"Oh dear, I can't drink, but you two can," Chen Muxi said with a smile.
"That won't do! It's definitely more fun when the three of us drink together." I was in a good mood and couldn't help but advise, "Just drink a little, it'll be fine."
"No, unless you talk to my brother and get his approval." Chen Muxi pouted, passing the problem to me.
I was taken aback. "You want me to tell your brother? That's not a good idea. Why don't you just make a phone call and tell him yourself?"
"No, I know he definitely won't agree." Chen Muxi pushed my arm and said coquettishly, "Sister Jiang Wan, I also really want to have a drink, can you help me ask my brother for one?"
“This—” I was in a dilemma.
Li Yunwei joined in, advising, "Just call Mr. Su and tell him you're having dinner at Yuyuan. It'll be fine. After dinner, I'll send someone to take Muxi home. I'll make sure she's safe."
I looked at the two of them with a worried expression.
But Chen Muxi had already taken out her phone, dialed Su Shenglin's number, then put the phone on speakerphone and tossed it in front of me.
Before I could refuse, Su Shenglin's clear and elegant voice came through the phone: "Little sister, what's the matter?"
Chen Muxi gestured to me, signaling me to speak up quickly.
I couldn't refuse, so I had to bite the bullet and say, "Um... it's me. Mu Xi is with me right now."
Su Shenglin recognized my voice and his tone became slightly amused. "Jiang Wan, I know Mu Xi is having dinner with you and Miss Li tonight."
"Yes, we're at the Imperial Garden. Li Yunwei is treating us, and she specially prepared a rare bottle of Lafite in advance. The three of us planned to have a few drinks to enjoy ourselves—but, uh… Muxi said you're strict and don't allow her to drink outside, so—"
I became increasingly hesitant as I spoke, glancing at the two people beside me before hesitating for a moment before asking, "I was wondering if we could make an exception tonight? Could Muxi have a drink with us?"
Chen Muxi stared intently at her phone, afraid that Su Shenglin would refuse.
I unconsciously held my breath, eagerly awaiting his answer.
If he refuses, I'll be in an awkward situation.
"Sure, I have no worries about her being with you. Let's enjoy a little drink. Let me know when you're almost finished eating, and I'll come pick her up." Su Shenglin's clear and gentle voice came through.
Chen Muxi clenched her fist in celebration.
Li Yunwei also gave me a thumbs up with a mischievous grin.
I breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "No need, I can take her home. You don't need to come and pick her up."
"No trouble at all, I'm also out socializing."
“Oh…I see,” I looked at Chen Muxi, and when she nodded in agreement, I replied, “Okay, we’ll let you know when we’re almost finished eating.”
"Okay, have a nice evening."
"Thanks."
After hanging up the phone, I looked at Chen Muxi. Before I could say anything, she smiled happily and said, "I knew it! If you had asked, my brother would definitely have agreed. He trusts you!"
I returned the phone, my face flushed and burning, and I guiltily denied it, saying, "Impossible, it would be the same if you told him."
Li Yunwei looked at me with a probing and ambiguous look in her eyes, clearly increasingly suspicious of my relationship with Su Shenglin.
But because Chen Muxi was present, she didn't point it out.
Li Yunwei called the manager and asked him to retrieve the rare Lafite from the cellar.
Soon, the manager brought over the red wine, and after a series of rather ceremonial decanting procedures, we smelled its sweet and rich aroma.
This dinner was wonderful.
The three of us shared a bottle of red wine. None of us got drunk, but we felt incredibly comfortable.
When I was almost finished eating, I sent a WeChat message to Su Shenglin.
He replied: It will take about half an hour.
We calculated the time and, estimating that he would arrive soon, got up and left.
Li Yunwei insisted on seeing us off, and when we arrived at the restaurant entrance, Su Shenglin's car arrived just then.
She stood beside me, leaned in, and whispered, "Tell me honestly, when did you two start dating, hmm???"
I pretended to be clueless, "What do you mean, 'beginning' and 'end'? You've had too much to drink."
"Ha! You're still pretending!"
"No, you've misunderstood..." I could only straighten up a bit and explain seriously, "Don't forget I'm not divorced yet, how could that be? And even if I were divorced, as a second-time bride with a father who's still a prisoner, I'm not good enough for her!"
Upon hearing this, Li Yunwei stopped gossiping.
She clearly felt that the difference between me and Su Shenglin was beyond description.
"Brother!" Chen Muxi called out when she saw the handsome face revealed by the rear window rolled down.
On the passenger side, Ji Ming got out, walked around the front of the car, came to our side, opened the back door, and said to Chen Muxi, "Miss Muxi, I'll drive your car back."
"Okay." Chen Muxi walked to the car and tossed the car keys to Ji Ming.
Before Ji Ming had even left, Su Shenglin, who was sitting in the car, suddenly looked at me and asked, "Jiang Wan, how are you getting home?"
My heart started pounding the moment I saw Su Shenglin.
When he suddenly called me, I was taken aback. Then I pointed and said in a lighthearted manner, "There are several designated drivers over there. I can just call one. Don't worry."
Every evening, three to five designated drivers can be seen lurking outside the city's major restaurants, ready to accept orders at any time.
Su Shenglin frowned slightly, then said, "Get in the car, I'll take you home first."
Upon hearing this, my already racing heart pounded even harder, and I repeatedly refused, saying, "No need, it's very convenient to call a designated driver, you're running around—"
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