Neil Ping gave a cold smile. "Evan Lin, are you crazy? This is sixty-two percent alcohol! But don't worry—with all these doctors here, including Doctor Wu, even if something happens, you'll be fine."
As soon as Evan spoke, Lynn Chen froze, then blurted out in a low voice, her eyes wide with worry. She stared at him, torn between exasperation and concern.
Charles Chen, whose drink had just been snatched away, felt a flash of irritation. Evan was stirring things up again. Even for someone like him, who was used to business banquets, this liquor was enough to make his head spin. If Evan drank it, wouldn't he pass out after one glass, end up in the hospital after two, and in the morgue after three?
Besides, that glass held a generous pour—at least a good shot and a half of liquor.
"Evan, sit down and let me drink this." Charles Chen was clearly displeased with Evan, but since Evan had come in with him, he couldn't really risk Evan's health just to prove a point, no matter how annoyed he was.
"Hey, hey, Mr. Chen, don't say anything." Neil Ping saw Charles Chen reaching to take the glass from Evan, and quickly reached out to stop him.
He squinted at Evan, a fake smile on his face. "Kid, do you even know how strong that drink is? Sixty-two proof isn't like your usual beer. Just one shot of this is worth at least two bottles of beer."
"Besides, I've been drinking since I was a kid. Are you sure you want to go head to head with me?" Neil Ping's eyes glinted as he looked at Evan.
Haiyang Sheng also looked over at Evan, smiling but making no move to intervene. Beside him, Susan Pang took a sip of tea, remaining silent as well.
Lucy Lu looked anxious, while Sophie Lu's eyes widened slightly as she watched Evan stand up beside her.
The banquet table was like a battlefield—and with Evan's build, you'd think he could barely handle one glass.
Dean Victor Lu glanced over, while Chief Physician Yvonne Yun looked at Evan with curiosity. She'd seen him once at the hospital, but hadn't paid much attention then.
On the other side, Doctor Wu the Miracle Healer drooped his eyelids, looking at Evan with a mix of disdain and indifference.
As a renowned doctor from River City, his pride was sky-high.
"What, are you scared? If you are, just pretend I never said anything." Evan smiled slightly, his gaze fixed on Neil Ping across the table.
The whole room fell silent at his words.
Lucy Lu was practically frantic now. She shot Evan a look, trying to signal him to sit down and stay out of this mess. If he drank too much and hurt himself, she'd be the one left to explain.
But Evan just returned her a relaxed, gentle smile—pure and kind, with eyes as calm as water, showing no hint of worry.
Haiyang Sheng frowned, thinking this kid Evan was unbelievably arrogant and reckless. And since Charles Chen had brought him, Haiyang couldn't help but form an even lower opinion of Charles as well.
"Alright then, let's do this. Just so you can't say I'm bullying you—one glass for you, one glass for me."
Neil Ping's smile turned cold. "Anyway, with Dean Lu and all these doctors here—including Doctor Wu—even if someone drinks too much, there won't be any real danger."
"I'll drink first to show my respect."
Evan didn't waste words—he downed his drink in one go, without a hint of hesitation.
After swallowing the liquor, Evan tipped his glass to show it was empty, then looked at Neil Ping: "Your turn."
"Alright! Today I'll have a good drink with this young man Charles Chen brought! Ha!" Neil Ping stood up, grabbed the liquor on the table, and knocked it back in one gulp.
Leo Liu quickly refilled Neil Ping's glass.
"Your turn. If you can't handle it, just say so. As your elder, I wouldn't really bully a youngster." Neil Ping grinned, feeling no effect from the drink.
Evan, on the other hand, looked slightly flushed.
"Thanks for your concern."
Evan grabbed another bottle, poured himself a fresh glass, and downed it in one crisp, clean shot—no words wasted.
Next to Haiyang Sheng, Claire Sheng watched Evan standing there, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
"Alright! Let's go—cheers!" Neil Ping said, downing another glass.
But as soon as he set his glass down, he saw Evan's third glass was already empty.
Neil Ping sneered inwardly—anyone can drink fast at first, but once the alcohol hits, let's see if the kid can keep it up.
With that thought, Neil Ping downed another glass—but before his glass even hit the table, Evan was already on his fourth.
One glass after another.
No one at the table spoke. Everyone just watched the two of them go back and forth, drinking nonstop.
Before anyone realized it, they'd already gone through ten glasses each.
Charles Chen, his throat dry and hoarse, had just managed a few bites of food to steady himself. He stared at Evan for a long moment, speechless.
Except for a faint flush after his first glass, Evan drank as if it were water—his expression never changed.
"Hey, this is between the guys—let us handle it."
"Come on! Tonight's all about having fun!" Neil Ping drank his twelfth glass, his whole body hot and uncomfortable. The alcohol was hitting him hard, making his head spin.
But as soon as he set his glass down, he saw Evan calmly finish three more, looking at him with steady eyes.
Neil Ping's heart skipped a beat, and he cursed inwardly.
Was this kid reincarnated as a wine jug? After all that drinking, he looked completely unaffected.
They'd already gone through more than a jin of liquor.
This was sixty-two proof liquor! Was he drinking fake booze?
Neil Ping was already unsteady on his feet. Seeing this, Leo Liu picked up his glass: "Come on, little brother, you two look like you're having a blast—mind if I join in?"
"Leo Liu, are you guys trying to start a relay match?" Seeing Leo Liu stand up, Lucy Lu couldn't help but speak up.
"Sis, what are you saying? Neil Ping drank on an empty stomach, while your guy had food to pad his belly. That's hardly fair."
"If you're not sure, ask Manager Sheng." Leo Liu glanced at Haiyang Sheng, who said, "If Xiao Zhao wants to drink, let him. There's plenty of liquor—I’ll make sure we don’t run out."
As soon as Haiyang Sheng spoke, Leo Liu and Henry Shen exchanged a look, reading each other's intentions.
As long as Haiyang Sheng was on their side, surely three of them could outdrink one?
So what if you're a bottomless pit for booze?
Charles Chen couldn't sit still any longer. He raised his glass: "Leo, come on—I'll drink with you."
"No, Mr. Chen, we're drinking with the young man you brought. If you want a drink, you should toast Manager Sheng." Leo Liu brushed Charles Chen aside with a single sentence.
"Then I'll drink with you!" Lynn Chen stood up with a glass in hand. Even if she usually couldn't stand Evan, she knew he was taking the hits for her father.
Even if she usually looked down on Evan, at this moment Lynn Chen chose to stand with him.
But just as Lynn Chen stood up, Evan snatched the glass from her hand.
"What are you doing?" Lynn Chen glared at Evan.
"This is a man's business—no place for women."
"Sit down!" Evan frowned, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Lynn Chen was momentarily stunned.