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Xin Chun could hold his liquor well; his face just flushed easily, making others think he was drunk.

Xin Chun said flatly, "They tried to force drinks on me. They had it coming."

Back in college, his face had looked even more youthful, his lips red and teeth white, his demeanor harmless. Just looking at him made some people think he was easy to bully.

But didn't they know even little white rabbits could grow steel teeth? He had lived with his grandfather since childhood. His grandfather brewed liquor, and Xin Chun watched before eventually helping out. His tolerance had long since been trained up.

Trying to force drinks on him, trying to get him drunk—they were dreaming.

Over there, someone called Ke Hang over to help.

Xin Chun said, "Go ahead. I'll open these boxes so it'll be easier to get the alcohol."

"Alright, the scissors are here." Ke Hang went over.

Xin Chun crouched down and lowered his head to open the boxes. Before long, he sensed someone approaching and looked up to find Owen.

Probably because they were at home and it was a barbecue gathering, Owen was dressed more casually in a shirt and trousers. Two buttons of his shirt were undone, leaving his collar open, and his sleeves were rolled up. He had an easy, lazy air about him, especially with the faint outline of his chest muscles showing through the shirt—not exaggerated, but captivating.

Owen crouched down beside Xin Chun as well, picked up a can of beer to check the alcohol content, and asked, "Do you drink?"

Xin Chun smiled embarrassedly. "Not really. I'm not very good with alcohol."

Owen said, "It's fine. Beer isn't very strong."

"Mm." Xin Chun nodded. "What about you, Owen? How well can you drink?"

"Fairly well."

That was modest, Xin Chun thought. Your tolerance is excellent.

Before long, everything was ready and the barbecue began. Some people showed off their skills, filling the air with delicious aromas, while others sang like wailing ghosts and howling wolves.

The girls gathered together, drinking beer or soft drinks, eating skewers, and talking about celebrities, cosmetics, and similar topics.

Ke Hang had been right. Most of them could hold their liquor, and before long, the boxes of beer were nearly empty.

Xin Chun had already drunk two bottles of beer, and his cheeks had begun to flush faintly. He asked, "Should we go buy some more?"

Owen said, "This place is pretty remote. Going there and back would take too much time. I have alcohol in my room, but it's stronger. Do you want some?"

Ke Hang asked, "What kind of alcohol?"

Owen got up and fetched it himself. When he returned, he was carrying two bottles. Up close, they were Bacardi Rum—the expensive kind.

For a moment, no one spoke. Owen had provided the venue, and now they were going to drink his liquor too. That... didn't seem quite right.

But Owen opened the bottles directly and said, "It's rare for this place to be so lively. If everyone's here to have fun, then have fun properly. How can there be a barbecue without alcohol?"

Ivy handed over some cups and raised her brows. "The boss is generous. I've wanted to try your collection for ages. My wish has finally come true."

Ke Hang curiously picked up a bottle to check the alcohol content. "Whoa, over seventy percent? Isn't this going to knock us all flat? Exciting."

What man didn't like alcohol? Seeing this, they all gathered around, and as they chatted, everyone gradually let loose.

Ke Hang's advisor drank one cup, and the alcohol immediately hit him. He was no longer doing too well, so his students helped him into the house to rest first. With no elder around, the atmosphere became even more relaxed, and someone suggested playing games.

"What should we play?"

"Cards? King's Game?"

"Finger-guessing, singing, Truth or Dare?"

"Let's play them all."

By the end, Owen had been punished once and made to sing. It was a foreign-language song, and his voice was low and magnetic. The girls blushed and their hearts raced as he sang, showing just how charming he was.

Xin Chun, on the other hand, had been lucky the entire time and had never been picked.

But in the last three rounds, Xin Chun was chosen to do push-ups while carrying someone on his back, and the person he had to carry happened to be Owen.

Seeing the difference in their builds, Xin Chun fell silent. How could he possibly carry Owen?

"Haha, if you can't do it, drink as punishment."

"Or you can switch it around, as long as both sides agree."

Owen naturally had no problem with it. He was willing to carry Xin Chun while doing push-ups.

However, Xin Chun shook his head and said, "The rules say I'm the one carrying him, but I can't do it. I'll drink."

He poured himself a cup of Bacardi Rum and drank it down in one swift motion, emptying it.

"Nice!"

That boldness alone deserved applause.

The strong liquor went down, and Xin Chun's face immediately began to burn, turning bright red. His eyes grew moist as well, as though he could no longer bear the effects of the alcohol.

Xin Chun was fully conscious, but he propped his head up and leaned back in his chair, looking completely unable to handle his drink.

Ke Hang could not help muttering to himself, Xin Chun's tolerance really did seem to have dropped a lot. Look at him—he hadn't even had much, and he was already drunk.

"Do you want to go inside and rest for a while?"

Xin Chun paused sluggishly before seeming to process Owen's words. "N-No, it's fine. I'm alright. I can hold on."

Miko was sitting nearby and advised, "Senior brother, your face is so red. Listen to the boss and go inside to rest for a while."

Others joined in to persuade him. Xin Chun finally nodded slowly, then stood up from his chair at a snail's pace. As he left, his foot nearly caught on a chair leg and he staggered slightly, only to be immediately steadied by Owen.

"You all keep playing. I'll take him inside."

"Alright."

"If there's any hangover medicine, he can take a pill."

Owen supported Xin Chun as they headed into the house. Ke Hang's advisor was resting in the guest room.

When they reached the living room, Xin Chun rubbed his temple and frowned. "Mm, my head is spinning."

He was not entirely sober either; the alcohol had gotten to him a little. Bacardi Rum was strong, after all. But one cup was not enough to knock him out. Now, borrowing a little of that buzz, he pretended to be dizzy without revealing the slightest flaw.

"Can you still walk?" Owen's voice was gentle. His palm brushed Xin Chun's cheek, which was very hot.

As if he had not heard what Owen was asking, Xin Chun lowered his lashes as though he were sleepy and rested his head against Owen's chest. With every breath he exhaled, he seemed able to feel warmth passing through Owen's open collar.

The next second, Owen lifted Xin Chun into his arms and carried him upstairs.

The second floor was Owen's room. Xin Chun was placed on top of the dark gray quilt.

Afterward, Owen took off Xin Chun's shoes and tucked the quilt around him. His fingertips brushed aside the hair covering Xin Chun's cheek, and after gazing at him for a few moments, Owen quietly left the room and went downstairs.