Chapter 19: Drinking and Broken Hearts

“Young Master Lu, heading home alone again?”

“What else?”

“It’s the same every day.”

I couldn’t exactly tell Zheng how I get home.

I always say I wait till everyone’s gone, then take a bus alone.

“Come with me instead.”

“Let’s hit a street stall for barbecue.”

“Lü’s heartbroken, so we’ll cheer him up.”

“It’s the weekend tomorrow, no worry about unfinished homework.”

“Lü? Who’s that?”

“Lü Yunhao.”

“No way, Young Master Lu.”

“He’s talked to you before, and you forgot him?”

“You haven’t memorized all the guys in our class, have you?”

He’s right.

I’ve collected everyone’s English homework.

But I never fully memorized their names.

I can’t match names to faces.

After a semester, I’d probably know them whether I wanted to or not.

But it’s only been three weeks.

With my shy, socially anxious personality, it’s no surprise I don’t know everyone… right?

Lü Yunhao…

I racked my brain.

He’s one of those slackers who didn’t turn in homework last time.

Part of why Sister Yuan bit me was his fault.

“He’s heartbroken.”

“He invited me to drink and cheer him up, and to bring you.”

“He’s a decent guy.”

“He remembers you covering for him with homework.”

“He wants to be friends.”

“It’s his treat, so why not?”

Sister Yuan never lets me eat at street stalls.

Her cooking’s amazing, and she can make almost anything.

So I’m not usually into barbecue stalls.

But drinking and eating skewers with friends, consoling a heartbroken classmate?

That’s got such a youthful vibe.

As a total shut-in, I’m weirdly drawn to this teen-movie moment I’ve never experienced.

“Alright, you go ahead.”

“I’ll pack up.”

“Hurry up, I’ll wait at the gate.”

Zheng grabbed his bag and dashed out of the classroom.

I checked the blackboard assignments and stuffed the right books into my bag.

“Won’t Teacher Mo get mad?”

Only An Xue Ruo and I were left in the classroom.

She glanced over and asked.

“It’s probably fine.”

“Wait, how do you know about me and Sister Yuan?”

“She told me.”

“I don’t know why you’re hiding it from your best buddy.”

“But don’t worry, I won’t spill.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“I’m heading out.”

“See you.”

I slung my bag over my shoulder.

I typed a text to Sister Yuan while running to the school gate.

Zheng led me to a quiet street.

Dusk was settling, and most shops were closed.

The barbecue stall had few customers.

Just some middle-aged guys drinking and chatting.

And a boy in our school uniform, drinking alone glumly.

“Zheng, Lu You, you’re here.”

“Sit.”

“Boss! Ten more lamb skewers, ten beef.”

Zheng and I sat across from Lü Yunhao.

He was a sturdy, athletic guy with a buzz cut.

He was already a bit drunk.

His flushed cheeks carried a dejected look.

He gripped a half-empty beer bottle.

“Hey, Lü Yunhao, you okay?”

“You drunk?”

“I’m not drunk.”

“I’m fine.”

“Call me Lü Yunhao.”

“Come on, eat some skewers.”

I glanced awkwardly at Zheng.

He took a swig from a bottle, still wearing his goofy grin.

“What happened, Lü?”

“Confession got rejected?”

“Another nice-guy card?”

I don’t know how to comfort someone heartbroken.

But Zheng’s carefree attitude and goofy grin seem to lift people’s spirits.

They pull them out of their funk.

“We went to the same middle school.”

“I’ve liked her for almost a year.”

“I didn’t plan to confess before graduation, thinking there was no chance.”

“But we ended up at the same high school, in the same class.”

“I was thrilled when I found out.”

“I kept looking for the right moment to confess.”

“Same class?”

“Who is it?”

“Did she give you the card?”

I lightly punched Zheng.

Why’s this jerk so obsessed with nice-guy cards?

“Su Ye Mi, our class president.”

“The girl who sits in front of you.”

“Her?”

“She’s really pretty and nice.”

