Chapter 23: Drinking Contest

Benefiting from the budget surplus left over from wrapping up early, production manager Meng Fanyao, with the nod of approval from the Big-Bearded One, splurged and held the wrap party at the Wuxi Taihu Hotel.

The crew members were all very excited; income levels in this day and age were not high, and ordinary wage earners rarely had the chance to visit such high-end hotels.

Several private rooms were opened up to seat eight full tables, which accounted for all the production crew currently in Wuxi.

"Xiao Lu, want a drink?"

Li Yapeng was from Xinjiang, the type who could handle a pound and a half of hard liquor and keep chugging beer; he opened a bottle of Jiannanchun and took the initiative to challenge him.

At this time, the leading liquor enterprise in Jiangsu Province, Yanghe, had not yet undergone restructuring, and most of the liquor available was mainly large-grain, ration-grade spirits that were not fit for formal occasions.

Meng Fanyao also chimed in from the side: "Have a drink, have a drink, everyone's happy today!"

Zhang Jizhong was drinking his strong tea with an air of detachment, keeping his distance from matters that didn't concern him.

The young Daoist priest secretly grumbled to himself; before he knew it, he was going to have to fight a lone battle at this table, as it seemed all the spears were pointed at him.

"Oh, we practitioners don't drink alcohol, you all go ahead."

Having said that, he poured himself a glass of fruit juice.

Li Yapeng said with dissatisfaction: "Xiao Lu, everyone is happy today, let's just join in the fun, right?"

Zhou Jie, who loved a good show, grabbed a decanter and poured him a drink: "Xiao Lu, how about I pour you a drink, brother? You Jiangsu people can all hold your liquor, let's go all out today!"

Zhou Xun was a lover of wine, and she didn't have any bad intentions: "Xiao Lu, I've heard it said: 'Northeast tigers, Northwest wolves, can't outdrink the little lambs of Jiangsu.' Why don't you let everyone see for themselves today?"

"Are you okay? If you don't want to drink, just forget it." Jiang Qinqin, seeing him become the target of everyone's attention, whispered a reminder from the side.

Seeing the Big-Bearded One also smiling at him, Lu Kuan helplessly took the decanter: "It would be rude to refuse!"

"Good!"

Li Yapeng was the first to applaud; the intimate, gentle words Jiang Qinqin had just spoken caught his attention.

Do these two have something going on?

They say those with dirty minds see dirt in everyone, but this time...

You really have a good eye for people! Boss Lu is indeed dirty!

Zhang Jizhong, as the head of the crew, proposed a toast first, and everyone roared in agreement, beginning to trade toasts.

The crew had faced constant ups and downs, and with the sudden release of pressure, they nearly blew the roof off the five-star hotel.

The people at the main table went around in a circle, and everyone’s expression remained normal; having mixed in this circle, who hadn't been tested by alcohol?

There are many rules and deep waters at the dinner tables of our countrymen; as long as you need something from someone, no matter how big a star you are, you cannot escape it.

Could Liu Dehua be considered a big shot in the circle?

When "Storm" was released in 2013, as the producer and executive producer, he still had to obediently eat and drink with distributors and theater chain owners, and after returning, he complained bitterly to the Xiangjiang reporters, confessing that he never wanted to do distribution again.

In 2015, in order to promote "You Are My Sunshine" which he starred in, Huang Xiaoming personally went to Xi'an before the public screening to drink with theater managers, serving them food and toasting them, and nearly vomited his bile out after the meal.

In 2002, when the domestic entertainment industry was still in its wild growth phase, a fledgling like Lu Kuan was just a chick in Li Yapeng's eyes; there was no need to trip him up, as he could make him make a fool of himself right at the dinner table.

"Xiao Lu, we've already gone around once, you should go around and toast people."

"Since Master Zhang gave you the role on short notice, shouldn't you show some appreciation?"

The seemingly simple-minded Brother Jing was stabbing at Lu Kuan between the lines; a young man couldn't withstand such goading, so surely he would just obediently comply.

