Even though they were going tomorrow night, Jing Tian couldn’t contain his excitement and was full of anticipation.

Before this, he had never realized he had this side of him that loved to join in on the fun. Perhaps this was what people often referred to as being introverted but outgoing at the same time.

If possible, he not only wanted to dance in the club but also wanted to happily have a few drinks. The fruity taste of the last time’s wine was really good, and he liked it a lot. He couldn’t forget the feeling of floating and etherealness after getting drunk.

Of course, despite his desires, he still had his rationality intact and knew he should restrain himself. He consoled himself mentally that even if he couldn’t drink, he could still have a great time playing around and would still be very happy.

Combining work with relaxation would make one doubly effective, and he had been studying too hard lately. It was time to relax.

In the evening, while sitting at the desk solving problems, he saw Yang Yue buried in his books, an uncommon sight.

Jing Tian couldn’t help but ask, “Is it because of Shu Ziqin that you don’t want to go online, so you can only kill time by reading books?”

“It’s not just that,” Yang Yue sighed heavily while looking at his books, “Did you forget? There’s a quiz next week. The grades will count towards the final score. If I mess up this time, I won’t be able to recover at the end of the semester.”

Jing Tian understood; this was a last-minute cramming session.

Speaking of Shu Ziqin, Yang Yue smiled as he remembered something. “I took your advice into consideration. I just told him that I’ve been busy studying lately and don’t have time to go online. I suggested that he use this time to practice on his own until he reaches the Gold rank, then we can play together.”

The Gold rank sounded slightly lower than Platinum. Yang Yue, unconsciously, always avoided being too harsh.

He then picked up his phone, scrolled through it, and handed it over to Jing Tian. “Take a look, why is this person so funny?”

Jing Tian browsed through the chat records with curiosity, feeling a complex mix of emotions for a moment.

Shu Ziqin was very enthusiastic in response to Yang Yue’s “expectations.” He shouted slogans and even presented various strategies he had collected from the internet, claiming to be diligently studying and even showed his handwritten study notes.

After that, hearing that Yang Yue was studying seriously, he immediately turned into a cheerleader, sending many enthusiastic emojis to encourage him and saying they would progress together.

“I’m not saying this to mock him,” Yang Yue said, “This person is too hard to describe. Sometimes I find him quite cute, but other times I feel like his intellectual development isn’t quite normal. Did our school increase enrollment this year?”

“Um…” Jing Tian didn’t know how to respond.

Maybe inexperienced guys, when encountering someone they like, couldn’t help but reveal their clumsiest side due to excessive effort and excitement.

Yang Yue took back his phone and looked back at his books.

After a moment of thought, Jing Tian tentatively asked, “Do you find him quite cute?”

Without lifting his head, Yang Yue casually replied, “Cute in a silly way.”

At least it wasn’t disdain or dislike. Just as Jing Tian was about to ask further, he saw Yang Yue leaning over with a book in his hands.

“Can you do this one?”

Jing Tian leaned over as well and earnestly looked at the problem for a while. “This… can’t you just substitute the formula directly?”

He said, then picked up a piece of paper and a pen to solve the problem.

“Wow, you’re so good at this,” Yang Yue exclaimed with surprise, “I have a thigh to hug now!”

Jing Tian felt embarrassed, “This one is really not that difficult; you’ll understand after looking at it a few more times.”

“Don’t be modest. I’ve been looking at it for ages and still don’t get it,” Yang Yue laughed and patted him on the back, “I boldly assert that you’re definitely going to ace it this time. You’ll pass smoothly!”

Jing Tian blinked, lowered his head, and smiled along.

The next day’s schedule was packed, and the last class didn’t end until just before dinner.

According to Jing Tian’s original plan, he didn’t intend to ask Zheng Xunqian to tutor him again. Therefore, he didn’t need to inform Zheng Xunqian about his evening plans to go to a bar.

He felt a strange sense of guilt, fearing that if Zheng Xunqian knew he was going to such a place, he would show displeasure and try to stop him.

Unexpectedly, as they walked to the cafeteria together after class, Zheng Xunqian took the initiative to suggest going to the small study room together in the evening.

“We have a quiz next week,” he said to Jing Tian, “I found a set of questions for you to practice. It’s a good opportunity for a rehearsal.”

Jing Tian’s heart skipped a beat, and his eyes wandered, “Maybe tomorrow… I’m a bit tired from classes all day today and don’t feel like studying anymore.”

Zheng Xunqian nodded, “How about we grab something to eat together?”

“… “

“You’ve been working so hard lately, it’s time to relax a bit. I heard that the new food street in New World has started a trial operation,” Zheng Xunqian said, “Why don’t we go check it out and unwind?”

“I… actually… I already made plans with Yang Yue tonight…” Jing Tian stammered, “We’re also going to that place…”

The bar they planned to go to was also in New World.

“I see,” Zheng Xunqian asked, “Do you mind if I join you?”

