Why did this guy stab me one more time?

"Good wine!" A flush rose on his aged cheeks. "Zhengyuan, another cup!"

"Yes!" The son, Qi Zhengyuan, immediately responded and carefully filled the glass.

Mr. Baishi downed another gulp: "I've never tasted a liquor that suits my temperament so well in my entire life! It's even more robust, full-bodied, and has a more lingering aftertaste than Moutai!"

Although he doesn't drink often, he understands wine and has a keen eye; he can tell the quality of a wine just by tasting it.

"You flatter us too much!" Old Man He smiled so much that the wrinkles around his eyes widened.

"Is this wine produced by your shop?" Qi Baishi asked, looking at him.

"No, no!" Old Man He quickly waved his hand, "It was brewed by our young man Liu Dong himself—Liu Dong, come and meet the master!"

Liu Dong stepped forward in response.

"You're Xiao Liu?" The old man sized him up. "Does this wine have a name?"

"It doesn't have a name. It's been passed down from my ancestors. It's just called 'Pure Brew'," Liu Dong answered honestly.

"Excellent, pure brew!" Qi Baishi slapped his thigh. "This wine shows skill and is made with heart! May I take the liberty of writing a couple of words for you today?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Dong's heart skipped a beat: "Oh! That's too kind of you, thank you so much!"

"Hurry, hurry, hurry!" Old Man He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Huizhen, bring me pen and ink!"

You should know that Mr. Qi Baishi is a towering figure in the Chinese calligraphy and painting world, a living fossil. His calligraphy can even ward off evil spirits if hung on the wall!

Before long, Xu Huizhen brought over the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper).

The ninety-year-old man's hands were as steady as if cast in iron. He picked up the pen and wrote two large characters in one go: "Pure Brewing".

Is it well-written? Liu Dong couldn't say for sure.

But as long as those two words are added, his wine will be transformed into a phoenix rising from the ashes!

"Thank you so much, sir!" Liu Dong accepted the gift with both hands. "When I go back to my hometown another day, I'll bring you a jar of the oldest vintage wine as a token of my gratitude!"

"Hehehe..." Qi Baishi waved his hand with a laugh, "No need, no need. Zhengyuan, fill my cup again! I'm happy and having a great time today!"

"Father!" Zheng Yuan cried out anxiously, "Your body can't handle too much drinking! This stuff drains your energy!"

"Enough with the nagging!" The old man's face darkened. "Just pour it out!"

Zheng Yuan, his face flushed red, obediently poured the wine.

Qi Baishi drank it all in one gulp once again.

But after taking that sip, he choked violently and coughed so loudly it was earth-shattering.

The son patted his back while muttering, "See? I told you you couldn't drink it..."

"I insist on drinking it!"

It took a while before his breathing became steady.

Qi Baishi helped his son to his feet: "Let's go, thank you all for your hospitality!"

When I went out, my steps were unsteady, trembling like leaves in the autumn wind.

Liu Dong escorted him to the door, then tentatively asked, "Sir, are you having trouble walking?"

"Sigh!" Qi Baishi sighed, "It's not a serious illness, just old age. As people get older, their legs weaken first; they feel like cotton, I can't put any weight on them!"

Indeed, she now relies entirely on her son to support her when she walks.

Liu Dong's eyes lit up, and he said with a smile, "Wait a minute—I have a medicinal wine here, it's not strong, it's specially for nourishing blood and strengthening bones and muscles!"

"Take a few sips, and I guarantee you'll be rooted to the spot!"

Before the words were even finished, the person had already flashed back to the tavern, grabbed a large glass, poured a full glass of "Strengthening Wine," and handed it over.

Just as Zheng Yuan was about to stop him, Qi Baishi reached out and took it, saying, "Let me try it!"

One bite!

Two bites!

Three people!

Boom... Boom... Boom...

It felt as if the meridians in my body had been ignited, and a surge of heat rushed straight to my legs.

My legs, which were originally weak, suddenly gained strength.

At the same time, an information box appeared in front of Liu Dong's eyes—

[Qi Baishi] Strength: 6 → 9

"Again!" The old man realized something was wrong and quickly gulped down a few more mouthfuls.

10!

11!

12!

……

18!

One glass to the bottom, and your strength surges by 12 points.

Don't underestimate this amount; it's enough for an elderly person who can barely walk!

Qi Baishi pushed away his son who was helping him, took a few steps, and walked steadily without swaying at all!

"I have strength again! My old legs can hold up again!"

"Divine wine! Little Liu, this is divine wine!"

The onlookers were all stunned.

Liu Dong smiled and said, "I'm more relieved than anyone else that you can walk."

"Great!" Qi Baishi exclaimed excitedly. "Is there any more? Give me some more!"

"Yes, there is," Liu Dong shook his head, "but we really can't give you any more—too much supplementation will be too much for your body to handle, and if something goes wrong, it will only harm you."

It's not that I'm reluctant to part with him, but the old man is too old. If I only replenish his strength without regulating his internal organs, it might kill him.

Just make sure you can walk; don't be greedy.

"Sigh..." Qi Baishi sighed, but his tone was full of gratitude. "You're right, I was too impatient. Thank you, Xiao Liu—I'll come see you again in a few days!"

"Let's go!"

The father and son boarded the carriage and gradually disappeared into the night.

The group went back inside to continue drinking and chatting.

About an hour later, Qi Zhengyuan returned, holding two scrolls in his hand, and walked respectfully to Liu Dong:

"Mr. Liu, my father said you saved him, and this kindness cannot be left unaddressed—these two paintings are for you!"

"This is just a small token of my appreciation, please accept it!"

Suddenly, everyone crowded around.

Qi Baishi's paintings?

Old Niu shouted, "Quick, open it and see!"

Liu Dong unfurled the scroll.

The drawing depicts two shrimp, so lifelike, with clearly defined whiskers, they seem ready to leap out of the paper at any moment. "Ouch..."

Upon seeing those two lifelike shrimp pictures, everyone's eyes widened in amazement.

Grandpa Niu gave a thumbs up, marveling, "Mr. Qi Baishi is truly impressive! He really knows his stuff! These two paintings are from his peak period, the brushstrokes are vibrant, and the rulers are wide and long—they're genuine treasures!"

Old He's eyes darted around, and he winked, "Old Niu, how much is it worth?"

Mr. Niu counted on his fingers: "A single print will start at least at one million, and if you sell two together, it'll probably go close to three million!"

"Wow!"

There was a collective gasp all around, as if someone was being choked.

Liu Dong, however, was amused.

Three million?

Fifty-five years from now, it'll only be a matter of three hundred dollars.

It's really not a lot of money.

The key point is—once Mr. Qi Baishi leaves, the price of these paintings will skyrocket.

Especially in the 21st century, they wouldn't hesitate to pay exorbitant prices.

He glanced around at everyone present.

Most people's eyes lit up, and a few little red hearts floated on their foreheads, at most expressing a little envy.

Only at Fan Jinyou's place were five shiny little axes hanging above his head.

Damn... why did this guy stab me again?

"Oh dear..." Chen Xueru suddenly stood up, her delicate hand covering her forehead, and hummed softly, "I can't take it anymore, I'm too drunk today, my head is spinning..."

Fan Jinyou immediately jumped up: "Boss Chen, let me take you home!"

He was about to move closer when he said that.

As a result, Chen Xueru subtly shifted her body, dodging cleanly, and instead swayed her hips as she walked towards Liu Dong: "Little brother Liu Dong, I'm feeling really dizzy right now, will you walk with me for a bit?"

"It's just across the street!"