I, Herrscher Slayer

Forget it, there are plenty of ways to become mature. I'm not going to make a move on a nobody, besides, she's not well-endowed. She'd have to be at Mei's level at least.

Having made up her mind, Shen Gonglin jumped out of bed. Only undeveloped brats like Kiana would obediently go to sleep at night. Adults with mature hearts like herself were just starting their day now. Don't people say there's nightlife? Shen Gonglin was going out to enjoy the adult nightlife, while idiots like Kiana should just sleep well.

Having slept too much earlier and with nothing to do upon waking, Shen Gonglin put on his shoes and walked out. Before leaving, he didn't forget to lock the door. Although Kiana seemed quite agile, she was still stupid. If he didn't lock the door properly and came back to find she'd been violated, that would be bad. After all, he was the one who brought her out, so he had to be responsible for her.

Whether it was Shen Gonglin or Kiana, both of them seemed to think they were the leader of this mission.

"Hello... Ah, you're still planning to go out this late? Is it okay if your sister doesn't accompany you? Although our security here is very good, it's still a bit dangerous to go out alone at night."

As he stepped out of the elevator and prepared to exit the hotel, the hotel receptionist's concerned reminder made Shen Gonglin's expression darken. What did she mean by "sister accompany"? When did that stupid girl Kiana become his sister? Why didn't she say this to the person who went out before him? Why only say this to him? Did he look that unreliable?

"Heh, then how about you come with me?"

Approaching the counter, Shen Gonglin stood on his tiptoes, propped his elbows on the counter, and leaned closer to the receptionist. Her deep purple eyes seemed to sparkle with a certain light in the receptionist's eyes, making her feel like her reactions were slowing down. This child, what did this child mean by that?

"Hmph, when that idiot girl wakes up and asks, just say I went out to do things adults do. Really, everyone underestimates me. I'm leaving."

Shen Gonglin pulled at the corner of his mouth and turned to leave. It was a joke, did he, the great Shen Gonglin, need an escort to go out at night?

"Okay, I'll wait until I get off work... Huh? Where did they go?"

The receptionist, reacting more than a beat too late, only snapped back to reality after Shen Gonglin had been gone for a while. Looking at the empty counter before her, she felt a pang of regret. What a great opportunity, why didn't she seize it? That child must have mustered all her courage to make such an invitation. How cute.

With her hands propped on the counter, the receptionist let out a silly smile and decided to work the night shift, waiting for him to return.

Even though he wanted to go out for nightlife, what exactly was this so-called nightlife?

Walking alone on the street, most of the shops were closed due to the late hour. Shen Gonglin wandered the streets like a loiterer. As he walked, he spotted a sign with neon lights, and his eyes lit up.

Ah, right, when you talk about nightlife, the first thing that comes to mind is a bar, right? Shen Gonglin immediately perked up. Moreover, he was quite interested in the taste of alcohol. Now that he had the chance, he naturally had to try it properly.

Chapter 64: A Chance Encounter

So this is what a bar is like, I've learned something new. It feels pretty good.

Strolling into the bar, the dim environment made Shen Gonglin feel curious just looking at it. This guy had never been to such a place, and probably hadn't before his amnesia either, so everything here made Shen Gonglin feel curious. The bar's class was probably not low. Without the noisy music, it wasn't as boisterous as Shen Gonglin had imagined when he first entered. Overall, it could be considered quite quiet.

Not all bars are like nightclubs.

"Welcome... Huh? Young man, aren't you underage? Are you here with your family?"

As soon as Shen Gonglin walked in, the bartender at the counter saw him. She instinctively called out to him, but upon seeing Shen Gonglin's face, she couldn't help but doubt. His face clearly indicated he wasn't old enough. Was he here out of sheer curiosity, or was he brought by his family? She felt his style didn't quite match this place.

"Yes, I'm here with an acquaintance... This smells really good, can I have a sip?"

Of course, Shen Gonglin couldn't admit he came alone, otherwise, she probably wouldn't let him in. Shen Gonglin had enough sense for that. Just as he was about to walk further inside, a waft of alcohol aroma pulled Shen Gonglin back. He immediately saw the glass placed in front of the bartender. The scent was coming from it. Smelling it, Shen Gonglin leaned on the counter, feeling a stirring within him. Could the pre-amnesia me actually have been a heavy drinker?

"You're here with someone... Then it's fine. Do you want to drink? If you want to drink, just call me 'sister'."

