Lu Zhi and everyone else had a wild time on the beach all day. In the evening, Yan Shao, using his authority as president, organized a beach bonfire party for them. Students who didn't participate in the final god-slaying assessment all came to join the fun. The atmosphere was just like a school celebration.
Lu Zhi gazed at Shen Qi's villa balcony through the bonfire flames. The night was hazy, but he could vaguely see silhouettes under the villa lights. Although he felt a bit disappointed that Shen Qi refused to participate, he was soon distracted by Lan Yu Shan and the others.
Before anyone knew it, case after case of beer was brought onto the stage. Lu Zhi, who never drank, was forced to down two bottles. It was fine at first, but as the alcohol kicked in, Lu Zhi's cheeks turned red, and he let out a hiccup. He stumbled, leaning sideways.
Instead of the anticipated pain, he landed in an embrace, his sliding waist being held.
It was Lu Zhi's first time getting drunk. His eyes were hazy as he tilted his head back, meeting Shen Qi's perfectly sculpted chin. His eyes slowly narrowed, and his speech became slurred. "Shen, Shen Qi? Wh-why are you here?"
At school, Lu Zhi had always called him Professor Shen.
Shen Qi's appearance sent half the students' drunkenness flying away.
Yan Shao's expression was calm as he smiled, "Professor Shen, would you like to have a drink with us?"
Shen Qi picked up the drunken Lu Zhi by his waist. "No, you all continue. I'll take him back first."
"No! I'm not going back. I want to stay until we're all drunk—" Lu Zhi struggled to get down, but the difference in strength was like a chick learning to fly, all in vain.
Shen Qi turned and left, only his dashing back visible.
A minute later, the group exploded.
"What's going on?"
"Is Big Shot Shen really that close with Junior Lu?"
"Hey, could it be true? Are they really a couple?"
"A couple in what way?"
"What other way could there be?"
"What way is it?"
Yan Shao: ...
Yan Shao smiled. "You all should talk less nonsense like this in the future. It makes me feel like the academy opened its doors for you through a backdoor."
Everyone: ...
Was he saying they were too dumb to pass the academy's tests?
The moonlight was bright.
Shen Qi carried him inside. Lu Zhi, half-drunk and half-awake, half-closed his drunken, misty black eyes and clung to Shen Qi's shoulders with both hands. "Shen Qi?"
Shen Qi replied, "Hmm?"
Lu Zhi suddenly giggled foolishly, "Professor Shen~"
Shen Qi looked down at Lu Zhi's clear black eyes, now veiled with the haze of alcohol. "Hmm, what is it?"
Lu Zhi tried hard to blink, wiggled his legs, and asked confusedly, "Wh-why aren't I wearing shoes?"
Shen Qi glanced at the flip-flops he had kicked off and directly placed him on the sofa. "Do you want some water?"
Lu Zhi curled up like a cat on the sofa, licked his dry lips, and let out a nasally drawn-out "Mm," "I want some."
Shen Qi turned and walked to the water dispenser. Lu Zhi lay limply on the sofa, feeling light and floaty, his consciousness seeming to drift on soft clouds. His unfocused eyes followed Shen Qi's retreating figure.
Shen Qi returned with a glass of warm water.
Lu Zhi stared longingly at the water glass in Shen Qi's hand, speaking slowly, "Y-you feed me."
Shen Qi raised an eyebrow, a thoughtful look on his face. He bent down, half-supporting Lu Zhi, and brought the cup to his lips. "Mm, drink up."
Lu Zhi drank a bit too quickly, and some water, not swallowed in time, flowed from his jaw down his neck, into his slightly open collar, and soaked his shirt.
Shen Qi's gaze darkened. Lu Zhi had drunk enough and turned his head away, pushing the cup aside. He comfortably lay back on the sofa and mumbled, "I-I'm very happy..."
Shen Qi wiped the water from the corner of Lu Zhi's mouth with the back of his hand. Hearing his words, he looked down. "Mm."
