Chapter 171: A Bunch of Underachievers

Neon lights flickered over Nanzhou night, Yang Qing booked a private room at a hotel.

Luxury is tonight, privacy is a kind of romance! Look at this advertising slogan of Nandu Hotel, keeping the scale just right.

Who knows how many restless youths' heartstrings it has stirred.

Anyway, Yang Qing was a bit restless.

Although his parents were building a house back home and his pocket was nearly empty, Yang Qing still looked forward to things like Happy Landlord and eating a full dragon banquet.

He was just counting on his rich brother Lin Dongfan to foot the bill.

Suddenly seeing Su Yuhong get out of Lin Dongfan's car, Yang Qing frowned, immediately pulled Lin Dongfan aside to complain: 'You got a screw loose or what?'

Probably not.

If you don't have a screw loose, why are you so upset?

Which eye of yours saw me being upset? Nonsense.

On such a romantic night, you brought Sunshine Rainbow over— isn't that being upset?

Her long legs are her own; if you're capable, chase her away.

Lin Dongfan couldn't be bothered to argue with Yang Sansui, he strode straight to the hotel private room.

Tonight there are only four people:

Yang Qing, Zhang Yong, Su Yuhong, plus Lin Dongfan who's footing the bill.

Yang Qing was transferred to the Provincial Public Security Department, Su Yu xiao to the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission Office, both promoted one rank, Zhang Yong stayed at Changming Branch Bureau and also became Criminal Police Squad Leader.

Tonight's gathering, put simply, is a universal celebration.

After sitting down at the meal, Su Yuhong laughed and asked Yang Qing, 'Single sheep, you and Lin Dongfan are exchanging glances— what does that mean? Aren't you welcoming me?'

It's not that I don't welcome you, it's very very not welcoming you.

Yang Qing knew Su Yuhong was a sunshine-type beauty, she could take a joke.

He complained without reservation: 'I invited the brothers out to have some fun, you say you're a woman, running over to stir up what excitement? You ruined my plan.'

You deserve to be unloved, dying in a matchmaking event.

Su Yuhong wasn't polite either, pointing at Yang Qing's soft spot— he's attended 31 matchmaking events, the 32nd is also on the agenda, they'll meet next weekend.

But for Yang Qing, who's naturally thick-skinned, this isn't a big deal.

Yang Qing gave a sideways glance: 'Is matchmaking illegal?'

Waiter, bring the wine.

Lin Dongfan shouted at the waiter.

He then encouraged Yang Qing: 'Go on blind dates bravely, I support you! As long as you persist, you'll surely collect all kinds of legendary moments of blowing out the lights.'

Su Yuhong eagerly laughed and asked: 'Single sheep, when you go on blind dates, do girls often call you uncle?'

Do I really look that old?

Yang Qing rubbed the stubble on his chin, quite satisfied with this prickly feel.

But in Lin Dongfan and Su Yu's eyes, this is a complication of narcissism.

Who knows who gave Yang Sansui a bewitching soup, he firmly believes only messy short hair and untrimmed stubble can show a criminal police's masculine charm.

Lin Dongfan threw the question at the silent Zhang Yong: 'You're now Zhang Dui, don't play mute— comment on your old captain's uncle-like demeanor.'

Zhang Yong nodded: 'Based on my experience, 53-degree Maotai combined with a 176-centimeter man, even the hanging-eye ferocious tiger of Jingyang Gang couldn't survive past 2010 AD.'

Speak human!

Yang Qing gave a sideways glance, righteous and confident.

Zhang Yong nodded again: 'Here's the core problem: Why does Miss Pan of Qinghe County, instead of cozying up to the Martial Supervisor who could be a criminal police, go flirt with the businessman Ximen Daguanren?'

'Ximen Daguanren has money,' Yang Qing replied without hesitation.

Zhang Yong shook his head in disagreement: 'Miss Pan told me in a dream, it's because the Martial Supervisor is a rough, thick-skinned guy who doesn't know how to cherish and pity jade; only a female yaksha would like such a person.'

Get lost, what divorced man poses as a love guru.

Yang Qing rubbed his slightly prickly chin, then looked at the delicate-skinned Lin Dongfan opposite, feeling he was just an unmanly pretty boy, lacking any masculine vigor.

Yang Qing laughed and shouted: 'Show-off, you're ugly, you take the first drink.'

