On the verge of fire

The huge success of the promotional event at the Xishi branch was like a ray of sunshine breaking through a gloomy sky, temporarily dispelling the heaviness and unease that shrouded everyone's hearts.

Pei Qingwu knew that at such times, it was even more important to have some celebratory events to unite people and boost morale.

So she decided to hold a proper celebration banquet at the main store, both to reward her two promising apprentices, Wu Niang and Yu Yi, and to give everyone a chance to relax.

After closing time in the evening, the shop becomes busy both inside and out.

Besides Yin Lan, who is in charge of cooking, Pei Qingwu is also preparing to show off his skills.

Soon, an enticing aroma wafted from the kitchen, mingling with the gradually bustling sounds of people in the front yard.

The banquet was set up under the old plum tree in the backyard, with several square tables put together and covered with clean indigo tablecloths.

The first dish served was the main course, braised fish with milk.

The fish used were fresh Yellow River carp delivered this morning, and they were exceptionally plump and delicious.

The fish is carefully prepared, and its belly is stuffed with a filling made of minced mutton, minced scallions and ginger, and a variety of spices. It is then simmered in fresh sheep's milk over low heat.

In the center of the plate, the carp is perfectly preserved, its skin a tempting milky yellow color from absorbing the essence of goat's milk, and the broth is thick and white like milk, with an enticing aroma.

The fish meat is tender, and the filling inside absorbs the dual flavors of the fish and goat milk, making it incredibly rich and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Next up is the gourd chicken.

After being marinated, the whole tender chicken is tied into a gourd shape using a special technique, and then steamed and fried.

The chicken served on the table had a golden-brown, crispy skin that glistened with oil, and its shape did indeed resemble a plump gourd.

With a gentle poke of chopsticks, the outer skin cracks open, revealing the snow-white, tender, and juicy chicken inside. Dipped in the special salt and pepper sauce, it's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, fragrant but not greasy, making your mouth water.

Another main dish is shredded lamb skin.

This dish demands exceptional knife skills, requiring the cooked lamb tripe, lamb cheek meat, and other parts to be sliced ​​into thin, uniform strips, then quickly stir-fried in hot oil with aromatic spices.

The shredded pork on the plate is distinct, with a glossy, reddish-brown color that complements the vibrant green cilantro. It's crisp and chewy, with a savory and slightly spicy flavor that's incredibly appetizing.

For vegetarian dishes, there is cold toad soup.

The base is made with high-quality clear chicken broth, and fresh clams that have been purged of sand are added. Once the clams open, they are quickly removed from the heat to keep them tender.

The soup is clear, with clam meat as white as jade scattered in it, and then sprinkled with tender yellow egg crepe strips and bright green scallions. Take a sip, and you'll find the soup is clear and fresh, and the clam meat is incredibly tender. It stands out from the rich aroma on the table, refreshing and pleasant.

Of course, there were also a few exquisite desserts.

Besides the Golden Jade Abundance Pastry developed by Fifth Sister, there is also the newly steamed Crystal Dragon and Phoenix Cake, with layers of glutinous rice and red dates and candied fruit, steamed until crystal clear, soft, sticky and sweet.

And the thousand-layer dragon beard candy, which is the dessert that Su Shan Xiao Ji started with.

The drinks served are mild and mellow rice wine and sweet drinks made from flowers and fruits, specially prepared for girls who are not good at drinking alcohol.

Once all the dishes were served, everyone sat around the table, and looking at the table full of delicious food, the oppressive atmosphere of the past few days was finally dispelled.

As the host, Pei Qingwu raised his glass first, his gaze sweeping over everyone present before finally settling on Wu Niang and Yu Yi: "Today's meal is firstly to celebrate Wu Niang and Xiao Yi's success!"

"You two have managed to run the West Market branch so successfully, launching new products and coming up with ingenious ideas. Your master is very proud of you!"

"This second cup is to toast everyone in our Sushan Market. Lately, things have been busy, and everyone has worries, but as long as we are united like we are today, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome! Come, let's drink this cup together!"

After saying that, everyone raised their glasses.

"Let's celebrate Wu Niang and Xiao Yi's success!"

"We're having a small market at Weisu Mountain!"

