Chapter 171: How One Holds One's Liquor Shows One's Character

Luo Yixia really wanted to roll her eyes at her.

Song Chengyi's expression remained normal, though he couldn't help but find the remark utterly ridiculous.

"Second Aunt, is my cousin married yet?" Luo Yixia asked.

"How many years has your cousin been out of college? What's the rush?"

"Second Aunt, isn't my cousin twenty-eight or twenty-nine already? If she doesn't marry herself off soon, she's going to be an official left-over bachelorette."

"What nonsense are you talking about? Your sister graduated from a top university, do you think she needs to worry about finding a boyfriend? Your sister isn't like you, willing to settle for just anyone. Your sister has very high standards," the Second Aunt said haughtily.

Before Luo Yixia could retort, she saw Yu Wenjing and Luo Hongtao hurrying over.

"Is everyone alright?" Yu Wenjing ran up and inspected the two of them from top to bottom.

"We're fine, the car just got a little scratched," Song Chengyi replied.

"As long as you're safe, that's what matters," Yu Wenjing said with a sigh of relief.

Luo Hongtao looked at the car with a darkened expression. "Were you driving your dad's car?"

"It's the only car we have at home."

"Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, I've taken a look at the situation, and it's clearly your car that scraped against his. You can't put the blame on Chengyi."

"Hongtao, what is that supposed to mean?" The Second Aunt's face instantly darkened.

"I think we should just leave it at this. Weren't you two heading out? Why don't you go take care of your business first, and we can talk later," Luo Hongtao said, looking at Song Chengyi's car with a headache.

"Forget it, forget it. The kids are still waiting for us to pick them up. Let's get going," the Second Uncle said, pulling the Second Aunt into the car.

Watching the car drive away, the family members all wore gloomy expressions.

"Chengyi, the car can't be fixed here. Once we get back to City A, I'll have it repaired for you," Luo Hongtao sighed.

"It's fine, Dad. I've already told my father. We'll just go through the insurance, and it won't cost much."

"That won't do. Just a simple touch-up on a car like this costs several million," Luo Hongtao said with a serious expression.

"We should head back first. Grandpa and Grandma are still waiting," Yu Wenjing said, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.

Song Chengyi got back into the car and drove forward with Luo Yixia.

"I'm sorry," Luo Yixia murmured softly.

"You weren't the one who scraped it, and you weren't the one driving, what are you apologizing for?" Song Chengyi said with a smile.

"But they're my relatives." Luo Yixia felt a deep sense of guilt.

"The one I love is you, and the one I married is you, not your relatives," Song Chengyi said with a slight curl of his lips.

"Hmm," Luo Yixia acknowledged, unable to suppress the upward curve of her mouth.

What was she going to do? Song Chengyi was just too smooth. Her poor little heart couldn't take it.

The car turned into the village entrance, and Luo Yixia pointed to a three-story house further down the lane. "Right there."

Song Chengyi parked the car right at the entrance.

From afar, Luo Yixia spotted her grandparents walking out of the house. She quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and ran down.

"Grandpa! Grandma!"

"Oh my, our Xiaxia is back?" Grandma pulled Luo Yixia close and looked her over carefully.

"Xiaxia looks even prettier now, but why did you cut your hair?" Grandpa frowned, looking at her shortened locks.

"It's too hot in the summer."

As Song Chengyi parked the car properly, to be honest, he was feeling a little nervous right now...

Luo Yixia ran back with a smile and pulled Song Chengyi over, affectionately linking her arm through his.

"Grandpa, Grandma, this is Chengyi."

Song Chengyi greeted them as well, "Hello, Grandpa, Grandma."

"Oh, this young man looks so spirited and handsome!" Grandma took an instant liking to Song Chengyi.

Grandpa, standing nearby, let out a dissatisfied hum. "What's the use of just being good-looking?"

He was immediately pinched by Grandma and fell silent instantly.

Luo Yixia and Song Chengyi exchanged a smile.

"What did Wenjing say happened earlier? Why did she run off in such a rush?"

"We had a minor scrape with Second Uncle's car," Luo Yixia answered honestly.

Upon hearing this, Grandma's expression darkened. "Who do those people in Luo Wei's family think they're bullying? They're always throwing their weight around the village, and now they dare to bully my granddaughter's husband?"

A neighbor next door heard the commotion and poked their head out.

"Xiaxia is back? Did you bring your boyfriend?"

"Auntie, yes, this is my boyfriend," Luo Yixia said with a nod and a smile.

"Before the New Year, I told your grandma I wanted to introduce you to someone, but she said you already had a boyfriend. I didn't believe it at the time, but now I see him in person."

"My granddaughter was obviously going to find someone on her own. What era is this that she'd need someone else to play matchmaker?" Grandma said proudly, as if her granddaughter was the absolute best.

"Why is everyone standing outside? Haven't you two eaten yet? Hurry up and come inside to eat, we've been waiting for you," Yu Wenjing said as she returned, only to find the neighbors staring at her son-in-law as if he were a tourist attraction.

"Oh, right," Luo Yixia replied.

Song Chengyi went to the trunk and began unloading their things.

The trunk was packed to the brim with nutritional supplements and fine liquor. He had heard Luo Yixia mention before that her grandfather loved to drink.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Chengyi bought you some good wine and supplements!" Seizing the opportunity, Luo Yixia started showing off Song Chengyi.

"Why did the child spend so much money? Just coming to see us is enough to make us happy."

"My grandmother prepared all of these. She said we mustn't lack in etiquette," Song Chengyi smiled and explained.

"Oh, this wine is expensive. Must be several thousand a bottle. And is this bird's nest?" someone in the crowd of onlookers chimed in.