“… “

Imitating Jing Tian’s usual tone, Zheng Xunqian said, “I can treat you guys to dinner.”

Jing Tian couldn’t hide it any longer, “Well… it’s… I mean… I and Yang Yue and a few other friends have agreed to go clubbing together tonight…”

He said, cautiously glancing at Zheng Xunqian.

There was nothing special on Zheng Xunqian’s face, as calm as usual.

But Jing Tian became even more nervous.

“I just want to relax… unwind, and all that,” he explained softly, even using the words Zheng Xunqian had just said.

Zheng Xunqian nodded. “Then you should bring me along even more.”

This response caught Jing Tian off guard, and he looked at him in surprise.

“Didn’t we agree last time,” Zheng Xunqian said, “that if you were going to drink, you’d take me with you?”

I don’t remember agreeing to anything like this, Jing Tian thought.

“I don’t plan on drinking,” he said to Zheng Xunqian, “just going there to hang out for a while, chat with everyone, maybe play some cards.”

“Really? I’ve never been to a place like that,” Zheng Xunqian said, looking into his eyes. “Take me along to broaden my horizons.”

After a two-second stare, he added, “Please.”

Jing Tian turned his head, whispering softly, “Oh, okay.”

Zheng Xunqian smiled at him. “Thank you.”

Jing Tian, who had just been hesitant, now felt happy again and was even more looking forward to the evening’s plans.

Muttering to himself with his head down, he said, “There’s nothing to thank me for.”

“Oh, by the way,” Zheng Xunqian asked again, “can I bring a friend?”

This was quite unusual. Zheng Xunqian always kept to himself, and apart from him, he didn’t seem close to anyone else.

To suddenly bring this up at this moment, and with an implicit assumption that the other person would definitely come, indicated that they must be quite familiar and have a good relationship, right?

Jing Tian couldn’t help but feel hopeful.

He arranged to meet Zheng Xunqian at the school gate and then they would take a taxi together.

Although Yang Yue was resolutely against Zheng Xunqian moving in, he seemed quite accepting of tonight’s sudden addition, even teasing him with a few jokes. It seemed that Zheng Xunqian’s recent efforts had been quite effective.

As the two walked to the agreed meeting point, they unexpectedly saw someone they hadn’t expected.

The person was tall and stood alone under the streetlight, very conspicuous.

“Isn’t that the…” Yang Yue recalled for a moment, then called out a somewhat amusing name, “What’s for lunch today!”

“You should add a nickname for him…” Jing Tian said.

As they spoke, Shu Ziqin noticed them and raised his hands in an exaggerated wave. Then he strode towards them.

After reaching them, Shu Ziqin smiled and said with a slight pant, “Good evening, seniors!”

Although he said “seniors,” his gaze was fixed on Yang Yue’s face from beginning to end.

Jing Tian quickly realized what was going on. “Did Zheng Xunqian invite you?”

“Yeah,” Shu Ziqin nodded, “He said you guys would come too, so he asked me to wait here.”

Yang Yue looked at him with a wry smile. “Then just wait here. Why did you run over? We were going to walk over anyway.”

“Oh, right,” Shu Ziqin grinned foolishly at him, “Hehe.”

“Is Zheng Xunqian here yet?” Yang Yue asked.

“He should be here soon! There’s still ten minutes until the agreed time, so I came too early,” Shu Ziqin said.

“I didn’t ask you,” Yang Yue looked at Jing Tian, “Give him a call and tell him we’re here and to hurry up.”

Jing Tian finally came to his senses and quickly picked up his phone.

He felt a bit incredulous.

The so-called “friend” mentioned by Zheng Xunqian probably needed quotation marks. The reasons he would want to bring Shu Ziqin along were apparent.

But why?

In the past, Zheng Xunqian had never shown any enthusiasm towards Shu Ziqin, and their relationship with Yang Yue was nothing more than a nod in passing. Given his usual demeanor, it was hard to imagine he had any interest in playing matchmaker.

The three of them continued walking forward, Jing Tian called Zheng Xunqian, and Yang Yue chatted casually with Shu Ziqin.

“Do you also like going to places like this for fun?”

“No,” Shu Ziqin looked like a well-behaved child, “I… I’m just here to broaden my horizons!”

This statement was quite similar to what Zheng Xunqian had said.

Yang Yue laughed, “If you have this much time, you might as well practice more and get out of the Bronze rank sooner.”

“I’ve been practicing!” Shu Ziqin said, taking out his phone from his pocket, “I killed a lot of people today!”

He said it seriously and loudly, causing passersby to turn their heads.

Yang Yue quickly patted him on the back and put a finger to his lips, “Shh.”

Shu Ziqin paused for a moment, then quickly regained his composure, pursing his lips tightly, and even unnecessarily hunched his back, curling up like a shrimp, as if this could reduce his presence.

Jing Tian, holding the phone, felt helpless. Come on, now you guys look even more suspicious.