Chapter 79: She Plans to Seduce Him While Drunk

His tone was cold and hard, fierce and arrogant, utterly different from the gentle indulgence he reserved for Qiao Zhen.

Niu Yifeng was speechless.

So it’s only with me that he can’t be bothered? Playing favorites, huh? Fine, fine.

I’ve given my affection to the wrong person, haven’t I? Completely wasted it!

The guys exchanged glances and made exaggerated faces, silently communicating:

—Damn, Chi is totally whipped.

—This guy can really switch faces. He’s totally in love; I’m about to cry!

—With so many brothers here, none of us can compare to a single strand of Qiao Zhen’s hair in his eyes. My fragile heart is shattered…

—Let’s just wish him luck!

—Unbelievable. We’re all here for a get-together because we didn’t want to spend Valentine’s Day alone, so why are we still getting force-fed couple moments here? I can’t take it!

The group of singles indignantly raised their bottles and started chugging.

The only child present, Zhang Ning, could only gaze longingly at her soda.

Everyone was easygoing and quickly started playing games like Number Bomb and Werewolf; losers had to drink as punishment.

Laughter and chatter filled the meal with such a joyful atmosphere that it was easy to blend in. Even Yun Yue, who was usually anxious in social settings, was completely swept up in the fun.

Round after round of games went by. Qiao Zhen drank not just beer, but glass after glass of sweet and tangy fruit wine.

Her head was spinning a bit; she knew she was tipsy, and if she kept drinking, she’d be truly drunk.

Yet, every time, she ended up losing, and Sheng Lulu, already tipsy herself, kept dragging her into drinking more.

Even Chen Meixiang, who could usually hold her liquor best, was mumbling groggily, “This fruit wine… is killer.”

At first, it seemed harmless, but after a while, the alcohol really hit.

It was lethal.

Yun Yue frowned, sensing something was wrong, and hurriedly grabbed Qiao Zhen’s arm. “Zhenzhen, are you drunk?”

She couldn’t let her get drunk—she had to stay clear-headed!

Qiao Zhen’s gaze wavered; she slowly turned her head, looked at her seriously, and smiled. “I’m not drunk—really!”

She was being obedient—she’d promised not to get drunk, so she only drank a tiny bit.

Just a teeny tiny bit.

Yun Yue was skeptical. She held up four fingers. “Zhenzhen, how many is this?”

Qiao Zhen’s eyes sparkled with confidence. “Hehe, I know! That’s a rabbit! TWO!”

Yun Yue’s expression froze.

It was over. She wasn’t acting or pretending—she was genuinely drunk!

She tugged urgently at Chen Meixiang’s sleeve and whispered, “What do we do? The plan’s off. Zhenzhen’s really drunk!”

Chen Meixiang burped leisurely. “I know you’re anxious, but don’t panic. Just listen to me.”

Yun Yue leaned in.

Suddenly, Chen Meixiang’s voice rose abruptly as she slammed the table: “Listen up, everyone! The bigger the fish, the bigger the bones; the bigger the bones, the less the meat; the less the meat, the smaller the fish. So the bigger the fish, the smaller the fish, get it?!”

The guys paused, stroked their chins in thought, then nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, you’re right! That’s so smart!”

Zhang Ning watched in disbelief—had all her older friends lost their minds?

Yun Yue was utterly done. Another one down for the count.

She turned to see Sheng Lulu belting out a song with the guys, waving her bottle: “The wind is howling, the horses are neighing—”

Yun Yue could only despair—everyone was out of commission, not a single reliable one left.

She should have checked her fortune before coming out tonight!

After showing off his singing, Niu Yifeng sat down and started drinking heavily, slurring, “Qiao, you don’t know, every time Chi sees you, he can’t stop smiling—mmph!”

Before he could finish, Qin Yichi reached out and clamped a hand over his mouth, silencing him.

Still, Qiao Zhen caught a bit and leaned in, puzzled. “Huh? What was he saying?”

Qin Yichi, still covering Niu Yifeng’s mouth, replied offhandedly, “Nothing, just drunk talk. Don’t mind him.”

Qiao Zhen nodded obediently. “Oh.”

It was almost eleven at night when the gathering wound down.

Qiao Zhen, groggy and dazed, leaned against Qin Yichi, reaching for another drink, only for him to gently stop her.

“No more. You’re drunk.”

Hearing this, Qiao Zhen obediently withdrew her hand and replied seriously, “Okay.”

Drunk, Qiao Zhen became very quiet, in stark contrast to the lively, singing, dancing crowd.

Qin Yichi’s heart melted with sweetness.

As everyone packed up, Qin Yichi made sure a few of the more sober guys saw Qiao Zhen’s roommates home.

It was late, and girls’ safety came first—especially since they were Qiao Zhen’s close friends.

“See you all when school starts!” The guys waved and flashed him an “OK” sign to reassure him.

Everyone headed their separate ways, the lively noise fading, leaving only the cold wind howling in their ears.

Night draped low, the sky scattered with countless glittering stars converging overhead.

The walk home was silent, utterly peaceful.

Qiao Zhen followed Qin Yichi in small steps, gathering her courage to slowly reach out her hand toward him.

He seemed to glance down at her, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a faint smile.

Instantly, Qiao Zhen nervously withdrew her hand, lowered her head, and pretended to look around nonchalantly.

The wind rustled the leaves around them.

After crossing a street, Qiao Zhen mustered her courage again. Quietly, carefully, she reached out with a finger to poke Qin Yichi’s hand.

But he didn’t seem to react.

Qiao Zhen let her head droop in disappointment, but her determination flared again, and she poked him once more.

The next second, Qin Yichi suddenly took her hand in his, his voice deep and soft:

“Be good, don’t make trouble.”

His palm was broad and warm, sending a searing current through her skin, quietly drawing them closer together.

Their fingers interlaced.

Qiao Zhen’s heart raced. She suddenly stopped walking, standing still.

She wasn’t making trouble.

She was seriously testing the waters…

She’d finally gotten to hold his hand, just as she’d wished, but why did her chest feel so sour and aching?

The alcohol made Qiao Zhen feel inexplicably aggrieved, though she didn’t know why.

It was truly baffling.

Qin Yichi’s grip tightened, his gaze lowering as he coaxed gently, “What’s wrong?”

The world was quiet as streetlights cast a soft, warm glow, gently dispelling the darkness and stretching their shadows far behind them.

Qiao Zhen remained rooted to the spot, her eyes misty, her voice trembling as she stammered,

“I… I don’t want to go.”

She didn’t want to part from him.

If she went home, she’d be alone again, the house cold and empty.

And once home, she couldn’t stay by Qin Yichi’s side anymore.

So she wanted to walk a little slower, even slower—if only to spend a few more seconds with him.