FIMA Ch140: Change

It was unclear if it was because of Gu Siyuan’s quirky maneuver or his deadpan declaration of having a low laugh threshold, but the entire banquet hall erupted in giggles, gradually building to louder laughter.

The counselor sighed in exasperation, “You young people really know how to have fun. Seeing that it’s the New Year, I won’t make trouble for you. Sit down…”

Gu Siyuan remained composed throughout.

Hearing this, he sat down directly and casually said to Xie Fengqing, “It’s resolved.”

“Oh…” Xie Fengqing’s gaze shifted from the bottle of coconut juice, now shared between them, to Gu Siyuan, responding absentmindedly.

He was clearly still in a state of shock, unable to comprehend what Gu Siyuan’s intentions were.

Gu Siyuan didn’t care about his lukewarm reaction. After sitting down, he picked up his phone and continued reading.

Xie Fengqing stared at him, “…”

Just… just like that.

Not a single word of boasting or pride.

He bit his lip, hesitated for a moment, then pretended to be indifferent, “Why did you do that just now?”

Gu Siyuan looked up from his phone, the slight glow highlighting his handsome, deep-set profile, and turned to Xie Fengqing, “Are you talking to me?”

Xie Fengqing raised his chin like a proud swan and asked, “Who else?”

Gu Siyuan nodded, “If you’re asking about just now, you were reluctant to stand up, weren’t you? We were both talking, so it didn’t matter if I stood up instead.”

It was just answering a counselor’s question in public.

Gu Siyuan didn’t really care about this. Nothing in this world could make him feel embarrassed, so he didn’t mind taking the initiative.

A small matter, quickly forgotten.

“……”

Seeing him appear so upright and indifferent, Xie Fengqing inexplicably felt a bit annoyed.

How could this guy always be so irritating?

Seeing that he was still puffing with anger like a pufferfish, Gu Siyuan decided to offer another piece of advice, “Alright, stop making a fuss. The matter is settled.”

Though his expression was cold, his voice was low and magnetic, with an undertone of unknown tenderness.

This guy… what’s going on?

Xie Fengqing’s heart skipped a beat, and a flush crept up the back of his ears.

However, his mouth remained stubborn, muttering, “So you can just drink the coconut juice I drank?”

Gu Siyuan glanced sideways at him.

Then he directly picked up the glass wine cup beside his bowl, gently clinking it in front of Xie Fengqing, and said in a calm voice, “Then I’ll let you drink the beer I drank. Courtesy demands reciprocity, no more fussing.”

“……” Xie Fengqing’s eyes widened.

In an instant, all the chaotic thoughts in his mind disappeared.

This shameless guy, is he getting more and more insane?

Or is he trying to take advantage of me?

At this moment, Gu Siyuan had already turned away, fully engrossed in his phone again.

Who knows if there’s a house of gold or a beauty in there?

Hmph…

Suddenly, Xie Fengqing’s eyes slowly moved from the beer cup to the bottle of coconut juice in front of Gu Siyuan.

The faint flush on the back of his ears slowly spread to his cheeks.

……

Although they came out for a meal, it was clear that eating was secondary, and having fun and drinking was the main point.

Many of their classmates, both boys and girls, were heavy drinkers. As soon as the counselor left, they mixed white liquor with beer and drank messily.

During this process, many people admired Gu Siyuan’s clever maneuver with the counselor earlier and brought their glasses or beer bottles to toast him.

Although Gu Siyuan wasn’t very interested in drinking, his tolerance was high. Since his classmates meant no harm in toasting him, he simply drank it all without hesitation.

His straightforwardness won a lot of praise from his classmates.

On the other hand, Xie Fengqing, sitting next to him, was a complete contrast.

Xie Fengqing had no tolerance for alcohol, blushing even after a small sip, so he only drank fruit juice or coconut juice.

After knowing him for a few years, everyone understood his nature and didn’t force him, so it remained quiet around him. Even his close friend Qiu Yu had gone off to chat with others.

However, this restaurant was in N City’s university town, close to several colleges.

On New Year’s Eve, their school wasn’t the only one dining here, nor was their class the only one. The neighboring banquet halls were filled with students from various colleges, and it was inevitable that some acquaintances would visit.

Due to the intercollegiate battles in the “Great Wilderness” online game over the past two years, Xie Fengqing was quite famous among several schools, so some people naturally came over to invite him for a drink.

“I don’t drink alcohol,” Xie Fengqing said coldly.

With just four words, he indifferent refused everyone.

But in this boozy atmosphere, among hot-blooded youths, emotions were easily amplified.

A boy from another school, after inviting several times and getting nothing but Xie Fengqing’s blunt refusals, shouted angrily, “Come on, we’re all the same age, can’t you give us some face since we met?”

Pushing open the banquet hall door and returning from the restroom, Gu Siyuan immediately saw several people gathered around Xie Fengqing. They were clearly drunk, faces red, reeking of alcohol, and slurring their words.

Though Xie Fengqing frowned in displeasure, he didn’t directly chase them away, only explaining coldly, “Sorry, I never drink alcohol.”

