Thrown out of the house, the wet nurse enters the noble household and becomes a person of high statu

Pei Dingxuan also noticed Pei Zeyu's actions in taking care of the child.

Both of them inwardly cursed his excessive flattery.

But today is Lunar New Year's Eve, a joyous occasion.

The two suppressed their turbulent thoughts, which manifested in the movements of their chopsticks.

Pei Dingxuan picked up a piece of fish, removed the fine bones, and put it in her bowl.

Not to be outdone, Third Master scooped up a full spoonful of braised pork and piled it into a small mountain.

Liu Wenying looked at the ever-growing pile of food in her bowl, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"That's enough, that's enough, the bowl is almost overflowing..."

Seeing that he couldn't pick up any food, Pei Dingxuan poured him a glass of wine and handed it to him.

"It's a festive occasion, how about a drink?"

"I can't drink; I have to keep an eye on the children later."

Pei Dingxuan was about to persuade him again when Pei Zeyu spoke up unhurriedly.

"Don't worry, I'll look after the children. Once they've eaten and played enough, I'll carry them to the side room to sleep."

There were no worries about the future, and no excuses to refuse drinks.

Liu Wenying pinched her nose and took a sip; the cup was very shallow.

Good wine is not harsh on the throat and has a smooth, mellow taste.

Liu Wenying opened her eyes wide in surprise, still relatively conscious.

She didn't get drunk from just one cup.

Pei Dingxuan refilled her cup. "Yingniang, have another drink. It's New Year's Eve, so don't be too formal."

Pei Yaojun reached out to stop her, "Brother, Yingying has a very low alcohol tolerance..."

"It's just a cup or two, Yingniang, what do you say?"

Liu Wenying shook her head; she didn't feel dizzy from just one drink, and besides, she didn't want to disappoint Pei Dingxuan on New Year's Eve.

"I'm fine, I can still drink a little more."

Seeing that she accepted it without refusing him, Pei Dingxuan smiled.

Pei Yaojun, who had been trying to stop the drinking, seemed superfluous and had no choice but to reluctantly withdraw his hand. Why was his elder brother so persuasive today?

After Liu Wenying drank three cups, Pei Dingxuan stopped trying to persuade her and instead set his sights on Pei Yaojun.

Since Liu Wenying can no longer drink, let him finish the rest.

Pei Zeyu also picked up his wine cup, took a small sip, and glanced back and forth between Pei Dingxuan and Pei Yaojun, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes.

The eldest brother wanted to get Wenying or the third brother drunk.

Either way, it was advantageous to him and to them.

Pei Zeyu raised his cup to Pei Dingxuan, "Brother, I'm happy today, so I'll toast you."

Pei Dingxuan also raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Their eyes met briefly in mid-air before looking away.

He said nothing, yet understood everything.

They briefly became allies.

The drinking became increasingly lively afterward.

Pei Yaojun was toasted by Pei Dingxuan and Pei Zeyu in turn, for all sorts of reasons.

What's the point of kneading dough so hard, or choosing the right wine...

He was straightforward and never refused anyone's drink. After a few drinks, his tongue started to limp and his eyes began to wander.

Liu Wenying's side was also not quiet.

Pei Dingxuan then used various excuses to pour her more wine.

Pei Zeyu chimed in gently, "Just a little, enough to fit the occasion."

Even so, the wine glass remained full.

She had a low alcohol tolerance to begin with, and after a few cups of warm wine, her cheeks gradually flushed red, and her eyes became hazy.

"No... I really can't drink anymore..."

Pei Yaojun felt heartbroken and stood up to block him, but his older brother pressed him back into his seat.

"Third brother, you haven't finished your wine yet."

Over there, Liu Wenying drank another cup under Pei Zeyu's gentle coaxing.

After several rounds of drinks, Pei Yaojun finally couldn't hold on any longer, his head lolled to the side, and he slumped onto the table, motionless.

Liu Wenying also leaned over the table, her eyelashes fluttering, her breathing long and shallow, completely drunk.

Pei Zeyu had already carried the children back to the house.

