Chapter 41.1

Everything was in chaos.

The plan had been devised by Yu Zeheng. Having been close friends with Lin Jinshen for years, he had never seen him drunk. Not because he had extraordinary tolerance for alcohol, but simply because he rarely drank. Even when he did, it was just for show—he wouldn’t let anyone pressure him. If they tried, he might even lecture them about the dangers of alcohol.

This time, however, presented a rare opportunity.

Yu Zeheng crossed his legs and said, “It’s simple. I’ll take the lead, and you two back me up. The three of us together—there’s no way we can’t outdrink him, right?”

They got the idea.

They understood.

But execution turned out to be vastly different from the plan, and not in a small way.

None of them had seen Lin Jinshen drunk before. After a few rounds, they thought, Surely he’s tipsy by now. But there he sat, composed and steady, his face unchanged, his eyes sharp, and his conversation as smooth as ever.

Since he didn’t seem affected, they had no choice but to keep pouring.

Yu Zeheng himself began to feel the effects, pressing his fingers to his brow several times, while Ji Changming and Gu Yu paced themselves and monitored the situation.

In the end, they failed to get Lin Jinshen drunk. Instead, Yu Zeheng was the first to succumb.

He grabbed his phone and dialed a number, but when it didn’t connect, he laughed at himself, tossed the phone aside, and stood up. He shook champagne bottles one after the other, popping their corks and spraying the contents over the dance floor and the crowd. His wild grin was both reckless and maniacal, as if he were determined to push the atmosphere to its peak.

“…”

Ji Changming and Gu Yu exchanged glances.

Was this guy seriously unreliable?

Taking on the responsibility, Ji Changming turned to Lin Jinshen, who was now leaning back on the sofa with his head lowered, hands resting on the armrests, as if he had fallen asleep.

“Jinshen?”

He called out tentatively.

But the noise in the room swallowed his voice completely.

With no other choice, Ji Changming sat down beside him and said, “Jinshen, your tolerance is amazing. You even outdrank Zeheng.”

Just as he finished, Lin Jinshen abruptly raised his head. His expression was weary from the alcohol, his thick brows furrowed, and he asked, “What are you talking about?”

In the dim light, only at close range could they see his unusual state.

It wasn’t that he had an exceptional tolerance; he was drunk. He just didn’t show it outwardly, and they hadn’t realized it, so they kept pouring drinks down his throat. Now, it seemed like they were the ones getting themselves knocked out instead.

Ji Changming’s expression turned complicated. “Jinshen, you are drunk.”

“This is what drunk looks like?” Gu Yu gestured toward the chaos, clearly implying Yu Zeheng, who was still acting like a maniac. “Then what’s that?”

Ji Changming could only shrug helplessly.

They had spent so much effort trying to get Lin Jinshen drunk, but the result was disappointing. How could someone’s drunken state be so boring? If he were even half as wild as Yu Zeheng, it might have been worth the trouble.

“What’s Zeheng doing?” Lin Jinshen narrowed his eyes in annoyance.

Ji Changming answered honestly, “He’s drunk.”

“He’s wasting alcohol. It’s noisy. Tell him to sit down and stop embarrassing himself.” Lin Jinshen’s sharp gaze scanned the room critically, and he called over staff to brighten the lights, complaining that it was too dark, and to change the music because it was too loud.

“Is this what Jinshen’s like when drunk?” Ji Changming hesitated to stay near Lin Jinshen, worried he might get himself “replaced” for being an eyesore.

Gu Yu nodded. “Pretty much. Drunk Jinshen is just an amplified version of sober Jinshen.”

Lin Jinshen’s drunken state wasn’t wildly different, but his fussiness and temper were noticeably heightened. He also talked more, cementing his reputation as an overbearing perfectionist.

Yu Zeheng returned to their area, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, his demeanor more unrestrained than ever. Raising a glass, he said, “Jinshen, congratulations. You’re stepping into the same grave I did—marriage.”

Lin Jinshen stared at him, his dark eyes devoid of any warmth, and made no move to clink glasses.

Ji Changming whispered to Gu Yu, “Doesn’t Jinshen look like he wants to kill someone?”

“Understandable,” Gu Yu replied. “Imagine a divorced guy telling you, on the eve of your wedding, that you’re about to follow in his footsteps. How would you feel?”

Ji Changming nodded. “Think they’ll fight?”

Gu Yu shrugged. “Let them brawl a bit. We’ll step in later.”

“I’m ready to record the moment.” Ji Changming pulled out his phone, ready to capture the drama.

“…”

Yu Zeheng didn’t mind the lack of a toast and downed his drink himself. “As someone who’s been through it, let me give you some advice: don’t invest too much—by which I don’t mean money. Think it through from the start. Your marriage isn’t about love. It’s about equal footing and mutual benefits…”

And just like that, the two began arguing about marriage.

Lin Jinshen countered, “You agreed to the divorce, Yu Zeheng. Remember? We all told you to think it through, but you said you were sure. Now, what’s this display for?”

“You knew she didn’t love me. What’s the point of staying married?” Yu Zeheng shot back.

