Chapter Five: Let Me Embarrass Myself—The Righteous Plagiarist Strikes Back, Slapping Faces Once More

A blond youth arrived at Zhao Qun’s table accompanied by two girls, cheerfully calling out, “Brother Qun, you’re here! I’ll toast to you.”

Zhao Qun narrowed his eyes at the newcomer and replied coolly, “So it’s Xiao Wu, have fun.” He raised his glass slightly but didn’t drink. Xiao Wu, overwhelmed with favor, gulped down his entire drink in excitement.

After finishing his drink, Xiao Wu looked at the others and smiled as he greeted, “Brother Gao, Miss Liu, and who might this be?”

Seeing the unfamiliar face of Yan Fei, Xiao Wu took the initiative to introduce himself, wanting to get acquainted. Zhang Zhigao, however, responded coldly, “Just a minor player, don’t really know him.”

Hearing this, Xiao Wu immediately understood the tension between Zhang Zhigao and Yan Fei. Not knowing Yan Fei’s status and unwilling to show disrespect, he smiled apologetically at Yan Fei and then turned to Zhao Qun, saying, “Brother Qun, you all enjoy yourselves. If you need anything, just tell your little brother.”

The bar manager arrived with two waiters carrying trays of drinks. Smiling, he said to Zhao Qun, “Young master Zhao, as per your instructions, the drinks are ready. Enjoy your evening.”

Zhao Qun waved for the staff to step back, then opened several bottles, poured some drinks, and pushed a glass toward Yan Fei. With a smile, he said, “Since you’re Su Xin’s friend, I, Zhao Qun, consider you one too. Let’s forget the little misunderstanding before with a drink and be friends from now on.”

Looking at Zhao Qun, whose smile concealed a tiger’s cunning, Yan Fei didn’t believe these privileged second-generation elites would truly accept him as a friend. He chuckled softly, “Young master Zhao, you jest. There was no misunderstanding between us, so no grudges. Fate brought us together, and we are friends from now on. But I don’t drink alcohol; I’ll toast you with water instead.”

Zhang Zhigao snapped angrily before Zhao Qun could respond, “Kid, we’re drinking alcohol, and you’re drinking water? Do you look down on us or not consider us friends?”

Zhao Qun quickly stopped Zhang Zhigao and said sternly, “Zhigao, don’t talk nonsense. Brother Yan may have liver or kidney issues and can’t drink. We shouldn’t force it.”

Liu Suxin, hearing this, looked at Yan Fei with concern, softly saying, “Senior, sorry, I didn’t know you weren’t well and brought you to a bar.”

Yan Fei observed Zhao Qun and Zhang Zhigao’s synchronized act, putting him on a moral pedestal to attract Liu Suxin’s sympathy. If he refused to drink citing poor health, and she later discovered he was fine, she would think he had deceived her, and their budding feelings would end.

Setting down the water, Yan Fei picked up the glass Zhao Qun had pushed over and smiled, “I’m in good health, just not skilled at drinking. I can handle only one or two shots of strong liquor, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep you entertained.”

Zhao Qun and Zhang Zhigao’s eyes gleamed with a cold excitement. Secretly, they thought, “Perfect. It’ll be easier to get him drunk and carry out our plan.”

Seeing Yan Fei raise the glass, Zhao Qun smiled and said, “Brother Yan, you’re modest. These foreign liquors aren’t strong. Even with only one or two shots’ worth of capacity, you can still handle a pound of this.”

As Zhao Qun spoke, he clinked glasses with Yan Fei and downed his drink. Yan Fei followed suit. The atmosphere immediately grew harmonious.

Zhang Zhigao saw Yan Fei finish and brightened considerably. He raised his glass with a smile, “Come, Brother Yan, sometimes you have to fight before you know each other. Let’s drink.”

Without waiting for Yan Fei’s response, Zhang Zhigao drank his glass in one go. Yan Fei also followed.

Zhao Qun poured another glass for Yan Fei and said with a smile, “In our circle, new friends must drink three rounds on their first meeting. Otherwise, it shows an unwillingness to join our group.”

