As soon as Leon Lee left, a crowd of martial artists gathered around, eager to ask what had happened during the assessment.
The fact that Luke Lü and the other five passed the assessment was almost entirely thanks to Ian Song. In just ten minutes, he knocked out more than twenty of Li Guang’s men and took their tokens. This feat had already won their admiration, and they couldn’t help but feel a deep respect for him.
Of course, what they felt even more was gratitude.
So, when they heard the questions from the others, Luke and his group all turned to Ian Song, seeking his approval.
As the saying goes, a good horse gets ridden, and a kind person gets bullied. Showing your fangs at the right time earns respect, so Ian Song nodded at them.
With Ian’s approval, Luke Lü and the others began to animatedly recount the story, their faces full of excitement.
When they heard that Ian Song had single-handedly defeated more than twenty people, the martial artists were all astonished. Their looks toward Ian changed noticeably; even if they themselves had been thrown into the trial, they weren’t sure they could have survived such a rigged assessment.
After chatting for a while, someone suggested going to a restaurant to celebrate Ian Song and the other seven’s success.
The moment the suggestion was made, everyone agreed. Soon, a convoy of over ten cars sped into the city, finally choosing Fortune Delight Restaurant as their venue.
Martial artists, with their strong blood and energy, can usually drink a lot.
Ian Song became the main target for toasts. Although everyone present was a martial artist, they all had other social identities as well. Ian wanted to network, so he accepted every drink, earning lots of goodwill.
Facing dozens of people trying to toast him, even Ian Song, with his deep cultivation, couldn’t help but start feeling a bit drunk.
Right then, Luke Lü, Dou Tie, Zhao Peng... together with a martial artist named Xiao Ming, all came over with their cups to toast Ian Song.
"Brother Yan, we all passed the National Martial League assessment thanks to you. Let us toast you to show our gratitude," Luke Lü said on behalf of the group.
Ian Song shook his slightly dizzy head, stood up, and laughed, "Can you guys let me catch my breath? If I keep drinking like this, I’ll end up under the table."
"No worries! If you get drunk, I promise to get you home," Luke Lü replied slyly.
"Count me in!" Dou Tie chimed in, egging him on.
"Ha, me too!" Zhao Peng laughed. They were all so impressed by Ian Song’s skills that, even though they were older, they started calling him Brother Yan—a sign of real respect.
"You guys!" Ian Song smiled helplessly and could only raise his glass, drinking a round with each of the seven.
After seven cups, Ian Song felt even dizzier. Sitting next to him, Zoe Zhao couldn’t help but complain, "If you can’t hold your liquor, don’t show off."
"Heh, I’m just happy! Zoe, how about we have a drink too?" Ian Song picked up his cup, but his eyes were already roaming over Zoe Zhao, and as the saying goes, beauties look even prettier through drunken eyes.
Feeling Ian Song’s slightly predatory gaze, Zoe Zhao grew annoyed, snatched his cup, slammed it on the table, and scolded, "Drink my foot!"
But almost immediately, she ladled a bowl of meat broth for Ian Song. "Drink some soup to sober up," she said.
"Thanks, Zoe. You’re the best," Ian Song replied with a silly grin, taking the bowl and slurping it down.
At the same table, Hank Hong saw this and teased Frank Zhao, "No wonder Ian won’t join the Lee Family—Frank, you must’ve used a beauty trap with Zoe. Brilliant move!"
Though Hank tried to lower his voice, he was naturally loud, so Zoe Zhao overheard. Her cheeks flushed as she glared at him, "Hank, don’t make me call you an old pervert!"
"Ha! This is the first time I’ve seen Zoe blush," Hank Hong laughed loudly.
The others at the table couldn’t help glancing at Zoe’s flushed cheeks, then joined in the laughter. Ian Song, already fuzzy from the drinks, just grinned along with them.
"What are you laughing at?"
Seeing Ian Song giggle, Zoe Zhao got even more annoyed, grabbed a cup of white liquor, and forced it down his throat.
Everyone burst out laughing even harder at the scene.
After that drink, Ian Song collapsed face-first onto the table, completely out cold.
"If the man doesn’t get drunk, the woman has no chance! Zoe, you’re a real heroine!" Hank Hong gave her a thumbs up.
"I am not!" Zoe Zhao protested, her pretty face turning even redder.
At that moment, Frank Zhao spoke up, "Alright, Hank, stop teasing Zoe. If she blows up, not even I can stop her." Then he turned to Zoe, "Zoe, I’ll have someone open a room. Take Ian Song up to rest."
A moment later, a waiter brought over a room card.
Under everyone’s amused and suggestive gazes, Zoe Zhao half-carried the dead-drunk Ian Song up to the third floor.
It took all her effort to get Ian Song into the room and onto the bed. Zoe Zhao was sweating lightly—drunk people are really heavy.
But just then, Ian Song rolled over, sat up, and mumbled, "Bathroom... I need to pee."
He managed only two steps before collapsing on the floor, still mumbling about needing to pee.
Seeing this, Zoe Zhao was at a loss. Was she really going to have to help this guy to the bathroom?
Ian Song wobbled up from the floor and tried to walk forward, but after two steps, he fell again—several times in a row. Finally, Zoe Zhao, blushing, ran over and helped him toward the bathroom.
Once she got him in front of the toilet, Zoe Zhao reminded him, "Hey, we’re at the bathroom. Hurry up and pee. I’ll come back to help you when you’re done."
"Pee... pee!" Ian Song giggled and reached for his zipper, but after several tries, he still couldn’t get it open.
Zoe Zhao waited outside the bathroom for a while but heard nothing inside, so she called out, "Hey, Ian Song, are you done yet?"
"I... I can’t get the zipper open... Come help me!"
Hearing that, Zoe Zhao was furious. "You jerk! Are you just trying to take advantage of me?"
But after a while, there was still no sound, so Zoe Zhao pushed open the bathroom door and found Ian Song passed out in front of the toilet.
She walked in and kicked Ian Song, calling, "Hey, get up and go back to bed."
Ian Song groggily opened his eyes, clung to the toilet to stand up, and reached for his zipper again, mumbling, "Bathroom... I need to pee!"
Zoe Zhao stood watching for a long time, but Ian Song still couldn’t get his zipper open. She couldn’t help but burst out laughing, "You idiot! I never thought you’d turn this dumb when you’re drunk. If you ever annoy me again, I’ll just get you drunk! Fine, I’ll be generous and help you out one more time!"
Saying that, Zoe Zhao bent down to help Ian Song with his zipper. But when she saw the bulge, she hesitated, her face turning even redder.
"Bathroom... I need to pee!" Ian Song kept mumbling, as if impatiently urging Zoe Zhao to hurry up.
Afraid he’d wet himself, Zoe Zhao gritted her teeth and tugged at his zipper. Inevitably, her hand brushed against the bulge, making her blush even deeper—her cheeks were red all the way to her ears.