The conversation made some sense.

But since it came from Zhou Shanshan’s mouth, it was surely with ill intent.

Wen Ran and Chu Jiaojiao exchanged a glance, deciding to stay put and see what kind of mischief Chu would stir up.

Most importantly, Wen Ran was genuinely curious, among so many people, what excuse Zhou Shanshan would come up with to slip away.

Anyway, she’d have to disappear with Xiao Li for over ten minutes for her words to be viable.

Seeing that everyone had finally stopped opposing, Zhou Shanshan breathed a sigh of relief; she almost got driven mad by this group of relentless debaters.

She warned herself to stay calm and not get angry, given that she’s pregnant, she had to consider the child even if not herself.

"This is the fine wine I brought from my family," Zhou Shanshan took out some loose white liquor from beneath the table, with the faint shape of ginseng visible inside.

"Good for nurturing yin and strengthening kidneys, it’s really something special."

It was indeed special. If it weren’t for finding a cheap dad for the child in her belly, she wouldn’t have been able to part with this item.

Thinking of Xiao Chenye’s appearance, Zhou Shanshan thought the wine was worth it.

At least, even if things went sour with that bastard, she could peacefully settle with Xiao Chenye and have two children just like him, and life would have its prospects.

With this thought, Zhou Shanshan smiled, "I’ll pour everyone a drink, because no matter how much noise and chaos we make, it doesn’t change the fact that we’re family.

The arguments and fights, those biological ties, are indelible."

The wine came from the same vessel, and Wen Ran felt that Zhou Shanshan wouldn’t be so insane as to drug the entire family.

With the cups set out, she chatted while serving the wine, "I’m young and came over to see my aunt, it was purely coincidental that I encountered Mrs. Xiao Sr.’s birthday celebration.

Uninvited guests don’t sound good, so I apologize and pour drinks for everyone present.

Let’s drink up and let bygones be bygones."

She seemed completely at ease, while Zhou Xiuying, the fool, practically had the word "nervous" written on her forehead.

The way she’s acting, even if she wanted people to believe she was fine, it would be barely convincing.

As the wine was poured cup by cup, Zhou Shanshan’s mouth never stopped.

Wen Ran initially planned to play along, but couldn’t stand the incessant noise, "Hey, could you close your mouth?

You’re pouring wine, and all that saliva gets in, what a waste."

Zhou Shanshan: "..."

Her face stiffened, "Sister, this wine is from my family."

Insinuating, if you’re drinking my wine, shouldn’t you be a bit more courteous?

"I never said it was mine," Wen Ran understood but simply didn’t engage, merely hastening, "Hurry up, why so much useless talk!"

Zhou Shanshan swallowed her anger, poured Wen Ran a cup, handed it to her, and poured one for Xiao Chenye.

The wine indeed was good.

Wen Ran sniffed it—fragrant, she brought it close, took a timid sip. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

It was mellow, without the sharpness of regular liquor. Wen Ran took a sip, her eyes lit up, this taste really wasn’t bad.

Xiao Chenye took the cup from Zhou Shanshan’s hand, not showing any warmth towards her either.

Seeing Wen Ran’s pleased expression, he leaned closer, whispering, "Good?"

"Mm," Wen Ran affirmed the quality of the wine, "Better than I imagined."

She initially thought medicinal wines would be bitter and hard to swallow; unexpectedly, this stuff was quite surprising.

Across the table, Mrs. Xiao Sr. sneered, "It’s good, you should drink a couple more sips. You’ve just been cursing this and that, your mouth must be dry by now."

Wen Ran: "...You aren’t drinking?"

Mrs. Xiao Sr. snorted coldly. Wen Ran stood up, directly reaching for Mrs. Xiao Sr.’s cup.

With wine and still so much whining, could it be that she just didn’t want to drink?

Give it here!

Wen Ran downed Mrs. Xiao Sr.’s wine in one gulp, drawing the stunned gazes of onlookers, then returned the empty glass, "Old lady, show some restraint when speaking.

I heard that human beings have a finite number of words in a lifetime.

Once they’re all used up, you die sooner."

Everyone: "..."

That was a remarkably forceful attack.

As is well known, elderly folks tend to avoid discussions of life and death, but to be so blunt like Wen Ran...

She’s truly a rarity across distances.

Mrs. Xiao sighed as well. See, she warned them, she’s not one to mess with.

One after another, oh! They just wouldn’t listen.

She lets them create a fuss, and she will make sure they hit a wall hard enough to drive them mad.

With Wen Ran causing trouble, Zhou Shanshan had no choice but to step up to patch things, pouring wine into Mrs. Xiao Sr.’s cup, soothing her with a couple of conciliatory phrases, and followed with some coded threats only they could understand.

Mrs. Xiao Sr. had no choice but to suppress her fury.

The incident subsided.

As Zhou Shanshan prepared to let everyone else raise their glasses together, Xiao Chenye quietly asked, "Are you still drinking?"

Wen Ran caught the underlying hint, glancing at him, "Why, don’t you want to drink?"

"Not really."

Poor thing he’s young, his energy naturally vibrant, struggling to find a place to channel his vigor, and with some medicinal wine to further rejuvenate him, heavens, how’s he supposed to sleep tonight?

He might as well grab a hoe and start digging.

At least it would burn some energy.

Wen Ran was straightforward too, seeing Xiao Chenye’s refusal, she simply took the wine glass and downed it all with one gulp.

Zhou Shanshan: "........."

She took a deep breath, reminding herself to stay calm.

Turning with a smile, "Haha, never mind how much, as long as it symbolizes something, that’s enough."

Zhou Xiuying felt her niece was truly obnoxious, having a bit of money, showing off so much she forgot her own name.

If Xiao Chenye didn’t drink, fine, it saved some.

Why insist on pouring, really...

Wen Ran had no objections, go ahead, since Xiao Chenye took a sip, the rest was hers.

She casually grabbed a cup and handed it over, "Here."

Zhou Shanshan poured the wine.

Except for Wen Ran being straightforward, the rest hardly drank, and Wen Ran stayed the same, drinking!

Even Xiao Chenye barely touched it with his lips.

After this round, Zhou Shanshan quieted down.

After less than ten minutes, she rubbed her head, "I’m a bit tired, I’ll go rest in a room for a while."

With that, she apologized and left the table.

Wen Ran: "?"

What’s this lady up to again?

She couldn’t figure it out.

She sniffed a little, pursed her lips, and continued eating.

Five minutes later, Wen Ran felt somewhat flushed.

With her sluggish mind gradually turning, the realization hit: "...?"

Wasn’t the target Xiao Li, the big troublemaker?

Why, given the current scenario, did she seem to be the one affected?

This realization left Wen Ran very confused.

Wasn’t she really not...

Wait.

Wen Ran’s sharp gaze fell on Xiao Chenye.

Xiao Chenye: "...?"

Don’t look at me like that.

Scary.

"Are you okay?"

Xiao Chenye puzzled, "I’m fine."

Wen Ran gritted her teeth, "But I have a problem!!!"

Everything’s a mess, completely chaotic.