Chapter Seventy: Turmoil at the Birthday Celebration (Part One)

"Hey, Gong, long time no see. If I’d known you were coming, I wouldn’t have booked this place. People from the capital probably aren’t used to our C City hot pot, right?" In front of Rain Pavilion, Chen Kaimin strode forward, dressed in sporty attire brimming with youthful energy. Guo Lang, standing by, couldn’t help but twitch an eyebrow. Did this guy really find time to go home and change just for this?

Still, his choice of outfit showed some self-awareness; he knew that showing up in a sharp suit would only make his own presence feel overshadowed, so he switched to another style—rather clever, Guo Lang had to admit.

"No worries, I expected as much. In C City, the only thing worth eating is hot pot, after all!" Unlike Xie Lin’s polite and refined manner, Gong responded to the provocation with the haughty arrogance of a true scion.

Chen Kaimin and the pack of young men behind him instantly darkened. There was a reason for such arrogance. The capital was the main city, and C City lagged behind not just the capital but other top-tier metropolises. It had only risen to prominence recently and was still no match for renowned Central Asian cities like Yunhai, Handong, or Nanyan Province, especially in the realm of luxury consumption.

Take, for instance, the famed Celestial Paradise in the capital—every dish of medicinal cuisine there was worth a fortune. But what did C City have? Rain Pavilion was considered one of the city’s premier high-end venues. Built amidst ancient scenic mountains and towns, its courtyards exuded classic charm. Although it didn’t actually serve food within the scenic area, the location was already rare—one could enjoy the morning mist, evening glow, and the beauty of the ancient city—all while eating hot pot.

Well, that’s the thing—mention hot pot, and the sense of class just never seems to rise. No wonder outsiders look down on it.

"I think so too. Hot pot is so pungent, and they mix it with garlic paste—people from C City really are strange!" Xie Xiaoqin chimed in shamelessly, siding with her brother Shaolin, finding his earlier arrogance rather appealing.

The others looked gloomier still. Rolling his eyes, Guo Lang said, "Miss Xie, you’ve been in C City for years and still aren’t used to it? Strictly speaking, you’re practically half a C City local yourself. Second Brother Xie, your sister’s swooning this much and you’re just letting her?"

Guo Lang’s blunt words drew black lines across Chen Kaimin’s group’s faces, though they couldn’t help but agree deep down. Xie Xiaoqin really was half a C City native—why, when her relatives came to visit, did she start looking down on her current home?

Who cares what you think? What’s it to you anyway? Xie Xiaoqin bristled, about to retort, when her usually silent second brother suddenly spoke up. "He’s right. Xiaoqin, you never act so delicate when eating hot pot at home. Why side with outsiders today?"

At his words, Xiaoqin fell silent. Brother, you’re the one siding with outsiders here! Could it be you’re actually...?

Gong Shaolin frowned. He sensed that Xie Lin was targeting him, which was odd. He could understand Chen Kaimin’s group behaving like fools, but why would Xie Lin? They were of the same circle; even if rivals someday, at this stage, they should at least appreciate each other, if not form a mutual understanding. Why would he stand with these ordinary folk against him?

Comparing everyone else to mere mortals was a sentiment shared by almost all the players now. Even if most didn’t declare themselves masters of the world as brazenly as Sun Biao, there was always that subconscious sense of superiority.

Gong Shaolin hardly bothered to look at Chen and his lot, so Xie Lin’s stance puzzled him. Why would he risk offending a peer for the sake of these fools?

"Hey, when did you get to know him?" Xie Xiaoqin couldn’t help but ask. "You never mentioned it before."

"Do I have to report everyone I meet to you?" he replied.

Xiaoqin was silenced again. Seeing this, Chen Kaimin hurried to smooth things over. "Hey, it’s Xiaoqin’s birthday today, Shaolin—don’t be so hard on her. Come on, let’s all head inside!" With that, he led everyone into the Rain Pavilion he’d booked out.

On the way, Xiaoqin wore a pitiful expression, while Guo Lang, beside her, secretly gave a thumbs-up. Now that’s what I call brotherly authority—a proper head of the family! He glanced at his own sister Xiaoting, who was quietly pestering him about when they’d eat. Remembering how she’d delighted in tormenting him since childhood, he felt a wave of melancholy. Brotherly dignity? He barely had any dignity left as a person!

Only then did Gong Shaolin notice Guo Lang. Although Guo Lang had been a bit lively earlier, Gong had simply ignored him. But thinking back, especially after Xiaoqin’s question, he realized that Xie Lin seemed to defer to this kid from start to finish.

He observed further and realized that Xie Lin looked at Chen Kaimin’s group with the same detached indifference as himself. Though outwardly polite, there was a clear sense of disregard beneath the surface. Yet with Guo Lang, his gaze was different...

Gong narrowed his eyes. A green light flickered in his gaze as he stared at Guo Lang, who was quietly bantering with Xiaoting. Suddenly, Guo Lang felt a chill down his spine. He frowned, and a flash of purple light glimmered in his eyes—his and Gong’s mental energies collided in a silent burst. Guo Lang remained unmoved, while Gong Shaolin’s posture faltered ever so slightly.

"Interesting..." Gong Shaolin nodded slightly at Guo Lang, his eyes warming—an acknowledgement of Guo Lang’s worth. Guo Lang sneered inwardly but replied with a polite nod.

This trip to C City was proving quite worthwhile. Two peers encountered, both seemingly formidable.

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Hot pot was one of C City’s signature dishes. While it may not have been a gourmet national feast, it was highly popular, especially among locals. Most gatherings in C City favored hot pot—not only was it affordable, but it could accommodate any group size. Three people at a table or even twelve, the atmosphere was always lively. People in C City liked to eat steaming hot pot with cold beer even in summer—the flavors were intense, but the vibe was unbeatable. Beer made for a much rowdier table than spirits ever could, and so C City folk were famously boisterous at meals—a trait rare in the South.

