Everyone was looking at Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing and Xiong Liping walked toward the main table, and this scene shocked everyone. Only Dong Xuebing knew what had happened. The navy vessel’s soldiers must have reported to Xiong Liping what happened when he rescued little Qianqian from the pirates. Huilan’s second uncle, Xie Guojian, should have spoken to Xiong Liping and asked him to suppress news of him going out to sea. Although Xie Huilan and his family background were a secret in Fen Zhou City, Xiong Liping should know about it, and that’s why he sent the invitation to them. Of course, Xiong Liping was also impressed with Dong Xuebing’s combat abilities.
Ring… ring… ring…. Xiong Liping’s phone rang.
Xiong Liping looked at his phone and answered. “h.e.l.lo, who’s this?”
“Uncle Xiong?” A woman said. “Haha, I am Xie Huilan.”
Xiong Liping laughed. “Oh, it’s Huilan. I remember the last time we met was at your Second Uncle’s house, and you were younger than ten years old at that time. So many years had pa.s.sed.”
Dong Xuebing blinked. It was Huilan.
Xie Huilan replied. “I still remember that day. But I didn’t have the chance to meet you after that day. It’s your 60th birthday today, and I am calling you to wish you a happy birthday. Haha….”
“Thank you. I was chatting with your husband when you called.”
“Oh, Xuebing has arrived? You must ask him to drink with you.”
“Oh no. He had just drunk 4 liters of alcohol. I dare not ask him to drink anymore.”
“4 liters? Haha…. This guy is good at drinking. Just make him drink. Don’t worry. He will not get drunk.”
“Haha…. You are not worried about your husband.”
“Why should I be worried about him? I am sorry for not being there, and I will ask Xuebing to drink a few more gla.s.ses as an apology.”
“Don’t be mad if I make your husband drunk.”
“Don’t worry. I have never seen him drunk since I met him a few years ago.” Xie Huilan paused for a second and continued. “You must be busy at your banquet, and I shall not bother you anymore. I could not attend because I am clearing Xuebing’s mess. We will invite you to our house or go to your house another time to apologize.”
Xiong Liping was puzzled and stepped away from the table with his phone. “What happened to Xuebing?”
Xie Huilan replied. “You should know Fen Zhou City’s Military base Commander Liu Guowei. He had just complained to the City Party Committee about Xuebing.”
“What happened?”
“Their base had detained Xuebing’s friends illegally, and he went there to bring them out. Commander Xiong insisted he was interfering with the military operations and was making a fuss about it. The city is going to investigate my husband now. Sigh…. I am helpless with this guy. He is always creating trouble and never listens to me. I think he is going to be punished this time.”
“Is it very serious?”
“He… he is always creating troubles, and there’s nothing I can do.”
“I think this is not a big deal, and Xiao Dong should not be punished.”
“Even if he is not in the wrong, he should take note of his behavior. It’s still his fault.”
Xiong Liping returned to his seat after hanging up. He turned to Dong Xuebing. “It was your wife. Huilan asked you to drink with me.”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Sure. I should offer you a toast. It was messy earlier, and I did not offer you a toast. I will drink three gla.s.ses as an apology.”
Xiong Liping got a fright. “One gla.s.s will do. You cannot drink anymore, or Huilan will blame me if you get drunk. Haha….”
“I will not get drunk. Alright. I will finish one gla.s.s then.”
Deputy Commander Xiong’s family members were worried. Dong Xuebing had just drunk 4 liters of alcohol and wanted to drink three more gla.s.ses. Is he trying to kill himself?!
Only Dong Xuebing knows he will never get drunk. He raised his gla.s.s and finished it without hesitations.
All the guests started discussing among themselves after they saw the main table starting to eat and drink again.
The banquet resumed. Liu Guowei immediately calls his son back. He could tell where the situation was going.
When everyone thought this incident was over, Xiong Liping said after drinking with Dong Xuebing. “Who are you drinking with earlier?”
Dong Xuebing blinked. “I was drinking with Liu Haibin, Chief Liu, and his friends.”
Many guests were surprised. They did not expect Commander Xiong to bring it up again.
Xiong Liping looked at Liu Guowei. “Old Liu, I saw everything earlier. It was your son who wanted to drink with him. They had offered toasts with Xuebing, and he drank without saying anything. Now, he is offering your son a toast and has drunk his gla.s.s of alcohol. I can see your son is not drunk yet. How can he don’t drink? If he can’t drink, he should not offer toasts in the first place.”
Liu Guowei quickly stood up. “Commander Xiong, this….”
Liu Haibin turned pale. He got a bad feeling when he saw Commander Xiong’s att.i.tude towards Dong Xuebing earlier.
Xiong Liping was slightly annoyed. “This is how people drink at the table. Xuebing had drunk his share, and your son must drink.”
Xiong Liping was several ranks higher than Liu Guowei, and his words were commands.
The other guests looked at Liu Guowei with sympathy.
Liu Guowei could not retort and look at his son. “Commander Xiong had spoken. You had agreed to drink with Director Dong, and you should finish it. Hurry up and drink.”
“Dad, I cannot drink anymore.” Liu Haibing said.
Liu Guowei gave him a stare. “Hurry!”
Liu Haibin picked up the gla.s.s of alcohol unwillingly and took a small sip. He looked at his father. “Dad….” He saw the angry look in his father’s eyes and knew no one could help him. He clenched his teeth and raised the gla.s.s. He finished all the alcohol and slammed the empty gla.s.s on the table.
One second….
Two seconds….
Liu Haibin suddenly covered his mouth and was about to run to the bathroom. But the moment he stood up, he puked.
Liu Guowei went over to support him.
Liu Haibin vomited at his table, and his body was shaky.
Liu Guowei said. “I’m sorry. I will send my son back now.”
Liu Guowei did not hear what Commander Xiong said to Dong Xuebing and did not know who called. After being an officer for so many years, he knew Commander Xiong was warning him. He dared not stay there anymore and helped his son out of the restaurant.
Dong Xuebing felt good when he saw the pathetic father and son leaving. He did not expect Commander Xiong to stand up for him and realized why Xie Huilan had called earlier. Everything Huilan does or says has a motive. Before Dong Xuebing came, she said she was not close to Xiong Liping and told him it was okay if he could not attend the banquet. However, she still called Commander Xiong and said something to him.
The restaurant became tense again.
Another officer gave his son a stare. It was one of the youths who tried to make Dong Xuebing drunk earlier. He raised his gla.s.s and was about to drink. “Director Dong, I will drink.”
Dong Xuebing stopped him. “Never mind. I can tell you are almost drunk. Let’s stop here.”
That youth looked at Dong Xuebing gratefully and did not continue.
Dong Xuebing knew his place and knew who the troublemaker was. Since Liu Haibin had been taught a lesson, he was willing to stop. There was no need to offend so many people, and it was meaningless.
Xiong Liping nodded. He would look bad if Dong Xuebing made so many officers’ sons drunk and puke at the banquet. After all, it was his 60th birthday banquet. However, he would not stop Dong Xuebing if the latter insisted those youth drink.
Xiong Fei broke the silence. “Xuebing, have some food.”
“Sure.” Dong Xuebing replied. “I can help myself. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Here, try this.”
Xiong Liping had stood up for Dong Xuebing, and the other guests were not idiots. They dare not look down on Dong Xuebing anymore.