Chapter 610: Judging Heroes by Wine, the Wedding Isn't Over Yet

The place was lively; many people were watching the goings-on here and discussing them, while those around clapped and heckled.

"Drink, drink, drink!" — the shouts never stopped.

Of course, some people watched in a daze as these two women knocked back the baijiu in great gulps.

Fang Hong stood nearby, keeping an eye on Liu Tianxian's condition. Seeing a flush spread across her face, it was clear the liquor had gone to her head.

Liu Tianxian, however, paid it no heed. As she drank, she kept her eyes on Chen Zhixi, and that little gaze of hers carried quite a killing intent.

Of course, Chen Zhixi was staring right back at her. Her own condition wasn't much better either — after fifteen cups in a row, she was starting to feel dizzy.

After sixteen cups she was a bit unsteady on her feet, and the person beside her had to steady her for fear she'd fall.

"Sit down, sit down." Fang Hong signaled her to stop drinking, not to get too worked up.

Chen Zhixi took the hint, went along with it and sat down, swallowed the last cup of wine, and conceded: "Impressive, impressive. Tianxian, you're the impressive one. As your older sister, I admit I'm outmatched."

"Sister Chen, you're impressive too. You must have drunk a lot before this — otherwise I wouldn't have been able to outdrink you." Liu Tianxian was good with words; her head was still clear.

But her cheeks were rosy red — clearly the liquor had gone to her head.

"Hehehe." Chen Zhixi laughed without saying anything.

She was far more impressive than the two before her — she had drunk more than those two combined.

Liu Tianxian had bested another person again. The onlookers sighed inwardly — Liu Tianxian was truly impressive; no one expected her to hold her liquor so well, and they gained a new sense of her capacity for drink.

But looking at her condition, it didn't seem to be going well either.

Everyone who knew her knew she could drink, but they had no concrete idea of her capacity.

Chen Zhixi was a good sport about losing the bet — she pulled over a middle-aged man with a crew cut and kissed him on the lips.

"Ooh-ooh-ooh!" The crowd immediately heckled and clapped.

This made the middle-aged man a bit embarrassed, but Chen Zhixi didn't care in the slightest.

"Aren't you going to introduce him?" Fang Hong said.

"His name is Guo Sida, he's my boyfriend. Please look after us from now on." Chen Zhixi was a touch sweetly happy as she made the introduction.

If memory served, Chen Zhixi was supposed to marry this man next year.

"Hello, hello." Fang Hong extended his hand — after all, this was the Jade Rabbit General Manager's boyfriend, worth getting to know.

This fellow seemed to be a composer, with a background in the PLA Military Band. He wasn't exactly loaded, but his status was impressive.

Guo Sida shook Fang Hong's hand and nodded politely: "Wishing you a happy marriage."

"Thank you!" Fang Hong said.

Afterward, Guo Sida also gave Liu Tianxian a brief handshake.

After the introductions, the drinking continued. Fang Hong asked Liu Tianxian: "Can you still drink?"

"Who do you think you're looking down on? This little bit of wine I can still handle." Liu Tianxian's voice was pleasant; tipsy, it carried a hint of coquettishness, and her rosy cheeks were rather cute.

The onlookers all smiled — Liu Tianxian's frank, open personality was quite likeable.

Fang Hong shut his mouth; this was shaping up to be a drinking-to-the-bitter-end kind of night, and chances like this didn't come often.

"Come on, who's next? Which one of you is going?" Liu Tianxian rolled up her sleeves, completely unconcerned with appearances.

This made the people in line exchange glances, as if to say: you go first, I'll cover the rear.

"My Wen Muyu forfeits." The Han family woman raised her hand, and with great flair, kissed Wen Muyu on the lips again.

Wen Muyu was delighted — no need to drink, and he got kissed twice to boot. But then, they were a couple, so anything goes.

"You guys can do that too?!" Guo Fan couldn't help but say.

"Why not? It's a forfeit. Losing means a kiss — that was the deal. What's wrong with that?" The Han family woman said it very matter-of-factly, feeling for her man.

The main thing was, before Liu Tianxian arrived, everyone had already drunk a bit, and Wen Muyu wasn't much of a drinker either.

Liu Tianxian's condition seemed about right!

"Wen Muyu, you should at least drink a couple of cups, right? Forfeiting just like that — how embarrassing." Yu Xian couldn't stand watching; the bragging had already been put out there.

Today he had to see them kiss — not even Jesus could stop him.

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian quietly watched them turn on each other; the onlookers were also enjoying the show.

