Chapter 5: The Drunken National Team Fan

Chen Yang's post quickly attracted a crowd of onlookers.

First!

Second!

Hey, the first-floor commenter is fast. After reading the OP's post, I realized I'm guilty too. Actually, since freshman year, I've had a secret crush on Senior Lin Wei.

I've seen the OP in person—he's tall and handsome, and he actually matches well with Senior Lin Wei. But that surnamed Zhang guy who constantly pesters the senior, ordinary-looking, dares to dream of eating swan meat—bah!

Fellow students, haven't you noticed the point? The OP said that Tang Sect's top talent is an expert at poaching lovers. Anyone with inside info, come spill the gossip?

Here, here! My friend's girlfriend was stolen by him—his real name is Tang Kun, a finance student, relying on his family's little money to flirt around.

So it's Tang Kun? He's truly a scumbag. He's gone through several girlfriends, all snatched. It's no wonder Senior Lin Wei doesn't like him hanging out with that scum Zhang Jun.

Let me tell you a secret: last summer, while doing odd jobs, I ran into a police anti-prostitution raid, and one of those arrested looked a lot like Tang Kun.

No way? This kind of trash that ruins the school's image—don't the school leaders care?

In Room 402 of the finance department dormitory, Tang Kun, who was watching the World Cup on his computer, was pulled by Zhang Jun to look at Chen Yang's post. Then he flew into a rage, slamming his beer can hard onto the floor.

Who the hell is this 'One Cup of Water'? I'm going to sue him for slander!

You really didn't go? Zhang Jun looked at Tang Kun with suspicion. He was in a bad mood, originally planning to have Tang Kun smear Chen Yang on the school forum. He didn't expect Lin Wei to step in and put an end to their relationship once and for all.

Although Chen Yang's post targeted Tang Kun, it actually dragged him in too. Hanging long-term with a scumbag, how could his image at school still be good?

This is really trying to steal a chicken and ending up losing the rice!

What Zhang Jun couldn't accept even more was that Tang Kun secretly went to visit prostitutes with Zhao Shunfa behind his back. Wasn't the agreement to share good fortune together?

Tang Kun felt uneasy under Zhang Jun's stare and had to admit. "Brother Zhang, I really went once. However, that place is high-end, with good confidentiality—it's impossible to get caught. That forum guy is definitely talking nonsense!"

Zhang Jun couldn't be bothered with him. The urgent priority is to deal with Chen Yang's post. If the rumors keep spreading, the prostitution scandal won't just be Tang Kun's. If he graduates with the notoriety of group prostitution, he'll surely be beaten to death when he goes home.

Hey, Brother Xu? Have you been following the forum matter?

You know Tang Kun too—he's spent some money, but he definitely wouldn't dare do anything illegal or against regulations. I think it's that kid Chen Yang using a sockpuppet to spread rumors. Can you help me handle this?

Sure, sure, thank you very much! I'll treat you to a meal later.

After hanging up, Zhang Jun finally breathed a sigh of relief. Not disgusted by Chen Yang, he'd still managed to get himself all worked up. The more he looked at Tang Kun, the more annoyed he became, and he kicked him hard.

Outside Xingcheng University, after posting, Chen Yang ordered a plate of fried rice noodles at a roadside stall. As he was eating, Lin Wei's phone rang again.

Chen Yang, come to the Morning Sun Restaurant on Construction Road; there's an emergency.

Chen Yang thought something big had happened. He didn't even finish his noodles, rushing to the destination in a hurry.

Though called the Morning Sun Restaurant, it was actually a small eatery run privately.

Lin Wei stood at the restaurant entrance, with a man and a woman crouching beside her. The man was unsteady on his feet, muttering nonsense—clearly drunk. The woman kept comforting him.

Chen Yang, my friend is drunk. We can't hold him up, so we had to call you for help.

Chen Yang examined the drunk man closely—his height was about the same as his, but his build was much sturdier. Lin Wei is 168 cm, the woman beside him appears about 160 cm; both are slim. Trying to support a 180-cm muscular guy while drunk is indeed quite a challenge.

Moreover, Lin Wei's demeanor showed she basically didn't want to touch him.

After tremendous effort, he finally managed to hoist the man onto his back.

On the way, Chen Yang also asked about the situation. The man's name was Chen Bing, a football fan. Seeing the national team lose 0:4 to Brazil, he felt unhappy, drank to drown his sorrows, and passed out.

Chen Yang didn't get it. The Brazilian team are this World Cup's champions; beating the national team by four goals is normal. If he can't accept that, then when they later lose 1:5 to a ladyboy country, he'll probably jump off a building!

At the same time, he felt sympathy for the guy. After all, as long as he remains a national team fan, his painful days will be long and drawn out. He really wanted to tell him to cherish the present happy times, because the future national team might not even get to play in the World Cup.

Of course, that's future stuff—even if Chen Yang said it, nobody would believe him, and he'd likely draw a barrage of criticism.

After walking about a kilometer, he finally got the man to his destination. Chen Yang felt that this ordeal was more exhausting than carrying cement up to the seventh floor on a construction site.

Fortunately, Chen Bing's place had an elevator; otherwise Chen Yang would have collapsed.

However, upon entering Chen Bing's home, Chen Yang was still surprised.

Although it was just a small two-bedroom apartment, it was spotless and tidy—nothing like the image of Chen Bing as a drunkard.

Moreover, after helping Chen Bing into the bedroom, he discovered that this guy was actually a police officer.

Chen Yang thought, 'Could this guy be the son of the comrade-in-arms that Lin Wei mentioned her father had?'

No wonder she said she didn't want to marry—this guy had actually transferred his affection elsewhere!

But then he thought otherwise. Given Lin Wei's temper, if Chen Bing had really shifted his affection, she would have cut him off outright—so why would they still be eating together?

Besides, Lin Wei could easily use this to get her parents to call off the engagement. Why bother having Chen Yang stage a fake marriage?

"Lin Wei, could Chen Bing be the person your parents mentioned?"

Lin Wei nodded, seeing Chen Yang's puzzled expression, and explained: "His parents don't approve of him being with Zhong Lin, so they kicked him out. To help them out, I had to marry first."

While Zhong Lin was off getting Chen Bing a hot towel, Chen Yang gave Lin Wei a thumbs-up: "He's already shifted his affection, yet you're sacrificing yourself like this—truly admirable!"

"When did I say I liked him?" Lin Wei gave Chen Yang a sideways glance, saying irritably, "With his cowardly nature, getting upset over trivial things, only a blind person would take a liking to him."

Chen Yang was about to remind her to lower her voice when Zhong Lin walked in, making the atmosphere suddenly a bit awkward.

Fortunately, Lin Wei reacted quickly, telling Zhong Lin, "Zhong Lin, I've known Chen Bing since childhood; I speak casually out of habit, don't take it to heart. This guy being able to snag a girlfriend like you is his good fortune."

Zhong Lin laughed, said it was fine, then carefully attended to Chen Bing on the bed. The scene made Chen Yang feel a sense of déjà vu, as if he had returned to his past life.