Trapped in Paradise

Chapter 40: The Bar

Ning Chu had never been to a bar before, but in dramas, bars typically have music blasting and groups of men and women wildly releasing their youth on the dance floor, which was a mess he didn’t like.

However, today’s bar was different from his impression.

The music was soft and gentle, the customers were a tad noisy, and the bartender’s stylish cocktail-making skills earned admiration from several young girls.

Sitting in a corner booth, Ning Chu awkwardly leaned back on the sofa.

Zhang Shaoqing arrived at the bar like he had come home, relaxing completely and propping up his legs like a wealthy tycoon, waving his hand to order a bunch of cocktails. In a moment, the coffee table was already filled with various alcoholic drinks and snack bites.

Wang Jie looked just as reserved as Ning Chu, but after a few sips of alcohol, his face flushed from the effects of the drink, and his tense body quickly relaxed as he chatted and laughed with Zhang Shaoqing.

Wen Yang sat calmly on the side, sipping from his drink and looking around the bar, appearing somewhat bored.

“This place is a lounge bar, so it’s a bit quieter, but the service is lacking,” Zhang Shaoqing said with a grin to Ning Chu, “Otherwise, we could invite a couple of girls to liven things up.”

“……”

Ning Chu had forgotten that bars had hostesses since he had never been in that industry.

“Want a drink?”

“No thanks.” He turned his head away expressionlessly.

Zhang Shaoqing relentlessly handed him a glass: “It’s Coke, there’s no alcohol, trust me.”

“Ha~”

It was said that many girls in bars were deceived by such words! Before they knew it, they were knocked out after a few glasses and were handled like lambs.

Even though he had known Zhang Shaoqing for a while, Ning Chu still couldn’t let his guard down against the villain and didn’t even glance at the drink in front of him.

“Who comes to a bar and doesn’t drink?” Zhang Shaoqing muttered, ignoring Ning Chu, picked up a dice, and provocatively looked at Wang Jie and Wen Yang, “Want to join?”

“Sure, I guess.”

This is so boring…

Just a place to drink and eat.

Ning Chu slouched on the sofa, slowly munching on a bag of chips, feeling out of place among the few rolling the dice and drinking.

He had originally expected to see bunny girls at the bar from Small Royal Text, some weird performances… but on stage was just a middle-aged guy singing love songs with a hoarse and weary voice.

Wen Yang had a few drinks and was a bit tipsy, gradually loosening up; he turned to Ning Chu and asked, “Want to join?”

“What if I also get drunk? All four of us would be lying on the street.”

“Not a chance, this drink is really just a soft drink!” Zhang Shaoqing pushed the drink toward him again, “Ask Wang Jie if you don’t believe me.”

Wang Jie nodded, “I’ve had so many, and I feel nothing.”

“……”

Looking at them, it seemed they had to stay at the bar for at least an hour. If there was nothing to do for that hour, it would indeed be a bit too boring.

Ning Chu glanced at Wen Yang and pursed his lips.

The protagonist wouldn’t lie, would he?

He picked up the drink and took a small sip—it didn’t taste alcoholic, more like carbonated water mixed with Coke, sweet with a hint of aftertaste.

He shouldn’t have come to the bar.

Letting Zhang Shaoqing go to a villa gathering would be no big deal since this guy wouldn’t just become a villain over a team match.

Ning Chu rubbed his temples in frustration and took a selfie, examining his face.

His eyelashes were long, the edges of his eyes slightly tinged with pink, his facial blemishes reduced, but more delicate features and softer facial contours made him look even more like a girl.

This change was all in his face… Wonder if the roommates have sensed anything odd.

He frustratedly took another swig, and without realizing it, he finished a glass.

“Get me another one.”

Drinking so much Coke in a short time would cause bloating and burping, but this felt nothing like it; his complexion didn’t change.

Even if there were traces of alcohol, probably the content was lower than beer.

“Another?” Wen Yang paused briefly and looked a bit surprised at Ning Chu’s slightly dazed eyes, chuckling lightly, and handed him another glass, “Come on, relax a bit; you’re always self-isolating. Holding things in isn’t good.”

“Drinking to drown sorrows is the least reliable method.” Ning Chu shot him a glare and muttered, “I don’t want to touch alcohol at all; let’s just say I broke my resolution for you guys.”

“Soft drink,” Wen Yang corrected.

“Do you think I’m stupid?”

Ning Chu sighed quietly and turned to look at the other booths, scanning around without spotting many pretty girls, feeling a bit relieved.

He shouldn’t have to worry about girls coming over to seduce Wen Yang if he got drunk.

Moreover, besides plot characters, the girls here wouldn’t have the guts to make a move on men.

After just two drinks, Ning Chu restrained himself from continuing and snacked away to pass the time. He didn’t know how long had passed when Wen Yang suddenly leaned his head on his shoulder.

He was startled and looked down, only to find this guy’s face flushed, half-closed eyes, and continuously burping from the drinks.

Wow, drunk already?

No wonder the twins in the plot had it so easy, their alcohol tolerance was pathetic.

“Wen Yang can’t hold his liquor.” Zhang Shaoqing looked over at their situation and teased, “With this drinking capacity, if he does any business socials in the future, he might end up in the hospital; he needs to practice more.”

“How about we invite him to bars every weekend to drink a bit?”

Ning Chu shot him a glare: “You just want to corrupt Wen Yang.”

So heavy…

In less than two minutes, his shoulder holding Wen Yang felt sore. Ning Chu awkwardly tried to adjust his position, but as soon as he moved, Wen Yang’s body slid down, his head directly resting on Ning Chu’s thigh.

Ouch!

Ning Chu froze, helplessly trying to lift Wen Yang, but a drunk person is heavy. No matter how hard he tried, it was futile.

He can’t just push Wen Yang to the ground, right?

He could only look at Zhang Shaoqing for help, but Zhang Shaoqing was already playing poker with Wang Jie, totally ignoring him.

Anyway, Wen Yang was hazy…

Even if it was a bit of intimate contact, he was still a man, and Wen Yang wouldn’t think of doing anything to him.

Ning Chu gave up, reclining back against the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling.

So hot… vision growing blurry.

The aftermath of those two drinks was kicking in, and without realizing it, Ning Chu’s face was completely red. He felt a restless warmth throughout his body and his consciousness began to blur.

Just two drinks! Is it this strong?!

Shaking his head vigorously, he rubbed his temples, trying to maintain his clarity.

But a mix of alcohol scent and something strange was crawling into his nostrils.

Ning Chu instinctively looked down at Wen Yang on his thigh, whose breath was brushing against his lower abdomen, intensifying the feeling of heat.

That unfamiliar feeling came back!

Nervously, he rubbed his thigh, his breathing already heavy, the tips of his previously flushed eyes shimmering with tears, making his ears burn red.

The subtle friction against his chest created a slight ache and a pleasurable sensation that shot into his tailbone.

He wanted, wanted someone to hold him…

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