"Cheers!"
The plastic cups clinked together, and the three of them shouted in unison.
Zhang Zhaomu took a sip of beer and raised an eyebrow slightly.
Huh? It actually tastes pretty refreshing, especially on a hot night like this after a workout when you're all sweaty. The coolness going down your throat makes you feel so comfortable.
"This is delicious! So this is what beer tastes like! It's so refreshing!"
Xiang Qing downed her drink in one gulp and sighed happily.
Then, looking at the two of them, he said, "Didn't we say 'cheers'? Why haven't you finished your drinks?"
" Little Mute, you seem to have the potential to be a drunkard..." Chen Zhenzhen said with a hint of helplessness, "Who told you that you have to finish your drink when you toast? And don't urge me to drink!"
"Isn't that what it literally means?" Xiang Qing picked up the bottle and poured herself another glass. "Then I won't urge you to drink anymore, I'll drink it myself."
"You should drink slower too!" Zhang Zhaomu reminded him. "You've never drunk alcohol before, so you don't know your alcohol tolerance. It would be troublesome if you got drunk."
"It's alright," Xiang Qing said earnestly. "Aren't you all here?"
Zhang Zhaomu couldn't help but chuckle, " Little Mute, aren't you trusting us a little too much? Don't let us sell you off later!"
"No way! You're all such nice people!" Xiang Qing wrinkled her nose, her tone cute. "Perfect, this is a good opportunity to test my alcohol tolerance. My mom said that when I enter the workforce, drinking might be unavoidable, so I need to know my limits so I won't be taken advantage of."
"Your aunt taught you this?" Chen Zhenzhen asked curiously, "Then why didn't she test it for you at home?"
"Mom said I can't drink alcohol until I graduate from high school," Xiang Qing said obediently.
Zhang Zhaomu chuckled immediately, "Didn't she consider the possibility that you might secretly drink it? Like now?"
"I'm very obedient!" Xiang Qing replied, then smiled a little shyly, "Anyway, my mom believes I'm very obedient and won't secretly drink... Please don't tell her, okay?"
"I feel guilty for leading a good girl astray," Chen Zhenzhen sighed.
"Me too." Zhang Zhaomu picked up her fried rice. "Well, what's done is done, let's eat first."
Crossroads Barbecue is indeed the best restaurant in the vicinity. Even their simple salted vegetable and egg fried rice is made with each grain distinct, making it incredibly appetizing.
After finishing a large plate of fried rice, Zhang Zhaomu didn't feel full at all and immediately started eating the next plate.
He already had a large appetite, but after becoming a [ Fitness Expert ], it seems to have become even more excessive.
"Eat slowly," Chen Zhenzhen couldn't help but complain. "Are you a starving ghost reincarnated? Eating so much so late at night, don't get gas later."
"Yeah, Zhang Zhaomu, don't just focus on eating." Xiang Qing raised her glass. "Have some wine to smooth things over."
Zhang Zhaomu didn't even look up. He clinked glasses with Xiang Qing and then took a sip of wine.
Xiang Qing, as always, downed it in one gulp.
This is the third cup already.
Chen Zhenzhen looked at Xiang Qing's face and asked, "Are you feeling dizzy or anything right now?"
"Not at all!" Xiang Qing poured herself another glass. "The beer has such a low alcohol content, how could I get drunk after just three glasses?"
She paused, then said, "Besides, I feel like I'm the kind of person who's naturally good at drinking."
"Then drink slowly," Chen Zhenzhen said.
After Zhang Zhaomu finished two large bowls of fried rice with eggs, he also finished three bottles of beer.
Most of it was thanks to Xiang Qing.
"Aren't you bloated after drinking so much?" Zhang Zhaomu finally felt half full and had the mind to ask.
"A little bit, hehe." Xiang Qing rubbed her stomach. "But I don't feel drunk at all. Beer is so weak. Zhang Zhaomu, can I go buy a different kind of alcohol over there?"
"No way!" Zhang Zhaomu refused decisively. "There's no need to get myself drunk to test my alcohol tolerance. There will be other opportunities later."
"Okay..." Xiang Qing was a little disappointed. "But we're out of alcohol... can I have three... five more bottles?"
"Can I get you one?" Zhang Zhaomu rolled her eyes.
"Okay!" Xiang Qing said happily, "I'm sure I can finish it!"
"You actually believe that? Dream on!" Zhang Zhaomu said irritably. "I'll order you another bottle. We've almost finished eating, and we still have to take Chen Zhen home later."
"Let's take the Little Mute to the hotel first," Chen Zhenzhen said. "The hotel is closer, and she's been drinking; there's no need to go through all that trouble."
Actually, she had a little something going on in her mind. She was afraid that after she left, Zhang Zaowan would change his mind again and take Xiang Qing home instead.
"Okay." Zhang Zhaomu took out his phone and booked a hotel nearby.
Of course, I can't afford a star-rated hotel, but a regular chain hotel for around 100 yuan is comfortable enough.
For the rest of the time, the two men kept their eyes on Xiang Qing. Fortunately, apart from becoming a little more talkative, she seemed to be fine, without blushing or skipping a beat.
After finishing their Barbecue, Chen Zhenzhen paid the bill, and the three of them walked together to a nearby chain hotel.
Fortunately, although Xiang Qing didn't have her ID card with her, she had an electronic copy on her phone. And since it was a hotel located near the school, the front desk only asked a few questions as usual, and she was able to check in smoothly.
Once inside the room, Xiang Qing was still a little reluctant, saying, "Can't you play with me a little longer? This is my first time staying in a hotel..."
"My mom's really going to throw a tantrum if we don't go back soon," Chen Zhenzhen comforted her. "I'll definitely play with you to your heart's content next time. For today, you should just finish your shower and go to bed."
"Oh." Xiang Qing nodded obediently, grabbing the hem of her clothes and pulling them up with both hands.
Chen Zhenzhen suddenly grabbed her hand. "What are you doing?"
"Take off your clothes, take a shower, and go to sleep..." Xiang Qing looked at her, puzzled.
Chen Zhenzhen: "... Zhang Zaowan is still here!"
"Oh right." Xiang Qing suddenly realized, and felt a little embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Zhang Zhaomu, I forgot you're a boy."
Chen Zhenzhen looked at her suspiciously. "You're really not drunk, are you?"
"Of course not!" Xiang Qing waved her hand. "I can still have another beer! Iced!"
"Let's not go then," Chen Zhenzhen instructed. "After we leave, you absolutely must not drink secretly anymore, and you must not go out alone!"
"I won't, hehe." Xiang Qing nodded vigorously. "Mom said it's dangerous for a girl to go out alone at night! There might be perverts!"
She patted her chest proudly. "Don't worry, I'm super safety conscious!"
Chen Zhenzhen wasn't entirely at ease, but it seemed like this was the only way.
She added, "Alright, Zhang Zaowan and I will be going now. If anything happens, just give us a call."
Xiang Qing nodded blankly, "Mmm, I understand."