Chapter 27

At six o'clock in the evening, Dong's Private Kitchen was bustling with business. Wang Bai, having not made a reservation in advance and with only a small group, failed to secure a private room and had to settle for a table in the main hall.

The students didn't mind the lack of a private room. After reserving a spot, he waited at the door. Liu Yan and Jin Xiaoli arrived first, and he led them inside, then told them he had also invited Yu Jia and Lu Lu, before going out to wait again.

When Jin Xiaoli heard that Lu Lu was coming, she immediately became a bit unhappy and whispered to her friend, "This guy is too bad. He clearly invited you, yet he also invited Lu Lu. Don't worry, I'll help you get back at him, and I'll make him drink until he's dead."

Liu Yan's eyes twitched. "What's wrong with inviting a few more people? You're making a big fuss over nothing. I don't have anything special with him, and this meal isn't specifically for me. It's a celebration, and it's better to have more people for a lively atmosphere."

"Who made him so indecisive? One moment it's Lu Lu, the next it's Huang Wen, and then it's Lu Lu again. And he even came to bother you. I'm just standing up for you."

"Stop it, he didn't bother me," Liu Yan said, tidying up the napkin. "You just love to stir up trouble and gossip."

"He didn't bother you?" Jin Xiaoli said a bit louder. "You said he's been calling you every night recently, and you often chat online, right?"

"That's an exaggeration," Liu Yan shot her a glance. "He only called a few times, and it was all about rehearsals. You always twist what I tell you. If you keep this up, I won't tell you these things anymore."

Jin Xiaoli chuckled and leaned in. "I'm just concerned for you. You need to step up your game. I think Wang Bai and Lu Lu definitely have something going on. Don't let her win... They're here."

As she spoke, she quickly straightened up and put on a dignified smile, looking warmly at Wang Bai and the others as they walked in. When they reached the table, she greeted Yu Jia and the others enthusiastically, as if they were long-lost sisters. The warmth of her greeting made Liu Yan feel a chill: no wonder she was going to work in media; her surface act was impeccable.

At the small round table for six, there was an empty seat between Liu Yan and Lu Lu, while Wang Bai sat between Jin Xiaoli and Yu Jia, facing the empty seat.

Today, Wang Bai was treating, so he was in charge of ordering the dishes. The four girls chatted among themselves and didn't compete with him. After asking what they didn't like, he ordered some signature dishes and two bottles of drinks.

Just as he was about to place the order, Jin Xiaoli suddenly said, "Wait, since it's a celebration, how can we not drink a little? Wang Bai, we'll have drinks, but you should have some alcohol, right?"

Wang Bai smiled and shook his head. "I can't hold my liquor, so let's all have drinks."

"Some people say a man can't say no," Jin Xiaoli said teasingly. Liu Yan made a sound of surprise, her face turning red as she looked down.

"Alright then," Wang Bai said with a wry smile to the waiter, "bring a bottle of beer, the one you mentioned that's free."

"One bottle isn't enough, at least two," Jin Xiaoli said, holding up two fingers. "The waitress said two bottles are free."

The waitress, seeing her insist, also smiled and nodded. "Yes, there are two free bottles. Sir, is that okay?"

"Sure," Wang Bai said, wiping his nose. "I can't say no."

After placing the order, he turned to Jin Xiaoli. "President Jin, I'm risking my life to keep you company. If I get drunk, you have to take me home."

"Don't come to me, I'm a woman, not a gentleman," Jin Xiaoli said smugly. "Besides, if you really get drunk, it won't be my turn to take you home."

She glanced meaningfully at Lu Lu, trying to gauge her reaction. Unfortunately, Lu Lu's expression remained unchanged, staring blankly at her empty glass as if the conversation at the table had nothing to do with her.

Yu Jia picked up the conversation. "Jin Xiaoli, you seem to be hinting that someone has a close relationship with Wang Bai. Who are you talking about? It's not me, is it?"

"I didn't mean that," Jin Xiaoli said seriously. "I meant that if he gets drunk, he can call his parents to pick him up."

The two exchanged a smile, and Wang Bai felt a spark in the air. Not understanding the situation, he tried to smooth things over. "Alright, alright, it's just a joke. Two bottles won't get me drunk."

After a while, the dishes started arriving, and the drinks and beer were placed on the table. Liu Yan poured drinks for everyone, while Jin Xiaoli grabbed the beer bottle and carefully poured for Wang Bai, not spilling a single drop.

