Supreme Alchemist
Chapter 2512: 2502 Wine Table

Chapter 2512: Chapter 2502 Wine Table

Long Yan walked toward the table where Chu Lu was sitting. Despite the noise, Chu Lu’s bragging voice was still prominent.

“Hey, Long Yan’s here, come sit!”

Chu Lu saw Long Yan’s figure and hurriedly pulled out the seat next to him, but Zhu Ying discreetly pinched him and glanced at Chu Meng across the table, who was glaring at Chu Lu through gritted teeth.

“It seems a bit crowded here. How about you sit next to Chu Meng, Long Yan?”

Chu Lu scratched the back of his head and came up with a very lame excuse, but the moment he spoke, Chu Meng was speechless.

Long Yan naturally understood their little tricks but didn’t mind. He just smiled and said it was fine, then pulled out the seat to the left of Chu Meng and sat down.

He glanced briefly at the others’ states beside him; their clothes were still dusty, likely having come straight here after completing a mission, drinking the whole time until now.

Suddenly, a wine bottle was placed in front of Long Yan. It was the kind usually buried in the ground. Chu Meng looked at him with her beautiful eyes, her face flushed, and spoke fluently with a grin.

“Long… Long Yan, this time we’re not going home until we’re drunk.”

After speaking, Chu Meng smiled sweetly, looking less astute than usual. She seemed silly, not like the gallant female mercenary she used to be, now more like a girl-next-door.

Talking about drinking while hungry, Chu Lu was excited and quickly raised the large bowl in front of him, spilling quite a bit of the strong wine inside onto his lapel.

“That’s right, Long Yan, you… are late, you have to drink as a penalty.”

Slurring his words, Chu Lu was swaying as if he’d drunk a lot. It seemed they’d been drinking quite a bit before Long Yan arrived.

Even the usually steady Zhu Ying was joyfully raising the large bowl in front of her, her cheeks red as if they were on fire.

Long Yan knew that Chu Lu truly saw him as one of them now. Unfortunately, after this mission, he had to leave. Although he hadn’t known them long, he genuinely liked this group, so without hesitation, he raised the wine bottle in front of him.

“Cheers!”

With just one word, a glint flashed in Chu Lu’s eyes, even Tian Luo Yi, who was normally cold, looked at Long Yan with surprise.

“Um… I’m the captain… I have to say… a few words.”

Chu Lu held up the large sea bowl, but due to limited literacy, he didn’t know what to say for a while.

Zhu Ying playfully smacked Chu Lu after rolling her eyes at him, then said.

“You should at least say something. You can’t read but always want to make a speech.”

The others covered their mouths and laughed, while Chu Lu awkwardly tilted his head, seeming like he wanted to scratch it but gave up because of his arm, which made everyone laugh even more. Although Chu Lu was embarrassed, he didn’t mind.

“True, I can’t read, so let us perish together!”

With that, Chu Lu tilted his head back and downed the white liquor in his bowl. Long Yan almost spat out his drink upon hearing Chu Lu, while the others laughed heartily, filling the atmosphere around the wine table with joy.

Long Yan set down the wine bottle, and Chu Lu smiled at Long Yan, saying.

“Long Yan, I also know you’re not from this small town. You came here with a purpose. We could only come back thanks to your help. If it weren’t for you, we might not have even made it out of the temple.”

As Chu Lu spoke, he sighed. Although he felt he’d understood life and death when he became a mercenary, he realized he’d thought too simply. Now, having lost an arm, he considered saying goodbye to the mercenary life.

“It seems this will be our last mission.”

Tian Luo Yi sipped her drink carefully, her thoughts drifting who knows where. After this mission, everyone at least received twenty-two gold taels, partly because Long Yan gave part of his share to Chu Lu, while others took a bit less.

The remaining gold is plenty to live comfortably in this small town, even leaving a good amount for the descendants.

“Suddenly not being a mercenary feels a bit empty.”

Chu Lu chuckled. Having spent a long time with Zhu Ying, this was the perfect opportunity to get married. If Zhu Ying didn’t mind, he’d find a matchmaker to talk to her family.

Zhu Ying blushed deeply, bashfully falling into Chu Lu’s chest, who only laughed heartily; the rest naturally offered their congratulations.

After three rounds of drinks, even Long Yan felt a bit tipsy. Chu Lu and the others had already drunk quite a lot before he arrived; now Chu Lu and Tian Luo Yi were flushed, while Zhu Ying and Chu Meng hadn’t drunk as much but still more than enough for two girls.

“Long Yan, there’s actually something I’ve always wanted to ask you.”

Chu Lu exchanged a glance with Zhu Ying, then looked at Long Yan next to the silly-looking Chu Meng before Zhu Ying finally asked.

“Hmm?”

Long Yan lifted his head, looking at the couple, letting out a puzzled sound.

“I’m wondering if you’re currently betrothed, and if not, would you like me to introduce someone to you? You’re quite handsome, surely very popular.”

As she spoke, Zhu Ying deliberately glanced at Chu Meng, who, though pretending to look elsewhere, perked her ears when Zhu Ying asked the question.

“I don’t, but…”

Long Yan sipped his strong wine, speaking somewhat forlornly.

“I’m already fond of someone.”

Chu Meng suddenly felt a pang in her heart; had she come too late?

Noticing Chu Meng’s somewhat gloomy expression, Zhu Ying shifted the topic. Since Long Yan said he liked someone, it seemed Chu Meng would give up on her own. Once the gathering ended, she’d console her.

Sneakily glancing at Long Yan, Chu Meng drank her strong wine in one go, then refilled her bowl from the wine bottle on the ground and downed it again before pouring a full bowl for Long Yan.

“What’s this about?”

Long Yan knew what Chu Meng was thinking, but if he didn’t play dumb now, he wouldn’t be able to later. Though harsh for Chu Meng, Long Yan chose to feign ignorance.

“Drink with me.”

Chu Meng wobbled, trying to stand up but fell back into the chair, placing the bowl in front of Long Yan.

“You… pour me a bowl.”