Horses and Men Scattered

As Liu Shang's own buzz from the alcohol kicked in, he also didn't hesitate. Acting purely on instinct, he picked up the cigarette pack and lit one for himself.

Liu Shang was a true, seasoned smoker. It wasn't uncommon for people who spent long hours doing research or were constantly in labs.

Therefore, his series of actions and the way he exhaled smoke appeared incredibly strange and impactful to the others watching.

Even Lu Kai's eyes widened involuntarily.

When Lu Kai had previously smoked, there was still a hint of youthful arrogance in his demeanor. But Liu Shang, on the other hand, had integrated the act of smoking into his very being.

"Liu Shang, I didn't know you smoked?" Jiang Ruolin asked, her grip on Liu Shang's hand tight, her voice laced with surprise.

Liu Shang smiled gently at her at that moment. "I quit the moment I met you. I wanted to shave a few years off my life so I could stay by your side for longer."

It was another statement that, while spoken with utter calmness, was filled with such deep affection that it struck directly at the heart.

Under the ambiance of the moment, Jiang Ruolin's eyes welled up. She even pouted her lips, feeling wronged, as she held Liu Shang's hand.

"Why are you so foolish?"

The other girls at the table were also deeply moved by Liu Shang's words. Some covered their mouths, some applauded, and others teased, shouting: "So cheesy!" "Moving!" "Envious!"

Seeing this scene, Lu Kai gave a bitter smile and shook his head. Then, he abruptly raised his glass and downed the fourth drink in one go.

Afterward, he completely lost consciousness with a decisive slump, causing a stir of panic among those around him.

Seeing Lu Kai's state, Liu Shang also didn't hesitate. Before Jiang Ruolin could stop him, he, too, downed the fourth drink in one go.

"Liu Shang, are you crazy?"

"Who drinks like this?!"

After witnessing the unfortunate state of Tan Feng, Lu Kai, and the others, Jiang Ruolin was genuinely frantic, fearing Liu Shang might meet with an accident.

Fortunately, after finishing the fourth drink, Liu Shang seemed relatively okay. Although he was noticeably drunk and unsteady on his feet, there were no major issues otherwise.

Seeing him like this, Jiang Ruolin finally breathed a sigh of relief and then very considerately offered Liu Shang some juice.

"Liu Shang, are you alright?"

"Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

Liu Shang shook his head, remaining silent. He simply looked at her and smiled, like a young boy, which made Jiang Ruolin's heart ache.

After all, having downed over a pound of strong liquor, Liu Shang was starting to lose control. Accompanied and supported by Jiang Ruolin, he headed towards the restroom.

Just as they walked past the corridor, a girl who was also one of the party organizers found Jiang Ruolin with a look of panic.

"Ruolin, do you have a bank card or any cash on you?"

"Zhou Liang and Tan Feng have all passed out. The original plan was for them to pay upfront, and then we'd split it."

"The cost for tonight's banquet is likely to be high, and none of us prepared this much money!"

Upon hearing her words, Jiang Ruolin also frowned. She hadn't brought her wallet with her this time.

Seeing Jiang Ruolin's expression, the girl sighed, "It looks like we'll have to call for emergency backup..."

Just as the two of them were frowning, Liu Shang smiled and took out a bank card from his pocket, handing it directly to the girl.

"Use this card. The PIN is Jiang Ruolin's birthday, *******."

Although it felt a bit inappropriate, in the current chaotic situation, there was no room to consider anything else.

While Liu Shang was in the restroom, throwing up profusely, the girl had already returned after settling the bill and handed the bank card back to Jiang Ruolin.

"Phew, what a relief. It would have been so embarrassing if we couldn't pay."

"Also, Ruolin, your boyfriend is quite well-off!"

"I'm heading off now. It seems Tan Feng and Lu Kai have been sent to the hospital, so I'm going to check on them."

"They really drank too much tonight."

After she hurried away, Jiang Tong, Jiang Ruolin's best friend – the same girl who had previously praised Liu Shang's boisterous nature and good looks – came out of the restroom.

"Ruolin, is your guy okay?"

Jiang Ruolin frowned and shook her head. "He's been throwing up for ages."

At this point, Jiang Tong stood beside Jiang Ruolin. "You know, he looked pretty handsome when he was chugging drinks and smoking."

"Although he's a bit of a chatterbox, he's genuinely humorous and knows how to charm girls."

"We've known each other for so many years, and I've always admired your taste in people and in shopping. This time is no exception."

"You have no idea how much I envied you when he was singing to you just now."

"In a setting like today, everyone in our circle understands."

"Liu Shang drank like his life depended on it, taking down Tan Feng, Zhou Liang, and Lu Kai, all for you."

"If, and this is just a hypothetical, if one day you have to give him up because of family or other reasons, I might consider taking over then!"

"My family background can't compare to yours, and my parents aren't particularly strict about my choice of boyfriend. They won't scrutinize his family's financial situation; as long as he loves me sincerely and I like him, that's enough."

The clever and considerate Jiang Ruolin knew exactly what Jiang Tong was implying with her earlier words.

However, in response to Jiang Tong's statement, which sounded like a joke but seemed to hold a considerable amount of truth, Jiang Ruolin smiled and pushed her away. "Dream on! I'm not giving him up to anyone!"

By the time Liu Shang emerged from the restroom, most people had already left.

The scene was, in a word, trashed, with everyone in disarray.

As the two of them walked out of the hotel, a gust of wind swept past. Liu Shang stumbled noticeably, his drunkenness flaring up instantly like a flame in the wind.

"Liu Shang, are you okay?"

Liu Shang shook his head at Jiang Ruolin's question, then pulled the arm she was using to support him free. He immediately draped himself over her shoulders, wrapping an arm around her neck in a remarkably intimate gesture.

At this, Jiang Ruolin shot him an annoyed look before removing his 'accidental' hand from her chest.

Still, she tacitly allowed Liu Shang's current intimate posture.

As they returned to a deserted, dimly lit path on campus, Jiang Ruolin could clearly sense Liu Shang's restless stirring, causing her own heart rate to climb rapidly.

"Drinking like this is really worrying. How about I take you to the hospital to get checked out?"

Liu Shang chuckled and shook his head. "What hospital? I'll just sleep it off in my dorm tonight."

Jiang Ruolin couldn't help but frown. "You threw up again at the school entrance just now. You're in no state to endure the night, and there's no one to look after you in the dorm."

"Then let's book a hotel room tonight, and I can stay by your side to take care of you, okay?"

Jiang Ruolin didn't know how much courage it took to utter those words, her voice trembling slightly by the end.

However, to her surprise, Liu Shang shook his head without the slightest hesitation. "Heh, if you stay out all night, spending the night in a hotel with your drunken boyfriend, I doubt the news will wait until morning to explode across campus."

"Gossip spreads like wildfire!"

"And on a larger scale, this news would likely reach the school teachers and your parents very quickly. Then, regardless of the truth, I might temporarily lose you. I absolutely won't allow something like that to happen."