Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Yao Xianqing offered to treat them to a proper restaurant, but the driving instructor declined with a smile. "Let's just hit up a street-side barbecue joint! Haven't had it in ages—they give you generous portions, and it's cheap."

Yao Xianqing understood the implication: the instructor was intentionally choosing a more budget-friendly option to save him money.

Yao Xianqing said nothing, glancing over at You Nan for his opinion.

You Nan, catching Yao Xianqing’s gaze: "???"

What was this? Was the protagonist's love interest having eye trouble?

Yao Xianqing: "..."

Yao Xianqing raised a hand to his lips and gave a light cough. "Alright, we'll go with your suggestion. I haven't been to many places like that, so you lead the way, big brother."

The driving instructor readily agreed.

As soon as they stepped into the barbecue joint, he bellowed, "Boss! Food!"

The owner grinned upon seeing him. "Not busy today? Back again. Want some drinks? I saved a few bottles of that wine you liked last time."

The wine wasn't cheap—over seventy yuan a bottle—and the instructor only indulged occasionally. But since someone else was paying today, he nodded immediately. "Yes, yes, yes!"

The owner cheerfully went to fetch the wine.

The driving instructor handed the menu to Yao Xianqing, flashing a bright, toothy smile. "Brother, take a look and see what you'd like."

Yao Xianqing didn't stand on ceremony and took the menu. "Sure, I'll have a look."

The instructor watched as Yao Xianqing picked items without even glancing at the prices, feeling a pang of envy.

As a driving instructor, he was familiar with most cars. When they had arrived, he immediately recognized that Yao Xianqing was driving a Chinese-made car costing over 700,000 RMB—a luxury vehicle by today’s market standards.

Once inside, he noticed the understated yet luxurious interior. The more subtle the decor, the more expensive it tended to be. In fact, the interior fittings likely cost more than the car itself.

The instructor couldn't help but marvel inwardly—this was probably just one of the ordinary-looking cars in Yao Xianqing’s garage, used for daily commutes.

Yao Xianqing was naturally thoughtful. He first marked all of You Nan’s favorite dishes, then chose a couple of his own before sliding the menu back.

The instructor didn’t even look and let You Nan order first. You Nan leaned over, scanned the menu, and then looked up, meeting Yao Xianqing’s deep, soulful eyes.

You Nan was momentarily stunned before quickly lowering his head again. That’s just how the protagonist's love interest was—his eyes could look deeply affectionate even at a dog.

"I don’t need anything extra. I like all of these."

The instructor murmured "huh" to himself, thinking, *This student is really considerate! So well-behaved.*

The instructor selected the dishes and handed the order to the server. The three of them chatted while drinking the wine that had already been served.

You Nan wasn’t much of a drinker, and the liquor was strong. With the first sip, he felt a burning sensation from his mouth down to his throat and stomach.

The instructor, who had been talking with Yao Xianqing, turned and saw You Nan’s contorted expression and burst out laughing. "What’s wrong with you? What kind of man can't even drink?"

You Nan set down his glass and waved his hand. "I'm not much of a drinker."

The instructor didn’t press him. "How about this—this wine isn’t cheap. Can you just finish your glass?"

You Nan nodded. *That I can certainly do.*

A bottle didn’t fill many glasses, and each mouthful probably cost a few yuan. No sense letting it go to waste.

Yao Xianqing, noticing You Nan’s struggling look, was about to suggest he didn’t have to drink.

For Yao Xianqing, drinking was no big deal. Frequent social engagements had made drinking as easy as water. But You Nan seemed pure and free of bad habits. Yao Xianqing didn’t want to put him in an awkward spot. Just as he was about to speak, You Nan steeled himself and chugged the whole glass in one go.

You Nan set down the empty glass, his face still scrunched up as if he’d just taken bitter Chinese medicine rather than alcohol.

Yao Xianqing found it amusing, his eyes crinkling with laughter. Even the instructor couldn’t help but laugh.

As they ate barbecue, Yao Xianqing’s clothes picked up a hint of the smoky, greasy atmosphere.

The men drank and ate moderately—most of the food ended up in the instructor’s stomach, with You Nan taking care of the remainder.

After finishing the drink, You Nan felt like alcohol wasn’t so bad—aside from the initial burn, there wasn’t much else to it.

But soon, the buzz hit him. You Nan first felt his thoughts getting sluggish. When the instructor told a joke to Yao Xianqing, it took him a moment to process before he burst out laughing.

Later, his eyes lost focus, shiny and watery. His face and neck flushed red. He sat quietly in his chair before gradually slumping over the table—clearly drunk.

The instructor laughed heartily, teasing him for being a one-drink wonder. But less than five minutes after saying this, the instructor himself conked out.

Yao Xianqing: "..."

Yao Xianqing felt he’d been rendered speechless one too many times today. It was both amusing and frustrating.

He took the instructor’s phone, unlocked it, found his wife’s number, and called to give her their exact location.

This clearly wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. The instructor’s wife simply said "Got it" and hung up, arriving in a hurry shortly after.

The woman thanked Yao Xianqing and hauled her man off, scolding him for being troublesome and making more work for her.

Yao Xianqing watched and listened, and perhaps because of the night’s calm, he felt a twinge of longing. After seeing them off, he returned to the stall.

Finding You Nan still passed out drunk, he went to the counter to pay the tab before carrying You Nan out.

The woman at the counter looked up and her eyes widened.

*Holy crap!*

A boys' love novel scene was playing out right in front of her!

Yao Xianqing knew where You Nan and Qi Yuwen lived. It wasn’t his first time giving You Nan a ride home, so he placed him gently in the passenger seat and carefully fastened his seatbelt.

But when he arrived at You Nan’s home, he saw a familiar car parked outside. Qi Yuwen, hearing the noise, came out and locked eyes with his beloved, who was carrying You Nan out of the car.

Yao Xianqing, holding Qi Yuwen’s wife in his arms and busted by Qi Yuwen, hadn’t done anything wrong, but he still felt uneasy and awkward.

In moments of fluster, people instinctively explain themselves. "You Nan got drunk today. I’m seeing him home."

His words only dug him deeper. The moment he spoke, his friend's face darkened.