Chapter 606 - 608: Shameless
Chapter 606: Chapter 608: Shameless
Seeing Yang Chen being pursued with questions, Liu Mingyu frowned slightly. However, since Zhu Kangyu's words were not overtly impolite, she couldn't interrupt.
At this moment, Yang Chen cheekily replied with a grin, "Isn't it obvious? My job is to be the personal boyfriend of my precious Mingyu."
As he spoke, he affectionately caressed Liu Mingyu's smooth cheek, making her blush and shoot him a playful glare.
This man was truly outrageous. Saying such embarrassing words and doing such intimate actions in public!
But she couldn't embarrass Yang Chen at this moment, despite wanting to flee out of sheer embarrassment.
Sure enough, not only did Liu Mingyu feel a mix of shame and anger, but the other classmates were also stunned!
They had been expecting to ask about his job, but this guy shamelessly started flaunting his affection instead!
Not only did he divert the topic, but he also humiliated Zhu Kangyu. It was as if he was saying, "See? This is my woman. What can you do about it?"
Yang Chen's thick skin and cunning far exceeded their previous impressions, especially Zhao Haili, who was dumbfounded. She wondered if the same man who clumsily called her "Miss Hai" earlier was standing before her now.
Zhu Kangyu's face darkened, but he forced a stiff smile. "Mr. Yang certainly knows how to please women. No wonder Mingyu chose you as her boyfriend."
"Well, it's not just that. The key is that I'm willing to give my true heart," Yang Chen said earnestly, as if baring his soul.
Liu Mingyu's classmates wore strange expressions, with a couple even feeling nauseous from his sappiness.
Liu Mingyu simply lowered her head, not saying anything, her red ears betraying her embarrassment.
Zhu Kangyu realized that Yang Chen was shameless. No matter how he tried to belittle him, Yang Chen would take it in stride because he was utterly shameless!
"It seems Mr. Yang is truly devoted to our school beauty. Well, let's not make Mr. Yang keep proving his loyalty. Let's drink!" someone suggested.
"Yeah, seeing them makes those of us in doomed marriages green with envy. Let's drink!"
Several classmates interrupted, trying to defuse the situation and give Zhu Kangyu an out. After all, if this continued, Zhu Kangyu might explode from anger.
Zhu Kangyu, although young, was experienced in the political arena and could endure. His face returned to a neutral expression as he raised his glass, clinking it with his classmates. "I said I was only back in Zhonghai for a couple of days, but you all insisted on gathering. I really have no way to repay your kindness."
"It's our great fortune to drink with you, Minister. How could we expect anything in return?" one classmate flattered.
Others joined in, praising Zhu Kangyu for his political acumen and promising future, clearly hoping to benefit from his connections.
Zhao Haili, sensing Liu Mingyu's discomfort with Zhu Kangyu, stayed quiet and poured drinks for Liu Mingyu and Yang Chen, giving them both some whiskey.
Yang Chen smiled at Zhao Haili and said, "Thank you." He found her quite likable, as she wasn't in a hurry to flatter Zhu Kangyu but remembered to serve her friend and him, the outsider.
However, looking at these so-called classmates, Yang Chen couldn't help but sigh inwardly. They might have once been friends, but now their hypocrisy made this gathering no different from any other social event.
Zhu Kangyu was merely a deputy director, yet they exaggerated, calling him "Minister," much to his delight.
Liu Mingyu didn't say much, simply chatting briefly with Zhao Haili. She answered other classmates' questions politely but minimally. In truth, she didn't really want to stay. Despite the changes in everyone, they were still classmates, and she didn't want to create any unpleasantness by leaving early.
Liu Mingyu occasionally glanced worriedly at Yang Chen, fearing that he might get angry at Zhu Kangyu and cause trouble for her. However, Yang Chen seemed relaxed, munching on snacks and sipping whiskey, looking like he was enjoying a show. When Liu Mingyu's concerned gaze met his, he gave her a reassuring wink, which eased her worries.
After chatting in a bureaucratic tone with his old classmates for a while, Zhu Kangyu suddenly shifted his attention to Yang Chen, who was leisurely drinking. With a strange smile, he said, "Mr. Yang has been drinking alone, as if we've neglected Mingyu's boyfriend. How about this? I suggest we all toast to Mr. Yang, wishing him and Mingyu a happy life together."
Including Zhu Kangyu, there were eight people present. This implied that Yang Chen would have to drink a toast from each of them—eight drinks in total!
The more perceptive among them quickly realized that the class monitor intended to get Yang Chen drunk. After all, who wouldn't want to take down the man who won over the woman they all admired?
