0p0 Chapter 86 Wine Doesn't Intoxicate, People Intoxicate Themselves
Chapter 86 Wine Doesn't Intoxicate, People Intoxicate Themselves
Bai Rongbei stood there with a wine glass in his hand, his posture as upright as a poplar tree on the Gobi Desert.
The liquor was homemade sorghum liquor, pungent and irritating, but he didn't even flinch, tilting his head back and drinking it all in one gulp.
"Great!" Zhao Dayong was the first to slap the table and cheer, then picked up his glass and downed it in one gulp. "Commander Bai is so straightforward!"
Chen Jianjun and Liu Aiguo joined in the commotion, and the men went back and forth, emptying a bottle of baijiu in no time.
"What's the point of just you men drinking?" the plump auntie interjected with a laugh, her eyes darting between Lin Weiwei and Su Wanwan. "These two new wives in the family compound should also do something, shouldn't they? Today is a joyous occasion!"
Aunt Li chimed in, "That's right! Weiwei should be happy that Wanwan joined the performing arts troupe! Here, let me pour you some!"
Lin Weiwei was gnawing on a rib when she heard this and looked up, her lips still smeared with sauce.
Her eyes lit up, and she wiped her mouth heartily: "Sure! Pour it on!"
"Weiwei..." Su Wanwan gently tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "Are you sure you can do it?"
"Don't worry!" Lin Weiwei winked at her. "I can hold my liquor perfectly!"
The plump auntie had already brought over a clean enamel mug and poured about half a glass of baijiu (Chinese liquor): "Here, Weiwei, you go first!"
Lin Weiwei took the cup, stood up, and, imitating Bai Rongbei, raised it to everyone: "Thank you, uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters-in-law! Wanwan and I are new here and don't know anything, so we're very grateful for everyone's help! I'll drink this one, you can drink as you like!"
After saying that, she tilted her head back and downed half a glass of baijiu.
The liquor burned as it went down my throat, a fiery sensation that traveled all the way to my stomach.
Lin Weiwei coughed twice, her face instantly turning red, but she endured it and put the empty cup on the table: "Isn't that nice of me?"
"That's great!" Zhao Dayong gave a thumbs up. "Sister-in-law is awesome!"
All eyes turned to Su Wanwan.
Su Wanwan was shy, and her ears turned red when she was stared at like that.
She whispered, "I...I don't drink..."
"Just a little is fine!" Aunt Zhang advised with a smile. "You're happy today! Just take a sip, just to show your appreciation!"
Seeing Su Wanwan's troubled expression, Bai Rongbei was about to speak up for her when Lin Weiwei leaned close to Su Wanwan's ear and whispered, "Wanwan, a little won't hurt! You're having such a good time today! Besides, this wine isn't very strong, just drink it like water!"
Su Wanwan hesitated as she looked at the glass of wine in front of her.
The cup was small, filled only to the very bottom, and the transparent liquid shimmered faintly under the kerosene lamp.
She recalled the nervousness and excitement she felt standing on the stage today, the thrill of the results being announced, and Bai Rongbei's words, "You danced very well..."
The fear I felt suddenly vanished.
She doesn't drink much.
But since she's happy today, she wants to have a drink and celebrate with everyone.
"Okay," she said softly, picking up her wine glass and standing up like Lin Weiwei. "Thank you everyone... I'd like to toast you all."
She didn't say anything fancy, she just seriously raised her glass, closed her eyes, and took a small sip.
The spiciness of the liquor exploded in her mouth instantly, choking her so much that tears almost welled up in her eyes.
She forced herself to swallow, feeling a burning sensation from her throat to her stomach, and her face quickly turned bright red.
"Bravo!" Good-natured applause and laughter rang out from the crowd.
Seeing her eyes redden from choking but still forcing a smile, Bai Rongbei took the glass from her hand, drank the rest of the wine in one gulp, and then said to everyone, "She can't hold her liquor, I'll take her place."
These words were spoken naturally, yet carried an undeniable air of protection.
Zhao Dayong chuckled: "Commander Bai knows how to pamper his wife!"
Su Wanwan sat back down on the stool, feeling a little dizzy.
The effects of the alcohol kicked in, and everything before my eyes was shrouded in a soft light. My ears were ringing, and the laughter and chatter around me seemed to be muffled by a layer of water.
But she felt happy and warm inside, like she was soaking in warm water.
Lin Weiwei could tell from her expression that she was a little tipsy, so she quickly picked up a piece of tofu and put it in her bowl: "Eat some vegetables to calm down!"
"Hmm..." Su Wanwan obediently ate, but her head was still spinning.
After a few rounds of drinks, we had almost finished eating.
Chen Jianjun suggested, "Just eating is no fun! Let's do something! It's cool in the Gobi Desert at night, let's build a fire, dance and sing!"
The proposal was unanimously approved.
Bai Rongbei and Bai Si'an went to the woodshed to fetch dry firewood and piled it up in the open space in the center of the yard.
Liu Aiguo struck a match and threw it in; the flames shot up with a "whoosh" and burned brighter and brighter.
The orange flames leaped and danced, dispelling the chill of the Gobi Desert night and casting a rosy glow on everyone's faces.
"Who can sing?" Zhao Dayong asked.
"Me!" Lin Weiwei was the first to raise her hand. "I'll sing 'Nanniwan' for everyone!"
She stood up, walked to the fire, cleared her throat, and began to sing:
"The flowers in the flower basket smell sweet, let me sing you a song."
The voice was clear and resonant, the pitch was accurate, and the words were easy to remember.
She sang while gesturing, her eyes sparkling and her expressions rich.
Everyone clapped along, creating a lively atmosphere.
When the song ended, thunderous applause erupted.
"It's getting late!" the plump auntie called out with a smile. "Let's have a rising star from the performing arts troupe!"
Su Wanwan was now even more intoxicated and became bolder.
She stood up unsteadily, walked to the fire, thought for a moment, and softly began to sing "Jasmine Flower":
"What a beautiful jasmine flower, what a beautiful jasmine flower, even the fragrance of all the flowers in the garden cannot surpass it..."
Her voice was gentle and clear, like a mountain stream flowing gently through my heart.
Although there was no accompaniment, the melody was gentle and melodious, and it was especially moving in the firelight and night.
Bai Rongbei stood on the periphery of the crowd, looking at Su Wanwan's profile illuminated by the firelight.
Her eyes were slightly closed, her eyelashes casting a small shadow on her face, and her lips opened and closed gently with the singing.
His heart suddenly skipped a beat.
After the song ended, there was another round of cheers.
"Dance! Dance!" Chen Jianjun shouted. "Comrades from the cultural troupe, give us a dance!"
Su Wanwan's face turned even redder. She waved her hand, "I...I can't jump anymore..."
"I'll dance with you!" Lin Weiwei rushed up and grabbed her hand. "Let's dance an easy one!"
She hummed an unknown tune and pulled Su Wanwan around the campfire.
The two girls held hands, their steps a little unsteady, but their smiles were radiant.
The firelight cast their long shadows on the ground, swaying with their dance.
Others were also infected and joined in.
Those who can't dance can clap and stomp to the rhythm, while those who can dance a little can hold hands and spin around.
Under the night sky over the Gobi Desert, this small courtyard was filled with laughter and joy.
Bai Rongbei didn't move; he just stood there watching.
Bai Si'an didn't move either. The two brothers stood side by side, their eyes fixed on their respective women.
"Brother," Bai Si'an suddenly whispered.