Farming boy with a magic ring

"Hey, Four Eyes, listen up! Zoe likes me for my character. Do you even have any character?" Ethan Yang chuckled, settling comfortably between Zoe and Yuyu at the table.

"Character?" Leo sneered. "Can you eat that? Besides, who says being poor equals having good morals? Ever heard the saying 'poverty breeds crime'? Sounds like it was made for guys like you."

Slap!

Zara Night smacked the table, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Haha! This is a full-on showdown — a rich boy versus a poor underdog, fighting for love! When rivals meet, sparks fly! Right now, it's neck and neck. Honestly, I'm rooting for Blockhead here. If he wins, we can all mooch off his amazing cooking!"

"Brother Ethan," Yuyu Tang added, pouting her lips playfully, "I still haven't tasted your food yet. If you don't win Zoe's heart, I'll just marry you myself!"

"Looks like Young Master Yang is quite the ladies' man," a chubby man next to Lee Yucheng snickered. "We'll have to stick close and learn a thing or two."

Just then, Zoe's parents wheeled her grandfather onto the stage. The old man looked frail, head bowed, barely acknowledging the guests. After a few polite words from Zoe's father, the banquet officially began, and the old man was quietly taken to another room with a couple of doctors. Zoe's father returned to the head table to host the event.

"Alright, alright!" The chubby man raised his glass. "Since it's Young Master Yang's first time joining us, it's only right we give him a proper welcome. Let's drink!"

"Ethan, you'd better brace yourself," Wendy Dong said, her eyes glimmering with amusement behind her glasses. "These guys can each handle three pounds of liquor. In our circle, it's a tradition — first-timers either drink their opponents under the table or get knocked out themselves. Refusing isn't an option."

"Sister Wendy, Ethan's not part of this circle," Yuyu protested. "He doesn't even go clubbing with you guys. Isn't this a bit much?"

"As a man, what's the big deal about a drinking challenge?" Zara grinned. "Blockhead, just for your guts, I'm backing you. If you and Zoe don't end up together, I'll marry you myself!"

"Hey, no fair!" Yuyu hugged Ethan's arm tightly, pouting. "I saw him first!"

"What are you two doing?!" Zoe snapped, her face flushing. "Snatching my boyfriend right in front of me? Hands off!" She crossed her arms, glaring at them. For some reason, watching them cling to Ethan made her stomach churn. It reminded her of kids trying to steal her favorite toy.

Leo's face darkened. "Tsk. Young Master Yang sure is popular. But let's see how you hold up after a few rounds."

Ethan chuckled. If this were the old him, he'd have run for the hills at the thought of drinking against these guys. But with the magic ring on his finger, he had a trick up his sleeve. He raised his glass and downed the liquor in one go.

"Alright, let's do this!" Ethan declared. "Yuyu, keep my glass full — this wine's too good to waste!"

"Got it, Brother Ethan!" Yuyu poured him another glass, giggling.

Across the table, Leo and his friends exchanged looks. They were determined to drink Ethan under the table. Little did they know, Ethan had no intention of losing tonight.

Tonight, the real battle was just beginning.