Chapter Thirteen: A Chance Encounter

“Come, come, everyone raise your glasses. We're brothers from all corners of the country, and it's fate that brought us together. Let's toast to the four years of college ahead of us.” Once the four had settled down, Chen Gang—the eldest in their dorm—took the lead, inviting everyone to drink. He downed his half-cup of liquor in one gulp.

The other three followed suit, imitating him and drinking in a single draught. As the old saying goes: deep feelings call for a bottomless drink. One’s drinking style reveals character, and indeed, this ritual serves as a way to deepen bonds. Why else do people in China prefer to discuss business over drinks? It’s a testament to the country’s unique drinking culture. Of course, not everyone can hold their liquor, but this is more about attitude than ability.

For Liu Fan, drinking was no different from drinking water; the half-cup passed down his throat with no effect. Wang Shiren, however, was not so lucky. Trying to keep up, he gulped it all down, but the liquor went in too fast, making him cough and tearing up. Still, not wanting to appear weak, he forced himself to drink, feeling as if his insides were ablaze and his face flushed red like an apple.

“Hey, I say, Four-Eyes, if you can't drink, just sip it slowly. Don't rush—don’t get drunk too soon,” Chen Gang observed Wang Shiren’s struggle and advised him with genuine concern.

“Yeah, Four-Eyes, take your time. We're all brothers here, no one's going to laugh at you. It's the thought that counts,” Zhang Yi chimed in gently, coming closer.

Liu Fan saw that both men were sincerely concerned for Wang Shiren, which only made him appreciate them more. He comforted, “Don't worry, Four-Eyes, drink at your own pace. If you get drunk, I'll carry you back.”

To have such caring companions after knowing them for less than a day filled Wang Shiren with warmth. Once, his family was fairly well-off and friends were plentiful, but most came for his money, mere drinking buddies. After his father failed in business and debts mounted, those so-called friends abandoned him, some even bullying him at school. Now, he found himself surrounded by true brothers, and his eyes grew moist. To have a soul mate in life—what more could one ask for? And he had three.

“Ha! Four-Eyes, you’re already moved to tears? You’ll need to wash your face with tears every day at this rate,” Zhang Yi teased, waggling his brows, lightening the mood.

With their genuine concern, Wang Shiren dropped his guard completely. Wiping his eyes, he declared boldly, “Hmph! Who says I can’t drink? Back in the day, I practiced! Come on, who’s afraid of whom? Tonight, we won’t stop till we’re drunk!”

“That’s the spirit! A real man should eat hearty and drink deep. Come, let’s drink!” Seeing Wang Shiren’s worries melt away, the three were delighted. The four now passed cups and exchanged stories, speaking with such rapport it felt as if they’d met too late in life.

“Hey! Liu Fan, you’re eating here too?” Just as their drinking reached its peak, a melodious voice, as soft as a warbler, reached Liu Fan’s ears. He looked up to see a woman approaching: she wore a pink dress with elegant lotus trim, carried a pink Hermes flower-patterned bag, her figure slender and graceful, her delicate hand covering her lips in surprise as she gazed at Liu Fan. She walked toward the group, her features exquisite—skin like cream, delicate brows, teeth like pearls, shoulder-length hair lifted by the wind, her eyes pure and curious, as lovely and refined as a lotus emerging from water.

Such beauty startled Liu Fan, his brows knitting as if trying to recall something. Suddenly, a chord deep in his memory was struck—he slapped his head and stood up, addressing her, “Ah, isn’t this our beautiful class monitor? What brings you here?”

As she came closer, Liu Fan recognized her as Ning Qi, his class monitor from high school. Not only was she beautiful, she was a top student, the school’s acknowledged talent—a dream girl for many, with prestigious family background. Many sought her favor, but none succeeded. Liu Fan himself was once among her secret admirers, but life then was too precarious for romance, and his feelings gradually faded. Still, he always got along well with Ning Qi, who was kind and never arrogant despite her family. She was one of his few true friends.

“Xiao Fan, so it really is you. Are you not happy to see your big sister?” Ning Qi saw Liu Fan’s slight frown and feigned annoyance, her beautiful eyes flashing as she scolded him playfully—her manner saying, “Big sister is very angry, and the consequences are serious.”

Knowing Ning Qi’s easygoing nature, Liu Fan wasn’t bothered. He put on a flattering act and replied, “No, no, I was just thinking that this fairy before me looked familiar. Turns out it’s you, Grand Fairy Ning! I just didn’t recognize you at first. Why don’t you join us for a meal?”

