"Haha, I've long heard that No. 2 High School has a stunning female teacher—tonight, I finally get to see her in person!"
A tall, thin middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses warmly shook hands with Linda. Beside them, David quickly introduced him as Xu Aiping, a leader from the Education Bureau.
"Mr. Xu, hello! I've heard your name for a long time. I actually caught a glimpse of you last time when you came to our school for a meeting, but unfortunately missed the chance to speak. I'm truly honored to meet you again today."
Linda was counting on these people to help her secure her professional title, so she quickly greeted him with a charming smile.
Xu Aiping held her hand tightly, clearly flattered, and said with a grin, "Not at all. I'd heard there was a beautiful teacher at No. 2 High School, but seeing you in person, Ms. Zhang, you're far more stunning than I imagined."
"Haha, you're too kind, Mr. Xu."
Linda tried to gently pull her hand back, but he was gripping it so tightly that she couldn't break free.
Watching Xu Aiping cling to Linda's hand with such infatuation made me uncomfortable. I stepped forward, pretending to be a clueless kid with no sense of etiquette, and stretched my hand toward him with a goofy smile: "Hello, Uncle Xu! I'm Andrew."
Xu Aiping, who had been taking full advantage of the handshake, had to release Linda's hand due to my interruption. He glanced at me with clear irritation, his previous smile fading. He didn't shake my hand but turned casually to David and said, "Old David, let's start bringing in the food. I'm sure everyone's hungry."
"Absolutely, absolutely."
It was clear Xu Aiping had status—David treated him with considerable respect. He quickly called the waitress at the door and instructed her to start serving the dishes.
I stood awkwardly with my hand still hanging in the air, utterly ignored by Xu Aiping. I could only lower it, my face burning with both shame and a growing anger. *One day,* I thought, *I'll rise above this humiliation and reclaim my dignity.
Linda noticed my embarrassment. She nudged me gently and whispered, "Don't just stand there—come sit down."
Everyone took their seats, and since the dishes had been pre-ordered, they arrived quickly. David had spared no expense, ordering delicacies like braised bear paw, steamed grouper, and stewed shark fin. For drinks, there were only two options: premium Wuliangye and Moutai.
Once the food and wine were served, the dinner began in earnest. David and his guests laughed and chatted with Linda about education news and current events. The atmosphere was lively—except for me, sitting silently in a corner, clearly out of place.
Of course, David hadn't invited Linda just to share a meal. After a while, he began his true intention—picking up his wine glass and flattering Linda while constantly encouraging her to drink.
Given their age and status, David and the others were either Linda's seniors or superiors. Linda had little room to refuse. Though she only took small sips each time, baijiu is strong. After several rounds, her cheeks flushed red.
David and Xu Aiping exchanged knowing looks and pushed even harder.
Xu Aiping raised his glass with a grin. "Ms. Zhang, allow me to toast you."
Even I could tell they were trying to get Linda drunk. Linda, clever as she was, surely sensed it too. Already tipsy, she waved her hands. "Mr. Xu, no, I really can't drink anymore."
Xu Aiping's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing in displeasure. "So I'm not important enough in your eyes, huh? You drank when Director David toasted you, but not for me?"
Linda quickly explained, "You misunderstood, Mr. Xu, that's not what I meant…"
Before she could finish, David stepped in like a good cop, laughing, "Come on, Old Xu, she didn't mean that. But you're right—she should give you the honor. Linda, have a toast with Mr. Xu and apologize."
David appeared to be mediating, but in reality, he was pressuring Linda into drinking. The two of them played the classic routine—one stern, one soft—making it hard for Linda to refuse.
Sure enough, Linda had no choice but to grit her teeth, pick up the glass, and force a smile. "Alright, it was rude of me earlier. Let me toast you properly this time."
Xu Aiping grinned again, clinking glasses with her. "It's alright. I was just teasing. Cheers!"
