Chapter 175: Huai An Gets Drunk

New Year's Eve is a day of reunion. Whether it is for the wanderers away from home or the traveling merchants in foreign lands, they always calculate the date in advance to return home and have a warm meal, wishing for peace and prosperity year after year.
Siming is a person who likes peace and has always disliked family reunion days. In previous years, he would eat dinner at the Ma family's and then return home alone. But this year, he lingered on the streets and was reluctant to go home. After all, the three-foot wall surrounded him completely, making it hard to avoid missing the days at the beginning of the year when there was someone and a home, even if there was a bit of confusion inside.
A few lights, a few households, Si Ming finally staggered home. He walked with one foot higher than the other, heading towards his bedroom. In the dimly lit courtyard, there was a figure moving hastily. Within a few steps, they ran up to Si Ming, before he could even react, they jumped onto him and coquettishly said, "Qiao Brother, you made me wait for so long!"
Siming subconsciously stepped back, only moving half a step before stopping, and said helplessly, "You're such a grown-up, how can you not know the difference between men and women."
The person slid down and placed both hands on Siming's shoulders, saying, "We're family, why are you being so distant!"
As they spoke, Siming pulled forward again. Before they even reached their destination, the sound of a bustling party could be heard from inside a room. Even through the paper-made doors and windows, the shadows of people could be glimpsed, gambling and drinking, having a jolly good time!
Two errand boys came out from the gate, carrying a string of silver coins, and ran towards the main gate. When they saw the master, they had to say, "Young master, we will go and buy the wine and food."
The originally tidy hall became messy, with chairs for guests being moved everywhere. There were also a few big men shouting loudly, "Don't cheat! You must drink this one cup."
"Don't make a fuss! My older brother Qiao has come back!" The young girl proudly declared as she stepped inside.
The noisy crowd finally quieted down, letting go of their cups and bowls, coming forward to bow and greet, "Young master, may you have surplus every year!" They offered their presents, mostly tonic foods such as matsutake mushrooms and ginseng.
Simming responded with a bow, indicating the guests to make themselves comfortable, then found an empty chair and sat down. He carefully observed the unfamiliar guests, not recognizing a single one, realizing they were all employees from the Dragon family.
It took the time it takes to brew a pot of tea before an old acquaintance emerged from the house, sporting a slightly plump face and a big smile. He said, "You're finally back! Why is there nothing prepared at home? It's so deserted during the New Year."
"They have gone home, and I don't need anything either. If necessary, I will go to the neighbor's house tomorrow to buy some things and wait until the market opens on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year." Siming said.
Two people were talking when a big man interrupted, saying, "No worries, let the waiters at the restaurant bring some dishes over. In Bai Di City, the Dragon family's daughter and son never lack for anything."
"Thank you for your hard work," Siming said.
But the man waved his hand and said, "These are all trivial matters. My name is Song Qi. Next year, I will accompany the young master and your eldest brother to the northwest. Take care of them on the way."
When Gu Pan heard about going to the Northwest, he also became happy and said with a smile, "One of us is going to the South Seas, and the other is going to the Northwest. Next year will be a year of traveling from south to north."
"Is there anything happening in the South Seas?" Siming asked.
With a preoccupied expression, she grabbed the familiar peanuts on the table and stuffed them into her mouth, muttering, "I don't know either. Brother told me to go, so I went."
Beside her, Gu Wende also handed over the wine pot and said, "Forget about all this. Tonight, just focus on drinking and getting a good night's sleep."
The Long family is successful and it's not surprising that they have various industries. Siming took the wine jug and put it aside, saying with a smile, "I already had some outside, you guys drink first, when you're done, I'll clean up."
At least there is some liveliness in the house, and Siming's heart warms up, looking at the moonlight outside the window, thinking that spring is coming soon.
···
But Liang Huaian, who lives in the west of the city, doesn't think so. Since his wife fell outside and lost the baby, Liang Huaian has lost his status at home, far from the comfortable treatment he used to have. Either he is coldly looked at by his father-in-law who often comes to the house, or he is scolded by the old master on the northwest mountain. Even his usually gentle and accommodating wife has ignored him for a long time.
As the New Year approached and the culprit was still not found, Huai'an became increasingly anxious. Taking advantage of the fact that the household’s assistants were all sent out to post notices and search for people, he went alone to the sparsely populated eastern suburbs.
A house built away from people, located at the end of a lane in the eastern suburbs, with a white flag hanging in front of the door and scattered un-swept leaves on the ground. With familiar ease, Huai'an bypassed the main entrance and entered the house from the side, and the decay that greeted him was still shocking, as if it had been uninhabited for a while.
"Linger?" Huai'an called as he walked towards the main room.
There was no response from inside the room. The door was wide open, and there was not a single figure in sight.
Huai'an then walked towards the side bedroom where Zhou Linger stayed, only to find a person lying on the soft pallet. There was a half-filled bowl of medicinal soup next to them, but no steam rose from it in the cold winter.
