Chapter 86


    Zeke was embarrassed.


    He didn''t know how to write one, that''s for sure.


    Feeling the awkwardness between the two of them, Hannah broke the silence. “Zeke, you saved our


    lives. To show our appreciation, I''ll cook some delicious dishes for you.”


    “Thank you, Mom.”


    Hannah smiled, “Don''t mention it. We''re family, after all.”


    She then beckoned Daniel to walk into the kitchen with her.


    Daniel muttered under his breath, “I don''t think it''s that simple, what do you think?”


    Hannah nodded, “Of course it isn''t. Even if Zeke exposed to the Schneider family that the Hamilton


    family was the one who switched the bid proposal, Lacey would have never gotten a perfect score on


    it.”


    “After all, her steel mill is just a small-scale factory. It makes no sense for her to get a perfect score.”


    Daniel was lost in his thoughts and asked, “Do you think Zeke knows someone from the Schneider


    family?”


    Hannah replied, “Yeah, it seems that''s the case.”


    “How about you try to see if you can get some information from him?”


    Daniel looked troubled, “How am I supposed to do that if he refuses to cooperate?”


    “How about you? Maybe you can sound him out?”


    Hannah said, “Nah, it will be much easier if you have a man-to-man talk with him. How about you get


    him drunkter?”


    Daniel agreed, “That''s a good idea. After all, we have a bottle of Maotai sitting in our house. We can


    bring it out and serve it to him.”


    Soon, the sumptuous meal was served.


    Daniel took out a cherished bottle of Maotai and said, “Zeke, let''s have a drink.”


    Lacey wasn''t very pleased. “Dad, don''t let Zeke drink too much.”


    “The Schneider family might ask Zeke and me to meet them upter for contractual discussions, and it


    won''t be nice for them to see him drunk.


    Daniel assured Lacey, “Don''t worry, I won''t let him drink too much.”


    Lacey told Zeke, “Zeke, my dad is a good drinker. He has a high alcohol tolerance and rarely gets


    drunk.”


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    “Please don''t challenge him on his alcohol tolerance, alright?”


    “Don''t worry. I know I''m not as good of a drinker as your dad. I know what to do.”


    Soon, they clinked their sses and drank happily.


    After half an hour, Daniel was as drunk as a skunk. He couldn''t even stand properly.


    “Zeke, I was known as a loyal, brave and resourceful person when I was young. I even had seven or


    eight men at my disposal during my glory days.”


    “Too bad mundane life has taken a toll on me. Your mother-inw has always been nagging at how


    useless I am now. But deep down in my heart, I know I''m swallowing my pride and simply waiting for an


    opportunity to shine.”


    “Now that you''re here, I feel young again.”


    Zeke didn''t even look as if he had been drinking and said calmly, “Dad, you''re not that old yet. I believe


    you will achieve great things in life.”


    “I never thought of achieving something great, but I would like to set up my own clinic.”


    “That wouldn''t be a problem. Lacey and I can give you some advice; we can make it work.”


    Hannah didn''t know whether to cry orugh.


    What a dummy. I''m asking you to pry information out of Zeke, but you''re pouring your heart out to him.


    Well, now what? You''re as drunk as a skunk while Zeke is as sober as a judge.


    As for Lacey, a mood of mncholy descended on her.


    For years, Dad has been living in obscurity and silence. He never confided in anyone.


    But today he pours his heart out to Zeke about how he has really felt for all these years.


    Seems like Zeke does have some talent.


    Hannah started to get annoyed with Daniel''s nagging, and she said, “Daniel, I think you''ve drunk too


    much. Let''s head back to the room and have a rest.”


    Zeke stopped Hannah, “It''s okay, Mom.”


    “It isn''t easy for dad to support the family. He''s under tremendous stress and will feel better if he gets it


    off his chest.”


    Daniel was moved to tears. “You and I really click. I know I can always count on you.”


    After a while, the Schneider family called Lacey. They invited her over to the Schneider residence for


    the contractual discussion.


    Lacey told Zeke that it was time to leave.


    Daniel enjoyed his chit chat with Zeke but didn''t want to take up their time either. “Zeke, don''t worry


    about it. Just go ahead. We can continue drinking once you''re done.”


    Zeke replied, “Sure, Dad. I will see you soon. Then we can drink to our hearts'' content!”


    As soon as Zeke left the house, Daniel slumped into the sofa and started his drunk talk, “This kid, he


    really can drink.”


    “If only I was younger...”


    Hannah put a nket on Daniel while she secretly wiped her tears away.


    “Why didn''t you tell me you''re under so much stress?”


    “Sigh, it''s my bad. I was too harsh on you all the while.”


    “Well, look at the bright side. I''m so d we can depend on Zeke now. You don''t have to work so hard


    anymore.”