Tea-flavored Romance

"Couldn't it be the legendary male best friend?" Ning Yuan asked tentatively.

Do you think Jiang Manyue would possess such a thing?

Ning Yuan thought for a moment, then sighed and said, "Okay... Although I'm somewhat familiar with Jiang Manyue, we're definitely not in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship."

"If it really comes to that, how could I dare to pretend to be Xiaoxue's boyfriend?"

"That's true... With Sister Jiang around, she probably won't be thinking about Sister Xue anymore..."

Master Ning: What's wrong with Xuebao? Xuebao is great.

He wanted to argue for his precious girl a little longer, and the others said that Xiaoxue must be great, otherwise why would we be so devoted to her... But we're not talking about Xiaoxue now, we're talking about Jiang Manyue!

"Was her cosplay outfit good-looking today? How does it compare to Xiaoxue's?"

When Chen Ling asked this question, her eyes flickered slightly, and the hazy, drunken feeling from before vanished instantly. Ning Yuan recalled the scene and honestly replied:

"nice."

He then added, "It's just too ethereal. I think Xiaoxue's version is more down-to-earth."

"His speech is so clear, it's obvious he's not telling the truth... Someone, fill his cup again. Tonight we have to get him to tell the truth after he's drunk!"

"No...you guys are being unreasonable..."

tons tons tons...

Who's prettier?

"I really think Xiaoxue..."

tons tons tons...

"Don't worry, although we're on Xiaoxue's side, tonight's conversation was just a simple discussion, and it's impossible for it to reach Xiaoxue's ears." Chen Ling said frankly, "I just think Jiang Manyue is prettier... don't you think so?"

"There's a theory that goes something like this: women with flat chests are usually good clothes hangers."

As soon as Xiao Zhao finished speaking, he suddenly sobered up and quickly covered his mouth to indicate that he hadn't said anything.

"You said Xiaoxue is so good, there must be a reason for favoring her, right?"

Ning Yuan covered his forehead and thought for a moment, feeling his head was a little heavy, but still answered, "What I like is the authenticity in Gu Guanxue. Don't you guys feel happy being with her?"

"...You still know how to praise our Xiaoxue, it seems you haven't told the truth yet, we need to add more wine."

???

He was about to raise his hand to refuse, saying that he was speaking from the heart, when the door to the private room was suddenly flung open. The four of them were startled when they saw who it was and froze on the spot, unable to move. Ning Yuan put his arm over his forehead, squinting so he couldn't see the person's face clearly, but he vaguely felt that the person looked like someone he knew.

It seems I really am drunk.

He gave a bitter laugh to himself, and tried to get up but found himself powerless. Gu Guanxue stood at the door of the private room, looking at Ning Yuan lying on the sofa with a complicated expression. Her eyes held a faint emotion, and her face showed neither anger nor sorrow.

Chen Ling quickly stood up and said to Gu Xihua, "We were just joking around with Xiao Ning... Xiao Xue, don't be angry..." Xiao Zhao and Xiao Liu, who had been lying on the ground pretending to be dead, also quickly got up, looking guilty. They had indeed agreed to team up to make Ning Yuan confess his true feelings while drunk, but no one expected that Gu Guanxue herself, who had clearly said she wouldn't come, would still show up here.

Ultimately, they didn't intend to bully anyone; they drank together genuinely, even the two girls, Chen Ling and Gu Guanxue, finished every glass. It was originally just a lighthearted game, and under normal circumstances, Gu Guanxue might have joined in to get all four of them truly drunk with Ning Yuan… but at this moment, her expression seemed somewhat complicated…

Did something happen between the two of them?

When did she arrive? Could she have been standing outside the door from the beginning? If so, why didn't she come in?

The four looked at each other, realizing they had really messed up this time...

"Xiaoxue..."

Gu Guanxue did not respond. She slowly walked over to the sofa and gently bent down to touch Ning Yuan's forehead. The smell of alcohol mixed with the girl's fresh scent made Ning Yuan feel a little refreshed and he could see Gu Guanxue's face as she leaned over.

