1 THE STRANGER AT THE PUB (1/2)

Just outside Bulang University was a nondescript village known as PINGJING.

As Pingjing was located just outside the university, the majority of its occupants were Bulang University's students. That was the reason Pingjing was always so quiet and deserted whenever Bulang University was on holidays.

Pingjing's desolation during the holiday period would explain first, how Pingjing got its name and second, why Pingjing was so desolate and lifeless on the eve of the Spring Festival that even the red decorations seemed exceptionally sparse.

At this time, only a few shops were open for business. The number of open shops, only just exceeding the number of people who patronized them.

The only exception seemed to be The French Red Wine Pub, which looked like it was currently housing all the people who remained in Pingjing, as it had at least thirty people in it.

As Hua Zhendan sat on a barstool in front of the bar counter, he turned around to watch a group of five people performing Karaoke giddily.

Hua Zhendan could feel his chest tighten as the scene evoked beautiful memories—memories of when everything had been smooth and blissful.

Unable to help the sweetness of the images that assaulted his mind, Hua Zhendan's lips subconsciously formed a small, sad smile. Enveloped with guilt, he immediately made a mental note to call Shen Rui once he left Pingjing. Hopefully, this time around, he would follow through.

Hua Zhendan's train of thought was interrupted by the sound of a crisp male voice telling the bartender, ”I'll have whatever this handsome guy is having.”

Hua Zhendan's head swerved towards the direction from which he had heard the voice. The voice had come from the seat right next to him, which had just been occupied by a guy who looked to be in his early twenties.

Under the dim lights of The French Red Wine Pub, Hua Zhendan had a rude déjà vu as he stared at the face of the seemingly younger man who had just spoken. Although he recognized that this was merely a déjà vu, he was still unable to shake off the feeling that he'd seen the man's face somewhere before.

Propelled by either the sense of familiarity the déjà vu provided him or the alcohol—perhaps it was the atmosphere or the little flirtatious glances the younger man threw his way, Hua Zhendan felt the inclination to start a conversation with him.

”Hey,” Hua Zhendan spoke as the bartender passed the younger man a colorless liquid which had three pieces of olive inside it.

The younger man smiled and replied flirtatiously, ”Hey, handsome.”

Hua Zhendan gave the younger man a small smile. It wasn't a usual thing for a man to continually call another man handsome in a straight bar. He suddenly concluded that it was either this young man had a very accurate gaydar or he was particularly brave.

Unable to shake off the sense of familiarity the man gave him, he asked, ”I'm sorry, have we met before?”

The younger man raised a brow at him and grinning from ear to ear said, ”You know, we're two strangers in a bar on Spring Festival's eve. You can be straightforward with me. There's no need to try that old trick on me.”

Hua Zhendan laughed softly. He was now almost sure he didn't know this guy because he didn't know anyone this shameless.

”Do you live around here?” the younger man asked.

”No,” said Hua Zhendan as he shook his head. He then continued, ”I used to when I was still studying here.

”At Bulang University, that is.

”Although I've graduated for a while now, I distinctly remember how quiet this place used to be during this time.

”Almost entirely free of the hustle and bustle of this period,” Hua Zhendan paused. ”It resonates better with my spirit, so I came to spend the week at Pingjing. I'm currently staying at The Pingjing Hotel.”

The younger man laughed, then asked, ”If you're trying to avoid the festivities, then why did you come here? It has more festive spirit than anywhere else in Pingjing.”

HERE was said in reference to The French Red Wine Pub. It was easily the liveliest place in Pingjing.

Zhendan smiled. ”No one is ever completely devoid of a festive spirit, right?”

The younger man nodded in agreement.

”What about you, what are you doing in Pingjing?” Hua Zhendan asked.

”I live here,” the younger man said. ”With my sister,” he added.

”Oh! Are you from here?” Hua Zhendan asked.

”Hmm, we graduated from Bulang as well. Last year. But the standard of living here is a lot more...” the younger man paused, unwilling to delve into the subject of his poor financial status with someone he was trying to hit on.

Hua Zhendan immediately noticed this. He didn't know what to say to make the man relax. Surprisingly, Hua Zhendan was thoroughly enjoying his company. He couldn't recall the last time he had just sat at a bar and had a conversation with someone.

He couldn't recall the last time he had connected with someone this quickly.

Before he could think up something to say, the younger man stood up and said, ”I should get going. My sister will be furious if I get home late.”

Hua Zhendan didn't believe him. He just concluded the younger man was embarrassed and was trying to get away from him. As Hua Zhendan didn't want him to leave, he decided to use the guy's shameless method to get him to stay a little longer.

His voice loud enough so the younger man who was still standing could hear him above the music in the bar—attracting a few stares from the people sitting around in the process—Hua Zhendan asked, ”Are you a top or a bottom?”

Much to Hua Zhendan's amusement, the younger man dropped his head in embarrassment and twitching his fingers shyly, sat back down.