Chapter 582

Xue Qin looked at the wall clock and said, "There are still more than ten minutes before work ends. I'll treat you to a meal this afternoon."

Su Xinghui said, "What's wrong? Is there some happy event? How did you think of treating me to a meal?"

Xue Qin's face darkened slightly as she said, "Can't I treat you to a meal if there's nothing wrong? Let's do this: I'll go to Zhang Pangzi's place and wait for you first. You come over after work."

Xue Qin didn't wait for Su Xinghui to say anything and turned to leave. Su Xinghui was stunned for a while, then began to tidy up his desk, preparing to finish work.

Su Xinghui arrived at Zhang Pangzi's restaurant. Seeing him arrive, Zhang Pangzi's wife said to him, "Township Head Su, Director Xue is waiting for you in that private room."

Su Xinghui entered the private room she pointed to. Xue Qin was sitting there with her chin in her hands, lost in thought. Hearing the door open, she turned to look at Su Xinghui and gave him a sweet smile.

Su Xinghui sat down, and Xue Qin asked, "Su Xinghui, what would you like to eat?"

Su Xinghui said, "Anything is fine. I'm not picky about food, as you know."

Xue Qin said, "It's easy to order any dish, but it's hard to order 'anything'."

Su Xinghui laughed. He called Zhang Pangzi's wife in and ordered two dishes himself. He felt that was enough, but Xue Qin ordered two more dishes. Su Xinghui hurriedly stopped her; otherwise, she would have ordered more.

Zhang Pangzi's wife went out. Xue Qin stared fixedly at Su Xinghui, making him feel a bit uncomfortable. He asked with a smile, "Xue Qin, how is your reading going?"

Xue Qin said, "It's okay. I've already passed two subjects in the self-study exams."

After saying this, Su Xinghui didn't know what else to say. He could only pick up the teacup in front of him and drink tea, as if to cover up his discomfort.

Fortunately, Xue Qin didn't look at him anymore either. She also picked up her teacup and drank tea.

When Su Xinghui came to eat, Zhang Pangzi's dishes were always served quickly. In less than ten minutes, the dishes they ordered were all served. Xue Qin had Zhang Pangzi's wife bring a bottle of Jiangcheng Chun.

Su Xinghui said, "Let's not drink, shall we?"

Xue Qin said, "It's fine, I want to drink a little today."

Hearing Xue Qin say this, Su Xinghui had no choice but to let her be.

Zhang Pangzi's wife brought the wine and then went out, closing the private room door.

Xue Qin opened the bottle of wine, poured a glass for Su Xinghui, and poured one for herself. She raised her glass and said, "Come, Xinghui, a toast to you. Congratulations on being in the newspaper and on television again."

Su Xinghui drank this glass with Xue Qin. He saw Xue Qin drain the glass in one gulp and said to her, "Xue Qin, drink slowly."

Xue Qin laughed, "It's fine, I can drink."

Xue Qin poured another glass for Su Xinghui and herself. Su Xinghui said, "Eat some food to settle the wine."

The two ate a few bites of food, and Xue Qin raised her glass again and said, "Come, Xinghui, I'll toast you again. I wish you a bright future!"

Su Xinghui said, "Drink less."

But Xue Qin had already drained the glass in one gulp. Su Xinghui shook his head and could only drink the glass of wine as well.

When Xue Qin drank the third glass of wine, Su Xinghui reached out to take her glass and said, "Xue Qin, you can't drink like this. What will you do if you get drunk?"

Xue Qin said, "I'm fine. I have a high tolerance for alcohol; you might not even be able to outdrink me."

Su Xinghui could only let her be. Xue Qin should still have had some tolerance for alcohol. She drank a few more glasses, and her face was still as fair as before.

After about half an hour, the two had drunk almost eight taels of wine, and each had half. Su Xinghui saw Xue Qin about to pour more wine, so he reached out and grabbed the bottle and said, "Xue Qin, you can't drink anymore. I'll take the rest. Look, your face is already a bit red."

Xue Qin said, "It's fine, I can drink."

She wanted to take the bottle, but Su Xinghui gripped it tightly and said, "Xue Qin, you really can't drink anymore. It's not good for you to get drunk."

Xue Qin said loudly, "Who are you to me? Do I need you to manage me? Give me the bottle!"

Seeing that Xue Qin's emotions were not right, Su Xinghui let go and let Xue Qin take the bottle. Anyway, there were only two taels of wine left in the bottle, so if they split it, it would be one tael each.

Unexpectedly, after finishing this bottle of wine, Xue Qin called Zhang Pangzi's wife again. She had her bring another bottle of wine. Su Xinghui said, "Xue Qin, you can't drink anymore. If you drink more, you'll be drunk."

Xue Qin said, "It's fine, I have a happy event today. Let's drink another bottle. Sister-in-law, bring another bottle."

Zhang Pangzi's wife looked at Su Xinghui, at a loss, not knowing whether she should go get the wine. Xue Qin raised her voice and said, "Sister-in-law, please go get a bottle of wine."

Su Xinghui looked at Zhang Pangzi's wife and nodded at her. Zhang Pangzi's wife then agreed, "Okay, I'll go get it."

After the wine was brought, Su Xinghui said, "I'll drink with you, but from now on, I'll pour the wine, and we can't drink so fast, okay? If not, I'll return the wine."

Xue Qin stared fixedly at Su Xinghui, and after a long while, she nodded.

Su Xinghui poured a glass for Xue Qin, but he didn't fill it, only pouring it eighty percent full, which was just over two qian.

Xue Qin raised her glass and said, "Xinghui, I'll ask you a question, and you must tell me the truth. You are not allowed to lie to me."

Su Xinghui nodded silently.

Xue Qin said, "Xinghui, have you ever liked me?"

Su Xinghui remained silent.