061. Soothing
Perhaps it was the skills honed from back in the bar, but Zhang Shaoqing had an impressive alcohol tolerance.
He barely nibbled on the snacks, and before long, several cans of beer lay scattered on the floor, while he continued to drink quietly, his expression calm.
After nearly triggering a plot twist at the hotel last time, Ning Chu didn’t dare touch a drop of alcohol this time. He merely sat on one side of the small table, occasionally nibbling on some snacks, his gaze filled with worry as he watched Zhang Shaoqing.
“Wen Yang, your tolerance is low; you should drink less,” he reminded, glancing at the rosy-cheeked Wen Yang, who was already looking tipsy.
It wasn’t out of concern for Wen Yang; more like being worried this guy might get unruly after a few too many.
“Okay, I haven’t had that much,” Wen Yang replied.
Ning Chu sighed, slumping down, his arms resting on his thighs, chin in his hands, staring at the two men in front of him.
Ever since he crossed over, he had been endlessly troubled by these two dudes.
Wen Yang was okay; he was still a virgin and could firmly refuse any woman trying to hit on him. He remained a popular university student, not turning into the “protagonist.”
The only issue was that this guy’s friendship with Ning Chu was so close, it made Ning Chu worry that their friendship might sink like the Titanic.
And Zhang Shaoqing had been rather silent until now; apart from that club meet-up, Ning Chu hadn’t triggered any villain-related plot points. But now, thanks to the childhood friend scenario, it seemed like Zhang Shaoqing was on track to genuinely become that “villain.”
Thoughts of wilderness, props, training, hypnosis, obsession, clinics… Just thinking about the villain-related keywords made Ning Chu’s head throb.
His experience was a bit too broad back in the day.
In the realm of anime, these keywords would be exhilarating, but this was the real world… If Zhang Shaoqing became the villain, who knows how many girls would suffer?
And even though Ning Chu was still a man, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t be the first victim, considering the “close proximity to danger” factor.
As long as he didn’t manage to soothe Zhang Shaoqing tonight, he’d have to pack up and flee under the cover of darkness!
He was too lazy to care about any possible dangers at the moment. Anything unseen was better than the looming crisis in front of him.
He glanced at Zhang Shaoqing’s expressionless face, which had downed quite a bit of booze yet was still moody and withdrawn, not speaking a word.
Then he looked over at Wen Yang… Well, this guy wasn’t much of a talker, fitting the dumb jock stereotype. If not for being handsome and this world’s male lead, he wouldn’t have such a line of girls wanting to push him around.
So Wen Yang was just drinking, occasionally peering down at his phone, completely uninterested in chatting with Zhang Shaoqing over a few brews.
“Sha…”
“Ning Chu, have a couple of bottles with me.”
As if to shut Ning Chu up, Zhang Shaoqing pushed two bottles of beer right in front of him.
Ning Chu bit back what he wanted to say, frowning as he stared helplessly at the two bottles.
He really didn’t want to drink—what if he ended up dizzy again and lost his judgment?
Besides, if Zhang Shaoqing did turn into a villain tonight, a drunken him would be the easiest target.
Ning Chu shivered; he didn’t want any man up close and personal, especially since he was a guy too…
“I… I’ll pass?” he stammered, shrinking into himself. “Wen Yang is keeping you company, right?”
With that, he shot a glare at Wen Yang, who immediately understood and replied, “Shaoqing, drinking alone isn’t fun! How about a game? Loser drinks a bottle.”
Right! Playing a little game might lighten Zhang Shaoqing’s mood!
Ning Chu nodded vigorously, but when Zhang Shaoqing raised his head to look at them, he merely scoffed, “Boring.”
“……”
Well, they were rejected, but at least he spoke, right?
Ning Chu internally sighed, munching on some peanuts.
“Come on, big man, can’t handle a little alcohol?”
“I’m allergic to alcohol.”
“Ha~”
Under Zhang Shaoqing’s oppressive gaze, worried that opposing him might crank up his villain spiral, Ning Chu had no choice but to brace himself and take a cautious sip of beer.
He had no idea why people even enjoyed beer! Those cocktails at the bar were at least somewhat decent.
Just a little… beer isn’t that powerful…
“I’ve known Ling Ling for fifteen years.” Zhang Shaoqing lowered his head after Ning Chu took a drink, letting out a sigh. “I’ve liked her for over a decade, but I’m just seen as her brother…”
Ning Chu’s eyes lit up. If he was willing to share, then things might just work out!
While the problem couldn’t be solved, at least Zhang Shaoqing’s inner turmoil could be vented through some words, reducing the chances of him turning evil.
He quickly pushed two bottles of beer toward Zhang Shaoqing, chiming in, “Didn’t she never notice your feelings for her?”
“Nope; she thought it was odd when I confessed… she always saw me as her brother.”
“After confessing, she surely must have realized your feelings?”
“But she still doesn’t like me.”
Zhang Shaoqing sighed again. “The guy dating Ling Ling? I know him; he’s our high school classmate.”
“……”
“First, Wen Yang, then a classmate…”
Ning Chu shot a glare at Wen Yang, scolding in his head: this male protagonist is the worst!
Wen Yang sheepishly scratched his head, “I didn’t know back then; but I swear, I didn’t touch her! Didn’t even hold her hand!”
“If you’re high school buddies, why don’t you talk to him? Like you did last time?”
After learning that Ling Ling was Zhang Shaoqing’s childhood sweetheart, Wen Yang had unhesitatingly broken up with her.
But this time…
Zhang Shaoqing shook his head, resigned, and downed half a bottle of beer. “Forget it.”
“Well, what do we do then…”
His gaze swept over Ning Chu and his worried little face, then back to Wen Yang, who silently clinked his bottle with Zhang Shaoqing’s, accompanying him with drinks.
“Just give me a couple of days to be alone.”
Ning Chu knew healing from emotional wounds wasn’t instant, but he still felt a bit anxious.
God knows what Zhang Shaoqing would be thinking in two days…
But he just followed Zhang Shaoqing’s lead: “Yeah, time will help.”
Then he gulped and tentatively asked, “Shaoqing, um… you’re not thinking of getting revenge on Ling Ling, are you?”
“……”
Zhang Shaoqing turned to look at him, and his gaze blanked out.
Don’t stay silent! Silence means consent, right?!
Ning Chu jolted, already preparing to flee dramatically.
“No…” Before he could finish, Zhang Shaoqing’s head thudded onto the table, sprawled out.
“There you go, he’s thoroughly drunk.” Wen Yang burped, exasperated. “Drinking too fast with nothing to eat? How can he not get smashed?”
Ning Chu sighed in relief, at least he heard Zhang Shaoqing’s thoughts before he drank himself into oblivion.
At least tonight, he didn’t think of revenge.
“Who knows what he likes about Ling Ling; that girl is quite forward…” Wen Yang mumbled, “She only knew me for a few days before trying to drag me out for a night.”
Ning Chu squatted down awkwardly, picking up the scattered beer cans.
When he was writing, he didn’t care if the girl was forward or not—getting them to squeal was all that mattered, logic? Who needs logic in a Little Emperor Wen story?
In the end, he was the real culprit.
