Paranoid Alpha Chapter 12: Admonishing Wine

Chapter 12: Admonishing Wine

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: CaiCai

Since the explosion of Earth, the brewing of alcohol in human civilization has undergone various epochs. While some smaller civilizations had evolved unique brewing techniques, when it came to quality and heritage, Serica’s wine stood out as the best.

Serican wine had one issue — its alcohol content was exceedingly high. In the interstellar era, to ensure human clarity while operating mechas, the alcohol content in most drinks remained below ten percent. Even Lyss had only tasted thirty percent alcohol once, while it was rumored that every bottle of Serica’s ancient wine contained over fifty percent alcohol.

There were some discreet glances in the room, but Lyss seemed oblivious. When all the dishes arrived, the room fell silent. At that moment, an official from Sheng Dan seemingly whispered to someone next to him, “Since they’re using an ancient Serican wine, according to Serican tradition, should we wait for their chief to offer a toast before we can start?”

Everyone could hear this “private’ conversation, and the person seemed to realize their voice was too loud, flashing an embarrassed smile. Lu Xingye instantly furrowed his brow. It was clear that Sheng Dan’s intentions were malevolent. Although he didn’t know how Sheng Dan learned that Lyss couldn’t handle alcohol, their intentions were evidently not good.

Despite the situation, Lyss didn’t even blink at the comment, seemingly unaware of Sheng Dan’s ill intentions. He simply gestured to Lu Xingye to pour the wine. With a million thoughts in his mind, Lu Xingye picked up the bottle hesitantly, delaying the pour.

Seeing this, Lyss looked at him, and after three seconds of eye contact, Lu Xingye couldn’t hold back. Thinking that Lyss had another plan, he obediently poured the glass. Soon after, he regretted it.

Lyss raised his glass, scanning the room, taking in everyone’s expressions. Then he spoke, “To welcome our honored guests who have come from afar, please enjoy yourselves without any restraint.”

Ignoring the subtly surprised glances, he raised the glass and downed it in one go. As the cool liquid slid down his throat, the spicy, full-bodied taste spread through his body. As the alcohol merged into his bloodstream, a warmth emanated within him.

As Lu Xingye was sitting down after pouring the drink for Lyss, a strong peach blossom fragrance suddenly emanated from beside him. His brain seemed to blank out for a moment, only recovering after a while, and he was gritting his teeth as he looked at the person beside him.

While there was no visible change on Lyss’s face, his body was already in turmoil from the alcohol. It felt like he was a vessel on the brink of overflowing from just a little more stimulation. The thick, sticky omega pheromones gradually diffused, undetectable to everyone in the room except for Lu Xingye, who had given him a temporary marking.

“—!” Lu Xingye struggled to control himself, his veins nearly popping as he bit his lip, trying to remain calm, not wanting to mark the omega next to him publicly during the feast.

Just as Lu Xingye suppressed the internal heat and regretted pouring the drink, an official from Sheng Dan stood up, “I heard that Serica has a tradition of toasting. Since today’s drink is an ancient Serican brew, I dare to offer a toast to the chief, thanking your country for its hospitality.”

Lyss’s glass was already empty, and upon hearing this, he didn’t signal Lu Xingye to continue pouring. “Apologies, I’m not feeling well today. My secretary will drink this cup on my behalf.”

Frustrated, Lu Xingye poured a full glass, ready to toast the official. Unexpectedly, the official didn’t comply. “This secretary seems to have Serican lineage from the looks of it. You should understand Serican customs. I’m toasting the chief; if you want to drink on behalf of the chief, it’s three cups in proxy.”

Unexpected incidents in diplomatic situations were common, but to directly challenge the reception of a guest was unprecedented, at least for Lyss. Diplomatically, it was clear why Sheng Dan managed to offend both the Empire and Serica. Lyss frowned slightly, not intending for Lu Xingye to be troubled.

Just as Lyss was about to ask Lu Xingye to sit down, his little alpha smiled faintly, “Of course.”

Following this, in front of everyone, Lu Xingye picked up the glass and the bottle, smiling politely. Having traveled extensively with his mother across the interstellar, Lu Xingye had experienced such civil customs countless times. He spoke eloquently, “Mr. President, after your long journey, allowing me to express apologies on behalf of our chief, who is unwell today, for any shortcomings in our reception.”

With this, Lu Xingye poured a full glass for the official. Not just the people from Sheng Dan, even those from Triss looked stunned. Feng Man, completely unfamiliar with wine table customs, picked up his glass, feeling a bit awkward as he stood up.

Lu Xingye smiled kindly, “According to Serican tradition, the first cup represents the sincerity between the two parties. The more one drinks, the deeper the sincerity. Therefore, this first cup is to thank you for the sincere alliance with us. I believe, Mr. President, your sincerity surpasses the galaxy and shines brighter than time itself. But considering the upcoming meeting and your status, you cannot afford to get drunk. To express our sincerity, I’ll drink a full cup, and you need only half.”

After a polite gesture, Lu Xingye downed nearly the full glass of wine.

Lyss raised an eyebrow subtly, a hint of a ripple in his gaze as he observed Lu Xingye.

Having downed the half glass, Feng Man, who had never drunk wine before, felt a bit dizzy. He couldn’t refuse Lu Xingye’s offer, so he struggled to swallow the remainder, his facial expression almost contorted, taking quite some effort before finally managing to finish it.

Seeing the president’s strained expression, even the people from Sheng Dan, as foolish as they were, realized that Lu Xingye was retaliating against them for what they did to Lyss.

The atmosphere in the room turned delicate immediately, yet Lu Xingye seemed unaffected, smiling while waiting for Feng Man to finish the half glass. Then, promptly moving on, he said, “Following Serican tradition, the wine must pass three rounds to highlight the host’s hospitality. This second cup is a toast to the everlasting friendship between Sheng Dan and Triss.”

Lu Xingye didn’t wait for the other to respond; he drank the second cup.

Feng Man couldn’t refuse Lu Xingye’s words. If he refused, it would imply that he believed Sheng Dan and Triss lacked friendship, rendering the meeting meaningless.

Having just downed the half glass, Feng Man was already feeling a bit lightheaded. But he couldn’t refuse Lu Xingye’s gesture, so he cursed the meddling individuals in his mind while forcibly drinking the remaining half glass, his facial expression nearly distorted.

As Lu Xingye poured the third cup for Feng Man, he didn’t wait for a response. “There’s a saying, “A thousand cups of wine are not too much when true friends meet.” I feel a kinship with you, sir, so I’m offering another cup.”

The official was scared stiff by Lu Xingye’s aura, reluctantly drinking two more cups. Yet, Lu Xingye was still not done with him.

“As the host, I’ll return three cups for the three you offered me earlier.”

Despite his usual facade of compliance in front of Lyss, Lu Xingye, in essence, remained the same Lu Xingye who once dominated the Starfall Sea, willing to do anything to achieve his goals. The official was forced to drink two more cups, and when he finally finished the last one, he nearly spat it out. Lu Xingye chuckled and seemed to reach out to pat him on the back.

As his hand landed on the official’s shoulder, it swiftly gripped his neck. Lu Xingye, with a cold tone, whispered, “Sir, our chief is slightly particular about cleanliness. So, I advise you to resist the urge to vomit. Otherwise, you might have to eat it back up.”

The author’s note:

Little Dog (smiling): If my wife isn’t happy, then no one else will be.