Yan Fei, seeing the smiles on Zhao Qun and Zhang Zhigao’s faces, realized they intended to get him drunk and embarrass him in front of Liu Suxin.

Having spent sixteen years as a seasoned player in social games, Yan Fei saw through their tricks at a glance. He smiled and said, “Just drinking is boring. I heard bars have games where the loser drinks.”

Zhang Zhigao and Zhao Qun’s expressions lit up. Yan Fei didn’t even know the dice game, yet he volunteered to play drinking games. They were just looking for excuses to make him drink, and now he jumped right in.

Zhao Qun chuckled, “Brother Yan means the dice game, right? Let’s play that then. Drinking alone is dull.”

Yan Fei feigned sudden understanding and quickly asked, “Yes, yes, tell me the rules, Young master Zhao!”

Zhao Qun nodded with a smile and waved for the waiter to bring dice and cups, giving one to Yan Fei as he began explaining the rules.

Once Yan Fei confirmed he understood, the game began. Liu Suxin drank water when she lost, while the three men drank alcohol.

In the dimly lit booth, the dice clattered inside the cups. Yan Fei lowered his head, awkwardly fiddling with the dice cup, looking like a novice.

“Yan Fei, are you playing or not?” Zhang Zhigao tapped the table impatiently. “Stop dawdling, call your number!”

Yan Fei looked up with a confused expression. “Uh... three threes?”

“Hahaha, is that all?” Zhang Zhigao scoffed and raised the stakes, “Four fives!”

Zhao Qun laughed, “Five fives.”

Liu Suxin chimed in, “Six fives.”

When it was Yan Fei’s turn again, Zhao Qun narrowed his eyes, studying Yan Fei’s face for a flaw. Yan Fei scratched his head and hesitated, “Uh... seven fives?”

“Challenge!” Zhao Qun slammed the dice cup, “I have one five—I don’t believe you have seven!”

Yet, inside Yan Fei’s dice cup lay four fives, and combined with the others’, it totaled exactly seven fives.

“Damn! Such luck?” Zhao Qun cursed as he downed two glasses, his face flushed.

Zhang Zhigao glanced suspiciously at Yan Fei, who shrugged innocently, “I don’t know, just guessing.”

Liu Suxin covered her mouth and giggled, “Looks like Senior Yan’s luck is good tonight.”

The game continued.

In the following rounds, Yan Fei still called numbers seemingly at random but always hit the mark when the dice were revealed. Zhang Zhigao and Zhao Qun drank more and more, their expressions growing sour.

“Seven sixes!” Yan Fei called again uncertainly.

“Who the hell are you bluffing? Challenge!” Zhao Qun slammed the table, and shockingly, there really were seven sixes.

“Shit!” Zhang Zhigao finally lost his temper. “Yan Fei, you’re faking, right?”

Yan Fei blinked innocently. “Huh? I really don’t know how to play, just shouting randomly.”

Liu Suxin shook her head smiling, “Looks like someone’s going to get completely drunk tonight.”

Zhang Zhigao and Zhao Qun exchanged glances and finally realized—they were being played.

Suddenly, cheers erupted from the bar. Everyone looked up to see Eason Chan had arrived, and the stage was ready. The bar’s grand opening event was starting.

Liu Suxin, spotting Eason Chan, cheered excitedly and waved her glow stick, joining the throng of fans in welcoming their idol.

Zhao Qun and Zhang Zhigao, seeing this, postponed their plan to get Yan Fei drunk, deciding to wait until after the event.

Eason Chan took the microphone at center stage, smiling at the enthusiastic crowd. “Hello everyone, long time no see! I’ve missed you all so much!”

Hundreds of young fans in the bar shouted “Eason!” and waved glow sticks, pushing the atmosphere to a fever pitch.

After half a minute of cheers, Eason Chan pressed his hands down. The crowd fell silent as he said, “I’ll start with a song called ‘Long Time No See’ to express how much I’ve missed you.”

