According to Cheng Su, regarding Zhang Jisheng’s matter, it’s best to pretend not to know. Qi Taiguo agreed, but deep down he felt uneasy, thinking that Zhang Jisheng must be given a lesson.
So, he informed his elder sister that he was going to have a few drinks with Zhang Jisheng that evening.
Cheng Su didn’t quite agree with Qi Taiguo’s approach, fearing he might act impulsively. But after thinking about it, giving a gentle warning was much better than dealing with a problem after it occurred, so she let him go.
Zhang Jisheng, upon receiving the notification from his wife, felt chills running down his spine. Of all the people in the world, the one he feared most was his military brother-in-law. Now this brother-in-law said he wanted to have a few drinks with him?
As the saying goes, no one visits the temple without a reason. His brother-in-law is usually busy with the military, a very busy person. Why would he suddenly want to come and drink with him?
Could it be that his secret had been discovered?
Zhang Jisheng’s face turned pale, but he forced himself to calm down. It was impossible; he hadn’t told anyone about this matter. No one could possibly know.
So, was he really here to drink?
Just as he was lost in thought, Qi Taiguo arrived, carrying several packed dishes, a bag of peanuts, and two bottles of strong liquor.
Goodness, strong liquor!
Seeing this, Zhang Jisheng felt a burning sensation from his tongue to his stomach, secretly warning himself not to get drunk and say something he shouldn’t.
"Isn’t the military busy? How do you have time to come over and drink with me, Taiguo?" Zhang Jisheng asked with a smile, trying to act calm as he opened the dishes Qi Taiguo had brought.
"Brother-in-law, you all have been working in Qing City for several months now. I’m usually busy, and so are you; there’s no time to come home for a meal. Thinking about how it’s been many years and we haven’t had a good drink together, I came over since I had some time to sit with you!" Qi Taiguo replied seriously.
Zhang Jisheng responded with an "Oh," taking out two small cups to prepare to pour the liquor.
But Qi Taiguo covered the bottle’s opening with his hand, saying, "What’s the point of using small cups for men to drink? We should use big bowls. Go get the bowls, we’ll drink with those!"
Big bowls!
Zhang Jisheng’s head buzzed, but under Qi Taiguo’s sharp gaze, he had no choice but to switch to bowls. He said, "Us brothers-in-law will just drink casually today. Your elder sister went back to our hometown recently, and I haven’t been eating well, so my stomach feels a bit uncomfortable!"
How dare he say that? Qi Taiguo’s expression darkened, thinking, isn’t there some dirt behind those words?
They poured the liquor and started drinking, alternating between meat and drinks.
"My elder sister has been married to you for more than ten years. When she got married back then, I was reluctant and insisted you promise to treat her well and protect her, only then was I willing to let her leave home." Qi Taiguo reminisced.
"Ah, yes!" Zhang Jisheng replied with an awkward smile, somewhat unsure of his brother-in-law’s approach.
"But after my elder sister joined your Zhang family, she hasn’t had many good days. If it weren’t for her unwavering loyalty to you, I would have taken her back. Look, when Baobao was born, wasn’t my elder sister suffering? If not for my wife, who knows if my elder sister and Baobao would still be here." Qi Taiguo’s tone started to intensify.
Zhang Jisheng frowned slightly. What was this? Coming over to dig up old grievances and question him?
But he had to respond, so he said, "It’s all thanks to the Bodhisattva blessing our Zhang family! Both Fenglian and the child have great fortune."
What nonsense about Bodhisattva’s blessing. If Cheng Su hadn’t decisively signed for a cesarean, lives would’ve been lost. Bodhisattva indeed!
Qi Taiguo heavily placed his wine bowl on the table, spilling some of the liquid, and looked coldly at Zhang Jisheng.
Zhang Jisheng was startled, swallowing, "Taiguo, wh-what’s wrong?"