Hearing Shen Gonglin say that, the bartender relaxed. As long as he wasn't running off to play by himself, it was fine. Seeing Shen Gonglin's interest in the glass in front of her, she smiled. She didn't expect to meet such a handsome guy while working the night shift. Even if they didn't know each other, it didn't stop her from joking with him.

Besides, this wasn't real alcohol in front of her. She couldn't drink during work hours. It was just a slightly alcoholic sparkling wine.

"Sister."

Why did everyone like to be called "sister"? Before, calling her sister got him food, and now calling her sister got him a drink. Shen Gonglin felt like he could live very well with this trick. This guy never had any concept of integrity. It was just calling someone sister, he didn't care at all.

"Good boy, here's a sip. After you finish, go find the person who brought you. Don't wander off, some people get very temperamental when they're drunk."

Handing her glass to Shen Gonglin, the bartender felt a little happy. After Shen Gonglin finished drinking, she whispered her instructions. This place wasn't really suitable for someone underage, so it was best to stay with the person who brought him. If she didn't have work, she really wanted to have some fun with him.

"Oh."

Gulping down the sparkling wine in front of him, Shen Gonglin let out a small burp and placed the glass back on the counter. The sweet taste suited his palate perfectly. He really was a mature adult. After drinking this glass, his tongue felt a little numb, but he felt nothing else. He had a clear understanding of his alcohol tolerance and became more relaxed. He had thought he might get drunk easily, but thankfully, that wasn't the case.

"Hey, young man, that's the exit. Didn't you say someone brought you? They should be inside."

Seeing Shen Gonglin's slightly swaying steps, the bartender quickly reached out to stop him. No way, could someone really get drunk on this sparkling wine? Its alcohol content was much higher than beer. He couldn't even handle something with the same alcohol content as kvass? How was that possible? It must be for some other reason.

"Oh... I seem to have gone the wrong way. Thank you... Is it this way?"

Shen Gonglin shook his head. He was still relatively clear-headed, but his feet felt a little out of control. It must be the lighting here. He could clearly see the steps, but why couldn't he step on them?

After trying for a long time, Shen Gonglin finally managed to climb the steps. He flashed a big smile at the bartender and staggered inside. Seeing Shen Gonglin's unsteady state, the bartender couldn't help but worry a little. She glanced at the counter. No one would probably come over now. She couldn't rest easy unless she safely delivered him to the person who brought him.

"Um, wait a moment, I'll escort you. Where is the person who brought you?"

Putting down her work at the counter, the bartender quickly caught up to Shen Gonglin, supporting his arm as they walked inside together. This child was indeed drunk. If she had known his alcohol tolerance was so low, she wouldn't have let him drink.

"I'm such a hopeless idiot! How could I say something like that... I regret it so much..."

In a bar booth, a beautiful red-haired woman was sitting alone in a corner. She was mumbling to herself, her face buried in the table. The several bottles of alcohol in front of her proved how much she had drunk. However, these moderately alcoholic drinks were nothing to her. No matter how much she drank, she wouldn't lose her ability to act. Himeko wanted this hazy, slightly tipsy feeling.

After all, if she was happy when she was sober, who would want to get drunk?

Taking another swig of wine, Himeko was in a bad mood. Thinking about what happened earlier made her feel conflicted. How could she not hold back and say something so perverted? He must think she was a very strange woman now. Heaven knows, this was the first time Himeko had said something like that to a guy. She regretted it so much, felt so sad. Why was she so stupid? And she ran away without even getting his contact information. She probably wouldn't see him again...

As the wine went down, Himeko sighed deeply. After she calmed down, she ran back, but Shen Gonglin was no longer in the same place. Disappointed, Himeko searched for a long time but couldn't find Shen Gonglin. Resigned, she just randomly found a bar to drown her sorrows, but the more she drank, the sadder she felt. She felt like missing this guy was a lifelong regret.

Should she use her military rank to investigate nearby surveillance? She really should, right? After all, this was a lifelong matter. It was okay to be a little willful, right? Anyone who encountered her situation would definitely choose this, right?

Chapter 65: Just Like Love

No sooner said than done, Himeko stood up as she spoke. If she didn't use her authority now, it would be meaningless. That guy concerned her so much. If he were to simply disappear into the crowd like this, she would definitely regret it. She was absolutely certain of this. Fate was too unreliable. Relying solely on fate, who knew when she would be able to resolve this? She had to rely on herself to strive for it. Fate had already allowed her to meet him, and the rest depended on her own efforts.

