. Understand?"

"So knowledgeable..." Chuxia muttered, then seeing the commander’s face turning dark, quickly added, "Don’t worry, don’t worry, I won’t drink for fun when there’s nothing wrong."

"I’ll check on it after we get back, couldn’t imagine that you had such a talent..." Song Xiaoyu said amusingly as she sized her up, "Just don’t start craving alcohol one day and drink up all my medicinal alcohol."

Director Xu also joked with a laugh, "That might actually happen. It looks like you need to warn the medical room quickly. Without your signature, they absolutely should not let her take any alcohol."

"Director, teacher, is it necessary?" Chuxia’s face crumbled into a bitter melon expression, "I’m just not sensitive to alcohol, not addicted to it."

Zhou Mikang emphasized seriously to everyone, "Let’s just keep this among us, it absolutely must not be spread."

Lin Wenbin stared at him incredulously, "What, you think it’s shameful that my sister drinks?"

Zhou Mikang frowned, "I don’t want others to take advantage of her by forcing her to drink in the future. Like I said, her being insensitive to alcohol doesn’t mean it won’t damage her health."

"Alright, I misjudged you, I apologize." Lin Wenbin also looked seriously at Chuxia, "As a girl, it’s better not to touch alcohol, you should listen to your brother-in-law, understand?"

"Understood, do all of you really need to fuss this much?" Chuxia pouted unhappily, "At least my big brother is good..."

Jing Zhe quickly interrupted her, "I agree with them; it’s just that since they’ve said it, I felt no need to repeat it."

Chuxia: "... Can’t one live a little? Am I such a worry to everyone?!"

Director Xu, who had been smiling all along, became earnest and said to Chuxia, "In any case, this is a very good talent, and who knows, it might bring you benefits someday.

That’s why concealing it is quite necessary. Chuxia, don’t mind everyone’s nagging; would anyone bother if they didn’t truly care about you? Right?"

A little voice inside Chuxia screamed, I am not an ignorant child, please stop fussing over me... (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote and support it on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)