Chapter 13

"Samson, over here!"

"Damn, could you be any slower?"

Upon seeing Samson, William Wei quickly signaled him to sit down.

Around twenty people were present, half male and half female, seated across from each other, including Jocelyn York.

He took a secluded seat by the side.

Raina Nan had never experienced this kind of social setting, she was anxious, her gaze aimless.

She quietly ensconced herself next to him without saying a word.

"Hey, it's Samson!"

"No way! We haven't seen each other for only a few years, how is it..."

"You're becoming more and more handsome~~(>﹏<)!"

The girls across from him were getting a bit flustered, surreptitiously sneaking glances at him, stirring with whispers of debate.

Already a heartthrob in high school as an acclaimed basketball player, Samson attracted plenty of female admirers, yet he never dated. His reason remained constant all these years: he wanted to focus on his studies.

Now that he graduated, there couldn't possibly be books still reading, right?

Many of the girls there had taken full advantage of this opportunity, and their target was him.

"Oh, look at you thirsty women, acting as if you haven't seen a man in years."

William Wei hit the table laughing.

"William Wei, you better not interfere! Don't forget who passed your love letters back in the day!"

"And the rejection rate was 100%~"

"Hahaha~~"

These girls didn't seem to be pushovers, immediately striking a chord with a quip, sending the crowd into laughter.

"Oh man! Don't expose my past!"

"Who asked you to be so arrogant? Hehe"

"Hmph, I'm arrogant because I have a strong supporter~"

William Wei sneered, slinging one arm around Samson's shoulder.

"What?"

Samson didn't understand.

"Ha, don't think I don't know that some of you~are here for our Samson, right?"

"......"

Suddenly, everyone fell silent, everyone there aware that he and Samson are close friends.

"I guess right, didn't I? Now you understand? Treat me well and maybe I'll put in a good word for you~"

"Shameless..."

Even scolded, William Wei remained in high spirits.

"I told you we shouldn't have come, but you didn't listen!"

Raina discreetly pinched Samson's thigh under the table, whispering her displeasure.

"Ouch! Don't blame it on me! How could I have avoided it?"

He responded softly.

He's a quiet person, not fond of this kind of occasion. However, going through seemingly pointless but ultimately necessary social rituals is an unwritten law of society, impossible to avoid.

"Hmph!"

She sulked and started eating.

Gradually, girls intended or pretended to strike up a conversation with Samson.

He carried himself naturally with a smile, adept with the situation despite disliking the ambiance.

......

"Sis, long time no see. You remember me, right? I'm the older brother who played in the basketball team with your brother in high school."

A boy with a drink in hand approached Raina.

"Eh?......Oh."

She couldn't possibly remember all the names of those from the basketball team.

"Move aside! Little Rain, you must remember me, right? I used to copy your homework at your house!"

"Ah? Oh, oh......"

Just after the previous guy was shoved out of the way, another one approached.

"Sis, you probably don't have a boyfriend yet, right? What do you think about guys like me......"

"Eh?!!"

She wasn't sure what to say anymore, she couldn't tell which words were genuine and which were just jokes.

"Little Nan! I am......"

"That......"

By now, she was in complete disarray, smoke nearly billowing from her head.

At that moment, a slender arm draped around her neck from behind, pulling her into an embrace.

"Anyone who wants to talk to her has to go through me first.""Bro, big bro?" She looked up.

Even though Samson Nan was still smiling, it was somewhat rigid, and anyone could see it. Before she could react, she smelled a faint scent of detergent on his clothes, a scent she was all too familiar with.

"Hey boss Nan, that's where you're wrong. Isn't it a bit unfair that you get to enjoy such a lovely sister all to yourself?"

"Yeah, it's totally unfair!" The boys started to tease.

"That's because she's my sister, not yours. Therefore, it's not a matter of fairness," he replied, his smile disappearing in silence, his eyes clear and ethereal. If you stare into his pupils, it feels like you could get completely sucked in.

"Oh..." The other guy stopped kidding around because Samson Nan didn't seem to be joking at all.

