Chapter 1693: Beiping Old Dream: The Beauty Performer Overpowers the Big Shot 08

No need to say how, when the driver told Jin Chen he would pick him up for Lai Shun Restaurant, some theater folks were envious— that place is a restaurant that even money doesn't guarantee entry.

In the original plot, the protagonist hadn't returned yet at this point, and it wasn't from the perspective of Xu Nanchun, one of the protagonist's lovers; this segment hardly exists. But Jin Chen realized this was a Hongmen banquet, and as soon as he entered, he traded for high‑proof alcohol in the mall.

If someone clueless tries to force drinks, it'll always be useful.

He won't die from drinking.

When Jin Chen arrived, everyone was just about to sit; hearing the movement and turning, they couldn't help but be stunned again.

Tall and slender, even in a plain dark long robe he looks splendid and gorgeous.

The bosses who'd long haunted the theater restaurants stared intensely; those they brought felt jealousy and resentment, but Jin Chen pretended not to notice and went straight to the host seat where Pei Yinnian sat.

Only then did everyone realize this was the performer Boss Pei had brought home; they were surprised but dared not stare further.

"Mr. Pei." Jin Chen's captivating peach‑blossom eyes overflowed with pleasure as he firmly wrapped his arm around him, involuntarily murmuring a complaint only Pei Yinnian could hear.

"So many people, I thought……"

"Date" was too quiet; Pei Yinnian pressed his lips, somewhat wanting to laugh.

He really hides nothing, showing everything on his face.

"Just focus on eating; don't worry about anything else."

Pei Yinnian soothingly patted the back of his hand, letting Jin Chen sit at his right; the other side was Yun Cunxuan, who raised a hand to greet him.

Boss Liu and a few others exchanged glances, smiled, and all sat down; they called for dishes.

Upon sitting, Jin Chen noticed beside Boss Liu a familiar face—the theater's Qing Luo.

He lifted his lips in a casual smile, but noticed Qing Luo's gaze was off; he unconsciously narrowed his eyes toward Boss Liu, then lowered his gaze to continue eating.

Really, it's a Hongmen banquet.

"Any food taboos?" Hearing Pei Yinnian ask, Jin Chen shook his head: "None, just can't eat spicy."

Singing requires protecting the voice; Pei Yinnian knows that, so he ordered no spicy dishes.

Halfway through the meal, alcohol fumes filled the air.

Boss Liu plied Qing Luo with drink, half‑force, half‑flirt; the spice made her cough softly, but it was taken as erotic, spurring him to drink more.

She held a handkerchief to her mouth, wiping the liquor; inevitably she looked across at Jin Chen, but saw him eating attentively, even having Pei Yinnian pass him some dishes with chopsticks.

Qing Luo clenched the handkerchief, her beautiful eyes turning cold; thinking of what Boss Liu planned, she felt less guilty.

The world is inherently unfair; why should she, so kind‑hearted, be soft‑hearted for others?

Jin Chen put down his chopsticks, turned his head closer to Pei Yinnian, and whispered: "Mr. Pei, the lady beside that boss keeps looking at me."

Pei Yinnian looked over; Qing Luo startled and quickly averted her gaze; he passed Jin Chen another chopsticks of fish, merely saying: "Don't call her sister."

What sister‑brother nonsense; Jin Chen and these people aren't on the same side.

"……Oh."

Having hinted, Jin Chen ate a few bites, then propped his cheek with the back of his finger, slowly sipping tea to cleanse his mouth while covertly observing the banquet.

A few minutes later, Yun Cunxuan, who was supposed to help Pei Yinnian block drinks, was coaxed by two young bosses into the next room to find Cui Cui, who happened to be there.

Jin Chen withdrew his gaze from the door, then looked at Boss Liu; sure enough, he rose to propose a toast to Pei Yinnian.

The problem lies in the alcohol.

Yesterday I heard the Western‑building steward say that Mr. Pei hardly drinks.

Just now Pei Yinnian has already had two cups; I don't know why, but perhaps he shouldn't drink more.

"Come, come, Boss Liu—for our cooperation this time, Old Liu, I toast you a cup!"

This time Boss Liu counts as half the investor; he wants a good price for shipping at the dock, and if he doesn't go through the Xiao family's channel he can only use his own stall, expecting Pei Yinnian to give him face, which naturally makes him feel entitled.

