Eating hotpot always created a lively atmosphere.
In such an ambiance, two old best friends who hadn’t seen each other for years naturally drank a lot. An Ruo was always a lightweight drinker and got drunk after just a few drinks.
Xia Nuo had a slightly better tolerance but still, clutching a bottle, she too would get drunk, even more severely than An Ruo.
"An Ruo, do you know why I didn’t go to college back then, why I left without a word?" asked a drunk woman, giggling.
An Ruo, propping her head, honestly shook her head, "I don’t know, why?"
She had always wanted to know the answer but was afraid to ask, fearing it would be difficult for Xia Nuo to share.
"Because..." Xia Nuo’s eyes dimmed, revealing a bitter smile, "because I was afraid..."
"What were you afraid of?"
"I was afraid that I would be beyond redemption... An Ruo, have you been doing well these years? But I have had a hard time... sob sob..."
An Ruo’s mind suddenly sobered up; she had never seen Xia Nuo so heartbroken before.
"Xia Nuo, what’s wrong?"
Xia Nuo didn’t respond, just held the bottle and sobbed softly.
No matter how An Ruo asked, she wouldn’t answer. Suddenly, Xia Nuo’s phone rang with the familiar tune that An Ruo had heard in the café.
She didn’t pick it up, and seeing her distraught, An Ruo felt obliged to answer it for her.
"Hello, how did you know I am An Ruo? Yes, she’s with me... She’s drunk..."
Within just ten minutes, Xia Nuo’s reputed husband appeared.
He effortlessly scooped up the drunk Xia Nuo, his stunningly handsome face asked An Ruo, "Can you walk on your own?"
An Ruo blankly stared at his face, feeling it somewhat familiar, yet couldn’t recall who he was.
However, Xia Nuo was really fortunate to have such a handsome husband.
This man was definitely one who would attract attention instantly in a crowd, a man radiating a dazzling brilliance.
"I’m fine, take her home. I’ll head back later," An Ruo said with a smile and a wave of her hand, a bit drunk but her mind still clear.
The gentleman insisted again, "Let me take you home. It’s not safe for a woman to be out alone."
"It’s okay, I’ll take a cab home," An Ruo firmly declined.
She definitely didn’t want Xia Nuo to know that she was married. Tang Yuchen’s existence was a disgrace to her, something she considered dishonorable.
The man didn’t persist further and turned to leave with Xia Nuo in his arms when suddenly, the usually well-behaved Xia Nuo started to struggle, "An Ruo, come on, let’s keep drinking! Who are you? Let go of me, I want to drink more..."
"Be good, stop making a fuss," the man gently said, tightening his arms, and Xia Nuo calmed down considerably.
An Ruo clearly saw the tender light that naturally shone in his eyes when he spoke to Xia Nuo.
He must really love her, yet why did Xia Nuo say she was living a miserable life?
An Ruo couldn’t understand, even more puzzled why she felt Xia Nuo’s husband looked familiar.
With everyone gone, sitting there alone seemed pointless. An Ruo left the hotpot restaurant, feeling much sober as the cool breeze blew.
Not wanting to go home, she bought two cans of beer from the supermarket and sat by the fountain with them. After drinking the two beers, she was completely drunk.
Driven by a playful spirit in her drunken state, she took off her high heels, turned to face the fountain, and soaked her feet in the water.