Fang Rumei's sudden words silenced the entire table.
All eyes turned to Qin Chuan and Yang Zimo.
Qin Chuan frowned slightly, glanced at Fang Rumei sitting beside him, and then at Yang Zimo in front of him.
"Today is Miss An Nuo's birthday, not Zimo's. Why are you all insisting on making Zimo drink with you?"
Qin Chuan voiced his inner doubts.
"Of course, it's because our Zimo is usually as ethereal as a fairy, never touching the mortal world!"
This time, before Fang Rumei could speak, a woman with a heroic spirit sitting opposite said decisively.
"Furthermore, among us, during any joyous celebration, those who accompany the host in toasting are required to drink. It's an ancient custom."
Qin Chuan looked astonished. He genuinely didn't know the customs of the provincial capital. If that were the case, then Teacher Yang would indeed have a hard time escaping.
Seeing the atmosphere become a little tense, An Nuo, as the host, immediately said with a smile, "How about this, Zimo hasn't been feeling well lately. I'll toast everyone on her behalf."
"No!"
Unexpectedly, before An Nuo's words could even finish, there was a chorus of opposition. Everyone except Yang Conglong seemed determined to make Yang Zimo drink.
An Nuo was helpless and looked at her best friend with a wry smile.
If she had known this would happen, she would have chosen someone else.
"You... Fine! Very well! I remember your performance today..."
Yang Zimo swept her gaze coldly across the room. Several people felt a prickle of unease under her clear, cold eyes and instinctively avoided her gaze, as if the 'gentle and lovely' Teacher Yang possessed something terrifying.
"Heh heh, as long as Zimo drinks this cup today, we'll accept any revenge you take later!"
Lü Xiaoshu said with a smirk.
Yang Zimo rolled her eyes hatefully, picked up a glass of baijiu from the tray, and said to Qin Chuan, "Come on, let's finish this together!"
Qin Chuan quickly picked up his glass, clinked it with Teacher Yang's, and they both drank it down.
"Good!!!"
Applause erupted from the table, as if them making Yang Zimo drink was a great achievement.
After downing the drink, a beautiful blush spread across Yang Zimo's delicate, fair, and picturesque face.
Her normally cool, fairy-like demeanor lessened, replaced by a touch of feminine charm, making her appear very beautiful and captivating.
That glass of wine was not small, about thirty grams.
"Look, doesn't Zimo, after drinking, seem more human, not some celestial fairy anymore!"
Lü Xiaoshu noticed the change in Yang Zimo's face and immediately started teasing.
"Haha, isn't that right? Zimo looks even more beautiful now! And she's much more down-to-earth!"
Ma Wenbo chimed in.
"This drink was truly worth it!"
"Seeing Zimo's transformation tonight makes this trip worthwhile!"
Qin Chuan also noticed Yang Zimo's rapid change after drinking the wine. At this moment, he finally understood why these people were so insistent on making his Teacher Yang drink.
Yang Zimo, in her current state, was truly alluring and captivating. If it weren't for the inappropriate setting, Qin Chuan feared he might have been tempted to do something audacious again.
"An Nuo, have Xiao Mo stay at our table for dinner. You can find someone else to toast with."
Yang Conglong suddenly said to An Nuo.
An Nuo thought for a moment and nodded, "That's fine. It's true that Zimo toasting with me would be too conspicuous, and many people would take the opportunity to target her."
This remark essentially insulted everyone who had been teasing, but they were all thick-skinned and didn't seem to care.
And so, Yang Zimo stayed at the table for dinner, while An Nuo called over another sister to join her in toasting.
"Zimo, come sit here!"
"Zimo, come sit with me!"
The remaining Yang Zimo immediately became popular, with many guys wanting her to sit by their side.
"All of you, scram. I'll sit next to my brother!"
Yang Zimo said with a playful curse.
Seeing this, Qin Chuan immediately gave up his seat, as he was sitting with his brother-in-law.
Then, he brought over a chair from the side and quickly sat down.
Once Yang Zimo was settled, the atmosphere at the table drastically changed. Lü Xiaoshu, who had been the most assertive earlier, poured a full glass of baijiu, stood up, and said to Yang Zimo with a smirk, "Zimo, this drink represents my utmost sincerity."
"Considering our ten years of friendship, please be magnanimous and don't hold it against me."
As Lü Xiaoshu spoke, Ma Wenbo and others, who had also been very assertive, including Fang Rumei, all raised their glasses and spoke flattering words to Yang Zimo.
"Xiao Shu is absolutely right. Our small arms and legs can't withstand Zimo's terrifying counterattack."
"Please spare us!"
"Please spare us!!"
"Please spare us!!!"
The rapid shift in the situation left Qin Chuan stunned, his eyes constantly scanning Teacher Yang's face.
If he had had any doubts about Huang Qi's previous evaluation of Yang Zimo, he had none now.
It was confirmed!
The 'gentle and lovely' Teacher Yang, the Fairy Yang, in his mind truly had another side.
This side was so powerful that it made these top second-generation rich kids transform from young wolves into little puppies, wagging their tails and begging for mercy.
"You... you bunch of guys..."
Yang Zimo's peripheral vision caught Qin Chuan's shock. At this moment, she felt dizzy. Her hands, hidden under the table, clenched into fists, wishing she could escape the table immediately.
Not for any other reason than that her carefully crafted image in front of Qin Chuan had completely collapsed!
Yang Zimo didn't dare to think about the consequences. For the first time in over twenty years, she felt an unprecedented panic.
Finally, Yang Zimo couldn't take it anymore and yelled, "All of you, shut up!!"
The table immediately fell silent. Even Yang Conglong, who was leisurely drinking his beverage and watching the show, flinched, spilling quite a bit of his drink.
"It's over!"
"It's completely over!!"
The others' reactions left Yang Zimo feeling utterly devastated.
She had originally hoped to salvage the situation, but now it seemed like spilled water that couldn't be unspilled. These guys were truly detestable!
What would Qin Chuan think of her?!
Feeling flustered, Yang Zimo again glanced sideways at the person beside her and, as expected, saw Qin Chuan's stunned and extremely shocked expression.
At this moment, Yang Zimo felt like crying!
She wanted to explain to Qin Chuan, but doing so would expose her relationship with him. It was a dilemma, a desperate one!
"Ahhhh!!"
"I'm going crazy!!!"