Chapter: 6231

After the server left, Ye Chen lifted his wine glass, smiled, and said, "Come, Steve, welcome to China. According to our custom, let's drink three cups together first."

Steve caught a whiff of the strong white wine aroma and exclaimed, "This... this liquor is quite potent, isn't it?"

Hong Wujie chuckled, saying, "It's 53 degrees high, a true premium reserve."

"53 degrees..." Steve was startled, blurting out, "What's going on? Are we just going to drink three cups right away?"

Ye Chen laughed, saying, "Just follow the host's lead. Please don't think I'm trying to take advantage of you. In our place, it's customary for everyone to drink three cups together when the reception starts."

Ye Chen was indeed not deceiving Steve. The first three cups of wine were almost a rule in most Chinese cities' wine bars. However, the type of liquor, its degree, and cup size would vary according to regional average wine consumption.

For heavy drinkers, three high-degree white wines, with at least one bottle served per person;

Low-drinkers, ordinary beer, at least 150 milliliters per cup.

Steve also knew Ye Chen wouldn't deceive him, but he still had some doubts murmuring to himself: "I... I've accepted Chinese banquets before... but... but I've never drunk so much wine..."

Ye Chen smiled and said: "Given your identity, those who have invited you to drink would dare not pressure you even if there are such rules. It's probably also no mention of it when they meet you."

As he spoke, Ye Chen shifted the conversation and opened his mouth saying: "I'm different. I won't ask you to do business for me, won't borrow money from you, and won't rely on you for support. So how could I ruin the rules for you? You tell me?"

Steve thought about it and realized Ye Chen was indeed correct. In the United States, people he met would naturally treat him with respect, and no one would dare to touch their wine glasses without his permission. No matter what rules there were, they wouldn't be able to overcome his own rules.

But Ye Chen was different.

It was because Steve was trying to curry favor with him, so he naturally had to follow his rules.

Thinking this, Steve hurriedly said: "It's my fault for not understanding Chinese wine-drinking etiquette beforehand. Since it's like that, I'll just go along with it. You tell me how to drink and I'll drink the way you do!"

Ye Chen nodded and raised the wine cup, laughing and saying: "Let's all raise our cups together! That's what's meant by 'deep feelings in one mouthful'! We'll fill up empty cups, finish three cups, and then freely express ourselves."

Steve gazed at the 20-milliliter wine cup and secretly drummed his fingers, muttering to himself: "This kind of strong wine, without ice, is it not going to burn our stomachs?"

Lei Cheng was pondering, Ye Chen had already raised his wine cup and said with great enthusiasm: "Come on, everyone! Let's drink the first cup!"

Hong Wu and Chen Zekai hurriedly raised their wine cups and clinked them together with Ye Chen's, shouting: "Cheers!"

Steve was a bit taken aback but could only follow suit, clinking his cup together with the three of them and saying with determination: "Alright! Cheers!"

Ye Chen and Hong Wu, as well as Chen Zekai, all drank their cups dry. Steve, although not quite accustomed to this way of drinking, still swallowed it down resolutely.

Ye Chen nodded in satisfaction, picked up his chopsticks, and said with a smile: "Come on, everyone! Let's all eat together for a bit before we have the second cup."

Steve was helpless and could only follow Ye Chen's lead, accommodating himself to others' habits.

After three rounds of white wine, Steve had already started to feel a bit dizzy. He actually didn't drink much at all, having always been used to drinking moderately in his daily life, but he just hadn't tried this kind of hasty drinking method before.

At this moment, Ye Chen looked at Steve with curiosity and asked: "By the way, Steve, what did you come to Jinling for? I'm a local here too. Tell me, and I might be able to help you." JrNovels.com