However, just as Himeko stood up, she realized she had started believing in fate again. If it wasn't for fate, what else could this be? Meeting him in a place like this, this was truly a heaven-sent match!

Her wine-red eyes fixed on the golden figure across the room, Himeko was overjoyed. She instinctively called out, only then realizing she didn't even know his name. It didn't matter; she had to get his attention, at least let him know she wasn't some strange older woman.

"Hey, you there… it's me, you're here too…"

Fueled by alcohol, Himeko quickly stepped forward and called out to Shen Gonglin. It was then she had the chance to notice the person beside him. Wasn't that the bartender from this bar? Why was she with him? What was going on?

"Huh? Guest, do you know him?"

Hearing someone call out to Shen Gonglin, the bartender was delighted. She had finally found someone who knew him! Grabbing Shen Gonglin's hand, she turned to look at Himeko, finally breathing a sigh of relief. Thank goodness, she thought she'd have to take him to the police.

Because she was worried about Shen Gonglin, the bartender temporarily put aside her work to accompany him inside to look for someone. Perhaps it was because of that glass of sparkling wine, but this child had been dazed since coming in, unable to even walk steadily. He couldn't answer anything she asked him. Thankfully, someone had come to pick him up, so she could go back to work.

"Uh… I know him, but actually, we are also…"

Did she know Shen Gonglin? She supposed so. After all, she had fed him, and he had called her "sister." But if she considered them to know each other, she didn't even know his name. Himeko wasn't sure how to explain their relationship. Could she say it was love at first sight?

"That's great! He must have come with you, right? Please keep a close eye on him. He just had a drink and doesn't seem to be feeling well. I still have work to do, so I'll leave him with you now."

Knowing Himeko knew Shen Gonglin, the bartender felt relieved. She bowed to Himeko and turned to run off. The bar couldn't afford to be short-handed. Today wasn't a good opportunity; otherwise, she really wanted to have a good chat with him.

"Hey, why did she leave… Who did you come with?"

With the bartender gone, Himeko stared blankly at Shen Gonglin. This fate had come too quickly, delivering him right to her. What should she do now? Himeko looked closely at Shen Gonglin. His originally fair and tender little face had a faint blush, but his eyes were still clear. So, he liked drinking too? Why did she feel like they were becoming more compatible?

"...I came alone. I just wanted to see what this bar was like."

The alcohol in the sparkling wine wasn't enough to make Shen Gonglin completely lose consciousness. Right now, he was just a bit slow to react, and his feet felt a little uncooperative. Looking up at Himeko, Shen Gonglin, who also had an impression of her, looked up and showed a big smile. It was great to run into an acquaintance, truly great.

"Is that so… Do you want to go sit over there with me? Seeing you like this, you'll probably feel worse if you don't sober up a bit."

Himeko pointed to her booth, and before Shen Gonglin could react, she pulled him over. As a seasoned drinking expert, she certainly knew Shen Gonglin's current state. She didn't know what he drank, but the alcohol content was probably quite high, or he wouldn't be like this after just one glass. It seemed he wasn't the well-behaved child she thought he was, but then again… a little bit of naughtiness suited Himeko even better.

If they both liked drinking, that would be even better.

"Oh… What kind of drink is that you're having? It smells really good."

Dizzily, Shen Gonglin was led to her booth by Himeko. As soon as he sat down, he caught a whiff of alcohol. Following the scent, he spotted the half-finished drink on the table. The aroma was much stronger than the sparkling wine he had just drunk. Just smelling it made Shen Gonglin feel tipsy; it must be delicious.

"This? I mixed it myself. The alcohol content isn't too high, actually. Want to try some?"

She pushed the glass toward Shen Gonglin. Because of the dim lighting, Himeko wasn't afraid of him noticing the blush on her face. She had just used this glass, so if he drank from it, it would be an indirect kiss. This had already happened when they ate burgers in the afternoon, and Himeko felt it was nice. She wanted to try it again.

Pushing her glass to Shen Gonglin, Himeko poured herself another. Drinking alone was brooding, but drinking together created an atmosphere. Himeko felt her spirits lift. As for him being underage… just one drink wouldn't hurt, right?

"Then, let's toast… Huh? What's wrong?"

