113

The steward replied truthfully that Zhou Meng was still resting, as he had been severely intoxicated the previous day and had not slept properly for two days. Wang Bo couldn't help but shake his head, feeling a secret sense of regret. He felt he had been a bit too excessive yesterday, but upon reflection, he realized it was only fair to let Zhou Meng rest. After dismissing the steward, Wang Bo began reading out of boredom. Having spent all day exhausted yesterday, he had no desire to return to distilling alcohol.

Zhou Meng might have appeared to be a rough, unrefined man, but his study was filled with quite a collection of books. Wang Bo browsed through the shelves and eventually picked up a volume of the *Zuo Zhuan* to read. To his surprise, he became so engrossed that two hours passed in the blink of an eye. Setting the scroll aside, Wang Bo shook his head to ease the stiffness and soreness in his neck. He called for the steward once more to inquire about Zhou Meng's condition.

The news was that Zhou Meng had woken up but was still suffering from a headache and was currently bathing and dressing. Hearing that Zhou Meng was up, Wang Bo felt a sense of relief; he had been genuinely worried that Zhou Meng might suffer from alcohol poisoning after consuming so much high-purity distilled spirit the day before.

After waiting a while longer in the study, he saw Zhou Meng walking toward him, head wobbling and limbs feeling unsteady. Seeing Zhou Meng’s state, Wang Bo couldn't help but smirk. He hurried over and asked, "Brother, did you sleep well?"

"Sleep well? Hardly." Zhou Meng rubbed his temples, his expression one of utter exhaustion. "You rascal, you’re not very kind. You knew that wine was potent, yet you didn't try to stop your elder brother."

Seeing Zhou Meng like this, Wang Bo found it amusing. *Could I have stopped you? You know your own temper,* Wang Bo thought to himself, though he said aloud, "The wine was newly made; I didn't know it was that strong either." Internally, he added, *Even if I had known, I wouldn't have told you—it gave me a chance to get some extra sleep without you disturbing my dreams.*

"That was my own fault as well," Zhou Meng admitted, knowing his own temperament; when he was enjoying himself, no ordinary person could have persuaded him to stop. He rubbed his head again to muster some energy and asked, "The steward said you asked for me several times. What is it?"

"First, to check on your health, and second, to bid you farewell," Wang Bo stated his purpose. His primary reason was his work; now that the still was finished, he needed to return to the distillery to prepare for his grand brewing ambitions.

"Where are you going?" Zhou Meng asked, sounding anxious. He had finally found a sworn brother who shared his spirit, and now, after only a few days, he was leaving.

"Don't worry, brother. I just feel that time is passing, and I need to return to work." Seeing Zhou Meng’s undisguised concern, Wang Bo felt a warmth in his heart and hurried to explain.

"I see." Zhou Meng nodded. "Second brother, must you go? You have everything you need here with me." Just as Zhou Meng was about to continue his persuasion, Wang Bo shook his head firmly. "I want to build a career with my own hands. Besides, the foundation for this career is already laid; it only lacks an opportunity." As he spoke, Wang Bo’s expression was full of confidence.

"The foundation is already laid?" Zhou Meng looked puzzled, then realization suddenly dawned on him. He gasped in shock, "This wine..." He suddenly understood that this distilled spirit had limitless potential. It was the finest liquor in the world—far superior to anything currently available in terms of texture, flavor, and its clear, transparent appearance, even compared to vintages aged for decades. If this wine were introduced to the market, it would surely spark a craze.

Wang Bo didn't speak, but nodded with a smile.

Seeing Wang Bo’s reaction, Zhou Meng was incredibly excited. Faced with such a massive opportunity, Wang Bo hadn't kept it to himself but had chosen to share it with him—this was proof that he truly regarded him as his elder brother.

"I hope you will keep this a secret, brother," Wang Bo said suddenly, right as Zhou Meng was in the midst of his excitement.

"Rest assured, second brother. You have treated me with sincerity; if I cannot keep your secret, I would be unworthy of being your brother." Zhou Meng’s expression was firm, his tone righteous and sincere.

After having lunch with Zhou Meng, Wang Bo stood up to take his leave. Everything had been settled, and Wang Bo felt a weight lift from his heart. His elder brother, though blunt, was a man of character.