Supporting Zhu Kangyu, none of them opposed the idea. The suggestion appeared to be a gesture of goodwill, congratulating Yang Chen and Liu Mingyu on their relationship. Naturally, everyone was happy to comply.
"We'll go along with it. I'll start. Mr. Yang, fill your glass and let's drink together!" said a man nearby, pouring whiskey for both Yang Chen and himself. He stood up and downed his amber drink in one gulp.
At forty proof, whiskey can make most people tipsy after a couple of shots. These folks were seasoned drinkers, but the plan was to push Yang Chen to his limit.
With everyone cheering him on, refusing would mean losing face, which would embarrass Liu Mingyu as well.
Liu Mingyu was extremely dissatisfied with Zhu Kangyu but couldn't speak out directly in front of so many classmates. Anxiously, she didn't want Yang Chen to end up drinking eight consecutive shots.
Yang Chen gently squeezed Liu Mingyu's hand, signaling that he was fine. Then, he raised his glass and clinked it with the other man's. "Since everyone's so enthusiastic, I can't refuse."
With that, Yang Chen tilted his head back and downed the drink.
A cold glint flashed in Zhu Kangyu's eyes as he watched with a sinister smile, anticipating Yang Chen's downfall. He didn't believe Yang Chen could handle eight consecutive shots of forty proof whiskey, equivalent to a significant amount of potent liquor.
Following the lead, the other classmates also began toasting. Even those who felt bad for Liu Mingyu and Yang Chen couldn't refuse, prioritizing their own interests.
Yang Chen, however, accepted every toast with a smile, drinking each glass of whiskey as if it were water. To him, alcohol posed no real threat; he simply used his cultivation technique to "evaporate" it instantly, leaving no effect.
Liu Mingyu watched, her heart aching with worry. Unwilling to let him continue, she finally decided to intervene. As Yang Chen was about to drink his fifth glass, she stepped in. "Stop drinking!"
The man about to toast looked embarrassed. "Mingyu, why the sudden lack of hospitality? Yang Chen has handled so many drinks without issue. He's got an impressive tolerance."
Ignoring the classmate, Liu Mingyu softly urged Yang Chen, "Please, don't drink any more. It's bad for your health."
Seeing her genuine concern, Yang Chen didn't want to play along any longer. Nodding, he put down his glass.
"Mr. Yang, this won't do. I initiated this round of toasts, and I haven't even had the chance to toast you myself. Refusing now would be disrespectful to me," Zhu Kangyu said, his eyes narrowed with a smile. He personally filled Yang Chen's glass and raised his own. "I'll drink first to show my respect."
After finishing his words, Zhu Kangyu downed all the wine in one go, turning the cup upside down to show it was completely empty.
"I've already finished mine, Mr. Yang. Surely you won't be so petty as to not drink this last cup?" Zhu Kangyu's face looked sincere, but inside he was sneering. He believed that the real reason Yang Chen wasn't drinking was because he couldn't handle it anymore.
The others started chiming in: "Yeah, as the boyfriend of our school beauty, you should at least be able to handle this. You should give our old class monitor some face!"
"I told Yang Chen not to drink, so stop forcing him," Liu Mingyu said anxiously, trying to protect Yang Chen.
A woman giggled, "Is Yang Chen afraid of his girlfriend?"
"That makes sense. Hey, Brother Yang, if you're a man, drink this wine. Otherwise, you'll lose face completely!" another person said, goading him with a laugh.
Yang Chen scratched the back of his head, grinning harmlessly. "My darling Mingyu told me not to drink, so I'm definitely not drinking."
"You've got to be kidding! Are you even a man? Have some dignity!" shouted a few already flushed individuals. They had drunk so much, and if Yang Chen didn't end up drunk too, their efforts would be in vain!
Yang Chen licked his lips and loudly declared, "I've already lost my chastity, so what do I need dignity for?"
His words left everyone speechless. They had seen shameless people, but none so shameless to this extent!
Chastity? Is that something a man should be talking about?!
Liu Mingyu almost burst out laughing. This guy was so infuriating, talking nonsense even in such a situation, but it was oddly satisfying. She gave Yang Chen a sidelong glance, smiling without a word.
Zhao Haili was laughing so hard she doubled over. She found it incredible that her sister had found such a boyfriend.
Zhu Kangyu and the others looked visibly uncomfortable. Since Yang Chen had already thrown all shame to the wind, what more could they say?
You can't outdo someone who's shameless!
"Since Mr. Yang is so obedient to Mingyu, we have nothing more to say. I have some matters to attend to, so I'll step out for a bit. You all continue drinking," Zhu Kangyu said with a sullen face as he stood up and left the room, ignoring the strange looks from the others.