He'd planned to confess to his crush, but tripped and fell right in front of everyone. Could anything be more humiliating?

Yet Zhao (?) wasn't a brainless fool—he knew how to read the room. Seeing their displeased faces, the drunken Zhao (?) didn't act rashly. He quickly swallowed his annoyance, forced an apologetic grin, and scratched his head awkwardly.

"Hey, bros, my bad! Got too excited—tripped over love's joy. Seriously, sorry about that, haha! I'll treat you all to drinks. My apologies!"

Zhao (?)'s smile was warm, calling them "bro" repeatedly to close the gap. The bar crowd just chuckled. Drunk mishaps like this were common; regulars were used to it.

But no one at the table accepted his apology. One man squinted, smiling coldly as he echoed Zhao (?)'s words:

"Sorry?"

He pointed at the spilled drinks. "You wrecked this whole table and just say 'sorry'?"

He gestured to his stained pants. "You dirtied our clothes and just say 'sorry'?"

He swept his hand around the booth, his smile turning icy. "You ruined our night, kid—and all you offer is 'sorry'!?"

Zhao (?) sensed the shift. As he tried to step back, the man grabbed his collar and slammed him onto the sofa cushion. Gasps erupted. The tipsy girls sobered instantly.

Zhao (?) stared at the snarling face looming close. A cold laugh hissed in his ear:

"Kid, here's the deal: pay for the drinks, compensate for our clothes, then kneel and kowtow. Only then might we skip beating you."

Zhao (?) sobered but trembled inside. A college newbie, he'd never faced this—his mind went blank. He licked his lips, forcing a weak smile.

"Big bro... I'll pay extra. Spare my dignity—skip the kowtowing?"

The man squinted, his ambiguous smile unreadable. Then he whispered:

"Do you think you're worthy to haggle with me?"

Smiling Man yanked Zhao (?) up, pressing his head toward the table amid shouts. Glass shards littered the surface. Zhao (?)'s cheek hovered a fingernail's width from the sharp edges, feeling their chill.

"Stop!" a woman's voice roared. Smiling Man's hand froze mid-air.

He turned, surprised. It wasn't the sober girl—it was another woman shaking off drunkenness. She glared, shouting:

"Let him go! I called the cops. When they arrive, none of you will walk away clean!"

It was their class monitor, Jiangyx Jiang. Duty drove her to protect her classmates. Unaware she was adding fuel to the fire, she stood firm.

"Cops? Seriously, sweetheart?" Smiling Man grinned wider, no fear showing. He tightened his grip on Zhao (?)'s collar. "Tell me—which comes faster: the fuzz, or this kid's ruined face?"

"You... how dare you!"

"How dare I? Pfft—" He doubled over laughing. Straightening, he swung a wine bottle at Jiangyx Jiang.

She flinched as cold air brushed her cheek. A crash exploded behind her. Screams tore through the bar. Patrons fled, leaving emptiness under flickering lights. The music still roared.

"Say that again—see if I dare!" Smiling Man barked.

Classmates woke fully. All understood the danger but froze. Jiangyx Jiang's mind blanked. She stared numbly as he taunted:

"Oh dear, everyone left must be your friends?"

"Since this kid won't bow, you girls do it. Just apologize—we won't call it bullying. Or..." He smirked. "Hire him a top plastic surgeon."

They exchanged helpless glances. One stood obediently. Then another. Zhou Weihua gritted his teeth, but his drunken brain stalled. He unclenched his fists and rose slowly—then froze, staring at his side.

Smiling Man spotted the figure beside Zhou Weihua. Frowning, he raised a bottle and yelled:

"Hey, you brat! Get your ass up too!"

[Facing provocation, your choice is:]

[Option A: Stand and apologize obediently. Reward: One USA black gold card.]

[Option B: Argue back. Reward: 5 million deposit.]

[Option C: Stay silent. Reward: 1 random attribute point.]

............

"...Deaf, kid? I said get up!"

[System detected: Host completed task. Awarded 1 charm point.]

[Facing renewed provocation, your choice is:]

[Option A: Stand and fight. Reward: Superpower "Muay Thai Warning".]

[Option B: Apologize sincerely. Reward: One Land Rover Range Rover.]

[Option C: Refuse. Reward: 1 random attribute point.]

............

"What did you say!? Repeat it—I dare you!"

[System detected: Host completed task. Awarded 1 combat point.]

[Opponent enraged. Your choice is:]

[Option A: Fake apology, plan next move. Reward: Guaranteed postgraduate spot at Capital Forest University.]

[Option B: Flee with everyone. Reward: One SCI paper.]

[Option C: Repeat your words. Reward: 1 random attribute point.]

"...I said," Cheng Yu drawled from the booth sofa, leaning back with a mocking smirk, "who the hell are you to order me around?"

He locked eyes with Smiling Man, dripping disdain.