Chapter 3

My best friend Lin Shuang threw me a birthday party as a surprise.

But tonight, I just couldn’t get into the mood.

I sat alone in the corner, downing one drink after another.

“What’s wrong? Not feeling great?”

“Didn’t your Little Uncle throw you a super luxurious coming-of-age party? It even made the headlines.”

At the mention of Jin Beiyan, the emotions I’d been suppressing surged up again.

“I confessed to him.”

I pouted, feeling the urge to cry again.

“He… rejected you?”

Lin Shuang handed me two tissues, hesitating.

“He told me to get lost. Wuwuwu.”

“Yuyu, don’t cry! What’s so great about that old man? I’ll call ten male models for you right now, guaranteed to make you forget him.”

“But I really like him.”

I rubbed my swollen eyes and let out a hiccup from crying.

“Look at you, so hopeless. I’m telling you, it’s just because you haven’t met enough men. Younger guys have more energy and are sweeter than your Little Uncle. Why are you so stubborn about hanging yourself on his tree?”

Lin Shuang was indignant and immediately waved at the manager.

“Right, he’s always making a fuss about the age gap. I’ll find someone younger and forget him right away.”

I nodded and took another big gulp of alcohol.

I drank too fast and started coughing from being choked.

Just as I was struggling to breathe, a glass of warm water was handed to me.

Without thinking, I took it and drank it all in one go.

When I finally caught my breath, I realized the person who handed me the water was Pei Chenghuan, the Campus Heartthrob from our university.

“Thank you.”

I froze for a moment, then stood up to thank him.

He smiled gently, naturally raising his hand to wipe the water from the corner of my lips.

“It’s nothing. I saw you drinking nonstop and thought you might not feel well, so I asked the waiter to prepare some warm water just in case. Didn’t expect it would come in handy.”

I awkwardly took a step back and smiled at him.

Although we were classmates, we hadn’t interacted before.

Plus, I’d always been focused on Jin Beiyan, so I lacked experience dealing with guys.

His intimate gesture just now left me a bit flustered.

Lin Shuang nudged me excitedly with her elbow and whispered in my ear.

“I only invited a few close friends for your birthday, but when Pei Chenghuan heard about it, he insisted on coming.”

“He always keeps his distance from girls. So many girls chase after him, but he’s never had a single scandal. Why is he being so proactive with you?”

“Tsk tsk, I think he definitely has a crush on you.”

I stared at her in disbelief, my alcohol-soaked brain growing sluggish.

“He… likes me?”

Lin Shuang’s pupils shook as she slapped a hand over my mouth.

“Oh my god, you really are drunk. Why are you saying that so loudly!”

“Was I loud?”

I looked blankly at Pei Chenghuan beside me.

The music in the bar was loud, so I unconsciously raised my voice again.

Lin Shuang’s face screamed utter despair, so speechless she couldn’t even respond.

“Um, Campus Heartthrob Pei. Please don’t mind her, she just talks nonsense when she’s drunk.”

“It’s fine.”

Pei Chenghuan chuckled softly, as warm as a spring breeze.

“I wasn’t that loud! Tell me, was I loud or not!”

Drunkenness dulled my brain, and I stubbornly grabbed Pei Chenghuan’s collar, demanding an answer.

Pei Chenghuan steadied my swaying body and answered patiently.

“Mm, a little.”

“So you heard me?”

“I did.”

“Then do you like me?”

The air fell silent for a moment. Lin Shuang, shocked, came over to pull me away.

“Yuyu, come on, let’s go home and rest.”

Pei Chenghuan shook his head at her, signaling it was fine.

Then he bent down to look me in the eye, his tone serious.

“Yes, I like you.”

“I should have told you in a more appropriate setting.”

“You like me? How much do you like me?”

I repeated, a beat late, staring at him blankly.

Lin Shuang shot me a desperate look and forcibly dragged me away.

“My ancestor, please stop talking nonsense.”

“Pei Chenghuan, we’re leaving now. Sorry, sorry, really sorry.”