Chapter 21: Banquet

“Did you hear?” “That Ye Hong in bed number one, she and her man… last night, it tore her… down there.  She needed stitches to stop the bleeding!” Song Tongzhou quickly pulled the curtains shut, too ashamed to face anyone. Once this kind of thing spread, there would be no end to it. He’d already noticed several unfamiliar faces specifically watching them. He glanced at Ye Hong’s dull face, his expression serious. Everyone went at it all night, but he was fine? Women are so dramatic.

But one thing he still couldn’t figure out was that he’d drunk Erguotou before and had never been as drunk as last night; he didn’t remember anything. His memory stopped at him secretly taking the bottle of Erguotou back to his room and drinking it.

  The bottle was bought by Ye Hong; did she buy fake alcohol?  He quickly dismissed this thought because he’d had a few drinks the night before with no problems. “Hey, are you okay?” Song Tongzhou decided to talk to Ye Hong about the Erguotou. Ye Hong’s face was cold, her jaw clenched, “Do you think so?” Once she started, Ye Hong couldn’t stop, “Song Tongzhou, do you want me dead?”

“All these years of my efforts have been wasted, I’ve devoted myself to you!” Song Tongzhou knew he was wrong. He let Ye Hong vent before replying, “You know I didn’t mean to.” “I don’t remember anything from last night.

” As soon as he finished, muffled voices came from behind the curtains—some calling him a “scumbag,” others a “beast”—nothing good. Song Tongzhou’s eyebrows practically knotted, but he couldn’t explain it, so he voiced his suspicion, “I think I drank fake alcohol.” “After that Erguotou went down, I lost my memory.” “You bought the alcohol; the responsibility isn’t entirely mine.” Ye Hong was furious, “I bought the alcohol, did I tell you to drink it?” Was it for you to drink?

She had painstakingly gotten two packets of medicine from the countryside, and it ended up being used on her!  “Didn’t you use the money from the household expenses I gave you?” “The household expenses were almost gone, I used my own money to buy the alcohol!” Ye Hong insisted; she controlled the money, so her word was law. Song Tongzhou suddenly realized something, his face shocked, “Who were you planning to give that alcohol to?” Ye Hong’s eyes flickered, “Didn’t I say?” “It was to celebrate Chunfeng’s return. Since he didn’t drink it, I’ll return it and get my money back.”

 “You’re lying!” “The bottle was opened before I opened it.” Song Tongzhou recalled. Ye Hong thought, since the alcohol was gone, what evidence was there? So she boldly said, “You’re lying!” “You’re the only one who drinks at home, Chuntian occasionally drinks, but he wasn’t home; Chunfeng doesn’t drink, and the women don’t drink much.

 Could it have been Qingdai?” Song Tongzhou said clearly, “The point isn’t who opened the bottle, but that the alcohol was tampered with.” “I only did this to you because I drank that alcohol.

” Li Tiantian listened for a while, took a deep breath, lifted the curtain, and walked in, “It was Su Nan, that bitch, who drugged the alcohol.” Song Tongzhou’s face changed, “Did you see it with your own eyes?” “I have evidence.”

“There’s powder residue at the bottom of the bottle; that bitch drugged the alcohol.” “Uncle, you didn’t agree to her marriage with Brother Chunfeng, so she drugged you to get revenge… she’s terrible.” After hearing Li Tiantian’s words, Song Tongzhou was certain the Erguotou he drank last night was drugged.  Whether Su Nan did it, he wasn’t sure yet. “Tiantian, I’ll ask you again, did you see Su Nan drug the alcohol with your own eyes?” Li Tiantian subconsciously glanced at Ye Hong’s reaction.

Seeing her slightly shake her head, and considering that if she said yes, but hadn’t exposed it in time, causing him to drink the drugged alcohol… after much hesitation, Li Tiantian replied, “No.” “Alright, I’ll investigate this. You stay here and look after your mom.” Song Tongzhou went out, needing a quiet place to calm down.  After last night’s exertion, he felt exhausted. His composure today was purely willpower.

 Song Tongzhou accidentally fell asleep on a bench in the hospital corridor, sleeping for three hours. By now, four tables had been set up in the courtyard. Children occupied the seats, and adults were busy distributing bowls and chopsticks.  They waited for everyone to be seated before serving the food.

Chen Xiulan searched but didn’t see Song Tongzhou, Ye Hong, and Li Tiantian, muttering, “Song’s parents are something else. Their son’s wedding night, they had a passionate night, and today’s his wedding banquet, but they’re nowhere to be seen.  People might think they’re unhappy with the new daughter-in-law!” Qian Shangqing had suffered last night and couldn’t help but say, “Exactly.”

 “They’ve never made such a big fuss before, something’s fishy.” Song Chunxiao subconsciously looked at Su Nan, comforting her, “Second Sister-in-law, don’t listen to them, you’re such a good person, everyone in my family likes you.” “Qingdai, isn’t that right?” Song Qingdai nodded, pouting, “Second Auntie bought me so much candy, I like Second Auntie the most.” Hearing the word “candy,” Chen Xiulan swallowed. The wedding candy Su Nan gave yesterday had all gone to her two sons; she didn’t get a single piece. She thought for a moment and said, “Qingdai, too much candy will rot your teeth.”

“I’m a grown-up, I’m not afraid.  I’ll kindly help you share some candy.” Chen Xiulan said, reaching out for the candy. He Xiaomei slapped her hand away, “You want to grab candy from a child? Are you shameless?” Su Nan had hidden the candy she gave Qingdai.  Her worries were right; not only did older children steal candy from younger ones, but adults did too.  And they did it in front of her!

Chen Xiulan didn’t care, “It’s just a few candies!” “I’ve been unlucky lately, can’t I share in some good fortune?” Su Nan unexpectedly interjected, “I remember I gave you some candy yesterday.”

 “My two sons ate two each, and they were gone.” Chen Xiulan looked at Su Nan expectantly, hoping she would give her more.