However, most of these sworn brothers were fair-weather friends, good for drinking and boasting, but useless when it came to offering help. When the Ye family faced trouble and Ye Shaodong was paralyzed, only four of his more than ten sworn brothers could be reached by phone. Of those four, only two offered assistance during Ye Shaodong's most difficult times, contributing money and effort.
Originally, Ye Shaodong had lost contact with those he couldn't reach, but somehow they learned about the engagement and flocked to attend on this day.
At this moment, a bearded man in his thirties slung an arm around Ye Shaodong's shoulders and said, "Shaodong, as your elder brother, I'm especially happy for you today! To be honest, I'm an unqualified elder brother. I failed to help you during your most difficult time, and I'm deeply ashamed!"
Another tall, thin man sighed and said, "When Shaodong had his accident, I was abroad managing a project and couldn't offer any help even if I wanted to."
"Yes, Shaodong, don't blame us. Every family has its own difficulties. You know I'm fond of gambling, and when you had your accident, I owed tens of thousands in gambling debts and was hiding everywhere. I really couldn't help you."
These people, one after another, recounted their hardships: one was abroad, another had gone bankrupt, some were divorced, and others had sick parents – each had their own excuses.
Ye Shaodong was in a good mood today, seemingly having forgotten the indifference of these fair-weather friends in the past. He smiled and said, "Brothers, let's not talk about that today. We're here to drink. Come, I'll toast you."
He was about to drink his wine when Ye Tian snatched the cup from his hand. Ye Tian smiled and said, "Brother, you've had quite a bit to drink, and you still need to see guests off later. Let me drink this one for you."
He tilted his head back and downed the more than three liang of white wine in one gulp. Then, he turned the cup mouth-down and smiled, "Brothers, on behalf of my elder brother, I'll drink three cups with each of you!"
With these glass cups, three cups would be a jin of white wine. Everyone present thought Ye Tian was boasting. The bearded man laughed, "Little Tian, three cups each is us bullying you. How about this: you drink one cup, and we'll accompany you with one. How's that?"
Ye Tian smiled, "Alright, then I'll go around and drink with each of you."
He first approached the bearded man and said with a smile, "Brother Liu, you were one of my brother's first sworn brothers. Let me toast you first."
Liang Zi refilled his cup for him. Ye Tian drank it down in one go, and the bearded Brother Liu also finished his, saying with a smile, "Little Tian, your drinking capacity has improved."
Ye Tian replied, "It's alright. Brother Liu, good things come in pairs. Let me toast you again!"
Ye Shaotian interjected, "Little Tian, drink a little less."
Ye Tian smiled, "Don't worry, brother. I don't have many talents, but my drinking capacity is good."
The bearded man, having already drunk a fair amount, began to slur his words after two cups. He said with a laugh, "Little Tian, there are still quite a few people here. You can't play favorites; you have to drink with everyone."
Ye Tian responded, "Of course. Brother Liu, in ancient times, there was the Oath of the Peach Garden. You and my brother are sworn brothers, so we must have three cups."
The bearded man started to feel a bit intimidated, but having already boasted and being in front of three groups of sworn brothers, he could only grit his teeth and say, "Deal. Three cups, let's go!"
After downing a jin of white wine, the bearded man swayed unsteadily, his eyes unfocused, and he sat down, mostly silent.
And so it went, Ye Tian toasted each person with a jin of white wine. Some who couldn't hold their liquor felt awkward refusing, especially since Ye Tian was drinking with an entire table by himself. What reason did they have to refuse?
By the seventh person, an unremarkable man dressed very plainly, named Yang Yong, Ye Tian's demeanor changed. Yang Yong worked as a construction laborer, earning a modest income, and had a wife and children to support. However, when he learned of Ye Shaodong's paralysis, he scraped together twenty thousand yuan and sent it to the Ye family. Because of this twenty thousand yuan, he couldn't even afford his daughter's tuition fees.
When he reached Yang Yong, Ye Tian's smile faded. "Brother Yong, they say true friendship is tested in adversity. I thank you on behalf of my brother!"
Yang Yong appeared embarrassed. He raised his wine cup and said, "Little Tian, drink less. Young people, take care of yourselves. How about we just have half a cup?"
The others immediately began to protest, "No, no, it's three cups for everyone. No one can have less."
Ye Tian smiled and asked, "Brother Yong, where are you working now?"