Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 486: A Drunk Tian Peng, Truly a Mishap

"Shopkeeper, I raise this glass to you!" Tian Peng rose from his seat next to the main seat and raised his cup towards Chen Nuo, who was at the head seat.

Chen Nuo hadn’t intended to take the main seat initially. All those present were esteemed characters, and he was merely the owner of a restaurant. Taking the main seat was truly an honor.

Chen Nuo had no particular views on seating, but he seemed too proud to take the main seat immediately when others recommended it.

However, Tian Peng and the other guests unanimously insisted that he sit at the head seat. Tian Peng even said that the main purpose of the banquet was to thank him, and if he didn’t sit there, then no one else could.

After being invited by everyone present in turn, Chen Nuo reluctantly took the main seat.

"There’s no need to toast to me, as the biggest financial contribution to both the banquet and the help provided was yours," Chen Nuo said with a smile.

"Shopkeeper, you’re wrong to say that. What I’ve contributed is merely money, and besides, you’ve been considerate and did not charge the true price. Moreover, my achievements today are all thanks to you. If you don’t accept this glass from me, then really, no one else can afford it," Tian Peng said, offering flattery.

Chen Nuo’s remarks were just out of politeness. After all, many people present only knew he had sold rabbit meat, thinking he had helped Chang’e, and were not aware of Tian Peng’s involvement.

After his own explanation, everyone understood that Chen Nuo’s help with Chang’e’s rabbit issue was not for Chang’e, but rather, Tian Peng had begged him for help.

No wonder, Shopkeeper Chen’s connection to Chang’e didn’t quite add up; if you insert Tian Peng in the middle, then everything made sense.

"Since you’ve put it that way, I won’t stand on ceremony with you. Alright, I’ll accept this glass," Chen Nuo said, raising his cup towards Tian Peng and then downing it in one go.

Following the lead of Tian Peng, a few divine officials with a good relationship with Tian Peng also stood to toast Chen Nuo.

"Shopkeeper Chen, it is really unexpected that you, taking on the job on such short notice, could make such plain rabbit meat taste so good. It’s truly remarkable," one official commented.

"Indeed, we normally only get a rabbit or two to roast while hunting. Even though the meat has a strong gamey taste, it’s quite satisfying to have a few bites in such a setting. But to make it into a proper dish isn’t that easy. I’ve seldom eaten tasty rabbit meat among mortals. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t even have known that rabbit could be prepared like this!" another added.

Many divine officials stood up, one after another, all eager to toast Shopkeeper Chen. They held lower ranks, having once served under Tian Peng.

They couldn’t afford to dine at Chen Nuo’s restaurant often, as it was too expensive. Some even lacked a takeout option, clearly not regulars. Naturally, Chen Nuo wouldn’t accept all the drinks they offered, but he also didn’t want to offend anyone.

After they had all either praised him or made their toasts, Chen Nuo stood up with his servant-filled cup, "I’m just a cook, and your high praise is more than I deserve. But since it’s this sort of occasion, I’ll take your words as pleasantries and drink this wine."

With just one glass, Chen Nuo responded to seven or eight people. They weren’t actually well-acquainted with Chen Nuo. After the first toast, they hardly knew what more to say.

Chen Nuo could guess their thoughts and, with a smile without saying anything, slowly sipped his wine.

At this moment, the hostess of Guanghan Palace, Chang’e, stood with her cup in hand, "Shopkeeper Chen, since they have all toasted you, I too will raise a glass to you."

Chen Nuo wasn’t well-acquainted with Chang’e either, but since she was already standing with her glass raised, as a gentleman, Chen Nuo couldn’t just sit there. He also stood up with his glass.

Chang’e said, "If it weren’t for your assistance, the rabbits of Guanghan Palace would still be overrunning the place, with nowhere to land their feet. It’s all thanks to you that my troubles were solved in just a few days. If I don’t toast to you, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself."

"What Fairy Chang’e is saying really isn’t necessary. It’s thanks to Tian Peng that I was able to help, as he wanted to assist you himself but couldn’t resolve the issue, so he turned to me. If anyone should be thanked, it should be him. He even paid me for the help, so in truth, this wine—I really shouldn’t be the one drinking it."

"However, now that I’ve stood up, I can’t just stand without purpose. So, let me toast to you, to express my gratitude for providing a place for all of us to drink. Your venue is so vast; it’s not an easy task to find a place like this in the Heavenly Court."

In just a few words, Chen Nuo deflected credit for his own achievements. He could see that Tian Peng had his heart set on Chang’e, and as a boss, it was only proper to give his employee a boost. Otherwise, what’s the point in being a boss?

Chen Nuo made his point clear, and even Tian Peng’s gaze carried more gratitude towards him.

But Chang’e’s face showed a hint of embarrassment. Even though it was Tian Peng who helped, she really didn’t want to get entangled with him again.

Tian Peng, a rough and bulky man, was almost overwhelming to her. If Tian Peng hadn’t been working at the milk tea shop, which cast him in a different light for her...

But once away from the milk tea shop, she had no such filter for Tian Peng, and seeing him only brought about feelings of trouble.

However, the attention of most present was on Chen Nuo, and not many were concerned with Chang’e’s embarrassment.

With an awkward smile on her face, Chang’e drank the toast, then under Chen Nuo’s watchful gaze, she toasted Tian Peng as well.

"Lord Tian Peng, if it weren’t for Shopkeeper Chen’s reminder, I almost forgot that I should thank you first. Indeed, you are the first one I should express my gratitude to. Without you, even if Shopkeeper Chen had great divine skills, he wouldn’t have known about my situation, so this toast—I offer to you."

Tian Peng, beaming with joy, stood up, holding his cup of wine, "Such words shouldn’t come from you, Fairy Chang’e. How could I not help a beautiful fairy like you when asked? Even if it meant abandoning all other matters, I would be willing to come to your aid."

He had already consumed quite a bit of wine since the feast began, and he even found the Peach Blossom Wine too weak, so he had fortified it with some of his own stored strong liquor, downing several robust drinks.

As his mood elevated, his body felt light, and the words he spoke floated out just as airily.

After Tian Peng finished speaking, Chang’e’s complexion changed, and not just hers but also those of the more perceptive attendees.

While her words were meant in the spirit of friendship, Tian Peng had taken them on a detour towards romantic intent.

It was only because of Chang’e’s good nature that she didn’t smash her wine cup on his head—if it had been someone with a short temper.

At that moment, holding her cup of wine, Chang’e had her own convictions. She did appreciate Tian Peng, but by drinking this toast in front of everyone, she would convey two messages.

One, that there was a flirtatious undertone between her and Tian Peng. His words, even if drunk, were heartfelt and intimate.

Two, it would present her as meek. Such talk, even if said about someone as virtuous as she, was akin to slapping her in the face publicly.

Drinking this toast would show that she was timid and unwilling to offend someone over such an issue. If others learned about this, any improper or unseemly person might seek her out.