Linda tilted her head back and downed the shot. Her pretty face flushed even more, her eyes glazed with a drunken haze.
But David and the others weren't done. Two other men also raised their glasses, repeating Xu Aiping's line about how refusing a drink meant disrespect.
This time, Linda was clearly beyond her limit. She tried to decline politely, but the two guests grew annoyed.
Watching these grown men gang up on one woman—my goddess no less—I could no longer hold back. I suddenly stood up and shouted, "Gentlemen, let me drink in her place!"
In drinking culture, having someone step in to drink for you is generally acceptable, which is why many bosses bring heavy drinkers to banquets.
David and his crew turned their attention to me. Xu Aiping sneered, "Do you even know your place? Think you're worthy to drink with us?"
I flushed in embarrassment. Linda gently tugged on my sleeve and whispered, "Andrew, it's okay. I'll drink. Just make sure you get me home safely if I pass out."
David heard Linda's instructions and his beady eyes flickered. Suddenly, he put on a bright smile. "Come on, Old Xu, Andrew's Ms. Zhang's little cousin. Let's not bully the kid. If he wants to help her drink, let's let him. After all, it's all in good fun."
Xu Aiping seemed puzzled by David's sudden change in tone. Only I knew what David was really thinking—he had assumed Linda would come alone. If he got her drunk, he might take advantage. But my unexpected presence changed things. If Linda passed out, I'd be the one taking her home.
So now David wasn't in a rush to get Linda drunk. He decided to get me out of the way first—by drinking me under the table.
I picked up my glass and downed two drinks with the guests who had been pushing Linda. I wasn't a good drinker, but I was determined. No hesitation—straight shots.
After two drinks, my face was flushed. Anyone who knew alcohol could see I was a lightweight. Even Linda leaned over and whispered, "Andrew, are you okay? Don't push yourself."
Xu Aiping, still bitter about me interrupting him earlier, chuckled, "A woman never says no. A man never says he can't. Andrew's a young guy—of course he can. Come on, let's drink!"
He raised his glass. Before the alcohol fully hit me, I clinked glasses with him and knocked it back in one go.
Just like that, I kept drinking every toast that came my way. In no time, I'd consumed a shocking amount of baijiu. My cheeks were burning, my head pounding, heart racing—I was completely buzzed.
Even David and his seasoned friends, though heavy drinkers, couldn't keep up with the rapid pace. One by one, they started showing signs of drunkenness.
Of course, I was the worst off. With no tolerance, I'd chugged glass after glass. As the liquor hit me full force, I collapsed onto the table, completely drunk.
In a daze, I didn't know how long I'd been out. When I regained a sliver of consciousness, I opened my eyes slightly. The table was a mess. Seven or eight empty bottles of baijiu lay scattered—clearly Linda and the others had continued drinking after I passed out.
My head was spinning, eyes barely open. I peeked around from my position on the table.
David and the others were visibly drunk. Linda's face was flushed, her eyes glassy, swaying on the edge of collapse.
"I'm going to the restroom," she said, rising unsteadily and leaving the room.
With just David, Xu Aiping, and a few others remaining (besides me, still slumped), Xu patted David's shoulder and said, "She's just about done. We did our part helping you tonight. The rest is up to you."
"Haha, thanks a ton, Old Xu. I've been eyeing this woman for a long time. Tonight's my chance."
As David spoke, he pulled a small bottle from his pocket, took out a pill, and dropped it into Linda's baijiu glass. The pill dissolved instantly.
Though I was physically drunk, my mind sobered instantly upon seeing this. Rage surged through me—David was drugging her.
Soon, Linda returned, looking a bit more alert after rinsing her face. She glanced at me, still slumped on the table, then said to David and the others, "Director David, Andrew's already passed out. We've all had enough. Let's call it a night."
David smiled amiably. "Alright then. Let's finish this last round and wrap up."
With that, he and the others raised their glasses. Linda also lifted hers—the one that had been tampered with—and tilted it back to drink.