Chapter 295: Liquid Courage
The next morning, Chen Ye chu woke up feeling fresh and full of energy. She had slept exceptionally well. Stretching lazily, she sat up and smiled.
“Morning, Ye chu! How do you feel? Any headache? Does your body feel okay?”
Ning Xiyue had woken up earlier. She was already dressed and folding the quilt, but seeing Chen Ye chu awake, her eyes brightened with interest. She stopped folding and looked over eagerly.
“Morning, Xiyue.” Chen Ye chu rolled her neck a few times, crawled out of bed, and moved around to test her body. Then she happily patted the quilt and exclaimed,
“Xiyue, I feel amazing! I’ve never felt this good before. Every part of my body feels great, and my mind is so clear. You were right — that yellow rice wine really nourishes the body! I must’ve felt so good because of that wine!”
Ning Xiyue smiled silently.
Of course you feel good! She’d spent a drop of her upgraded Yangzhi Nectar on Chen Ye chu last night — that stuff could outdo any so-called “spiritual spring water.” It even had the added perk of replenishing mental energy. After drinking so much wine, all the bad stuff was flushed out, leaving only the good behind. It’d be strange if she didn’t feel wonderful.
Still, Xiyue thought about the poor soul in the next room who must be suffering this morning. She’d have to make her a bowl of hot water later — otherwise the contrast would be too obvious.
As Chen Ye chu put on her clothes, she chatted on her own:
“Xiyue, that yellow wine of yours is something special! Can you trade me a few catties? Or, if you’ve learned how to make it, brew some for me too. I’ll drink a cup every day — it tastes great and it’s good for you! I can’t miss out on that.”
Drink every day? No way! Ning Xiyue refused inwardly.
After thinking for a moment, she said seriously,
“You’re not feeling great because of the yellow wine — you felt fine because after you fell asleep last night, I gave you a full massage. My hands are still sore! Then I gave you something to help with the hangover. That’s why you’re so comfortable now.”
She shook her right arm and rubbed it, looking perfectly earnest while completely making things up.
Still folding the quilt, she asked with a teasing smile,
“Hey, do you remember that you got drunk last night?”
She was dying to know whether Chen Ye chu remembered any of it. The whole thing had been hilarious, and it’d be a shame if she was the only one who knew.
“I got drunk?” Chen Ye chu covered her head, trying to recall last night’s dinner.
“Yes!” Ning Xiyue said, feigning indignation. “And you still wanted more wine! You tortured me, you know. You don’t remember? I’m never letting you drink again — you getting drunk hurts me more than you.”
That one line instantly flipped the switch in Chen Ye chu’s brain.
All her memories from last night came flooding back like a tide — every ridiculous thing replaying in her head, one after another.
The scene with her and Liu Yao cuddling a chicken and calling it “Mom”… how she pestered Ning Xiyue… and especially everything that happened with Yu Zhiyu.
Each event was vivid and crystal clear, replaying over and over in her mind.
Chen Ye chu covered her face and groaned, sinking into her quilt.
“Oh no… I can’t show my face anymore… How could I kiss him?”
That last line was small and muffled, but Ning Xiyue’s sharp ears caught it immediately.
“What? What did you just say? Who did you kiss?”
She dropped the folded quilt, ran over, and plopped down beside Chen Ye chu in excitement.
Wait — did I miss that part last night?! The highlight?!
So she really did kiss Yu Zhiyu?
Her drunk bestie was this bold?
Drinking really does give people courage!
Chen Ye chu’s face was burning red. Just remembering her drunken antics made her skin prickle with embarrassment. She buried her head deeper into the quilt, gripping it tightly as she mumbled,
“Xiyue, I can’t face anyone. Not even you! I made such a fool of myself last night. How could I be catching tadpoles and swatting imaginary mosquitoes? Ugh, why do I go crazy when I’m drunk?”
Pfft! Ning Xiyue almost burst out laughing but quickly covered her mouth.
If she laughed out loud now, Ye chu might never come out from under that blanket.
After calming down, Xiyue gently patted her head.
“Don’t hide, silly. Everyone gets drunk sometimes. No big deal — just pretend it never happened. I don’t remember a thing, you don’t remember a thing, okay? Nothing happened.”
Getting drunk wasn’t the worst part — remembering what you did while drunk was the real agony. It was pure social death, a memory that would haunt you forever.
Ning Xiyue guessed she probably wouldn’t want to see alcohol again for the rest of her life.
Chen Ye chu lifted her head, grabbed Xiyue’s arm, and nodded fiercely.
“Yes! I don’t remember anything! I don’t know anything! I’m never drinking again — it’s too embarrassing!”
By the end, she was smacking her own head in regret.
The rest she could deal with, but what was she going to do about Yu Zhiyu? The thought alone gave her a headache.
She clutched her head, ruffling her hair in distress. Then, after a pause, she looked up at Xiyue and whispered,
“Xiyue… what should I do about Yu Zhiyu? He… he said he liked me, and I said it back. He also said he’d formally confess to me today. But I’m scared… I don’t know how to be in a relationship.”
“Don’t sigh. Just follow your heart,” Ning Xiyue said softly.
“Think about what you really want. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”
She knew Ye chu’s fear came from her previous life’s failed marriage — the anxiety about being hurt again, the reluctance to trust and open up even when she liked someone.
But Yu Zhiyu was her destined match. Ning Xiyue believed they’d make it work this time — the ending wasn’t far off.
“Just remember,” she continued, “if you do date him, never wrong yourself for anyone. Don’t belittle yourself. Love yourself first, do what makes you happy.
Look at me — I’m in a relationship, but nothing’s changed. I still eat, drink, and do whatever I want. My Comrade Ji listens to me in everything. I’m still the one calling the shots. The only difference is having someone who cares for me. That’s all.”
In short — don’t become a love-brained fool.
She said all that just to remind Ye chu — women should be their own heroines, not get hurt over romance.
“You’re right!” Chen Ye chu clenched her fist. “I need to stand tall. A boyfriend should just add a little sparkle to life — nothing to be afraid of! I’ll make sure he’s the one under my thumb.”
Ning Xiyue blinked. Uh… did she misunderstand my point? Whatever — as long as she’s not love-brained.
Modern “love brains” ruined both themselves and others.
“Xiyue,” Chen Ye chu suddenly said, squinting curiously, “did you already know Yu Zhiyu liked me? You don’t look surprised at all.”
Ning Xiyue remained calm and unbothered.
“Of course I knew. I noticed the day we came to the countryside. The way he looks at you — totally different from how he looks at anyone else. Apart from helping his cousin Liu Yao, he never lifts a finger for anyone. But if you show up, his eyes are always on you. He might as well have the words I like you written on his forehead.”
She stood up, went back to folding the quilt, still talking:
“And you’re no better. You’re distant with other men, but with him — there’s something special. The longer you two spent time together, the warmer your gaze became whenever you looked at him. And when he talked about his ideals, you looked at him with admiration. I saw it all.”
“Was it that obvious?” Chen Ye chu blushed bright red and glanced away shyly.
“Of course! You two were so obvious that even a blind roommate like me couldn’t miss it — unless I were as thick-skinned as Liu Yao.”
Honestly, Ning Xiyue thought half the people in the educated youth compound probably noticed. Only carefree, oblivious Liu Yao hadn’t caught on.