“Who said it has to make sense?” Lin Jinshen’s voice remained cold, his posture commanding. “Even if it’s meaningless now, how can you know it won’t be someday? You only find out if you live it through.”

Yu Zeheng scowled. “I won’t argue with someone who didn’t even hold a wedding.”

Lin Jinshen sneered. “And you think I want to argue with someone who’s divorced?”

Yu Zeheng, provoked, leaned across the table. “Then let me ask you—if someday your wife wants a divorce because she doesn’t love you or loves someone else, what will you do? Agree or not?”

“Your hypothetical doesn’t apply.”

Ji Changming and Gu Yu exchanged glances, fully engrossed in the escalating argument, even wishing they had snacks to go with the show.

Lin Jinshen calmly replied, “Love? It’s just a chemical reaction in the body. How long does it last? A day? A week? A month? For such an absurd reason, why should I agree?”

“…”

The argument grew more heated.

Yu Zeheng pressed on. “What if she runs off with someone else?”

Lin Jinshen’s tone remained icy and unwavering. “Then I’ll bring her back.”

That was it. Any further discussion would veer into criminal territory.

Sensing things getting out of hand, Ji Changming and Gu Yu quickly stepped in to separate them. Once apart, Lin Jinshen sat back with a long leg casually extended, his imposing presence undiminished. Sitting upright, he massaged his brow and thought about calling Lu Yi to come fetch him.

He asked for his phone and, with ease, unlocked it using facial recognition.

Opening the contacts, he was stunned to see the top pinned contact: “Wife.”

Ji Changming clutched his chest in mock heartbreak. His contact wasn’t pinned, and his name was saved in full.

The difference stung.

Ji Changming exited the contacts and made the call.

A few seconds later, the line connected. Glancing uneasily at the man next to him, Ji Changming said, “Hello, sister-in-law? Hello, it’s Ji Changming.”

—

After receiving the call, Lu Yi put down her phone. Though exasperated, she explained the situation to her friends.

“I’ll head out now.”

Yu Yin stopped her. “Wait, can you manage on your own? Lin Jinshen is so big, and if he’s drunk, he’ll be even heavier.”

“Exactly. Drunk people are deadweight. My suggestion? Take us with you,” Wu Sidong said earnestly, though his true intention was clear—he’d already heard about the wild partying at Tang Palace and was itching to go.

“I volunteer. I can even lift his legs if needed.”

“…”

Their friends’ gazes were filled with longing, as if begging for the words “Please take us with you” to be written on their faces.

Lu Yi couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright,” she said.

The group drove to Tang Palace.

Ji Changming had already informed the security staff in advance, ensuring smooth access. Although there were fewer people than usual, the energy was wild. The club had been transformed into a bar, with music blasting so loudly it seemed capable of rupturing eardrums. It was hard to imagine Lin Jinshen staying in such a chaotic place for so long, let alone drinking to the point of intoxication.

A staff member led them inside.

“You’re finally here, Sis-in-law!” An unfamiliar young man with a boyish face appeared, his eyes sparkling with relief, as if seeing salvation.

Lu Yi was momentarily speechless.

Ji Changming stopped and, noticing Lu Yi’s confusion, awkwardly scratched his head before introducing himself. “Sorry, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Ji Changming, and this is Gu Yu. We’re both friends of Shen-ge.”

“Nice to meet you,” Lu Yi responded politely. “I’m Lu Yi.”

She then introduced her friends one by one. “Sorry for bringing my friends along. I hope that’s okay?”

“Of course! No problem at all,” Ji Changming said enthusiastically. “Your friends are our friends too.”

As he greeted everyone, his gaze landed on Yu Yin. For a moment, he froze. Rubbing his hands together nervously, he asked, “Excuse me, are you the vlogger Chang Ya? I watch every one of your episodes—never miss a single one! You’re even more stunning in person than on camera. I’m your long-time fan.”

Technically speaking, when she had just around ten thousand followers, he was already paying attention!

“… Thank you,” Yu Yin said with a surprised but amused smile, evidently not expecting to run into a fan here.

Before Ji Changming could say more, Gu Yu yanked him back by the collar. “Alright, stop embarrassing yourself,” Gu Yu muttered.

Lu Yi looked around but didn’t see Lin Jinshen. She asked, “Where is Lin Jinshen?”

“He’s inside,” Ji Changming pointed toward a direction.

“Thanks.”

After confirming the location, Lu Yi said goodbye to her friends and walked ahead.

Lin Jinshen was in a private entertainment room with double doors. A staff member slowly opened the doors for her, revealing a space adorned with intricate wood carvings, traditional ink paintings, and pear wood furniture. The room’s classical aesthetic was a sharp contrast to the modern chaos outside—it felt like stepping into an ancient scroll.

The room was larger than it appeared from the outside. It contained a tea table, a pool table, and even an indoor golf area, providing every conceivable luxury.

In one corner sat a familiar, tall figure.

The light illuminated his face, his eyes closed, and his brows furrowed slightly, exuding a faint discomfort from drunkenness. He seemed impatient, but sitting there motionless, he resembled a statue from one of the sculpture exhibitions Lu Yi had once curated. His proportions were impeccable, his lines sharp and strong—he was a masterpiece.