"You'll have to carry the team." Wen Muyu waved his hand, refusing to drink.

"Then I forfeit too!" Guo Fan raised his hand.

"Are you serious?" Yu Xian looked at him.

"Sorry, I have a wife too. With such a good thing as kissing, who'd still drink and fight it out? Skip the process — isn't kissing nicer?" Guo Fan laughed as he said it himself.

The other married folks smiled; the unmarried and those without a partner looked at each other.

The onlookers felt Guo Fan was being awfully cheeky.

"Holy crap, everyone's playing it this way now, huh? Come on, come on, show us your wife." Yu Xian was utterly speechless — one by one they had all defected.

Guo Fan beckoned, and a short-haired girl walked over to his side, then bent down and the two kissed, lips to lips.

Looking at that short-haired girl, many people were seeing Guo Fan's wife for the first time.

In fact, they had been married long ago — it was a campus romance, years in the making. His wife worked in finance, not in the entertainment industry.

"Ladies and gentlemen, do your best. I'm rooting for you." Guo Fan threw out cool words, tossing the hot potato to the others.

With two forfeits in a row, the people behind couldn't help but waver a little.

"Ladies and gentlemen, don't panic. I'll go meet her." Chen Sicheng stood up, giving the others a boost.

"Director Chen is solid. Director Guo, look at him — both are directors, both have wives. How is the gap so huge?" Yu Xian seemed to have found his savior, and said again: "Director Chen, you go. I think Sister Fei is about done for."

"Hehe!" Liu Tianxian let out a mocking laugh.

Guo Fan just smiled, unbothered. Yu Xian himself hadn't drunk two cups — he just kept egging the others on to go all out.

But you do need someone like that to liven things up.

In fact, Guo Fan was very shrewd — even if he beat Liu Tianxian at drinking, so what? If something happened to her from drinking, that would be hard to answer for.

After all, the man just got married, so it's no fun going too far!

Actually, they can all drink, including Chen Zhixi, who can still hold her liquor — they just know when to stop. Otherwise, when the Principal said so, she wouldn't have sat down either.

Alcohol is never a good thing to begin with!

What just happened was just to liven up the atmosphere, not really about drinking.

"Although you're the Principal's Wife now, at the drinking table there are no fathers and sons. Today there's no hierarchy of status, and I won't go easy on you." Chen Sicheng raised a glass and, before even drinking, started running his mouth.

"Director Chen, don't you go easy on me — let's judge heroes by our drinking!" Liu Tianxian raised her glass, equally bold.

The onlookers watched the two of them as if another great battle were about to begin, and couldn't help feeling a little expectant — another good show was coming.

"Please!"

The two of them, like martial heroes of the jianghu, raised their cups with both hands and pushed them forward.

Chen Sicheng tipped his head back and drained it in one go. Before anything could happen, he sat down in his chair without the slightest hesitation.

"That's it? That's all?" Liu Tianxian was stunned.

"You are a heroine among women; Chen concedes defeat." Chen Sicheng made a fist.

Liu Tianxian was amused into laughter and made a fist in acknowledgment.

The onlookers were all amused too — that was too much of a stunt. All that buildup for just one cup; they'd thought there'd be a real showdown.

Of course they knew Chen Sicheng had done it on purpose — it was just to toast Liu Tianxian with a single glass.

"Bro, you brewed for half a day, talked for half a day, and that was just one cup?" Yu Xian couldn't help saying.

"I really can't hold my liquor — I drank a bit too much earlier." Chen Sicheng patted his forehead, as if to show he'd already had plenty.

"Then why'd you blab all that nonsense? Just surrender and be done with it." Yu Xian couldn't help saying.

"I was trying to scare her, wasn't I? It just didn't work — she's not someone easily scared." Chen Sicheng said.

"Can't be bothered with you — can't even match a woman." Yu Xian was exasperated at his uselessness.

"As if you could do any better. How about I give you a chance — let's drink again." Liu Tianxian taunted.

"Not today, I've had a bit too much. Next time — next time I'll definitely make you collapse on the table." Yu Xian made another bold threat.

"All talk — when they tell you to drink, you drink two cups." Chen Zhixi said of him.

"I'd already drunk too much with you guys earlier, otherwise watch if I can beat her or not." Yu Xian made yet another bold threat.

This made everyone around burst out laughing — the tougher this guy talked, the more of a coward he was. Anyone could see it now.

Chen Sicheng had nothing holding him back, so on the spot he kissed Yaya. The two of them were already public about their relationship; it was just that doing it in front of so many people made Yaya shyly smile.

That smile — her little tiger tooth was actually quite cute.