Whether it was wine or a sweet drink, he drank it all in one gulp, and a genuine smile appeared on his face.

The atmosphere at the banquet quickly became lively.

Yin Lan kept serving food to everyone, especially the two heroes; Pei Qingwu and Qian Tao chatted; Shi Dayong and Gu Heng discussed which dish was best with alcohol; Ji Fanghua and Wen Baizhi huddled together, quietly commenting on the taste of the snacks; Jin Niang carefully took care of Nianci and Mingyi as they ate, the two little ones eating with their mouths glistening with oil, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Wu Niang and Yu Yi became the focus of everyone's attention, with people constantly toasting and congratulating them.

The two girls had never experienced anything like this before, especially Fifth Sister, who was naturally lively and outgoing. Under the praise of the crowd and the influence of the rice wine, her cheeks quickly turned rosy and she was very excited.

Holding the wine glass, she staggered over to Pei Qingwu, her tongue almost tied in knots: "Master! I...I must toast you with this glass! If it weren't for you taking us in and teaching us your skills, we wouldn't be where we are today!"

"Master, you are like a second parent to us! I'll do it, you can do as you please!"

Having said that, he tilted his head back and drank the rice wine in the cup in one gulp.

Pei Qingwu looked at her adorable appearance, feeling both amused and sorry for her. He also picked up his wine glass and took a sip: "Drink slowly, don't get drunk."

However, just as Wu Niang returned to her seat, Yu Yi, blushing, picked up her wine cup and walked over.

She was rather introverted and never spoke much, but she bowed deeply and whispered, "Master, thank you."

Then, following Wu Niang's example, he drank the wine in his cup.

Pei Qingwu had no choice but to take another sip.

But this seemed to be the beginning. Next, Ji Fanghua and Wen Baizhi came over to offer a toast, thanking their master for his guidance and care.

Even the elderly, including Yin Lan, joined in the conversation, expressing their gratitude to Pei Qingwu for taking them in.

Pei Qingwu was not a heavy drinker to begin with, and coupled with the stress and worry of the past few days, he was already quite tired. Under this barrage of drinks, even though he only took a small sip each time, the effects accumulated and he began to feel the effects of the alcohol rising. His head started to spin, his cheeks burned, and his eyes gradually became glazed over.

Gu Heng had been keeping an eye on her condition. Seeing that her eyes were unfocused and she was holding her forehead with her hand, he knew that she was already drunk. He quickly got up, walked to Pei Qingwu's side, gently supported her arm, and whispered, "Sister, you've had too much to drink. Let me help you back to your room to rest."

Pei Qingwu raised her blurry, drunken eyes, recognized him, and obediently nodded, leaning half her body against him, her voice laced with a strong hint of coquetry: "Mmm... my head is so dizzy... Ah Heng, help me..."

Gu Heng's heart softened, and he said to everyone at the table, "The host is a little drunk. I'll take her back to her room first. Please enjoy yourselves."

After saying that, he half-supported and half-carried Pei Qingwu and left the bustling courtyard.

Back in Pei Qingwu's bedroom, Gu Heng carefully settled her on the edge of the bed and turned to pour her a cup of tea to help her sober up.

However, just as he took a step, his sleeve was pulled by a soft hand.

"Aheng...don't go..."

Pei Qingwu's voice carried a sticky, dependent quality, a hint of drunkenness.

She tilted her head back, her usually clear eyes now misty with tears, gazing at him with a hazy look. Her cheeks were flushed, and the lingering crimson lipstick on her lips looked especially alluring under the light.

Gu Heng froze in place, his heart racing uncontrollably.

He turned around and met her gaze, which held a hint of invitation. His Adam's apple bobbed violently several times.

"Sister, I'll go get you a cup of tea..."

“No tea…” Pei Qingwu shook her head and pulled him closer with force.

She stretched out her arms and softly wrapped them around his neck, pressing her flushed cheeks against his cool neck like a kitten, her breath sweet as orchids: "Just stay with me..."

With a soft, fragrant body in his arms, the young woman's supple body pressed tightly against him, her warm breath, tinged with the scent of alcohol, brushing against his skin. Gu Heng felt as if all the blood in his body rushed to his head in an instant.

