"By the way, Qianqian, why don't you go too?"
Chen Zhenzhen grabbed Wang Qianzi's hand. "It'll be more lively with more people."
"I really want to go," Wang Qianzi sighed. "But our dorm is different. The dorm supervisor comes in every night to check, and if I skip class, I'll definitely get caught."
"You know what kind of person our teacher is, right?"
Chen Zhenzhen pursed her lips. "That's true... well, looks like you're out of luck."
"Then you go back to your dorm first, see you tomorrow."
"Wait!" Wang Qianzi grabbed her hand and whispered in her ear, " Zhenzhen, you really need to pay attention to what I told you before!"
"Look at how she was acting all cute and affectionate just now, she was so proactive, it's hard to believe she doesn't have feelings for Zhang Zhaomu! If you don't keep an eye on her, there will definitely be problems!"
This time, Chen Zhenzhen didn't say one thing and mean another; she simply nodded and said, "I understand."
"Today, absolutely, absolutely, we will not let those two be alone in a room again!"
"Huh?" Wang Qianzi was startled. "Why did you say 'again'?"
"That's not important." Seeing that Zhang Zhaomu was starting to get impatient, Chen Zhenzhen waved her hand and said, "We'll talk next time. We're leaving."
"Okay." Wang Qianzi glanced at her worriedly and secretly gave her a thumbs-up.
The three left the track and field and walked side by side towards the school gate.
"Which restaurant should we go to?" Chen Zhenzhen asked proactively.
"Let's Crossroads Barbecue." Zhang Zhaomu lifted his collar, frowned, and said, "I'm all sweaty, I think I need to go back and take a shower first. Why don't you guys go and order for me?"
"Aren't you starving?" Chen Zhenzhen said irritably, "Why bother washing? You smell like Barbecue, you'll have to wash again anyway."
"Besides, the Little Mute and I went for a run, but neither of us brought a change of clothes. Are we supposed to go out for Barbecue wearing your clothes?"
"That's true." Zhang Zhaomu nodded. "Then let's wash up after we eat and get back."
He casually removed the " Refined " persona.
Hmm, I feel much better now. So what if I smell sweat? What does it matter if a grown man has a bit of an odor?
It's definitely more important to fill your stomach right now!
The three hurried to the Crossroads Barbecue. Zhang Zhaomu eagerly ordered, "Boss, two large portions of salted vegetable and egg fried rice, three skewers of grilled chicken wings, two beef skewers, one grilled eggplant, and one dry pot beef offal..."
He looked at the two of them. "Is there anything else you'd like to order?"
"A case of ice-cold beer!" Xiang Qing raised her hand enthusiastically.
So Zhang Zhaomu and Chen Zhenzhen both stared at her.
"Wha... what's wrong?" Xiang Qing, confused. "If you don't like beer, you can buy other drinks at the convenience store next door."
Zhang Zhaomu: "?"
"How come you're so skilled? Do you drink often?"
"I've never drunk it before." Xiang Qing shook her head.
"Then don't drink," Chen Zhenzhen advised. "Drinking isn't a good habit, and it's bad for your health."
"I know," Xiang Qing nodded. "But, you definitely need to pair Barbecue with ice-cold beer, right? Isn't that common sense?"
"Where did you get this common sense from?" Chen Zhenzhen retorted. "Even if we had this kind of common sense, it wouldn't really suit our status, would it?"
"But this is my first time skipping my dorm, my first time eating Barbecue, and if I could also add my first time drinking alcohol, it would definitely be the most perfect night of my life!"
Xiang Qing grabbed Chen Zhenzhen's arm. "Please say yes, Zhenzhen ~ I beg you~"
Chen Zhenzhen was also startled.
Now I finally understand how Zhang Zhaomu felt earlier; this person is born to be charming!
She looked helplessly at Zhang Zhaomu.
Zhang Zhaomu hesitated for a moment, then asked, "One bottle is fine, but you've never drunk alcohol before, and I'm not sure about your alcohol tolerance. It wouldn't be good if you got drunk. Let's have three bottles first."
It wasn't that he had never drunk alcohol before. The first time was at his junior high school graduation party, when a classmate secretly brought out beer. However, he didn't find it particularly delicious; he just tried a little out of curiosity.
Later, out of curiosity, Chen Zhenzhen and I secretly tried the baijiu again, and it tasted even worse.
Mustering her courage, she downed a 125ml bottle in one go, then became so dizzy that she suffered three consecutive losses in video games that night, with a disastrous record in every match. Chen Zhenzhen mocked her mercilessly. Incidentally, although Chen Zhenzhen doesn't like drinking, her alcohol tolerance is unfathomable. That day, she also downed a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor) without batting an eye. According to her, her grandfather used to feed her baijiu with chopsticks when she was little.
"Alright." Seeing that Zhang Zhaomu had already expressed his opinion, Chen Zhenzhen nodded and added, "But first, give me your phone. I need to tell my mom that I won't be going back today."
Since he had always used Zhang Zhaomu's phone, his number at Chen Zhenzhen's house was " Zhang Zaowan ".
The call connected, and before Chen Zhenzhen could even speak, a complaining voice came from the other end. "Is this Zhenzhen? What time is it and you're still not back?"