"Alright, alright. You don't need to bring these next time you come, Grandpa and Grandma don't lack any of this," Grandma said with a smile, pulling her precious granddaughter into the house.

Closing the door shut out the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

The living room chandelier was switched on, instantly making the space bright and warm.

"Come and eat, before the food gets cold."

A table laden with dishes looked exceptionally bountiful. At a glance, Luo Yixia immediately spotted Grandma's signature braised pork meatballs.

"Wow, Grandma's meatballs are the best!" Unable to wait, she immediately picked one up and put it on Song Chengyi's plate.

Looking at him with expectant eyes, she urged him to taste it. After taking a bite, Song Chengyi nodded. "Mmm, delicious."

"Good, eat more if you like it. As long as it suits your taste," Grandma laughed heartily.

"Chengyi, do you drink? Care to have a little drop with an old man like me?" Grandpa chimed in leisurely from the side.

"You old fool, the boy just arrived, why are you making him drink? He drove all morning, he must be exhausted!"

Song Chengyi didn't refuse. He accepted a glass filled to the brim with baijiu. "I can drink a little, as long as Grandpa doesn't mind my poor capacity."

With that, he raised his glass, stood up, and clinked it against Grandpa's.

Seeing that the young man was quite straightforward, Grandpa's favorable impression of him increased a notch.

Ultimately, the dinner table devolved into Grandpa constantly pouring more baijiu for Song Chengyi.

"Alright, old man, that's enough. Stop making him drink." Grandma still wanted to protect her grandson-in-law.

"It's fine, I can still handle a bit more," Song Chengyi said, downing another glass of white liquor.

Luo Yixia felt a pang of heartache. Song Chengyi had already drunk six glasses of baijiu, and she knew he didn't even like drinking.

She also understood that he was simply trying to win her grandfather's favor.

If she tried to stop her grandfather now, all of Song Chengyi's efforts would go to waste, so she could only lower her gaze quietly.

After an hour of drinking, everyone at the table was mostly finished, leaving only the three men still drinking.

Song Chengyi truly couldn't hold on any longer. The alcohol had hit him hard, leaving him dizzy and lightheaded.

Grandpa was also slightly tipsy. "A real man... needs to be able to hold his liquor. Not smoking is fine though... you don't smoke, do you?"

Song Chengyi lowered his head and waved his hand.

He was a doctor and had a mild streak of cleanliness; there was no way he could tolerate the smell of smoke.

"Not smoking is good. Xiaxia had poor health when she was little and couldn't stand the smell of smoke—she'd cough uncontrollably. Back then, her father and I quit smoking on the spot, and we haven't touched a cigarette in all these years."

Hearing this, Luo Yixia felt deeply touched. She had been spoiled by her family since childhood.

Even though she recovered later on, they had never picked up smoking again.

"You've been drinking for over an hour. The neighbors will be eating their dinners soon and you're still sitting here drinking. Xiaxia, Chengyi looks drunk, help him go get some rest," Grandma gave the word, and Luo Yixia promptly and smoothly helped Song Chengyi to his feet.

Although Grandpa wasn't entirely satisfied yet, the moment his gaze met Grandma's, his open mouth snapped shut in silence.

Song Chengyi still had some consciousness left, though his steps were unsteady.

Yu Wenjing stepped in to help.

"Your grandpa and grandma cleaned up the room right next to mine for Chengyi to sleep in. These next few days, you two need to mind your manners and sleep in separate rooms, understand?"

Luo Yixia nodded. In the countryside, some old-fashioned traditions were deeply rooted, and since nobody knew they had already registered their marriage, this was clearly the only option.

"Let's put him in my room first so I can take care of him. There's an attached bathroom here, which will be more convenient for him too."

Luo Yixia gently laid Song Chengyi down on her bed.

She hadn't been back for a whole year, yet her room remained exactly as she remembered it. The sheets and duvet covers smelled of the sun, clearly aired out by her mother just yesterday.

Once Yu Wenjing left, Luo Yixia helped him take off his jacket and shoes, and finally tucked him in with her own blanket.

"Do you want some water?" Luo Yixia knew he was still awake.

Song Chengyi mumbled, "No."

The moment his head hit the pillow, Song Chengyi sank into a deep sleep.

Even in his daze, he couldn't help thinking: In his next life, he must be born knowing how to hold his liquor so he wouldn't suffer this much when finding a wife.

His father-in-law made him drink, and now his grandfather made him drink.

Did everyone in this family judge a person's character entirely by their capacity for alcohol?

During the time he slept, Luo Yixia knelt on the thick carpet on the floor, propping her chin on the edge of the mattress as she watched Song Chengyi's sleeping face.

His cheeks were slightly flushed, and his lips were flushed and warm.

His eyes were tightly shut, his eyelashes long and distinct.

His nose bridge was tall and straight. Unable to resist, Luo Yixia reached out and carefully traced the contours of his face.

Every single detail was carved into her memory, engraved deep within her heart.

During this time, Luo Yixia fed him water twice.

Hearing voices from downstairs, Luo Yixia went down to check.

The shouting could be heard all the way from the entrance of the village.

"How can we just let this go? Do our car's paint repairs cost nothing?" The Second Aunt stood at the doorway, her hands on her hips.

"Liu Feng, who do you think you're bullying? Do you really think our family is easy to push around?" Grandma's momentum was not inferior in the least.

"Will you stop making a fuss? I took pictures earlier and asked around; everyone said I was entirely at fault, what are we even arguing about?" The Second Uncle had a terrible headache.

Hearing this, Liu Feng instantly changed her tune. "We're all relatives anyway. It was just a scratch, let's just leave it at that."

Yu Wenjing's expression was extremely ugly. Luo Yixia knew her mother was holding back with great difficulty, and it would only take the tiniest spark to set her off.