MM | Chapter 16

The Drunkard

Outside the bustling market, lights intertwined with the flow of people, and the horns of electric scooters and private cars echoed at the corners, quickly swallowed by the lively night.

This barbecue place had a name that didn’t match its vibe at all, called “Those Years,” exuding a slightly pretentious literary air. Unfortunately, the guests inside and out seemed like they just came down from Liangshan, shouting, drinking, and laughing so loudly it could be heard from the other end of the street.

In the midst of this chaos, Zhao Xi was making a call—

“Oh right, I forgot. Alright, I’ll let you off this time. Can you only say ‘mm’? Does it hurt to say more?”

“Huh?”

Not sure what Jiang Tian said on the other end, Zhao Xi suddenly questioned, glancing at the table. His gaze was so quick that Sheng Wang wasn’t sure if he was looking at him or the whole table.

“Alright, got it.” Zhao Xi nodded, not chatting further. “That’s it then, I’ve got a bunch of hungry customers here, busy as hell.”

The fake owner put away his phone and turned back to see everyone at the table staring at him, waiting for an answer.

He chuckled, waving his cigarette. “Hey, don’t wait. He’s really busy, can’t make it.”

“Ah…” The group sighed in disappointment, even a bold girl joined in, clearly showing her letdown.

Sheng Wang fiddled with the peanut shells in front of him.

Maybe influenced by the others’ emotions, he also felt a bit disappointed for a moment. Not to the point of being let down, just suddenly realizing that this table of ten or so people wasn’t as lively as he imagined.

Suddenly, there was a clatter in front of him. Sheng Wang snapped back to reality and looked up to see Zhao Xi placing a glass of water in front of him.

“Heard you’re sick?” Zhao Xi said. “Why are you drinking cold beer when you’re sick? Drink water.”

Sheng Wang was taken aback. “Who told you?”

Zhao Xi flicked his cigarette ash. “Who do you think?”

Sheng Wang recalled the call Zhao Xi just made. “Jiang Tian?”

Zhao Xi gave a nod.

For a moment, Sheng Wang was silent, unsure if he was surprised or something else.

If Jiang Tian specifically told Zhao Xi not to let him drink, that was unlikely. It was probably just a casual mention, and Zhao Xi was naturally hospitable.

Sheng Wang thought for a moment and sincerely said to Zhao Xi, “I’m really not that close with him. That meal was just… never mind, we’re really not close. As for the beer, he’s not even here, why should he care what I drink?”

Why should he care!

After saying that, Sheng Wang silently hugged the beer mug in front of him, determined not to leave until he was drunk.

Zhao Xi was amused. He put the cigarette back in his mouth, squinting as he mumbled, “Alright, you kids, you won’t learn until you suffer. Just don’t blame me if your sickness gets worse.”

With that, Zhao Xi walked away, laughing as he went to greet other friends. Sheng Wang watched him go, then turned to find his classmates looking at him curiously.

“Do I have a menu on my face?” Sheng Wang asked.

“No, no.” Everyone laughed, and Gao Tianyang quickly waved his hand, calling the waiter to place their order.

Skewers were brought to the table in bunches, sizzling with aroma.

The human appetite is mysterious. Normally, ten skewers would be enough, but with more people grabbing, even twenty or thirty weren’t enough. The more they ate, the better it tasted. The more they drank, the louder they got. The table was filled with laughter, banging on tables, and clinking glasses.

Sheng Wang picked up quite a bit of gossip, about both teachers and students.

For instance, their homeroom teacher He Jin and a male teacher who specialized in math competitions were a couple. Both were former students of the Affiliated High School, classmates, and even desk mates, a famous couple back then. They ended up in the same city for college and returned to their alma mater after graduation, now both renowned teachers in the city.

Another example was the boy sitting to Sheng Wang’s right, the class life committee member. He wore black-rimmed glasses and had a gentle temperament. He was the opposite of his father, who was known as Big Mouth Xu, the director of the Political and Educational Office. Because of his father, Class A students called him “Small Mouth.”

Gao Tianyang, emboldened by alcohol, clung to him, mock-crying, “Small Mouth, my phone’s still locked in your dad’s cabinet. Dare to help me pry it out?”

Small Mouth calmly swallowed his food, wiped his mouth, and said, “No, mine’s locked in there too.”

Gao Tianyang said, “Look at you!”

Small Mouth replied, “Same to you.”

Everyone laughed.

Then there were two girls from Class 7 known for their boldness, who would come to Class A whenever they had a chance, sometimes bringing a group of friends just to see Jiang Tian.

They’d send notes, snacks, and holiday gifts, but Jiang Tian was either in the office or napping. The notes didn’t work, and the snacks and gifts were returned. After a year, they still hadn’t melted the ice sculpture.

