Substitute Driver's Notes

Lu Feng returned happily and boldly picked up the wine bottle to open it.

Chen Guojun waved his hand: "Xiao Lu, I have two cases of good wine in the trunk of my car. Go and get them. I didn't expect your brother-in-law to be such a generous man. I'm going to drink to my heart's content today."

Li Wei grinned smugly, his eyes narrowing, his tongue slightly tied: "That's... true, when it comes to drinking, we've never been afraid of anyone. Old Chen, you have good wine, yet you... you're hoarding it, that's really not fair. A small cup of one and a half ounces... no fun, let's switch to a big cup. Today, no one is allowed to move until we're all drunk."

Lu Feng took the car keys and ran out, returning shortly with two cases of liquor. The labels on the cases clearly showed the 65-degree Niulanshan Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor). And, quite unkindly, he swapped them for a half-jin (250ml) large glass for Li Wei.

Chen Guojun took the bottle and filled Li Wei's glass: "Cheers." He sipped the shiny glass.

Li Wei picked up his glass and downed it in one gulp, smacking his lips and feeling a bit dizzy: "Brother Chen, what's wrong with your head? What kind of good wine is this? It tastes a bit like Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor). It's really strong."

"Three heads? Oh! That makes things easier. Sigh! I didn't expect the famous Brother Wei in the underworld to be so fussy and difficult to talk to, like a woman. I'm not happy about it, so of course my head is shaking."

Li Wei slammed his hand on the table, glaring at the table in denial: "Nonsense! Who dares say I'm slow and difficult to talk to?"

Chen Guojun didn't answer. He stood up, staggered, and walked to the coffee table. He took two pieces of paper from his briefcase and came back: "Is it easy? If you're a man, sign and put your fingerprint on them."

Without even glancing at it, Li Wei took the paper and pen, signed it, and pressed his fingerprint in the place designated by Lu Feng. He then handed it back to Lu Feng and remained silent, sitting on the stool as if about to collapse. No one noticed the fleeting sadness that crossed his eyes.

Chen Guojun carefully put the papers away and handed one of them to Lu Lili: "Hmm! You're a good man. Get some rest! I'll have Lu Feng take you home another day. Also, don't come back next month, just go home when your term is up. I give up, I can't outdrink you, I'm going home."

The alcohol was taking effect, and Li Wei shook his head, then tried to look around: "Something's wrong, the house is about to collapse, why is everything swaying? Brother Chen, just say the word if you need anything, I'll sell my life to you if necessary."

Lu Lili was both amused and exasperated: "Go to sleep quickly, you've drunk too much again. You act like you're seeing your ancestors whenever you see alcohol."

Li Wei gestured wildly and said, "I'm not drunk, I can still drink two jin, let's drink again."

Chen Guojun, leaning against the wall, swayed: "Should we call an ambulance? Most people couldn't handle the last half jin."

Lu Feng helped Li Wei walk towards the bedroom: "Boss, lean on the sofa for a while. My brother-in-law is like that. When he drinks too much, he lies down and falls asleep. He forgets everything tomorrow."

Chen Guojun sauntered over to the sofa and sat down: "That's good. Just don't drink too much and cause any trouble. Sister-in-law, don't worry about me. Just go and take good care of Li Wei. I'll arrange for someone to help you move in a couple of days after he goes back."

Lu Lili's eyes were a little red: "Thank you, Captain Chen."

"Why are you being so polite with me? Lu Feng is my apprentice, and also my brother. His business is my business. I'm also happy to have made a friend like Li Wei today. This guy's alcohol tolerance is incredible. If we were to drink fairly, even two of me wouldn't be a match for him."

Lu Lili quickly made Chen Guojun a strong cup of tea and went to the bedroom with worry.

Li Wei, with his eyes closed, shoved Lu Feng, saying, "Get out of here! I'm drinking, why are you taking off my clothes? My wife will kill you if she finds out."

Lu Lili chuckled softly, tears welling in her eyes, but she said gently, "Li Wei, you've had too much to drink. Go get some sleep!"

"Nonsense, how could I be drunk? I could drink two more bottles."

"Alright, alright, you're amazing! You can drink the most, no one can outdrink you."

Li Wei smiled smugly: "That's more like it. Hmm? That sounds like Lili's voice."

She barely opened her eyes: "Oh! At home!"

After saying that, she took off her shoes and lay down fully clothed, falling asleep instantly.

Lu Lili asked Lu Feng to help Li Wei take off his clothes and pull the blanket over him.

The siblings returned to the living room and saw Chen Guojun leaning against the sofa, half asleep. Lu Feng gave his sister a few instructions and called Chen Guojun a few times. When there was no response, he had no choice but to carry Chen Guojun away.

The door closed, and everything inside and outside became quiet. Lu Lili didn't tidy up; she went to the bedroom and quietly looked at the sleeping Li Wei.

After a long while, Li Wei suddenly muttered, "Wife, I'm sorry. I will definitely work hard to support the family from now on and never spend money recklessly again."

Lu Lili could no longer hold back; her nose tingled, and tears streamed down her face.

Yes! What skills do ordinary people have? Regardless of their vision, knowledge, connections, or experience, in real life, ordinary people can only struggle to make a better living.

In truth, the husband knew all this, but he used alcohol to cover it up. He understood everything, but he kept it all to himself, all for the sake of his own words.

He wanted to send his child to a good school and live in a big house. This generous, warm-hearted husband, who was willing to go to great lengths for his friends, never owed anyone a favor, and had no shame whatsoever.

I still remember the first time I met Li Wei. He was young and handsome, and I was nine months older than him. I asked him to call me "sister." I remember he blushed as soon as he opened his mouth. After a few times, we had feelings for each other, but neither of us was too shy to speak first.

He thought he didn't know, so he foolishly asked his friends to stop him, acting out some old-fashioned hero-saves-the-damsel-in-distress act.

This opportunity allowed the two to officially start dating. He, a big boy, always gave in to her. Although it was unclear whether it was love, the atmosphere was warm and cozy.

His friend didn't come to the wedding, fearing that he would recognize him and ruin his friend's marriage. Little did he know that he had already seen Li Wei's photos and recognized him long ago.

In all his years, Li Wei had only a few close friends who boasted to him every day about their life-or-death friendship. Suddenly, one of them stopped visiting him. He wondered if he would become suspicious.

He was grateful to the brother who had helped him in the past. When he heard that the brother was sick, he took out all his savings without hesitation and gave them to him, just for the sake of the brotherhood they had shared.

This is what the old man meant by "repaying a drop of kindness with a spring of gratitude."

Picking up the thin piece of paper, Lu Lili looked at the terms of the house exchange contract written on it with tears in her eyes.

Captain Chen had considered everything thoroughly; he was just waiting for me to go back and complete the formalities.

She both respected her husband's pride and showed him favor, all because her younger brother was his subordinate.

This debt of gratitude is hard to repay!

What do you have in your own home that others can take advantage of?

If this were ancient times, Li Wei's skills would have made him willing to risk his life for others, but now...

Forget it, let my husband and brother discuss it! What can an ordinary housewife like me do? I have my husband and brother to rely on, these two closest people, I just need to trust them.

Carefully putting away the paper, Lu Lili wiped away her tears and began tidying up the house. Listening to Li Wei's snoring, she suddenly felt incredibly at peace.

......