Siheyuan: A master brewer starts with a jar of bone-strengthening wine!

Liu Dong looked at Old Man He.

Old Man He waved his hand: "Aren't you going yet? Are you just standing there like a doorman?"

Liu Dong grinned: "Okay, I'll see Sister Xueru off."

A group of people laughed, clapped, and made a ruckus.

As Liu Dong stepped out of the tavern, he glanced around—

Another small axe popped out from Fan Jinyou's head!

Six times already!

……

The night breeze was slightly cool as Liu Dong and Chen Xueru walked side by side at the entrance of the alley.

Chen Xueru, who had been walking unsteadily as if she was about to fall, regained her footing and became instantly as clear-headed as could be.

"You weren't drunk at all?" Liu Dong couldn't help but give a thumbs up. "What a great actor!"

Chen Xueru raised her fair chin and smiled smugly: "My nickname is 'The One Who Can Drink a Thousand Cups'. A few sips of wine and you think you can get me drunk? What a joke."

She suddenly blinked, her eyes sparkling like stars: "By the way, that pot of wine you handed to Old Master Baishi today, it wasn't just any ordinary wine, was it?"

Those dark, bright eyes, in the night, were like glowing black jade, mysterious and captivating.

Liu Dong nodded: "Yes, it's medicinal wine."

"You know how to make medicinal wine?" Chen Xueru asked, looking surprised.

"It's a family heirloom," he said calmly. "My family has relied on this for generations."

The two crossed Qianmen Street and turned into a narrow alley.

At the entrance of the alley hangs a sign that reads "Xue Ru Silk Shop." The lights are still on, and although the door is closed, a warm yellow light still shines from inside.

"Old Gu is still keeping accounts," Chen Xueru said softly. "Come with me to the backyard, I have something to tell you."

She led Liu Dong through a side alley to her own courtyard.

After sitting down, she personally brewed a pot of fragrant flower tea.

"Little brother Liu Dong..." she said softly as she poured tea, "You know, I'm already nineteen, and I haven't met anyone I like yet."

"I've been introduced to many by relatives and friends, but none of them have met my standards."

She paused, then softened her voice: "Now... I've taken a liking to you."

After saying that, she sat back down in her chair. The usually bold and outspoken girl stammered as she spoke, a blush spreading across her face all the way to her ears.

"How about we start dating?"

She tilted her head slightly, a strand of hair slipped off her shoulder, and the sapphire earring on her ear swayed gently, like starlight dancing in the night.

Liu Dong remained silent.

With a calm expression, he picked up the teacup, blew on it, and slowly took a sip.

Chen Xueru's face was burning hot.

Damn! This is so embarrassing! But why is this guy so calm? He hasn't reacted at all?

But it was precisely this calm demeanor that made her heart race and made her like him more and more.

"Okay?" She shrank forward slightly, her lips pouting like a spoiled kitten.

"Ding-dong—"

A system notification sounded quietly:

"Super Brewing System, Story Mission Triggered!"

Mission objective: Establish a romantic relationship with Chen Xueru.

"Completion Reward: 888 million yuan + [Cursed Wine Vat] x1"

"Refuse the mission, same reward: 888 million yuan + [Cursed Wine Vat] x1"

"Accept the mission?"

【whether】

Liu Dong stared at the panel for a few seconds.

Whether you choose yes or no, the prize is the same.

It seems the system doesn't interfere with emotions; it's purely a matter of free rein.

So... should we agree, or leave it to chance?

He quickly went through it in his mind.

Now that I've been transported to this world, I'll have to settle down and start a family sooner or later.

The choice of the candidate is of utmost importance.

Currently, Chen Xueru and Xu Huizhen seem to be the two most suitable candidates.

Not only are they good-looking, but they are also intelligent, have high emotional intelligence, and are very good at doing business.

Especially Chen Xueru; if you married her and put her in a courtyard house, she would be far superior to Qin Huairu.

Why wouldn't you agree to such a good thing?

"drop."

He pointed his finger and selected "Yes".

The task is accepted.

"Are you worried... that since I'm rich and own a shop, people will say you're a kept man?" Chen Xueru offered to ease his worries. "Don't overthink it. Anyone who dares to gossip, I'll make sure they can't make a living on this street!"

Liu Dong smiled and said in a nonchalant tone, "You underestimate me."

"I don't care about your family's wealth or status."

"Whether it's dating or marriage," he looked directly into her eyes, "I'm willing to do either, and you're quite my type. But let's make one thing clear first—one condition."

Upon hearing that there was a chance, Chen Xueru quickly said, "Tell me, tell me!"

Liu Dong said sternly, "I won't interfere with your shop's business. But when it comes to important family matters that affect our future decisions, you have to listen to me."

"And you must listen!"

He knew the future trajectory and could avoid the pitfalls, but Chen Xueru was no pushover either; she had a stubborn personality. If they disagreed in the future, conflict would inevitably break out sooner or later.

Therefore, it's important to make things clear beforehand.

Chen Xueru was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Okay! I'll listen to you on all decisions concerning the fate of our family, and on our future."

Liu Dong nodded.

Chen Xueru's cheeks flushed again: "Then..."

She kept her head down, her voice almost inaudible: "Are we dating now? Should we... have a ceremony or something?"

After she finished speaking, her face turned as red as a ripe apple.

Liu Dong looked at her, a slight smile playing on his lips: "How about... a hug?"

……

After a tender moment, Chen Xueru's favorability rating soared to eight hearts.

Favorability: 8.

After leaving Chen Xueru's place, Liu Dong went back to the tavern on the way, nodded to Old Man He as a greeting, and then got on his tricycle and headed towards the courtyard house.

When we arrived, I pushed the car into the side room and locked it. I took a shower and lay down on the bed to prepare for sleep.

But even as he lay there, his mind kept racing.

On a whim, he opened the system and clicked "Enter Wine Cellar".

In the blink of an eye, the scene before him changed—he was already standing in that mysterious wine cellar.

Upon closer inspection, they discovered an extra vat.

Needless to say, the [Cursed Wine Jar] that the system just mentioned has arrived.

Alright, let's see what's so special about this thing.

The new vat is entirely red and about the same size as the "Strengthening Wine Vat".

As Liu Dong approached, a line of text immediately appeared in mid-air:

【Cursed Wine Jar】: A special device awarded by the system. The wine brewed from it is specifically used to deal with people who harbor resentment towards the host.

Liu Dong understood immediately.

Isn't this just a big gift prepared for our enemies?

Hehe, you've come at the perfect time.

The system also conveniently inserted an instruction manual into his brain, clearly explaining how to use it.

The first step is to brew wine—something called "cursed wine."

I don't have any raw liquor on hand right now, so I'll have to wait until tomorrow to get some.

After sleeping that night, Liu Dong set off on his tricycle at dawn the next day, heading straight for Niulanshan.

Because I got up early, I arrived at the place at eight o'clock.

The old place – Zhan's Distillery.

"Oh? You're here again?" It was the same young shopkeeper, greeting him with a beaming smile. "How much do you want today?"

Liu Dong got out of the car and stood at the door.

The shopkeeper was quite hospitable and offered me a cigarette.