Then she raised her glass. "Here, let's have the first toast. Thanks to Wang Bai for treating us today." The girls all raised their glasses to thank Wang Bai and drank their drinks. Wang Bai licked his lips, sipped a bit, and then gulped it down.

Just as he put down his glass to start eating, Jin Xiaoli slowly began pouring him another drink. He smiled and popped a peanut into his mouth, then turned to Yu Jia. "Secretary Yu, I heard there's a volunteer service team at our school?"

Yu Jia, the class's Youth League branch secretary, was familiar with Youth League affairs. Hearing his question, she nodded. "Yes, I'm part of the volunteer service team."

"Oh, really?" Wang Bai asked with interest. "What are the criteria for joining? Can an ordinary student like me join?"

He knew that some school groups had entry requirements, like study groups and research clubs.

Yu Jia looked at him curiously. "You want to join the volunteers? Why would you want to do such a thankless job? I only joined because the teacher forced me to."

She then explained the situation of the team. The school's volunteer service team had a long history, dating back to the school's founding. In the past, it was a massive movement, almost a universal volunteer effort, even participating in the excavation of the Jinlin River Canal. However, over the years, as the teachers put it, each generation of students was worse than the last, and their spirit of dedication diminished. Consequently, the volunteer service team shrank in size.

Being volunteers, the teachers couldn't force students to join, but when there was a real need, the school made it a rule that the class Youth League branch secretary automatically became a member of the volunteer service team, though they didn't have to participate in activities in their final year of high school.

As for entry requirements, there were none. If you wanted to join, the teachers would be happy to have you.

Wang Bai thought: No wonder I've never heard of such an organization since I started school. It must have lost its influence among students because it couldn't develop.

He asked, "Why don't the teachers of the service team promote it and encourage more participation?"

"They don't get support from the school," Yu Jia said. "It's just a face-saving project. Having such a team is enough to meet the district's inspection requirements. The school wants students to focus on their studies, so they won't make a big deal out of volunteer service, as there's no real benefit."

She was telling the truth. Even if the teachers wanted to expand the team, they needed the school's approval. If it affected students' grades and caused parents to complain, the teachers couldn't take the responsibility.

After understanding the situation, Wang Bai had an idea. "Who is the advisor for the service team?"

"It's our homeroom teacher," Yu Jia said casually. "Teacher Xu, she's new. The previous teacher went on maternity leave."

At this point, Jin Xiaoli raised her glass. "Come, come, let's stop talking. Wang Bai, I'll toast you. I wish your performance passes the preliminary selection and makes it to the cultural festival gala. Cheers."

Wang Bai had no choice but to turn and drink the second glass of beer. Lu Lu watched him secretly, feeling a bit relieved when she saw his expression remained normal. She then noticed Liu Yan staring at her, as if she had caught her looking at Wang Bai.

Liu Yan smiled and raised her glass to her, and she also raised her glass and took a small sip.

Then, Jin Xiaoli poured Wang Bai a third glass of beer and nudged Liu Yan. "Yan, you should also toast him." Liu Yan readily agreed. "Sure, Wang Bai, I'll toast you. I wish you... enjoy your meal and drinks, and everything goes well. Cheers!"

Wang Bai looked at the full glass of beer, clicked his tongue, and said, "Alright, I'll toast you too. Thanks for your help this time. You've been a great support. I'll drink first."

Just as he was about to drink, Jin Xiaoli stopped him. "She toasts you, and you toast her, but you have to drink two glasses. If not, don't toast at all. I'm warning you, drink up."

Wang Bai was at a loss, wondering what he had done to deserve this treatment today. But despite his poor tolerance, he drank quickly. "Two glasses, then two glasses!" He drank the third glass and then poured another, clinking glasses with Liu Yan and drinking it down.

Just as he sat down, without even touching the food, Jin Xiaoli spoke again. "Wang Bai, I helped with the performance too. Why didn't you toast me just now? Are you saying Yan is more helpful than me? You're treating us differently."

Wang Bai wanted to slap himself for getting into this mess. Even Yu Jia joined in, "Yes, Wang Bai, you did wrong. Make it up to her."

Wang Bai had no choice but to pour himself another drink and apologize to Jin Xiaoli, toasting her. But Jin Xiaoli turned up her nose. "Just toasting me isn't enough. I'm still upset."

Lu Lu finally couldn't hold back. "What do you want then?"

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