Saving the Heartthrob Frenemy-Chapter 664: Two drunkards

"I offered them something they wouldn’t be able to resist. You don’t have to worry about it as long Qie Xieling agrees," she said not wanting to go into detail. She would treat Qie Xieling like her own son and give him anything he wanted as long as he made her son happy.

Luo Muchen didn’t ask any further. His gaze fell on the expensive Horologii Chronos watch that looked exactly like the one he had. Its face gleamed under the light as though showcasing its value.

There were also deeds to two homes. One was in the heart of the city and the other was on a private island.

There were hundreds of millions ready for transfer and five per cent shares in the Luo group.

Luo Muchen’s heart swelled reading the list of things his mother prepared for Qie Xieling. These betrothal gifts were not just material possessions. They were symbols of the value of Qie Xieling to the Luo family and how they would treat him.

"It’s good," he said, his word a soft murmur of satisfaction. "Lin Lin will love this. It’s perfect."

Luo Shih nodded, a rare smile curving her lips as she took another puff of her cigar. "He will," she agreed. "And so will his family. There are more gifts but they haven’t been delivered yet."

***

While Luo Muchen and his mother were smoking cigars and discussing betrothal gifts, Qie Xieling and Qie Ranzhe were dead drunk. After a couple of glasses, the two of them couldn’t tell left from right. Qie Xieling had even forgotten that he had classes tomorrow.

From a distance, one could see them staggering on the grounds of the family estate their laughter spilling into the night like they were discussing something hilarious.

Their steps were like a clumsy dance with a couple of missteps that sent them veering off the stone path.

With a shared chuckle that bordered on hysterical, they stumbled onto the cool grass, the earth embracing them like an old friend. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Listen listen... shh shh listen to your old man," Qie Ranzhe slurred struggling to keep his balance, "when it comes to your husband-to-be, it’s all about... about patience and... and surprises."

Qie Xieling who wanted as much marriage advice from his father as possible listened attentively. "If you want to buy food and he says he doesn’t want anything it’s a lie. Always get something for them other... otherwise, they will glare at you all night."

Qie Xieling nodded with the earnestness of the inebriated. "Good point. You are truly wise beyond your years," he echoed as if his father was spilling secrets of the universe.

Too drunk to walk straight Qie Xieling tripped over his own feet and tumbled headfirst into a dense hedge. The leaves rustled, and Qie Ranzhe doubled over with laughter.

"Father!" His muffled voice came from the foliage. "Help!"

Qie Ranzhe staggered over, reaching into the hedge to pull him out. But in his drunken state, he lost his balance and tripped joining Qie Xieling in the greenery. They flailed, limbs entangled, laughter bubbling up like champagne.

A short figure suddenly towered over them his expression a storm cloud. "What in the world—" he began, but the sight of his two drunkards rolling around in the hedge silenced him.

"How much did you two drink?" he asked his voice a mix of exasperation and amusement.

Qie Xieling raised eight fingers and said, "Three glasses," his speech slurred.

"Really?" said Wen Qinxi his arms crossed on his chest.

Qie Ranzhe leaned in closer and pulled one of his son’s curled fingers to make nine fingers. "I drank that much." Their drunken logic didn’t even make sense but the two couldn’t stop giggling, their faces flushed, their hair full of leaves. Wen Qinxi helped them up, muttering about responsibility and Qie Xieling’s class schedule, but they were beyond caring.

As they stumbled back to the house Qie Ranzhe had his arms wrapped around Wen Qinxi holding him tightly acting like he couldn’t walk at all.

"Will you stop," said Wen Qinxi who had been thoroughly taken advantage of by his man. Qie Xieling was almost blinded by these two. He could only stagger ahead but he could still hear his parents flirting behind him.

This should have been the end of the night for Qie Xieling but he wasn’t done. Taking advantage of his parents going upstairs he drank some more with his grandmothers. By the time he got to his bedroom, he passed out. The consequences of his actions were evident the very next day.

The morning sun was a merciless spotlight on Qie Xieling and Qie Ranzhe, both of whom groaned under its scrutiny. They had woken up late this morning and Wen Qinxi made sure they didn’t forget it.

The aftermath of last night’s indulgence pounded in their heads like a relentless drum. Each painful throb was a stark reminder of their overindulgence.

Wen Qinxi who barely slept because of his drunk husband was scolding the both of them.

His words were a steady stream of reprimand, each sentence punctuated with a sigh of disappointment. "I expect better from both of you," he chided, his tone a mix of concern and frustration.

Qie Xieling who was slumped in the backseat with sunglasses shielding his eyes from the harsh light nodded in silent agreement. He couldn’t even defend himself. His dad was right. They went too far last night.

His head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, his thoughts sluggish and disjointed. The sunglasses did little to hide the fact that he was, indeed, regretting his life choices.

Qie Ranzhe took a sip of his black coffee before trying to offer a weak defence, but his words were lost in a yawn that seemed to stretch for miles. "Babe, it was just a bit of fun. We can count it as a bachelor party," he mumbled, but even he didn’t sound convinced.

As the car pulled up at the campus Qie Xieling stepped out. "Thanks, Dad. I will be done by one p.m. Love you," he said looking like a zombie from The Walking Dead.

"Bye honey," said Wen Qinxi while Qie Ranzhe waved at him.

Qie Xieling’s world tilted slightly under his feet as he tugged at his backpack strap. He straightened up, took a deep breath, and braced himself for the day ahead. The sunglasses hid his weary eyes, but nothing could shield him from the self-inflicted reality of a hangover in class.

Wen Qinxi watched him go, his lecture ending with a final, "Remember this feeling next time."

Qie Xieling just raised a hand in acknowledgement, his steps heavy, his mind already dreading the long lectures waiting for him. It was going to be a long fuckin day.

Lucky for him. He had a considerate boyfriend. He wasn’t sure how he found out but he met up with Bo Ailun early morning and passed over an insulated bento with hangover soup.

Qie Xieling read the note and his smile grew bigger. The note was written, "I know you had a wild night. I made this for you. Hope you feel better soon. Love you."

Qie Xieling thought it was Wen Danzhe who told him about it but he was wrong. It was his nana who told Luo Muchen about it and his grandma gave him the recipe to make some hangover soup.