Sheng Wang was sipping his beer and listening when Gao Tianyang nudged him, teasingly saying, “I ran into the P.E. committee member from Class 7 on the school bus yesterday. He said one of those girls seems to be shifting her affections, now interested in the new handsome guy in our class. What do you think?”

Sheng Wang finished his beer, holding the handle as he thought, “Did someone new transfer into our class?”

Gao Tianyang: “…”

He glanced at the empty beer bucket on the table and asked Small Mouth, “How many has he had?”

Small Mouth held up four fingers.

Gao Tianyang gasped, trying to take Sheng Wang’s beer mug. “You’re sick, brother!”

Sheng Wang replied irritably, “I know, wasn’t planning on a fifth.”

He spoke clearly, his face wasn’t red, and aside from darker eyes and a heavier nasal tone, there was almost no change. Gao Tianyang was unsure.

“You guys continue, I’m going to the restroom.” Sheng Wang announced, getting up and heading inside.

Gao Tianyang watched his steps, seeing no issues, and couldn’t help but ask the others, “Is he drunk or not?”

Li Yu said seriously, “He seems fine, just quieter. Honestly, you look more drunk than him.”

Gao Tianyang sulked back.

The group was getting tired of eating, and the three girls were the first to put down their skewers. They leaned back in their chairs, still listening to the others brag, but their eyes followed Sheng Wang.

This transfer student was just as good-looking as Jiang Tian, but in a different way. His features were clear and clean, with dark eyelashes and pupils, contrasting with his pale skin, making him strikingly handsome. When he smiled, it was like a spring breeze. When he didn’t, he seemed a bit unapproachable.

One of the girls blushed, nudging Li Yu, and the three of them started whispering.

Until Qi Jiahao called out to them, “I heard they’re selecting the city’s top three students again, right, class monitor?”

Li Yu broke off her conversation and looked up. “You’re well-informed. The meeting just announced it yesterday.”

“How many spots does our class have this time?” Qi Jiahao asked.

“Three.”

“How are they chosen?”

The city’s top three student honor was somewhat useful at critical moments. It could enrich a high school resume and add a bit of competitiveness when applying for early college admissions. But its impact varied, not as significant as competition results, so some cared while others left it to chance.

Qi Jiahao was clearly in the former group.

Li Yu said, “The school’s suggestion is to recommend one spot based on grades, one from class officers, and one by anonymous vote.”

Qi Jiahao laughed, “Based on grades and class officers? Then I’m out.”

“Come on, there’s still the voting spot,” the others comforted.

Qi Jiahao immediately joked, “Alright! Just for that, this meal’s on me. Help me out with the vote, not asking to win, just not to lose too badly.”

He raised his hand to call the waiter, fiddling with his phone to pull up AliPay. “I just ordered another round, please bring it quickly.”

The waiter checked the order on a tablet. “Table 2, right? The new dishes are already included, should be on the grill now.”

“Fast service.” Qi Jiahao waved grandly, “Then help me settle the bill, I’ll pay first.”

But the waiter said, “This table’s already paid for.”

Qi Jiahao: “Huh? Who paid?”

Just then, Sheng Wang returned. He grabbed a napkin to wipe his hands and sat down next to Gao Tianyang.

The waiter pointed at him. “He just paid.”

Oh… crap.

Qi Jiahao was stunned, his expression changing several times. But everyone was in a post-meal daze, no one noticed him.

With the new round of skewers, the group downed another beer. The alcohol finally kicked in, leaving several people red-faced and wobbly.

Five minutes before 10, the group finally decided to call it a night and head home.

Gao Tianyang, his neck flushed, leaned on the table. “I need to hit the restroom. I might not make it home otherwise.”

A nearby boy whistled teasingly, only to have Gao Tianyang cover his mouth. “Keep it up, and you’re washing my pants.”

They decided to go to the restroom in a group, asking Sheng Wang if he wanted to join, but he declined.

“I’ll sit here for a bit.” Sheng Wang rubbed his temples, lost in thought.

He’d been reckless all night, and now it was catching up to him—his nasal tone was heavy, his head felt stuffed with cotton, and his feet were unsteady. His cold had clearly worsened.

What was I thinking?

He rubbed his temples, closing his eyes to rest, feeling a bit drowsy from the alcohol.

Suddenly, he felt fabric brush against his arm, and someone stood beside him.

Before he could react, he heard Zhao Xi’s voice approaching. “Hey? Why are you here? Didn’t you say you’d be here by 10:30?”

Sheng Wang furrowed his brows, processing for a moment before turning to open his eyes.

The person was standing so close that he could only see the familiar school uniform of the Affiliated High School. The sleeves were rolled up to the elbows.

Sheng Wang stared at the person’s hand hanging by their side for a while before finally looking up…

It was Jiang Tian.

