Ch. 24 - The Surprisingly Delicious Sweet Wine
My Fake Girlfriend is Going All Out to Defend Against Their AttacksThis chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
This chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
The moment I saw the seductive look in Tang Xin's eyes, I shuddered. Like I'd been electrocuted, I quickly withdrew my hand and avoided her gaze.
This woman hadn't listened to a single word Chen Yu had said.
Ever since we entered the restaurant, her attention had been fixed entirely on me.
If Chen Yu said the wine barely tasted like alcohol, then drinking a little should be fine... right?
"Uh... alright then."
I could only respond with an awkward but polite smile.
Looking toward Chen Yu, I noticed him subtly glance at Tang Xin, who was still staring at me. His expression changed ever so slightly before returning to normal. For a brief instant, the friendly smile he'd worn all day seemed tinged with disappointment.
Was that just my imagination?
"Um... Bai Qiao, do you not drink very often?"
Noticing me looking at him, Chen Yu seemed slightly uncomfortable. The question sounded like a topic he had pulled out on the spot. I nodded and came up with an excuse.
"Yeah, not really. Compared to alcohol, I prefer sweeter drinks."
Whenever classmates got together, I usually avoided drinking. It wasn't that I had anything against alcohol, the real issue was Bai Lu. My sister had absolutely zero tolerance when it came to drinking.
People couldn't properly control themselves after getting drunk. They could trip, fall, and get hurt. That was probably why she hated alcohol so much.
Every time our father came home drunk, babbling nonsense like an idiot, Bai Lu would coldly whisper in my ear:
"Brother, you're not allowed to become like that."
"You're both second-year high school students, right? You're almost adults."
Chen Yu smiled calmly.
"A little wine won't hurt. Besides, this restaurant's homemade wine tastes more like a sweet beverage than alcohol."
"Oh?"
Tang Xin immediately perked up, as if she'd discovered something fascinating.
"So Ah Qiao doesn't usually drink?"
The excitement in her voice instantly put me on guard. Had she come up with a new way to torment me?
"Y-Yeah..."
I subtly leaned away from her.
"You aren't planning anything, are you?"
"What bad ideas could I possibly have?"
Tang Xin's smile grew even more mischievous. The corners of her mouth practically curved into a giant U-shape. This black-hearted woman was definitely plotting something.
"How about you, Tang Xin? You drink, don't you?"
Chen Yu turned toward her.
"We met at a wine banquet two months ago."
Tang Xin finally stopped smiling at me and straightened her posture, instantly returning to her elegant young-lady demeanor.
"Brother Chen Yu, don't tell me you've forgotten already?"
"Haha..."
Chen Yu looked embarrassed.
"I almost did."
It was one of the few times all day I'd seen him caught off guard. His question felt strangely similar to the attempts made by Tang Xin's previous suitors whenever they tried to force themselves into conversations between us. Still, I was probably overthinking things.
After all, when Tang Xin had been wiping sweat from my forehead earlier, Chen Yu hadn't shown the slightest sign of displeasure.
At that moment, the waitress arrived carrying the dishes. One by one, she arranged them neatly on the table.
"Please enjoy your meal."
The dishes were beautifully presented. Their aromas alone were enough to stimulate my appetite. Along with the food came a bottle of wine, quietly placed beside the dishes.
Chen Yu picked up three wine glasses and placed one in front of each of us. Then he uncorked the bottle and poured less than half a glass for everyone. Raising his glass, he smiled.
"The fact that the three of us are sharing a meal today is a kind of fate, isn't it?"
Tang Xin and I picked up our glasses and nodded. I had mentally prepared myself to drink the wine the same way one swallows medicine. But the moment it touched my tongue, I froze. A gentle sweetness spread across my palate. The refreshing taste carried faint fruity notes. It was nothing like the alcohol I had imagined. For the first time in my life, I realized wine could actually taste this good.
"See? I wasn't lying, was I, Bai Qiao?"
Chen Yu smiled.
"Yeah."
I savored the lingering flavor.
"It's really good."
Alcohol... Unexpectedly, it was quite delicious.
Chen Yu then turned toward Tang Xin, clearly hoping to hear her opinion as well. After taking a sip, Tang Xin remained silent. She didn't praise it. Nor did she show any particular appreciation for the wine. Instead, she simply looked at Chen Yu thoughtfully.
"Mm. It's alright."
It was rare to see Tang Xin wearing such a serious expression.
"I'm glad it didn't disappoint either of you."
Chen Yu visibly relaxed.
"We've been walking around all morning. You must both be hungry."
He gestured toward the dishes.
"Let's eat."
The food completely justified the terrifying prices on the menu. Every ingredient had been pushed to the absolute limits of its potential. Each bite delivered perfect texture and layered flavors. The aroma lingered beautifully.
The dishes were so good that I almost wanted to storm into the kitchen and ask where they'd found the wizard masquerading as a chef.
"It's been a long time since I've met someone who genuinely loves games the way you do."
After eating a few bites, Chen Yu set down his chopsticks. He picked up the wine bottle and refilled my glass.
I paused as I watched him pour.
Then I nodded.
"It's not easy finding someone with the same interests."
Plenty of my classmates liked games, but most were obsessed with online games or big-budget Western AAA titles. Very few cared about the same things I did. So I completely understood what Chen Yu meant.
"Come."
Chen Yu raised his glass with his usual cheerful smile.
"Let's have another drink."
He then glanced toward Tang Xin and nodded apologetically, making it clear he wasn't intentionally excluding her. Tang Xin smiled. She didn't seem to mind at all.
"Sure."
I picked up my glass and copied his example, draining it in one go. The moment I finished, my head began to feel strangely light. Wait. Could a wine that barely tasted like alcohol still get someone drunk?
I shook my head.
Maybe it was just because I hadn't slept well last night. Now that I'd eaten my fill, drowsiness was naturally setting in.
"There's still plenty left."
Chen Yu gently shook the bottle and refilled my empty glass once more. I watched the wine flow into the glass and hesitated. Still...The wine really did taste good.
If I treated it like juice, drinking a little more probably wouldn't hurt. Right?
Beside me, Tang Xin remained silent. She sat elegantly in her chair, quietly watching Chen Yu as he poured another glass.