Ning Chu still didn’t like alcohol—mostly because she hated the taste and worried about what might happen if she got drunk. But tonight was Wen Yang’s birthday, and the gathering included his trustworthy dormmates and her own boyfriend, who had long since "devoured" her completely and doted on her endlessly. A few drinks wouldn’t hurt.
The cocktails were surprisingly easy to drink, more like flavored beverages with a hint of alcohol. She didn’t mind them at first, but the high alcohol content quickly got to her. After just a few glasses, her cheeks turned a bright shade of red, and her eyes took on a dazed, innocent expression.
Clutching her glass in both hands, Ning Chu swayed slightly as she sat, occasionally bumping into Wen Yang’s shoulder. Relaxed and unguarded, her drunkenly adorable demeanor made her all the more tempting to tease.
“Hey, little maid! Bring out the cake we prepared!” Zhang Shaoqing called to one of the maids in the room. Then, gesturing to another maid who was standing near Wen Yang, he added, “And you, stay away from him. His girlfriend’s crazy jealous—you’ll get beaten up. Come sit by me instead~”
Wen Yang glanced at the maid next to him and asked calmly, “When has Ning Chu ever hit anyone?”
“So, you do want her to sit closer?” Zhang Shaoqing teased.
“I’m just clarifying things,” Wen Yang replied, still stiff and uncomfortable in the lively atmosphere. He wasn’t much of a drinker, and his restraint was evident.
Suddenly, the glass in his hand was snatched away. He looked down to find Ning Chu eagerly gulping down his drink. Smiling helplessly, he said, “Take it easy. You don’t usually drink.”
“It’s your birthday~” Ning Chu giggled, her head wobbling slightly. “And we haven’t all gotten together in ages~ If I get drunk, you’ll take care of me... hic!”
“Could you bring us two glasses of hot water?” Wen Yang asked one of ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) the maids. “Serve them in regular glasses and tell her it’s white wine.”
“I heard that!” Ning Chu pouted, her flushed face full of indignation. “Plotting against me right in front of my face?”
Wen Yang couldn’t help but pinch her rosy cheeks, his eyes brimming with affection. “Alright, that’s enough. No more drinking.”
“I’m not drunk...” she mumbled, reluctant to let go of her glass.
“Then does that mean you’re skipping late-night snacks tonight?”
Her expression froze. After a moment, she hastily set the glass down and sat up straight, looking serious. “Of course I’m eating! Definitely eating!”
“You two still have late-night snacks?” Zhang Shaoqing asked enviously. “Qian Qian won’t let me. Says it’ll make me fat and insists on all this health stuff...”
“Well, it’s mostly because Ning Chu gets cravings,” Wen Yang explained with a smile.
“Damn it, must be nice not to gain weight!” Zhang Shaoqing grumbled, venting about Qian Qian. “I’m not even twenty yet, but she’s nagging me about exercising, banning late-night snacks, smoking, drinking, and staying up late. You’d think I was seventy or eighty!”
“Maybe you’re just weak in bed,” Wang Jie muttered under his breath.
Zhang Shaoqing shot to his feet, indignant. “As if! I’ve got her wrapped around my finger every time. Just because you’re bad doesn’t mean we all are!”
“Well, you’ve seemed pretty drained this week...” Wang Jie added with a shrug.
“That’s because Qian Qian’s in top form right now! Once she’s through this phase, I’ll show her who’s boss!”
Unwilling to dwell on his struggles, Zhang Shaoqing turned to Wen Yang. “So, is Ning Chu really... you know? How do you even handle it?”
“Bet he hasn’t even dared to touch her,” Wang Jie joked. “Wen Yang’s even more timid than me.”
“Not a chance,” Zhang Shaoqing replied, slapping Wen Yang on the back. “But I bet he’s popping pills every time. Look, I’m just saying—it’s not good for you, man.”
Sitting straighter with pride, Wen Yang shot them a smug look. “I don’t need pills. It’s Ning Chu who can’t handle me.”
“Yeah, right!”
The men’s conversation soon devolved into the usual topics of politics, games, and women. Normally, they would tone things down with Ning Chu present, but with a few drinks in their systems and Ning Chu clearly tipsy, they let loose.
“You’re all talk! Women will wear you out, I swear. My girlfriend’s this studious, glasses-wearing type, but in bed? She’s wild!”
“Qian Qian’s the same. I thought she was conservative, but once she got going, she’s wilder than me! Always looking for something exciting. Last time, she even wanted to do it outdoors. No way I’d let her—booked a five-star suite instead!”
As they chatted and ate cake, Ning Chu leaned against Wen Yang’s shoulder, her soft cheek rubbing against him like a contented kitten. Her mind was blank, and their conversation went in one ear and out the other.
“Let’s book a room for Ning Chu later and head to the internet café for some games?” Zhang Shaoqing suggested.
“Probably not a good idea,” Wen Yang refused, shaking his head. “She’d panic if she woke up alone in an unfamiliar place.”
“She’s not a three-year-old.”
Still, Wen Yang knew how anxious Ning Chu could get in new environments, especially after drinking. “Forget it. I’d rather stay with her.”
He glanced down at her just in time to catch her sneaking a hand toward the coffee table, trying to swipe his glass. Laughing quietly, he gently smacked her hand, and she retracted it immediately, feigning innocence as she blinked up at him with a clueless expression.
“Here, drink this,” Zhang Shaoqing offered, handing her a glass of plain water.
“No.”
“Suit yourself.” He rolled his eyes. “You’re such a lightweight. At least you don’t get rowdy when you’re drunk.”
Before he could say more, his phone lit up on the table. Quickly gesturing for the singing maid to stop and for everyone to be quiet, he answered it with an exaggeratedly guilty smile. “Hello? Qian Qian? I’m out eating with Wen Yang.”
“Really, no drinks. We’re just having barbecue for his birthday... Look, even steel needs to rest once in a while, right?”
Wang Jie and Wen Yang stifled their laughter.
“Who’s that?” Ning Chu suddenly piped up, her voice loud and slurred, her face still adorably dazed.
“Not helping!” Zhang Shaoqing hissed, frantically shoving a glass of wine into her hands to pacify her. Into the phone, he added, “She’s drunk, Qian Qian. Listen to her voice!”
Satisfied with her drink, Ning Chu leaned lazily against Wen Yang, staring up at him with a silly smile plastered on her face.
Wen Yang stroked her soft hair, pinched her flushed cheeks, and whispered, “Drink less.”
“I know~” Ning Chu giggled, still clutching his arm. Then, leaning close, she whispered in his ear, “I drank tonight, so I’ll be unstoppable later! Just you wait~”
“Sure, sure,” Wen Yang replied with a resigned smile.