"I abstain — I don't drink." Jiao Huajing raised her hand; it was her turn.

The onlookers, seeing her, didn't egg her on or anything. Mainly because many of them didn't really know her, and when you don't know someone, it's hard to joke around — sometimes you have to pick the right person to tease.

"You and I still need to have a drink together." Liu Tianxian looked at her, a playful look on her face.

This glass was essentially Liu Tianxian toasting her.

"Alright!" Jiao Huajing smiled gracefully, stood up and clinked glasses with her.

Liu Tianxian was toasting her, so she had to drink it.

The two of them had known each other for many years, and over all those years, Liu Tianxian's scripts basically all had to pass through her hands. For many things she didn't understand, Liu Tianxian would also ask her.

So the two of them had a very good relationship. Every time Liu Tianxian went to Yutu, she would visit her, along with the other screenwriters.

Bao Jinjin watched the two of them drinking and quietly discussed with her boyfriend: "I think we should abstain too?"

"Sure." Wang Ran nodded. If they weren't drinking, then they wouldn't push themselves to drink either.

At first, seeing everyone united in spirit, it felt rude not to drink — but who would have thought, one abstains, another abstains.

Mainly because Yu Xian's pep talk had gotten them fired up.

Actually, they weren't really there to watch the Principal and Liu Tianxian kiss — what's there to see? It was just for the atmosphere.

Just after Liu Tianxian and Jiao Huajing finished their drink, they saw Bao Jinjin timidly raise her hand: "My boyfriend and I abstain."

Everyone turned their gaze to them. These two abstaining still didn't get anyone to egg them on — the two of them were introverted and not good at socializing.

Even Yu Xian quieted down.

"I'd also like to toast you both — thank you for all your help over the years." Liu Tianxian said with a smile.

Over all these years, Liu Tianxian had not only received their help, but even when her man first started his business, he had received help from these two.

So this glass was one that ought to be toasted.

Bao Jinjin and Wang Ran were moved; they stood up and had a glass with her.

"Hey, Jiao Huajing — you abstained, so shouldn't you find someone to kiss?" someone called out.

Hearing this, Fang Hong glanced at the person.

"They were just messing around, why so serious?" someone tugged at this person's sleeve.

The person immediately shut up, and the smile vanished from his face.

Fang Hong didn't say anything, his gaze not even stern — just letting the person know to read the room. When it's appropriate to egg someone on, do so; when it isn't, don't.

Asking Jiao Huajing, an unmarried lady, a cultured person — who could she kiss? How embarrassing.

Jiao Huajing's cheeks flushed slightly, and she was afraid people would press the matter. But seeing that everyone had shifted their attention, she relaxed.

After Liu Tianxian had a drink with the young couple, Bao Jinjin and Wang Ran were very proactive — face to face, lips to lips, they shared an intimate kiss.

After the kiss they even smacked their lips, as if savoring it!

Now this couple was full of love — the few from earlier had seemed like they were just completing a task.

Now more than half the drinkers had gone, and half still hadn't drunk: Yao Qi, Shi Zhimou, Meng Jun, Lu Dabo, Lu Yang, and so on.

Lu Dabo looked at the others — these people were all single. Those who weren't single had already drunk and already kissed.

It dealt a heavy blow to their souls.

"You decide—keep drinking, or call it quits," Liu Tianxian said, propping herself up on the table, her face flushed, her body trembling as if in a fever.

"I think we should stop," Meng Jun chuckled. "Principal Fang and Liu Tianxian, just toast us each one cup—that's enough. Who wins or loses doesn't benefit us anyway; in the end, the Principal still comes out ahead, right?"

Liu Tianxian had already drunk too much; it was time to stop. Give her an out. If they truly insisted on drinking, how could so many of them possibly lose to her?

"Meng the Financial Officer speaks sense," Lu Dabo clapped his hands with a sharp 'pam!' "We fight to the death and end up letting the Principal win? That's not worth it—he's not even family. Why bother?"

"Hahaha!"

Everyone else burst into laughter—they had a point.

"You say you won't drink, like that means I don't get the advantage," Fang Hong pulled Liu Tianxian close by the waist and planted a loud 'smack' right on her lips.

Soft, mingled with alcohol, surprisingly sweet.

"Aaaah!" Yu Xian leapt to his feet, slamming the table in excitement, as if he himself had just kissed her.

The others all clapped loudly—'papapapa.'

They cheered wildly—"Wahwahwah!"—full of energy.

Those watching from the edges and afar craned their necks, curiosity on their faces. Seeing the two actually kiss, they couldn't help but smile—mainly because they were infected by the joy.

