To make up for the debt owed to Lin Qingping and Gu Juncheng

Lin Qingping: ? ? ?

How interesting! Does this era already have "male-biting" and "brother-biting" types?

Lin Qingping smiled, took another cup, placed it in front of her, filled it with wine, and before anyone knew what she was going to do, she tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp.

Gu Juncheng, who was standing next to her, snatched the cup from her and gently scolded her, "What are you doing?"

Lin Qingping said with a smile, "Secretary, I'm just taking advantage of my young age so you won't blame me or say anything bad about me."

The Party Secretary was taken aback. "What have I done wrong?"

"Haven't you figured it out yet? Chen Xia just wants to drink, but what about you? Are you looking down on women? You didn't even pour her a drink, and now you're even trying to drink my Chengzi's wine. Tell me, aren't you being a poor host?"

Lin Qingping was indeed young at the time, and when she said this jokingly, it made the Party Secretary laugh out loud.

“That’s right, that’s right, it was my fault! Come on, fill it up.” The Party Secretary smiled as he filled Chen Xia’s glass, then looked at Lin Qingping, “And you…”

Chengzi's wife just said that we shouldn't look down on women, but Chengzi took the wine glass away again. So, should we fill the glass up or not?

Lin Qingping laughed, "I'll drink Chengzi's wine!"

"What are you talking about? You can't drink anymore!" Gu Juncheng covered the mouth of the cup with his hand and solemnly apologized to the Party Secretary, saying that he really couldn't drink anymore.

The Party Secretary certainly wouldn't force her, but Chen Xia was in an awkward position, holding that glass of wine, whether she drank it or not.

However, there were more than just them at the table; there were also several village cadres. The Party Secretary was quite shrewd and invited Chen Xia to join them, making it a lively gathering.

Those eating together were all acquaintances from the village, either people who grew up with Gu Juncheng or people who watched Gu Juncheng grow up. While eating and talking, they started to reminisce about the past.

Chen Xia was the one who talked the most enthusiastically.

"Do you remember when we were kids, we'd sneak into the village secretary's house to steal persimmons? Our auntie would catch us and spank our hands!"

“Yes, you’re such a scaredy-cat, you were terrified!” a young man echoed her.

"You still say that! Brother Cheng is the best. He said he'd fight for me, but all you guys just run away!" Chen Xia gave the young man a reproachful look and gave Gu Juncheng a smile.

The young man laughed, "You and Chengzi are silly. Auntie was just teasing us. She doesn't know how to fight at all, okay?"

Gu Juncheng laughed at these words.

The usually sullen Gu Juncheng gradually became more talkative in the atmosphere of reminiscing about his childhood, while Lin Qingping had nothing to say.

She was not involved in Gu Juncheng's childhood and adolescence.

She couldn't get a word in edgewise; she didn't even understand some of what they were saying. In particular, Chen Xia kept mentioning, intentionally or unintentionally, how Gu Juncheng, as her older brother, had protected her when they were little...

Despite telling herself that she was reborn and should have a strong mentality, and that it wasn't Gu Juncheng's fault, she was still gripped by a faint regret and a bittersweet feeling.

When Chen Xia recounted how they used to swim in the river together while wearing open-crotch pants, Lin Qingping's glass was filled with more wine.

She kept drinking, and Gu Juncheng was probably engrossed in chatting with them and didn't notice her.

Before we knew it, their conversation had become inaudible, leaving only a buzzing sound.

Great, finally I don't have to hear those annoying sounds anymore!

However, everything in front of them began to shake.

She rubbed her eyes, feeling dizzy, and couldn't help but grab Gu Juncheng's arm to steady herself. In the end, she simply leaned on his shoulder.

"Gu Juncheng... I want to go home..." she murmured softly, her heart aching and her eyes stinging. Her voice was soft and sticky, as if laced with alcohol.

Then, it seemed like loud laughter rang out.

An arm was draped over her waist.

She felt dizzy and tried to open her eyes, but could only see many blurry double images. They must all be Gu Juncheng's friends, and they all seemed to be laughing.

Are they laughing at her?

"Juncheng..." When people are drunk, they seem to be particularly prone to feeling wronged. She called out to him in a pitiful tone, wondering why he had been so busy talking to his friends and ignoring her for so long. His friends even laughed at her.

Then, she felt her whole body lift into the air, her face pressed against a solid and warm place. She looked up and saw Gu Juncheng's eyes, as black as the night sky, reflecting light and shadow like a galaxy.

She was dizzy, and tried to reach out to touch his eyes, smiling foolishly, "Juncheng, there are...stars in your eyes..."

Another burst of laughter followed.

Hmph! Why are you laughing at her?

However, amidst the chaotic sounds, she clearly heard Gu Juncheng's voice, but she couldn't make out what he was saying.

Then, she moved away from the noise and felt the night breeze.

A cool breeze blew, and she realized how incredibly hot her face was.

"Juncheng...I...Am I drunk?" She still had some self-awareness.

"You're not allowed to drink, but you're still secretly drinking. I'd like to see how much you can actually drink."

Hmm? Is that Gu Juncheng speaking?

She looked up and saw that he seemed to be smiling.

Did he laugh at her too?

"Don't laugh at me!" she grumbled, throwing a tantrum, and nestled against his chest, refusing to show her face.

The distance from the village secretary's home to the Gu family's home is not far.

Gu Juncheng walked quickly, and carrying her, they arrived in no time.

She heard him say "I'm drunk" to someone, and then he carried her straight into their room and put her on the bed.

Lin Qingping felt very uncomfortable.

It's hot, and my body feels sticky.

She sat up in bed again, "I...I need to take a bath..."

Then he staggered out on his own.

Gu Juncheng supported her, "How can you..."

"No, I need to take a shower... I won't feel comfortable if I don't..." She pushed him away and continued towards the bathroom.

The whole route followed an S-curve...

In the end, it was Gu Juncheng who helped her go.

When she got to the bathroom, she had to fetch the hot water herself.

Gu Juncheng was frightened by her appearance and told her to stand still.

She was drunk; how could she listen to reason? She insisted on doing it herself.

Enough with her antics, Gu Juncheng habitually gave an order and shouted, "Stop! Stand at attention!"

He was a rough and rugged person to begin with, and he was used to shouting slogans in the army. His voice was loud, and when he gave an order, it sounded like thunder.

Even Lin Qingping, who was drunk, was taken aback and stood there obediently without moving, with her head down.

Gu Juncheng adjusted the hot water to the desired temperature, and when he called her again, he found her standing obediently, head down, motionless.

They were making such a racket just a moment ago, why did they suddenly become so quiet?

He walked over to her and said, "Okay, you can wash now."

But I noticed her shoulders were shrugging.

Gu Juncheng: ? ? ?

I bent down to take a look, and lo and behold, she was shedding tears right there...