Lu Zhi's cheeks were flushed with drunkenness. He grasped Shen Qi's slightly cool hand and pressed it to his face, trying to keep his eyes open, a smile on his lips. "I-I was actually lying to you. I-I'm angry with you..."
Shen Qi's palm rested on Lu Zhi's warm face, his thumb gently stroking the corner of his eye. He knew Lu Zhi was referring to this morning. "Mm, I know."
Lu Zhi held up a finger and said very seriously, "Just a little bit angry."
Shen Qi chuckled and hooked his index finger, leaning in to kiss it. "And now?"
"Happy~" Lu Zhi's eyes curved into smiles, but his face immediately fell. He looked pathetic. "I-I know you wanted to train me, but but next time, don't scare me like this, okay?"
Shen Qi stared intently into his misty black eyes. "I'll consider it."
Lu Zhi frowned. "Why... do you need to consider it?" His eyes then welled up. "Is it because I'm not good enough? *Sob sob sob*... I-I'll be good. Don't scare me... *Sob sob sob*... You scared me half to death... *Sob sob sob*... Who's going to take care of you in your old age then..."
Shen Qi was amused by his words. He pressed his forehead against Lu Zhi's, their breaths mingling. Shen Qi whispered, "Why didn't I think of getting you drunk before?"
Lu Zhi wrapped his arms around Shen Qi's neck, his eyelids growing heavier. "Shen, Shen Qi..."
Shen Qi replied, "Hmm. If you're sleepy, then sleep."
Lu Zhi closed his eyes, his words slurred. In his drunken stupor, he called out again, "Shen, Shen Mad Dog..."
Shen Qi: ...
After a long while, a short, low chuckle echoed in the quiet room. "I'll remember all the grudges."
...
The next day, Lu Zhi woke up with a splitting headache from the hangover. Then, fragments of memory flooded his mind like a spring, scaring Lu Zhi so much that he forgot his headache.
Drinking caused trouble. He dared to call Shen Qi a mad dog. He felt his life was in danger and needed to lie low.
Confirming Shen Qi wasn't home, Lu Zhi fled in panic.
He first returned to his dormitory to shower. After completely sobering up, he realized his optical computer was turned off. Thinking about it, he hadn't charged it for a month.
As soon as the optical computer powered on, there were over a dozen missed calls, all from his brother, Lu Chengxuan.
"Oh no, my brother must be worried sick." Lu Zhi forgot to even dry his hair and quickly dialed back. After waiting for three minutes, it was finally answered. He hurriedly spoke first, "Brother."
Lu Chengxuan's calm and worried voice came through. "You're awake? Are you feeling any other discomfort?"
"No, I'm sorry for making you worry, brother." Lu Zhi wiped his hair and sat down on the sofa.
Lu Chengxuan asked a few more concerned questions, then suddenly said, "Your body hasn't fully recovered yet, so go out less. Rest more these few days. I have something to do, I'll contact you later."
"Okay." Lu Zhi's expression shifted slightly. Was he being too sensitive? Why did it feel like his brother didn't want him to leave the academy?
Lu Zhi fell into thought. The more he thought about it, the more something felt wrong. He decided to go to the Crazy Night Guild. As soon as he opened his dormitory door, he was startled by Shen Qi, who was standing outside.
Shen Qi asked, "Where are you going?"
Lu Zhi grabbed his wrist. "You're here just in time. Hurry and take me to my brother's guild. Something might have happened."
Seeing the anxious look on Lu Zhi's face, Shen Qi didn't tease him. He tore open space and teleported them directly to the entrance of the guild.
As Lu Zhi pushed open the door, he saw Lu Chengxuan in the living room, surrounded by Li Mei and others on the sofa. His white shirt was stained crimson with blood.
"Brother!" Lu Zhi's face changed slightly.
Lu Chengxuan looked up, standing up in surprise. "Why are you back."