Nazha, Jing Tian, and the other onlookers covered their mouths, wearing motherly smiles, blessing them.

Liu Tianxian, publicly kissed, didn't resist—only a hint of shyness, which she quickly overcame. She cupped Fang Hong's face and kissed him back twice.

They pulled apart. Fang Hong let go and said, "See? That's what family status looks like."

"Yes yes yes! Kiss again! We didn't even catch how you did it—teach us the technique!" Yu Xian egged them on, hoping for another round.

"Go to hell," Liu Tianxian grabbed a pack of tissues and threw it at his head.

"Hahaha!" The crowd laughed again.

Fang Hong stopped there, raised his cup, and said, "Come on—my wife and I toast you all."

Everyone picked up their cups. They knew the drinking contest was over—it shouldn't have gone this far anyway.

Liu Tianxian had no objections. She was already drunk, her head spinning.

If they drank more, she'd surely pass out right here.

Chen Zhixi, Yu Xian, and the others all understood. They stood up together and chorused their blessings: "Happy marriage! May you be happy!"

"Thank you thank you!" Liu Tianxian beamed.

Over there, Liu Xiaoli and Xu Liyun, seeing the commotion die down, relaxed and sat back down.

"Don't worry—young people still have their limits," Liu Xiaoli said.

Xu Liyun nodded in agreement, relieved.

The onlookers, too, grew listless, feeling the whole thing ended too abruptly. They'd expected someone to collapse on the floor—but they all knew: drinking contests like this, if pushed further, would inevitably knock someone out.

It could even land someone in the hospital.

Drinking parties always start lively—everyone still has energy then. But once people are half-drunk, no one pushes anymore; everyone knows when to stop.

This was the best outcome: everyone drank, Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian kissed, everyone saw it, everyone had their fun—perfect.

Now there were no more toasts to make. Everyone drank and played freely.

The toasting banquet lasted until late night. By now, nearly all wedding rituals were over, and everywhere you looked, drunken guests were being helped away.

The groomsmen and bridesmaids, toasting at every table, were all thoroughly drunk.

When the party began to disperse, many staggered off together, supporting each other as they left the Royal Garden. Others stayed overnight—rooms had been arranged.

Some hadn't had enough and gathered in small groups to head out for singing or karaoke. Yu Xian went with them.

These people were all behind-the-scenes types—they didn't care about being exposed!

After they left, the wedding staff no longer monitored them. The staff only ensured everyone got safely settled and safely departed.

Everything else was up to the guests themselves.

But all guests had been warned: don't post any photos or videos from the banquet.

Whoever posts will be held responsible. Some big bosses and celebrities look terrible drunk—those images shouldn't go public.

There's a saying: play hard, joke hard, but don't take photos in karaoke rooms. This place isn't much better.

Of course, the whole internet was monitored. Any post got deleted immediately. Almost no one dared to post—doing so would anger too many people, since so many were here.

The wedding ceremony itself could be posted—it was fine. It was a formal ritual anyway; netizens would find out about the marriage regardless.

Someone would naturally handle the wedding's aftermath.

There was no "teasing the bride and groom" ritual—it was removed. Too vulgar. A little rowdiness at the banquet was enough.

At this point, Liu Tianxian was dizzy, leaning against Fang Hong's shoulder. He held her waist, greeting guests who kept coming to say goodbye.

"Principal, we're leaving first—congratulations!" Li Bailian and a group waved at him.

"Alright, take care on your way," Fang Hong called back.

"We're off now—you two should head home and rest early!" Zhang Hongsen, seeing Liu Tianxian drunk, gave a warning and left with a group of officials.

"Yes, thank you, Principal Zhang and Director Tong—go slowly."

Fang Hong greeted them, then saw Jing Tian approaching with a middle-aged man.

"Wishing you happiness," Jing Tian said.

"Thank you," Fang Hong nodded.

Jing Tian glanced at them once and walked away, her heart unmoved. Fang Hong felt nothing either.

"Xiao Fang, you and Xixi go home first," Liu Xiaoli and Xu Liyun came over.

Their faces were calm—they hadn't drunk much.

After all, they were the hosts. If they got too drunk, they couldn't properly entertain guests.

"Then who handles things here?" Fang Hong asked.

"Your mother and I will manage. You don't need to worry—go home. You're both tired."

"Alright, let's head off first," Fang Hong said.

Liu Xiaoli and Xu Liyun stepped forward to help, lifting Liu Tianxian into a small sedan, and the driver took the two of them back.

