"Besides the grilled fish slices, which I made, everything else here is Hu Li's handiwork," Hua's father said, sipping the wine Hu Li had poured for him. In fact, Hua's father hadn't touched alcohol for a long time, but today he was so happy that he decided to open a bottle.

"Xiaoyan, try it and see if it's good?" Hu Li said somewhat anxiously. With guests present, Chang Ma insisted on not dining with them, and in the end, Hua Yan had to give up trying to persuade her.

Hua Yan rarely peeled a boiled shrimp herself, tasting it slowly. "Dad, you passed on your unique skills; this shrimp tastes almost like yours."

Hua's father said, "That's because Hu Li is a quick learner; he picks things up immediately." Then he took the wine bottle and poured more for Hu Li. "Young man, drink up." Hua Yan started sweating profusely. In her memory, elders never liked younger people drinking too much. Her father, however, was doing the opposite, clearly up to something. Hu Li was well aware of this but still had to smile and thank him.

However much Hua's father poured, Hu Li drank. Each time he emptied his glass, Hua's father would refill it. Two bottles were emptied in this continuous cycle.

By now, Hu Li was feeling dizzy, his heavy eyelids making him sleepy. At this moment, he had to restrain himself from letting the alcohol take over his consciousness and avoid physical contact with Hua's father. Earlier in Hua Yan's bedroom, they had discussed not letting Hua's father discover the secret of Hu Li's body temperature.

Hu Li did not seek help from Hua Yan, and Hua Yan did not offer it. When comparing her boyfriend and her father, she leaned more towards her father. Moreover, Hua Yan now understood why her father was doing this. When men judge other men, one crucial factor is their behavior when drinking.

A man with good drinking manners retains some conscience and kindness no matter how bad he might be. Conversely, no matter how well-dressed and refined he appears, an ill-mannered drunk harbors evil within.

After the third bottle was emptied, Hu Li was slumped over the table, unable to get up. Hua Yan, seeing that it was enough, hurriedly helped Hu Li to her room. Worried that Hua's father might discover Hu Li's secret, she didn't let him assist in supporting Hu Li. Once inside, Hu Li fell to the ground, taking Hua Yan with him, with a thud, Hu Li's head hitting the floor.

"Hu Li, wake up! Is your head hurt badly?" Hua Yan's face was inches from Hu Li's. As she spoke, the dazed Hu Li suddenly pulled her into his arms, muttering, "I'm hot..."

Hua Yan felt his forehead and other parts of his body, finding them still cold. How could he be hot? "Hu Li, your body isn't hot. Did you drink too much and burn your stomach?"

Hu Li, with hazy eyes, said, "Xiaoyan, I want to kiss you."

"What?" Hua Yan quickly moved away, watching him slowly open his eyes.

Hu Li, seeing Hua Yan look like a startled rabbit, chuckled hoarsely, "People used to say that alcohol can lead to indiscretions; I didn't believe it. Just now, your scent almost made me lose control. But don't worry, I'll restrain myself. Help me up; the floor is cold."

"Okay." Hua Yan helped Hu Li onto the bed. "Weren't you just completely drunk? How did you wake up so quickly? Were you pretending?" she asked with a smile.

Hu Li tapped Hua Yan's forehead with his cold fingers, discontented, "The old man has sharp eyes. I wouldn't dare do that. This situation is something I've always had."

"Then you rest. I'll get you some sobering soup."

As she opened the door, Hua's father and Chang Ma were cleaning up the leftovers. Hua's father asked, "Is Hu Li very drunk?"

"A bit too much, but he's already sobered up."

"Good lad. He's got a decent tolerance. There's sobering soup prepared in the kitchen. Go get a bowl for him."

"Dad, did you prepare the sobering soup in advance?"

Hua's father blinked and smiled without saying anything, but it was clear that everything was part of his plan. At this moment, Hua's father was like an old child.

After drinking the sobering soup, Hu Li felt even more clear-headed. He held Hua Yan's hand, gently rubbing it, "Once I gain your full approval, I'll take you to Germany to meet my parents."

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Hu Li's expression was full of beautiful expectations for the future, but Hua Yan felt a bit worried. Hu Li noticed this and reassured her, "Don't have any mental burden. I've considered every possibility and made thorough preparations. I just hope that no matter how many people oppose us, you won't give up. Unless you don't love me anymore."

Hua Yan had always sensed Hu Li's worries. His wealth and talents didn't give him confidence in matters of love. She felt more pity for this side of Hu Li.

Just like everyone has something they care about in their heart, and they can't remain calm when facing the gain or loss of these things. Just like she doesn't want to lose her relatives; like Mr. Secretary doesn't want to see Mr. Gao sad, even though he thinks his father is dispensable; like Cheng Jie doesn't want to lose his empire.

"Don't worry. As long as you are good, I'll bring you into my harem and hide the beautiful man indoors."

"You want me to be your male consort?"

"That's not a bad idea."

"Will Your Highness grant me an audience tonight?"

"I'll consider it..."

