At that moment, Fang Linxuan took advantage of Luo Yan's trip to the restroom. She poured a packet of something into a drink and gently shook it, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
Daughter, this is all I can do for you.
Indeed, that packet contained the legendary "Happy Union Powder."
Such an imposing and powerful name. Surely the person who concocted this drug must have read too many fantasy novels.
Fang Linxuan kept signaling Chu Hao with her eyes, but he was having too much fun to notice her expressions.
Fang Linxuan pressed her forehead. This kid is really something! How can he be so unprofessional and not at all composed?
"Chu Hao!" a surprised voice called from nearby.
Chu Hao turned his head and saw a man wearing a gold chain, with a buzzcut and tattoos. His appearance was average, merely passable.
Chu Hao exclaimed in surprise, "Are you Brother Gou?"
Brother Gou, whose full name was Ju Desheng, was from the same orphanage as Chu Hao and five years his senior.
Ju Desheng had left the orphanage after finishing junior high, making him one of the first to do so. Back then, Chu Hao had just started junior high.
Now, Brother Gou had been navigating the complexities of society for quite a few years.
Ju Desheng's eyes were glued to Luo Yan and the other beautiful women. Initially, he marveled at how stunningly beautiful they were. He couldn't help wanting to approach them but hesitated upon seeing Wang Meng and the other burly men.
Then, at the opposite table, he spotted Chu Hao, whose face seemed somewhat familiar.
Ju Desheng exclaimed in surprise, "Are you Little Maozi?"
Chu Hao was also very happy to see someone from the orphanage. "Brother Gou, yes, I'm Little Maozi."
Ju Desheng laughed heartily. Since he had no chance to chat up the beauties, meeting an acquaintance was a stroke of luck. Seeing Chu Hao reaching for a drink to toast him, Ju Desheng quickly grabbed a bottle of liquor and walked over. My chance to interact with the beauties has come!
Ju Desheng's group of friends were also young lads who behaved in a carefree, ruffian-like manner, resembling the social group known as Shamate. They looked on enviously at Ju Desheng.
Ju Desheng patted Chu Hao's shoulder. "Little Maozi, it's been so many years."
Chu Hao smiled. "Brother Gou, you rarely returned to the orphanage after you left. Coincidentally, I also came to Anli City."
"Come on, let's have a drink, just the two of us."
The two started chatting, reminiscing about interesting times at the orphanage. Ju Desheng then asked, "Little Maozi, what are you up to these days?"
"Studying. I got into Star Dream High School."
Ju Desheng uttered an "Oh," his attention somewhat drifting. "You're really lucky. It's a pity your Brother Gou didn't even finish junior high. It's tough to get by in society these days."
Chu Hao asked, "What have you been up to recently, Brother Gou?"
Of course, Ju Desheng couldn't admit he was just overseeing a venue for someone, as that would give the women a bad first impression. Instead, he boasted, "I work at a corporation, the Zhongnan Mountain Bodyguard Company."
Li Yin, somewhat drunk, interjected, "What? I've only ever heard of the Zhongnanhai Bodyguard Company. What the heck is Zhongnan Mountain?"
Chu Hao glared at Li Yin and said with a smile, "Brother Gou, this is my classmate. He's drunk."
Ju Desheng waved his hand dismissively. "No worries. You clearly don't know Brother Gou yet; I'm very magnanimous."
Chu Hao nodded in agreement. "Whenever we were bullied at the orphanage, Brother Gou always stood up for us."
Ju Desheng visibly swelled with pride. Eyeing the beautiful women, he said, "Little Maozi, aren't you going to make some introductions?"
Chu Hao began the introductions, "This is Yu Sicheng, Wang Meng..."
Naturally, Ju Desheng focused on drinking with the women, especially Fang Linxuan and Wenmi.
When Luo Yan returned from the restroom, Ju Desheng's eyes nearly popped out. He had seen beautiful women before, but never one as stunning as her. This is the perfect opportunity to get close, maybe even hook up with one.
Ju Desheng swallowed hard. "I'm Chu Hao's friend. It's nice to meet you. Care for a drink?"
