Reborn as a Rich Woman in the Eighties
Chapter 248 - 247: Six of One, Half a Dozen of the Other

Chapter 248: Chapter 247: Six of One, Half a Dozen of the Other

Mingyuan had returned to the city during the day on the sixth, and this time, he wasn’t alone; he was accompanied by Mingqing and Ma Hao.

This was Ma Hao’s first visit to Lin Xia’s house, and he curiously looked around, not expecting Lin Xia’s home to be quite nicely set up.

However, it wasn’t the first time for Mingqing; she sat on the living room sofa chatting casually with Lin Dong.

She had actually been against her second brother going out with Ma Hao, but her mother had already approved, and her opinion as a younger sister couldn’t sway her second brother’s decision.

Lin Qiu was busy making tea and serving water, bringing out fruits and seeds.

"Brother Ma! Here’s some water!"

Ma Hao smiled and thanked her, "Thanks! Please, don’t trouble yourself further!"

Lin Xia was thinking about heading to the kitchen to see what to prepare for lunch.

But Mingyuan stopped her, "Lin Xia! Don’t bother cooking at home! I’ve also invited Yijin. We’ll go out to eat! Second Brother will treat everyone!"

He didn’t want Lin Xia to tire herself out, cooking for so many guests. How many dishes would that require?

Moreover, it was the new year, and he wanted to treat everyone to a good meal to have a great time together.

Of course, he had another motive.

Lin Xia took a seat obediently, "Second Brother, all of you came over, how can I let you host? Let me treat!"

The second brother would leave with Ma Hao after the fifteenth, so she thought of this as an early farewell treat.

Mingyuan joked, "Lin Xia, you want to treat? Sure, get in line!"

Ma Hao stood up with a laugh, "Hey! This lineup is perfect! Mingyuan treats lunch, and Lin Xia treats dinner! We’ve finally found our food spots..."

"You kid, can you handle drinks for two meals?!" Mingyuan laughed meaningfully, "Let Lin Xia treat tomorrow!"

Lin Xia suddenly remembered how he and Lu Zheng had gotten drunk that day, "Alright! Then tomorrow it is!" Anyway, they weren’t leaving until after the fifteenth, so there was no rush.

At that moment, Ma Hao laughed heartily, "Mingyuan! If it’s tomorrow, to make sure we’re here for Lin Xia’s treat, we can’t go back today, can we? Right, Xiaoqing?"

Mingqing smiled faintly, "Right! Why bother going back and forth? But if we’re not going back, where will we stay?"

The last time she wanted to help her second brother, he firmly refused, even saying there was no place to stay.

Mingyuan actually didn’t want his sister staying at Lin Xia’s house, "What’s this about not going back? Xiaoqing, we didn’t tell mom we aren’t coming home tonight!"

Mingqing was unfazed, "Second Brother! Even if we don’t say it, it’s fine. Mom definitely knows we’re out having fun together, and if it’s too late, we just won’t go back!"

Seeing the siblings about to continue their disagreement, Lin Xia intervened, "Second Brother, we have room in our house!"

Lin Dong chimed in with a laugh, "Right, Sister Xiaoqing! I’ll give up my room, and I can stay with the second brother and Brother Ma!"

Ma Hao clapped and roared with laughter, "That settles it! Today, we boldly declare no return unless drunk!"

Mingyuan gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder, "You make it sound like you can drink a lot!"

Ma Hao retorted just as strongly, "We’re about equal in drinking!"

Lin Xia and the others watched the fun playfully.

At noon, Mingyuan and the group, including Lin Xia, went to the largest restaurant in the city.

Mingqing barely paid attention to the lively conversation and laughter at the table, eagerly anticipating Sheng Yijin’s arrival.

After two dishes had been served, Sheng Yijin rushed over from work.

Mingqing hurriedly had Sheng Yijin sit beside her in the spot she had saved, and everyone at the table understood but remained silently amused.

