Yu Antong, looking radiant, prepared breakfast in high spirits and decided to head to school.

Coincidentally, he also received a message from the class president.

[Class President: Antong, when will you come to school? We plan to have a class dinner and are all waiting for you.]

Their class's performance ranked third in the campus cultural festival. They had been discussing celebrating with a meal, but midterm exams were imminent, and everyone was busy preparing. The plan was postponed until after the exams and has been delayed until now.

Yu Antong replied, [I'll be attending classes today.]

Xing Lixuan drove him to the school entrance. Having not been out for several days, Yu Antong felt a bit apprehensive as he was about to step out of the car.

Hmm, seems he still needs to toughen up his skin.

"Honey, give me a kiss, empower me with your love!"

Playfully, Yu Antong puckered his lips at Xing Lixuan, teasingly expecting a reaction. He was half-expecting to be playfully shoved out of the car. To his surprise, Xing Lixuan actually leaned in and gave him a peck.

A soft "mwah" echoed in the confined space of the car, both clear and intimate.

Yu Antong was caught off guard, his face a picture of surprise.

Xing Lixuan chuckled briefly, then resumed a stern expression, cautioning, "At school, focus on your studies. No mischief..."

Interrupting him, Yu Antong wrapped his arms around Lixuan's neck, planting a firm kiss. After the kiss, he gleefully swung the car door open and hopped out, "Got it! See you!"

Xing Lixuan inexplicably felt like he was being used and then discarded.

Yu Antong walked into the school gate with just a backpack on, without wearing any mask or hat.

Along the way, many eyes were on him, and Yu Antong could hear whispered conversations among the students.

"Look, look! Isn't that Yu Antong? He's attending class!"

"Shush, keep it down or he'll hear!" The girl whispered, nudging her loud-mouthed roommate. "Every time I see him, I can't help but think of that chili sauce his family sells. Makes my mouth water. Let's go to Xianren Banquet this weekend to try it out."

Instead of pretending he hadn't heard, Yu Antong turned around and gave the two girls a friendly smile, saying, "Thank you for your appreciation. If you dine at Xianren Banquet with our university's student ID, you'll get a 20% discount."

The two girls, caught off guard by his response, hesitated for a second and then said with a mix of surprise and embarrassment, "Thank you for the discount, senior. We'll definitely give it a try."

When Yu Antong arrived at the classroom, class had already started. He took the seat his roommates had saved for him.

Sun Ming and Zhao Peng whispered to him, "Antong, you're finally attending class. We've missed you!"

Yu Antong teased them, "Did you miss me or the meals I cook?"

"Given what you said, of course we missed you..." Zhao Peng abruptly changed his tone, "...cooking for us."

Sun Ming added, "I've been surviving on the school cafeteria's buns and your chili sauce lately. The dishes there just can't pique my appetite anymore."

Han Lele also had his fair share of complaints. Even though he came from a well-off family, the Xianren Banquet was always too crowded, making it hard to get a seat.

Han Lele said, "Antong, you should consider opening more branches."

Yu Antong shot him a glare, "You, of all people, shouldn't be making demands."

"I'm a victim too, alright?" Han Lele exclaimed, "I've already taken sides against my family to avenge you. Can't you just forgive me?"

That day, he went home and recounted the entire incident to his father. When Mr. Han learned that his eldest son had got his younger son into trouble with the police, and even implicated the fiancee of the Xing family's heir, he was livid and resorted to family discipline.

Han Xingyan was severely punished. If it weren't for the business matters that required his attention, Mr. Han would have made sure he couldn't get up for days. Subsequently, Mr. Han personally took him to the Xing family to offer a formal apology, an incident Yu Antong was aware of.

It was all an unfortunate accident, and Yu Antong made sure Xing Lixuan didn't make things difficult for the Han family's elder son. A few words and he sent him on his way.

"If you're still upset, I can go home and give my brother another beating," Han Lele offered.

Han Lele held lingering resentment towards his brother. By the looks of it, if Yu Antong gave the word, he'd gladly hit his brother again.

All his life, he had always been at the receiving end of his elder brother's bullying. Now, he had finally turned the tables, though at a heavy cost.

Their chattering during class was so conspicuous that the professor at the front threw a piece of chalk, "Han Lele, answer this question!"

With a pained expression, Han Lele stood up, stammering and taking a while before managing to say a couple of words.

The professor snorted, "If you don't know, then pay attention in class!"

The professor's stern warning served as a reminder to them all, and they quickly straightened up and paid attention.

After class, the class representative asked everyone to stay back to discuss the evening's dinner plans.

The class representative asked, "Where should we go to eat? Any suggestions or preferred restaurants?"