Only Pei Dingxuan and Pei Zeyu remained at the table, staring at each other across the mess of cups and plates.

Pei Zeyu spoke first, "Big brother, it's getting late. I'll take Wenying back to her room to rest."

"No need, I'll do it." Pei Dingxuan stood up.

"Brother has also drunk quite a bit, and he might be unsteady on his feet. Let me do it."

Without saying a word, Pei Dingxuan walked around the table and headed towards Liu Wenying.

Pei Zeyu remained calm and blocked his path, saying, "Why argue, elder brother?"

Pei Dingxuan's gaze was deep and intense.

The two remained locked in a standoff, neither willing to back down an inch.

A moment later, Pei Zeyu smiled.

"Since that's the case, why don't we have a few more drinks? Whoever collapses first loses, and the winner will take Wenying back to her room."

"Since it's my second brother's suggestion, I, the eldest brother, will naturally oblige."

The wine was refilled.

One cup, two cups, three cups.

As he drank one cup after another, the clarity in Pei Zeyu's eyes gradually faded, and his aura weakened.

But Pei Dingxuan wasn't much better off than him.

His cheeks were flushed from drinking, and his eyes began to glaze over.

He forced himself to drink another glass, but as soon as he put the glass down, he swayed and collapsed onto the table.

"Brother, you flatter me."

Pei Zeyu's smile remained composed.

He was prepared and secretly took a hangover cure before the meal.

He got up and gently picked up Liu Wenying, who was completely drunk and unconscious.

She was as soft as a cloud in his arms, her cheek pressed against his chest, her breathing even and warm.

The tenderness in his eyes grew stronger as he carried her steadily toward the bedroom.

Behind him was a messy table, two drunk men passed out, and a swaying lantern.

Pei Zeyu did not turn around.

Naturally, he didn't see that after he left, Pei Dingxuan, who was lying on the table, slowly opened his eyes.

His eyes were clear; there was not a trace of drunkenness in them.

……

There were no lights on inside, but the charcoal brazier in the corner glowed with a warm, glowing red glow, creating a cozy atmosphere.

Liu Wenying was placed on the bed, sinking into the soft bedding, her long hair slightly loose.

Her cheeks flushed slightly from the alcohol, and she frowned as she tugged at the fuzzy collar.

"hot……"

Pei Zeyu covered her with a blanket, saying, "Even if you're hot, you can't take it off, or you'll catch a cold."

Liu Wenying acted as if she hadn't heard, still struggling with the tie at her collar.

She was so drunk that her fingers wouldn't obey her commands, and the thin ribbon she pulled on became increasingly tight, eventually forming a knot that was impossible to untangle.

"Ugh, I can't untangle it..."

She let out a frustrated hum.

"I'll do it," Pei Zeyu chuckled.

He lowered his head and, by the dim light of the charcoal fire, patiently untied the thin ribbon.

My fingertips inevitably touched the skin on the side of her neck; it was warm and delicate.

Feeling itchy, Liu Wenying shrank her neck and looked at him groggily.

His eyes, clouded with moisture from intoxication, were hazy and dreamlike, like a stream reflecting moonlight in a forest.

Pei Zeyu's breath caught in his throat.

The knot was finally untied, and the fur collar and outer garment loosened.

He did not get up and leave.

His gaze traveled from her eyes, across the tip of her nose, and finally settled on her lips.

Her lips were reddish, softly pursed, as if offering a silent invitation.

"darling……"

She blinked, not quite realizing what was happening, before his kiss landed on her lips.

His kisses were extremely slow and deep, as if he wanted to tear her apart and devour her whole, yet he couldn't bear to hurt her.

Liu Wenying was gasping for breath; the last bit of air in her chest was about to be taken away.

She mustered her strength and reached out to push him.

"No, I don't want dumplings, I'm too full."

She was so drunk that she mistook a kiss for feeding dumplings.

Pei Zeyu lowered his head, and a muffled laugh came from his chest, full of indulgence and pampering.

"Hmm, I don't eat dumplings."

He paused, his nose touching hers, their breaths mingling, and said, "Let's eat something else."

…………