After introducing the dishes, Jin Xiaomei had a waiter push in a cart of wine, yes, a cart, like the ones hotel housekeeping staff push down hallways, double-layered, and completely full of wine bottles.
Adhering to the principle of not drinking and driving, I offered to be their designated driver and advised Shen Xingyue not to drink either. But Shen Xingyue wouldn't listen, saying if I didn't let her drink, she'd drink even more, and then drive, daring anyone to stop her. Fine, she was a Shakespeare, she had privileges.
However, I knew Shen Xingyue's alcohol tolerance wasn't great; she had gotten drunk in my room last time, almost testing my resolve. So, I suggested she take it easy and perhaps stick to beer.
The more I tried to persuade Shen Xingyue, the more spirited she became. Employing reverse psychology, she directly ordered the strongest local Baijiu, "Tiesha Mountain," at 52% alcohol.
"Tiesha Mountain?" Yao Yao took the bottle and examined it for a while. "I've never heard of it. I only know there used to be a mountain called Tiecha Mountain here."
"Wow, Sister Jin, you really know a lot," Jin Xiaomei applauded. "Tiesha Mountain is a famous mountain in our Benxi. It was indeed called Tiecha Mountain in ancient times. Later, a disciple of the Longmen Sect of Taoism changed 'cha' to 'sha.' 'Sha' means a place for cultivation. Tiecha Mountain, Tiesha Mountain – just one character difference, and the essence shines through, symbolizing ancient temples as strong as iron, reaching the heavens with purity."
Yao Yao suddenly understood. "So that's how it is. A good change!"
Shen Xingyue seemed unimpressed and softly asked, "Did you happen to fight any battles here?"
"No, no," Yao Yao waved her hand. "This area of Benxi was not a strategic location, so there were no battles to fight. Back then, we attacked from east to west, taking the northern route, which is the current Fushun line."
"...What are you guys talking about? I don't understand," Jin Xiaomei wondered. She only knew we were close with the demon race but was unaware of Yao Yao's true identity.
Fortunately, Shen Xingyue didn't chime in. She had read the Manchu archives extensively and had spent a lot of time wandering in the Northeast, so she certainly knew the history of the Later Jin Dynasty's rise to power.
Enough small talk, let's talk about the food. They called it "going dishes" because they were all signature dishes, and they were served extremely quickly. Within three minutes, four dishes had already arrived. According to local custom, with four dishes served, one could start drinking. Jin Xiaomei left her seat and poured Baijiu for the three of them – I was drinking Sprite, but Jin Xiaomei personally poured that too.
Yao Yao and Shen Xingyue were relatively polite, and there were no further arguments. They ate their own meals amicably. The fox demon accompanied Shen Xingyue. The fox demon was too adept; it mistook "accompanying well" for "coaxing to drink." In no time, it had tricked Shen Xingyue into finishing a full cup of Tiesha Mountain Baijiu. It was the same proof as the Wuliangye we drank at Milan Western Pastry before. Unsurprisingly, before Jin Xiaomei could pour a second glass, Shen Xingyue had passed out, slumped on the table, fast asleep.
Jin Xiaomei still felt a bit self-reproachful. I said it was fine, she could sleep, and we could continue eating.
We ate normally, and the meal started a bit early, finishing before one in the afternoon.
Shen Xingyue was still sleeping. Yao Yao asked what to do, suggesting they take her back.
"Take her back where? To Chessboard Mountain?" I asked with a frown. That was our secret base, still undiscovered by Shakespeare.
"Find a hotel and take her to a room. No need to rush back to Chessboard Mountain. I want to walk around Tiesha Mountain and take a look," Yao Yao said.
Jin Xiaomei immediately made a phone call and arranged a hotel room next to the restaurant, getting two rooms for us to rest.
The fox demon and I took Shen Xingyue to her room. Yao Yao said she was going hiking, and Jin Xiaomei would accompany her. I was about to go too, but Yao Yao asked me to stay and look after Shen Xingyue. To avoid any suspicion, I wanted to leave the fox demon behind, but Yao Yao said the fox demon also wanted to go hiking, leaving only Mengmeng with me as a guard.
This guard's alcohol tolerance was also not great, and she loved to drink. She was already tipsy, her eyes hazy. After Yao Yao left, Mengmeng kicked off her shoes and lay down on the sofa, quickly falling asleep. I sat by the bed, looking at the sleeping Shen Xingyue on my left and Mengmeng, whose small feet were flushed red from drinking, on my right. I couldn't help but let out a proud laugh.
Did Yao Yao deliberately give me an opportunity...