"Hey, everyone, quiet down, quiet down. Listen to what I have to say!"
"Give it a rest, old Zhao, what are you talking about? Come on! Let’s drink! Last time we didn’t have a good drink; this time, no matter what we say, we’re not leaving until we’re drunk!" Old Lin was evidently a bit tipsy. He clung to Zhao Yunhai’s arm, slurring as he called for drinks.
Old Zhao, seeing this, could only chuckle helplessly, "Alright, alright! We will drink, definitely. But let me finish what I have to say first."
"Hey, you old fart, why are you spewing so much nonsense during the New Year? Well then, if you must speak, let me..." Lin Junfu staggered to his feet with some difficulty. After swaying a bit to stabilize himself, he shouted loudly, "Come on! Everyone quiet down so we can hear what kind of highfalutin talk old Zhao has for us! Oh..."
He let out a loud burp, a strong smell of alcohol emanating as Old Zhao frowned and turned his head, then helped the unstable Lin Junfu back onto a stool.
"Zhao, Uncle Zhao, what do you want to say?" Wenquan Xin was clearly also quite drunk, stammering as he spoke.
"Well, everyone has eaten and drank, right? Doesn’t it feel like something’s missing?"
"Heh heh, what is old Zhao saying? You’re not planning to perform for us, are you? Let me be clear, don’t sing. With your cracked bell of a voice, it’ll ruin our dining mood."
Hahaha! Old Lin’s teasing provoked a burst of laughter from everyone.
Old Zhao wasn’t angry, instead he retorted, "Don’t worry, I’ll have a wonderful solo performance for you later. So stay tuned."
"Oh my! Nana, quickly hold your dad back, he’s definitely drunk already." Old Lin, like a child, looked bitterly at Zhao Lina, making Desmi laugh out loud.
"Alright, enough joking around. Everyone drew cards for the game this morning, right? Now let’s have Wei Yang explain how to use them." Old Zhao indicated, glancing at Wei Yang.
Hearing Old Zhao call her, Wei Yang, who was quietly talking with Tang Xiaoquan, was momentarily stunned. Then she stood up, "Oh, the card thing, haha, everyone has cards. Now, those who drew a Punishment Card, please step forward. Of course, if you have a Function Card, you can use it to attack a specified person. Similarly, if the designated person has a Defense Card, they can counterattack. That’s the basic idea, so those with the Punishment Card, come up and accept your punishment."
This game had been adapted by Demmi from board game rules.
It was perfect for the festive dinner at this moment.
After Wei Yang explained the rules, Old Zhao immediately added, "You all heard that, right? Friends who drew Punishment Cards this morning, don’t be shy. Please graciously come up and perform the punishment on the card. Remember, don’t think you can get away with anything. We have a record of how many cards each person drew, and if someone is found hiding, huh..."
With a cold snort, Old Zhao’s lips curled into a sinister smile.
Old Lin clicked his tongue, "Don’t bother with that nonsense. How many did you draw, old boy? Be honest. Do you have a Punishment Card? If you do, just set a good example and go receive your punishment!"
"Well... fine. Since Old Lin put it that way, I’ll start."
Having said that, Old Zhao pulled out a wooden stool and walked to the pre-arranged performance stage.
"Zhao, Uncle Zhao, what’s your punishment? Tell us so we can have a laugh!"
Wenquan Xin, completely tipsy, spoke even more erratically.
Old Zhao reached into his pocket and fished out three cards, which were all spoils of his own, but unfortunately, one of them was a Punishment Card.
Pulling out the Punishment Card, Old Zhao self-importantly cleared his throat, "Listen closely, folks, my punishment is to lightly sing a pop song..."
Deliberately stretching his tone, Old Zhao let his gaze drift across the three tables, finally landing on Lin Junfu, then grinned broadly, "Conqueror!"
"Oh crap!!" Hearing Old Zhao’s final word, Lin Junfu threw his head back, feigning agony.
"Hehe, looks like our Comrade Lin Junfu is looking forward to my performance. I’m sure not to disappoint Old Lin, ahem, now let me bring you this famous pop song, ’Conqueror’!"
"Stop!" Old Lin jumped up from his stool. Who knows when he had drawn a card, "Others charge for singing! Old Zhao’s singing is deadly! For the safety and health of all brothers, I use the Forbidden Card!"
"Uncle Zhao, Uncle Lin used the Forbidden Card, which can stop any actions; it’s one form of Counter Card. I’m sorry, but you’re not allowed to sing now."
"Oh, like that, huh?" Showing a bit of disappointment, Lin Junfu added, "Sorry, Old Zhao, your singing is really... Just get down, your punishment isn’t for yourself; it’s punishing our ears."
Hahaha! More laughter erupted.
Just as Old Lin was feeling smug, thinking he had stopped Old Zhao’s routine, Zhao Yunhai suddenly pulled out a card from his palm, "Old Lin, if you talk like that, I’ll have to demand justice for my singing voice today. I’m sorry, Wei Yang, can I use my Universal Card to counter Old Lin’s card?"
"Uncle Zhao, the Universal Card is the best card and can certainly counter Old Lin’s card. Are you sure you want to use it now?"
"Hehe, life is about being competitive. A monk seeks a stick of incense. To prove my voice, this card is worth it."
"You can’t be serious, Old Zhao! Well... Wei Yang, what card can counter his?"
"Old Lin, if you want to counter Uncle Zhao’s card, you can only use a Universal Card."
At this, Old Lin searched up, down, left, and right several times in vain and finally pleaded, "Who’s got a Universal Card, come on, and stop Old Zhao."
"Everybody stay out of this, this is a personal grudge between Old Lin and me. Anybody who meddles, remember I have a card, don’t blame me for using it on you." The game got increasingly exciting, and everybody wanted to see how Old Lin would handle Zhao Yunhai’s song, so everyone just smiled, saying nothing.
"See, Old Lin, those who win hearts have many helpers, while those who lose hearts have few. Hurry and sit down, let me serenade you."
"Alright then, brothers, just let him do it. Later when you suffer, don’t say I didn’t warn you!" Leaning back on his stool, Old Lin gulped a shot of strong liquor, raised a hand, "Come on, come on, do your worst."
Just as Old Lin predicted, Old Zhao’s singing was truly terrifying; he turned the sentimental song ’Conqueror’ into a ghostly wail worthy of a horror story.
After finishing, Old Zhao was still eager to go for another song.
But this time, before Old Lin could speak, Hu Xiaodong, and Wei Dazhuang who were near the stage, forcibly dragged Old Zhao off the platform.