Chapter 46: Quitting Alcohol (Please Keep Reading)

"Alright, alright, you two, stop competing. Let Zhuo Ning show you what a professional looks like." Kong Ling couldn't stand the two men wailing any longer. She jumped up, snatched the microphone, and handed it to Zhuo Ning, inviting her to display her skill.

Zhuo Ning took the microphone, selected a song, and looked at Ao Xi as she sang: "If I had never met you, where would I be? How would I be living my days? Would I cherish life? Perhaps I'd meet someone else, live an ordinary life, who knows if there would be love as sweet as honey~~"

Kong Ling was dumbfounded.

She collapsed into Tan Ying's arms in anguish. "I'm so foolish, truly. I thought only Ao Xi was a bit off, but I didn't expect Zhuo Ning to have her own quirks. I should've realized, should've stayed in the dorm watching dramas like Feng Wei did. I regret it so much!"

Tan Ying patted her back helplessly. "Who would've thought? Zhuo Ning used to sing 'Live and Let Go.' Maybe this is what love does to people."

"Love? More like twisted love!"

Kong Ling, with a sudden burst of energy, jumped up again, grabbed the microphone, and chose another song: "To love someone, you need fate. Why let yourself sink deeper and deeper~~ Don't foolishly use your innocence to touch a restless soul. Every day, all you can do is wait in vain~~ I know you're hurting. Yesterday you were lovers, today you break up just like that. Don't ask how to relieve your pain; those who love deeply are destined to hurt for longer~~~"

Ao Xi blinked, then said to Zong Yiqiang, "Does she realize she's asking for trouble?"

"Maybe it's hormonal imbalance from being single too long. I'll introduce her to a boyfriend from our School of Civil Engineering, let her enjoy some sweetness, it'll be fine."

"For sure. She needs some herbal medicine to balance things out—treat the illness if there is one, strengthen the body if not." Ao Xi suddenly changed the subject: "You went abroad to learn how to mix cement—isn't that a bit extravagant?"

"What mixing cement! My major is Urban Interface and Functional Architectural Integrated Design. It's a very prestigious field, okay? Urban designer, get it?"

Ao Xi turned and pointed at Zong Yiqiang, laughing. "He's getting worked up, look at him."

"Worked up? This is one of the university's top programs! My graduate advisor, William Klug, is a renowned professor, connected with many design institutes, offering lots of practical opportunities. After graduation, I'll start with a high salary!"

Tan Ying patted Zong Yiqiang's hand. "Alright, Ao Xi is just teasing you. Does your advisor William still have you draft blueprints without paying?"

Zong Yiqiang's expression darkened. He took a sip from his glass and nodded.

Kong Ling felt much better after singing a sad love song, and came alive again, chirping, "That William is really something—exploiting students, making them work for free. If anyone complains, he threatens not to let them graduate. Zong Yiqiang has suffered under him several times."

Ao Xi patted the silent Zong Yiqiang's back. "How about ambushing him and giving him a good beating?"

Zong Yiqiang shook his head. "Forget it. Even if I beat him up, he won't change. Anyway, I'm almost graduating, and with my grades, it's hard for him to hold anything over me. Doing extra work is just gaining experience."

Ao Xi saw it wasn't the time for more advice. "Come on, let's drink."

The night flew by in a haze of alcohol and laughter.

Ao Xi woke up in the hotel, groggy, holding his waist as he stumbled into the bathroom, then came out with a dark expression.

He'd just experienced a split stream while urinating—luckily he'd gone in barefoot, otherwise he'd have to destroy evidence. Where could he get some of Brother Weiwei's Six-Flavor Rehmannia pills? Eight tablets would restore his vigor, bring back his glory. Maybe his system could get them?

For the sake of his health, he declared: From today, no more drinking!

Zhuo Ning, wearing a black lace silk short nightdress, sleepy-eyed, walked over and kissed Ao Xi's lips. "What's wrong? Are you upset?"

Ao Xi glanced down, then reached out to pull her dress over her chest. "This nightdress isn't good, you'll catch a cold. I'll buy you two hospital gowns to wear as pajamas, much warmer."

"Get lost, I'm going to wash up." Zhuo Ning turned and headed to the bathroom.

He watched her back as she walked away, the nightdress barely covering her alluring curves, her long legs dazzlingly white.

Forget it, I'll quit drinking tomorrow.

After breakfast, Ao Xi still felt weak. He stepped on the scale—he'd lost weight. Alcohol is truly harmful.

During the day, Zhuo Ning went to class, and Ao Xi wandered about. There was plenty to explore around UCLA—Hollywood Hills, the Sculpture Park, Universal Studios, the Walk of Fame, all popular spots.

Ao Xi took a quick look at each and left. He wasn't into taking photos, and besides, the crowds were huge. On the streets, there were all sorts of 'artists' who would force their wares on you. They'd say they were struggling, hand you a free CD to promote themselves, but once you took it, they'd demand fifty or a hundred dollars, refusing to let you go until you paid. If you called the police, they'd drag it out.

Strolling, Ao Xi made his way to Santa Monica Beach, a famous tourist spot known for women sunbathing nude. Whether they were beautiful, he couldn't tell—they all covered their faces.

The sand here was fine and comfortable to walk on. If you were willing to spend a little, there were rickshaws to tour the beach for a modest fee.

But that wasn't the highlight—the real draw was the frequent excitement.

Ao Xi hadn't gone far when he saw two shirtless black youths arguing on the roadside for reasons unknown. Their words flew like machine-gun fire, rhyming as they sparred, neither able to outdo the other, so they started fighting.

One wore sneakers, the other was barefoot. As the saying goes, the barefoot fear nothing—the barefoot youth quickly pinned the one in sneakers and beat him up.

The crowd of tourists didn't bother to intervene. Everyone had their phones out, recording, hoping the video would boost their followers.

Ao Xi didn't intervene either. He grabbed an ice cream and enjoyed the show.

A rickshaw sped past Ao Xi, 'Duang'—it slammed into the barefoot youth, knocking him off balance. He staggered, failed to steady himself, and fell to the ground.

Ao Xi, ever observant, noticed the rickshaw driver discreetly kick the youth, ensuring he went down.

A young white man got off the rickshaw, separated the two fighters, and warned them not to continue or he'd call the police.

He was bold—unafraid the youths might pull a gun from their pants and retaliate.

Fortunately, neither youth was armed. Hearing the threat of police, they quickly dispersed.

Each youth looked harmless at first glance, but upon checking their records, there would be a long list of crimes. They were very wary of police scrutiny.

With the excitement over, Ao Xi wandered back to the hotel, opened the window to let in the sea breeze, and was just about to nap when he received a call instructing him to return to work the next day.

"I haven't even completed my psychological evaluation yet. Is my administrative leave over already?"

"What else? Over a dozen officers on leave—do you know how many people the precinct has in total? Besides, the District Attorney's office has closed the case. All the gunmen arrested were released without charges."

"What?!"