(Third Release, Please Subscribe)
Just as Ye Chen was about to turn and leave, a familiar voice sounded in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for helping your investment target rediscover the joy of childhood. System skill reward acquired: Thousand Cups Without Drunkenness.]
Thousand Cups Without Drunkenness?
Ye Chen's heart brightened—he'd gained another skill.
Although it was a bit useless to him, it might come in handy later.
In the Villa, Li Sitong sat by the window playing Lianliankan.
But her concentration wasn't great.
She lost several rounds in a row.
She glanced outside, feeling a little hopeful and a little nervous.
"When is that guy coming?"
Just then, a knock came from the door.
Ye Chen had arrived.
Li Sitong hopped straight off the bed and ran out.
At that moment Li Li opened the door and greeted him warmly: "Little Ye."
"Hello, Uncle Li." Ye Chen smiled and said hello.
Then Ye Chen saw Li Sitong running over.
"Hi, Si Tong." Ye Chen waved with a smile.
Li Sitong's pretty face flushed. "H… hello."
Li Li watched his daughter's flustered look and found it amusing.
He'd never seen his daughter so rattled before.
Li Li chuckled: "You two sit first; I'll go cook."
Only when Li Li entered the kitchen did Li Sitong exhale in relief.
Ye Chen grinned: "Hey, why so nervous?"
Li Sitong looked at him: "Aren't you nervous?"
Ye Chen smiled: "What's there to be nervous about? It's just meeting the parents!"
Li Sitong rolled her eyes at him: "You've got nerves of steel."
Before long, Li Li had prepared a big table of dishes.
The three sat at the dining table; the atmosphere was a bit awkward.
Li Li broke the ice first: "Little Ye, do you have any brothers or sisters? What do your parents do?"
"I'm an only child; my parents work at a Machine-Tool Plant."
"I heard you've been helping Si Tong with investments."
Ye Chen nodded: "Yep, made a few small investments."
Li Li: "…"
Several million, and he calls them small.
Li Li smiled at Ye Chen: "By the way, how did you learn about these investment opportunities?"
Ye Chen said apologetically: "Uncle, I'm really sorry—I have my own sources, but it's not convenient to explain."
After all, he couldn't exactly tell Li Li he had a System.
"Oh, oh!"
Li Li had been in business long enough to know when to stop pressing.
If Ye Chen wouldn't say, it would be inappropriate to keep asking.
After that topic, Li Li didn't know what else to say.
He admired Ye Chen.
To control such a huge group and run it so brilliantly—
Li Li prided himself on his ability to judge people.
He had a feeling Ye Chen was genuinely capable.
And seeing how Li Sitong looked at Ye Chen, he knew his daughter liked him too.
Li Li even felt like Baidu-searching how to get along with a future son-in-law.
But he held back.
In front of the future son-in-law, a certain dignity was still required.
"You probably don't drink, do you?" Li Li asked.
After all, Ye Chen was still a High School student, so he felt awkward inviting him to drink outright.
Ye Chen smiled: "Uncle, let me keep you company for a couple of cups."
Li Li was taken aback: "Is that appropriate?"
"It's fine. I'm already eighteen—an adult, right?"
Li Li looked at him: "Do you even know how to drink?"
Ye Chen thought: he'd just gotten Thousand Cups Without Drunkenness—perfect time to test it.
But he still said shyly: "Never tried before, but I can give it a shot."
"All right, then have a little with Uncle."
Li Li planned to drink Ye Chen under the table.
Once drunk, they'd chat and bond—simple as that!
Ye Chen nodded: "Sure, just a tiny bit."
Li Sitong tugged Ye Chen's sleeve: "Are you crazy? My dad can really drink; you'll get wasted."
Ye Chen merely smiled: "Relax—no one can get me drunk."
With Thousand Cups Without Drunkenness, how could he possibly be wasted?
Li Sitong froze at the familiar confidence on his face.
This guy really that confident?
Li Li overheard their whispering and gave a wry smile.
Sigh, girls sure side with outsiders once they grow up.
"Liquor or red wine?" Li Li asked.
Ye Chen grinned: "Either's fine."
Li Li nodded: "Then let's go for some baijiu?"
To Li Li, Ye Chen wasn't even a concern.
In business circles, who didn't know that Li Li was a booze god?
He'd never feared anyone when it came to drinking.
He figured Ye Chen would be tipsy after just a couple of liang.
Once the truth serum kicked in, he could learn more about Ye Chen.
So strong baijiu was the obvious choice.
Ye Chen answered readily: "No problem."
Li Li opened a bottle of wuliangye; Ye Chen took it and poured for them both.
Although Li Sitong knew Ye Chen never did anything without confidence,
watching him drink with her dad still left her uneasy.
Admittedly, Li Li's cooking was really good—
the dishes tasted excellent.
Li Li smiled: "Ye Chen, make yourself at home—no need to stand on ceremony."
"Got it—Uncle, cheers to you!"
Ye Chen raised his cup and downed it in one go.
Li Li was stunned.
Silly kid, this is 56-proof wuliangye—drinking like that will knock you out.
But since the kid had drained his cup, could he not follow suit?
Though it took some effort, Li Li likewise emptied his cup.
After finishing, Li Li began studying Ye Chen.
Normally a first-time drinker would be half-tipsy right after a cup.
To his shock, Ye Chen seemed completely fine—
clear speech, no sign of drunkenness at all.
They continued eating and chatting.
Soon the second cup was down.
Li Sitong sat nearby, legs crossed, watching their faces.
Ye Chen's face hadn't even reddened, whereas Li Li's was already a bit flushed.
"Ye Chen, I have to thank you this time—if you hadn't reminded me, I'd never have bought that land in the Western Suburbs." Li Li raised his cup with a smile.
Ye Chen laughed: "Haha, I should thank you, Uncle—I went all-in on Dacheng Group, and on the first day I caught a limit-up right after a limit-down and made a nice profit."
Watching the two chat so happily,
Li Sitong was a bit dumbfounded.
It seemed her dad really enjoyed talking with Ye Chen.
In her memory, practically no one could hold a conversation with her father.
Li Li said: "I've spoiled Si Tong—she must have bullied you a lot."
Ye Chen grinned: "Yeah, at school she pinches me all the time."
Li Li glanced at Li Sitong: "A girl should be more reserved."
"Dad, don't listen to his nonsense." Li Sitong rolled her eyes at Ye Chen in mock anger.
Li Li chuckled: "Sigh, my poor daughter—you've suffered."
The two clinked cups and drank again.
By now each had drunk about four liang of liquor.
Li Li's eyes were reddening; the alcohol was hitting him.
Ye Chen still felt nothing.
Li Li, emboldened by the booze, grew chattier.
"Ye Chen, who gets better grades between you and Si Tong?"
Ye Chen: "Probably me—I'm first in the Whole School, Si Tong's third."
Li Li asked: "Impressive—what did you score on the Mock Exam?"
"750!" Ye Chen said.
Li Li's eyes bulged in disbelief: "Full marks?"
Ye Chen nodded: "Yep."
Li Li looked toward Li Sitong.
Li Sitong said proudly: "It's true—Ye Chen has always been our school's Top Student; he's amazing."