Chapter 31: Shazhu Borrows Liquor to Stir Up Trouble in Zhonghai

Two lovers-cum-enemies, you supporting me, I embracing you, swaying we left the dumpling shop, facing the cold wind, heading toward the Siheyuan.

Behind them followed Yan Fugui and a few others, who were at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

「The great river flows eastward, the stars in the sky align with the Big Dipper; when it's time to act, act—with fiery vigor, second-distilled liquor: you a cup, I a bowl…… 」

The wailing ghosts and howling wolves' sound slipped with the night wind into Yan Fugui and company's ears.

Others sing for money.

Shazhu sings for his life.

Not to mention it's unpleasant; not a single line is in tune.

「The five-star red flag waves in the wind, how triumphant the singing sounds, singing of our great motherland, ever more prosperous and flourishing, the five-star red flag, I am proud of you, your colors are so beautiful, the waving five-star red flag! 」

Shazhu drank too much liquor.

Thus he just sings this life‑taking song.

Besides that, there's nothing else wrong.

Barely managing to let Yan Fugui, who was following behind, calm down.

「It's that second‑distilled liquor mixed with plain water—how is this liquor sold? One hundred eight per cup! 」

Second‑distilled liquor mixed with water!

Yan Fugui's heart stirred!

……

Returned to the Siheyuan.

Yan Fugui's heart, which had been suspended in mid‑air, finally settled; he handed the packaged dumplings to Yan Jie Di, asking Yan Jie Di to take them home, while he himself prepared to send Shazhu and Xu Damao home.

Zhong Yuan.

Encountered the hypocrite and Granny Long.

Both of their faces were not very happy, wearing a gloomy expression as they watched Shazhu and Xu Damao, each leaning on the other to keep from collapsing to the ground.

「Old Yi, Granny, you're worried about Shazhu, right? 」

「Old Yan, how much have Zhuzi and Xu Damao drunk to end up like this? 」

Yan Fugui felt a bit embarrassed.

Yet he did not conceal it.

「Shazhu and Xu Damao drank two bottles of second‑distilled liquor, which isn't much. 」

「Not much? They're drunk like this—even if they went to Liu Bi Ju for dumplings, they couldn't be this happy, could they? 」

「Old Yi, it wasn't the dumplings from Liu Bi Ju; we just randomly found a restaurant along the way, thinking we could save Shazhu some money. 」

Yi Zhonghai and Granny Long truly didn't know what to say.

This feeling was like accidentally stepping in dog shit.

All that remained was nausea.

Granny Long and Yi Zhonghai, together with them, entered the Siheyuan shortly after Yan Fugui and company.

In short.

It's all because of this gluttony that caused trouble.

Granny Long craved dumplings; although Yi Zhonghai and Shazhu had agreed on a plan to make dumplings for her tomorrow, she couldn't resist wanting dumplings tonight.

Thus.

The idea of an unwelcome guest popping up uninvited arose.

Wasn't Shazhu treating Xu Damao and Yan Fugui to dumplings at Liu Bi Ju?

Fine.

I, the old lady, will come uninvited.

When we get to Liu Bi Ju, you, Shazhu, surely can't drive me out in front of all those people, can you!

Not only would we get to eat dumplings, but we'd also have a chance to grow closer to Shazhu.

But the plan couldn't keep up with the changes.

Yan Fugui's proposal, after gaining Xu Damao's approval, switched midway to another obscure restaurant; unaware, Granny Long and Yi Zhonghai enacted this futile farce, bumping along all the way to Liu Bi Ju, still without having eaten dumplings, then painfully returned all the way to the Siheyuan.

Just as they stepped inside.

Right after, they encountered Xu Damao and Shazhu, who were drunk, stumbling, and supporting each other as they walked back.

Their mood instantly soured.

I ate nothing but wind.

But you were happily and harmoniously eating dumplings.

「Old Yan, you're the third‑in‑charge of our Dayuan; look at how you've gotten Zhuzi and Xu Damao drunk—if anything happens to them, you'll suffer bad luck too. 」

The hypocrite forgot one thing.

The Shazhu and Xu Damao standing before him were both drunk.

When intoxicated, people develop a contrary mindset under alcohol's stimulation; the things they dare not say or do normally, emboldened by drink, will erupt like a long‑suppressed volcano, shaking earth and mountain.

That's what people commonly call 'liquid courage'.

Shazhu harbors resentment toward Yi Zhonghai.

The hypocrite lectured Yan Fugui.

This effectively gave Shazhu an excuse to fire at Yi Zhonghai.

Just one reason.

He drank too much.

To speak of Yan Fugui is to deny me face; everyone knows I, Shazhu, invited Yan Fugui to a meal, yet you, Yi Zhonghai, criticize Yan Fugui in front of me— that's just pointing at the mulberry while cursing the locust.

In his drunken haze.

Who still treats you as the eldest?

"Who are you?" Shazhu pointed at Yi Zhonghai and loudly scolded, "What gives you the right to call yourself our Dayuan's San Daye?"

"I am Yi Zhonghai!"

"Hehehe." Shazhu laughed, turning to Xu Daming beside him: "Shamao, he says his name is Yi Zhonghai, do you believe him?"

Xu Daming glanced at Long Laotaitai a few times: "Not alike, the eldest is taller than him; such a small build, impossible to be the eldest."

"He damn it, daring to impersonate the eldest in front of me, He Yuzhu, I'll teach you a lesson."

Shazhu punched Yi Zhonghai on the head.

Others who drink too much are weak and powerless, but Shazhu does the opposite; when he drinks too much, he's as strong as an ox, punching Yi Zhonghai to the ground, then immediately kicking him with both feet, cursing as he goes.

"I let you impersonate the eldest, I'll beat you to death, you son of a bitch."

Caught off guard.

After being hit by Shazhu, Yi Zhonghai, knocked to the ground, could only shield his head with both hands, while trying to shrink his body as much as possible.

He felt utterly wronged.

This beating.

It was utterly undeserved.

You're judging me like a drunkard.

You've lost face.

Furthermore, Shazhu's cursing shows his attitude; they weren't hitting Yi Zhonghai, but another impostor pretending to be him, who then turned into a bastard.

What's the point?

Didn't eat dumplings, just swallowed anger; returning to the Siheyuan, Shazhu punched him, kicked him countless times, his buttocks swollen.

Shazhu also called over Xu Daming to join him in beating Yi Zhonghai.

He called it "beating the bastard"!

The point is, I'm Yi Zhonghai!

"Shamao, what are you looking at? You hit him too—I tell you, help me beat him; if anything happens, I won't blame you, the eldest will back you up."

Yi Zhonghai lying on the ground.

He thought to himself.

I thank you.

"Xu Daming, why are you lying on the ground?"

"I'm standing!"

"Standing my ass, you're lying on the ground." Shazhu grabbed at the air, "Xu Daming, get up."

Xu Daming also wrapped his arms around the air, "I want to go home, I want to sleep."

Xu Daming walked a circle around everyone.

With a thud, he lay down on the ground.

"Are you home?"

"I'm home." Xu Daming flapped his hands, "Today's drinks were great—yesterday you, Shazhu, paid; today I, Xu Daming, foot the bill; we're even, we're even, let's sleep."