After crossing over: kidnapping a female hunter to be the stepfather of the three cubs

"I won't go unless... you give me ten taels of gold a month."

Zhao Huanxi knew that Pang Hongying was joking, so he joked with her.

"Your price is too expensive. It's harder to hire than the imperial chef in the capital." Pang Hongying picked up the rabbit meat with chopsticks and teased Huanxi with a smile.

"If she is willing, ten taels of gold is also acceptable." Xu Qingzhao continued.

"Look, it's your brother Xu who knows the goods."

The adults didn't eat very fast, but the three little girls ate quickly until their stomachs were full.

"Mom, can I go into the house with my sisters and rest for a while? I'll come out later." Xiao Pan felt a little embarrassed. The food his mother cooked was so delicious that he accidentally ate too fast.

"Sure. Are you full?" Zhao Huanxi asked.

"I'm full~" several people answered in unison.

Seeing this, Zhao Huanxi didn't try to persuade him to stay. He hadn't even eaten yet and was busy talking to the two of them. Fortunately, he didn't go to a wealthy family. If there was a rule that prohibited talking while eating or sleeping, he would be very depressed.

He sat down and said to the two men, "Now that the children have left, how about we... have a drink?"

Xu Qingzhao nodded fondly and said, "Okay, a little drink will soothe you."

Pang Hongying, who was standing by, felt a pang of sadness for some reason. She quickly ran into the house to find three cups and poured a full cup for Xu Qingzhao.

"Brother Xu, I'll toast you." She was very cunning and only poured a little for herself. She thought to herself that if she didn't get you drunk, she wouldn't be called Pang.

Xu Qingzhao just glanced at her cup, picked up the jar and filled Pang Hongying's cup with wine.

"Miss Pang, it's rude not to return the favor."

Pang Hongying was speechless. She simply picked up the wine glass and drank it all. She said to Xu Qingzhao with some pride, "Brother Xu, it's your turn now. Don't leave any behind."

Zhao Huanxi, who was eating, said: Why does there seem to be a faint smell of gunpowder around these two people?

Xu Qingzhao raised the corner of his mouth, picked up the wine glass and drank it clean, then said to Pang Hongying:

"Miss Pang, you have a good alcohol tolerance."

Zhao Huanxi poured himself a small amount and tasted it.

It has a lightly bitter, sour taste of green plum, but a sweetness that settles in the back of the throat. The alcohol content isn't very strong. I've watched a lot of videos about winemaking in my past life. If I could make some strong liquor and sell it in this era... well, that would be a great way to get rich.

In her previous life, she had been doing business and discussing projects, and had drunk all kinds of alcohol. This wine was probably only about 10 degrees Celsius, so it wouldn't make people drunk.

Seeing that she was already tasting the wine, Xu Qingzhao handed her some large intestine with chopsticks and spoke gently:

"Huanxi, this wine is not strong, but it has a strong aftertaste. Eat more food and don't get drunk."

Zhao Huanxi smiled and said, "Brother Xu, can the imperial court allow the private brewing and sale of alcohol?"

"It wasn't allowed in the past few years, but in recent years, a liquor sales order has been issued, allowing people to brew and sell their own liquor. However, the taxes they have to pay are quite high. So, Huanxi, you can brew liquor?"

"I just wanted to try it. This mellow, green fragrance is gentle on the palate and is a top-quality drink for women. It tastes good and that's why I'm interested."

At this time, Hongying's voice interrupted their conversation:

"Sister Huan... Huanxi... How come you have... two of you... Ah..."

Only then did Zhao Huanxi notice that the girl's face was flushed and her eyes were blurry.

"Hongying, how much have you drunk?"

"Hehe... not much... just one cup..." After saying that, he made a number with his fingers.

Zhao Huanxi smiled bitterly and said, this is the legendary one cup overturned.

"Let me help you go in and rest, okay?"

"No, I want to drink more! Brother Xu, let's drink together." He picked up the jar and poured a cup for himself and Xu Qingzhao.