"Enough, we should understand that he's always been obsessed with his sister, this isn't anything new, right?" William Wei quickly stepped in to ease the tension as Samson Nan was killing the mood.

Upon hearing his words, Raina Nan felt a slight blush creeping on her face.

"Haha, true!"

"I've always wondered, Samson Nan treats his sister so well, wouldn't whoever becomes his girlfriend be the happiest?"

"Yeah, Samson Nan, do you have a knack for taking care of girls?" More laughter ensued, and everyone began teasing Samson Nan, leaving him speechless.

He could only stand there awkwardly and laugh. The last ray of daylight had receded, and the night was upon the city.

Those who wished to enjoy the tranquil night must be dreaming, for the noise and partying in the flashy streets will never cease. They kept drinking, bottle after bottle, as if no amount of alcohol could fill the emptiness inside.

"Sister, come on, have a drink!" Sober people were few by now. Raina Nan was one of them, purely because she couldn't hold her alcohol.

"Thanks, I..."

"You can drink half a cup! How about I drink three?" The man in front of her was slightly drunk, completely ignoring Samson Nan's warning.

"Miss Nan, wouldn't it be rude not to give face?" The girls across the table also joined in the teasing, followed by more laughter.

She wasn't trying to be high and mighty. She feared that others would talk behind her back, calling her prideful, but she just couldn't swallow alcohol.

"I'll drink!" weighing her options, she picked up her cup.

After a sip, the strong spicy taste spread instantly on her taste buds. This drink was quite strong.

"Finally, sis has got her spirits up! No leftover, okay?" A pair of eyes was staring at her.

"Give it to me." Samson Nan grabbed her cup, gave a toast and finished the drink.

"Bro?!"

"Boss Nan, what's the meaning of this? We don't have the block-drinks rule here!"

"Sorry, she's still underage, can't drink." He smiled and explained.

"Then you'd have to think carefully, blocking drink is not just half a cup!"

"How many cups do you propose?"

"This many!"

"Wow!" Someone exclaimed as the man held up five fingers. Surely he would back down now?

"Deal." He nodded, readily.

"Damn! Today, I truly admire you, boss Nan..."

"Too kind." He downed five cups in one go. After he sat down, he realized he was a bit dizzy.

"Bro! Why did you do that? You know you can't hold your drink and yet you act tough!" She whispered urgently, clearly worried. She knew well that he was never a good drinker.

"It's okay, I won't die." He grinned at her, and many saw his unusual expression.

Strangely, it seemed as if Samson Nan has a set of expressions dedicated to Raina Nan in his expression library, including joy, anger, sorrow, and tranquility... all soft and authentic.

…………

"I really want to leave..."

She checked the time on her phone. It was almost 10pm. People were singing and drinking and no one seemed to be planning to leave.

"What did you say?"

He leaned in.

"Get away from me! You smell horrible!"

She kept waving her hand.

He had drunk too much, the air he exhaled had a sharp scent of alcohol mixed with dampness.

"What's wrong? Are you looking down on me?"

He smiled, a sloshed grin, and draped his arm over her shoulder.

"Bro, you're drunk! Really, you shouldn't have drunk…" She waved her tiny hands to fan him.

"Samson Nan, have you had too much to drink?"

He looked up, and Jocelyn York was already standing in front of him.

She had been mostly silent, almost forgotten, only emphasizing how good she was at hiding herself.

"Let’s go get some fresh air. The air here isn't good."

She pulled him up.

"Jocelyn, it's not necessary, we are about to leave."

Raina Nan interjected before Samson could respond.

"Raina, it's still early, we can leave later."

He was clearly drunk, slurring his words.

"Then you just keep drinking, I'm leaving!"

She stood up.

"Hey!"

He stood up too.

"Jocelyn, if William Wei asks later, tell him I've taken Raina home."

He rushed out after saying this. Just a moment ago he seemed drunk, but now his actions were surprisingly swift.

Jocelyn York stood there.

She didn't know why she was here. To chat with him?

Maybe, but they had hardly spoken five sentences.

She looked at her reflection in the wine glass, her expression was hilarious, but she didn't feel like laughing.