Just as she was about to raise her glass, Shen Gonglin reached out and held her wrist. The contact of their skin made Himeko's heart skip a beat. Almost instinctively, she wanted to pull her hand away, but her strong willpower kept the Valkyrie from making any move. She suppressed the inner flutter. What did Shen Gonglin mean by this? Was he forbidding her from drinking more? Did that mean he was concerned about her?

This might be called love, Himeko thought, looking into Shen Gonglin's eyes. Even in the dim light, she could clearly see his deep purple eyes. Looking into them made her feel weak and soft all over. If he didn't want her to drink anymore, she wouldn't.

Himeko. Obedient. Himeko. Compliant.

"What are you doing? Just drinking that little bit? Are you raising fish? Fill it up, fill it up! We're not going home until we're drunk tonight."

To Himeko's surprise, Shen Gonglin's next action was astonishing. He grabbed the wine bottle and filled Himeko's glass to the brim. What was the point of drinking that small amount? If you're going to drink, drink a full glass!

Looking at the wine glass in front of her, Himeko was speechless. She thought Shen Gonglin stopping her glass was a sign of love, but she never expected him to fill it up. All those feelings she had earlier…

Could they have been a misunderstanding?

Chapter Sixty-Six: Take Him Home

"Here, drink!"

Shen Gonglin had no idea what Himeko was thinking. After filling her glass, he poured his own to the brim. A real man drinks it in one go. Kiana said he wasn't mature, but if he wasn't mature, could he do something like this? Shen Gonglin raised his glass and gestured to Himeko. Himeko, stunned, also raised her glass. Fine, she'd just drink to her heart's content.

If he were truly mature, Shen Gonglin wouldn't be doing something like this.

Her vibrant red lips touched the rim of the glass. Himeko savored the taste of the wine. Although it was slightly different from what she had imagined, she was still very happy to have met Shen Gonglin here again. Drinking together would surely bring them closer. Next, she would have to gather some information about him. He was such a young kid, yet he drank so boldly. She wouldn't dare drink like him in one gulp. He had quite a tolerance for alcohol.

Gulp, gulp. The brown liquid flowed down her throat. The moment the wine touched his lips, Shen Gonglin realized something was wrong. This wine tasted completely different from the one the bartender had given him earlier. But his glass was already raised, and putting it down now would prove his immaturity. He had to grit his teeth and endure it, no matter how unpleasant. Wasn't this what men usually did? Besides, the taste wasn't that unbearable, it was just that his head felt… a little dizzy.

His mind was no longer in control of his limbs, or rather, Shen Gonglin was no longer aware of his mind. The wine that rushed down his throat seemed to spread rapidly throughout his body. His head felt hazy, and he couldn't grasp anything. Who was he, where was he, and what was he supposed to be doing?

It was confirmed: Shen Gonglin had absolutely no tolerance for alcohol!

"Um, what happened this afternoon was actually a misunderstanding. I was just playing around with you then. Since we've met again, let's reintroduce ourselves. My name is Wuliangta Himeko, and I'm a teacher at a certain school. Please take care of me!"

After finishing her drink, Himeko's courage seemed to grow. She put down her glass and extended her fair hand to Shen Gonglin. But was shaking hands right after meeting too formal? It wasn't like a business meeting, but how else should they greet each other? After extending her hand, Himeko was filled with anxiety. What was wrong? Why was she so clumsy? This wasn't like her at all!

"Hehe, Himeko… Please, please take care of me."

Shen Gonglin's mind had completely disconnected. All he had left now was instinct and a foolish grin. He couldn't understand what Himeko was saying at all. Shen Gonglin was like an old, outdated repeater now. What was this woman saying? He couldn't understand at all. Shen Gonglin just wanted to laugh.

"It's not Himeko, it's Himeko… or you can call me Wuliangta, but if possible, it's best to call me Himeko or sister. As for that 'darling' earlier, I was just joking… Huh? Huh?"

Himeko was correcting Shen Gonglin's mistake, but before she could finish, Shen Gonglin's action interrupted her. He leaned forward and rested his chin in her palm. His head felt so heavy. It was a good place to rest it. His mind was a blur. What was he even doing?

Never mind, it wasn't important at all.

"This, this, this, is he flirting with me? Why is he suddenly like this? Do young people like to play like this now? What should I do? Should I scratch his chin like I would a cat? He looks like a cat like this, I really want to pet him… Pfft, calm down, I absolutely cannot embarrass myself again!"

