Chapter 23: Drinking Contest

Thanks to the budget surplus from wrapping up early, production manager Meng Fanyao, with the Big Hu Zi's approval, splurged and held the wrap-up banquet at the Wuxi Taihu Hotel.

The crew members were very excited. Income levels in this era were not high, and ordinary working-class people rarely had the opportunity to come to such a high-end hotel.

Several private rooms were opened up, seating a full eight tables. This was all the production crew personnel currently in Wuxi.

"Little Lu, want a drink?"

Li Yapeng was from Xinjiang, the type who could drink 750 grams of white liquor and keep pouring beer. He opened a bottle of Jiannanchun and took the initiative to challenge him.

The leader of the liquor industry in Jiangsu at this time, Yanghe, hadn't been restructured yet. Currently, most of the liquor was grain-based ration liquor, which couldn't be brought to the table.

Meng Fanyao also egged him on from the side: "Drink a little, drink a little. Everyone's happy today!"

Zhang Jizhong was drinking strong tea calmly, not caring about anything that didn't concern him.

The little Daoist priest secretly grumbled in his heart. Unknowingly, he was going to fight alone at this table; it seemed all the spears were aimed at him.

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

After saying that, he poured himself a glass of fruit juice.

Li Yapeng was dissatisfied: "Little Lu, everyone is happy today, so let's join in the fun, right?"

Zhou Jie, who loved to watch the fun, took the decanter and poured him a drink: "Little Lu, brother will pour you a drink, okay? You Jiangsu people can all drink. Let's all let go and do it today!"

Zhou Xun was a heavy drinker. She didn't have any bad intentions: "Little Lu, I heard people say 'Northeast tigers, Northwest wolves, can't drink past the little sheep of Jiangsu.' Let everyone see it today."

"Is that okay? If you don't want to drink, forget it." Jiang Qinqin saw him becoming the target of public criticism and reminded him in a low voice.

Lu Kuan saw the Big Hu Zi also looking at him with a smile, so he helplessly took the decanter: "I wouldn't dare to refuse!"

"Good!"

Li Yapeng took the lead in applauding. The intimate and gentle words Jiang Qinqin had just said caught his attention.

Do these two have something going on?

If you don't say that the heartless see everyone as dirty, but this time...

Your judgment of people is really accurate! Boss Lu is indeed dirty!

Zhang Jizhong, as the head of the crew, first toasted a cup. Everyone agreed with a roar and began to push cups and change bowls.

The crew had gone through constant twists and turns, and once the pressure was released, they almost blew the roof off the five-star hotel.

Everyone at the main table went around in a circle, and everyone's face was normal. Who in the circle hadn't been tested by alcohol?

There are many rules and deep water at the Chinese dinner table. As long as you ask for help, no matter how big your status is, you can't hide.

Can Andy Lau be considered a big shot in the circle?

In 2013, when *The White Storm* was released, as a producer and executive producer, he still had to obediently accompany film merchants and theater owners to eat and drink. After returning, he complained to the Hong Kong reporters, admitting 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 to accompany the theater manager to drink, served him food, and toasted him. After the meal, he almost vomited his bile.

In 2002, when the mainland entertainment industry was still growing wildly, a little rookie like Lu Kuan was just a chick in Li Yapeng's eyes. There was no need to trip him up; he could make him make a fool of himself at the dinner table.

"Little Lu, we've already gone around once. You should toast those you need to toast."

"Director Zhang gave you the role temporarily. Shouldn't you show some appreciation?"

The seemingly simple-minded Brother Jing was stabbing Lu Kuan between the lines. A young man couldn't stand the goading, so he would surely submit.

Lu Kuan laughed freely: "I definitely have to toast Director Zhang, but we just went around. Respecting the old and loving the young, it's reasonable to give the old man some time to rest!"

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

After saying that, he swept his peripheral vision over Zhou Jie as if unintentionally. A flash of gloom crossed the latter's eyes.

In this era, Zhou Jie held *My Fair Princess* and *Young Justice Bao* in his hands, and he was really on par with Li Yapeng.

There is a saying: "To catch the bandits, first catch the king."

The one with the most hostility toward him at this table today was Li Yapeng. Lu Kuan's move was to strike directly at the heart, and then hand a knife to Zhou Jie.

Didn't you use me to squeeze Li Yapeng on the set just now? I'm returning it to you now. Let's see how you react.

The crew is a small society. You can lose anything, but you can't lose face. You can have nothing, but you can't have no status.

This includes the order of serving food, the seating in the rest area, and all aspects. The top star must have the treatment of a top star.

This includes who to toast first.

Boss Lu, who had been drunk at the dinner table countless times in his previous life, was familiar with the routines. He picked up the three-liang decanter with a smile and looked at Li Yapeng with composure.

Li Yapeng had a high tolerance for alcohol, but he was used to drinking slowly. One could tell from the speed at which he went around just now. Lu Kuan's move was prescribing the right medicine for the illness, focusing on the attack.

"Drink slowly. Why create a big climax as soon as you come up?"

Li Yapeng, who had vaguely become the head of the mainland young actors, put on airs, looking at Lu Kuan, who stood up opposite him, without moving.

Lu Kuan's toasting words were one after another: "Brother Yapeng, you created a classic Linghu Chong image in *Laughing in the Wind*. We use this three-liang small pot, isn't it just 'carrying the pot to rush'? Come on!"

Zhang Jizhong clapped and laughed: "Little Lu is humorous. Yapeng, give everyone a sample! Otherwise, the atmosphere won't rise!"

"Come on! Come on!"

The crew members were all high. Seeing that there was fun to watch at the main table, they all surrounded them and started to boo.

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

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

This thing varies from person to person. Some can drink a catty or two cup by cup, but if you let him drink fast, he'll fall after a few cups.

Boss Lu, who had been tested by alcohol, was naturally proficient in all eighteen martial arts. He laughed secretly at Li Yapeng, who had taken the initiative to challenge but suffered a loss.

"Good!" "Well done!"

The atmosphere of the wrap-up banquet rose one after another. Lu Kuan didn't wait for him to react, continued to fill it up, and picked up the small pot.

"Brother Yapeng, the first cup is to toast your care in the crew, the second cup is to toast you and Xun-ge. I won't say any more!"

As he said that, he winked at Zhou Xun. Their affair was already an open secret.

Zhou Xun was so happy that her eyelashes were about to bloom. Women in love like this kind of ritual sense the most. She smiled and stood up, kicking Li Yapeng beside her.

Another three liang went down. Zhou Xun thoughtfully poured Li Yapeng a cup of hot water, signaling him to suppress it.

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

The words were beautiful, the wine was persuaded neatly, and he drank decisively!

Jiang Qinqin's eyes were filled with brilliance. At certain moments, she could always see a maturity in Lu Kuan that transcended his age.

For example, at this moment, she didn't know where the little Daoist priest, who grew up in a deep mountain temple, got such rich experience at the dinner table.

Others were not to be outdone, taking turns to push cups and change bowls. Li Yapeng and Lu Kuan seemed to be a little dizzy while picking up food, temporarily withdrawing from the battle.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 24 =====