After ninety-nine online romances, I finally met my ex in person when school started.

P.S.: I used up all three passes last week, and I'll continue this week. The skins are completely random, but the higher you rank on the fan and gift lists, the higher the probability (since they leave a deeper impression).

Meng Changjin, the top official of Hujiang City and father of Meng Wanqing, has arrived.

As Meng Changjin entered, his gaze swept past everyone before finally settling on Zhu Xunchuan, who was sitting next to his daughter, engaging in a private leg-pulling game with her.

"I heard a genius has come to our house who can drink all the second-generation rich kids at Shanghai University under the table?"

Meng Changjin's tone was calm, yet it was like a heavy hammer striking directly at the spot.

Zhu Xun Chuan slowly stood up, meeting the scrutiny of this person at the pinnacle of power in Shanghai, with a slight smile on his lips.

"I wouldn't dare call myself a genius, but I'm alright at drinking; I can keep up with my father-in-law for a couple of drinks."

The entire audience gasped.

This kid, he really thinks he's got a death wish!

Mencius' father narrowed his eyes slightly, and the oppressive aura of a high-ranking official swept over him like a tidal wave.

At that moment, a new WeChat notification popped up on Zhu Xunchuan's phone.

[Su Mucheng]: [Video request not answered].

[Shen Tianxi]: [Brother Chuan, Grandpa asked me where you are. He wants to see you.]

Looking at his future father-in-law, feeling Meng Wanqing's toes still tucked in under the table, and listening to the constant vibrations in his pocket, Zhu Xun Chuan suddenly realized that the liquor in Shanghai was probably even stronger than that in Beijing.

The reception room was deathly silent.

Meng Changjin's eyes, which had seen countless people, were fixed intently on Zhu Xunchuan's face. An extremely strong pressure, befitting a high-ranking provincial or ministerial official, spread through the air. The entire Meng family's uncles and elders didn't dare to even breathe loudly.

Zhu Xun Chuan did not activate the [Perfect Aura Halo]. Against a seasoned cunning old fox who has spent half his life navigating the pinnacle of power, no amount of system cheats or deception is as effective as genuine sincerity and courage.

He stood there, a smile on his lips, his right leg braced against Meng Wanqing's high heels crushing him under the table, while his left hand casually pulled out his still-vibrating phone from his pocket, pressing the mute button without even looking at it.

Then, Zhu Xun Chuan took a half step forward and extended his right hand. The movement was neither hurried nor slow.

"Uncle Meng, this is my first visit, and I haven't had a chance to greet you yet."

Meng Changjin stared at the hand suspended in mid-air for a full five seconds. Just as Meng Wanqing was nervously preparing to get up and smooth things over, Meng Changjin suddenly raised his hand and grasped Zhu Xunchuan's.

Their hands clasped together. Meng Changjin's palms were broad and rough, with immense strength, carrying an undisguised probing.

Zhu Xun Chuan's expression remained unchanged. He closed his fist and firmly gripped the other hand. The force was just right, neither yielding nor appearing aggressive.

"You've certainly made the old man utter the word 'pleasant'," Meng Changjin said, releasing his grip. The coldness in his tone softened slightly as he turned and walked towards the head table. "Please sit down. Let's eat."

As Meng Changjin took his seat, the stagnant air began to flow again. Servants filed in, and one after another, exquisite Shanghai-style private dishes were placed on the large round table made of huanghuali wood.

Meng Wanqing let out a long sigh of relief, secretly squeezing Zhu Xunchuan's palm under the table; her palm was covered in a fine sheen of sweat. Zhu Xunchuan turned his hand around and enveloped her soft fingers, his thumb restlessly scratching her palm. Meng Wanqing trembled, her ears turning red, and glared at him fiercely.

The family dinner officially began.

Meng Changjin did not put on airs of a high-ranking official. He picked up his wine glass and casually chatted about everyday matters.

"I heard from Wanqing that you're studying literature at Peking University?" Meng Changjin picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks, his gaze falling on Zhu Xunchuan. "These days, academic work is tough. Young people are fickle and easily lose their way in this field. What are your plans for the future?"

These words, seemingly casual conversation, actually concealed a sharp edge. In the eyes of someone like Meng Changjin, a freshman talking about ideals is too unrealistic, while talking about reality seems too pragmatic.

Zhu Xun Chuan put down his chopsticks, picked up the bottle of Moutai in front of him, and smiled frankly: "Uncle Meng is right, doing academic research is indeed tough. That's why I'm rushing to Shanghai to find a lucrative job, isn't it?"

Everyone at the table was stunned. Meng Changhe sneered inwardly, thinking that this kid was truly hopeless, living off a woman with such self-righteousness.

"The ancients often said that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles." Zhu Xun Chuan changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of carefree humor. "But I've been thinking, nothing beats finding a good wife. It saves me forty years of detours and provides companionship. Wan Qing is usually busy with work, and my greatest ideal in this life is to take good care of her so that she can have a hot soup when she comes home every day. As for the ups and downs outside, I don't understand them and I won't get involved."

"Pfft—" Mother-in-law Shen Xinrou couldn't help but burst out laughing first, "You child, you never say anything serious."

Grandpa Meng chuckled along, pointing at Zhu Xun Chuan and saying to Meng Chang Jin, "This kid is insightful. Of all those people outside who fight tooth and nail for fame and fortune, none of them understand life as well as him."

Meng Changjin put down his wine glass and gave Zhu Xunchuan a deep look. He had originally thought this kid was an ambitious opportunist trying to climb the social ladder by using the Meng family, but he never expected that the other party would so easily defuse all the probing with such a frank and almost "playing dumb" attitude.

This seemingly outrageous answer is actually the most likely to make people lower their guard in powerful and wealthy families.

"Smooth talker." Meng Changjin snorted noncommittally, but the lines at the corners of his eyes softened noticeably. "Go ahead and drink."

Zhu Xunchuan picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

The atmosphere at the dinner table gradually warmed up. Meng Changhe, unwilling to give up, stood up with the decanter in hand and walked over to Zhu Xunchuan, clearly intending to get revenge at the dinner table.

"Xun Chuan, since we're family, your second uncle will toast you. In our Shanghai tradition, the first cup must be finished." Meng Changhe said, pouring a full cup of 53-proof Moutai.

Zhu Xun Chuan accepted all offers without hesitation, not even flinching, and downed his drink in one gulp: "Second Uncle is so generous, I'll keep you company."

After three rounds, Meng Changhe had downed half a jin of baijiu, and his tongue was already slurring. Zhu Xunchuan, however, remained unfazed and even managed to precisely remove the fish bones from Meng Wanqing's fish. Meng Changhe was completely exasperated and was helped by a servant to a side hall to sober up.

Just then, Shen Shuzhu, the aunt sitting diagonally across from her, picked up her glass of red wine.

Today she wore a light purple chiffon cheongsam, the fabric clinging to her body and perfectly outlining her mature, voluptuous figure. The teardrop-shaped cutout design at the neckline was just right, and as she raised her glass, a glimpse of her deep, creamy white skin appeared and disappeared, exuding a fatal mature woman's charm.

"Little Xun Chuan, your alcohol tolerance is indeed quite good." Shen Shuzhu chuckled in her signature baby voice, her watery peach blossom eyes staring straight at Zhu Xun Chuan with a hint of longing in them. "However, drinking too much alcohol can easily lead to drunkenness. No matter how good you are at carrying water, if you overindulge, you'll still spill it."