After chatting with Zhou Meng, Wang Bo went to find Li'er. When he explained his intentions, Li'er’s eyes turned red and filled with tears. She insisted on leaving with him. Wang Bo had to comfort her for a long time before she calmed down. He promised to visit her every month and vowed that as soon as he had a home of his own, he would bring her to live with him immediately. Only then did Li'er stop crying and smile through her tears. Seeing her faint smile, Wang Bo felt a bit dazed. Remembering the passion of the past few days, he felt a stirring of desire. However, realizing it was still daytime and that Zhou Meng was waiting outside—and knowing that his brother would surely barge in if he grew impatient—Wang Bo forcibly suppressed his urges. Still, he couldn't help but grin, his expression full of hidden meaning.

Seeing his expression, Li'er scolded him shyly, though to Wang Bo, it felt more like flirting.

After a tender moment with Li'er, Wang Bo stepped out, feeling satisfied. As he left the room, he saw Zhou Meng walking toward him with an impatient, brisk pace. He figured if he had been a moment later, Zhou Meng would have burst in, and a cold sweat broke out on his brow.

"Second brother, why were you so slow?" Zhou Meng complained the moment he saw him.

"Hehe." Faced with the grumbling, Wang Bo could only offer a silly smile. What else could he say?

***

Upon leaving, Wang Bo specifically asked Zhou Meng for a small cart. Under Zhou Meng’s reluctant gaze, he secured his two jars of distilled spirits and began pushing the cart toward the distillery. Zhou Meng had intended to send a carriage to transport him, but Wang Bo felt that would be too ostentatious. For a common distillery worker to ride in such a luxurious carriage would be as jarring as a ragpicker driving a BMW in later times. He didn't want to be the subject of such gossip.

Pushing the cart, Wang Bo stumbled along the road. He stumbled because his driving skills were abysmal; it was his first time pushing a single-wheeled cart, and with two heavy jars on board, he swerved uncontrollably. Given his skills, he would have likely met an early end in a traffic accident in a later era.

Seeing his precarious state, pedestrians steered clear of him, fearing that a single slip might cause a collision. Wang Bo, however, was content to keep wobbling along.

After finally reaching the entrance of the distillery without any traffic incidents, Wang Bo let out a long sigh of relief.

"Xiao Bo, you’re back! What are you pushing in those two jars?" As soon as Wang Bo steadied himself, Zhang Bao’s surprised voice rang out. Wang Bo turned around.

"I was just thinking about you, and here you are!" Zhang Bao walked over, his chubby face beaming with a joyous smile—though it was unclear whether it was due to the festive season or simply seeing Wang Bo.

Looking Zhang Bao up and down, Wang Bo teased, "It’s only been a few days, Manager, but you seem to have put on some weight."

Hearing this, Zhang Bao’s smile turned to awkwardness. "You rascal," he said, pointing at Wang Bo, speechless. Then, seeing the jars on the cart, he asked, "What is this? Is it wine?"

"Of course!" Wang Bo stood tall and proud. He walked slowly to Zhang Bao’s side and whispered in his ear, "I guarantee this is a wine you have never heard of or seen before."

"Nonsense. I’ve been selling wine for so many years; there’s nothing I haven't heard of or seen." Zhang Bao was skeptical. He initially thought Wang Bo was joking, but seeing the calm look in Wang Bo's eyes and his sincere, slightly amused expression, his conviction began to waver.

"Are you serious?" Zhang Bao asked, clearly still doubtful.

"Whether I am or not, you will know once you see it," Wang Bo replied calmly. He wasn't concerned about Zhang Bao’s doubt; he was already anticipating the look of shock on the manager's face once he tasted the distilled spirit.

"Fair enough." Zhang Bao nodded and reached to open the jar, but Wang Bo stopped him. "Manager, there are too many eyes here. Let's go inside."

Zhang Bao was puzzled by Wang Bo’s behavior but didn't press the matter. Fundamentally, he trusted him. They untied the ropes, and each carrying a jar, they headed to the back courtyard. Once inside Wang Bo’s room, they set the jars down, and Wang Bo carefully locked the doors and windows.

"Xiao Bo, is all this secrecy necessary?" Zhang Bao’s confusion deepened. He looked at the two jars, wondering, *Could these really be wines of legendary quality?* But he quickly dismissed the thought; he didn't believe Wang Bo had the ability to obtain such things. He wanted to open the jars, but one look at Wang Bo held him back.

