’Dad really is so naive,’ she thought.
Even after all this, he hadn’t suspected for a moment that this was all a setup by the two of them.
Once the main issues were out of the way, the rest of the dinner became much more relaxed.
They chatted about Lin Jiang’s job and his family situation.
After learning more about him, her parents were grinning from ear to ear.
In their eyes, Lin Jiang was the perfect son-in-law.
They wished the two would go get their marriage certificate the very next day and have a baby soon after.
About two hours later, the two men were still drinking.
Liang Shuhuo and her mother were getting a little tired of sitting, so they moved to the sofa to whisper to each other.
At the same time, they kept an eye on the table, ready to jump in and help at a moment’s notice.
But as they kept drinking, the mood at the table began to shift.
Happy as he was, Liang Youjun was starting to get a little drunk.
"We really hit it off... HIC..."
Liang Youjun’s eyes had gone a bit hazy. He raised his glass and said,
"Little brother, listen to me."
"Big brother, I’m listening..." Lin Jiang slurred, sounding just as groggy.
"It’s just that..."
Liang Youjun’s words were slurring, and he could barely form a complete sentence.
From the sofa, Wang Chunmei rolled her eyes at him.
"A few drinks and he can’t even talk straight. I should go say something to him."
But even though Wang Chunmei knew Liang Youjun was drunk, she couldn’t just make them stop. That would be like kicking her new son-in-law out.
"It’s fine, Mom. Just leave them be." Liang Shuhuo held Wang Chunmei back, deciding to let them be.
And so, the drinking session continued past ten o’clock, only officially ending when Lin Jiang finally admitted he’d had too much.
"Your dad’s drunk. I’ll go check on him."
The two women split up, each helping her own man.
Liang Youjun was helped to the bedroom, while Liang Shuhuo helped Lin Jiang to the sofa.
"Are you feeling sick?"
Liang Shuhuo’s heart ached for him. She kept rubbing Lin Jiang’s hands, hoping to make him feel a little more comfortable.
"I’m okay. I didn’t drink too much."
Lin Jiang rubbed his temples and said,
"If I hadn’t said I’d had too much, I don’t think your dad would have ever left the table."
"In his eyes, you’re his son-in-law. Wouldn’t he lose face if he lost to you in a drinking contest?"
"I figured that out, so I just surrendered."
Even though he said he wasn’t that drunk, the two of them had finished 24 bottles of beer and a bottle of Maotai. For Lin Jiang, that was no small amount.
"I’ve made some tea. Wait a moment, it should be cool enough to drink now."
Lin Jiang didn’t say anything, just kept rubbing his temples. He could use some tea to sober up.
A moment later, Liang Shuhuo brought the tea to Lin Jiang, blowing on it for a while before holding it to his lips.
Just then, Wang Chunmei came out of the bedroom, and Liang Shuhuo walked over to her.
"Dad drank a lot, didn’t he? Is he okay?"
"He’s already asleep."
Wang Chunmei glanced over at Lin Jiang on the sofa.
"Did Xiaojiang drink a lot, too?"
"A little, but he’s doing okay. Better than Dad, anyway."
Liang Shuhuo looked back at Lin Jiang, her expression full of concern.
"I’ll take him home in a bit, so you don’t have to worry."
Wang Chunmei glanced at the wall clock.
"It’s almost eleven. Why make him go home? He can just stay here."
"Huh? But where would he sleep? He can’t sleep in my study, can he?"
Liang Shuhuo tucked her hair behind her ear, trying to hide her true feelings.
She already knew what her mom was going to say.
"He can sleep in your room. You can sleep on the sofa."
"Me, sleep on the sofa?"
"You’re not married yet. You weren’t thinking of sleeping with him, were you?"
"That’s not what I meant. It’s just that the sofa is too soft. I can’t sleep on it."
"Well, you decide for yourself. It’s your business, I’m not getting involved. This is our first time meeting Xiaojiang, so we don’t know the specifics of your relationship. But if you think he’s a good man, that you’ve found the one, and you plan on marrying him someday, then you two can stay in the same room."
Wang Chunmei said,
"I’m not some old fossil. You young people can decide these things for yourselves. Just leave the dishes on the table, we’ll deal with them tomorrow."
"Alright..."
"I’m going to check on Xiaojiang."
The mother and daughter walked over together. With a gentle smile, Wang Chunmei said, "Did you drink too much? You should get some rest early tonight and sleep well."
After a cup of strong tea, Lin Jiang felt much more clear-headed.
"Auntie, I should be going now."
"Go where? You’re in no state to leave after drinking so much. Just stay here," Wang Chunmei said.
"Auntie is going to bed now. You two wash up and get some rest. Make yourselves at home, don’t be formal."
As if afraid Lin Jiang would feel awkward, Wang Chunmei returned to her bedroom, leaving Lin Jiang and Liang Shuhuo alone in the living room.
"Your mom wants me to stay here?"
"She said you can sleep in my room, and I can sleep on the sofa."
"That doesn’t seem right."
She gave Lin Jiang an exasperated look.
"My mom also said I can decide for myself where I sleep."
"I have to say, your mom is really open-minded."
"I knew you’d say that," Liang Shuhuo said, looking at Lin Jiang.
"How are you feeling now? If you’re not feeling well, don’t bother washing up. Just go straight to bed."
"I’ll go wash my face."
"Mm."
He went to the bathroom, quickly washed up, and then went to the bedroom.
Liang Shuhuo’s bedroom was surprisingly simple, with no superfluous or complex designs.
Besides the bed and wardrobe, there was a row of bookshelves filled with books.
She opened the wardrobe, took out a creamy white nightgown, and then a yellow and white striped quilt.
"Looks like you’re sleeping on the sofa tonight."
"Of course. It would be so embarrassing if my mom found out we slept together."
"That’s just deceiving yourself. In your mom’s mind, she probably already thinks we’ve done that sort of thing."
"That’s what she thinks. But it would still be really awkward if she caught us."
"You sleep on the bed, I’ll sleep on the floor. There’s no reason for a woman to sleep on the sofa."
"How could I let that happen? You’re my client, the big boss! I can’t have you sleeping on the floor."
"What’s wrong with it? Just make a simple bed for me on the floor."
"No. I’ll sleep on the floor. It’s your first time visiting my home, and you’ve helped me so much. I absolutely can’t let you sleep on the floor."
Liang Shuhuo’s tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. She had already decided to sleep on the floor.
She took out her yoga mat, laid a blanket over it, and just like that, her makeshift bed was ready.
"Should I turn off the light?"
"Mm."
Liang Shuhuo went to turn off the light. Lin Jiang didn’t argue anymore. Sleeping on the floor wouldn’t kill anyone.
RUSTLE... RUSTLE... In the dim light filtering through the window, Liang Shuhuo changed into her nightgown, but she didn’t lie down to sleep.
Quietly, Liang Shuhuo padded over to the bed and leaned down in front of Lin Jiang.
"It’s the middle of the night. Are you trying to crawl into bed with me?"
"Of course not. My grandma told me that massaging the part of the hand between the thumb and index finger helps with hangovers. I always do it for my dad when he drinks too much. Let me do it for you."
"So I get to experience the ’dad treatment,’ huh? My seniority just shot right up."
"Yes, yes. You’re the client, the big boss. Of course you get this kind of treatment."
"In that case, I should..."
"No talking. Go to sleep."

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