Chen Yuzhe smiled slightly, raised his glass in a toast, and drained it in one gulp.

Surprisingly, he lost the next three rounds.

After downing three glasses straight, Chen Yuzhe remained calm and composed. Gu Chengjin’s expression, however, grew slightly more serious.

“Chen Yuzhe’s luck isn’t great, huh?” Yang Wenjin muttered quietly from the side.

“No.”

Yang Wenjin turned to Han Cheng at the sound. Han Cheng had lightly narrowed his eyes, as if observing something, murmuring softly: “Interesting, this Gu Chengjin.”

“I’ve never seen Yuzhe lose four rounds in a row at drinking games before. Not in all my life.”

“Huh?” Xinyu tilted her little head in confusion. “Is that strange? Isn’t it just because Senior’s luck is bad right now?”

“Yeah, is there something special about this game?” Yang Wenjin chimed in. “Isn’t it just the most ordinary drinking game we always play?”

“Hmm… how to put it,” Han Cheng hesitated. Jiang Xiaoyao took over instead:

“The game is indeed ordinary.”

“But perhaps what’s special are the players themselves.” She watched the two in the middle, a trace of worry flashing across her brow.

In the following rounds, Gu Chengjin and Chen Yuzhe traded wins and losses. But a careful observer would have been surprised to notice:

Chen Yuzhe’s victories were slowly increasing.

“Fifteen, fifteen—”

“Ten.”

“Zero.” Chen Yuzhe chuckled.

Sure enough, Gu Chengjin didn’t reach out and lost.

For an instant, Gu Chengjin’s eyes narrowed sharply, his expression shifting unconsciously. After downing his penalty drink, he continued:

“Fifteen, fifteen—”

“Fifteen.”

“Five.” Chen Yuzhe leaned back casually in his chair, watching him with amusement.

Gu Chengjin lost again.

He fell silent for a moment, then drained the glass before him in one gulp.

“That’s enough, isn’t it?” Jiang Xiaoyao stepped in. “You two have drunk plenty already. There’s so much food left uneaten.”

“Oh right, you’re right,” Chen Yuzhe quickly smoothed things over, apologizing. “Sorry, drinking this much can really get to your head. Let’s eat something to settle it—”

“I’m fine, I’m not drunk.” Gu Chengjin’s eyes were already hazy, but he fixed a stern gaze on Chen Yuzhe and said in a low voice:

“Again.”

Hmph. Chen Yuzhe chuckled lightly. He spoke pointedly: “Listen, junior, why fight over momentary pride? Drinking games are just games—meant to liven up the mood. Ruining harmony over them wouldn’t be good.”

“There’s no harm to harmony, Senior. You’re overthinking it.” Gu Chengjin forced a smile.

“Today, meeting Senior feels like finding a long-lost friend. Of course I want to drink more. Don’t worry, I’m still clear-headed. This won’t get me drunk. Let’s continue.”

Chen Yuzhe shrugged. “As you wish.”

“Fifteen, fifteen—”

“Zero!” Gu Chengjin growled.

“Ten.” Chen Yuzhe spread his palms, watching him with amusement.

Gu Chengjin frowned, then took a big gulp.

“Chen Yuzhe!” Jiang Xiaoyao grew anxious, but he waved her off, giving her a look to calm down.

“Relax. He’s a returnee from France—our beer won’t get him drunk that easily.”

Chen Yuzhe idly played with his glass. “The junior’s rarely this excited. Don’t spoil his mood.”

Jiang Xiaoyao wanted to argue, but Chen Yuzhe’s look stopped her. She sat back down, fuming silently.

One round.

Two rounds.

Three rounds.

As the game continued, surprised expressions spread across everyone’s faces.

In every subsequent round, Chen Yuzhe didn’t lose once—he won every time! Out of ten rounds, only one was a tie. The rest, Gu Chengjin drank alone.

Soon, a pile of empty beer bottles gathered at their feet.

Gu Chengjin’s expression was clearly hazy now. He had decent tolerance, but this non-stop drinking on an empty stomach was too much. Even he felt his stomach churning.

Finally, after another loss, he said grimly: “Excuse me, I need the restroom.”

“Be my guest,” Chen Yuzhe said with a smile.

Gu Chengjin slowly stood and staggered toward the restroom. He nearly fell several times, making Jiang Xiaoyao rush to help—but Chen Yuzhe blocked her again.

“It’s fine, don’t worry,” he reassured her.

“How can you say that!” Jiang Xiaoyao finally snapped, poking his chest angrily. “We came for a nice meal, and you ruined it! What grudge are you two holding? Are you both just immature kids?”

Chen Yuzhe instantly raised his hands in surrender, looking innocent. “Blame me? You saw it—he was urging me to drink.”

Then, his gaze casually flicked toward the restroom.

A hint of disdainful smile played on his lips.

Hmph. Young.