As they slowly walked into the corridor lined with red wine, neat and orderly, they were greeted by fine wines at least ten years old.
There were ten-year-old Bordeaux, fifteen-year-old Barolo and Barbaresco, twenty-year-old Lafite, and more – all aged wines, absolutely fragrant and mellow.
It looked like a casual few people could drink here for three days and nights without finishing.
Xue Biluo pointed to dozens of rows of red wine on the racks and said, "There are fifty thousand bottles of red wine here, all my lifelong collection. I'm usually reluctant to drink them. Do you know, Mr. Ming, they're enough for me to drink for ten years."
Ming Zhitian was surprised, "Ten years?"
Xue Biluo patted his shoulder and chuckled friendly, "Of course, it's different now that you're here. We'll split them equally, half of what I have, I'll give you half."
Ming Zhitian was confused, "What do you mean?"
Xue Biluo said, "Mr. Ming, are you interested in becoming the ace bodyguard for my Buge Luosi family?"
Ming Zhitian waved his hand, "I... I'm used to being a free spirit and can't stand being managed. Please don't tease me, old man."
Xue Biluo said generously, "Mr. Ming, just state any requirements you have, and I can satisfy them all. Of course, if the family needs it, you only need to act once within ten years, and it won't restrict your freedom. Please consider it."
Ming Zhitian smiled and shook his head. Seeing his firm refusal, Xue Biluo was a sensible person and immediately changed the subject.
"Come, let's drink. Good wine shouldn't be missed." He took out a bottle of twenty-year-old Lafite. He could open it with his bare hands but still chose a seahorse-shaped opener, wanting that sense of ritual.
The silver seahorse wine opener uncorked the bottle. The wine had been decanted and poured into a specially designed tall-stemmed wine glass. The three of them clinked glasses: "To death..."
The wine was rich and mellow, its aroma filling the esophagus, making the whole body feel intoxicated and infatuated, tempting one to take a second and third sip.
Wine must be savored slowly to appreciate its subtlety and deliciousness. The fragrant red wine under the swaying lights, held in hand and gently swirled, cast a faint glow. The delicate, tall wine glass held precious red wine, like a beautiful woman, so sexy and charming, so beautiful.
Seeing Ming Zhitian so engrossed, Mi Ya immediately tried to win him over, "My grandfather and I truly admire you. Grandpa has never brought anyone into his wine cellar, not even me. You are the first."
"Is that so? Thank you for the old gentleman's appreciation." Ming Zhitian took another sip.
Seeing that Ming Zhitian remained unmoved, Mi Ya didn't press further. Xue Biluo said, "Mr. Ming, you are too polite. It is already my honor, Xue Biluo, to have invited Mr. Ming to our humble establishment for a chat."
The two spoke little, and Mi Ya soon got drunk, falling charmingly onto the table and drifting off to sleep.
Ming Zhitian remembered that he had only drunk sweet rice soup in Tian Qiu and had never been so unrestrained. The red wine here was simply top-notch. They drank bottle after bottle until night fell, and the two finally stopped.
Xue Biluo seemed to hesitate to speak, but Ming Zhitian said, "Don't hold back."
Xue Biluo nodded, "Mr. Ming, are you really not considering it?"
Ming Zhitian shook his head, "No."
Xue Biluo then asked, "Then why did you help Mi Ya?"
Ming Zhitian replied, "We merely have a mutually beneficial cooperative relationship. I help her consolidate her position, and she gives me the items I desire. That's all."
Xue Biluo wanted to say something again, but Ming Zhitian waved his hand, "I appreciate your kindness. There are some things I don't need to say too explicitly. We are not people of the same world. You and I are both just passing through. We will not meet again. Do you... understand what I mean?"
Xue Biluo seemed to understand but not entirely, "Mr. Ming has lofty ambitions that are beyond our comprehension. However, since Mr. Ming has made up his mind to leave, I will not force you to stay. Well, it's already late. Please escort my granddaughter home safely. I'd like to stay here a while longer."