From his seated angle, he could see Jiang Tian’s well-defined jawline and the prominent Adam’s apple of a teenager.

Sheng Wang suddenly reached up to touch his own neck.

Jiang Tian looked down at him for a moment and asked Zhao Xi, “Did you give him alcohol? How much did he drink?”

“I gave him water!” Zhao Xi said, exasperated. “He wouldn’t drink it. I can’t force him, can I? He probably drank a lot. Judging by the empty buckets on their table, I’d say each had at least four glasses.”

Sheng Wang withdrew his hand from his neck, glanced at Zhao Xi, and said, “Wrong, each had five glasses.”

Jiang Tian: “…”

Zhao Xi shrugged, giving Sheng Wang’s head a thumbs-up, mouthing, “I think he’s a bit drunk, what do you think?”

Is that even a question?

Jiang Tian wiped his forehead. Hooking his thumb around the strap on his shoulder, he adjusted his backpack and said to Sheng Wang, “Time to go. Can you stand?”

“You really think I’m drunk?” Sheng Wang replied irritably, standing up just fine. He glanced around and asked clearly, “Where are Gao Yangtian and the others? Fell into the restroom?”

Zhao Xi raised an eyebrow. “Impressive. I take back what I said, maybe he’s not drunk.”

Jiang Tian looked resigned. “The one who went to the restroom is Gao Tianyang.”

Zhao Xi: “…”

Jiang Tian was efficient. He lit up his phone screen, quickly sent a WeChat message, and then said to Sheng Wang, “Told Gao Tianyang, we can go.”

Sheng Wang nodded, slung his backpack over one shoulder, and added, “Also in the restroom are Song Sirui, Qi Jiahao, and Small Mouth Xu—”

Jiang Tian, feeling a headache coming on, interrupted, “Told them all.”

“Alright.” Sheng Wang nodded, finally at ease, and followed Jiang Tian out.

Since it was a holiday, students were dismissed early. By 10 PM, the residential area was much quieter. Once they left the barbecue place, the noisy voices faded like mist in the night.

Sheng Wang’s steps didn’t seem unsteady, nor did he weave through the alley. He walked lightly and slowly, always half a step behind Jiang Tian, like a leader on an inspection tour.

The leader, having drunk, was prone to meddling. He pointed at the plastic bag in Jiang Tian’s right hand and asked, “What did you buy?”

Jiang Tian was calling for a ride, glanced at his hand, and said, “Cockroach poison.”

The leader pursed his lips, not speaking, looking unsatisfied.

At the end of the alley, they faced a wide street with bus and taxi stops. Further away was a subway entrance. As they emerged from the alley, the sound of nighttime traffic rushed at them.

The car Jiang Tian called arrived quickly. Sheng Wang habitually got into the back seat, settling into his usual spot. He saw Jiang Tian open the passenger door, about to get in, but then changed his mind.

He glanced at Sheng Wang and sat in the back seat instead, though they weren’t close, separated by a console.

The city was still brightly lit at night, with cold and warm lights blending together.

Sheng Wang gradually slouched down, like he usually did in Uncle Xiao Chen’s car, his head resting against the window, looking half-asleep.

Just when Jiang Tian thought he was asleep, Sheng Wang suddenly spoke. “They all think we’re really close.”

His voice was hoarse with a nasal tone due to the cold, but it didn’t seem out of place in the quiet car.

Jiang Tian paused, turning to look at him. “Who?”

Sheng Wang didn’t sit up, still lazily leaning back, counting on his fingers. “Gao Tianyang, Zhao Xi, and Zhao Xi’s dad. Those classmates today too, because Zhao Xi said you took me to his dad’s place for dinner.”

He paused and said, “Sheng Mingyang thinks we can be brothers. These people think we’re really familiar in private. But we’ve hardly spoken a few words. Isn’t that funny?”

When he spoke like this, it seemed like he wasn’t drunk at all. The lights outside the car flowed like water, casting moving shadows on his face, softening his features.

Jiang Tian looked at him for a while and said, “Actually—”

He barely got two words out before Sheng Wang mumbled, “I’m feeling so sick, and you didn’t even bring me medicine.”

“…”

Jiang Tian’s lips parted and closed, finally pressing into a straight line, speechless.

After a moment, he opened the plastic bag beside him, turned on the car’s overhead light, and said, “There’s plenty of medicine here. Every box warns against alcohol. Talk about medicine when you’re sober.”

Sheng Wang turned his face. “Didn’t you say it was cockroach poison?”

Jiang Tian: “And you believed me?”

Sheng Wang eyed the bag. “I’m quite particular, picky about brands.”

Jiang Tian: “Are you taking it or not?”

Sheng Wang considered for two seconds, then grabbed the whole bag.