"Then let me take charge this time," said Hu Li, pulling Hua Yan down onto him. With a swift motion, Hu Li had pinned Hua Yan beneath him. Hua Yan angrily pounded his chest a few times, but it was more like tickling him. She still struggled to get up.

Suddenly, Hu Li's smile vanished as he suppressed something, saying to Hua Yan, "Don't move."

"No way!" Hua Yan continued to move, but after a few more struggles, she stopped. Her fair ears instantly turned red, and she shyly turned her head away, avoiding eye contact with Hu Li.

Hu Li stifled a laugh and deliberately blew warm, moist air close to her ear, saying, "Scared now? But since you've stirred me up, I'm suffering and can't help but collect some interest." With that, Hu Li bit her lip, kissing her passionately.

The room was very warm, and both Hu Li and Hua Yan were only wearing light clothing. As Hua Yan's body grew hotter and Hu Li's remained cold, they had the illusion of being naked against each other. Hu Li's breathing became more rapid, and his hands roamed over Hua Yan's body. Hua Yan felt weak all over, and Hu Li's kisses made it impossible for her to keep a clear mind.

An indescribable emotion sprang up in Hu Li and Hua Yan's hearts, making their young hearts itch. They both seemed to hear their inner desires for more.

Suddenly, Hu Li sat up, breathing heavily, and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I almost..."

Hua Yan, who had just regained some self-awareness, looked at Hu Li's heaving chest and the intense desire in his eyes. Feeling the taste of Hu Li lingering in her mouth, she said, "You've served me well, my consort. Here's your reward." With that, she gave him a light peck on the cheek.

Hu Li kissed her back briefly before rushing to the bathroom. Hearing the continuous sound of running water inside, Hua Yan smiled happily. When Hua's father knocked on the door, Hua Yan hurriedly tidied up the messy bed and fixed her disheveled hair before opening the door.

Hua's father entered and didn't notice anything unusual, except that Hu Li wasn't there. "Where's Hu Li?" he asked.

"He went to the bathroom to sober up," Hua Yan replied with a mysterious smile.

"There's a young man named Hu Da looking for him downstairs."

"I'll tell him in a moment."

"It seems urgent. Don't forget," Hua's father said before leaving. Hua Yan noticed Hu Li's phone had somehow fallen to the corner of the bed. She guessed it must have fallen during their playful tussle, and her face reddened further.

She picked up the phone and saw over a dozen missed calls from Hu Da. It must be something urgent. She quickly called out, "Hu Li, come out quickly. Hu Da has something urgent."

Hu Li's resolute face was covered in water droplets, still dripping down, creating an image of a handsome man bathing that tugged at Hua Yan's heartstrings.

"Hu Da is waiting for you downstairs."

"I'll be right there," he said, pecking Hua Yan on the lips before grabbing his coat and running out, leaving Hua Yan stamping her foot in frustration.

Seeing Hu Da, Hu Li asked, "What's the matter?"

Hu Da glanced at the second floor and said, "Master, let's talk in the car." Hu Li gave him a look and asked no more questions.

As Hu Er drove, Hu Da continued, "Master, Miss Hua Yan might be in danger!"

The previously languid Hu Li suddenly looked at Hu Da, his tone turning vicious, "Who wants to harm her?"

"It's the drug lords. They don't know yet that the person they're after is Miss Hua Yan, but I'm worried that their influence is not to be underestimated. They'll find out sooner or later."

"Is Ke Shaozheng handling this?" These drug lords were the worst of the worst in the underworld. Even Hu Li didn't want to cross them openly. But what he didn't expect was that they would take their anger over losing 10,000 grams of drugs out on Hua Yan. This situation was very tricky. Once they confirmed their target, they would employ all sorts of deadly tactics, including assassination and conspiracy.

"Yes, I found out about this when Baldy inadvertently let it slip while drinking. They are currently looking for the people who ruined their plans twice, but they don't have specific information."

Hu Li furrowed his brows and remained silent for a few minutes. At this moment, Ke Shaozheng's call came through. Without hesitation, Hu Li answered.

"Cousin, you picked up so quickly. Missed me? I've missed you," Ke Shaozheng said with a playful laugh.

Hu Li's expression of disgust was fleeting. "What's up?" he asked coolly.

"I've got plenty of time now. How about I treat you to dinner tomorrow?" Ke Shaozheng was worried Hu Li might refuse, which would mess up his plans. The mainland police were keeping a tight watch on him, making it hard to do anything. He wanted to use Hu Li's free status to accomplish something.

"Okay. Let me know the time and place."

"Great, I'll make sure you have a good time tomorrow. And there will be old friends too." Ke Shaozheng rambled on happily. Hu Li didn't care who the friends were and hung up without hesitation.

"Master, shouldn't we tell Miss Hua Yan about this?" Hu Er, the driver, asked.

"Not for now. I'll decide after meeting with Ke Shaozheng tomorrow." If the problem wasn't serious, Hu Li preferred to handle it himself, sparing her from any worry.