“How’d she reject you?”

I cut in when Lü mentioned the class president.

“Just like that.”

“‘You’re a good guy, thanks for liking me, but I’m not ready to date.’”

“She’s such a kind girl.”

“Even her rejection was polite.”

Lü took another big gulp from his bottle.

His sadness deepened.

“By the way, aren’t we all underage?”

“Is drinking okay?”

“Don’t worry, Young Master Lu.”

“This beer’s low-alcohol.”

“Give it a try.”

“Nah, I’ll pass.”

“I don’t really drink.”

I’ve never had alcohol.

Underage drinking doesn’t sit right with me.

I waved it off.

The stall’s food was decent.

The skewers were juicy and flavorful.

But why’s beer the only drink?

I just want water!

“It’s fine, Lü.”

“Plenty of fish in the sea.”

“You’re a catch.”

“Someone’ll like you.”

“But… but…”

“I really like her.”

“I liked her for a whole year.”

“Do you know what it’s like to love someone for a year and get no response?”

“Oh, right, you’ve never been heartbroken.”

“You wouldn’t get it.”

“Should I confess to An Xue Ruo, get rejected, and feel your pain?”

“Nah, saying that means you don’t really like her.”

“You just think she’s pretty and have a crush.”

“If you really want to cheer me up, do something bolder.”

I got curious about his “bolder” idea.

“Bolder? Like what?”

“Call Teacher Mo right now and confess.”

“Oh, wait, she never gave out her number.”

Lü set down his bottle, his drunken eyes on me.

“As the English class rep, you must have her number, right?”

“Give it a shot.”

“No way, I can’t.”

“I’m too scared.”

“I’d rather try drinking for a thrill.”

I’m not afraid of Sister Yuan scolding me.

She’d probably agree.

But I don’t even know if I feel that way about her.

Confessing without knowing is irresponsible to both of us.

Plus, these two are right here.

If I called and confessed, and she said yes…

I don’t know if Lü can keep his mouth shut.

But Zheng, with his big mouth?

No way I can trust him to stay quiet.

Even if he doesn’t blab, he’d tease me endlessly.

“I wouldn’t dare either.”

“Confessing to Teacher Mo takes guts.”

“So try drinking, Young Master Lu.”

“There’s no other drinks here.”

“You must be thirsty.”

“One small glass, that’s fine, right?”

“Why do I feel like I’ve made bad friends?”

“Zheng, you’re pushing an underage kid to drink.”

“It’s just a little.”

“Test your limit.”

“You’re not getting drunk off one glass.”

“It’s not vodka.”

I shot Zheng a disdainful look.

His sneaky grin screamed trouble.

But curiosity about new experiences got the better of me.

I took the half-glass of beer from him.

I sniffed it.

Ugh, it’s strong.

Kind of pungent.

I took a small sip.

It wasn’t undrinkable.

I tilted my head back and downed the rest.

A strange sensation hit my brain.

My thoughts got fuzzy.

I could still think and see clearly.

But the dizziness didn’t fade.

It kept messing with my nerves.

“Young Master Lu, you okay?”

“Feeling bad? Want us to take you home?”

I shook my head and slapped my cheeks.

“I’m fine, just a bit off.”

“I’m heading back.”

“You sure you’re okay, Lu You?”

“We can walk you.”

“No, keep eating.”

“I’m just dizzy.”

“I can get home.”

“Alright, be careful.”

I slung on my backpack and walked to the nearby bus stop.

I hadn’t checked my phone since texting Sister Yuan.

If she saw me like this, she’d break my legs.

Better wait till my head clears.

With that thought, I gave in to the dizzy exhaustion.

I sat on the bus stop bench and passed out.

Right before my eyes closed, a blurry figure seemed to rush toward me.

*TL Note: The barbecue stall scene reflects a common Chinese youth culture setting, where students gather at roadside vendors for casual food and drinks, often bonding over shared experiences like heartbreak or school events, as seen in Lü Yunhao’s invitation to Lu You and Zheng Chen.