I bought something simple, just a bottle of wine for Old Wang. It wasn't too expensive.

His family probably knows I'm unemployed right now. Buying something expensive would be like trying to look impressive when I'm not, and I don't need to put on airs in front of them.

I went around and around, and by the time I arrived, it wasn't early anymore, around 9:30. When I went in, Wang Rui had just come down the stairs. She seemed to have just woken up. She yawned before saying hello to me, "A rare guest. Who invited you?"

I took the wine out of my bag and put it on the coffee table in front of me, replying, "Isn't it your dad's birthday today? He called me last night."

"Whose birthday?" Wang Rui asked in surprise.

"Your own dad."

"Did you by any chance…"

She was halfway through her sentence when Old Wang happened to walk by and immediately interrupted her, "You're out drinking every night until you're confused. What time did you get home last night?"

"Aren't you always pressuring me to get married? I have to go out and look for someone!"

"Then where's the person? Bring them back and let me take a look."

I listened to their bickering and finally interjected, "There is a man. I saw him last night."

"Really?" Old Wang asked suspiciously.

"I'm not lying. It was the place we ate the other day. She was with a man. I even know his name. He was very polite and shook my hand. The most important thing is that he's not lame or stupid, and he's tall and mighty."

Old Wang immediately looked surprised and said to Wang Rui, "Then give him a call. While Lin Che is here today, let's have some fun together."

"It hasn't gotten to that point yet," Wang Rui began to decline.

"How did you meet?"

I didn't know if Wang Rui was doing it on purpose or if she really didn't want to call him. I chimed in, ruining her act, "A bar."

Old Wang immediately frowned, "How can you even say that?"

"How do you know there aren't good people in bars?" Wang Rui retorted, not backing down at all.

"I'd rather have a missing leg than bring someone who's a hoodlum into this house."

Seeing Old Wang's angry face, I smiled and said, "I go there often too. Do I have to leave right away?"

Taking advantage of Old Wang's speechlessness, I quickly handed over the wine.

"Although the wine is cheap, I got up at six in the morning and ran all over the streets to buy it."

"It's the thought that counts. You didn't have to buy anything."

Wang Rui winked at me. After Old Wang left, she started teasing me, "You got up at six to stock up? Couldn't find the cheapest wine?"

"I wanted to buy something expensive too, but my current financial situation isn't good enough," I replied, taking the opportunity.

"You were fooled by them. Today isn't my dad's birthday at all. My mom probably told him to call you, just to have a reason for you to come over. On the other hand, she also wanted to show how important you are. Don't give her a bad look later."

I looked toward the kitchen. My mom was cooking herself. Old Wang must have said something, because she suddenly turned around and looked at me, as if she didn't know I was here.

Then she immediately walked up to me. Old Wang must have told her just now. She was not only calm, but also very warm, "A'Che, are you hungry?"

"I just ate breakfast."

My attitude was pretty good. Maybe it was because Wang Rui was keeping an eye on me. Now that I'm here, I might as well relax. That was my current mindset.

My mom was very attentive. She poured me a cup of green tea and told Wang Rui, "Rui Rui, you keep Lin Che company for a while. I have a few more dishes to cook."

"Okay, go ahead."

As soon as my mom left, Wang Rui sat down next to me and asked in a low voice, "Where's yesterday's woman?"

I was too lazy to explain, so I made something up, "Someone else's wife."

"You pervert!"

"You're the one with the perverted thoughts. We just had dinner. It wasn't as dirty as you think."

Wang Rui looked unconvinced, stood up, took a can of milk from the refrigerator, and continued to sit next to me.

"Actually, it's pretty good for you to live here. You Xiang hasn't come back, and I have a generation gap with my dad. There's no one to talk to."

"Are you here to pour out your troubles to me?" I asked suspiciously.

"What, are you unwilling?" This was her catchphrase.

"I'm not a trash can."

I saw Old Wang come out of the kitchen, pick up the wine I bought, examine it carefully, and then say with a smile, "This wine is not bad. It's not as cheap as you said. Drinking it regularly is a bit of a luxury."

I stood up and walked over to him and asked, "Is your alcohol tolerance okay?"

"Two bottles like this are no problem."

"Wang Rui, what about you?"

"I drink red wine. I can't drink this white stuff," she answered frankly.

My mom happened to come out with a dish, looked at the wine in Old Wang's hand, and asked, "You can't drink. Lin Che can have some."

"I have to have a glass or two when I'm hosting."

"Not even one glass. I'll have to send you to the hospital later."

I asked softly, "What's wrong with your health?"

"It's nothing. I was just hospitalized for a few days last time. I don't know what the doctor told your mom, but now I can't even touch alcohol."

"It's for your own good. If you want to live, you have to quit."

"Okay, okay, I'll have a small glass with Lin Che today, and then I'll quit."

Maybe it was because of me, my mom didn't insist, and Old Wang really only drank half a glass. The funniest thing was Wang Rui, who told me she couldn't drink white wine. Actually, she was deliberately testing me. The rest of the wine was split between the two of us, and if my mom hadn't stopped her, she would have wanted to add red wine to the mix.

Today's dishes were very ordinary. After lunch, after Old Wang and Wang Rui left the dining room, my mom told the truth, "Mom didn't know you were coming today. It was Old Wang's plan, but it was quite effective..."

"Let's not talk about that. I came because I think he's still a nice person."

"Rui Rui called me yesterday and said you were with a woman last night. Is that true?"

"What do you want to ask?"

"If you have a girlfriend, just bring her home. Mom will welcome her. I guarantee you won't lose face."

Looking at her happy expression, I immediately dispelled her thoughts...

"We're not even casual friends. I feel embarrassed that you think that way."

"If not, take your time. It's not too late for a man."

"So you should be worried about Wang Rui. The guy she brought last night seems to have some potential. He's tall and big. They ate dinner and then went to a bar. There should be something going on."

"You probably don't understand her yet. She likes to make friends, but none of them are serious. Old Wang has really been anxious since last year."

"She has the option to choose. What's the rush?"

"When it comes to this issue, you two have the same opinion."

I looked towards the stairwell. After Wang Rui went up, there was no movement. She was probably drunk. After all, the alcohol content of baijiu (white alcohol) is not low. It's quite amazing for a girl to drink half a bottle.

I originally wanted to say goodbye immediately, but my mom stopped me and wouldn't let me leave, saying there was something else to talk about later.

Watching her wash the dishes in the kitchen, I sat on the dining chair without moving.