He approached Pei Yinnian, reeking of alcohol, insisting that Pei Yinnian join him for a few drinks.

Pei Yinnian's handsome composure was calm and unmoving; only his half‑covered eyelids betrayed a hint of unease.

"I'll drink for Mr. Pei."

Jin Chen broke the strange air, actively taking the wine Boss Liu offered with his right hand and clinking it with his left‑hand cup; a cold, gorgeous smile instantly appeared, making it hard to refuse.

Pei Yinnian slowly lifted his eyelids, unsure what he was thinking, and did not refuse Jin Chen's offer to block the drink.

His gaze lingered on the cup Jin Chen had touched, his eyes showing a deep intoxication.

This scene in others' eyes inevitably gave rise to thoughts; this performer isn't that favored.

"Hahaha, great! Old Liu, I'll first drink a cup with this beauty!"

Boss Liu couldn't bear to refuse; he tipped his head back and downed a cup, not knowing if it was psychological, but the drink went down smoothly and hit his head.

Jin Chen poured the liquor invisibly onto his collar; the dark‑black robe showed no wet stain, only a few drops on his lips.

He lightly wiped the liquor from his lips, his slightly shimmering dangerous gaze toward Boss Liu, silently counting.

3, 2, 1

……Boom!

Boss Liu almost toppled over, his consciousness blurred from heavy drunkenness, unable to tell up from down.

Qing Luo and the other three bosses at the banquet instantly changed faces—both disbelieving and secretly startled, thinking Pei Yinnian had seen through and prepared beforehand, they couldn't utter a word.

Pei Yinnian glanced at his subordinate behind him; the latter immediately understood, taking advantage of Boss Liu's muddled state to coax him into signing the final contract.

Boss Liu squinted as he wrote his name, then grabbed a stool and fell into a deep sleep.

The order is set, unchangeable.

"Looks like Boss Liu is drunk."

Pei Yinnian picked up a handkerchief to wipe his mouth; as he rose, he looked down on those guilty bosses and said, "Pei takes his leave."

"Pei… Boss Pei, see you again." They gave an embarrassed laugh.

Pei Yinnian took Jin Chen out of the restaurant; Yun Cunxuan, who had been coaxed away by several people, came from the other side, showing not the slightest trace of lustful drunkenness.

Yun Cunxuan watched the show, smiling: "That old fox really wants to make a move on you."

Pei Yinnian: "He also has a cousin who runs a shop."

His voice was clear and cold, he spoke nonchalantly.

Any partner will do, as long as they're from the Liu Family.

"Alright, I'll find time to take care of it, guaranteed to be clean," Yun Cunxuan shrugged, gave an appreciative look at Jin Chen, "Impressive."

Jin Chen observed his nose with his eyes, his heart with his nose, pretending he hadn't heard anything.

Half an hour later, the living room of the Western-style building.

The butler brought over sobering tea, two bowls placed on the pearwood tea table.

"Mr. Pei, please drink," Jin Chen said, lifting the bowl, blowing on it, and handing it to Pei Yinnian; in the next instant his chin was seized, forcing him to look up.

Jin Chen slightly narrowed his peach-blossom eyes, brows slightly furrowed, "What's wrong?"

"Tampering with Boss Liu, you've got guts," Pei Yinnian said lazily, taking the scalding bowl and setting it on the table.

As expected, he had seen it.

Jin Chen's gaze was intense, he softly asked, "Are you angry?"

"Boss Liu always holds his liquor; once he wakes up he'll surely notice." Pei Yinnian stared steadily into Jin Chen's eyes, as if trying to see something in them.

He thought Jin Chen would say something reassuring, trying to curry favor by claiming he could settle it, but all he saw was the youth narrowing his captivating eyes, somewhat sly, "With so many people at the banquet, maybe someone wants to sow discord and kill with a borrowed knife."

Pei Yinnian was somewhat surprised, gave a light laugh.

"You're quite clever."

Jin Chen pulled open Pei Yinnian's hand, which was no longer exerting force, and interlaced their fingers.

Then he straightened up, suddenly kissing Pei Yinnian's cheek, his low, husky, alluring voice plucking at the heartstrings.

"I thought you would praise me."