Chapter 181 - Poor Zhao Dahai!
Upon hearing this, President Chen's face lit up with a delighted smile.
He mused to himself, “Yesterday, when it came to drinking, I couldn't best you.”
“Mr. Su assured me I wouldn't get drunk.”
“Could Mr. Su's words possibly be false?”
“Never!”
“Waiter, let's order!”
Seated confidently, President Chen declared with a boastful air, “Zhao, you're going to end up drunk today, and I'm picking up the tab.”
Zhao Dahai smirked and retorted, “You're so headstrong!”
But President Chen was brimming with confidence.
He ordered an array of beer, red wine, and white wine.
Zhao's eyes bulged at the sight.
“Chen, we shouldn't drink this much.”
“You're not leaving until you've finished your drinks today!”
President Chen was visibly thrilled.
“Chen, everyone knows you're a lightweight. We won't tease you if you get drunk. Ease up.”
“Cut the chatter. Are you scared?”
“Scared of you?”
“Then quit your yapping and drink up!”
President Chen, without further ado, snatched a bottle of Maotai and set out three cups.
“Zhao, you've traveled all the way from the capital, and I've yet to properly welcome you.”
“I'm going to drink three cups first!”
With that, President Chen downed three cups in quick succession.
Zhao Dahai was flabbergasted.
“Zhao, don't be ridiculous. We've had our differences, but there's no need for you to come here on a suicide mission.”
Yet President Chen, seemingly oblivious, poured another six cups.
“Zhao, I hear you're three years shy of 60. Here's to good fortune!”
And with that toast, President Chen knocked back another six cups.
Zhao Dahai was utterly bewildered.
Was that excuse even valid?
Should he be calling the police?
Nobody drinks like this, right?
Especially not white wine!
Sure, Maotai is a fine liquor, but President Chen can't just guzzle it down! It could kill him.
“Zhao, aren't you drinking?”
President Chen set down his cup, “I've had nine cups! You can't drink any less!”
“I…”
Zhao Dahai blinked, “May I have some food first?”
“Sure, I'll wait for you.”
President Chen settled into his seat with a contented smile.
Zhao Dahai had a purpose for his words; he was well aware of President Chen's low tolerance for alcohol. Despite not having eaten anything, President Chen had hurriedly downed a considerable amount of liquor, which might soon lead to his fainting, especially since the dishes were still a while away from being served. If President Chen passed out, Zhao would be off the hook for drinking.
But as time ticked by, Zhao grew anxious. Why hadn't President Chen keeled over yet? There he was, sitting and smiling as if nothing was amiss!
President Chen, on the other hand, was over the moon. The sensation was incredible. In the past, alcohol would leave his throat burning and his stomach aching. But now, he savored the rich aroma of the wine without any adverse effects. The liquor tasted potent in his mouth, yet it seemed to turn to water by the time it reached his stomach, causing nothing more than a slight bloating.
Mr. Su's creations were nothing short of miraculous. If he decided to sell these items, he'd make a fortune.
Soon enough, the dishes arrived one after another. Zhao Dahai couldn't hide his frustration. “Why hasn't President Chen passed out yet?” he wondered. Had President Chen suddenly become invincible to alcohol? Could he really drink a thousand cups without getting drunk? Such a notion was preposterous.
Little did Zhao know that President Chen's newfound resilience was all thanks to Su Ming's assistance.
With the table finally set, Zhao had no choice but to reluctantly nibble on some food. He licked his parched lips and poured himself a glass of wine. Nine cups. Drinking them slowly was one thing, but to finish them all at once?
“Don't worry, Zhao. I know you're not one for quick drinking. Those earlier drinks were just a toast to you. Now, let's get down to the real drinking,” President Chen said, not even bothering with the food as he filled his glass once more.
“Cheers!” he declared and downed his drink in one gulp.
Zhao Dahai felt a chill run down his spine. What in the world was happening? Was President Chen okay? Had his brain been affected by yesterday's drinking?
With President Chen having taken the lead, Zhao Dahai felt compelled to follow suit. His pride demanded it; he had to drink.
The pair clinked glasses in a toast.
They'd been steadily drinking for a while.
Zhao Dahai was thoroughly inebriated.
Soon, his eyes swirled, and his tongue felt numb, yet President Chen was bursting with energy.
Zhao Dahai was so baffled he wanted to dissect President Chen to figure out his secret.
What was happening here?
The man who had been floored by a few drinks yesterday was suddenly unstoppable today?
“No… I can't handle any more… I'm done drinking, done…”
Zhao Dahai's words were slurred and clumsy.
“Zhao, are you seriously drunk already? We've barely started,” President Chen chortled.
He was over the moon!
You mocked me before, saying I couldn't hold my liquor. Well, today I'm going to show you what a real drinker looks like!
“Waiter, bring a bucket with some ice in it!”
Zhao Dahai overheard the request.
What was President Chen up to?
The waiter promptly arrived with a spotless bucket filled with the hotel's ice cubes.
President Chen grinned at Zhao Dahai, “Today, Zhao, you're going to witness something extraordinary!”
With that, President Chen uncorked several bottles next to him—beer, red wine, white wine, and a handful of mixers.
A whole bucket brimming with booze!
Zhao Dahai was gobsmacked.
Wasn't he worried about wrecking his stomach?
“Watch me go to town on this,” President Chen declared, and with Zhao Dahai staring in disbelief, he hoisted the bucket and guzzled it down.
Zhao Dahai was astounded.
He nearly sobered up from the shock.
He was utterly outdone!
President Chen drank heartily, emptying the bucket in no time.
“Fantastic!” he exclaimed, wiping his mouth and bellowing with satisfaction.
Apparently, Mr. Su's concoction had transformed not just his tolerance but also the capacity of his stomach. Downing that much liquor was a breeze.
Zhao Dahai was frozen in his seat, his breath nearly caught in his throat.
Could this be real?
A hallucination?
Had he overindulged the night before and was still caught in a drunken stupor?
With this thought, Zhao Dahai slapped himself.
Ouch!
That definitely hurt!
From then on, a legend circulated around the hotel.
A deity of drink had rendered a man senseless with his extraordinary capacity for alcohol.
As the man left, he continued to shout, “Fake, it's all fake… Ah… I've had enough. I'm never drinking again… Mom, he made me drink…”
President Chen became renowned after that incident.
Poor Zhao Dahai, it took him three full days and nights to rise from his bed after getting home.
Just as he was feeling better, the sight of President Chen sent a chill down Zhao Dahai's spine.
Without thinking, he blurted out, “I'm not drinking anymore!”
His voice boomed, echoing through the bank's lobby. The outburst left customers, bank employees, and even the security guards dumbfounded.
What was happening?
Why was he refusing to drink?
Was Zhao Dahai still half asleep?
Could he be sleep talking?
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