Chapter 16.1 - The Fragrance of that Tea (Part 5)
By the time they arrived at the restaurant, Director Li and his family of three had already ordered food in the private room and were waiting.
Director Li stood up with his wife and child, then arranged for Ai Jingchu and Zeng Li to take their seats. Fat Dun sat between his parents, Zeng Li sat next to Mrs. Li, and Ai Jingchu sat next to Director Li. The child was clearly much more obedient than before.
Mrs. Li said to Zeng Li, "Let the men sit together, they can drink their own drinks. Little Zeng, you see if you want to order anything else." After speaking, she asked the waiter to open the wine.
Zeng Li repeatedly said it was enough and smiled while pushing away the menu. She glanced at the newly opened bottle of white wine and then gave Ai Jingchu a quick look. She had just relayed his message that he didn’t drink alcohol at Chinese meals.
Sure enough, when Director Li personally poured the wine, Ai Jingchu politely declined.
Later, when the dishes arrived and the five of them officially began eating, they clinked glasses. Except for Director Li, the other three adults drank beverages. During the meal, Director Li tried to pour Ai Jingchu another drink, but Ai Jingchu stopped him.
“I have work tomorrow, really, I can’t drink,” Ai Jingchu said tactfully.
“A little won’t affect your work, right, Little Zeng?” Director Li remarked.
Zeng Li dared not respond, only smiling.
“I drove here,” Ai Jingchu said, needing to explain further.
Director Li used his persuasive skills. "That's fine, have Little Zeng drive you back. She can drive, no problem."
Ai Jingchu still refused to drink, despite Director Li's insistence.
"Then, Little Zeng, have a little." Director Li turned his attention to Zeng Li.
“Director, you know, I’m not very good at drinking.”
“You’ve drunk before,” Director Li said with a smile. “Come on, everyone, let’s make it lively.” With that, he filled a small glass to the brim.
The glass turned around on the plate, coming to a stop in front of Zeng Li, who hesitated, deeply conflicted.
Why does everything seem like it’s not really a meal unless you drink some alcohol?
Ai Jingchu not drinking was already quite disrespectful to Director Li. If she didn’t drink either…
As Zeng Li was hesitating, Mrs. Li suddenly stood up, glared at her husband playfully, and said, “Old Li, really! Why are you pressuring a young girl to drink?” She took the wine jug and poured some wine into her own glass. "This is how it is. I’m just a housewife with some things to say. If I make a mistake, Professor Ai, please don’t mind."
Then, she raised her glass across the table toward Ai Jingchu. "That day, if it weren’t for Professor Ai helping us, our child might have suffered even more. If this were on TV, it’d be considered a life-saving grace. Originally, during the New Year, Old Li taught our child how to bow and said some auspicious things, wanting to recognize you as a godfather. But then we heard that Professor Ai comes from a distinguished family, and maybe there are other family traditions, so we let it go. It was only after asking Little Zeng for help that Professor Ai finally gave us a bit of face and joined us for a meal. A thousand words boil down to just one 'thank you.' Now, with this small cup of wine, I drink it first to show my gratitude, you can drink as you wish."
After speaking, Mrs. Li raised both hands, tipped her head back, and drank the wine in one go.
Although she had said Ai Jingchu could do as he pleased, as an older woman, she drank the wine first, which forced Ai Jingchu to stand up and drink the wine that had been placed in front of Zeng Li. Zeng Li frowned when she saw him swallow the drink.
Convincing someone to drink at the dinner table is always hard at the start; once it happens, it tends to repeat.
In the end, the bottle of white wine was consumed by three people.
Director Li called for more wine, but Zeng Li quickly stopped him.
Mrs. Li also persuaded him, "As long as everyone is happy, Old Li. If we keep drinking, Little Zeng will start worrying."
Zeng Li was about to explain but found no opportunity to speak.
In the end, just as Director Li had previously arranged, Ai Jingchu drank, could no longer drive, and Zeng Li was responsible for driving him back.
She felt a bit nervous in the driver's seat. She had never driven such an expensive car before, so she kept asking about adjusting the seat, starting the car, and where the lights were.
Ai Jingchu patiently explained everything and raised an eyebrow as he watched her.
"My driving skills are good," Zeng Li reassured him.
Once they were on the highway, Ai Jingchu believed her. She drove skillfully and had a good sense of direction. He briefly told her how to get there, and they didn’t make any wrong turns.
He had drunk about 30 to 40 milliliters, so he wasn’t drunk, but still felt a bit light-headed. He closed his eyes slightly and relaxed in his seat.
"Sorry," Zeng Li said apologetically.
"Why apologize?" he asked with his eyes still closed.
"If it weren't for me shamelessly asking you to come, you wouldn't have come," she said. She probably hated these types of dinners just as much as he did.
"Then I should be saying thank you," Ai Jingchu replied.
After drinking, Ai Jingchu was more approachable and talkative. She felt much more relaxed, almost like they were back on that snowy night, walking down that cold, desolate road, with only the two of them, occasionally chatting about random things.
"Every time I meet you, it’s either 'sorry' or 'thank you,'" she remarked.
This time, he didn’t reply.
After a while, she asked, “Do you have class tomorrow or a clinic shift?” She didn’t want it to interfere with his work.
After asking, she remembered that he had clinic shifts on Wednesdays and Fridays, so she should have known.
"Do you have class tomorrow morning?" she asked again.
After a long silence with no answer, she looked over at him, only to find his eyes still shut.
"You’re not falling asleep, are you?"
“This time, I won’t care about you,” she murmured.
She slowed down the car and came to a stop, glancing at him again, but he remained motionless.
“I haven’t helped Zhou Wen plead yet?”
She sighed.
“Why don’t I just take a picture of you, send it to Zhou Wen, and you’ll definitely have to repay her. That way, I’ll owe her a favor,” she said.
Unexpectedly, Ai Jingchu couldn’t help but laugh.
