Chapter 43 Collapse

Li Lianhua was awakened by a roar in the early morning.

"Ah! My wine, Li Xiangyi, you brat, did you steal some of my wine?" Early in the morning, Qi Mushan went to his wine stash in a good mood, intending to secretly dig it out and drink some, but it was all gone. He knew without a doubt who did it. He was furious; they didn't leave him a single drop.

When Granny Cen, who was cooking, heard the noise, she said irritably, "What are you yelling about? It's so early in the morning. What's wrong with Xiangyi drinking some of your wine? That wine is meant to be drunk." Qi Mushan became even angrier when he heard this. "Granny Cen, why are you siding with outsiders? That's my treasured wine that I've kept for many years. And he didn't leave me a single drop."

"What do you mean by 'turning your back on someone else'? Xiangyi is your disciple! And how dare you tell me not to drink, not to drink, and you still dare to secretly hide it!" Granny Cen said angrily. Qi Mushan immediately fell silent.

Awakened, Li Lianhua slowly sat up in bed, his movements somewhat sluggish, as if he hadn't fully woken up from his slumber. He gently rubbed his forehead, trying to ease the throbbing pain.

However, the moment his hand touched his forehead, memories of last night surged into his mind like a flood bursting its banks. Those images flashed through his mind, catching him completely off guard.

Li Lianhua's hand suddenly froze in mid-air, his expression instantly stiffening. His previously bewildered eyes were now filled with astonishment and disbelief. As memories flooded back, his brow furrowed, and a fine layer of sweat even appeared on his forehead.

Finally, when all the memories came flooding back to him, Li Lianhua completely broke down. He covered his face with his hands. Drinking had ruined his life; he simply couldn't believe it. That person last night was him… how could he…?

And... how did he get back? Thinking that his last memory was falling into someone's arms, could it be that he was...? Thinking of this, he became even more devastated, and lay back down on the bed, pulling the blanket over his face.

Qing'er had no idea how Li Lianhua broke down. She had gone to bed too late the night before and had just gotten up. When she came out of her room, she saw Qi Mushan sitting on a stool with a dark face. Feeling a little guilty, she greeted him, "Good morning, Senior Qi."

However, the moment he saw Qing'er, Qi Mushan's tense face softened as if a spring breeze had swept over it, and he instantly became kind and approachable. "It's Qing'er. Just call me Uncle Qi. Did you sleep well last night?"

Upon hearing Qi Mushan's greeting, Qing'er smiled faintly and replied softly, "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern, Uncle Qi."

Just then, Granny Cen came out of the kitchen, carrying a steaming bowl of food that smelled wonderful. With a smile, Granny Cen said to Qing'er, "Qing'er, you're up! Just in time for dinner!"

Qing'er quickly stepped forward to help, "Aunt Cen, thank you for your hard work!"

Granny Cen smiled gently, a smile as warm as a spring breeze, making everyone feel incredibly welcome. She waved her hand and said, "It's no trouble at all, just cooking."

"Xiangyi, that brat, is still not up? I'll go call him." Qi Mushan saw that the meal was ready, but Li Lianhua hadn't gotten up yet, so he decided to go and call him.

"Sit down, what are you yelling for? Xiangyi has been working hard these past few days. He'll get up when he's had enough rest." Granny Cen felt a pang of heartache thinking about what had happened these past few days and wanted him to rest a little longer. She had already prepared food for him.

Granny Cen turned her head to look at Qing'er sitting to the side and said gently, "Come on, Qing'er, let's eat first. Don't go hungry."

Hearing Granny Cen's words, Qing'er nodded and obediently sat down at the dining table. Seeing this, Qi Mushan also sat down.