Crossing the Western Tianshan Mountains

It is wrong to refuse someone's wine when you are a guest at someone else's house. Ling Fengxi picked up the wine bowl and was ready to drink, but Ye Minglang stopped him and said, "Secretary Ling, I will drink this wine for you!"

Ye Minglang had already finished a bowl of wine, and the redness had already soaked his face. Gulinar couldn't help but chuckle as she saw his blushing face. "You can't hold your liquor well, you're almost drunk. Secretary Ling, let me drink this glass of wine for you!"

Without saying a word, she took Ling Fengxi's wine bowl and drank it in one gulp. After finishing it, she looked at Ye Minglang with bright eyes. Ye Minglang was a little worried about her, but still gave her a thumbs up and praised her for her good alcohol tolerance.

If Ye Minglang drank this wine himself, he would probably have run outside to vomit by now.

To everyone's surprise, Hanati didn't give up. He complained, "I'm toasting Secretary Ling, and you're rushing to drink? How can that be justified? If you want to drink, I'll ask someone to drink with you, but you can't avoid Secretary Ling's drink!"

As he was talking, he actually made a phone call. Not long after, four or five tall and strong shepherds came in. Two of them were the two who had gone to the camp that day, claiming that their sheep were lost and asked the camp for compensation.

After these people came in and saw Hanati's expression, they immediately surrounded Ye Minglang, the other two staff members, and Nurlan. As for Gulinar, because she was a girl, she was leaning aside and was a little drunk. With a smile on her lips, she looked at Ye Minglang being besieged and her brain had not yet reacted to what was happening.

At this time, Ling Fengxi was the only one who was truly sober. Seeing Hanati handing the bowl full of wine to him again, he took it silently.

"Hanati, if you need our camp members to vote for you as the village chief, we will all vote for you. It's snowing heavily today, and we are grateful for your care. However, this wine is indeed a bit too strong. We can drink a lot, but we are not as good as you. We admit it. Let's stop here today."

Hanati is actually a very intelligent person, but also very barbaric. It is the harsh living environment of the Western Tianshan Mountains that has made him tough.

Ling Fengxi's words were well said, and Hanati's expression softened a bit. But the next second he said, "How can I not drink at all when I'm here? Secretary Ling said that today's drinking should end, and we can end it. I, Hanati, can't force you. But Secretary Ling, you have to drink this bowl of wine no matter what. Otherwise, how can I hold my head up in front of my brothers in the future? This is a matter of face. We are all men, and we understand this principle."

Ling Fengxi looked at the wine bowl. There were at least two taels of wine in it. He might not be unable to drink, but he was not in a good condition today. He felt as heavy as a stone pressing on his heart, and his stomach and chest were a little painful.

But he couldn't ask someone like Hanati to understand him. That would make him seem too weak, so he nodded and said, "Okay, I can drink. After I finish, can I take my people to another tent to stay for the night? They are all tired today."

"If Secretary Ling drinks this bowl of wine, you don't have to move, let's go!"

Suddenly a shepherd interrupted with a smile.

His eyes were fixed on Gulinar intentionally or unintentionally... At this time, Ye Minglang was obviously drunk. He covered his chest with his hands and tried hard to suppress the urge to vomit. The other two staff members had not felt anything wrong yet. They were still drinking with the shepherd, saying "Drink while you can."

At this time, Hanati also said, "Secretary Ling, if you drink this wine, it will be considered as giving me face. Today's game ends here. I keep my word!"

Ling Fengxi had just put the wine bowl to his lips when he was suddenly stopped by Ayala. She looked into Ling Fengxi's eyes and shook her head, indicating that he didn't need to drink.

Then she looked at Hanati and said, "Ayal (her husband), I went to their camp a few days ago to give us some sheepskin gloves and hats. I learned that Secretary Ling was hospitalized for heart or stomach problems, and the camp wouldn't allow him to go up the mountain. It's very, very, very bad for his health. Secretary Ling came to see us today for our herders' good. Let's not use this strong liquor, it's not harmful to his health."

Ayala spoke softly, her eyes firm and gentle. Hanati, who was always prone to losing his temper, suddenly calmed down at this critical moment and asked seriously, "Is Secretary Ling ill?"

Although Gulinar was already drunk at this time, she still had some fighting spirit. She walked over and bowed deeply to Hanati. "Uncle Hanati, Secretary Ling is great. He risked his life to go up the mountain for that tunnel. It's especially bad here. Not even grass grows... And this is such a strong wine. Secretary Ling may not like it..."

A hint of gloom flashed across Hanati's eyes, but his expression softened. "In that case, this wine..."

Ayala quickly took it, "Let me drink it on behalf of Secretary Ling..." Seeing Hanati's face change drastically, Ayala hurriedly said, "Ayala, we haven't had a drink in a long time. Women should have a reason and be dignified when drinking. I'll lend Secretary Ling a glass of wine to drink with my husband. I'll be happy too. It's too cold today. Ayala, I've been freezing outside all day and need some wine to warm me up..."

Ayala's eyes were like silk threads, and her words were as gentle as the sound of soft fingers, making people feel happy. Hanati said, "Okay, let's have a drink."

As he said this, he clinked his wine bowl with Ayala's, and the couple drank the wine in the bowl together.

Ling Fengxi was very clear about his physical condition, so he naturally wouldn't let everyone down by asking for trouble. Besides, everyone was drunk tonight.

It takes a sober person to tell the truth.

He simply nodded gratefully to Ayala. This subtle movement was noticed by Hanati. He did not get angry on the spot, but simply shouted, "Brothers, take this remaining mutton away and move on... Go to someone else's house to continue drinking. I have distinguished guests here who need to rest, so I won't keep you any longer!"

The tent became quiet for a moment, and most of the food on the table was taken away. Only hot milk tea and some fried snacks were left on the table.

When Ayala finally came in, she brought a bowl of mutton porridge and said, "You all drank too much today. Eat some rice porridge. Your stomachs will feel better."

The bowls and chopsticks are placed on the table, whoever wants to eat can help themselves.

He added more coal to the stove and went out.

From beginning to end, she did not look at Ling Fengxi on purpose, and Ling Fengxi did not look at her. He sat on the tatami, his back against the wall of the yurt, with his eyes slightly closed. He only opened his eyes after Ayala finished her work and went out.