Saving the Heartthrob Frenemy-Chapter 601: Little cutie

The soft clatter of two bottles of liquor and porcelain cups being placed on the table while Qie Ranzhe’s steely gaze bore into Luo Muchen.

His eyes narrowed in a chilling stare as he watched his future son-in-law with a mix of scrutiny and challenge. His little cutie who used to follow him around calling daddy was now calling another man daddy behind his back. Even his own baby stopped calling him that ages ago but the one surnamed Luo was now being called that in place of him.

He really couldn’t swallow it. How could he let it go?

Luo Muchen, sensing the weight of Qie Ranzhe’s disapproval, straightened in his seat, a bead of sweat forming on his brow.

"Come on Ran-ge, let it go," said Wen Qinxi trying to reason with him but there was no reasoning with the pig headed man. Qie Ranzhe raised his hand his cold gaze remaining on Luo Muchen.

"He can’t escape this," said Wen Danzhe with a look of someone watching the fun. Not even the two ladies could convince Qie Ranzhe otherwise. They could only watch helplessly while wondering if they should prepare honey water in advance because things were about to get ugly.

In a last-ditch effort, Qie Xieling sat next to his father and put on a pitiful expression while tugging at his sleeve. Qie Ranzhe wasn’t moved.

"Stay out of it," he said but his tone was incredibly soft which was a huge contrast with his expression that looked like he was ready to rush into battle.

Qie Xieling glanced at Luo Muchen worriedly but his eyes were soon covered by a hand preventing him from looking. "Go over there," he said and Qie Xieling had no choice but to get up.

The butler’s precise movements placed the bottle of liquor between them, a silent invitation to the impending battle of wills. The room seemed to grow colder as the tension thickened. Without a word, Qie Ranzhe’s elegant, slender fingers reached for a small ceramic cup, its delicate design belying the fiery liquid within. With deliberate precision, he slid the cup across the polished surface of the table until it rested before Luo Muchen, a silent challenge in the gesture.

Luo Muchen met Qie Ranzhe’s gaze his hand hovering over the cup as he steeled himself for what was to come.

"The rules are simple. Whoever passes out first loses," he said his voice cold. The butler poured out another drink and placed it in front of Qie Ranzhe.

Luo Muchen bit his lower lip glancing at the clear liquor rippling in the ceramic cup as though hesitant. Qie Ranzhe scoffed before asking, "What? Scared?"

Luo Muchen had dealt with tough characters before but no one was as intimidating as his future father-in-law. He was pretty sure if he retreated he would lose not only his face but Qie Ranzhe’s respect. His Adam’s apple rolled before he replied, "No," his voice firm.

Qie Ranzhe was watching him like a hawk assessing its prey and when he said that his lips curved into a humorless smile. "Good," he said picking up the ceramic cup.

Qie Ranzhe raised his hand and Luo Muchen followed suit. They drank, the fiery liquid burning down their throats. Luo Muchen’s eyes watered, but he refused to look away. Qie Ranzhe’s expression remained inscrutable. The butler poured out the second measure of liquor into their cups and the both of them drank seeming resolute.

"Okay, that’s enough. You have had your fun," said Wen Qinxi but Qie Ranzhe didn’t barge. The henpecked husband had become rebellious.

"Tell him to quit first. Surnamed Luo, have you had enough fun?" he asked and Luo Muchen urged the butler to pour out more. This was war.

After the second, came the third and the fourth. It was then that Qie Ranzhe realised he needed to up the stakes. He was determined to defeat this novice and teach him a lesson.

He curled his fingers beckoning the butler over. In a low voice, he asked for a specific liquor and Wen Qinxi couldn’t stand it anymore.

"Perhaps you should reconsider," he suggested, his voice gentle. "Why not stick to vodka."

Qie Ranzhe waved him off. "Like I said if he can’t take it he is free to quit?"

The butler came back with the requested bottle and Qie Xieling almost passed out. The crystal decanter held a golden liquid, shimmering like sunlight on a tranquil sea. But it was the scorpion suspended within it terrified Qie Xieling. Its delicate legs clung to the glass, venomous tail poised. Qie Ranzhe wouldn’t go out of his way to buy such liquor. It was a gift that he meant to dispose of but now he was using it to mess with his future son in law.

"Uh father, this—," Qie Xieling interjected but it was pointless. Everyone knew that he was stubborn and once he set his mind on something he wouldn’t let it go. He could only talk some sense into Luo Muchen.

"Chen-ge, I think you should concede," he whispered his voice coquettish. If he had a cleavage right now he would have waved it in his face to get him to quit.

Unfortunately, his plan failed. Turns out Luo Muchen was similar to Qie Ranzhe in so many ways. This meant he was just as stubborn.

"Don’t worry. I can handle it," he said and Qie Ranzhe’s laughter was like wind chimes in a storm. "You heard the boy so what are you fussing about?" The butler poured two generous shots, the liquid swirling like molten gold.

Luo Muchen squared his shoulders as he picked up the cup. The liquor burned like dragonfire, searing their throats, and igniting their senses.

Qie Ranzhe and Luo Muchen matched each other shot for shot, their faces flushing crimson, inhibitions slipping away like silk robes.

"That is... ugh, thats strong," said Wen Danzhe after bravely urging the butler to pour some for him. He had downed the entire cup and a sharp sting spread from his palate to his brain slicing through it.

"Fuck! This is poison," he said before rushing to the kitchen to drink water.

"You are all weak. This is nothing," said Nana Qie as the butler poured out another shot for her.

"How dare you," Qie Ranzhe slurred with another shot in his hand. "I am his daddy, not you. How disrespectful."

Everyone, "..."

"He is definitely wasted now," said Grandma Wen and they all agreed. It seemed Luo Muchen was going to win.