Sharing Dreams with My Bestie's Cousin

Shang Hexing’s intention all along was just to date Wen Zhi modestly before making a high-profile announcement of their marriage.

Today was an exception.

It was all because he couldn’t tolerate others bullying Wen Zhi, and he didn’t want to handle it privately to prevent some short-sighted person from bullying her again in his absence.

Wen Zhi felt grateful and whispered to Shang Hexing, "Thank you."

Shang Hexing pushed the wine glass on the table a little further in and turned to look at her, "Doesn’t sound very sincere."

Wen Zhi’s tone was especially firm, "Of course, it’s sincere."

Shang Hexing suddenly said, "Then show it when we get home."

Wen Zhi didn’t catch on right away, "Show what?"

Shang Hexing, with his long legs crossed and sitting in a relaxed posture, curled up a casual smile on his lips, "Show your sincerity."

Wen Zhi instantly understood his implication and mouthed at him, "Hooligan."

’Hooligan’ was easy to read from her lips. Shang Hexing chuckled, casually stretched out his hand, and gently pinched the soft flesh on her waist.

Wen Zhi felt unbearably ticklish and wanted to dodge him, but the setting wasn’t right, so she had to keep a straight face to avoid losing her composure, and nobody around them could tell the two were flirting.

At that moment,

the birthday star, Elder Zhou, was smiling as he helped the old commander to his seat.

"The old commander is of such age, yet he still looks so robust," someone commented.

The murmur came from various tables.

Another person added, "The Han Family has longevity genes. I think the old commander could live to a hundred with no problem."

"The Han and Zhou families have a deep connection. Look, Old Han was Elder Zhou’s teacher, and Elder Zhou was Shang Hexing’s teacher. It’s a pity if their families don’t form a marriage alliance."

"The Zhou family has few heirs; the eldest son has been married for close to two years now, and all that’s left is Zhou Er, who idles his days away. Which daughter of the Shang family would want to marry Zhou Er? If the Zhou family had a daughter, it might be a different story."

"Actually, if the Zhou family had a daughter, the young lady by Shang Hexing’s side today probably wouldn’t have had the chance to sit here."

"That’s not necessarily true. I think that young lady holds quite a weight in Shang Hexing’s heart. The lady from the Xie Family has been rumored with him for so long, and even today, she had to sit at another table."

"But then again, has Old Han accepted that young lady? If Old Han doesn’t approve, the marriage can’t go through."

"Who knows..." the last speaker’s voice trailed off with a sigh.

Wen Zhi also overheard this comment.

She watched Shang Hexing rise and walk towards Old Han, thinking that this was probably why she was so certain that dating Shang Hexing was possible but marriage was not.

Shang Hexing could defy anyone who disagreed,

but if Old Han disapproved, even if they forcefully stayed together, they would never get the marriage certificate and never be legitimate.

"Cough!"

A deep and powerful cough sounded.

Wen Zhi, hearing the cough, immediately came back to her senses. She looked up to see everyone standing up and quickly stood up as well.

At this moment, Old Han, dressed in a Tang suit, was assisted to the host’s seat by Shang Hexing and Elder Zhou from either side.

Old Han’s kindly gaze swept around the room, pausing briefly on Wen Zhi before moving on, "Please, take your seats. No need to be formal."

No one sat down, waiting for Old Han to be seated first.

Once Old Han was seated, everyone else also sat down, and Wen Zhi took her seat as well.

Old Zhou’s seat was arranged to the immediate left of Old Master Han, with the seat on the right empty. Old Master Han tossed his cane toward the empty seat on the right and said to Shang Hexing, "You sit here."

Shang Hexing knew the old man’s intentions but had no choice but to slight his feelings, "Grandfather, I’ll sit across."

Wen Zhi, sitting opposite, had her eyes modestly downcast, observing her own heart and breath because she had no right to speak out.

Old Master Han was obviously displeased, but Old Zhou, who could see this, was in a good mood for his birthday and remained smiling cheerfully, also willing to play peacemaker, "Teacher, young people have their own language when they sit together. It must be boring for them to sit with us older folks."

Old Master Han cast a glance at Old Zhou, "Just let him be spoiled then."

Old Zhou laughed heartily, "The student I brought up, how could I not spoil them? Teacher, you’ve always indulged your student here too."

Old Master Han, smiling so wide he could hardly close his mouth, shook his head, "Let it be."

Shang Hexing gave Old Zhou a grateful look.

Old Zhou understood and returned the look: I understand, I understand.

Shang Hexing sat down next to Wen Zhi, leaning closer to her, and said, "Grandfather is rather conservative, don’t take some things to heart."

Wen Zhi nodded, "I know."

Shang Hexing saw that Wen Zhi was not very happy. His hand reached under the table and covered the back of her hand, "After dinner, I’ll take you back to Qionglou."

Wen Zhi felt out of place and was in a bad mood because of it. The more Shang Hexing tried to console her, the less she knew how to respond, which made her appear somewhat slow-witted.

But having come this far, she had to finish the dinner properly no matter what.

She prepared herself mentally and turned to Shang Hexing with a smile, "I’m just not used to so many people. I’m fine."

The birthday celebration today was particularly lively.

The culture of urging others to drink would not be found in such a setting, since most of the guests who could attend the birthday feast were people who set an example with their behavior.

Though urging to drink was absent, toasting was naturally indispensable.

Old Zhou could comfortably sit like Mount Tai and choose not to drink at all, but he drank every thoughtful toast that was given to him to the last drop.

All through the event, Old Zhou’s face was nearly blooming with smiles. In years past, his birthdays had mostly been simple affairs. Retirement was better, so much livelier.

Seeing everyone going up to offer toasts, Wen Zhi took the initiative to toast Old Zhou with a drink. Shang Hexing didn’t stop her, but only reminded her, "Don’t foolishly drink it all up."

Wen Zhi replied, "Not finishing it would be insincere."

Shang Hexing grasped her wrist, "This liquor is strong; I’m not lying to you."

"I’m well aware. Besides, how can you be sure I can’t hold my liquor?" Wen Zhi said, brushing off Shang Hexing’s hand.

Shang Hexing’s smile deepened but he did not stop her from showing off any further, thinking that if she got drunk, he would just carry her home. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Wen Zhi actively went up to offer toasts, and everyone watched the fun with interest.

Old Zhou, well aware of the liquor’s potency, for the sake of Shang Hexing, motioned to Wen Zhi to take it easy, just observe the formalities, and there was no need to finish the drink.

Wen Zhi responded with a smile, but still drank up the cupful in front of Old Zhou, eliciting appreciative looks from his eyes.

One cup was bearable and wouldn’t get anyone drunk. Wen Zhi returned to Shang Hexing’s side and filled her cup again.

Shang Hexing’s brow twitched as he had just seen her finish that cup, and now she was pouring herself another full one. Was this, getting addicted to drinking?

Just as Wen Zhi was about to pick up the cup, Shang Hexing pressed down on her wrist, "What are you doing?"

Wen Zhi smiled playfully, "Toasting Old Master Han."

Shang Hexing saw the intent in Wen Zhi’s eyes, but his restraining hand did not withdraw, and he reminded her again, "Pour some out."