Lin Xia observed the scene, wondering when Mingqing would reveal her feelings to Sheng Yijin.

As soon as Yijin arrived, Ma Hao teased him into drinking three cups as a self-punishment, which was later reduced to one cup.

Jiang Mingqing initially wanted to intervene, but then thought better of it and remained silent.

Sheng Yijin looked at the wine glass being thrust into his hand and hesitated, "I still have to work this afternoon!"

Ma Hao made a fuss, "Yijin! There can’t be that much to do when you just started back at work; can’t you take a leave for the sake of us finally getting together? Mingyuan and I are leaving right after the fifteenth!"

Jiang Mingqing quickly echoed, "Yes! Brother Sheng, my second brother and the others have already prepared not to return unless they’re drunk!"

"Okay then!" Sheng Yijin tilted his head back and downed the cup of wine!

After that, the meal became very lively.

Lin Xia and Lin Qiu initially wanted to drink soda, but met with strong opposition.

"It’s New Year’s, we finally get together, and you drink soda?"

Ma Hao was the most provocative, "Lin Xia! You and your siblings can’t just drink soda with us!"

Jiang Mingyuan stepped in, "Ma Hao! What are you stirring up? Lin Xia and them can’t drink!"

Ma Hao insisted, "Mingyuan, what you’re saying isn’t right! If they can’t drink, just drink a little to show good will... let’s aim for some happy fun!"

"Lin Dong is still in school; do you think he’s like you sneaking drinks of your dad’s medicinal wine! And then going crazy?" Jiang Mingyuan ended up laughing.

Bringing this up, Ma Hao glared at him, "You see, you’re really too harsh, digging up my scars without mercy!" There was something he didn’t clearly say, but it was seriously choosing romance over friendship!

Jiang Mingqing covered her mouth and laughed, even Sheng Yijin couldn’t hold back a laugh.

Lin Xia and the others heard there was a story and insisted on hearing it.

Jiang Mingyuan, ignoring Ma Hao’s pleading looks, shared his glorious deeds.

It turned out that when Ma Hao was younger than Lin Dong, he sneaked some of his father’s medicinal wine and after drinking too much, went out running amok, nearly mistaking sheep dung pellets for hawthorn pills...

At the dinner table, the atmosphere instantly became joyful.

In the end, not only were Lin Xia and her siblings’ wine glasses filled with half a cup of white wine, but even Lin Dong had a little poured into his.

Alcohol is the best way to let one’s self-go, and soon, Lin Xia felt dizzy but very happy.

The siblings hadn’t been this happy in the past few days.

She took a bite of her food while observing the others at the table, knowing that one reveals their other side when drunk.

Jiang Mingyuan and the other two men, accustomed to socializing, were normally able to drink, so they temporarily didn’t show any inappropriate behavior.

Her brother, Lin Dong, was turning red from the alcohol and focused on eating the dish in front of him.

Lin Qiu also had a flushed face but seemed fine.

Jiang Mingqing’s cheeks were rosy and her eyes sparkled; her gaze occasionally fell on Sheng Yijin next to her as she picked food for him.

Ma Hao noticed everything and cheekily signaled Jiang Mingyuan with his eyes.

He wasn’t drunk and could see everything clearly.

It was Jiang Mingyuan’s chance to create an opportunity for his sister, but how the romance would turn out, nobody could predict at the moment.

Jiang Mingyuan gave Ma Hao a disapproving glance, indeed he had this intention, but Sheng Yijin was his buddy and Xiaoqing was his sister; he couldn’t break through that barrier.

He asked Lin Xia, "Lin Xia! You all haven’t drunk too much, have you?" He initially really didn’t want Lin Xia and the others to drink.

"Second brother! We’re fine!"

Lin Qiu and Lin Dong also chimed in that they were fine.

When they left the restaurant tipsily to return to Lin Xia’s house, they unexpectedly saw Ji Man waiting at the doorstep...