Lu Xingci’s reflection on the flag-raising podium resulted in a raging scandal that swept through Yi Zhong for a long time, with over eight hundred versions of rumours being passed around.

Some believed his words were purely to show off his love, while some truly believed that he had been dumped by Duan Jiayan. Still, even after being dumped, his love remained unwavering and he still pined for the campus bully. 

As one of the rumour’s protagonists, Duan Jiayan not only had to explain the situation to his fellow students one by one, but even had to listen to people talking behind his back in school occasionally.

“Eh, is he that…” the girl paused. “The senior liked by the senior that you like?”

The female student felt outraged, “It’s that scumbag that abused and then abandoned senior Lu!”

“Shh, lower your voice! He’s the sophomore year’s big boss, I heard that if he gets angry then heads will start bleeding.” 

“……” Duan Jiayan thought to himself that he had heard nothing.

At the start, he still had the patience to explain the situation, but there were so many people who had heard the rumours that he eventually grew numb and decided to just let them say whatever they want.

Lu Xingci was even lazier than him. There were so many people making him out to be a tragic male protagonist, to the point where even Duan Jiayan felt a little bad for him after listening to the rumours but the boy himself had no intention of explaining himself.

Previously Zhao Minjun had stated that the school will be organising an ABO-related exercise, with the sophomores most probably heading to Zhao City’s ABO museum.

But even till the end of the month, there was still no news from the school. Just when everyone thought that the matter would just pass them by, the school suddenly announced that there will be a weekend trip to Zhao City for two days and one night, and told their students to start getting ready.

After the news was announced, everyone got excited. Song Yi was bustling around as he packed his stuff the night before. Searching up information on Zhao City’s bar, he said, “Xiao Duan! There is a bar that is famous on the internet. Apparently, the boss is an alpha that is super duper handsome! He seems to even be a tattoo artist!”

As he spoke, Song Yi shoved his phone to Duan Jiayan’s face. He took a glance and replied with a bored tone, “So you actually plan to start a Zhao City romance?”

Song Yi, “I’m just taking a look and admiring the hunks. I still prefer guys that look like the class monitor.” 

Duan Jiayan casually asked, “What about him?”

Song Yi, “A young master ah. Don’t you think that getting into a relationship with such a guy will feel like you are walking on the edge of a knife with every step? A slight moment where you don’t pay attention and his mother might use some underhanded tactics to force you to leave her son, or come up with some evil plot to make you unable to leave her son.”

Song Yi paused for a moment before concluding, “How exhilarating.”

Duan Jiayan, “……” 

Duan Jiayan was once again disturbed by Song Yi.

Seeing Duan Jiayan’s speechless expression, Song Yi chortled, “I’m just kidding. But during last year’s parent-teacher meeting, I saw from afar that his mom was very young and very pretty. She could pass off as his elder sister.”

Even though Zhao Minjun continuously advised them against going out at night after they had arrived in Zhao City, these students were still young and energetic. Furthermore, they were in Zhao City, a place with bustling nightlife.

After they were done handling things over at Zhao Minjun’s side, Zhou Xingchen sent a text to Duan Jiayan, [Come out to play?] 

Duan Jiayan, [Where?]

Zhou Xingchen sent the address over to him, [A KTV nearby, it seems very nicely decorated inside.]

Duan Jiayan replied him with an ‘Okay’.

The KTV Zhou Xingchen was talking about seemed to be the most popular spot for entertainment in the area. On the way to the KTV, Duan Jiayan spotted quite a few Yi Zhong students. 

Gu Li happened to be singing as he entered the room.

The private room had around ten people. Aside from Gu Li, the rest were all his classmates. She was singing a Korean song with an enchanting and slow tune to the blinking lights in the KTV.

The KTV lights fell onto the face of the boy sitting on the outermost edge. He happened to have his head tilted down as he played with his phone, the lines of his brow bone was both clean-looking and obvious.

When he noticed that there was a movement by the open door, the boy suddenly raised his head and looked over. 

Duan Jiayan and Lu Xingci stared at each other for a moment.

The latter was holding onto a stick of cigarette in his fingers, the thin smoke curled around his facial features. Even though he knew he smoked, this was Duan Jiayan’s first time seeing him smoke in person.

Lu Xingci saw Duan Jiayan’s gaze fall onto his fingers and realised that the other was staring at the cigarette in his fingers. Lu Xingci kept his originally laidback expression while revealing a hint of laughter in his eyes.

The corners of his lips curled up as he extinguished the cigarette and motioned for Duan Jiayan to sit beside him. 

All of his actions were caught by Gu Li who could not help cupping her cheeks and saying, “Ying! So cute!”

Zhou Xingchen casually asked, “What’s so cute?”

After not getting a reply from her after a long while, Zhou Xingchen’s gaze moved to the person that just entered, “Hey you are finally here. Come come come, play with us.”