They returned to the new house—it was already renovated and aired out, ready to be lived in.

After all, they'd both been drinking, so they couldn't drive.

The car was still quite far from the new house and needed some time. Since it was deep into the night, neon lights flickered along the road. Fang Hong lowered his head to glance at Liu Tianxian and saw she had already fallen asleep.

Her eyes were closed, long lashes, rosy cheeks, alluring lips—her mouth smacked twice, like a baby in deep sleep.

Watching and watching, he couldn't help but be a little mesmerized.

And time passed quickly—actually, very slowly. It took nearly two hours to reach the Villa. Fang Hong didn't wake Liu Tianxian; he scooped her up around the waist. "She's actually quite heavy."

Liu Tianxian, in a daze, vaguely sensed it and instinctively looped her arms around his neck.

Walking into the Villa, the living room had white walls, fully laid tile floors, leather sofas, and beside the oversized floor-to-ceiling window there was even some greenery.

The renovation style had a unique blend of luxury and warmth, with a touch of natural charm.

This Villa's renovation was a style Liu Tianxian had carefully chosen—after all, she'd be living here from now on, so she'd put real care into it.

Fang Hong held his breath and carried Liu Tianxian up to the second floor, into a bedroom with soft tones and a warm, cozy style.

The bedroom was spacious, with a big red bed in the center, and on the wall above the headboard hung an artistic wedding photo of the two of them.

It was a wedding photo—Liu Tianxian looping her arm through Fang Hong's, smiling, a picture where the two of them looked a bit playful and very romantic.

Fang Hong set Liu Tianxian down on the soft, big red bed and let out a "Phew."

"Tired, huh?" Liu Tianxian opened her eyes, looking at him with a half-smile.

"You're awake and still let me carry you." Fang Hong placed his hand on her smooth forehead to check if she had a fever.

"I haven't been awake long either—it's because you carried me that I woke up." Liu Tianxian took his hand, placed it against her cheek, and said softly, "Do you know? Our wedding ceremony isn't finished yet."

"I know—there's still the bridal chamber," Fang Hong said with an ambiguous smile, recalling the earlier remark about lasting the whole night.

"Not that," Liu Tianxian shook her head.

"Is there still some other ritual?" Fang Hong asked, puzzled.

Liu Tianxian propped herself up to sit, then took two small, fluffy red square boxes out of the nightstand drawer.

She looked at them, then handed one over: "Take this."

"What's this?" Fang Hong pried open the little box, and upon seeing what was inside his eyes lit up in surprise. He then closed it again and said, "This is—?"

Liu Tianxian sat up on the bed, stood facing him, looked him straight in the eye, and said solemnly, "Do you promise, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, to love me, care for me, respect me, accept me, and remain faithful to me forever?"

"I do!" Fang Hong was filled with solemn reverence and nodded gravely.

Liu Tianxian smiled gently, clearly satisfied, and extended her hand, signaling for him to put the ring on her.

Fang Hong pried open the little box, took out the Red Pink Heart diamond ring inside, and held her hand—her fingers were slender, with defined knuckles, fair and delicate.

The ring slid slowly onto her ring finger, a perfect fit.

"Your turn!" Liu Tianxian said softly.

"Do you promise, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, to love me, care for me, respect me, accept me, and remain faithful to me forever?" Fang Hong repeated her earlier words, his tone serious.

"I do—through good times and bad, in health and in sickness, I am willing to walk beside you and share this life together." Liu Tianxian's voice carried a certain strength.

Then she pried open the box in her hand and took out a glittering gold men's ring, inlaid with a large sapphire.

This was something she'd secretly bought herself—Fang Hong had no idea.

The ring looked extremely precious, worth a fortune; Liu Tianxian must have spent quite a sum. Fang Hong had bought her a Pink Heart, so she couldn't be stingy either.

After all, this was a token of each other's heart!

Liu Tianxian took Fang Hong's left hand and slipped the ring onto his ring finger.

"Do you like it? I picked it out for you," she said.

"I love it—I'm just afraid of getting mugged for it!" Fang Hong laughed.

"Hehehe," Liu Tianxian laughed, tickled.

Just as she laughed, Fang Hong pulled her into his arms in one swift motion, his emotions surging at that moment.

Liu Tianxian held him tightly too, deeply moved.

The two held each other close like that—heart joined to heart, warm—holding the other as if holding their entire world.

And they felt each other's emotions, as if time stopped at that moment, as if space stopped at that moment—everything they felt was only each other.

One life, one world, two as one—three meals a day, four seasons, sharing the dusk together!

(End of Chapter)