Night had fallen, and Lin Lei kept drinking slowly. Alice never showed up. The tavern had emptied out, with fewer and fewer patrons remaining, but
"Sir, we're about to close," the waiter approached Lin Lei and said respectfully.
"Close?" Lin Lei was stunned.
"Oh — how much do I owe you?" Lin Lei stood up, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over him.
He had already downed six whole bottles of Emerald Green wine. Fortunately, Lin Lei's robust constitution could handle it — an ordinary person would have collapsed long ago. Bei Bei beside him was the most extravagant of all, having put away a full twelve bottles.
After settling the bill, Lin Lei walked out of the tavern. It was deep into the night now, and Ganmo Road was virtually deserted.
"This is the first time Alice broke her promise." Lin Lei let out a long breath.
He glanced back at the dark silhouette of the two-story building, then turned and headed straight for Blue Water Paradise on Xiangxie Avenue.
Blue Water Paradise.
"Third Brother's probably off with his girlfriend again." Yeru, Rein, and George were chatting and drinking together.
"Hey, Boss Yeru — you think Lin Lei's still a virgin?" Rein asked with a grin.
Yeru wrinkled his nose and said confidently, "Does that even need asking? Just look at the guy — a hundred percent virgin. Hey, Fourth Brother, come on, let's go get some rest." With that, Yeru slung his arm around a pretty girl and headed for the door. Rein did the same with another.
*Creak.* The door swung open abruptly.
Yeru and Rein looked up in surprise. Yeru blurted out, "Third Brother? What are you doing back?"
"Nothing. Come on, Boss Yeru, Fourth Brother, Second Brother — come have a drink with me." Lin Lei's voice was low and subdued.
Yeru, Rein, and George exchanged glances. Yeru was the first to burst out laughing: "Alright! It's rare for Third Brother to be this upfront about it. Tonight, the brothers are drinking with you all night long." All three sat down and started drinking with Lin Lei.
The next day, Lin Lei went to Alice's home again, but she still hadn't returned.
At
"So Alice really is angry?" Lin Lei walked along the academy streets, his mood far from bright.
He happened to glance at a shop inside the academy grounds. Noticing the posters advertising various magical tools plastered on the storefront, his gaze suddenly locked onto a crystal ball, and memories flooded back — Alice's words echoing in his mind: *"Brother Lin Lei, we're separated far apart. Every time I see other boys and girls together at the academy, I think of you — but we can barely manage to meet even once. If only we could be together all the time… how wonderful would that be."* Lin Lei's heart stirred.