However, the yellow-haired youth in the lead seemed determined to cause trouble, “Never drink alcohol, huh? Drinking juice like a girl, looking like one and acting like one too, huh?”

Hearing this, Xie Fengqing’s face darkened, his gaze turning icy cold.

Realizing the tension, one of the people with the yellow-haired youth immediately tried to pull him back, “Forget it, if Xie doesn’t drink, let’s go back!”

“Don’t pull me, huh, we’re all men, drinking juice doesn’t count, what’s with the pretense?” The yellow-haired youth swaggered and bragged.

Narrowing his eyes, Gu Siyuan started walking towards the table.

Though he had a high tolerance for alcohol, he deeply disliked those who forced others to drink.

In his previous life, after becoming a boss, he even made a company rule forbidding supervisors from forcing subordinates to drink, especially not forcing female employees.

At this moment, a casual, teasing male voice sounded from behind, “Siyuan, we really are destined, even the class dinner is at the same restaurant?”

Without turning around, Gu Siyuan knew who it was.

Therefore, he didn’t plan to look back, ignoring the person and continuing to walk inside.

Qi Yue, seeing Gu Siyuan’s cold demeanor, immediately narrowed his eyes and smiled more broadly, chasing after him, “Siyuan, why are you ignoring me…”

He had just walked out of a noisy room and immediately saw a familiar, aloof figure at the door of the banquet hall diagonally opposite.

Even in such a lively and noisy setting, this person seemed to exude an air of aloofness, keeping others at a distance.

Especially remembering how this person had rejected him at N University a few days ago, Qi Yue’s interest was further piqued.

The more challenging something is, the more interested he becomes. This guy is just shameless.

“I came over with good intentions to toast you, but you’re the only one drinking juice. What, are you stepping on our faces? Is my face worth that little?” The yellow-haired guy, ignoring his friends’ attempts to stop him, continued to drunkenly rant at Xie Fengqing.

Xie Fengqing lifted his gaze and saw that bastard Qi Yue smiling cheerfully beside Gu Siyuan. He already had a fire in his heart that wouldn’t dissipate.

Hearing someone still talking nonsense in front of him, he coldly chuckled and said disdainfully, “Yes, your face is indeed worth nothing! Isn’t that already clear? Why are you still barking in front of me? Get lost! Do you think I’m here to hand out face to everyone who asks?”

His words were utterly impolite, and as soon as they left his mouth, the surroundings fell silent.

Gu Siyuan naturally heard it too and immediately raised his eyebrows.

Although the target of his mission was stubborn and quick to anger, his insults were quite satisfying.

As for the yellow-haired guy, needless to say, his emotions were on the verge of exploding.

With a flushed face, he pointed at Xie Fengqing and roared, “You pretty boy, really think you’re some kind of god when I call you one. Don’t be so ungrateful…”

Xie Fengqing’s expression didn’t change as he crossed his arms and sneered, “Ungrateful? With your looks, I really don’t dare to accept, it’s too shameful to even go out.”

“Pfft…”

Hearing this witty remark, the people around couldn’t help but laugh, even losing the mood to intervene.

“You… you…” The yellow-haired guy was so angry he couldn’t speak, clenching his fists and charging at Xie Fengqing.

Xie Fengqing’s expression changed slightly, and he took a few steps back.

Damn, I went too far with the insults…

The yellow-haired guy was tall and muscular, and Xie Fengqing couldn’t fight.

Just then, a long, strong leg appeared out of nowhere, blocking the yellow-haired guy’s path.

His steps were immediately tripped, and with the momentum, he fell face-first onto the table, knocking over several dishes with a crash.

His friends, half laughing, half helping, went to pick him up.

“Damn!” The yellow-haired guy struggled to stand up and immediately turned around angrily, “Who? Who did this?”

Gu Siyuan slowly retracted his leg, not saying a word, but his gaze was cold.

The yellow-haired guy immediately understood and glared, “Huh, another pretty boy, huh?”

Xie Fengqing glanced at Gu Siyuan, then at Qi Yue following behind him, and pursed his lips.

In the next moment, he took a step forward, pushed Qi Yue aside with all his strength, and hid behind Gu Siyuan with blatant justification.

Qi Yue staggered a few steps: “…”

Didn’t they already break up? Didn’t they agree to go their separate ways?

What is this?

The onlookers were also surprised.

Wasn’t Gu the scumbag who cheated? Why is he now playing the hero?

And what’s with God Xie? Why is he…

Gu Siyuan ignored their reactions, raising his eyebrows as he glanced at the guy behind him.

Not timid when insulting others, but now knows how to hide?

Xie Fengqing met his gaze, raised his long neck proudly, and snorted lightly, extremely arrogant.

What’s wrong with hiding behind him for a moment?

Gu Siyuan didn’t argue with him.

Turning around, he kicked a nearby wooden chair, sending it sliding forward to hit the yellow-haired guy’s knees. The sudden pain made him scream and fall back onto the chair.

Gu Siyuan walked to the table, picked up a large blue and white porcelain bowl, poured out the soup, and filled it halfway with white liquor.

