Chapter 2072: Chapter 2273: You’ll Have to Get Past Me First if You Want to Drink!
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Zhang Jin was clearly taken aback. He didn’t expect that when he spoke ill of Hao Jian, Gao Yanfei would respond in such a manner. This puzzled him, so he asked questioningly, "Brother Fei..."
However, before he could finish speaking, Gao Yanfei shot him a cold glare and said nothing more. Zhang Jin was so frightened that he didn’t dare utter another word. The reason he could still hold his ground in Yawen was entirely due to Gao Yanfei’s backing. Without Gao Yanfei, he wouldn’t be where he is today, so he never dared to oppose Gao Yanfei. Especially now, Gao Yanfei seemed to be on the verge of erupting.
He felt utterly baffled. He couldn’t understand why Brother Fei, despite having a deep-seated hatred towards Hao Jian, wouldn’t even allow him to speak a word against Hao Jian at the moment. Likewise, others looked on with the same puzzled expression. They knew their Brother Fei well, and if someone annoyed him or displeased him, he would definitely retaliate. But today’s Brother Fei was different, and they all found it baffling.
"Let’s go," Gao Yanfei suddenly said.
With that, the group headed towards the school gates, starting a brief and joyous nightlife moment. During this time, Gao Yanfei gazed deeply into the distance. He had a reason for glaring at Zhang Jin. He was surprised that Hao Jian let him go, without embarrassing him in front of so many people.
He wasn’t someone who wouldn’t repay kindness. Since Hao Jian didn’t make him call him grandpa at the time and spared him the embarrassment, he wouldn’t do anything to Hao Jian for now, hence the glare he gave to Hao Jian earlier. Once this favor is repaid, he will certainly address the grudge in the future.
After all, Hao Jian had made him lose face in front of so many people, and he would remember that, making sure Hao Jian repaid it dearly in the end. For now, he was just repaying Hao Jian’s kindness.
The journey wasn’t far, and they soon arrived at the regular spot Zhang Danlin frequented. Seeing Zhang Danlin there, along with so many people, the owner appeared a bit pleased, but hesitated slightly upon seeing Hao Jian. He remembered Hao Jian quite well, especially since Hao Jian had clashed with the Axe Gang there one night.
His gaze paused on Hao Jian briefly before quickly snapping back as he approached Zhang Danlin, saying, "Please have a seat, everyone. I’ll get the menu so you can order whatever you want. Rest assured, you’ll eat and drink to your heart’s content."
The owner had a knack for conversing, quickly warming up relations in just a few sentences, and so everyone sat down. While there weren’t many people, they occupied three tables, around twenty or so people in total. Naturally, Hao Jian, Hu Lai, and Zhang Danlin, along with Liang Xiaohan, sat at one table.
The owner quickly brought the menus, rapidly took their orders, and then hurried to notify the kitchen. Meanwhile, each table received a case of beer. It wasn’t much, just twelve bottles, meaning roughly a bottle each with even distribution.
So it wasn’t much, really. There weren’t many customers today, so once the orders were placed, various grilled items began arriving steadily, with the three tables nearly served, save for a few missing items. Since barbecue is meant to be enjoyed while cooking, nobody waited, instead eating as dishes were served.
At this moment, a student suddenly raised a glass towards Hao Jian, saying, "Brother Hao, I toast to you. You truly command my respect. We had no assurance today, but you led us to pull off a miracle, and we won, decisively!"
"No need for more words, they’re all in the drink. Brother Hao, I toast to you!" the student said as he raised his glass and downed it in one go.
Hao Jian smiled, evidently not expecting this, but obliged by picking up his glass, standing, and filling it before downing it completely. The student laughed and sat down after seeing this.
At this moment, Hao Jian was merely among his peers—they were classmates without any hierarchy. However, the student instinctively called him Brother Hao. This change, although subconscious, reflected a deeper shift.
The title of Brother Hao indicated that his relation with Hao Jian had undergone a subtle change.
With the first toast done, others started standing up to toast Hao Jian gradually in succession. A few minutes later, nearly every guy took their turn to toast Hao Jian. Luckily, Hao Jian could handle his drink well; otherwise, he would have ended up on the floor after all those toasts.
