Chapter 1234


    “What’s wrong?” Nichs asked, raising his deep voice and narrowing his eyes. “Are you drinking or


    not?”


    Zuko forced a smile and replied, “I’ll… I’ll drink, of course.”


    “Then fill the sses!”


    “Sh*t!” Zuko let out a soft gasp. “Uncle Nichs, slow down!”


    He watched as Nichs brought out two whiskey sses and filled them to the brim before handing


    one to him.


    Zuko had no choice but to ept it. However, he had never even had vodka straight. It felt more like a


    ss of alcohol rather than something to savor.


    “What’s the matter? Scared to drink?” Nichs raised an eyebrow smugly. “Kid, are you even a man if


    you can’t handle this?”


    “Uncle Nichs—”


    “Your father must not have taught you these things!” Nichs leaned closer to him with a mischievous


    smile. “A real man drinks this. That’s the real deal! Don’t learn those fancy habits from your father,


    thinking you’re sophisticated just by sipping red wine and eating fancy tiny dishes. Those rich heir types


    like him always think they’re above everyone else! Come,e, bottoms up!”


    Zuko held the ss hesitantly, only to see that Nichs had already taken a big gulp.


    “Ah!” Nichs sounded quite gratified.


    Zuko wanted tough but dared not. He tried to copy Nichs and gulped down the alcohol as well.


    “Ah!” His voice was louder.


    The scorching sensation felt like a sharp de that sliced down his throat and chest, burning his


    stomach.


    After a while, he felt a bit lightheaded.


    Zuko felt his face burn, but he saw Nichs offering him another ss. This time, he did not refuse and


    just drank it up.


    Nichsughed and also downed his own ss.


    –


    When Linda and Lina came back, they were shocked. The bottle of vodka on the table was already


    empty, and the two men seemed to have had quite a bit to drink. They wereughing with their arms


    around each other and acting like old friends.


    “Nichs, bro!”


    “Buddy!”


    “Nick! Allow me to salute you!”


    “No need to be polite! From now on, wherever you go, just mention my name! I promise you… It will be


    more effective than mentioning that old man Zephyr! Hahaha!”


    Linda and Lina hurriedly rushed over and pulled them apart, but the two men were reluctant to part.


    They hastily hugged and looked at the two women as if facing amon enemy.


    Nichs red at them. “What are you two doing?”


    “Hush!” Zuko made a shushing gesture and whispered, looking up at Nichs, “They’re definitely


    jealous of how good our rtionship is!”


    “Yeah, you make sense, buddy! It’s sheer jealousy!”


    “Nichs Thompson!” Linda abruptly grabbed his ear.


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    The sudden pain brought some rity to Nichs’ mind. His wife’s voice sounded deafening.


    “You old fool! Have you got any sense? Zuko’s never drunk that kind of liquor since he was little. What


    if you make him sick from downing it today?


    “Besides, he’s here to propose marriage. Do you understand what a proposal is? You’ve embarrassed


    our daughter!”


    “Huh?” Nichs frowned and blinked, seeming to grasp a little understanding in his muddled mind.


    His eyes shot to Zuko. ‘Right! Today is the day this young man came to propose, so how did we end up


    drinking together?’


    “Zuko, are you alright?” Lina supported him, feeling bad, while Zuko could only smile foolishly with an


    unfocused gaze.


    “Zuko, why don’t you rest in my room for a while?” Lina asked.


    “No!” Nichs stomped his foot.


    Lina was taken aback and let him go. Suddenly, under Nichs’mand, dozens of Thompson


    bodyguards in ck flooded into the living room from every direction, creating an overwhelming


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    Zuko became soberer as well. Seeing he was surrounded and catching a glimpse of Lina’s worried and


    frightened expression, he forgot where he was for a moment. All he could think about was protecting


    Lina.


    He gave her a shove… right into her parents’ arms.


    “Huh? Uncle Ian?” Zuko saw a familiar face and gave him a look.


    In spite of it, the alcohol had taken its toll, and his mind was still in a daze. “Uncle Ian, you… You’re


    here? What are these people here for?”


    Ian smiled. “Mr. Zuko, have you forgotten that you came to the Thompsons for a proposal today?”


    It took Zuko a moment to connect the fragmented memories and make sense of what had happened


    before the drinking session.


    “But if you want to marry our Thompson heiress, you must show your sincerity,” Ian said.


    Zuko was startled. “Sincerity?”


    “ording to our rules…”


    “You wouldn’t ask me to fight all of you…” Zuko counted. “30 people alone, right?”


    “Zuko!” Lina hurriedly stepped in front of him. “Uncle Ian, take them away quickly! My dad’s drunk. Are


    you tipsy, too?”


    Ianughed even more heartily. “Ms. Lina, it looks like you’re truly standing up for your husband!”


    “Yes!” Lina smiled yfully. “I won’t allow anyone toy a finger on the Thompsons’ son-inw!”


    “You’ve misunderstood!” Ianughed again. “When Nick mentioned sincerity, he definitely didn’t mean


    having your husband fight! Instead…”


    “Yeah! I mean, am I that rough?” Nich raised his voice. “I’ve already moved past the fighting stage!”


    Lina helplessly said, “Dad, then what do you want to do?”


    The tipsy Nichs smiled mysteriously and stumbled toward his daughter and son-inw, lowering his


    voice to a whisper. “I have a big secret…


    “Lina, I have a family heirloom… Something that’s not usually taken out. An exceptional treasure! Heh!


    I n to give it to Zuko!”


    “What?” Lina was stunned and subconsciously looked at her mother.


    Linda shrugged, looking puzzled, and rolled her eyes at Nichs. “Lina, don’t mind your dad. He’s


    drunk.”


    Lina teased, “Dad, why don’t you keep this family heirloom for me instead? Why give it to him?”


    “Silly girl! This family heirloom is passed down only to men! It’s because you’re a girl!”


    “Huh?”


    Nichs smiled. “But I’ll let you have a look today!”


    He then shouted, “Bring it in!”


    Nichs’ men parted to two sides instantly. Four men walked in slowly with uniform steps, the heels of


    their shoes tapping the ground with a heavy sound as if they were part of a solemn ceremony.


    Lina furrowed her brows, observing the four men who seemed to be carrying a corner of something


    each.


    As they got closer, she froze.


    The family heirloom they brought in was… a washboard!