She laughed lightly, “Really? Xiao Fan, you blockhead, you finally understand—well, I’ll graciously accept your invitation,” her smile as fresh as an orchid in a secluded valley. Chen Gang and the others were so stunned they nearly drooled. But halfway through, Ning Qi made a move that floored them all: she gazed affectionately at Liu Fan’s pale face, gently licked her lips, leaned closer, and exclaimed, “Oh, Xiao Fan, your skin is so fair and delicate! What’s your secret? Tell me!” As she spoke, she playfully rubbed Liu Fan’s face with her slender hand, her voice sweet and coy.

The four were dumbstruck, Zhang Yi even collapsing to the floor. Liu Fan, embarrassed, stood awkwardly as the others shot him suggestive looks—he didn’t know whether to sit or stand. Helplessly, he shrugged and said, clearing his throat, “Heh, heh, don’t look at me like that. There’s nothing but pure friendship between us. Everyone likes to look good, but I think you’ve got the wrong person.”

His explanation only made things worse. The three exchanged mischievous glances and laughed, “Heh, heh, we get it, we get it—we’re all men, after all.”

Liu Fan was left speechless and gave up defending himself. Ning Qi, hearing the undertones, blushed deeply. Though she acted carefree, she was extremely intelligent—no wonder she was called a talented woman. Realizing her own flirtatious behavior toward Liu Fan, her heart raced, her shoulders trembled, and her chest rose and fell with nervous excitement. She stood before Liu Fan, shyly fiddling with her dress.

In truth, back in their first year of high school, Ning Qi had only recently transferred. One day, a group of delinquents cornered her in an alley, and Liu Fan happened to pass by, rescuing her at great personal cost—he was bedridden for three months. Had it not been for his grandfather’s medical skills, he might have been crippled or worse. From that moment onward, Liu Fan’s image was etched into Ning Qi’s heart, and their friendship grew deep. When she returned to Shanghai to take her college entrance exams, they lost touch. It was this history that allowed Ning Qi to recognize Liu Fan instantly after more than a year apart.

“Uh, um… Class monitor, why don’t we sit down first?” Seeing the awkward scene before him, Liu Fan finally spoke, pulling out a chair for Ning Qi. She bowed her head, murmuring thanks almost inaudibly—if Liu Fan’s hearing weren’t exceptional, he might have missed it.

“Let me introduce you,” Liu Fan said with a playful air. “These are my brothers and dorm mates: eldest Chen Gang, second Zhang Yi, fourth Wang Shiren. And this beauty is my high school class monitor, Ning Qi—the Grand Fairy Ning.”

“Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Don’t listen to Xiao Fan’s nonsense, I’m no fairy,” Ning Qi replied gracefully, though her cheeks still glowed pink. She smiled, turning back to glance at Liu Fan.

Zhang Yi, dissatisfied with Liu Fan’s introduction, hooked his arm around Liu Fan’s shoulder and protested, “Hey, third, can you introduce me a little more elegantly? ‘Second’ sounds awful. Call me Second Brother, alright? It’s embarrassing—especially in front of a beautiful girl. It ruins my image, and I need that to attract ladies. But still, third, you’re impressive—such a cute and classy beauty, and you managed to win her over. You remind me of my old days. We should compare notes sometime. This time, I’ll give you credit.”

Liu Fan, mortified, quickly covered Zhang Yi’s mouth. “Don’t talk nonsense. We’re just good classmates and friends, nothing dirty like you.”

As the two whispered conspiratorially, Ning Qi seemed to overhear, letting out a delicate laugh, covering her mouth, and then bursting into laughter at Liu Fan’s embarrassment. “Hehe… Xiao Fan, your friend is hilarious. He made me laugh so hard I cried.” Though she laughed, Ning Qi’s heart felt a pang of sadness. She knew their family backgrounds differed greatly, and her family would never allow her to marry an ordinary boy. She used laughter to hide her disappointment, but her eyes betrayed her melancholy.

Liu Fan sensed something in her laughter and asked gently, “Ning Qi, are you alright?” She shook her head and changed the subject, “Oh, right, why are you eating alone? Want to grab something?” Seeing only leftovers on their table, she laughed awkwardly.

Liu Fan’s concern warmed Ning Qi’s heart. She shook her head and smiled, “No need, I already ate with friends. I saw you in the hall when I passed by, so I came over to say hello. I’ll head back soon.”

“Alright! We’re about done anyway. It’s getting late, and the school gates might close soon. How about this: Chen Gang, you three head back first. I’ll walk Ning Qi home and return to campus afterwards.” With that, Liu Fan and his friends paid the bill and left the restaurant.