Power and Wealth

It's ten o'clock.

In the small banquet hall.

Under the consecutive toasts from Lu Weiguo, Chen Mingming, and others, Dong Xuebing has already consumed about 500 ml of white liquor. His entire being is swaying, and he can't even stand steadily. Constantly, Chang Juan and Gong Na swiftly support him on either side, both anxious.

Mayor Dong drank too much.

This is bad.

Chang Juan quickly decides, "Let's leave the table first."

Chen Mingming immediately says, "We haven't left yet. How can we leave the table?"

Lu Weiguo laughs, "Right, no one is allowed to leave early today. Let's continue drinking."

Annoyed, Chen Yunsong says, "Mayor Dong can't handle it anymore. If he continues, something bad might happen."

An official from the city's investment promotion department says, "We're just starting to enjoy ourselves. We can't leave now."

Gong Na is also full of resentment. The goal of getting Mayor Dong drunk has already been achieved, but these people are not satisfied. They still want to force more alcohol into Mayor Dong. They won't stop until Mayor Dong is sent to the hospital. Mayor Dong's alcohol tolerance is not good. If they continue like this, it might lead to casualties. This is not a trivial matter. How many cases of sudden death due to alcohol poisoning have occurred?

Chang Juan no longer cares, "Xuebing, let's go."

But Dong Xuebing, shaking off their hands, says with a tongue-tied voice, "Why leave? I haven't had enough yet. Um, let's keep drinking."

Chen Yunsong quickly says, "You are already drunk."

Dong Xuebing sways and says, "I'm not drunk, it's still early."

Someone cheers, "Right, Mayor Dong has a great alcohol tolerance. Let's have one more."

Someone shouts, "Mayor Dong has great alcohol tolerance. Let's have another one."

Chang Juan and Gong Na are frustrated. They can't pull him away. Despite this situation, Dong Xuebing picks up a full cup of liquor, "It's not fair for me to drink alone. Come, I propose this toast. Let's all drink together."

An official from the city's investment promotion department says, "Don't drink together. I'll have a toast with you."

Dong Xuebing shakes his head, holding up the filled cup, "Let's all drink together. I won't drink if even one person is missing." Holding the cup up, he looks at everyone.

Lu Weiguo blinks, then raises his cup.

People from the City Investment Promotion Bureau also stood up.

Except for Chang Juan, Chen Yunsong, and others, the remaining people from the city and county investment promotion departments have their cups filled.

Chen Mingming, almost reaching his limit, hesitates when he looks at the cup in his hand, but seeing Dong Xuebing's drunken state, he says nothing.

"It's all filled."

"All filled, let's drink."

"Come on, cheers."

In the small banquet hall with about fifty people, everyone clinks glasses with each other, clinking glasses echoing constantly. The room is filled with the smell of alcohol, and the scene is quite lively.

Lu Weiguo takes a sip.

Chen Mingming takes a sip.

Ma Yanfen and others also take a sip.

More than fifty people have varying alcohol tolerance. Some, who hadn't even taken a sip of alcohol, had very poor tolerance. Chen Mingming, Ma Yanfen, and a few others who had already consumed a considerable amount were among them. After this round, over a dozen people immediately fell. Chen Mingming, stumbling over a chair, was almost about to fall to the ground. A subordinate nearby quickly supported him. Seeing Chen Mingming had closed his eyes and started mumbling incoherently, they carried him to a sofa in the corner. Ma Yanfen was also a bit tipsy but managed to stay on her feet, while Lu Weiguo had a similar floating look in his eyes. As for the other dozen or so people who fell, some rushed to the restroom to vomit, some sprayed directly onto the floor, and a few just lay motionless on the table. The typical person's alcohol tolerance is usually only around 200 to 300 ml of liquor, and drinking a 500 ml is already considered quite impressive. They used large cups, and each cup of liquor equaled 150 ml. Moreover, it was strong liquor consumed in one go. The fact that only about a dozen people fell was relatively low.

The scene became chaotic.

However, just when everyone thought that Dong Xuebing, who was already extremely drunk, would surely collapse after this round, he was still standing there. Although he seemed even more limp than before, he hadn't fallen yet. Chang Juan and Gong Na supported him, and Dong Xuebing could still speak.

"Come," Dong Xuebing said, with a tongue-tied manner, "Let's keep drinking."

Lu Weiguo, Ma Yanfen, and others rubbing their dizzy heads, looked at Dong Xuebing with wrinkled brows, cursing silently. Why hasn't this guy fallen yet?

But it's sure to happen soon.

Looking at his appearance, he won't be able to withstand another cup of liquor.

An official from the city's investment promotion department said, "Mayor Dong, let's have a drink."

Dong Xuebing, casual as ever, said, "Drinking with just two people is not interesting. I propose a toast to all our comrades from the city's investment promotion. Let's all finish it."

The official said, "They can't handle anymore."

Dong Xuebing said, "We're still far from being finished. If you don't drink, then I won't drink either."

"Alright, alright, let's do it." The official glanced at the others.

Dong Xuebing clinked glasses with each of them, about ten people, and then both sides drank up.

Dong Xuebing was the slowest drinker as if each sip was like swallowing poison. The people from the City Investment Promotion side also struggled. Just a few minutes ago, they had downed around 150 ml, and now, with many still not finished their glasses, they were collapsing. After toasting, the remaining few people also vomited and fell.

The City Investment Promotion team was almost entirely defeated.

Among the fifty people present, more than half had fallen.

Dong Xuebing also collapsed amidst the exclamations of surprise from people like Chang Juan and Gong Na. But just as Lu Weiguo and others relaxed their expressions, Dong Xuebing climbed up from the chair again.

"Keep drinking," Dong Xuebing shouted with a hoarse voice.

Hearing this, everyone felt a bit dizzy.ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ Novᴇ(l)ꜰɪre .ɴᴇt

Chang Juan said, "Xuebing, you can't continue. Let's go back."

Dong Xuebing ignored her, "Today, anyone who stops me from drinking is my enemy. If you leave, I'll be at odds with you."

He finished speaking and nearly fell to the ground again.

Gong Na was almost in tears, "Mayor Dong!"

In this state, how would they negotiate with foreign investors tomorrow?

However, Dong Xuebing staggered towards Ma Yanfen, picked up a bottle of wine, poured a glass full, and sprinkled a good amount. Then, he raised his glass and said, "Director Ma, I propose a toast to the comrades from Yangli County."

Ma Yanfen shook her head, "I really can't drink anymore, Mayor Dong."

"Old Ma, I just gave you face earlier, and we toasted. What's the meaning of this? If you don't give me face, hmm, don't give me face?" Dong Xuebing stared.

Ma Yanfen felt a bit lightheaded; she really couldn't drink anymore.

Lu Weiguo deeply looked at her.

With a fierce face, Ma Yanfen could only lift her wine glass and the remaining people from Yangli County.

After a glass, Ma Yanfen couldn't finish it and collapsed, leaning on the table and unable to get up. The other few staff members from Yangli County were also completely defeated.