Chapter 40.2

Time flew by, and the wedding was just a few days away.

Though Lu Yi and Lin Jinshen appeared composed, they occasionally showed signs of nerves. Meanwhile, their friends were far more excited.

Yu Zeheng suggested throwing Lin Jinshen a pre-wedding bachelor party. As soon as he brought it up, Ji Changming vetoed the idea: “You know Jinshen doesn’t care for that kind of stuff.”

“I know,” Yu Zeheng replied, “which is why I’m not telling him.”

Gu Yu clapped and mimed throwing something. “So, do we drug him and haul him over?”

“No need for that,” Yu Zeheng said, shooting him a look. “That’s excessive. And considering Jinshen’s size, we might not even succeed.”

“How would you get him there, then?” Ji Changming asked, intrigued.

Yu Zeheng smirked. “Easy. I’ll just tell him we’re celebrating the anniversary of my divorce. He’ll feel obligated to show up.”

“…”

Ji Changming gave a thumbs-up. “Of all of us, I respect you the most. Ruthless enough to drag yourself down too.”

Gu Yu, however, was stuck on something else. “Wait, it’s already been a year since your divorce?”

“Eleven months and thirteen days, to be exact,” Yu Zeheng corrected. “Not that it matters. No one remembers.”

That evening, Yu Zeheng booked the entire Tang Palace under his name and invited everyone he could think of—friends and acquaintances alike. If they were going to party, he wanted to go all out.

While wild, Yu Zeheng had his limits. No drugs or questionable behavior ever made it into his plans. This event was no exception.

The three of them notified Lin Jinshen of the gathering.

His first reaction was that Yu Zeheng was missing a few screws. His second was to refuse outright.

Yu Zeheng: [Fine, you’re right. You shouldn’t come. Someone like me is bad luck for you anyway.]

[You’re getting married soon. I get it. Totally understandable.]

Lin Jinshen: […]
[I’ll come after I’m done here.]

Yu Zeheng: [You’re my hero.]

Gu Yu and Ji Changming witnessed the entire exchange and were awestruck. Ever since his divorce, Yu Zeheng had been a little off. Now, with Lin Jinshen’s impending marriage, he’d gone completely off the rails.

Lin Jinshen arrived at the Tang Palace on time.

As he entered, the manager led him upstairs to the third floor, where Yu Zeheng, Gu Yu, and Ji Changming were waiting.

The moment he stepped closer, Ji Changming grabbed a champagne bottle, shook it vigorously, and popped the cork. The fizzy liquid sprayed out, filling the air with the scent of alcohol and fruit.

“Jinshen! Happy bachelor’s night!”

“A toast to your last taste of freedom!”

Yu Zeheng raised his glass, prompting a cheer from the others. The lights flickered, and the music started thumping as the DJ swayed to the beat, hyping up the crowd.

Lin Jinshen: “…”

He frowned, his piercing gaze sweeping over the three instigators.

“Someone care to explain what’s going on?”

Ji Changming was the first to fold, sliding to his knees dramatically. “Jinshen, first, let me clarify—this wasn’t my idea. Second, this is a bachelor party organized by Yu Zeheng. He really spared no expense, which shows how much he cares.”

Yu Zeheng and us.

The division of roles was crystal clear.

Yu Zeheng grinned lazily. “Think of it this way: the party has two themes. You could also wish me a happy one-year divorce anniversary.”

“…”

Lin Jinshen signaled for a waiter, grabbed a drink from the tray, and approached Yu Zeheng. Though his steps seemed calm, it was clear he was considering something more… hands-on.

Stopping in front of Yu Zeheng, he clinked his glass against his. “Thanks.”

Everyone exhaled in relief.

“No need to be so formal among brothers,” Yu Zeheng said with a sly smile.

“Charge everything tonight to my account,” Lin Jinshen said after downing his drink. “Enjoy yourselves.”

Yu Zeheng said, “That’s not right. Would I need your money for this little thing? It’s a gesture of brotherhood, and you’re ruining it. This is for you; if you leave, how are we supposed to have fun?”

“Exactly. If the main character leaves, who’s left to play?” Ji Changming chimed in.

Gu Yu, already seated and leisurely pulling a bottle from the ice bucket, said, “Since you’re already here, why not sit down? Let’s have a proper drink, just us.”

Lin Jinshen glanced at the others. After checking the time on his watch, he said, “I’ll sit for half an hour.”

“Great!”

“Half an hour it is!”

“Pour the drinks!”

For an occasion like this, Lin Jinshen’s attendance was unheard of. Even agreeing to half an hour was already giving them face.

The music resumed, and the party atmosphere soared.

Yu Zeheng poured drink after drink, each toast demanding its due: “Jinshen, I wish you and your wife a love as eternal as the heavens and earth, unmatched in this world.”

Ji Changming raised his glass: “A harmonious union, a lifetime together.”

“Endless happiness and a bond everlasting,” added Gu Yu.