"Isn't it obvious?" someone chimed in. "We have to go to Xianren Banquet!"

The others joined in the chorus, "Yes, yes, Xianren Banquet! Xianren Banquet!"

The class representative turned to Yu Antong with a smile, "Given the unanimous demand, Mr. Yu, you'll have to reserve two tables for us."

Considering the current popularity of Xianren Banquet, they wouldn't have secured a reservation without the owner's intervention.

Yu Antong replied, "Of course! Everyone, enjoy the meal tonight – it's on me."

The classmates cheered, "Thank you, boss Yu! Generous as always!"

Yu Antong called Xing Lixuan to inform him, and Xing Lixuan thought nothing would go wrong at his own restaurant, "Just don’t drink too much. I don't want to deal with drunks."

That night, their entire class filled two large tables. The class representative stood up and toasted, "Thanks to Antong, we're dining at Xianren Banquet tonight. Cheers to you, Antong."

Yu Antong clinked glasses with him, "We're all classmates, no need for formalities."

The representative added, "Though Antong is treating us tonight, we should all promote Xianren Banquet to our friends and family in return."

"Promote? Even without promotions, it's so hard to get a seat!" a male classmate lamented. "It’s amazing how different life trajectories can be. Some of us are still figuring out financial management, and here's Antong, already an entrepreneur."

The same student held Yu Antong's hand, "Sir, I’m a finance major, well-versed in my field. I’d be honored to work for your company post-graduation. All I ask is for meals – preferably a four-course meal with soup."

Amidst the laughter and camaraderie, many had too much to drink. Yu Antong was cautious initially, recalling Xing Lixuan's warning. But with peers constantly refilling his glass, he too had his fair share.

Thankfully, he was in his own restaurant and had prearranged for the staff to help his friends get cabs back to the university.

A bit unsteady on his feet, Yu Antong walked back into his restaurant, intending to call Xing Lixuan. However, the phone's screen seemed to be swaying, making it difficult to dial.

Annoyed, Yu Antong gripped his phone, muttering, "Stop moving!"

"Antong?"

He heard someone call his name, squinting to locate the voice, "Huh? Who's calling me?"

His tipsy state made it challenging to maintain balance, and he almost tripped.

A tall, slender young man stepped forward, steadying him, "Antong, it's me, He Bin."

Yu Antong, trying to make sense of the situation, asked, "He Bin? Who's that?"

The young man's tone grew more frustrated, "Don't you like me?"

Yu Antong's feelings for him were strong; how could he not recognize him? Did his previous rejection embarrass He Bin so much that he pretended not to recognize him in his drunken state?

With these thoughts, He Bin said, "Yu Antong, stop pretending to be drunk. I know you still have feelings for me. Didn't you want us to be together? Let's give it a try."

Ironically, it sounded like Yu Antong was the one pleading for their relationship when, in truth, it was He Bin's idea.

Rubbing his temple, Yu Antong slowly responded, "Oh, I remember now."

A smirk crept upon He Bin's face, "I knew it! You were just pretending. The moment mentioned us being together, you suddenly 'remembered'."

Yu Antong struggled to recall the novel's storyline. In the original, Yu Antong, oppressed by his uncle’s family, had arrived at University A on the first day, dragging heavy luggage. Exhausted and dripping with sweat, he crossed paths with He Bin, who took pity on him and helped him carry his luggage to the dormitory.

This small act of kindness lingered in Yu Antong’s heart. He began to covertly observe He Bin, and this observation slowly turned into a secret crush. However, when his uncle forced him into a marriage proposal with another family, he gathered courage and confessed his feelings to He Bin, only to be met with a disdainful look.

This He Bin was essentially a side character to aid in the relationship dynamics of the main couple. They'd argue over him but then reconcile, thus strengthening their bond.

Yet, after the confession, He Bin vanished from the narrative. If it weren't for his claim about Yu Antong's feelings for him, Yu might not have remembered him at all.

The reality was that He Bin wasn’t attracted to men. This explained his revulsion when Yu Antong had confessed.

He enjoyed helping Yu in his downtrodden moments, bathing in the adoration Yu Antong bestowed upon him.

But he couldn't fathom how Yu Antong, a country bumpkin he once looked down upon, had within months transformed into the celebrated founder of the renowned "Immortal Banquet."

From someone who used to wear tattered clothes washed to the brink of turning white to suddenly inheriting a vast fortune, donning luxury brands, looking refined, and treating the entire class to a lavish meal without batting an eyelid...

If Yu Antong still harbored feelings for him, then couldn't all these luxuries easily become his with just a snap of his fingers?

