The restaurant was bustling, with many tables already served. Regulars spotted Yang Jiabo and insisted he drink with them. Before even reaching Wei Jing’s reserved room, he’d downed two shots. He escaped before more could be forced on him.
"Your stomach is weak, don’t drink on an empty stomach," Wei Jing chided.
"I usually avoid coming at mealtimes. At most, I’ll join for tea in the afternoon. But my alcohol tolerance’s great, I could drink you under the table."
"Sure, but then you’d end up on an IV drip."
"Don’t underestimate me."
"I’m not. I’m underestimating your stomach. The guy who got hospitalized after eating plums shouldn’t push his luck."
"It’s almost dinner, can we not talk about this?" Yang Jiabo grimaced. For some reason, plums always gave him diarrhea.
"Fine, I got you milk."
"Too late now that I’ve already drunk alcohol."
"We’ll drink. You stick to milk."
"That’s embarrassing."
"Most guests are doctors. It’d be more embarrassing if you got hospitalized."
"Then… I’ll go to a different hospital," Yang Jiabo muttered. His stomach had betrayed him since childhood, yearly hospitalizations were usually due to diarrhea.
"They’re doctors. They’ll understand."
As they crossed a wooden bridge and passed a rock garden, they entered a spacious private room. The guests had arrived, Wei Changdong and Song Yufang were chatting with them.
"Mom, Dad, Uncle Li, Auntie Chen…" Wei Jing greeted everyone before introducing Yang Jiabo.
Yang Jiabo smiled warmly. These people were department heads and senior doctors. Good connections to have when illness struck.
"So you’re Wei Jing’s friend! No wonder the elusive Little Boss is here," a regular teased.
"Jiajia, sit by me." Song Yufang waved him over. "Your place is wonderful. When your Uncle Wei and I take leave, we'll stay here. Even Wei Jing came straight here instead of going home."
"You’re always welcome, Auntie."
"The air’s great, the food’s delicious, the water’s clean, hope Little Boss doesn’t mind us visiting," another guest praised.
Yang Jiabo: "Any friends of Uncle Wei and Auntie Song are welcome anytime."
During the meal, a can of Wangzai Little Milk was placed before Yang Jiabo. He glared at Wei Jing, who shrugged innocently. He’d only asked for milk, not this.
The dinner flowed smoothly. The guests, all socially adept, kept the atmosphere lively. After finishing his milk, Yang Jiabo joined in with a few drinks.
As the party dispersed, Yang Jiabo and Wei Jing saw them off. Song Yufang fixed Wei Jing with a stare. "Visit home when you have time. Don’t just enjoy yourself here while we’re left empty-nesting."
"Got it. I’ll go back tomorrow," Wei Jing promised.
"And stop troubling Jiajia all the time." She turned to Yang Jiabo. "Jiajia, don’t indulge him so much."
"Don’t worry, Auntie. I won’t."
After bidding everyone farewell, the slightly tipsy pair returned to the bamboo house. Yang Jianjun was already asleep. Fresh from their shower and wide awake, they snuggled up on the couch to watch Starship Troopers, a classic sci-fi film that had been groundbreaking in its time.
"I thought you were scared of these?" Wei Jing teased.
"I'm not afraid of bugs, so why would this scare me? I even watch horror movies now. Once you grow up and realize it's all fake, there's nothing to be afraid of." Yang Jiabo rummaged through a box of chocolates Wei Jing had brought back and popped one into his mouth.
"Eating chocolate this late at night, how do you never gain weight?"
Yang Jiabo preened. "Born beautiful and impossible to give up, want one?"
"Is it really that good?" Wei Jing watched Yang Jiabo’s blissful expression and couldn’t resist trying.
"Here, taste it." Without waiting for a reply, Yang Jiabo shoved one into Wei Jing’s mouth.
"Too sweet." Wei Jing frowned but swallowed it anyway. "Don’t eat too many, or you'll get cavities."
"For the sake of my precious sweets, I take very good care of my teeth."
Soon, their attention shifted to the movie. Before long, Yang Jiabo was nodding off, slumping drowsily against Wei Jing. Wei Jing considered carrying him to bed but decided against it, shaking him awake instead.
"Wake up. Brush your teeth first."
Still half-asleep, Yang Jiabo obediently brushed his teeth before climbed into bed. Wei Jing observed the entire process, realizing just how docile Yang Jiabo became after drinking. If this happened outside, someone could kidnap him and he wouldn’t even notice.
Before his illness, alcohol had simply made Yang Jiabo sleep. Afterward, it plunged him into uncontrollable weeping. His current state was an improvement - less sorrow, or perhaps just temporarily forgotten.
____
Three days later, Wei Jing’s friends arrived. Yang Jiabo was decorating the bamboo houses with fresh flowers when Uncle Liu called from the gate to say they had arrived.
Wei Jing, helping arrange the flowers, took his time finishing before heading out with Yang Jiabo to greet them.
Six men and two women stepped out of two SUVs - a Hummer and a BMW, parked on the stone path.
Zhang Yunwei scanned the surroundings and scoffed, "Nice scenery, but Beijing has plenty of this. Why drag us out here?"
"Ugh, I’m exhausted. Who knew driving could be this tiring?" Meng Fan slumped against the car.
"Brother Ren, how does this compare to your courtyard house?" Qin Ruiwen asked the tall, imposing man beside him.
Before Ren Boying could answer, the refined-looking Xu Chen cut in with a smirk, "Really? You’re comparing his siheyuan to your villa?"
[Siheyuan (四合院): traditional Chinese courtyard residence, typically found in northern China, especially Beijing
"I told you we should’ve flown. This ride was awful," Qin Rong whined, looking queasy.
"No one forced you to come," Chang Jin retorted, rolling her eyes.
"If it weren’t for Brother Jing, I’d never come to a place like this." Qin Rong’s haughty tone reeked of spoiled entitlement.
Wei Jing arrived just in time, his face darkening. "The exit is that way. Those staying, follow me."
"Brother Jing, I didn’t mean, Chang Jin provoked me!" Qin Rong flustered.
"Not my fault everyone knows you’re a pampered princess. Tag along quietly or leave." Chang Jin refused to indulge her.
Yang Jiabo’s good mood halved. These privileged brats are nothing but trouble. Modern youth craved excitement and trends, this tranquil retreat was lost on them. His enthusiasm for hosting evaporated, replaced by reluctance to engage.
"Brother, here are the keys. Settle them in. I’ll check on dinner." Yang Jiabo handed Wei Jing the keys.
"Got it. Don’t mind their rudeness." Wei Jing apologized quietly.
"Wouldn’t waste the energy." Yang Jiabo offered the group a polite smile. "Rest after your journey. Dinner will be ready soon." With that, he left. Wei Jing’s friends was Wei Jing’s problem.
"Who was that? Pretty high-strung," Chang Jin mused.
"Yang Jiabo, this farmstead’s owner and my brother. Be grateful he didn’t kick you out." Wei Jing’s mild tone carried unmistakable displeasure.
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