In truth, Gong Shaolin didn’t dislike the lively atmosphere of C City dining. As a scion of an old, venerable family, he’d been schooled in the drinking customs of every region since childhood. Ninety percent of business in Central Asia was conducted over the table, so all the great families trained their heirs accordingly. He could discuss state affairs over rare, expensive liquors at national banquets, or, like now, drink twenty-yuan Budweisers in one gulp.

With Gong Shaolin, an outsider from the capital, the group naturally united against him—especially since, it seemed, our heroine had taken quite a liking to him. It was as if their own precious cabbage was about to be snatched by a wild boar. Even those who’d rarely seen eye to eye now found common cause, each finding an excuse to propose a toast—since that was the one form of challenge that couldn’t be openly faulted.

Xie Xiaoqin watched them, her delicate brows furrowed. They were being far too obvious. She finally couldn’t help but complain, "Enough already! Isn’t this bullying a bit much? Ten grown men all ganging up on Shaolin!"

Chen Kaimin’s group flushed with embarrassment. It was true—they’d been at it for half an hour and the guy still looked fine. They’d gone through ten cases of beer, each having downed at least seven or eight bottles, all directly challenging Gong Shaolin. Yet he accepted every toast. How much had he drunk? They didn’t even dare to guess—this guy was a beast! Anyone else would have puked their guts out, even if it’d been water!

"It’s nothing..." Gong smiled, patting Xiaoqin’s shoulder. "We’re all here to have fun. Since we’re out, let’s drink to our hearts’ content. Come, Chen, let’s keep going!" He offered yet another toast to Chen Kaimin and drained his glass.

Several nearby couldn’t help but twitch. Had this guy practiced inner energy cultivation?

After downing his drink, Chen Kaimin stripped off his jacket, his face growing redder. He surveyed his group—his teammates all looked about done, barely any fight left in them. Could they really be routed today? If word got out that over ten of them were bested at the table by one man, it would be a lifelong disgrace!

In any circle, drinking might not make you a hero, but being a lightweight definitely made you a laughingstock. Such news would be a slap in the face.

Chen Kaimin’s gaze grew dark as he looked around, but most avoided his eyes. They’d all drunk in a hurry—barely touched the food—and their stomachs were already roiling. Another drink and they’d be making a scene.

Suddenly, Chen noticed Guo Lang, who was happily dipping tripe into the hot pot with the chubby girl he’d brought along, seemingly unconcerned with the drinking contest raging around him.

"Hey Xie Lin, the old beef here is really good. Xiaoting ate too fast earlier—you didn’t get any, did you? Should I order some more for you?"

"Sure!" Xie Lin replied with a smile.

"Waiter, two more plates of old beef!"

The group stared at Guo Lang in bewilderment. He turned and saw their gazes, looking a little embarrassed. "What’s wrong?"

What’s wrong? Are you seriously just here to eat? Chen Kaimin’s group was speechless at Guo Lang’s cluelessness.

"Xiao Lang, Young Master Gong’s come a long way. Aren’t you going to offer him a drink?" Chen Kaimin said darkly, cursing inwardly, We’re all about to puke and you’re just feasting away.

"I wanted to, but there were so many of you just now, I couldn’t find a chance!"

The group flushed, then scowled. Whose side was he on?

"And besides, Gong’s already drunk so much. It wouldn’t be right for me to toast him now, would it?" Guo Lang scratched his head, feigning sincerity.

Their faces darkened further. So now you’re going to play the nice guy?

"It’s nothing..." Gong Shaolin smiled. "That was just the warm-up. If Brother Guo wants to drink, I’m always ready."

The group choked. Stars sparkled in Xie Xiaoqin’s eyes. "Shaolin is so cool."

Chen Kaimin and the others were left speechless. This was showboating at its finest, but they dared not rise to it—the opponent’s energy was off the charts. It wasn’t that their “army” was weak, but that the enemy was simply too strong!

Guo Lang had to admit, Gong put on quite a show. Since the challenge was thrown, there was no reason not to accept. He smiled and said, "You’ve all been drinking beer for ages. If we keep going like this, it’ll get boring. Shaolin’s not even out of breath. Why don’t we switch to spirits?"

Chen Kaimin’s group’s eyes lit up. Of course—maybe the guy had a freakish tolerance for beer, but if they switched to high-proof spirits, it might be different.

"Spirits?" Gong Shaolin hesitated. "Is it really proper to drink spirits with hot pot?" He gestured at the bubbling red broth.

"There’s nothing wrong with it," Guo Lang waved it off. "We’ve even drunk hot pot broth for fun when the mood was right. If the atmosphere is there, anything goes."

"Brother Guo, you’re a man of bold spirit!" Gong praised.

The others nodded in agreement. Regardless of his drinking ability, his attitude was impressive.

"What kind of spirits are popular here?" Gong asked.

"I know you capital folks prefer the strong-flavored stuff, but most of our liquor comes from the Southwest. The best is the sauce-fragrance type—don’t know if you’re used to that?"

"It’s fine," Gong smiled. "I’ve tried them all. Honestly, I personally prefer sauce-fragrance."

"Great!" Guo Lang grinned, then called out to a waiter, "Waiter, twenty bottles of National Liquor—the big ones!"

"Whoa, are you serious?" Even Xie Xiaoqin was startled. Twenty big bottles? What is this, a martial arts drama—drinking out of vats?

Chen Kaimin opened his mouth, wanting to say, Kid, forced posturing is deadly—think this through! But Guo Lang was on his side, so he couldn’t dampen his spirit at a time like this. He swallowed his words and thought, Let’s see how this plays out!