Duan Jiayan got a little excited, “What are we playing?” 

Someone gently rubbed the top of his head and casually got closer to him before saying, “What do you feel like playing?”

Qlat Oe Wlcuml’r nblmf rb mibrf, Gejc Aljsjc kjr cba regf lo la kjr vef ab atf vlw ilutar lc atf BKN gbbw yea tlr nblmf rffwfv ab fzevf vfugffr bo lcveiufcmf.

Itbe Wlcumtfc vlv cba cbalmf atf reyaif jawbrqtfgf yfakffc atf ybat bo atfw jcv mbcalcefv fzmlafvis, “Qf kfgf pera qijslcu atf jimbtbilm olcufg uefrrlcu ujwf, mbwf pblc er jt.”

Duan Jiayan froze. 

We’re drinking alcohol?

Zhou Xingchen was still earnestly looking at him, Duan Jiayan subtly leaned forward, “How do I play this?”

Recalling Duan Jiayan’s alcohol tolerance, Lu Xingci gave a slight frown.

Seeing that he was interested in playing, Zhou Xingchen immediately moved on to explain the rules of the game, “…that’s about it, easy right? You can play one round with us first.” 

Duan Jiayan squinted at him.

Zhou Xingchen asked, “You didn’t understand?”

Duan Jiayan, “I’m still not too sure how to play.”

Seeing how lost he looked, Zhou Xingchen kindly suggested, “Why not we change a game?” 

Without waiting for Duan Jiayan’s reply, he excitedly began explaining the rules of the game. This time it was a game that required one to make inferences. Duan Jiayan felt that it was more complicated than the previous game. Zhou Xingchen rambled on with the rules, to the point where he felt a little thirsty. However, he saw that the other person still looked lost and so Zhou Xingchen asked in confusion, “It can’t be, this doesn’t fit with your school tyrant character setting right?”

His volume was not small, resulting in several people around them hearing and couldn’t resist laughing.

Duan Jiayan retorted, “Just because I’m a school tyrant I have to know how to play drinking games? You guys seriously…”

His gaze moved and landed on Lu Xingci who was also laughing along. Duan Jiayan glared at him and was about to rip into him when Lu Xingci seemed to realise that he was not happy. He kept his smile away and spoke with a serious look on his face, “Zhou Xingchen how are you choosing your games? Quickly change to another one.” 

Chen Yue was caught off guard by Lu Xingci’s quick question. He took hold of the mic and laughed while turning around, “Lu-gou, your…” Your actions with Duan Jiayan are a little too much, are they not?

Before he could complete his sentence, he felt Lu Xingci gently bringing his gaze over to him.

Chen Yue was stunned by that one look. He then looked at Duan Jiayan in confusion before realisation hit him.

Alright, you really do need to coax this fellow. 

Zhou Xingchen pondered over it for a long while before saying, “Why not we guess between big and small numbers?”

Duan Jiayan, “……”

Duan Jiayan, “Are you looking down on me?”

Zhou Xingchen was originally already playing along happily, after that one retort, he felt like a cat that has caught sight of a ball of yarn and got eager to play more, he said, “Stop rambling Duan-ge, let us start tonight’s game. Although guessing between big and small numbers is a basic game, but it’s suitable for all ages and is fun. It’s just two dice, add them up and the person with the smallest number has to drink.” 

As he spoke, he pushed the plate holding the dice in front of him, silently asking for the rest to start playing.

In the first round, Zhou Xingchen shook out two ‘threes’. He originally thought that he was done for and was already reaching for a bottle of alcohol when Duan Jiayan opened the cover of his dice cup.

Two ‘ones’. The lowest number possible.

Zhou Xingchen immediately kept his hands and said, “Duan-ge, you sure can play huh.” 

Duan Jiayan was stunned for a moment before coming to his senses. He smiled as he gave Zhou Xingchen’s leg a light kick and smoothly poured himself a glass of alcohol.

After a few rounds, everyone had drunk quite a bit and the atmosphere in the room was loud and rowdy.

Duan Jiayan watched as Lu Xingci opened the lid and realised something, “Lu Xingci, have you not drunk a sip since we started?”

After speaking, he stared at Lu Xingci’s hand on the lid and muttered, “……., it has to be……” 

Zhou Xingchen was muttering alongside him, “……”

Lu Xingci looked at both their dazed expression and found it amusing. He raised his hand to open the lid, only for Zhou Xingchen to let out a pained cry.

Duan Jiayan leaned forward, “Two sixes, Lu Xingci cheated right? I’m reporting this, reporting this.”

Zhou Xingchen was a little high from all his drinking, “What do you know, this is called the right hand of god.” 

Duan Jiayan, “Scram, why are you sucking up to him?”

After looking down on Zhou Xingchen, Duan Jiayan reached out to tug on Lu Xingci’s arm, “King of luck, help me shake the dice cup a little.”

