Chapter 86 - A Guest Bringing Wine

Madam Zhong observed Qiu Ling's expression that seemed to grow darker with every passing shichen. How long had it been? She still didn't know what exactly had happened. She only knew that when she came back from the kitchen Guanyu had been lying on the ground bawling her eyes out, the old woman that had come by yesterday was totally stunned and Shao Hai was gently hugging a blushing Jing Yi.

Well, though she didn't know what exactly had happened she could imagine half of it: Guanyu must have bothered her son again and Shao Hai stepped in, stunning the old woman and angering the daoist master.

What she didn't understand was that the daoist master was furious but obviously hadn't done anything to the boy. Not that she wasn't happy about it. This was a blessing but it made her feel strange nonetheless. Though she didn't know him that good she did feel like he was the vindictive type. He shouldn't be sitting around and only stare off into space.

She thought like that but of course, she couldn't go over and say it. Since it was like that she could only sigh and continue working. And there was much work. She didn't know if it was because Zhong Gang had a good reputation or if the customers from yesterday had spread the word, but today, there wasn't even one table on the lower floor unoccupied and even most of the rooms in the upper floor had been rented.

Madam and Mister Zhong were running around all the time: More tea, more snacks, a bit of water, taking away the used dishes, answering some question … There was too much to do and not enough time.

But both of them were smiling. If the teahouse was doing good, they wouldn't have disappointed Zhong Gang and the good life they would be living in the capital wasn't just them taking advantage of him and his family. Thinking of that they worked extra hard and soon Madam Zhong didn't pay any more attention to Qiu Ling.

She only looked up when a young man entered the teahouse. She rushed over, smiling like she smiled at every customer. She wanted to greet him like she always did, but the words got caught in her throat.

This man … She looked at his clothes and gulped. She had seen something similar on the daoist master. Was he here because of him? Madam Zhong looked over and indeed: The man stepped past her and went over. The daoist master lifted his hand.

Qiang Wei stared at his king's hand and frowned. What was this? He had a look at his face: It was just as listless and grumpy as before. Maybe he wants to be consoled?

Qiang Wei bent down, extended his arms and tried to give him a hug.

Qiu Ling lifted his brows, not understanding what was happening. Where's the wine?, he only managed to think, then he was enveloped in a tight hug. His eyes twitched. What was this? Why was he …

Qiu Ling's gaze slipped to Jing Yi who was sitting next to Shao Hai at the counter, stealing peeks at the older boy every now and then. He doesn't care.

His heart throbbed. He had followed his beloved down and suffered seeing him being so close to somebody else. And now someone was just shamelessly hugging him and his beloved didn't care. No, that was an understatement. He didn't just not care, he didn't even look! He was completely concentrating on that merchant's son, not even considering looking over to him!

This was … Ah, how could it have turned out like this? He wanted to go back to the nine heavens!

Qiu Ling pushed Qiang Wei off and frowned. "Where's the booze?"

Qiang Wei pressed his lips together. He hadn't expected a 'thank you' but at least a greeting would have been nice. "I got some from Lao Chun, so be careful."

Lao Chun was the one to go to in the dragon realm if you wanted wine. He just loved it! Brewing it, drinking it, cooking with it, talking about it, gifting it to others, … Whatever could be done with wine he would do it.

So it probably doesn't come as a surprise that there was a humongous collection of wine in his cellar. He had everything you could think of and some things you probably couldn't think of. Even if you wanted to get something to get the dragon king drunk in as short a time as possible there would be something that could get the job done.

With a solemn look, Qiang Wei took out one big flask of wine.

Qiu Ling frowned. "What? That's it? When I told you to bring some wine over I meant something a little different."

"Just try it." Qiang Wei pushed the wine forward and sat down opposite his king. He would have preferred standing but he had already drawn quite a few glances.

Speaking of which … Qiang Wei looked around. Why were there so many women? Nearly all of the tables were taken up by women. The men scattered in the teahouse seemed lost between them.

Qiang Wei eyed his king. It couldn't have been him, right? No, he was wearing a mortal appearance right now and even though he was still good-looking, he wasn't as breathtaking as in his true appearance. Those women wouldn't go that far. Besides … quite a few of them were really old. They certainly couldn't all have a weird taste for seemingly younger men, could they?

What was the reason? He wanted to observe further but Qiu Ling already opened the wine and Qiang Wei didn't dare let him out of his sight anymore. Who knew what would happen when he became drunk?

Qiu Ling carelessly threw the flask's lid aside and waved at Madam Zhong to bring him a cup. Madam Zhong had already seen the flask but she didn't really want to go get a cup. This man … he couldn't be trying to drown his sorrow in wine, could he? She definitely didn't want to see that.

Qiang Wei furrowed his brow and turned around. "Woman, are you blind? Get His Ma—" He coughed. "Get him a cup."

"How are you talking to my mother-in-law?" Qiu Ling kicked his shin.

Qiang Wei nearly doubled over. Damn it! What did he come down here for?! It couldn't be that his king didn't just want to drink but also itched to beat him up?

Mn, it wouldn't be nice to say the truth in this case, so it is better left unsaid.

Qiu Ling didn't care anyway. He had started smiling at Madam Zhong. "Mother-in-law, please, be so kind and get your son-in-law a cup, alright? You see, some guest came to visit him. How couldn't you let them have some cups so they can enjoy themselves?"

Madam Zhong sighed. In the end, him drinking is better than him doing nothing. I had been worried anyway about his unusual behavior. Maybe this will lighten his mood.

She nodded and got two cups from the kitchen. "Don't drink too much. It's not good for your health."

Qiang Wei wanted to chastise her for speaking to the king like that but his shin once again made contact with Qiu Ling's foot.

"Thank you, mother-in-law. Ah, look. Qiang Wei is so touched by your warm welcome that there are even tears in his eyes."

Qiang Wei stared at him. Bastard! If you weren't my king I'd kill you!

Qiu Ling smiled, knowing exactly what he was thinking. "Even if I wasn't your king, you wouldn't be able to", he mouthed back at him, stunning Qiang Wei completely.

Damn. His thoughts had been seen through. "Ah … haha, look, how nice! Here, here, let me fill your cup." He took the cups and filled them in record-breaking time.

Qiu Ling smiled and sipped the wine. "Mn, not bad. Come on, let's drink!" He raised his cups and downed the rest of the wine.

Yes, today, he'd get as drunk as he could possibly get. He'd not stop until he was unable to stand straight! Maybe then, his damned heart would finally stop hurting.