His breathing suddenly became rapid and hot. His body stiffened, his arms hanging in mid-air, unsure whether to push her away or hug her back.

"Sister...you're drunk..." His voice was terribly hoarse, tense and strained with great effort.

"I'm not drunk..."

Pei Qingwu grumbled in dissatisfaction, raising her hazy eyes to gaze intently at his handsome face.

My gaze slid slowly from his eyebrows and eyes, across his high, straight nose, and finally landed on his handsome, thin lips, which were slightly pursed due to nervousness.

Her eyes became even more mesmerized, carrying a kind of innocent yet bold allure.

The hand around his neck unconsciously stroked his tied-up long hair, the fingertips occasionally brushing against his sensitive earlobe.

Her other hand slid slowly down his strong back, its burning heat stopping at his waist.

Gu Heng groaned, feeling as if the hand had ignited a string of flames that spread rapidly, burning away all his reason and leaving him on the verge of collapse.

He instinctively tightened his arms, holding her even closer in his embrace, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones.

Their bodies were pressed tightly together, and through their clothes, they could clearly feel each other's rapid heartbeats and rising body temperatures.

The air was filled with the aroma of wine, and an atmosphere of passion.

Pei Qingwu seemed to think it wasn't enough, so she tilted her head slightly, brought her lips close to his, and planted a light kiss with a hint of alcohol and sweet fragrance.

Like a spark falling into a parched grassland.

At this moment, the string of reason in Gu Heng's mind snapped completely.

He immediately turned the tables, lowered his head sharply, and fiercely captured her two alluring lips.

No longer the cautious, tentative steps of the past, but rather a powerful conquest fueled by pent-up passion.

His kisses carried the awkwardness and arrogance unique to young men, yet were also innately filled with possessiveness.

Their lips and tongues intertwined, their breaths mingled, and the sweetness of the rice wine blended with the delicate sweetness in her mouth, creating the most intoxicating nectar in the world.

Under his fierce and passionate onslaught, Pei Qingwu let out a soft whimper. Instead of retreating, she responded even more submissively, awkwardly echoing his words.

The hand around his neck tightened, the fingertips digging into the hair at the back of his head.

In a moment of confusion and passion, Gu Heng's hands, no longer content with lingering on her waist, began to wander restlessly along her slender back, their heat intense.

His breathing grew heavier, and his kisses moved downwards, lingering on her sensitive earlobe and slender neck, leaving warm, wet marks on her fair skin.

Pei Qingwu felt a tingling sensation all over his body, as if he were melting into a pool of spring water in his arms, and his remaining consciousness was also shattered by this overwhelming impact.

She unconsciously let out soft moans, which further stimulated the nerves of the boy on top of her.

The deeper the kiss, the more confused they became, until Pei Qingwu cried out in pain.

This exclamation was like a bucket of cold water, instantly waking Gu Heng from his near-consummation of desire.

He abruptly stopped, lifted his head from her neck, and met her misty eyes.

A tremendous sense of guilt and heartache suddenly gripped him.

What is he doing?

My sister was drunk, how could he... take advantage of her in this state?

Gu Heng reacted as if he had been burned, abruptly withdrawing his hand and quickly taking a step back, creating an excessively dangerous distance between them.

He was breathing heavily, his chest heaving, and his handsome face flushed red.

"I'm so sorry, sister..." His voice was trembling with panic. "I... I overstepped my bounds... You... you were drunk... I..."

Pei Qingwu seemed to have sobered up a bit because of the sudden interruption. Looking at Gu Heng's self-blame and helplessness, the panic in her heart caused by the stirring of emotions gradually subsided.

She straightened her slightly disheveled clothes, her cheeks still flushed, but her eyes were a little clearer.

She didn't blame him, but simply shook her head gently, her voice languid and slightly hoarse: "It's not your fault... I provoked you first..."

She paused, looking at the boy's still tense body and red ears, and said softly, "Aheng, you are very good... really very good."

These words were like a warm current, instantly soothing Gu Heng's panic and self-blame.

He looked up and gazed intently at her.

“Sister…” He stepped forward, but did not make any further inappropriate moves. He simply and gently pulled her into his arms: “I will wait for you, until the day you are truly willing.”