Chapter Seven: Sour Plum Soup

  At the entrance of Jinfu Building Hotel, where Wang Yuelin said they would have dinner that night, Wang Yuelin parked her car in the parking lot and was about to get out when Xiao Han suddenly stopped her: "Sister, wait a minute, latest chapter of 'Campus All-Rounder'."

  "What's wrong? Is there something on your mind?" Wang Yu Lin asked him with a hint of surprise.

  Xiao Han mysteriously smiled at her, then pulled out a small bottle of dark red liquor from his pocket and asked, "Sister, how much can you drink in one go?"

  "What's going on, you're not saying that this is the secret method you were talking about, are you? I can also drink 7 or 8 liang in one go without any problem." Wang Yu Lin was also a clever and resourceful woman, otherwise she wouldn't have become the head of a municipal hospital at such a young age. Seeing Xiao Han take out this small bottle, asking like that, and immediately thinking of his "self-method" he mentioned in her office earlier, she guessed ** percent."

  Xiao Han said: "Sister, you're really clever, no mistake, this is my secret method. I use a few Chinese medicines to make 'plum soup' when I get off work at noon. It protects the liver, stomach, and relieves hangovers, while also detoxifying and nourishing the skin. You drink a few mouthfuls, and I guarantee your alcohol tolerance will increase by more than 30% later on. How about it?"

  Wang Yu Lin opened her eyes wide and stared at him, with an uncertain look of doubt and surprise in her eyes: "Is it really useful? Have you drunk it yourself? Will it be poisonous?"

  Xiao Han looked at her with a smile, "You're my good sister, why would I want to poison you? Don't worry, we're both medical students, what's toxic and what's not, even what's good for the body, don't I know? You can rest assured, I've had it before."

  "You drink two mouthfuls first and let me see."

  "Sister, aren't you afraid of my dirty mouth? Besides, even if it's chronic poisoning, you can't see it all at once, right?" Xiao Han joked.

  "Well, I'll drink first then, how much?"

  "Let's go halves."

  Wang Yuelin took the small bottle, unscrewed it, looked at it and smelled it. It was a sour plum soup flavor. Then she asked again: "Tell me, which several flavors of Chinese medicine are in this?"

  "This is actually a secret recipe I've been studying, and now I'm going to apply for a patent."

  "Go, come less often, whether you say it or not, I dare not drink if you don't say so."

  "Okay okay, but sister wants me to keep it a secret, don't let everyone know about it later. The secret weapon is only effective because it's a secret, if everyone knows then it's meaningless."

  "I know this already, come on."

  "Uh-huh, inside this, the main ingredients are licorice root, Chinese angelica, and corn silk. That's all." Actually, there are two more flavors that Xiao Han didn't mention, those are the key ones.

  This recipe was also something Xiao Han came up with when he was in school, working part-time outside. Sometimes after work, a big group of colleagues would go to the night market and eat and drink together, which was also a way to relax. Xiao Han was afraid that if he drank too much, it would affect his work, so he came up with this recipe. He tried drinking a few mouthfuls first and found it quite effective.

  To be honest, Xiao Han had always been unsure of his own alcohol tolerance. That time in the dormitory when they were drinking, he didn't have a chance to try this concoction, which was why he discovered that he could drink one and a half kilograms of white wine without any issues and still go help with supermarket deliveries. It seemed that his alcohol tolerance was quite good.

  This morning, when Wang Yuelin said they would be going out for drinks tonight, Xiao Han thought of this recipe again. At noon, after work, he went home and brewed some medicinal herbs to make a small amount of medicine soup, which he filled into a small bottle and brought with him. Firstly, it was so that he could successfully complete the glorious but arduous task Wang Yuelin had given him tonight; secondly, it was also to show his consideration for Wang Yuelin in advance.

  Xiao Han knew that this battle, although just a drinking game, was very important for him. If he succeeded, not only would he improve his relationship with Wang Yuelin and the other four leaders from the hospital who were going to join them tonight, but he could also integrate into their circle from then on. But if he failed? It went without saying that all the benefits mentioned above would be gone; in fact, things might even become more distant between him and them.

  Interpersonal relationships are indeed a matter of advancing or retreating.

  Wang Yuelin saw that the few medicines Xiao Han said were not toxic as long as they were not excessive, and still said with a tone of trust and doubt: "Little thing, then I really drank it. If you hurt your good sister somewhere, you will regret it for the rest of your life."

  Xiao Han smiled and nodded: "How could I bear to?" This remark was quite ambiguous.

  Wang Yu Lin's face turned slightly red: "If there's no effect later, I'll come to you for an explanation," and carefully took a sip, smacked her lips, nodded, "This taste is not bad, sour and sweet." Then she drank a few more mouthfuls, looked at it being about half left, and handed it to Xiao Han: "Your turn."

  Xiao Han took over the bottle and smiled: "What's with 'it's my turn now', it sounds like we're taking poison together." He twisted on the cap, not drinking.

  Wang Yuelin saw him not drinking and didn't respond, shouting: "Why aren't you drinking?"

  Xiao Han deliberately teased her: "I have such a large capacity for liquor, what's the point of drinking this?"

  Wang Yuelin scolded: "You're good, Xiao Han, tricking me into drinking. You don't drink yourself, just wait and see how I'll punish you." Then she stretched out her white and tender hand to pinch Xiao Han's ear.

  Xiao Han smiled and said: "Good, my good sister, I'll drink, I'll drink." Only then did he twist open the bottle cap and gulp down the remaining liquor in one go.

  Wang Yuelin also knew he was just joking, so she said: "Stop messing around, it's late, let's go up, don't make them wait." The two got off the car and entered the Jinfu Building Hotel.

  The Golden Fortune Hotel was the most luxurious restaurant in the city. Just looking at its grand and creative entrance, adorned with neon lights, exuded an air of high-end elegance. At the entrance, two rows of doormen and welcoming ladies stood at attention. Upon entering, a spacious hall unfolded before them, with a large redwood service counter dominating the first floor. Several beautiful service ladies stood behind the counter, ready to provide prompt service. The hall was surrounded by high-end sofas, exotic flowers, and marble floors, while crystal chandeliers and artistic wall paintings added to the opulent atmosphere. A wide staircase made of Han white jade led to the upper floors, flanked by elevators on either side. The second floor housed the dining hall, while the third floor was reserved for private rooms. Wang Yuelin and Xiao Han followed a service lady to a private room on the third floor, where they found four other "wine gods" from the hospital already seated: Zhang, the head of human resources; Qin, the director of traditional Chinese medicine; and two deputy directors. The two bosses from the pharmaceutical factory had also arrived, accompanied by another seasoned veteran of the wine scene.