But the girls didn’t join in; many of them weren’t adept at drinking, so they didn’t follow the toasting traditions, instead watching from the side. By the end of the table’s toasting, Hao Jian had drank several bottles yet showed no hint of flushing, as if he hadn’t consumed any alcohol at all, sitting there without the slightest oddity.
At this point, Zheng Jun chuckled, "Brother Hao truly holds his liquor well! After all these rounds, not the slightest hint of drunkenness!"
Upon hearing this, smiles appeared on their faces. Zheng Jun’s intentions were clear to everyone with this comment. Hu Lai quickly egged them on, saying, "Hey! Since our Brother Hao can drink so much, having not even a hint of drunkenness after a round, why not go another round with Brother Hao?"
"Come on, let’s drink!" Fatty immediately echoed.
All the guys present started getting restless. Their intention was obvious: since Hao Jian wasn’t even slightly drunk despite the numerous drinks, they planned to get him drunk for fun, to enjoy themselves to the fullest. Today’s focus was on Hao Jian, so they had to make him the target.
When it came to drinking, Hao Jian wasn’t afraid at all. Drinking beer was akin to drinking hot water for him, though it might make his stomach a bit bloated. Therefore, even if they kept pouring drinks on him, he likely wouldn’t be fazed, and seeing them gearing up for this, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
However, just as he prepared to stand up and join them for drinks, he was suddenly pushed back down by Zhang Danlin, sitting next to him. With a puzzled expression, Hao Jian watched as Zhang Danlin rose, picked up a glass, tapped it on the table, and boldly declared, "If you want to get Hao Jian drunk, you’ll have to get past me first."
Despite being a girl, Zhang Danlin spoke with impressive vigor, immediately overshadowing Hu Lai and the other guys’ energy. Initially, they had planned to run through the rounds with Hao Jian, hoping to intoxicate him as a fun goal. However, seeing Zhang Danlin’s assertive stance, they exchanged looks among themselves.
With Zhang Danlin’s declaration, no one dared to challenge Hao Jian with drinks. That would be suicidal. They’d have to get past Zhang Danlin first; she was a girl, and although adept at drinking, could they really get her drunk before trying to do the same to Hao Jian? So her words effectively nipped their intention in the bud.
Hu Lai pondered thoughtfully, smiling, "Alright then, since Sister Danlin has spoken, we won’t drink."
Fatty, understanding Hu Lai’s intention, immediately echoed, "Yes, yes, Sister Danlin says no drinking, so we won’t drink, right everyone?"
Previously, some had been a bit flustered, but upon hearing Fatty’s words, they quickly understood the intention. Instantly, smiles spread across their faces as they said, "Yes, yes, since Sister Danlin says no drinking, we won’t drink."
With that, the boys who had lifted their glasses promptly placed them down and sat. Meanwhile, Zhang Danlin’s face inadvertently flushed slightly.
She hadn’t realized at first when Hu Lai called her Sister Danlin; plenty of boys referred to her that way since she was quite familiar with many of them, making the title fairly normal. However, once Fatty repeated it, she sensed an underlying change when everyone followed suit in calling her Sister Danlin, her face instantly flushed.
Calling Hao Jian Brother Hao and calling her Sister Danlin implied something beyond the surface, which didn’t need to be verbalized. Seeing the flush on her face, Hu Lai and the rest chuckled knowingly, aware of the implications.
Usually, she would show no reaction, but now she felt her face heating up, her heartbeat quickening when she glanced at Hao Jian. She suddenly found herself unsure of what to say before hurriedly sitting down.
Seeing this, Hu Lai and the rest exchanged glances and laughter.
Just then, Liang Xiaohan, seated beside Hao Jian, abruptly stood up, quickly grabbed a glass, filled it completely, and shoved it towards Hao Jian, before pouring herself a glass as well.
"Drink!" Liang Xiaohan said straightforwardly.
Everyone watching this situation was stunned. Zhang Danlin had just stood up intending to shield Hao Jian from drinks, saying anyone who wanted to drink with him should get past her. But now, Liang Xiaohan straightforwardly wanted to drink with Hao Jian, and her approach was exceptionally direct and forceful.
Everyone had been riding the wave rooting for Hao Jian and Zhang Danlin, then laughed seeing Zhang Danlin shyly sit down. But watching this scene unfold, they were dumbfounded, their laughter abruptly cut off, leaving a slightly awkward atmosphere.