Lu Kuan laughed nonchalantly: "I definitely have to toast Master Zhang, but we just finished a round; out of respect for the elderly and care for the young, it's only reasonable to give the elder some time to rest!"

"Brother Yapeng, among the male actors at this table today, you have the highest status, come, I'll toast you first."

After saying this, he glanced at Zhou Jie with his peripheral vision as if unintentionally; a trace of gloom flashed in the latter's eyes.

In this day and age, with Zhou Jie holding "My Fair Princess" and "Young Justice Bao," he really was on par with Li Yapeng.

As the saying goes, to capture the soldiers, first capture the horse; to capture the bandits, first capture the king.

The person at this table with the most hostility toward him today was Li Yapeng; Lu Kuan's move was to strike directly at the heart, while also handing a knife to Zhou Jie.

You used me to goad Li Yapeng on set just now, now I'm returning the favor—let's see how you react.

The film crew is a small society; you can lose anything, but you cannot lose face, and you cannot be without status.

From the order of food distribution to the seating in the rest area, in every aspect, big or small, the top dog must have the treatment of a top dog.

This includes who you toast first.

Having been drunk on the dinner table countless times in his past life, Boss Lu was well-versed in the routine; he smiled as he picked up the three-ounce decanter, watching Li Yapeng with composure.

Li Yapeng had a high tolerance, but he was used to drinking slowly; one could tell from the speed at which he went around the table earlier. Lu Kuan was prescribing the right medicine for the illness, focusing his attack.

"Drink slowly, why start with such a big climax?"

Li Yapeng, who had vaguely become the head of the mainland young actors, put on airs and watched the standing Lu Kuan with a smile, making no move.

Lu Kuan had a whole set of drinking toasts: "Brother Yapeng, you created a classic image of Linghu Chong in 'Smiling Proud Wanderer'; we are using these three-ounce pots, isn't that just 'Linghu Chong' (carrying the pot)? Come on!"

Zhang Jizhong clapped and laughed: "Xiao Lu is humorous. Yapeng, set an example for everyone! Otherwise, the atmosphere won't pick up!"

"One more! One more!"

The crew members were all high on alcohol, and seeing the excitement at the main table, they all crowded around to jeer.

Li Yapeng had lifted a rock only to drop it on his own feet; he helplessly poured the wine from his small cup into the pot and clinked it with Lu Kuan.

Forcing down the churning in his stomach, he was indeed not good at fast drinking.

This sort of thing varies from person to person; some can drink a pound or two cup by cup with endless sentiment, but if you make him drink fast, he'll be down in a few cups.

Boss Lu, who had been tested by alcohol, was of course proficient in all eighteen martial arts, and he secretly laughed at Li Yapeng, who had taken the initiative to challenge him only to be thwarted.

"Good!" "Well done!"

The atmosphere of the wrap party reached a climax; not waiting for Li Yapeng to react, Lu Kuan filled his cup again and picked up the small pot.

"Brother Yapeng, the first cup is to thank you for your care on set, the second cup is for you and Sister Xun, I won't say any more!"

As he spoke, he raised an eyebrow at Zhou Xun; their affair was already an open secret.

Zhou Xun was so happy her eyelashes were practically blooming; women in the throes of love love this kind of ritual, so she stood up with a smile and kicked Li Yapeng beside her.

Another three ounces down, and Zhou Xun thoughtfully poured Li Yapeng a cup of hot water, signaling him to settle his stomach.

Everyone present was a shrewd person, and they all saw that Lu Kuan had gained the upper hand in this round.

The words were spoken beautifully, the toast was urged skillfully, and he drank decisively!

Jiang Qinqin's eyes shimmered; at certain moments, she could always see a maturity in Lu Kuan that transcended his age.

Like this moment, she didn't know where the young Daoist priest, who had grown up in a deep mountain temple, had acquired such rich experience in drinking culture.

The others were not to be outdone, taking turns to trade toasts, while Li Yapeng and Lu Kuan both seemed a bit dizzy as they picked at their food, temporarily withdrawing from the battle.

(End of chapter)