Driven by these thoughts, He Bin had deliberately stayed back after everyone left to "confess" to Yu Antong.

But his confession sounded more like charity.

Xing Lixuan never underestimated Yu Antong's antics. Gauging that it was time, he headed to the "Immortal Banquet" to pick him up.

Upon entering, he noticed a man speaking to Yu. Then he heard Yu Antong exclaim, “Such a cliché! Get lost!”

Xing Lixuan chuckled. Despite Yu's whimsical demeanor, he had a deeply ingrained pride. He could never be the submissive, pleading person that man described.

Without hesitation, Xing Lixuan marched forward, pushed the clueless man aside, and wrapped the drunken mess that was Yu Antong in his embrace.

Stumbling to regain balance, He Bin demanded, “Who are you? Let him go!”

Seeing Xing Lixuan, a smile broke across Yu Antong’s face, “Husband, you're here.”

The word "husband" rendered He Bin almost speechless, his disbelief evident as he stuttered, "Yu Antong, what did you call him?!"

Xing Lixuan responded icily, “If your ears don’t work, perhaps you should see a doctor.”

“You-!” He Bin began, but the cold intensity in Xing Lixuan's eyes silenced him. The overpowering aura of this man made He Bin feel stifled.

The man stood tall, with a chiseled, handsome face, neatly combed hair, and a crisp suit. The wrist peeking out from his cuff sported a Patek Philippe watch, the kind He Bin had only ever seen in luxury magazines. Everything about him radiated power and prestige.

He didn't dare to confront Xing Li Xuan directly, so he turned his ire towards Yu An Tong, "Yu An Tong, have you moved on so quickly? Are you only after his money? You've truly disappointed me."

Even in his drunken state, Yu An Tong could think clearly. He was aware of his inebriated condition and loathed himself for getting so drunk. Frustrated, he nudged Xing Li Xuan, "Husband, please scold him for me. He's so annoying."

Yu An Tong's unconscious dependence on him after getting drunk slightly lifted Xing Li Xuan's spirits.

Xing Li Xuan's gaze, sharp as a blade, locked onto He Bin, declaring, "Only a helpless individual like you would assume others are gold-diggers, simply because you're so destitute you can't even afford money."

This stunned even Yu An Tong. He knew Xing Li Xuan had a sharp tongue, but he didn't expect it to be that venomous.

"Too poor to even afford money" – this line put money at the lowest rung, utterly negating He Bin's entire worth.

Xing Li Xuan continued, "Yu An Tong is my beloved. From now on, you'd best stay away from him. And if I ever hear of you harassing him again..."

He paused, adding, "You won't want to know the consequences."

He Bin's nostrils flared, and he trembled involuntarily, unable to utter a single word.

Xing Li Xuan coldly commanded, "Leave!"

He Bin left in disgrace. Yu An Tong looked at Xing Li Xuan with starry eyes, like an awestruck fan, "Husband, you're so dashing~"

Xing Li Xuan wrapped an arm around him, guiding him to the car, "I'll deal with you at home!"

Yu An Tong mumbled drunkenly, shaking his head, "No punishment, no punishment."

Xing Li Xuan huffed, "I told you not to get drunk, did you just ignore my words?"

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"I'm not drunk," Yu An Tong responded, using his thumb and forefinger to indicate a tiny amount, "Just a bit tipsy, only tipsy."

Xing Li Xuan was both amused and frustrated. This guy really deserved a firm lesson.

Today's events gave Xing Li Xuan a sense of urgency. Not because of He Bin – He Bin was barely a blip on his radar.

He suddenly realized how charming Yu An Tong was and that many people might be attracted to him. It seemed he needed to keep a closer eye on him in the future.

Despite his words of not catering to drunks, Xing Li Xuan, once home, took care of Yu An Tong, bathing him and changing him into sleepwear.

After ensuring Yu An Tong was settled in bed, Xing Li Xuan undressed and took his own shower.

When Xing Li Xuan returned, he found Yu An Tong in the same position as when he got drunk the first time: face down with his rear in the air.

Xing Li Xuan gave him a playful slap, "Always this pose when drunk. What a bad habit."

Startled, Yu An Tong pulled the blanket over himself, "Mean husband, abusing me. I won't stay with you. I'll file for a divorce."

Author's note: The next update will be at midnight.

Special thanks to our patrons: 25413045 for 20 bottles; Mr. Zhang for 15 bottles; Xing Chen for 11 bottles; Asura for 10 bottles; Xiao Xiao Xiao Xiao Ping and Xiao Fei for 3 bottles each; Xue Yao Yao for 1 bottle.

Thank you all so much for your support. I will keep pushing myself!

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