This chapter is dedicated to jilna_alphanskgeo for being a silent reader who suddenly commented in last month of May. Thank you so much for suddenly commenting~! I hope to see more of your comments soon! :D

***

Inside the club, the dark demesne had an entertaining aura to it. The music was booming—in full blast, its bass heard all throughout the room.

The electro music that was remixed for the club was enough to make even those who aren't dancing bob their heads along with the music.

The colorful neon lights gave people guidance along the way. Patrons made their way through the dancing crowd carefully, making sure not to touch any person to avoid conflicts and accusations of sexual assaulst.

Most of the people's eyes observed their surroundings, looking for an empty spot to settle down. There was laughter of the crowd heard, people dancing against each other's bodies were seen, friends clanking their shots together were evident...

This place was indeed an epitome of entertainment and socialization—a place of escape in order to distress oneself from a stressing environment.

Inside the room, however, were two people who didn't like to mix themselves in the crowd. Pan An, the owner of the club, and Wang Lei, were the only ones present in the room, two bouncers watching outside as their boss enjoyed drinking one on one with his friend.

Wang Lei started lighting up a cigarette. He had this habit of lighting up one once the alcohol gets to him. Once he starts, he would smoke until a maximum of five sticks, Pan An, stopping him at most times.

Pan An was pouring himself another shot. The alcohol was not getting to him, making him drink it in one down as it hit his throat, heating his body up.

"Why are you holding yourself back?

" Wang Lei asked, taking a hit of his cigarette.

"Is it because you're driving? You could make your bouncer or your secretary come pick you up.

"

"No,

" Pan An replied immediately, shaking his head.

"I wouldn't want to resort to that way. I want to be responsible since I'm a professor. I will be back to teaching tomorrow.

"

"Sheesh…

"

Wang Lei rolled his eyes at his best friend, already drinking his shot. He then put his cigarette down on the ashtray, further talking to Pan An as they already talked about what is worrying him.

"You think that you might do something to Shu Xian again? Like what she told you about you almost invading her body?

"

Embarrassing as it sounded, Pan An nodded then sighed, slumping on the couch as he blankly stared on the onion rings served on the table.

"Yeah… since she told me that, I can't help but not want to be drunk anymore.

"

Wang Lei arched a brow at him and said,

"But… she was drunk and took advantage of you, too, no?

"

"Yes… but mine's… different.

"

With that said, Pan An went silent for a while. He then got an onion ring from the plate, eating one. As Wang Lei waited for him to talk, he got his cigarette again and smoked, blowing the smoke out slowly as this helped him slightly sober up.

"They say you don't remember anything when you're drunk because you're embarrassed about it, right? But I remember remnants of what happened before when I was drunk—and I didn't like it one bit.

"

With Wang Lei already understanding what he meant, he sighed, then ran his hand through his hair. He then made a guess, making Pan An look at Wang Lei straight in the eyes as if he had hit bull's eye with his first attempt in guessing.

"Let me guess… you called her in a different name?

"

Pan An didn't need to tell him the answer. His reaction was enough for Wang Lei to know. With that already obvious, Wang Lei sighed, shaking his head as he gave Pan An a real talk.

"You know, Pan An, I'm not saying this because I'm a bit drunk. I keep saying this even before, but… Ruo Xi. You have to forget all about her.

"

Pan An looked at him, the topic about Ruo Xi. It was always uncomfortable for them to talk about her, the two almost fighting since Wang Lei never liked her for him, and Pan An always stuck up for her when people are doubting her and saying things about her which he didn't believe.

"If you're going to tell me how much of a bitch she is, which she isn't, then let's drop this topic.

"

"My god… Pan An!

"

Wang Lei couldn't help but exclaim out loud, already furrowing his brows as he scolded his best friend.

"I know we don't have much evidence about her doings because she has great connections, but your mother and I... we know that she—

"

"Enough,

" Pan An interrupted, his voice snappy.

"I told you—I don't like talking about her.

"

"Then tell me,

" Wang Lei started, Pan An's eyes on him.

"Why did you allow that girl Shu Xian to live with you?

"

"What?

"

Pan An didn't understand where his question is coming from. With him scrunching his nose as he was confused, he scoffed, shaking his head as he told him his answer.

"I told you… I pity her and I'm helping her out!

"

"Is that really the reason, though?

"

Wang Lei didn't buy it. With the cigarette now almost finished, he extinguished it by tapping it three times on the ashtray, his eyes not leaving Pan An.

"Or are you desperate to want to forget her, and Shu Xian's sudden appearance is someone who could help you with that? You could choose someone—but with the coincidence of you saving her, you took the opportunity.

"

Standing up from the leather couch, Pan An felt his blood boiling, not liking what Wang Lei had said.

When it comes to their friendship, if people said Pan An is blunt, Wang Lei is another case. He is more blunt compared to the other, not minding if his words could mince the other like soft meat.

"Are you saying that I'm using Shu Xian for my own benefit? Are you saying that—

"

"I'm not saying anything,

" Wang Lei interrupted, giving him a smirk afterward.

"But if that's what you think after I only told you what I think, then it means something, don't you think?

"

With Pan An not saying a word, he went quiet as the words that escaped from Wang Lei's mouth had hit him in an instant like a bullet fired from a gun.

He then sat back down on his seat, silent, as Wang Lei poured him another shot, giving him another suggestion.

"Reflect about it with me. Tell your secretary to drive you back home tonight while you're still sober.

"