Chapter 43

However, what disappointed Ding Hao was that there seemed to be no concept of the New Year in this magical space. The drop rate of equipment and copper coins remained the same as usual. In the end, Ding Hao took Little Huang to fight the third-stage creatures, the griffins. He had Little Huang take the lead, while Ding Hao, relying on his quick movements, continuously wore down the griffin. Perhaps it was out of pity for Ding Hao, or perhaps it was the challenge of fighting a higher-level monster, but the experience and money gained from killing the griffin were clearly increased.

When he had killed over 200 griffins, 100 gold coins actually dropped! Ding Hao amused himself, thinking this must be a red envelope. Alright, with the red envelope in hand, it was time to celebrate the New Year, even if he was alone! When he returned to his rental apartment, he found Gu Wen watching TV in the living room. Ding Hao looked at his watch; it was 3 PM, the time when everyone was celebrating the New Year. Why had this little girl come?

"Ding Hao? Where did you come from?" When she saw Ding Hao come out of the bedroom again, Gu Wen rubbed her eyes hard.

"This is my home, of course I have many ways to get in. But you, why are you here on New Year's Day instead of staying with your family?"

"I came to see you. Where's Xia Lin? Why isn't she with you?"

"Look at what you're saying. Today is New Year's Day, she's at her own home."

"Aren't you two a couple? How can she bear to let you spend the New Year alone?"

"What are you talking about? We just grew up together, so we're close."

"Really?" Gu Wen seemed to have discovered a new continent.

"What else could it be? Everyone is working hard to prepare for the college entrance exam, who has the time to think about those things?"

"You're lying. Others are really working hard, but I think you're quite relaxed."

"Let's not talk about that. Since you're here, can you help me make a few dishes?"

"Sure thing!" Gu Wen had left after lunch, first going to Ding Hao's home, but Ding Hao wasn't there. Then she came to the rental apartment and found Ding Hao's phone, but not him, assuming he was out with Xia Lin. She didn't expect him to be spending the New Year alone. If what he said about him and Xia Lin being just neighbors was true, then what Ma Zhen said was all false?

If that was the case, wouldn't she have a chance? But wait, Xia Lin never denied it, nor did she ever confirm it! Are they really a couple? No matter, since Ding Hao is alone now, she would stay with him to celebrate the New Year. If Ding Hao and Xia Lin weren't in a relationship, wouldn't she and Ding Hao become much closer?

Yes, that's decided. By the way, it's a rare two-person world, it can't be disturbed! Gu Wen quietly took out her phone and turned it off, then shouted to Ding Hao, "Ding Hao, my phone is out of battery, can I use yours to call my parents?"

"Sure, it's in the bedroom, you can take it." Ding Hao was washing vegetables in the kitchen and didn't know about Gu Wen's little trick.

Gu Wen was overjoyed, went to the bedroom, found Ding Hao's phone, and turned it off.

Since it was a seven-day holiday, Ding Hao was well-prepared. The kitchen and refrigerator were full of food. The two chatted while preparing the dishes. Halfway through, Gu Wen suddenly said, "We can't celebrate the New Year without wine. What kind of wine do you like, Ding Hao? I'll go buy some downstairs."

"Let's not drink."

"Why not drink? Are you a man or not?"

"Uh!" Ding Hao felt this was familiar, but since it was New Year's Day and he had prepared so many dishes, a little wine wouldn't hurt, so he didn't stop Gu Wen. Firecrackers were going off outside, and Ding Hao was busy in the kitchen. Because of Gu Wen's arrival, Ding Hao became much more excited. They worked until around 5 PM, finally setting a table full of dishes.

"Wow, I'm so hungry, I didn't know you were so good at cooking, usually you're so lazy?"

"I call it striving for self-improvement and self-reliance."

"Come, let's have a drink! Happy New Year!" Gu Wen raised her glass and clinked it with Ding Hao's. She had just gone downstairs and brought up a box of red wine. Clearly, she planned to stay at Ding Hao's for a while.

"Happy New Year!"

"..."

"Another one!"

"Gu Wen, can you handle it? Maybe we should stop."

"Stingy, it's not like you paid for the wine. Keep drinking, at worst, you'll take me home. You won't take advantage of me, right?"

"..." Ding Hao looked at Gu Wen, who was already flushed and breathing heavily after a few glasses. Honestly, she was quite cute!

"No, why don't you ask me a few questions to test me?"

"Miss, what's your surname?"

"My name is Cui, I'm eighteen, from Xingyang..."

"Cui Yingying? You..."

"How about that, not drunk, right? Here's to you and Xia Lin becoming a happy couple soon!"

"Stop talking nonsense, and you say you're not drunk!"

"I'm really not drunk, cheers!" With a gulp, Gu Wen finished another glass.

