When Li Yan said he didn't want to go to the nightclub, everyone thought it was because he rarely went out and was shy, so they all laughed and tried to persuade him. Chu Yi, who had met Li Yan before and had spent more time understanding him, could tell that he genuinely didn't want to go to the nightclub. But not wanting to go to a nightclub didn't necessarily mean he wanted to go home—this was just an excuse!

He immediately smiled and said, "Since Mr. Li doesn't want to go to the nightclub, we won't force it. However, you've just had a lot to drink, so it might not be convenient to drive, right? Nowadays, they're strictly cracking down on drunk driving. If you're caught, a fine and points deduction are the least of your worries. I've heard they might detain you for half a month, and that would be troublesome!"

Li Yan sweated a little. Could he be that unlucky? He had often driven after drinking in the past but usually left bars or clubs late at night. Many times, after hooking up with someone, he'd have fun at a hotel before going home, by which time the alcohol had mostly worn off. At such late hours, there were usually no traffic cops on duty, so he had never even been stopped, let alone gotten into any incidents.

After helping find a reason and excuse, Chu Yi continued, "I've already booked a few rooms upstairs. Mr. Li, you can head up and rest for a while. I'll soon have some sobering-up soup sent to you, so it won't take much of your time. Resting for a bit is definitely less troublesome than being stopped by traffic police, right?"

Li Yan calculated the time in his head and figured this was the best option. Getting stopped outside really would be a hassle, so why not rest for a while and drink more water. "Thank you, Mr. Chu!"

The others were already starting to catch on, and Chu Yi then said to the girl next to Li Yan, "Xiao Lu, didn't you help me hold the room card just now? Please take Mr. Li upstairs. Mr. Li, I won't escort you up, I'll take everyone else to the nightclub first."

Li Yan heard that someone was going to take him upstairs and wanted to say that he could rest briefly on his own, but the girl named Xiao Lu was already smiling and gesturing for him to proceed, "Mr. Li, this way please!"

The last time at dinner, Ling Wua had sat beside Li Yan to greet him. But this time, perhaps because of Yu Xiaodi's presence, even though she longed to seize the opportunity, she couldn't afford to be overly friendly with Li Yan. After all, whether or not anything was revealed, as a man, he wouldn't want his girlfriend's friends to have any dirt on him. She decided it was better to get along with Yu Xiaodi indirectly. So, tonight at the dinner party, the one warmly entertaining Li Yan was a girl named Xiao Lu, while Ling Wua showed more enthusiasm towards Mo Yan.

Li Yan saw that she was being professional and not overly affectionate, so he didn't think much of it. At this point, Ling Wua smiled and added, "Mr. Li, are you eager to see your girlfriend? Don't worry, just rest for a bit, your girlfriend won't find out you were drinking."

Li Yan glanced at her, feeling she was hinting at something as if assuring him she wouldn't tell Yu Xiaodi. But it's just a meal, even if drinking is involved, what's so inconvenient about mentioning it?

Chu Yi had already handed Xiao Lu her bag, and of course, he slipped the room card inside at that moment as well, and then everyone accompanied him out.

Everyone chatted and laughed as they left the restaurant and headed to the elevator, where they split into two groups. Li Yan and Xiao Lu went straight to the guest rooms while the others headed for the nightclub. Ling Wua and three other girls also went along, though the other five guys were surely going to call some ladies to accompany them with drinks—they would definitely be handsy—but having a few seemingly innocent female college students around would naturally add to the excitement.

Chu Yi had quietly given Xiao Lu the room number while handing over the bag earlier. Upon reaching the guest room floor, Li Yan felt it seemed inappropriate. Although the two maintained a proper distance, it clearly seemed like they were a couple checking into a room.

"Uh… Xiao Lu, just give me the room card, and you can go have fun. I'm not drunk." Away from the noise, Li Yan calmed down and thought he might have overreacted. Even if he encountered a traffic check, changing a route should suffice—there can't be traffic cops everywhere, right?