“…”

Three full glasses, no mixing involved—the alcohol was as strong as it could get.

Lin Jinshen rarely drank, even in business settings where his presence wasn’t necessary, and privately, he avoided social gatherings altogether. As they predicted, after downing those three drinks, the half-hour commitment was out of the question.

—

Meanwhile, on Lu Yi’s side, with the wedding approaching, Yu Yin and Wu Sidong were keen to throw her a pre-wedding bachelorette party. Lu Yi refused without hesitation—not only did she dislike lively gatherings, but she also had some PTSD from a past encounter involving male strippers.

She couldn’t handle another experience like that.

“But isn’t it dull to just get married like this?” Wu Sidong promised there would be no male strippers this time and guaranteed it would be fun. She wouldn’t need to lift a finger; the group would handle everything.

Yu Yin nodded in agreement. For once, they were on the same page: “Just leave it to us. We’ll make sure it’s a night even more memorable than the wedding.”

Lu Yi politely declined, this time even more firmly: “No need. Save it for the next lucky person.”

Failing to persuade her, they had to give up.

“You and your husband are both no fun,” Wu Sidong lamented. He pictured Lin Jinshen’s side—most likely a boring scene filled with work. On the night before the wedding, he was probably still signing contracts. It couldn’t possibly be duller.

The day after tomorrow, they were set to fly to the island early to prepare for the wedding. The idea of a bachelorette night would remain a pipe dream.

“Lin Jinshen’s side might not be as boring as you think. Tang Palace is closed tonight. Word is, Yu Zeheng invited half the circle for a big party—probably for Lin Jinshen’s sake.” The extravagance was no joke. One night like this would burn through a fortune.

They all knew Yu Zeheng and Lin Jinshen’s relationship: childhood friends and confidants in their social circle.

“You’re overthinking it. It’s supposed to be a celebration of Yu Zeheng’s divorce.”

“What’s that about? Wasn’t the divorce ages ago?”

“Can’t he celebrate the first anniversary?” Wu Sidong shot back.

“…”

“I always knew he was eccentric, but this is a whole new level,” Yu Yin marveled. Celebrating wedding anniversaries was common enough, but marking a divorce anniversary? He might be the first.

“…”

As they chatted, Lu Yi’s phone suddenly rang. Her friends leaned in, and she glanced at the screen. The caller ID was Lin Jinshen. After a moment of thought, she swiped to answer.

With the phone to her ear, she was greeted by the sound of loud, thumping music. She checked the caller ID again—it was definitely Lin Jinshen—but the background noise didn’t seem like a place he would be.

“Sister-in-law?”

A man’s unfamiliar voice came through. The first time, it was drowned out by the noise, but the second time, he raised his volume: “Is this sister-in-law?”

“Who’s this?” Lu Yi asked.

“Hello, sister-in-law. I’m Ji Changming. You don’t know me, but I’m a friend of Jinshen’s.”

Lu Yi responded politely, “Hello.”

“Nice to meet you, sister-in-law. Here’s the thing: Jinshen had a bit too much to drink. Could you come pick him up? If it’s inconvenient, we’ll make sure he gets home safely.”

Ji Changming rattled off his explanation in one breath, practically shouting over the noise.

“He’s drunk?” Lu Yi was momentarily stunned, frowning slightly. In her mind, Lin Jinshen was always composed and clear-headed. Could he really get drunk?

“Yes, it’s a bit complicated to explain, but Jinshen did have a lot to drink tonight. He’s usually not like this…” Ji Changming rambled on, trying to explain without tarnishing Lin Jinshen’s image.

It was a struggle.

Why had Gu Yu dumped this task on him?

As Lu Yi processed this, she heard Lin Jinshen’s voice in the background.

“Give me the phone.”

His voice was unmistakable, and Lu Yi couldn’t have mistaken it if she tried.

“Sister-in-law, I’m handing the phone to Jinshen now,” Ji Changming quickly said, immediately passing the phone to its rightful owner.

Although Lin Jinshen had consumed quite a bit, his face betrayed no sign of it. Sitting there, he still exuded an air of authority, as if nothing were amiss and he was completely sober.

Sometimes, even Ji Changming couldn’t tell if he was truly drunk.

There was a brief pause before Lu Yi tentatively called his name: “Lin Jinshen?”

“Mm, it’s me.” He tilted his head back, pressing his fingers against his brow. “I’m fine. You don’t need to come.”

His tone, at first listen, sounded perfectly normal.

But Lu Yi could detect something off—his words, usually firm and precise, carried a hint of weariness, along with a subtle nasal quality.

“Are you sure?”

“Mm, sure.”

Switching the phone to her other ear, Lu Yi asked, “Then who am I?”

“…”

There was a brief silence on the other end. Perhaps he hadn’t expected such a simple question. After a moment, he replied confidently: “Wife.”

Well, that confirmed it. He was definitely drunk.