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Chapter 115 This is the Young Man in His Adolescence

Xia Xinyan was sitting not far away from the two, scrolling through skewers on her phone.

She had changed into another jacket, and thanks to the nature of her abilities, Ling Mo and the fat guy didn’t even notice her presence.

Her cat ears hidden under the hood caught every word of their conversation without missing a beat.

She had intentionally pulled Ling Mo into this situation just for now.

As someone who didn’t exist in her past life, her social network was nowhere near as extensive as Ling Mo’s. Some matters were better for him to probe than for her to face directly.

As expected, the fat guy was aware of something.

Rather, it would surprise her if he didn’t know anything at all.

In her previous life, the majority of players who ranked on the leaderboard were from the very first batch that had come into contact with this game. It had been mentioned before that while the Game Pods were free, they weren’t genuinely free in the first place, and it might even be impossible to get one with money.

Time is money, and sometimes time is worth more than money.

Players who received those first Game Pods all had some background or another; from this perspective alone, it could be rounded off that they were pretty pampered. Even if not, they were likely not far off.

So, could these pampered folks really endure the pain of a Battle Zone Dungeon?

Most ordinary people probably couldn’t take it.

Yet, they persevered, naturally making their way onto the leaderboard.

Looking at it this way, it was quite ironic—while the leaderboard reflected strength, it wasn’t purely about strength.

Someone like her, without that cheat ability to help, wouldn’t have stood a chance of ranking in the later stages.

So why were this group of players, those with power and background, able to stick around in this game, and even in the Battle Zone?

It was hard to believe that they knew nothing about the game.

The only thing Xia Xinyan found puzzling was the identity of the fat guy.

Although Ling Mo was good friends with him from high school, he didn’t know much about the fat guy’s background. But the fat guy’s usual carefree demeanor didn’t seem to vibe with coming from a wealthy family.

But looking at it now…

Xia Xinyan couldn’t help but recall the night the fat guy got a good beating from his dad.

The fat guy’s dad… definitely had a somewhat unique vibe.

In hindsight, it wasn’t so surprising that the fat guy made the leaderboard.

Unfortunately, Ling Mo didn’t manage to ask the more useful questions.

However, it confirmed Xia Xinyan’s speculation—many of those players on the leaderboard must have known some things. Realizing this made her trip worthwhile.

The meal between Ling Mo and the fat guy ended somewhat awkwardly.

It seemed that after their previous topic, the atmosphere between them couldn’t return to the nostalgia.

Having finished their skewers, the two parted ways.

Xia Xinyan had already left the barbecue shop before they were done; by the time Ling Mo returned, she was lounging on the couch watching TV.

“I’m back,” Ling Mo said as he changed his shoes, smiling as he entered, “Xinyan, let’s go for barbecue together tomorrow night; I found a really good place.”

Xia Xinyan looked up at him and nodded, “Sure.”

Ling Mo then sat down beside her, making her frown slightly as if unsure of what he had done: “Did you drink?”

Though it wasn’t much, there was still a faint smell of alcohol on Ling Mo.

“Ah… Zhang Dari wanted to drink, so I had a little with him,” Ling Mo unconsciously scooted a bit away, “You don’t like it? Should I take a shower first?”

Xia Xinyan chuckled and shook her head, “It’s fine to drink a little… but don’t drink too much; I hate drunks.”

Seeing she didn’t seem to mind, Ling Mo relaxed slightly, “I usually don’t drink; only a little during class reunions.”

Xia Xinyan pressed her lips together and smiled at him, saying nothing.

She didn’t usually drink, but she had a surprisingly good tolerance; she remembered not getting drunk during drinking contests in her previous life.

But even if she hadn’t gotten drunk, alcohol still had a numbing effect on her. She found that once she drank a little too much… her courage would grow.

To be precise, her rationality would be lessened, and things she might only think about in her head could be acted upon during that state.

She hadn’t embarrassed herself yet, since she wasn’t truly drunk… but she didn’t like that state; it made her feel unfamiliar to herself.

So she naturally didn’t want Ling Mo to drink too much; at that point, she truly wouldn’t know what he might do.

After all, she just needed to remind him a bit; she knew that as long as Ling Mo liked a girl, he would remember any promises and warnings she gave very seriously.

And Ling Mo indeed did just that.

But… this time, he had drunk quite a bit.

So it had some effect.

Looking at Xia Xinyan sitting cross-legged on the couch, smiling cutely at him, Ling Mo was momentarily bewildered.

So… cute.

Thinking…

Without realizing it, he leaned over.

Noticing his movement, Xia Xinyan paused slightly, and before she could react, he suddenly leaned in, prompting her to instinctively raise her hand to stop him, only to find herself pushed back onto the couch by his unmeasured strength.

In the next second, Ling Mo came down on her, bringing them almost nose-to-nose.

Seeing Ling Mo getting closer to kiss her, Xia Xinyan snapped back to reality, quickly lifting her hand to block her mouth.

Then Ling Mo kissed her hand.

Soft and a bit warm.

It also made Ling Mo’s mind slightly clear up.

Meeting her gaze, his wide eyes held some indescribable meaning.

—Of course, it was indescribable; she absolutely didn’t want him kissing her.

But she was his girlfriend, so a little kiss shouldn’t be too much for her to resist, even if invoking “not wanting to mess around before marriage” wouldn’t be appropriate; it might raise Ling Mo’s suspicions.

But kissing him?

No, she refused.

Ling Mo stared at her for a moment, and it wasn’t until her eyes misted over that he slowly got off her, looking a bit awkward, “I’m sorry… I got a bit impulsive.”

It was indeed a mistake to drink too much.

Xia Xinyan also sat up, smiling nonchalantly, “Yeah… I actually don’t like smelling of alcohol…”

Exactly, let’s say that.

It explained why she wouldn’t let him kiss her and also negated the possibility of him kissing her when he was drunk.

As for when he wasn’t drinking…

Would he dare to kiss her?

Tsk, he was still too young to play with her.

Ling Mo, of course, had no idea about her little schemes.

He was only pondering her earlier statement.

She doesn’t like the smell of alcohol?

Is it because he had been drinking that she didn’t want to kiss?

Then if he didn’t drink, would she have… been okay with it?

Recalling the irresistible charm she had radiated just now, Ling Mo felt a rush of emotions.

And he began to regret why he had drunk.

Suppressing a certain impulse in his heart, he stood up somewhat awkwardly, heading towards the bedroom: “I’ll go take a shower first…”

Xia Xinyan watched his retreating figure, pursing her lips into a smile.

Sigh… this is the young man in his adolescence, huh…

 

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