It was already past eight when evening classes ended.
Lin Nan temporarily parted ways with his dormmates who were heading back together, and meandered over to the university's main sports field.
Because of the faculty housing, the field wasn't just filled with exercising college students, but also children running around and playing.
As soon as Lin Nan entered the field, his gaze immediately swept over the children. Looking around, he found that most kids here had parents watching them and were mostly over five or six years old. If he were a girl, it would've been fine—he could've just said "Oh, your child is so cute!" and given them a hug and kiss, and the parents probably wouldn't mind. But he was a man.
If he actually did that, he'd likely be treated as a criminal suspect.
Even if the parents didn't object, such behavior was indeed quite strange for a male.
Being his first time here, Lin Nan hadn't quite made up his mind, and his dormmates were hurrying to have dinner at the student street behind the school. After an internal struggle, he could only let out a long sigh and turn back toward the dorm.
By the time he reached the dorm, his roommates were already prepared to go.
Chen Yao and Xiong Da went empty-handed, while Tu Junhui carried two bottles of what looked like high-end alcohol—one was the previously mentioned rum, the other was the milk beer he'd brought back from his summer grassland trip.
"Bear, drink less today. If we all get drunk, you'll still need to help us climb the wall," Tu Junhui said, swaying the bottles as he reached the entrance. Running into Lin Nan who was just returning, he immediately hooked an arm around him. "Lin Nan, you absolutely must try these two bottles today! They're fucking amazing!"
Xiong Da rolled his eyes. He was allergic to alcohol—drinking made his whole body turn red, so he usually stuck to soft drinks during gatherings.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah..." Lin Nan responded perfunctorily.
Though not against drinking, Lin Nan felt it was better not to drink unnecessarily. After all, like smoking, it was harmful to both spirit and body.
But...
On the way to the student street behind campus, Lin Nan suddenly had another strange thought.
If he drank a bit and pretended to be drunk and rowdy, then kissed someone quick as lightning... No, no, he'd be seen as gay.
"Why are you shaking your head?" Chen Yao beside him gave Lin Nan a strange look. This guy had been conflicted since leaving, sometimes furrowing his brows, sometimes breaking into joy, his expressions changing as quickly as June weather.
The four dormmates all got along well, but there were still varying degrees of closeness. Lin Nan and Chen Yao were middle school classmates, so they naturally had a better relationship, usually walking side by side.
Lin Nan froze, not having realized his thoughts were showing so clearly on his face.
Must be Lilith's fault again!
He cursed inwardly, not knowing how to explain his inexplicably numerous little movements and expressions, so he simply lowered his head to play with his phone, keeping quiet.
The student street was located right by the school's back gate, lined with various restaurants, food carts, and small hotels tucked away in corners. Lin Nan rarely came here, since the bus stop was at the front gate, and if he wanted the food here, he could just have it delivered to the dorm.
By his count, he'd only come three times: once for a class gathering, once for Tu Junhui's birthday, and now this dorm dinner.
They entered a famous Sichuan restaurant here, found a private room, and Lin Nan sat idly in the innermost seat.
His mind was full of thoughts about unlocking the magic, since with the current class schedule, he couldn't think of any part-time jobs that only required weekend work. He could only focus on the gaming competition.
But the condition for unlocking the magic really pushed his bottom line.
"Hey, Nan Nan, a girl from the next class asked me for your WeChat today," Tu Junhui suddenly looked up and teased, "That girl must have fallen for you."
At these words, Chen Yao and Xiong Da's gazes immediately focused on Lin Nan.
Lin Nan appeared dismissive: "She just wants my body. How can women be as fun as games?"
"Check if anyone's added you on WeChat." Chen Yao leaned forward to peek at his phone screen. "Someone really did add you?"
Xiong Da also looked surprised: "Junhui wasn't actually talking nonsense?"
"Come on, I'm not that kind of person!"
Though excited inside, Lin Nan maintained a casual appearance as he clicked to add the friend, then set it aside and declared righteously: "Don't worry, I definitely won't be the first to betray the organization!"
At the end of the day, it was because he was poor. If he got a girlfriend, he'd probably be eating ham sausages and instant noodles every day.
Of course, if that girl happened to be rich enough to save him half a lifetime of effort, he wouldn't mind...
The restaurant's service was quick, and Sichuan dishes like yu xiang rou si and water-boiled fish soon filled the table. Though Sichuan cuisine, the main flavor was more aromatic spicy than pure heat, not uncomfortable even for Lin Nan who preferred sweet and sour tastes. The flavors had probably been modified to suit local tastes. TN: Yu xiang rou si is shredded pork with garlic sauce.)
With the dishes served, they also got a two-liter bottle of cola and a large bottle of coconut juice, while Tu Junhui took charge of the alcohol.
"Nan Nan, want a glass of rum?"
He poured himself a glass, then started persuading others. Lin Nan, curious about rum's taste, agreed without hesitation. Xiong Da didn't want to drink, and Chen Yao could handle his alcohol well, so he took a glass too.
Lin Nan carefully sipped the alcohol, feeling the harsh alcoholic burn in his throat. One sip made his face scrunch up. The liquor was somewhat like the baijiu he'd had at his grandfather's house, but not quite as hard to swallow. (TN: Baijiu is a popular colourless liquor.)
After getting past the first sip, eating a piece of fish, then continuing to drink, it became more acceptable.
The four started discussing the upcoming gaming competition. The competition could be considered a school-wide event—reportedly almost every three male dorm rooms had fielded a five-person team, with others who weren't participating serving as practice partners. Lin Nan's dorm had all four members participating. Though Tu Junhui and Xiong Da's skill levels weren't high, they were still Platinum rank, making them decent players by school standards.
"I say, I'll pick Gangplank for top lane and play safe. Bear can jungle and help mid and bot more, leaving me alone. That way even if I fall behind, at least you two can step up. As for Nan Nan... with your current level, just try not to die?"
Tu Junhui discussed their competition strategy while eating and drinking.
"What do you mean 'my current level'?" Lin Nan was unhappy hearing this. If not for his recent condition, even as a support he could destroy Tu Junhui, right?
"Last time at the internet café, my Fiddlesticks ulted, and someone's Bard gave the enemy team a full team stasis," Xiong Da mocked expressionlessly.
"I hit six people!" Lin Nan felt no shame about it. "If I'd played Sona that game, we definitely would have won!"
Chen Yao had grown used to Lin Nan's various bottom-tier gaming operations these past few days, so he just played with his phone without joining the discussion.
Several rounds of drinks later, Lin Nan had only had two paper cups of rum, but was already feeling dizzy.
He paused, seeing Tu Junhui about to pour him more, and quickly meant to stop him—but suddenly remembered his earlier thought.
Pretend to be drunk, take the chance to unlock the magic!