"Ding Hao, I have a few questions for you, answer honestly..."

"Ask away, today I'm in a good mood, I'll answer everything!"

"Good! Am I pretty?"

"Pretty! As pretty as a flower!" Ding Hao was also excited and didn't hold back with his compliments. Gu Wen was already a beauty at No. 2 High School, and being an athlete, her figure was even more outstanding than ordinary girls.

"Who's prettier, me or Xia Lin?"

"Hey, hey... Miss, you're off topic?"

"Answer honestly!"

"Both are very pretty!"

"Do you like Xia Lin?" Gu Wen seemed unsatisfied with Ding Hao's answer and finished another glass.

"Like... " Ding Hao knew he couldn't hide it from this little girl, hesitated for a moment, and whispered.

"Do you like me?"

"..." Truly drunk, who would ask such a continuous question? Ding Hao wanted to stop Gu Wen from drinking more, but he was afraid she would get angry. He still hadn't found a good opportunity to apologize for their previous misunderstandings.

"No cheating, answer honestly."

"Gu Wen, you're very pretty and smart. There are many people who like you..."

"Answering the wrong question!" Gu Wen burped and moved her chair closer to Ding Hao. "Handsome, your face is red, answer honestly!"

"Gu Wen, you're drunk!"

"I'm not drunk! You just said I'm as pretty as Xia Lin, why don't you like me!"

"Let me help you to the room to rest?"

"No, I want to keep drinking! And you haven't answered my question yet?"

"What question?" Ding Hao could only pretend to be clueless!

"Here, if you like me, drink this glass. If you hate me, pour it out!" Gu Wen started being unreasonable.

"..." Ding Hao frowned, what was this? I don't hate you, but you know I like Xia Lin...

"Drink!" Just as Ding Hao was hesitating, Gu Wen suddenly stood up, half-leaning on Ding Hao, and with one hand, she lifted the glass and poured the wine into his mouth. "Ha, you like me!"

"..." This was clearly cheating! But Ding Hao couldn't argue with Gu Wen.

"Ding Hao, do you know? I really like you! Really, really like you! But I heard from Ma Zhen that you and Xia Lin are dating... Do you know how much pain I've been in? But I know I can't break you two up, so I endured, it was really hard, do you know? And why are you so devoted to Xia Lin? Why don't you look at me?

Although my grades aren't as good as hers, I've been working hard. I train very hard, and Mr. Deng says I've improved a lot in my senior year. Although I find studying a bit difficult, I've never given up... I know you two are a perfect match. But... But I can't accept it! Do you know?"

"You're really drunk!"

"It's fine, I'm not afraid here. Even if I get drunk, it's fine. If you want me, you can have me..."

"..."

"Don't just stand there, I've confessed. Even if you can't like me, it's not too much to ask for one more drink, right?"

"Alright, this is the last one, really!"

"Cheers!" Gu Wen finished another glass and prepared to pour more, but Ding Hao quickly grabbed the bottle and put it aside.

"Give it to me, give it to me! You don't like me, and you won't let me like you. Why won't you even let me drink my fill?"

Gu Wen almost leaned entirely on Ding Hao but still struggled to find the bottle. She then did something that left Ding Hao speechless—she pulled out the cork and started drinking directly from the bottle.

"Gu Wen!"

"You don't have to worry about me, I'm happy today! Being able to celebrate the New Year with you makes me really happy! Although Xia Lin is your girlfriend, she's so heartless, letting you be alone here. It's better she didn't come, I'm here with you... You'll never be alone! Never!"

"Gu Wen..." Gu Wen's words touched Ding Hao. Yes, he liked Xia Lin, but what about Xia Lin? What was she thinking? Why didn't she even call to wish him a happy New Year? Was he so unimportant to her? Seeing Gu Wen, Ding Hao thought of Chen Fang. One of the reasons he chose not to go home for the New Year was to avoid Chen Fang.

But Gu Wen was different from Chen Fang. Chen Fang might not necessarily like him, but rather had a sexual need. As a man, he wouldn't lose out. But Ding Hao didn't like sex without love, at least not without some emotional foundation. Of course, there were exceptions when he was drugged. Gu Wen was actually a very cute girl, and today's confession was probably the result of much internal struggle.

Gu Wen's provocative words also made Ding Hao very sad. In this vast world, no one truly cared about him! Although he tried hard to hold back his tears, only he knew how bitter he felt. He unconsciously followed Gu Wen and had a few more drinks. After a few more glasses, Ding Hao was also almost drunk. Under Gu Wen's constant emotional appeals, it was impossible to stay sober!

"Ding Hao!"

"Here, do you want to rest?"

"I like you!" The next second, a wet lip suddenly covered Ding Hao's mouth.