"Can you still walk?"

He nodded; he was only slightly tipsy and far from being completely unconscious. The girl gently took his arm and led him out of the private room.

"I've already paid the bill." Gu Xihua stood at the door, not turning around, only leaving behind a delicate and indifferent profile: "Don't do this again."

"I'll get angry."

Chapter 169: I'm not as good as you think

The four of them lowered their heads apologetically. This was not their intention, but it was clear that they were responsible for how things had turned out this way. Gu Guanxue did not wait for their response and helped Ning Yuan away on her own.

Her pace was neither fast nor slow, her gaze fixed straight ahead, yet seemingly empty. Passersby walked past them, assuming they were just a drunken couple. Aside from their good looks, such a pair was not uncommon in this area, so they didn't bother to look at the strangers and went about their own business, laughing and chatting.

Ning Yuan felt that the atmosphere was a bit oppressive.

As Gu Xihua led him step by step out of the private room and onto the street outside, the two of them didn't exchange a single word during the process, making one wonder if the girl intended to remain silent until she returned to school.

What should I say?

It seemed that nothing could be said; silence was the best atmosphere at the moment. Saying anything would break this delicate balance, causing the distance between the two to either widen or narrow.

When did she appear? Or were Xiao Zhao and the other three actually arranged by Gu Guanxue?

But their reactions don't seem to indicate that...

Under the influence of alcohol, Ning Yuan felt his mind becoming somewhat unclear, and his thoughts, which had just become a little clearer, began to drift back into confusion.

The girl next to him suddenly stopped.

Ning Yuan also stopped. She stood still, turned her head and stared at the boy who was much taller than her. Her eyes, misty with tears, seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words.

"Are you feeling very unwell?" she asked softly.

"Fortunately."

"They're trying to get you drunk."

"I know."

They know you're not my boyfriend.

"I know that too."

Ning Yuan answered frankly. He did know, including Chen Ling and the others secretly mixing drinks, and Xiao Zhao and Xiao Liu pretending to be drunk. They were naturally able to detect it if they wanted to. Although he didn't know why they wanted him drunk, he was certain that they had such an idea.

"Then why do you still drink it?"

"I'm not entirely sure of the specific reason..." He thought for a moment and replied with a smile, "Maybe they felt that since we're all friends, it wouldn't hurt to make a scene."

"..."

She seemed drained of all her strength, staring at Ning Yuan in silence for a long time before slowly lowering her eyes, her voice so soft it was heartbreaking:

Have I ever mentioned Jiang Manyue to you?

“Actually, what I told you before was partly true and partly false…” Gu Guanxue said to herself, “Jiang Manyue was indeed very scary when she was young, but almost everyone in our circle admires her.”

"She is beautiful, smart, proud, and knows how to please adults. With just a word, she can decide whether those naughty kids will get a beating when they get home... But even though she is ruthless and cunning, and shows no mercy when she schemes against people, there are still many people who like her."

"Although every boy looks down on the things she likes, they will secretly study them. If she buys a new hair clip, the next day a girl will pester her family to buy it for her... Although they are afraid of her, they also long to be friends with her. Everyone considers it an honor to be close to Jiang Manyue. Even if they don't show it openly after they grow up, they keep it all buried in their hearts."

Gu Guanxue laughed self-deprecatingly: "Although they all say I'm their childhood goddess, and that if I were to fall in love, many people would be heartbroken. But if Jiang Manyue and I were to actually date, then her boyfriend would definitely receive more attention."

Ning Yuan remained silent and did not respond. The girl continued, "Actually, I also really want to be friends with her. Otherwise, why would I be tormented by her while still wanting to play with her? Adults all say that I am heartless and don't care, but I am not. I just want to be like her."