After checking the doors and windows once more, Wang Bo walked over to Zhang Bao, placed his hand on the seal of the jar, and smiled. "Manager, please take a look."

As the lid was lifted, a rich, mellow aroma drifted from the mouth of the jar and into Zhang Bao’s nostrils.

Zhang Bao took a deep, sharp breath. His expression shifted through shock and confusion, his face twisted in a strange grimace as he tried to process his thoughts. As time passed, he leaned closer and closer to the jar, his shock growing with every second.

"This... this... this..." Suddenly, Zhang Bao looked up, pointing at the jar, too stunned to speak.

"How is it, Manager? What do you think of my wine?" Wang Bo smiled; Zhang Bao’s shock was exactly as he had expected.

"You say... this is your wine?" After a long while, Zhang Bao finally recovered, recalling Wang Bo’s words, and hurriedly asked.

"That's right," Wang Bo nodded frankly. "I brewed this myself."

Wang Bo’s words hit him like a thunderclap, and Zhang Bao, who had just recovered, fell back into a state of shock.

***

Seeing Zhang Bao lapse into shock over and over, Wang Bo began to worry. He silently prayed, *Manager, please hold on. Don't let my little surprise be the death of you.*

After a long time, Zhang Bao finally came to his senses again. He stared at Wang Bo as if looking at a monster.

"Manager, are you alright?" Seeing Zhang Bao’s trembling gaze, Wang Bo gathered his courage to ask in a low voice.

"Sigh," Zhang Bao let out a long sigh and self-deprecatingly remarked, "I am truly getting old. The composure I once possessed is slowly fading away."

"Not at all, Manager. You are in your prime," Wang Bo said, trying to comfort him as he saw the sadness in Zhang Bao’s eyes.

Zhang Bao shook his head. He stood with his hands behind his back and asked solemnly, "Does anyone else know of this brewing technique?"

"No," Wang Bo shook his head, though he added silently, *Brother is family, so he shouldn't count as 'anyone else'.*

"Then, would you be willing to sell this technique to the distillery?" Zhang Bao asked again, though he knew it was highly unlikely; he just felt compelled to try.

"I haven't thought about it," Wang Bo replied. This confirmed Zhang Bao’s suspicion, but it was only natural—such an incredible technique would not be sold by anyone in their right mind.

"However, I could let the distillery act as an agent," Wang Bo suggested.

"Act as an agent?" Zhang Bao was confused by the term.

"Exactly," Wang Bo nodded excitedly. "I provide the wine, and the distillery sells it. For every jar sold, the distillery keeps one-tenth of the proceeds as a fee. Of course, we can claim that the wine is brewed by the distillery itself." He laid out the partnership model he had been considering for some time.

"This is a major matter; I cannot give you an answer just yet," Zhang Bao said after thinking it over. "I must discuss this with the master of the house."

"That is only natural." Wang Bo agreed. He wasn't in a rush; he knew his product was a rare commodity and wouldn't struggle to find a market.

Zhang Bao pondered for a moment, then said, "Xiao Bo, wait here for a moment. I am going to see the master." Wang Bo might not have been in a hurry, but Zhang Bao certainly was. Having done business for years and dealt with alcohol his entire life, he knew the value of the two jars before him. If utilized properly, it would be a fortune beyond imagination.

With that, Zhang Bao rushed out of the room. He returned shortly after, holding a small bottle filled with the distilled spirit. After capping it tightly, he hurried off toward the Zhang family estate.

By the time he reached the gates of the Zhang estate, Zhang Bao was already sweating, his face flushed and his breath ragged. Before he could speak, the gatekeeper, Zhang Rong—a long-time servant of the family known for his slickness but honest appearance—hurried over to support him. Zhang Rong was highly valued by the master and had seen Zhang Bao many times, but he had never seen him in such a frantic state. Fearing some disaster had occurred, he asked anxiously, "Manager Zhang, what has happened?"

"Quick... I... I must see the master." After his intense exertion, Zhang Bao was clearly struggling to catch his breath, his words coming in fragments.

Seeing this, Zhang Rong knew something serious must have occurred, or the notoriously composed Zhang Bao wouldn't be in such a state.

"Don't worry, I will inform the steward immediately." With that, Zhang Rong signaled to the other gatekeeper, who stepped in to support Zhang Bao, while Zhang Rong turned and ran inside.