Then, “bang,” he opened two bottles of beer against the table, filled the bowl, and pushed it towards the yellow-haired guy.

The whole action was smooth and stylish.

His brown boots stepped on the chair, his gaze cold, voice icy, “Hey, classmate, you love drinking, right? Today, if you don’t finish this bowl, don’t even think about leaving!”

“Damn!”

“This is lethal!”

“Mixing beer with white liquor!”

The people around started murmuring.

Even those used to heavy drinking felt a bit intimidated by this setup.

The yellow-haired guy, realizing the situation, changed his expression, “Screw you, drink it yourself if you want, I’m not drinking.”

“Not drinking?” Gu Siyuan grabbed him and pressed his face against the table, “How can you not drink? I specially came to toast you, can’t you give me some face?”

“Who the hell are you! That I should give you face!” The yellow-haired guy struggled, but the hand on his collar felt like iron, making him unable to move.

“Hmph!” Gu Siyuan’s expression was indifferent.

Seeing him being handled like this, Xie Fengqing no longer felt scared, stepping out proudly and sneering at the yellow-haired guy, “Yeah, who do you think you are, daring to act wild here and asking me to give you face?”

Gu Siyuan glanced at him.

Tsk, acting up again?

“Ahem…” Xie Fengqing awkwardly coughed and turned his face away.

The yellow-haired guy was Qi Yue’s classmate.

Qi Yue saw this and said slowly, “Hey, hey, Siyuan, that’s enough, give me some face and let him go.”

“Get lost, what face do you have.”

Gu Siyuan and Xie Fengqing said almost in unison.

Xie Fengqing no longer felt awkward or embarrassed.

“…” Qi Yue.

These two were doing this on purpose! Deliberately targeting him, huh!

Gu Siyuan held the yellow-haired guy with one hand, and the bowl in the other, pushing it to his mouth, coldly saying, “Today, you’re in luck. I’m personally feeding you a drink for the first time.”

The yellow-haired guy kept his mouth shut, shaking his head frantically.

The commotion was quite significant, and soon, both their class monitor and the yellow-haired guy’s class monitor were called over.

A group of people tried to pull Gu Siyuan away, but to their surprise, his strength was terrifying. Even with several people working together, they couldn’t pry him off.

In the end, they could only coax him gently, “Hey… hey… classmate, don’t be impulsive.”

“We’re all here to have fun, no need to make it like this, it’s enough now.”

“If he drinks that whole bowl, we’ll need to call an ambulance, stop this!”

“Let him go, if this continues, the counselor will be here any minute.”

Hearing this last sentence, Gu Siyuan slowly let go.

He glared coldly at the yellow-haired guy, “There won’t be a next time.”

The yellow-haired guy coughed and nodded repeatedly, not daring to say another word.

The onlookers were also scared by Gu Siyuan’s sudden outburst. He usually seemed quiet and meek, but who knew he could be so terrifying when angry?

And all for Xie Fengqing?

Were they really thinking about getting back together?

After this ordeal, Gu Siyuan lost interest in continuing to eat or drink. He got up and walked out of the banquet hall, planning to return to the school to wash up and sleep.

Whether it was the indoor heat or the initial bit of alcohol he drank, Gu Siyuan unzipped his down jacket as he walked outside.

As soon as he stepped out of the restaurant, the cold wind of the winter night hit him, giving his mind a peculiar, refreshing stimulation.

Xie Fengqing, his delicate, fair chin tucked in a high-neck sweater, stood in the shadow of the restaurant’s billboard, watching Gu Siyuan’s back with confusion and frustration.

Ever since Gu Siyuan cheated with Qi Yue, he had decided to separate their paths entirely.

But since then, Gu Siyuan had been acting strangely, even saving him multiple times today.

Clearly, it was Gu Siyuan who wronged him, doing such a disgraceful thing, but now, Xie Fengqing felt as if he owed him something.

Why should this guy make him so troubled?

After hesitating for a while, Xie Fengqing walked down the steps in front of the restaurant, sneakily following him.

There was no other reason; he just remembered that this guy seemed to have drunk quite a bit of everything while sitting next to him earlier. He was worried that if Gu Siyuan got too drunk, he might end up sleeping on the street.

This deep winter night could freeze someone to death, or worse, something bad might happen to him…

As he walked and hid, following Gu Siyuan down another street, he finally breathed a sigh of relief when Gu Siyuan was about to enter the north gate of N University. The knight’s mission for tonight was almost accomplished.

However, as he rounded the corner, he was startled.

In the corner, a tall, lean figure was standing and watching him intently.

Under the moonlight and streetlamps, those long legs leaning against the wall looked even longer than a lamppost.

After a moment of silence, Xie Fengqing had a sudden idea and forced a smile, “Hey, isn’t this Gu Siyuan? Why are you standing here? Not going into the school?”

Gu Siyuan lazily crossed his arms, “Because I wanted to ask Xie Fengqing, why have you been secretly following me?”

“…” Xie Fengqing.

Didn’t your teacher teach you that we Chinese people value subtlety when we speak?