Luo Yan, already woozy from drinking, shook her head. "I... I'd rather not. I'm feeling a bit unwell."
Hearing this, Fang Linxuan grew anxious. This won't do! Her drink has been spiked!
Fang Linxuan quickly urged, "Just have a little. It's okay. He's Ah-Hao's friend, not a stranger."
Fang Linxuan was desperate for Luo Yan to drink it.
"Mom, am I even your daughter?" Luo Yan was speechless. How did I end up with such an outrageous mother?
"DING... Host has successfully postured, gaining 400 Pretentiousness Points."
Chu Hao was confused. How did I act pretentious?
It turned out to be due to Ju Desheng's shock.
Ju Desheng gaped, astonished. Those two are mother and daughter? You can't tell at all! And how do they know Little Maozi? Such stunning women hanging out and eating with a high school student... isn't that incredibly strange?
Burning with envy and jealousy, Ju Desheng felt he had to seize this opportunity. He urged, "It's fine, just have a little."
Luo Yan was so dizzy she could barely sit straight. She slurred, "I really can't drink anymore." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ Nove1Fire.net
"How can that be? Not drinking means you're not giving Brother Gou face," Ju Desheng insisted.
Wang Meng let out a drunken burp and said with a sneer, "She's just a girl. I'll drink with you instead."
Ju Desheng frowned. This Wang Meng is so tactless! Can't he see I'm trying to drink with a beautiful woman? What business is it of his?
Chu Hao saw the awkwardness. Since Brother Gou was from the orphanage, even though they rarely interacted, Chu Hao intervened, "Brother Gou, my friend really can't drink anymore. I'll drink for her."
With that, he grabbed Luo Yan's drink and downed it in one gulp.
Fang Linxuan shrieked, "AH!" Everyone turned to look at her, their faces filled with confusion.
Fang Linxuan secretly stomped her foot. What is going on?! The drink I spiked has been drunk by Chu Hao!
Ju Desheng didn't hesitate either. He downed his glass and grinned at Luo Yan. "Since Little Maozi drank for you, we'll let it go. Brother Gou will give him face."
He said it as if he were the one doing Chu Hao a favor by giving him face.
The others sized Ju Desheng up again. He was clearly just a local ruffian. Seeing that Chu Hao didn't speak up, they also remained silent.
Chu Hao sighed. Brother Gou has really changed. He loves to show off so much now. He's clearly just a thug, but his attempts to act impressive seem so crude and artless to me.
"Brother Gou, tomorrow is Grandma Ji's birthday. Are you going back to the orphanage?" Chu Hao asked.
Ju Desheng was taken aback for a moment. "I haven't been back to the orphanage in ages. It would be good to see the director and the others."
Ju Desheng poured another glass and again insisted that Luo Yan drink with him. Fang Linxuan, now very annoyed, said coldly, "I'll drink with you."
She had already drunk quite a bit, but making Ju Desheng drink until he passed out would be no problem for her at all.
Wang Meng and the others quickly chimed in, "Auntie Fang, you shouldn't drink! We'll drink with him."
Although everyone was already somewhat drunk, they couldn't let a woman drink on their behalf. Where would their pride be?
Fang Linxuan waved them off. With the commanding presence of a strong-willed woman, she stated, "I want to drink too. It's been a long time."
Of course, Ju Desheng was delighted to drink with a beautiful woman. What's the point of drinking with Chu Hao, anyway?
The drinking at the table escalated, and soon Ju Desheng couldn't hold his liquor anymore. Seeing Fang Linxuan still eager to continue, he was utterly baffled. This woman's alcohol tolerance is incredible!
Ju Desheng started to lose his nerve. He covertly signaled his buddies to come over and take over the drinking.
Seeing this, the others at the table were visibly displeased. Chu Hao said, "Brother Gou, it's getting late. We should probably head back and get some sleep."
Ju Desheng draped his arm over Chu Hao's shoulder. With bleary, drunken eyes, he slurred, "Nonsense! We brothers haven't seen each other in so long. We absolutely must drink to our heart's content!"