"Miss Pang, you're drunk." Xu Qingzhao was helpless. She thought Pang Hongying had a good alcohol tolerance, but after all this time, this was all she got.

"Hongying, be obedient. Go in and have a rest. We'll drink next time, okay?" Zhao Huanxi said like she was coaxing a child.

"No, I'll just lie here for a while, it will be fine in a while." After saying that, Pang Hongying supported her head with her hands and took a nap on the table.

"This child, really, I shouldn't have given her the drink."

Seeing that Pang Hongying was unwilling to move, Zhao Huanxi didn't care about her anymore. The alcohol had only a slight aftereffect, and she would sober up after a short rest.

"Huanxi, you seem to like a drink too?" Xu Qingzhao looked at her, the tenderness in his eyes seemed to melt.

Zhao Huanxi looked up at the moon in the sky and replied:

"You must be happy in life, and don't let the golden bottle face the moon."

She enjoys drinking, not for social events or with friends. She just occasionally drinks alone at home, listening to music, turning on the mood lighting, and watching an old movie. She enjoys the feeling of being able to spend her time as she pleases.

Xu Qingzhao seemed to have thought of something, and murmured, "When life is good, we should enjoy it to the fullest."

He raised the wine glass in his hand and said to Zhao Huanxi, "Huanxi, thank you." Then he raised his head and drank it all in one gulp.

Zhao Huanxi also raised his own wine glass and said to Xu Qingzhao, "Brother Xu, you are so polite."

Then he took a small sip.

She still has to clean up the mess later, what if he is really drunk?

Although the moon tonight is only half full, it is very bright, so bright that Xu Qingzhao can clearly see the emotions hidden in Huanxi's eyes.

What does that feel like? Sadness? Grief? It seems neither. It feels like longing, but also like reminiscing.

Zhao Huanxi looked up and found Xu Qingzhao looking at her lovingly. An alarm bell immediately sounded in her head.

What's that person's expression, ...

We'll see each other everywhere. Wouldn't it be awkward if I reject you right now?

What should I do? Is there any barrage that can teach people online?

Finally, Zhao Huanxi used her genius brain to come up with a solution.

"Brother Xu, the moonlight is beautiful today. How about we become sworn brothers and sisters?"

Oh my god, what a lame excuse this is… Besides… this body is only nineteen years old now, not the thirty-something self of my previous life. What the hell am I talking about… Why does my pig brain freeze up at the critical moment…

"No need to become sworn brothers. I've always regarded you as my sister." Xu Qingzhao saw her panic and gave her a way out.

After hearing this, Zhao Huanxi breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. Fortunately, he didn't care, otherwise he would have to crawl into a crack in the ground.

"Sworn brotherhood? What about kneeling down? Why do we need to bow to each other as husband and wife?" The blush on Pang Hongying's face had mostly faded, but it was obvious that she was still not fully aware of the situation...

Zhao Huanxi: ………I’m speechless……….

Xu Qingzhao: If you can speak, say a few more words...

Seeing that she woke up, Zhao Huanxi went to the inner room and made a pot of osmanthus sugar water, which is the best way to sober up.

"It smells so good, thank you, sister." He took the cup and drank it in two gulps, feeling much better instantly.

"Huanxi, if I catch something next time, can I come over and have a meal with you again?" Xu Qingzhao asked.

Zhao Huanxi said somewhat unnaturally, "Haha...Brother Xu, if you'd like to honor me, I'll come over anytime."

Xu Qingzhao felt a little amused when he saw her, but he pretended to know nothing. The meal was almost over, and it was time for him to go back.

"Then I'll go back first, Huanxi, thank you for your hospitality today."

Zhao Huanxi stood up to see him off. The moonlight shone on Xu Qingzhao, making him look thin and depressed.

This child has had a difficult life. If he is willing to come, it would just be a matter of adding some chopsticks. As for his emotional issues...it is not within my consideration.

"Brother Xu, if you want to come, come anytime."

Xu Qingzhao felt warm in his heart when he heard this, and turned back to her and said with a smile: "Okay~"