"Mom, didn't I tell you this afternoon that I was going for a run with Zhang Zaowan tonight?" Chen Zhenzhen said, "We just finished running, and we're starving. Let's go out for some Barbecue."
"Eating too much Barbecue is bad for your health. Come back now, and I'll cook you some noodles."
"No need, I've already ordered," Chen Zhenzhen said. "Besides, it's too late today, can I sleep at Zhang Zaowan's?"
"Going again? No way!" Chen Zhenzhen's mother said without hesitation, "Didn't you just stay at someone's house a few days ago? How can you go there every day? Eating Barbecue and not coming home at night, have I been too lenient with you lately, letting you get too wild?"
"Today! Really, please, Mom!" Chen Zhenzhen sensed the anger in her mother's tone and quickly gave Xiang Qing a meaningful look.
Xiang Qing understood and leaned closer, saying, "Auntie, just say yes to Zhenzhen. We'll go back to sleep after we finish the Barbecue. Nothing will happen."
" Zaowan, you're both in your second year of high school now, and you're about to take the college entrance exam. You need to focus on your studies." Although Chen Zhenzhen's mother's tone softened slightly, she didn't back down at all. She said, "I'll let Zhenzhen accompany you next time. She has to go home today. I need to have a serious talk with her."
Chen Zhenzhen's face immediately fell. She knew her mother well; when things had come to this point, there was absolutely no room for negotiation.
But if I go back, won't Zhang Zaowan be alone with Xiang Qing tonight?
And they even ordered drinks!
She didn't even want to think about what those two might do after drinking!
Her eyes darted around, and she said into her phone, "Okay, I'll be back after I finish the Barbecue, but... could Zhang Zaowan?"
" Chen Zhenzhen, are you never going to stop?" Chen Zhenzhen's mother scolded, "You're both in the same school, it's not like you won't see each other tomorrow!"
"I'm not talking to you anymore. If you're not home by midnight, you'll face the consequences."
The phone was abruptly hung up.
The three looked at each other in bewilderment.
"Cough... it seems Auntie isn't in a good mood today." Zhang Zhaomu scratched his head, somewhat helplessly. "It's alright, it's still early at twelve o'clock. Anyway, it won't delay our Barbecue. We'll take you home later."
Chen Zhenzhen glared at him resentfully.
Where are you?
"What are you laughing about? Want me to order you a couple of skewers of kidney?"
Zhang Zhaomu opened his mouth. "Where did I laugh?"
" Zhenzhen, it's okay. Next time, when Auntie is in a better mood, I'll help you out!" Xiang Qing comforted her from the side.
Chen Zhenzhen felt uncomfortably unsettled. She looked at Xiang Qing and asked, "Putting me aside for now, what are your plans for tonight?"
"What?" Xiang Qing asked, somewhat puzzled.
"You've already skipped the dorm, so you probably won't be able to get back, right? What are you going to do after you finish eating Barbecue?" Chen Zhenzhen asked tentatively.
"That's true." Xiang Qing realized the problem and said to Zhang Zhaomu, " Zhang Zhaomu, can I stay at your place tonight? Don't worry, I won't take your bed; I'll sleep on the floor."
Chen Zhenzhen's eyes twitched violently.
really!
Once it happens, it happens again. This Little Mute guy really doesn't feel any guilt at all about staying at Zhang Zaowan's house now!
Her mind was in complete turmoil, and she was racking her brains trying to figure out how to stop it, but Zhang Zhaomu spoke first, "No."
He explained, "Last time it was because the three of us were there and it was raining heavily outside, so we had to stay at my place. But this time it's just the two of us, a man and a woman, which isn't very convenient."
"If you can't get back to your dorm, how about I book you a hotel room later?"
As he said this, Zhang Zhaomu roared inwardly:
Using this to test cadres? Which cadre could withstand such a test!
If he really brought this guy home, wouldn't he be in a dilemma? He wanted to do something, but he felt guilty looking into Xiang Qing's innocent eyes. But if he did nothing... he really had no confidence in his self-control.
It would be better to just grit your teeth and cut off this dangerous temptation from the very beginning.
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhenzhen paused for a moment, then looked over in disbelief.
Wait, how come you've suddenly turned into an honest, thick-browed man with big eyes?
You actually turned down such a great opportunity?
Am I really judging others by my own petty standards?
"Hmm..." Xiang Qing hadn't thought that far ahead. She nodded, "That seems to be true. Okay then."
"But I'm worried the hotel might be expensive... I'm afraid I won't have enough money left after treating you to a late-night snack."
"Who said you had to treat me to a late-night snack?" Chen Zhenzhen immediately interjected, waving her hand generously. "I'll treat you to the late-night snack! And I'll even book you a hotel!"
It's just a small amount of money; as long as it cuts off all her reasons for staying at Zhang Zaowan's house, it's well worth it!
"It was clearly the place I wanted to come to the most." Xiang Qing was a little embarrassed. "I have money for Barbecue, and I'll pay you back for the hotel."
"It's nothing."
Just then, the Barbecue and beer were served. Chen Zhenzhen, her worries gone, was in high spirits. She pried open a bottle, poured three glasses of beer, and raised her glass. "Come on! Cheers!"