Chapter Seventy-Three: Intoxication

The dinner hosted by Yin Lizhe was held near the city sports center, and there were just six of them in total. They gathered around a round table, the atmosphere lively and cheerful.

“To congratulate our Yin Lizhe for winning this season’s Star Voice!” Jiang Muwen declared, raising her glass of juice in a toast.

But before Jiang Muwen could lift her glass, Bai Xu stopped her. “Shouldn’t we be drinking something stronger at a time like this?”

With that, Bai Xu brought out the bottle of champagne he had ordered earlier but hadn’t put on the table since no one had mentioned it. Once the champagne appeared, Yin Lizhe became spirited as well. He took the bottle and skillfully popped it open. Pale golden liquid flowed into their glasses, bubbles rising gently to the surface.

Yin Lizhe thoughtfully poured champagne for everyone, then raised his own glass.

Glasses clinked together, the liquid inside swaying gently before slipping down their throats. The rich, vibrant aroma of fruit filled their mouths, carrying a faint note of alcohol.

Wen Yichen had hardly drunk alcohol in his life. When the glass touched his lips, he instinctively treated the champagne like juice, taking a big gulp. Before he could savor the fruitiness, a strong wave of alcohol rushed up his nose.

Watching the others chat so happily, Wen Yichen frowned slightly. He glanced at his glass, now missing a large sip, and in the next moment, he found himself wanting another taste—after all, the champagne was rather pleasant.

Since the food hadn’t been served yet, he reasoned he might as well have a few more sips. With that thought, Wen Yichen picked up his glass again and took another small drink.

And so it went—sip after sip, glass after glass. By the time the dishes arrived, Wen Yichen’s cheeks were tinged with an adorable shade of pink.

He found himself wavering between “I’ve had so much, maybe I should stop” and “This tastes so good, just one more sip.” As the dinner drew to a close, Wen Yichen was feeling a little dizzy, but seeing everyone chatting so happily, a smile slowly spread across his blushing face.

Suddenly, he felt a strong urge to drink more, to talk—to say so many things, though he didn’t want everyone to hear.

With that in mind, he turned his head toward Jiang Muwen, his eyes filled with both amusement and a dreamy haze. “Jiang Muwen...”

He softly called out her name, his voice gentle and a little clumsy, a tone Jiang Muwen had never heard before. The moment Wen Yichen spoke, Jiang Muwen was startled, her gaze falling on his slightly tipsy, unexpectedly adorable expression.

“Hm?”

“Will you talk with me for a while...?” Wen Yichen asked weakly, his words a little slurred, carrying a foolish innocence.

Something was off... Jiang Muwen looked at Wen Yichen and immediately sensed he must be drunk.

She was just about to say something when Wen Yichen continued, “If you won’t talk with me, how about I recite something for you?”

Before Jiang Muwen could react, the Three Character Classic began to tumble from Wen Yichen’s lips. He sounded like a child trying to earn a treat, getting louder and louder in his eagerness to show off.

It was almost too much for Jiang Muwen. Before things could get any more out of hand, she jolted upright and quickly covered Wen Yichen’s mouth with her hand.

With that, everyone at the table turned to look at them—Jiang Muwen slightly flustered, Wen Yichen’s eyes still twinkling with laughter.

Jiang Muwen forced a smile at the others. “He... seems to be drunk. I’ll take him home first...”

She stood, wrapped her jacket around herself, and helped Wen Yichen to his feet.

“Wen Yichen, let’s go home,” she whispered in his ear.

Hearing this, Wen Yichen obediently replied with a soft, childish “Mm,” his voice as cute and whimpering as a little puppy’s.

As they stepped out of the restaurant, the cool night breeze made Wen Yichen shiver. Instinctively, he leaned toward Jiang Muwen, wrapping his arms around hers and bending down as if he wanted to cling to her completely.

His sudden closeness startled Jiang Muwen, who looked at him and called his name softly.

He responded with another sweet, childish “Mm.”

“We’re still out on the street...” Jiang Muwen gently reminded him. The street was crowded, and passersby couldn’t help but glance at them curiously. She tried to pull her arm free from his grasp.

But instead of letting go, Wen Yichen only clung tighter. “Jiang Muwen, do you not want to be friends with me anymore?”

Jiang Muwen stared at him in confusion. The boy beside her pouted, looking as if he’d suffered some great wrong.

“Even if you don’t want to be friends, you have to be. I’m telling you—I’ve made up my mind about you for life. If you don’t want to play with me, I’ll pester you, and pester you, and pester you—” Wen Yichen muttered to himself. Though his voice was soft, Jiang Muwen heard every word.

She was taken aback, her already unsettled heart now tossed by a storm—while the culprit simply clung to her, grinning foolishly.

“Wen Yichen... are you... drunk?” she asked quietly, not even sure herself if his words were nonsense or a drunken confession.

At her question, Wen Yichen leaned in close to her ear and chuckled softly. “Jiang Muwen, you’re so smart—you figured it out.”

His warm breath brushed against her ear, sending a jolt through her body and painting her cheeks a delicate pink. To be honest, the feeling was rather dangerous—Wen Yichen was this drunk, and Jiang Muwen was afraid she might do something reckless.

Fortunately, reason prevailed, and she tried to push him away. “Wen Yichen, could you let go...?”

At this, Wen Yichen frowned, looking at her with all seriousness. “Jiang Muwen, do you really not want to be friends with me?”

She was startled by his words. “No... but doesn’t it feel uncomfortable, you clinging to me like this?”

“Not at all—”