"You can think what you want," Zhou Yuwen replied, unfazed by Zheng Yanyan's provocation. He had no intention of drinking since they had military training the next day.
"Co on, Zhou, you don't have training tomorrow. At least have a couple of drinks with Yanyan. It's not like we're getting drunk," Chang Hao coaxed, noticing Zheng Yanyan's displeasure. He opened a bottle of beer and spoke to Zhou Yuwen.
Zhou Yuwen was reluctant to drink but couldn't refuse when Chang Hao pleaded with him, practically bowing his head. Considering their bond as roommates, Zhou Yuwen agreed to let Chang Hao pour him a drink.
As a seasoned drinker, Zhou Yuwen preferred not to drink, but he understood that these young university students relished such gatherings. Soon, everyone had a drink, including Shen Yu and Lu Lin. Su Qing didn't protest when Chang Hao poured her a drink, silently sitting beside Zhou Yuwen.
Once everyone had their drinks, Chang Hao raised his glass, "Friends! I'm honored to be here with you all. Let's toast to our four years at university! Cheers!"
"Cheers!" Li Qiang led the applause.
Chang Hao downed his drink, and everyone else followed suit. Zhou Yuwen only took a sip, just to be polite. Su Qing, sitting close to Zhou Yuwen, noticed and gave him a playful glare, secretly pleased. No woman wants her husband to drink excessively.
After the drinks, the conversation began to flow more naturally. They talked about where they were from and how they ended up studying there.
Chang Hao and Zheng Yanyan were from the sa place, and Shen Yu teased, "Oh, so you two are childhood sweethearts?"
"No, no, Beijing is big. We didn't know each other before; we t in the freshman group," Chang Hao waved his hand dismissively.
Feeling his mouth dry, Chang Hao took out a pack of Honghe cigarettes and lit one. "Smoke and drink go hand in hand," he thought, feeling uneasy without sothing in his mouth after a drink. He took a puff and felt instantly relaxed.
When Chang Hao took out his cigarette, Shen Yu showed a flash of displeasure, though she quickly hid it.
Chang Hao tossed the pack and lighter on the table, puffing away. "If anyone's childhood sweethearts, it's Zhou Yuwen and Su Qing. They went to the sa school," he said.
"No, we didn't know each other in high school," Zhou Yuwen said.
"Really?" Shen Yu was curious.
Su Qing stared at Zhou Yuwen and said, "You might not know , but I've been following you for a long ti!"
"Oh~" The group started teasing. If Zhou Yuwen hadn't been reborn, Su Qing's persistence might have swayed him. But having experienced a lifeti, he wasn't willing to settle for one tree in a forest of possibilities.
The teasing made things awkward, especially with Chang Hao pushing Zhou Yuwen towards Su Qing. "If you two get together, I can borrow my uncle's car and take us all on trips. Two couples would be great."
"Who says we'd be a couple!" Zheng Yanyan rolled her eyes at Chang Hao.
Chang Hao just laughed. Su Qing shyly glanced at Zhou Yuwen, who ignored it and focused on his food.
Shen Yu was quite curious about Zhou Yuwen and Su Qing's relationship. She asked Zhou Yuwen, "Zhou Yuwen, why does Su Qing keep asking you to write novels? Are you a good writer?"
Her curiosity stemd from her own love for literature. Having read extensively since childhood, Shen Yu had never dated during her four years at university, seeking a platonic relationship with soone who shared her literary interests. In today's fast-paced society, finding soone who truly appreciated books was rare.
Su Qing's insistence on Zhou Yuwen writing novels was based on his involvent with web novels, which Shen Yu mistook for a genuine love of literature.
Zhou Yuwen replied, "I wonder too, Su Qing. Why do you keep insisting I write novels?"
Caught off guard, Su Qing stamred but quickly recovered, "In high school, you always went to the library whenever you had free ti. I know you love reading. I think you'd make a great writer!"
With this little lie, Zhou Yuwen's image grew even more impressive.
"What kind of books do you like?" Shen Yu asked eagerly, her interest piqued.
What kind of books? In high school, Zhou Yuwen frequented the library not out of a love for reading but to avoid studying. The library's quietness made it a refuge, where he ended up reading many books, such as biographies of Napoleon and Washington. In his past life, if asked, he might have ntioned popular Chinese classics like Romance of the Three Kingdoms or Water Margin.
Seeing Shen Yu's eager eyes, Su Qing sensed danger. She had intended to use this as a simple excuse but forgot Shen Yu was a literature enthusiast looking for a like-minded partner. In fact, Zhou Yuwen had read quite a lot of books. In their past life, Zhou Yuwen and Shen Yu had given Su Qing a considerable sense of crisis. If they hit it off in this life, it would be disastrous for her.
Rembering that Zhou Yuwen liked Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and knowing that Shen Yu disliked stories of battles and wars, Su Qing didn't hesitate and quickly interrupted, "He likes to read..."
Before Su Qing could answer, Zhou Yuwen blurted out, "I like Dream of the Red Chamber."
Su Qing was taken aback, looking at Zhou Yuwen in surprise.
Shen Yu was delighted, "You like Dream of the Red Chamber too!"
"Of course. 'Full of absurd words, a handful of bitter tears; All n call the author mad, none his ssage hears!' It's my favorite," Zhou Yuwen smiled.
"Not just that. I also enjoy The Shadow of the Wind, Love in the Ti of Cholera, and The Unbearable Lightness of Being," he added.
Shen Yu's eyes sparkled with admiration. "The books you like are all my favorites!"
Su Qing watched Zhou Yuwen with a mix of emotions, unable to comprehend his sudden literary flair.
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