24 The Party (2/2)

”I came just a touch earlier than Sister Joann and Brother Xu Jing but when I arrived, the party was already well underway. The party is not bad and everyone seems to be having a blast but unfortunately, I am unable to stay for long, my father will have a fit if he finds out I stay out until so late,” answered Qing Qing.

'Such an obedient and responsible young woman,' Thought Joann with an approving smile.

Xu Jing's heart though buoyed with gladness when he heard what Qing Qing had to say. 'Perhaps the disaster of a catastrophic scale can be avoided after all,' was what he thought.

However, in spite of her words, Qing Qing stayed until way past midnight. Some of the party goers had already left but she was still there. No one other than Xu Jing noticed that she had gone back on her words but he was not dumb enough to point that out. It would only make it obvious that he had been paying too close of an attention to the young woman and was waiting for her to leave. That would attract questions, especially from his wife, that he would not be able to answer.

…

Lee Mu, after he had a little bit of wine in him, instead of falling asleep or turning feisty like most do, he became what was known in a specific circle as an alcohol pusher.

The term refers to someone who pushes alcohol towards you and forces you to drink them with veiled threats or overly passionate insistence. People like this are often the life of the party but is also a huge source of headache for the socially awkward or non-drinkers around him or her.

Lee Mu's target that night was the shy-looking Qing Qing. The shy and the reserved were always the targets. ”Qing Qing, come on, have a shot with me or do you think it is beneath yourself to drink with your senior? Hmm…” Lee Mu grumbled drunkenly as he shoved a shot of tequila towards Qing Qing.

Qing Qing demurred by explaining, ”Brother Lee Mu, thank you for the offer but I am really not a drinker. I cannot stand the smell of alcohol. It will make me vomit.”

”Hmm… Cannot stand the alcohol or your Brother Lee Mu? Qing Qing, are you seriously not going to give me face on my birthday?” Lee Mu threatened half-jokingly. However, the man was so drunk that he might get really angry if Qing Qing continued to rebuff him.

When Qing Qing was at her wit's end, an arm reached out to grab the shot away from Lee Mu. The person then downed the glass of tequila in one fell swoop before slamming the empty shot glass on the table.

”Now are you satisfied? Stop bullying our Qing Qing.”