Chapter 246: Fishing for Information

Chapter 246: Fishing for Information

Cheng Ge bit down hard on the blanket, barely keeping a straight face.

He had to muster every ounce of strength to suppress the laughter threatening to burst out, forcing tears to his eyes from holding it in.

His body trembled slightly beneath the blanket from the strain, and this subtle quake, as Lei Biao leaned in to check on him, looked to Lei Biao like solid proof his brother was crying his heart out.

Cheng Ge lay on his side, his face buried in the bedding, glimmering tear tracks just visible in the dim light.

His tightly pressed lips and slightly quivering shoulders spoke volumes of deep hurt.

Lei Biao’s heart felt as if a large hand had clenched it tightly. A man doesn't cry unless he's really hurting!

His earlier actions had truly hurt this brother who had risked his life to save him!

Lei Biao, who prided himself on loyalty and honor, now stood there helpless while his brother cried in front of him. What the hell was this!

He stood by the bed, this burly man who could shake the whole stronghold just by stomping, now fumbling like a guilty child.

He rubbed his rough fingers together, wanting to comfort but at a loss for words.

Seeing Cheng Ge like this, it was clear he wanted nothing to do with him.

Lei Biao’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke, his voice going soft with unprecedented care.

“Fourth brother… you… you rest well… remember to drink the medicine later… Big brother… big brother won’t trouble you here…”

With that, full of guilt and a bit of sadness, he turned to leave.

But just as he took a step—

A cold hand shot out and grabbed his wrist from behind!

The grip was light, even weak, but the unexpected touch and the pleading feel made Lei Biao freeze and whirl around!

Cheng Ge had somehow propped himself up, pale and breathing unsteadily.

He turned away, let out a racking cough that shook his frail frame.

After several coughs, he finally caught his breath, lifted his eyes—still red-rimmed—and stared straight at Lei Biao.

“Big brother… I… I wanna have a drink.”

Lei Biao’s thick brows instantly furrowed, and he refused without thinking: “Bullshit! You're still sick, what the hell are you drinking?! You trying to get yourself killed?!”

His voice was gruff out of habit, but he didn’t shake off Cheng Ge’s hand.

Hearing this, the little light in Cheng Ge’s eyes went out.

He said nothing, simply silently released his grip on Lei Biao’s wrist.

Then he slumped back onto the bed, pulled the tiger-skin blanket over his head, and wrapped himself up tight like a cocoon that said 'leave me alone'.

A voice, utterly disheartened, came muffled from under the blanket.

Every word hit Lei Biao right in the chest: “In the end… I’m just an outsider.”

The concubines standing nearby thought to themselves, if Cheng Ge used this trick on their master, the master wouldn't stand a chance.

Lei Biao stood by the bed, staring at that tiger-skin blanket roll practically screaming 'don't touch me' from every strand of hair.

And hearing that 'in the end, I'm just an outsider' line echo around, he stood there frozen.

Those words hurt worse than getting stabbed.

A wave of guilt, worry, and feeling like a total bastard hit him.

“Bullshit!” Lei Biao spun around, yanking back the corner of Cheng Ge’s blanket.

He growled at the back of his head deliberately turned away, “Who the hell said you’re an outsider! Drink! I’ll drink with you! I'm going to get the booze right now!”

Cheng Ge bolted upright, his eyes lit up like crazy, all the sickly, sorry look was gone. He fixed his gaze on Lei Biao: “Really?! Big brother!”

Lei Biao was caught off guard by this sudden turnaround.

But with his word given, he had to puff up his chest and go with it: “When have I ever bullshitted you!”

“Then I want to drink Firewater!” Cheng Ge pushed his luck and asked for something even crazier.

Firewater was fiery and potent; even strong men could hardly handle it, let alone a “sick” man. Lei Biao clearly hesitated for a few seconds.

Cheng Ge spotted the hesitation, and his mouth drooped slightly.

The light in his eyes dimmed visibly as he lowered his gaze and muttered softly.

“Never mind… guess I'm not good enough to drink such liquor with Big brother…”

That line worked like a charm.

Lei Biao saw that tiny spark of hope about to fizzle out, and any caution he had left got washed away by guilt.

“Bullshit! How could you not deserve it! Drink! We'll have Firewater!”

Lei Biao roared, like he was trying to prove a point, and shouted toward the door: “Somebody! Go down to the cellar and bring up all those aged jars of Firewater I've been saving! And whip up some proper food!”

Soon, several unsealed jars of strong booze and plates of meat were set on the small table in Cheng Ge’s room.

As they cracked open the jars, the sharp, fiery smell of liquor filled the room.

Cheng Ge gave a satisfied smile, quickly filling both their bowls.

“Big brother, a toast! Thank you for not treating me like an outsider!” He raised the bowl, pretending to take a big swig.

His big sleeve hid the move, and most of the booze soaked into the cotton cloth he had hidden in his cuff, leaving only a symbolic wetting of his lips.

Seeing his brother so open like that, Lei Biao felt relieved and laughed heartily, raising his bowl.

“Good! A real man! Cheers!” He tilted his head and chugged it down. The hot liquor burned all the way down, quite satisfying.

“Big brother, great capacity! Another!” Cheng Ge immediately refilled his bowl.

After several rounds, a small puddle had formed on the ground by Cheng Ge, while he only flushed slightly, while his own eyes just got sharper.

As for Lei Biao, his face was red, his gaze unfocused, and his tongue thickened.

"Brother, brother... you can really hold your liquor, huh..." Lei Biao belched, patting Cheng Ge on the shoulder with a heavy hand.

Cheng Ge instinctively steadied him, his tone carrying concern and a subtle guiding note: "Brother, you've had too much. How about a rest?"

"No... I'm fine! I'm... not drunk!" Lei Biao waved a hand stubbornly, took another gulp, and began to ramble.

"Once you're better, us brothers will run the Blackwind Stockade like an iron fortress!"

Cheng Ge continued drinking with him, playing along with his lead, his tone carrying just the right amount of worry.

"Brother, your grand vision goes without saying. But... I always worry about the authorities. Last time, we fell into their trap..."

Lei Biao waved a hand dismissively, slurring, "Don't worry about that! The authorities? Hmph, they won't make waves!"