(Fourth Update)
Li Li praised, "A perfect score—impressive. I've never managed that myself."
This young man really is outstanding.
Li Li suddenly realized the more he looked at Ye Chen, the more he liked him.
Most important of all, Li Li saw how much his daughter relied on Ye Chen—Li Sitong instinctively sat beside Ye Chen, her gaze fixed on him the entire time.
As if worried Ye Chen might vanish at any moment.
It felt wonderful.
Li Li had actually been searching for someone.
Someone who could enter Si Tong's heart and stay by her side to make her happy.
He'd made those previous suitors disappear because he didn't think any of them were good enough.
But Ye Chen was different.
From the first meeting, Li Li had sensed something special about him.
This young man was no ordinary person.
"Come, let's drink." Li Li was in high spirits; the two clinked glasses again.
Six liang down, Li Li's face was completely flushed.
Ye Chen's expression remained unchanged.
The liquor packed quite a punch.
Too bad Ye Chen had the "Thousand Cups Without Drunkenness" skill.
Drinking was no different from sipping water.
Ye Chen refilled the glass and said, "Uncle, I can tell you care about Si Tong—why not tell her so?"
Li Li fell silent.
He cared for Si Tong in his own quiet way.
But he didn't know how to express his feelings.
That was the main reason their father-daughter relationship was so strained.
Thanks to Ye Chen, things had improved, yet a barrier still remained.
Hearing Ye Chen's words, Li Sitong's expression shifted slightly.
Ye Chen raised his glass. "Come, another toast."
Eight liang in.
"Uncle Li, let's go again—bottoms up."
A full jin down the hatch.
Li Li couldn't hold it any longer.
He felt dazed.
Fifty-six-proof wuliangye—an entire jin.
Most people would already be under the table.
Li Li's tolerance was impressive; he was still conscious.
But looking at Ye Chen, the kid showed no change.
Just how much could this guy drink?
This really was his first time drinking.
Li Li gritted his teeth—he had to last.
He couldn't lose face in front of his future son-in-law.
Li Li ate a couple of bites to steady himself.
They clinked glasses once more.
One jin, two liang.
After that cup, Li Li was completely drunk.
He grabbed Ye Chen's hand, guilt written all over his face: "Little Chen, Uncle let you down—such a fine young man, ruined by my daughter."
Li Sitong was dumbstruck.
Ye Chen smiled. "It's fine, Uncle. I'm taking a small loss, but Si Tong really is a good person."
Li Li nodded. "Good. Only you can handle her and reach her heart."
"Really, don't call me Uncle anymore—I… I should call you Big Brother."
Li Sitong sighed at the side.
It was over.
Her dad had entered the final stage of drunkenness.
He'd call anyone his brother.
If a lamppost stood opposite, he'd swear brotherhood with it.
Ye Chen looked at the wasted Li Li, bewildered. "Si Tong, didn't your dad say he could hold his liquor?"
Li Sitong was speechless.
Fifty-six-proof liquor, more than a jin, basically downed in one go.
Holding out this long—wasn't that good capacity?
It wasn't that her dad was weak; Ye Chen's tolerance was simply monstrous.
Looking at her collapsed father and the innocent Ye Chen, Li Sitong suddenly laughed.
"What are you laughing at?" Ye Chen asked, steadying Li Li.
"My dad doesn't dislike you—he actually really likes you," Li Sitong said happily.
The man she loved had her family's approval; she was overjoyed.
She especially cherished her dad's line.
Only Ye Chen could handle her.
Exactly.
In this world, only Ye Chen could walk into her heart.
Ye Chen eyed the unconscious Li Li, feeling guilty.
"I got your dad drunk the first time we met—he won't hold a grudge, will he?"
Li Sitong smiled. "I don't think so, under normal circumstances."
"Would this count as normal circumstances?" Ye Chen asked.
Li Sitong grinned wickedly. "My dad just called you Big Brother—does this feel normal?"
Ye Chen teased, "If I call your dad Big Brother, shouldn't you call me Uncle?"
Li Sitong leaned close and flirted, "If you like, call me anything—how about 'wife'?"
Ye Chen looked flustered.
Even with "Thousand Cups Without Drunkenness," he'd still had quite a bit.
Li Sitong's teasing was dangerously tempting.
But her father was asleep right beside them.
Ye Chen glanced at Li Li—luckily the booze had knocked him out cold.
"So what do we do now?" Ye Chen asked awkwardly.
"Leave him here; he often sleeps on the sofa when drunk—he'll be fine by morning," Li Sitong said.
"Si Tong, your dad really cares about you. He doesn't say it, but he loves you."
Ye Chen looked straight into her eyes.
Their family issues weren't his to meddle in.
That was their private business.
But he'd seen Li Li's concern and offered a word of advice.
Li Sitong wanted to retort.
Yet meeting Ye Chen's gaze, she only sighed.
"Fine—let's carry him to the bedroom."
"Mm."
"I'll help."
Li Sitong stepped forward to lend a hand.
Ye Chen chuckled. "You do care about your dad—worried I'd strain myself?"
Li Sitong rolled her eyes. "I'm worried about you, not him—he's heavy; I don't want you tired."
She meant it; she hated seeing Ye Chen exhausted.
Ye Chen smiled. "I've got this—just open the door for me."
With that, he hoisted Li Li onto his shoulder.
Li Sitong stared.
Ye Chen's strength was incredible.
Her dad weighed nearly 180 jin, yet Ye Chen lifted him effortlessly.
She realized this man excelled at everything.
Watching her stunned, Ye Chen said, "Student Si Tong, door, please."
"Ah—"
Li Sitong scampered to open it.
Ye Chen carried Li Li inside, tucked him in, and closed the door behind them.
"All right, a good sleep and Uncle should be fine."
They stepped out and shut the bedroom door.
Just then rain began to fall outside.
A flash of lightning cut across the sky—and the Villa lost power.
Rumble… thunder rolled.
Li Sitong yelped like a startled bunny and threw herself into Ye Chen's arms.
Ye Chen caught the faint scent of her perfume and looked at the terrified girl. "You're scared of thunder?"
Li Sitong nodded.
Another lightning bolt split the sky.
Li Sitong buried her head against Ye Chen's chest.
Ye Chen's heart softened; he covered her ears for her.
Boom!
Thunder crashed.
This time Li Sitong stared into Ye Chen's eyes as if she'd heard nothing.
Moments later she slipped her arms around Ye Chen's neck and kissed him!