Xiao Lu smiled and said, "How can I do that? Mr. Chu specifically asked me to." Saying this, she instead grabbed Li Yan's hand and quickly led him forward.

Upon finding the room, Xiao Lu used the room card to open the door and followed him in.

Li Yan sat down and then lay back on the bed, making a show of really needing rest. He told Xiao Lu, who was still at the door, "Thanks for bringing me up. You can go have fun now."

Yet Xiao Lu seemed not to hear. Instead, she locked the door, then came to the bed and climbed on, giggling, "Where should I go have fun? If I leave, what about you, Li Bro? I still have to help you sober up…"

Li Yan furrowed his brow, finally understanding Chu Yi's arrangement. Reflecting on the earlier scene, he couldn't help but chuckle wryly to himself—no wonder everyone had such knowing smiles, they must have thought I was eager and impatient!

"This… you've misunderstood, I really do want to leave, not stay here to rest."

Previously, Xiao Lu had been enthusiastic, but still maintained a student-like innocence. Now, she began to show her seductive side, leaning on Li Yan's leg and slowly inching upwards. With a tempting voice, she said, "It's not like you can't leave… I just want to help you sober up, that's all..."

Sober up... How could Li Yan not understand now? The sobering-up soup Chu Yi mentioned was actually this young girl eager for a chance!

"Xiao Lu…" He pondered how best to tell her that he's not into this? That would be most appropriate; having principles and not engaging in these unspoken rules, perhaps...

Before Li Yan could come up with a solid excuse, Xiao Lu had already reached his lap.

Darn! Li Yan cursed inwardly, wondering if these young women were specially trained to seduce men.

He closed his eyes, sighed, and said, "Xiao Lu, let's stop this, don't do this."

"Li Bro, you don't have to talk, just let Xiao Lu help you sober up..." Xiao Lu whispered as she reached for Li Yan's zipper.

...

Li Yan never considered himself a gentleman of high morals. As for how many women he'd been with, he couldn't quite recall.

From a dialectical standpoint, everything has two sides. A trade of power and sex disrupts fair competition, taking away someone's chance but giving it to another. Those following unspoken rules aren't necessarily superior to those who don't.

Even when alone, flying solo, fantasizing about people far away, or imagining female celebrities far beyond your reach—isn't that just as high or low as a customer, a director in a trade, or an official? "I'm a proud virgin, saving rubber for the country"; "I'm a shameful virgin, wasting paper for the nation," both aspects reflect duality.

Ultimately, most men are ordinary people, no one is inherently nobler than another.

Just like some readers who view urban harem novels on Qidian with contempt or disdain, yet love novels featuring murder, treachery, god-slaying, or even patricide and fratricide! Who's more noble? Who's more moral? It's just a matter of taste!

...

In relationships between men and women, Li Yan, at his core, is also just an ordinary man, a common man. He is capable, sees through these things, and isn't squeamish about them. Therefore, regarding the tacit rule arranged by Chu Yi or pursued by Xiao Lu, he doesn't have much resistance or resentment.

Li Yan said again, "We haven't decided on any investment project yet; I may not be able to help you with anything in the short term. Please consider this."

Xiao Lu started undressing, smiling flirtatiously, "Oh, come on, I'm happy and willing..."

Happy and willing? Li Yan chuckled to himself, surely it's because of Chu Yi's pressure or his investments? But it's indeed the case, so why spell it out? He also understood the suggestive remark by Ling Wua earlier clearly now; she knew about Chu Yi's plan and said it to assure him not to worry about anything reaching Xiaodi and just enjoy himself.

Since it's started, don't waste it…

(Thanks to yesterday's tipping brothers: Cavalry, zjun971210, kgjo, qwe8833, dongmin8061, Ajackson, Cavalry, CpPampas) (To be continued, for more, please log in to www.qidian.com, more chapters available, support the author, support legitimate reading!)

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