Himeko's mind was in chaos. She almost followed her instinct and petted Shen Gonglin. She actually didn't like cats, but seeing Shen Gonglin resting his chin in her hand made Himeko's heart flutter, and she immediately thought of that creature. This palm-sized little face, just holding it, made Himeko feel amused. She really wanted to rub his face, scratch his chin, and then pat his head.

Himeko's mind was in a mess, but Shen Gonglin couldn't hold on any longer. With no tolerance for alcohol whatsoever, Shen Gonglin's consciousness finally faded. He tilted his head and slumped down. It was then that Himeko reacted. If she let him fall like this, the broken glass would surely ruin his face. The Valkyrie quickly pulled Shen Gonglin towards her. What was going on?

He was fine just a moment ago.

"Hey, hey, what's wrong? Are you… Hey, you're not drunk, are you?"

She had thought Shen Gonglin was feeling unwell, so Himeko put her hands on his shoulders, letting him lean against her. But Shen Gonglin only looked up at her once before falling completely silent, going limp and collapsing into Himeko's arms. His head rested between her breasts, and even asleep, Shen Gonglin could instinctively find the most comfortable place to sleep. It was one of his peculiar skills.

Shen Gonglin's state was obvious: he was completely drunk. Was this a joke? Seeing how heartily he had been drinking earlier, Himeko had thought he had some tolerance. But who knew this guy would pass out after just one cup? Now he was asleep, but what was Himeko supposed to do? She hadn't even managed to ask his name, and now it had come to this. What should she do? She didn't know him, so what was she supposed to do with him?

"Hey, wake up. Where do you live? I'll take you home."

His warm breath on her chest sent a shiver through Himeko. It was then that she realized where Shen Gonglin was resting his head. She quickly lifted his head. Honestly, she was so careful with this part of herself when she showered, yet now Shen Gonglin had taken advantage of it. Didn't he tell her his name and where he lived before he passed out? This was clearly making things difficult for her. Did she have to take him back to her hotel?

For some reason, that thought suddenly popped into Himeko's head. Not only that, but the idea seemed to be getting stronger and stronger. Yes, it seemed like the only option left. She couldn't stay in the bar forever, and in his current state, he clearly couldn't offer any other opinions. Her hotel was spacious and the bed was comfortable. Taking him back to her place to rest seemed like the best choice.

"Hey, you're drunk now, so I'll have to take you back to where I'm staying. If you have any objections, just say so... Okay, looks like you don't have any objections. Let's go then."

Himeko put Shen Gonglin's arm over her shoulder, wrapped her arm around his waist, and led him out. She had asked him, and he had no objections.

Chapter Sixty-Seven

She had successfully fooled herself. Shen Gonglin couldn't even walk, let alone have any objections. His head was swimming, and due to the alcohol, he had completely passed out. Himeko, with one hand on his waist and the other supporting his arm, led him out. Even this short walk down the corridor attracted many eyes. Such scenes were common in bars, but this time the roles seemed to be reversed. Usually, it was the man supporting a woman who had lost consciousness, and then either taking her home or to a hotel. Someone like Himeko and Shen Gonglin was truly rare.

"Welcome back next time... Huh? What happened here?"

The bartender, who was playing on her phone at the bar, instinctively greeted them when she saw someone approaching. Then she realized who it was. After all, she had just seen Shen Gonglin off. The bartender had a strong impression of Shen Gonglin. How could he be leaving so soon, and in this state? He was fine just a moment ago.

"This guy got drunk, so I'm taking him back."

Himeko smiled up at the bartender. The bartender nodded and said nothing. She could indeed smell alcohol on Shen Gonglin. Even the sparkling wine he drank earlier had made her feel a bit dizzy. In this state, he must have drunk quite a bit more, she thought. She knew he didn't have much of a tolerance.

"Okay, please be careful on your way."

Because of Shen Gonglin, the bartender was very polite to Himeko. Since he was drunk, there was nothing to be done. She had been hoping to invite him for another drink, but it seemed that was impossible now. Since Himeko knew him, she had nothing to worry about. The bartender waved to Himeko without suspicion, hoping to meet him again someday.

Outside the bar, the night breeze cleared Himeko's head considerably. She was also feeling a bit tipsy from drinking so much. However, thanks to her strong tolerance, Himeko had not lost her judgment. She remembered the hotel was in this direction, right? Thinking about it, she'd take him back and take a shower first. After all, waking up with the smell of alcohol on her would be very unpleasant. Then she'd figure out how to wake Shen Gonglin up, and then she could do whatever she wanted... Pfft, wrong thought. She needed to figure out his situation!