Fine, then I'll take the first drink.

The dishes were all served, the wine poured full, Lin Dongfan lifted his cup and rose.

He gave a dry cough twice to clear his throat.

Then he boasted: 'This is a glorious moment of one attaining the Dao and poultry and beasts ascending to heaven. Thanks to me, you all got promoted. This time I'm really overly righteous—I'll first penalize myself with a cup of Maotai.'

Although the seven-qian cup is small, Lin Dongfan still found it very satisfying to sip.

The 53-degree Maotai flowed straight into his stomach.

His soul floated lightly.

Lin Dongfan put down his cup and shouted: 'Bring the wine! I'm not bragging— just you three losers combined, I can't even drink as much as one of me! Crushing you is a piece of cake.'

Yang Qing clapped and laughed, cursing: 'Really shameless, I like it!'

Su Yuhong and Zhang Yong, faces full of smiles, also clapped, as the old saying goes: 'Times make heroes!' As long as there's Maotai, there's no bull they dare not boast about.

Come on, let's do it.

Lin Dongfan raised his cup with a shout, everyone stood up in unison, first sharing a drink.

Yang Qing has the worst tolerance— just a sip makes him spicy enough to stick out his tongue.

But he's also self-aware, recalling when Lin Dongfan got married, he served as best man, only to be carried back to the hotel room in defeat, he still feels uneasy.

Tonight he might end up drunk as a puddle of mud; later there's still an activity, first get Su Yuhong drunk then talk.

Having made up his mind,

Yang Qing smiled and teased Su Yuhong: 'Even your family's God of Wealth has penalized himself with a cup— aren't you keeping up?'

"Not playing, pass." Su Yuhong turned the turntable on the table, bringing the plate of Jinling dumplings she loved to face her: "With this table full of delicious food, only a fool would drink with you."

Seeing Yangguanghong not taking the bait, Yang Qing immediately gave Zhang Yong a meaningful look.

Zhang Yong, understanding instantly, fired at Su Yuhong: "Yangguanghong, you can avoid the penalty if you want—just answer a first-grade elementary math question. Get it right and you escape punishment; get it wrong and you drink one cup for each number you're off."

"Who are you looking down on? If you've got the guts, give me a third-grade elementary problem." Saying this, Su Yuhong stuffed a Jinling dumpling into her mouth, completely not taking Zhang Yong as an opponent.

Zhang Yong asked seriously: "From the first floor to the fifth floor there are 40 steps; how many steps are there from the first floor to the tenth floor?"

"80 steps."

Su Yuhong didn't even think, just kept eating.

Zhang Yong shook his head with a smile, gesturing to the server behind him: "Pour her ten cups of penalty wine."

"Wrong?"

Su Yuhong looked completely bewildered.

Yang Qing and Lin Dongfan were similarly a bit confused, both counting on their fingers.

This horrifying scene left Zhang Yong black‑faced: "You two big shots, what are you doing? It's a first‑grade elementary problem, and you actually need to count on your fingers!!!"

Hearing that, Yang and Lin shrank back their hands, startled and dare not move.

More honest than elementary school students.

Soon after.

The server then filled Su Yuhong's cup with ten glasses of wine.

But Su Yuhong did not easily yield; she argued confidently: "From the first to the fifth floor there are 40 steps; doubling that for the tenth floor, how is it not 80 steps?"

"Right, it's 80 steps, no mistake." Yang Qing chimed in.

Zhang Yong turned his gaze to Lin Dongfan: "Fan Ge, how many do you say?"

"This..."

Lin Dongfan felt something was off, but he couldn't figure out exactly what, feeling quite confused.

Today his mind felt a bit sluggish.

Lin Dongfan replied embarrassedly: "I think… it's not 80 steps; you guess how many."

"You're just fishing for the answer!"

Zhang Yong shook his head in despair, never expecting that these bigwigs who call the wind and summon the rain in the officialdom would have such poor math skills.

It's simply hopeless!

Zhang Yong turned his gaze again to Su Yuhong, who was still counting on her fingers: "Stop counting, it's 90 steps—drink!"

"How could it be 90 steps? Wait a moment, let me finish counting." Su Yuhong counted very seriously, her concentration comparable to a thesis defense.

Zhang Yong shook his head and sighed: "A bunch of poor students!"