Chapter 4: One Bottle Down?

Xia Xinyu wasn't unfamiliar with beer. In the past, when relatives teased her, she had taken a small sip. The taste wasn't bad, just... a bit strange.

Perhaps it had something to do with drinking beer in winter.

Isn't it said that beer tastes best in summer?

It looked refreshing too.

So without much thought, Xia Xinyu clinked glasses with the tall boy in front of her and took a big gulp.

Surprisingly bold.

Chen Yuan didn't expect this girl to have such a contrasting side. However, when she put down the beer, he noticed her face was already flushed.

So weak.

Was she the type who gets red-faced from drinking?

"Drunk already?" Chen Yuan asked, judging from her slightly tipsy expression.

"No, just a bit bitter," Xia Xinyu shook her head, quite soberly, "But it's quite refreshing."

True, who gets drunk from one sip of beer?

If that really happened in real life, it would mean the other person might be a highly skilled player, intentionally luring in young boys, who would then think she was cute and innocent, oh oh oh.

After the toast, Chen Yuan picked up a cotton-like, soft and pure white shrimp from the lobster shell, dipped it lightly in the sauce, and put it in his mouth.

The Q-elastic and smooth shrimp, wrapped in a slightly sweet and sour sauce, gave immense satisfaction with every bite, leaving a long-lasting aftertaste, completely free of any fishy smell, after all, it was a fresh lobster that had been frozen and packed just a second after it died.

So refreshing!

After Chen Yuan took a bite, Xia Xinyu also carefully put a piece of shrimp in her mouth and then closed her eyes in happiness.

Indeed, super delicious!

Thank goodness she had a taste before she died... otherwise, it would have been such a regret.

"To your health." Chen Yuan raised his beer.

"To your health." This time, Xia Xinyu was more natural, raising her beer and clinking it with his, as if she had completely opened up to this stranger.

"The shrimp roe is good too."

"Mm-hmm, very delicious."

All the worry on her face disappeared, as if she had shed all her burdens. Xia Xinyu was faithfully enjoying the food, showing great respect for the lobster that originally cost 288 yuan.

However, what made Chen Yuan feel a bit awkward was that even though her mood was quite good and her emotions were temporarily put aside, her plan to commit suicide the next day had not changed at all.

Let him think, what could happen to a student who commutes like him that would make her want to die without hesitation?

The only possibility he could think of was family.

And now, talking about family would only make her uncomfortable even during her last meal.

"Chen Yuan, do you often cook for yourself?" Xia Xinyu asked curiously.

"Yes, but only for dinner. Breakfast and lunch are provided at school, and they're cheap."

"You're really good at cooking, you can make everything clear."

"Is being clear good? You're just flattering me awkwardly."

Chen Yuan knew his level, and she should have tasted it; it was just average. And since she said "make everything clear," it meant her cooking skills were good, at least better than his.

He could tell from earlier that she was definitely the type who often cooks.

I wonder which baby will meet the reincarnated Xia Xinyu in eighteen years, what a lucky one.

"Hey, why don't you give me your key, and I'll cook dinner for you tomorrow. You can eat it when you get home from school... don't worry, I'll put the key under the carpet." Xia Xinyu suddenly thought of something and suggested.

Yes, I'll eat your dinner in 502 while you commit suicide in 501.

When the police come, they'll find my fingerprints all over, and ask me what my relationship is with you, and I'll say, "I don't know, she cooked for me and then killed herself."

Do you think that's a good idea?

"Tomorrow, no, I have a friend with severe constipation, we're going to eat at Wallace's tomorrow. How about the day after tomorrow?" Chen Yuan casually refused.

"Okay."

To his surprise, Xia Xinyu nodded and agreed without hesitation, smiling.

And the number of days changed from [1] to [2].

Extended!

"Not, not, wrong. I have something the day after tomorrow too. How about Friday night?" Chen Yuan changed his mind and asked.

"This..." Xia Xinyu hesitated for a moment but finally nodded, "Okay."

[3]

This girl is determined to cook me my last dinner.

Does this mean that if I don't eat this meal, Xia Xinyu won't die?

Just like how Yuma won't disappear unless she grants a wish.

So, Chen Yuan pushed his luck, "But Friday is club activity day, I have to play badminton after school. How about Saturday..."

[1]

Damn, this meal isn't that important, can't even wait four days?

"Friday, Friday, how about Friday?" Seeing Xia Xinyu's conflicted eyes, almost on the verge of tears, Chen Yuan could only agree to the original proposal.

Three days.

These three days are enough to understand her.

Although he might not be able to save her heart and help her get out of this shadow, perhaps he could trigger her procrastination and delay the suicide.

"Haven't you been to school for a few days? I haven't seen you around the apartment complex." To avoid seeming too deliberate, Chen Yuan added.

"Yes, I've been on leave for a few days." Xia Xinyu nodded and continued eating her rice in small bites.

"Then tomorrow, do you want to go to school together?" Chen Yuan asked casually, "I think No. 11 High School and No. 4 High School are on the same line."

"No, I'll take a few more days off." Xia Xinyu shook her head and politely refused with a smile.

"Alright, we can go together next time. I still have homework to do on the subway, and I can ask you for help."

The conversation couldn't progress, so the two of them simply ate and drank quietly.

Unlike her appearance, Xia Xinyu was small but had a good appetite. She and Chen Yuan finished yesterday's leftovers and the lobster.

"How much is left?" Chen Yuan shook his almost empty beer and asked Xia Xinyu, "Bottoms up?"

Holding the beer with both hands, she lowered her head and peered through the hole, her face flushed, and judged, "Can't tell by eye... estimating by weight, about 100 milliliters left after the bottle..."

"If you can't, it's fine."

Chen Yuan felt she was already a bit tipsy.

"Let's not waste it... bottoms up."

She clinked glasses with Chen Yuan and finished the last bit in one gulp.

Gulping.

This mouthful was a bit too much for her.

After forcing it down, she suddenly let out a light burp.

Her cheeks turned even redder, and Xia Xinyu, unable to face him, avoided his gaze, covering her mouth and whispered, "Sorry... I don't usually drink much."

At this level, you wouldn't even make it to the table in Shandong.

Of course, Chen Yuan wasn't from Shandong either.

His tolerance wasn't high, about six bottles of "Brave to the Horizon."

But looking at the girl in front of him, her eyes slightly wobbling, trying to stay sober by lightly slapping her cheeks, he felt very sad.

You can't save someone with a terminal illness, they won't listen to me.

You can't save Atai without a leash, he gets taken out too quickly.

You can't even save someone who wants to commit suicide, her determination to die is stronger than my determination to save her.

"Xia Xinyu."

"..."

Suddenly called by her name, Xia Xinyu didn't react, and for some reason, she answered.

"It's not military training, no need to stand up here."

"You, you called me?"

What for?

To avoid meeting a ghost lady in the hallway on a night when he wanted to buy beer.

Looking at the girl with blurry eyes but still trying to focus on him, Chen Yuan spoke clearly, "Actually, I've liked you for a long time. Can we date?"