“But things are just different. Jiang Manyue can refuse things she doesn’t like, and she can skip an extracurricular class she doesn’t want to attend the next day by simply saying so. She can throw away gifts she doesn’t want and no one will say she’s wasteful. They’ll just praise her for being so opinionated and that she’s destined for great things. But I’m forced to learn things I’m not interested in and am only praised for how much I know at such a young age.”

"I used to think that the reason I competed with her openly and secretly all these years was because she stole so many people's admiration and attention, but that's not actually the case."

"At that time, I didn't understand. I was just envious of her, envious that she could walk her own path and no one would point fingers or criticize her."

Gu Guanxue took a deep breath, the tenderness in her eyes disappearing as if it had vanished. She said to Ning Yuan earnestly, word by word, "I asked you to be my boyfriend not to help you pursue Jiang Manyue... but to use you."

"Ah."

"I lied to you about many things I said before."

"..."

“So I’m not as good as you say at all.” Gu Guanxue stared into his eyes and said seriously, “I’m actually much worse than Jiang Manyue. At least she doesn’t like to lie to you as much as I do.”

Do you still feel happier when you're with me?

The tense atmosphere seemed to stifle Ning Yuan's attempt to change the subject with jokes. He remained silent for a while, then let out a soft sigh.

"actually……"

His words were cut off, and unexpectedly, they were cut off as Gu Xihua suddenly hugged him without regard for anything else, awkwardly and clumsily sealing Ning Yuan's lips. The girl's faint fragrance mixed with the smell of alcohol on his body between his lips and teeth, making him seem to clear his mind a bit.

Her lips were incredibly soft, as if they would melt at the slightest touch. Her delicate face, so close to his, had her eyes closed, and she looked slightly haggard, which was heartbreaking. This was the first time Ning Yuan had ever encountered such a situation, and he was completely bewildered as he savored the girl's cherry blossom-like, warm and beautiful lips.

I've never seen anything like this before.

The two only touched lips, without going for a deep, wet kiss. After touching, Gu Guanxue let go and slowly took a few steps back. The flush on her face was hard to tell whether it was from her emotions or from the stimulation of the alcohol, and her eyes shone like water.

"I'm really not as good as you think... Don't like me anymore, whether you really like me or not."

"We are not a good match."

After speaking, she turned and walked away. Gu Guanxue's steps did not falter or slow down at all. She walked towards the neon-lit night ahead, and did not look back until she disappeared into the dim streetlights.

Ning Yuan stood frozen in place, watching the girl's departing figure for a long time without moving. He wanted to say something but found his throat incredibly dry, like the aftereffects of drinking. The soft touch between his lips seemed not to have faded yet. He gently touched his lips, which still retained warmth, his mind a complete blank.

So, I've been friend-zoned again?

Chapter 170: Fake CP Fans and Real CP Fans

[The collection of the "Lust" card is complete. Current target: Gu Guanxue; Quality: SSR; Don't cry, host, keep trying!]

[Romance Target: Gu Guanxue; Difficulty: Extremely Hard; Difficulty to Obtain "Friend Card": Hard; Friend Card Quality: SSR; Current Series Count: 5;]

The familiar notification sound rang out, but it didn't bring the same ecstasy as before. Ning Yuan found his feelings to be a bit complicated. This feeling wasn't the kind of joy that comes from successfully developing an SSR mine. On the contrary, he felt a strange emotion that he couldn't quite describe.

Sadness... loss, regret? Or maybe not quite...

He felt a deep sense of loss, staring silently at the newly acquired SSR card. Although he hadn't confessed first, this feeling of melancholy after being rejected seemed to be a first for him.

In the end, I haven't even made a move yet, right? So this shouldn't be considered a rejection?

In other words, am I currently in a quantum intermediate state between being rejected and not being rejected?

Although quantum mechanics is the standard practice when in doubt, Master Ning felt that studying physics couldn't save a lover.

Am I seeing ghosts? This should be something to be happy about, but why am I having trouble with it...?

Does Gu Guanxue not like me?