"Are you sick?" Huai'an moved a chair from the corner and sat by the bedside.
However, Zhou Linger did not cling to him as usual, not even lifting her eyelids. She faintly replied, "I can't even die, can't fulfill your wishes."
Guai An straightened the blanket next to Zhou Ling'er and frowned, saying, "Who is spreading rumors again?"
Zhou Ling'er finally glanced at Guai An, then turned away, a cold smile appearing at the corner of her mouth, saying, "Who else needs to say it? If you want me to admit it so badly, then let justice be served. Just give me a satisfying end."
What nonsense is this! Huai'an hurriedly reached out and covered Zhou Ling'er's mouth, whispering, "You can't say such things, be careful, the walls have ears, how can we get away if someone hears us."
Zhou Ling'er, however, shook off Huai'an's hand and said fiercely, "It was me! I couldn't stand seeing your family so happy and united. You better hurry and get the officials to come and arrest me. Since my father is dead and you don't believe in me, what's the point of me living alone in this world?"
Huaian originally came here to seek peace of mind, but unexpectedly, this conversation has stirred up his/her emotions, and he/she angrily said, "I can bear their complaints, but why are you saying the same thing? What is the purpose of enduring grievances from both sides?"
After continuously badmouthing, Zhou Ling'er fell silent. After a moment of silence, she croaked, "Just go! Consider me dead."
Huai'an wanted to say something, but stopped himself. When he was about to leave, he took out a pair of cotton-made thick socks from his pocket and handed them to Zhou Ling'er, saying, "Your feet have always been prone to getting cold. These socks were specially made for you by the embroiderer, with an extra layer of cotton. It will keep you warm this winter. I'll come visit you in a few days."
After leaving the eastern suburb of Huai'an, he didn't go straight home. Instead, he took a detour to the alleys in the northern part of the city and found an open tavern to sit in. He swallowed all the accumulated frustration of these days with a drink.
After three rounds of drinking, a group of people pushed the door open and entered the small tavern, making a lot of noise. The one leading the group was a regular customer who shouted for the owner to serve hot wine and bring out the dishes as soon as he stepped over the threshold.
Huai'an was just looking for some peace and quiet, and when he saw a group of people coming in and causing a ruckus, he thought about paying the bill and leaving. Just as he was about to get up, he heard the man being surrounded say, "Put that gentleman's bill on my tab as well, and add an extra plate of braised snacks to go."
After that person finished speaking, he opened the back door curtain with the others and noisily went to the backyard. As it was an encounter with someone he barely knew, Huai'an felt it was not reasonable to let others foot the bill. He drank another cup of rice wine and took out some silver from his sleeve, placing it on the table for the waiter to collect.
Maybe it was because he got up too quickly, or maybe it was because the rice wine was too strong. Huai An hadn't even stood up yet when he felt a dizziness engulfing him, making his legs unable to support him. Before he could hold on for a moment, he fell headfirst onto the table.
Even though Huai'an had drunk to the point of feeling dizzy, when he fell down and hit his head, it still made him feel painful for a while. However, this pain was quickly numbed by alcohol, and soon he lost consciousness.
When he regained consciousness, it was already afternoon. The warm winter sun cast slanting rays of light on the unfamiliar bed. Huai'an struggled to sit up and touched his forehead, feeling a strange sensation.
"Uncle! He woke up!" In a strange room, a child suddenly appeared and shouted before running outside.
The child's voice was piercing, and the just awakened Huai'an was clearly taken aback. He then felt a persistent headache, and his whole body became uncomfortable. Was it because he hit his head? Huai'an touched the bandage on his head and vaguely recalled the situation of falling behind the table. But where was this unfamiliar room?
This problem has not been troubling Huai An for long, and the person who pushed the door in immediately gave an answer. It was the person who was about to pay the bill for Huai An at the counter, bowing with both hands and respectfully saying, "Young Master Liang is awake. Are you feeling better?"
This person obviously knows himself, but he has no impression at all. Looking at these somewhat old furniture, it doesn't seem to be a wealthy family. Huai'an also showed gratitude and said, "Thank you, sir, for saving me. May I know how to address you?"
"I am Lin Liang, it was just a small help, nothing significant. But how is your head feeling, sir? Should I call a physician to take a look?" Lin Liang said, pointing awkwardly at his own head. After all, hitting his head while drunk wasn't a glamorous incident.
Huai An shook his hand and struggled to get out of bed. He just moved a little and felt a splitting headache, unable to move anymore.
The person he met on the first day, who was also a kind-hearted person, came forward to support him when he couldn't move. They whispered, "Master Liang, don't force yourself. The physician said the wound can't withstand excessive movement. Don't harm any vital areas."
With the help of Lin Liang, Huai An found a bed curtain to lean on, opened his pale lips, and said, "I wonder if the young master recognizes Dingxiang Manor? Please help me convey a message and don't let my mother worry."