The stage lights moved, instruments played sweet melodies, and Eason’s voice rose: “I came to your city, walked the roads you once took.”

As the beautiful song played, Yan Fei heard Liu Suxin quietly humming along beside him.

“Will you suddenly appear,

At the corner café,

I’ll smile and wave,

Sitting with you chatting.

I so wish to see you,

To see how you’ve changed,

No longer just exchanging greetings,

Just to say one thing,

Long time no see.”

When the song ended, Yan Fei thought Liu Suxin’s voice was pleasant, capturing the song’s essence while adding her own style.

After finishing, Eason joyfully shouted, “Friends, what else do you want to hear?”

The crowd began shouting song titles—“Ten Years,” “Exaggerated,” “Under Mt. Fuji,” “Best Bad Friend”—creating a lively, passionate scene.

Eason smiled hearing the requests, “Since you all want to hear these, we’ll sing them one by one. Let’s start with ‘Exaggerated,’ shall we?”

The crowd responded excitedly, “Yes!”

As the instruments began, the crowd quieted. Eason’s voice rang out: “Someone asked me, I told them, but no one came.”

The bar filled with the passionate singing of “Exaggerated.”

“You think I’m exaggerated, it’s because I’m afraid,

Words like wood and stone, do they get noticed?

Actually afraid of being forgotten, so I act bigger,

Uneasy how to be graceful,

Does the world praise silence? Not explosive enough,

How to find a topic for me to praise myself as a great entertainer.”

Yan Fei listened to the passionate song, and his long-dormant heart stirred. He couldn’t help but hum softly along.

One song after another, the few hundred patrons at the bar were delighted, feeling the night was well worth it.

Nearby, Zhao Qun’s eyes flickered with a sly cold smile. He immediately sent a text message on his phone, then joined the others in quietly humming.

Backstage, a bar manager hurried to a young man and whispered before handing over the phone.

Reading the message, the young man smiled. “Since Xiao Qun wants to play, let’s cooperate. I’ll talk to Eason now.”

On stage, Eason had just finished a song when a voice came through his earpiece: “Eason, this is Li Chengfeng. Later, pick someone from the audience to come up and sing.”

Eason nodded, showing respect. Li Chengfeng was a bar shareholder and sponsor of the event. Plus, Eason felt a bit tired and thought a little interactive break would be nice.

Scanning the crowd, Eason smiled, “Let’s play a little game—lights will randomly select a fan to come up and sing. Sound good?”

The crowd erupted with cheers. “Great! Singing with Eason will be so exciting!”

Seeing their enthusiasm, Eason called out, “Lighting crew, start the flying lights!”

Bright lights spun rapidly around the bar. After a few seconds, a spotlight landed on Yan Fei, and the crowd cheered, casting admiring glances his way.

Liu Suxin, seeing Yan Fei chosen, also cheered excitedly. “Senior, go up! You’re so lucky!”

Yan Fei met Liu Suxin’s admiring, happy gaze and felt his luck indeed favored him. On stage, Eason looked toward Yan Fei and smiled, “Fan friend, come on up!”

Yan Fei, who never idolized celebrities or cared for luck, wanted to refuse. But seeing the cold, sinister smiles of Zhao Qun and Zhang Zhigao, he realized their plot to embarrass him publicly.

Looking at their expectant, amused faces, Yan Fei smirked inwardly. Instead of refusing, he said, “Alright, I’ll go up.”

On stage, Yan Fei glanced coolly at Zhao Qun and Zhang Zhigao, silently vowing, “If you want to see me disgrace myself, I’ll give you a surprise and slap you in the face.”

Eason smiled at Yan Fei and asked, “Fan friend, what song would you like to sing? We can sing together!”

Yan Fei smiled faintly, “Hello Eason, I’m Yan Fei. I want to sing one of your future songs, which you probably don’t know yet, so it’ll be a solo.”

“Ah?” Eason didn’t understand Yan Fei’s meaning and looked at him blankly, unsure how to respond.