Chen Jue and Hu Liena shook off the female Soul Masters crowding around them, then led their four companions into a dimly lit tavern.
The fragrance of wine filled the air, and amid the clinking of cups, laughter rang through every corner.
Yet Pojun suddenly broke this harmony with a soft sigh.
"Ugh, my winning streak broke. Now I'll have to spend ages on it again!"
"I'm seriously so bad at this!"
Helplessness and self-reproach tinged his voice, instantly casting a faint melancholy over the lively atmosphere.
Seeing this, Yuxin quietly considered what to say.
After all, his own winning streak had broken too, so he could use that to comfort Pojun.
To him, something this minor hardly mattered.
As long as he had the energy, he could build it back up quickly.
With that thought, Yuxin raised his arm and casually draped it over Pojun's shoulders.
"It's fine. Mine broke too!"
"I'll keep you company. True brothers are always in each other's hearts!"
At his words, Pojun's eyes instantly reddened. Tears mingled with snot, but neither could hide his gratitude and emotion.
"Boohoo, you're the best, Big Brother! Thank goodness you're here to comfort me!"
"From now on, whenever I have a mouthful of meat, I'll make sure you get a bone, Big Brother!"
Yuxin: ...
You're trying to say you'll treat me better than your own flesh-and-blood brother, but why does that sound so wrong?
Everyone burst into laughter.
Your brother offered you his heart, and you played mind games with him...
"All right, enough of the sad stuff. Let's drink our fill first. Anything else can wait until tomorrow."
Chen Jue raised his cup at just the right moment, his voice hearty.
Everyone responded, rising to their feet and gently clinking their cups together with a crisp,