Zhou Xingchen was miffed by what he saw, “Hey! You’re over there sucking up to others right after insulting me?”

Duan Jiayan was a little more reasonable than him, “This is called being brave with a plan, you can stand to learn a little.” 

With two people arguing like primary school kids right beside him, Lu Xingci glanced at the hand tugging on his arm, his eyes hooded.

He looked as if he’s cracking a joke while carrying some degrees of seriousness, “I’ll help you shake it? The price for my luck is very high you know.”

Duan Jiayan gave an ‘ah’, looking troubled, “Can I get a discount then?”

As he spoke, his amber-coloured eyes stared straight towards him, looking especially bright when the light hits it. 

Lu Xingci paused for a moment and wondered whether he should actually agree to his wishes. However, a sudden urge to tease him arose. He looked at Duan Jiayan and spoke lowly, “What’s in it for me if I help you shake your dice?”

Duan Jiayan thought it over and replied, “You can get to show off your immense luck and prove that you are indeed the luckiest person in this whole room.”

“That doesn’t seem all that interesting.” The male in front of him looked at him with hooded eyes, the corner of his lips curled up lazily. “But if you were to say some nicer words to me, I just might agree to your offer.”

The two people bantered back and forth, completely paying no heed to the people around them who were looking at the two with knowing eyes. 

“It turns out the class monitor really is pining for Duan Jiayan ah!”

“This is too exhilarating, Lu-ge actually knows how to chase someone?”

Among a whole group of people who could clearly see what was going on, there really existed an oblivious fool. Duan Jiayan had already drunk too much and only felt that Lu Xingci was trying to take advantage of him. He sneered contemptuously before taking Lu Xingci’s hands and placing it onto the dice cup.

Zhou Xingchen had also drunk quite a bit of alcohol, and was completely unable to notice the weird atmosphere around them. However, seeing how Duan Jiayan dared to treat Lu Xingci, he was almost scared sober, “Duan Jiayan y-y-you!” 

After stuttering for half a day, he was still unable to properly phrase his words out. Suddenly, his mind cleared and he said without thinking, “You sure are bold ah!”

Gu Li, who was originally fangirling over the scene in front of her, gave Zhou Xingchen a smack on the back of his head after hearing his stupid comment, “You be quiet! Lu-ge hasn’t even said anything!’`”

With Lu Xingci’s hand snatched, the distance between the two were extremely close. He could clearly see Duan Jiayan’s eyelashes that were trembling slightly.

It was both long and thick, like a small forest, and was the same shade of light brown as his hair. 

Duan Jiayan was ultimately an omega, with hands that are smaller than his. Perhaps due to all the alcohol he drank, the palm pressed against his felt very hot.

After giving the dice cup a few shakes, Duan Jiayan borrowed Lu Xingci’s hand to open the lid.

A ‘two’ and a ‘three’.

The lowest point in the round. 

“Lu Xingci what is wrong with you?” Duan Jiayan stared at the numbers he shook out, stunned. “What happened to your luck?”

Before this, Lu Xingci was clearly shaking out ‘fours’, ‘fives’ and ‘sixes’ for himself. Why is it when it got to him that the King of Luck suddenly became so unlucky?

The more he thought about it, the more depressed he got. He could not resist tugging Lu Xingci on the arm once again, though not much strength was used. He was just playing around.

However, with him leaning over, physical contact was naturally inevitable. After being touched and tugged by Duan Jiayan, Lu Xingci’s gaze gradually darkened. 

He reached out a hand, hooked it around the back of Duan Jiayan’s head and pulled him towards his chest.

Being pressed into his chest, Duan Jiayan could only think about how it was difficult to see with him lying against the other’s chest.

“Alright, stop messing around.” He said as his hands ruffled Duan Jiayan’s light brown hair, his voice carrying traces of gentleness. “I’ll help you drink.”

Duan Jiayan could feel Lu Xingci’s chest subtly moving as he spoke. Upon hearing that he would help him drink, he slowly stopped tugging on the other. 

Seeing Duan Jiayan being subdued by Lu Xingci right in front of his eyes, Zhou Xingchen praised Lu Xingci in his head. However, after suddenly hearing the latter say he’ll help Duan Jiayan drink his alcohol, Zhou Xingchen could only disagree with his offer.

With a drunk look in his eyes, Zhou Xingchen said in concern, “Lu-ge, how can you just go along with his whims? Letting him grab your hand and then helping him drink his alcohol, what are you going to do for him next?”

Gu Li glanced at him with a troubled look on her face.

She never thought that words from a drunk Zhou Xingchen would be so explosive, they even poked at her ‘moe’ spot. She wanted to continue hearing him spew his nonsense but at the same time was afraid that he’ll dig his own grave in front of Lu Xingci. 

Just then, Zhou Xingchen turned around and saw Gu Li staring at him in concern. In that second, he felt that his contributions were all worth it.

“Lu-ge, I understand, you couldn’t help it.” He shook his head and sighed. “Fear, a quality every good man has.”

Gu Li was really frightened now, and hurried over to cover Zhou Xingchen’s mouth, “What nonsense are you spouting? Just shut up.”

With this round over, the game continues. 

Duan Jiayan rolled out two ‘threes’ and was, unfortunately, the lowest number for the round once again. After drinking six cups of alcohol in a row, his whole person felt heavy so he decided to just lie back down on the sofa.

Seeing the person just lazing on the sofa, Lu Xingci was worried that he would be uncomfortable and so reached out a hand to help him up, letting him lean on his body instead.

After he was done singing his song, Chen Yue turned around and happened to catch Lu Xingci in the act. He smiled in amusement, “Wow, wow, you sure are thoughtful. You must have been taught strictly.”

He initially thought Lu Xingci would not care about him. But who would have thought that after adjusting Duan Jiayan’s position and making sure he was comfortable, he’d also smile in response, “It’s just something I should do.” 

Zhou Xingchen was already completely drunk. After not seeing any response from Duan Jiayan in a long while, he passionately shouted without a care for who he was leaning on, “Duan Jiayan! Hurry wake up! Let us battle to the very end tonight!”

After leaning on Lu Xingci for a little while, Duan Jiayan felt a little better and shouted back in turn, “Here! I! Come!”

After he was done shouting, he started pushing himself up.

Only for Lu Xingci to gently tug him back down. 

Not much strength was used, but to the drunk Duan Jiayan, it was indeed something he could not fight against.

He stumbled and sat back down. Before he could protest, Lu Xingci leaned against his ear and whispered, “You can’t drink anymore.”

He paused for a moment, before placatingly squeezing the back of Duan Jiayan’s neck, “Be good.”

An alpha’s pheromone was wafting from his body. This clean scent cut through the alcohol-filled smell in the room, just like a clear ocean breeze. 

Duan Jiayan could not help but be attracted to the pheromones, his eyes glazing over.

With Duan Jiayan caught, Lu Xingci shot Gu Li a look.

Gu Li understood in her heart what Lu Xingci was saying and caught Zhou Xingchen’s shoulder with both her hands, “Zhou Xingchen, stop drinking. Come sing with me.”

After being shaken by Gu Li, Zhou Xingchen could only dazedly agree and follow her to the stage for a song. 

Duan Jiayan lazily stared at them for a while before suddenly saying, “I want to drink.”

Lu Xingci did not say anything. Without waiting for his answer, Duan Jiayan reached out his hand and was just about to reach the glass when his hand was caught, his fingers pressed down.

His entire hand was caught in the other’s palm. Lu Xingci pulled him back and muttered lowly into his ear, “Everyone has left, still want to drink?”

Duan Jiayan thought, ‘I’ll just drink with myself then.’ As he thought to himself, he petulantly reached out his other hand. 

The other person seemed to be upset by his actions and directly held both his wrist together. Duan Jiayan tried struggling but could not free himself.

He heard the boy sigh, “How did you drink yourself into this state?”

The voice was both light and warm, Duan Jiayan thought Lu Xingci would loosen his grip and took the chance to head towards the table.

As it turned out, he barely took a step forward before he was tugged backwards and pulled back. 

He played too much this time. The boys gaze that fell on him was sharp and brought with it some touches of reproach, “Do you know that a lot of people like to pick up drunk prawns outside bars and KTVs?”

Duan Jiayan jumped, “Huh?”

He didn’t understand and asked again, “What are they picking prawns up for?”

Only after asking his question did he realised he was standing very close to Lu Xingci. 

Previously, in order to maintain his balance after being tugged back, he used a hand to prop himself on Lu Xingci’s thigh. After a while, they seemed to be leaning against one another, mutually supporting the other.

He first noticed that his body seemed to carry the smell of tobacco.

Later a lemony and herbaceous scent wafted up. Duan Jiayan seemed to fall into a daze, feeling like he was falling into a cool ocean.

He could not help but want to fall even deeper. 

Someone was singing Rashomon, the blurred lyrics fell on his ears. Under the bright and colourful lights, he saw Lu Xingci smile and say, “What do they do after picking the prawns up ah…”

He paused slightly before speaking slowly and intentionally, “They pick them up for a f*ck.”

His voice was too light and was overpowered by the loud music. Duan Jiayan could only hear his last two words.

His drunk brain became hazy, leaving behind only his desire to get close to the other person. 

“Okay,” Duan Jiayan reached out a hand and pulled him, the smile on his face revealing his dimples. “I’ll go back with you.”

The author has something to say: Yes yes yes, go back with him.

*

Tea: DJY just how drunk are you?