Chapter 36: The Great Era Bus Is Departing

"Because I love, therefore I love—feelings don't need to be meted out with generosity."

In the karaoke lounge, Ji Yu held the microphone, singing the most popular song of the year. Le Jiatong and Fan Bingbing sat beside him, their eyes fixed on him, sparkling with adoration.

"That sounds so good!"
"You're amazing at singing! Let's do a duet!"

Ji Yu shot them a cocky, flirtatious wink, looking as if he were about to pull both of them into his arms. This vocal-shifting skill of his hadn't been practiced for nothing.

Shen Xiaohai sat alone in the corner, watching Ji Yu show off, regretting deeply that he had offered to pay for the night. He was spending his own money, only to let Ji Yu steal the spotlight and flirt with the girls. What was he thinking? Thinking about the over one thousand yuan he had spent to look like a big shot, his heart bled. Why were imported spirits so expensive? And yet, he had to order them! It was a stain on his wallet!

Depressed, Shen Xiaohai picked up his glass and downed it in one gulp. The money was already spent; he couldn't afford to lose out, so he might as well drink more!

After finishing his song, Ji Yu handed the mic to Shen Xiaohai. "Your turn! Waiter, please help my brother order 'Single Love Song'."

Shen Xiaohai was so angry he wanted to flip the table. Why on earth did he have to sing "Single Love Song"? Did they not realize the value of a handsome villain archetype? Plenty of people were chasing him!

The song attendant quickly queued the track, and the music soon filled the private room. Not wanting to lose face, Shen Xiaohai picked up the microphone and started singing. He sang with such lung-bursting intensity that he nearly passed out. What a piece of junk song—why was the key so high?

Panting, Shen Xiaohai felt he had put on a decent performance. He gave his hair a confident toss and looked toward Fan Bingbing and Le Jiatong, waiting for praise. However, neither woman was looking at him; each grabbed one side of Ji Yu, clamoring to sing a love song with him.

"Sing with me first!"
"I'm next!"
"Ji Yu, who are you singing with?"

Ji Yu sighed melancholically, turned his head to look at Shen Xiaohai, and gave him a look that said, "Life is so lonely."

Shen Xiaohai: "#@%￥%……#￥"

The little songbird was singing, but unfortunately, Ji Yu couldn't hear him.

"It's time for 'Hiroshima Love'! I'm singing with Ji Yu first!" Fan Bingbing gave Le Jiatong a triumphant smirk, darted in front of Shen Xiaohai, and snatched the microphone from his hand.

Shen Xiaohai: "..." I'll leave my wallet here, you guys go ahead and play!

"Crossing the borders of morality~~ We walked through the forbidden zone of love~~" Fan Bingbing and Ji Yu gazed deeply into each other's eyes, the tension almost palpable.

Le Jiatong sat there, unable to stop herself from curling her lip. *Go ahead and sing, if you're so bold, why don't you hug while you're at it!*

Seeing Le Jiatong left out, Shen Xiaohai thought his chance had come. He leaned in and said, "Jiatong, care for a drink?"

Le Jiatong smiled brightly and raised her glass. "Sure! Let's not stop until we're drunk tonight!"

Shen Xiaohai was instantly excited; there was still a chance! Le Jiatong’s glass was filled with oranges—something Ji Yu had taught her. Each pour was at most half the capacity of a normal glass. She drank three rounds with Shen Xiaohai, and she wasn't affected in the slightest.

Shen Xiaohai had been drinking a bit too fast and felt the urge to burp, but with a beauty by his side, he couldn't afford to be so unrefined. *Hold it in!*

Le Jiatong said with a sweet smile, "You have such a high tolerance. I'm not like that; I get tipsy after just a few glasses."

"You just need to practice more," Shen Xiaohai said, pouring her a drink with a grin. "Let's sing a song together in a bit."

"No rush, let's have two more."
"Uh... okay!"

By the time Ji Yu and Fan Bingbing finished their song, Shen Xiaohai had already downed six or seven glasses. Le Jiatong decisively ditched him, stood up, and hooked her arm around Ji Yu's, eager to sing. Fan Bingbing exchanged a glance with her and stepped up to take her turn.

"Brother Hai, thanks for treating us tonight. Let me toast you!"
"Bingbing... I... maybe..."
"Brother Hai, surely you wouldn't deny me that honor?" Fan Bingbing looked at him, feigning grievance.
"Drink! I'll drink, of course!"

In front of the projection screen, Le Jiatong cuddled up to Ji Yu, glanced back, and couldn't help but smirk mischievously. "Drink him under the table! Trying to get us drunk, indeed!"

Ji Yu clicked his tongue. Women were truly petty.

"Hurry, hurry, it's starting!" Le Jiatong shook his arm, excited. Ji Yu quickly picked up the microphone. It was Jacky Cheung’s classic love song, "You Are the Most Precious."

"At this time next year~~ At this same place~~"

Le Jiatong picked up the mic, looking into his eyes as she sang, "Remember to bring roses~~ Wear a tie~~ Tie up the longing~~"

The two swayed slowly as they sang. Le Jiatong felt that Ji Yu’s voice was truly beautiful—his tone was perfect, and most importantly, he sang with such depth of emotion. She couldn't help but rest her head on his shoulder, swaying gently. Somehow, she found herself thinking of the dance she and Ji Yu had shared yesterday. *Let's dance together again later!*

Behind them, Shen Xiaohai was already feeling the effects of the alcohol. In the time it took to sing two songs, he had finished three-quarters of the bottle of imported liquor all by himself. He was now thoroughly dizzy.

Seeing this, Fan Bingbing clapped her hands in triumph. *Little brat, trying to get us drunk!* She looked up at the two singing and, seeing their sweet appearance, immediately ran over to join the fun.

"I want in too!"
"It's a duet, don't mess it up!"
"I'm not messing it up, I'm joining you!"
"No!"
"I'm doing it anyway!"

The three of them squeezed together, fighting over the microphone. Shen Xiaohai slumped on the sofa, watching them with bleary eyes. Finally, he gave the middle finger to Ji Yu's back and collapsed, falling fast asleep.

Late at night, Ji Yu dumped Shen Xiaohai into his own room. "Brother, thanks for the treat today. Sleep well." Ji Yu tucked him in and headed out, humming a tune. Le Jiatong and Fan Bingbing were still waiting downstairs for a late-night snack. He couldn't keep the beauties waiting.

Once downstairs, Ji Yu got into the car and announced imperiously, "Late-night snack is on me, nobody fight me for it!"

"Pfft, how come you weren't fighting to pay the bill at the KTV just now?" Le Jiatong teased, leaning over the back of the driver's seat.

Fan Bingbing offered him an out, saying, "He was just a little strapped for cash."

"Who's strapped for cash! Who! I've been saving up for twenty years, I'll shoot you dead!" Ji Yu retorted blusteringly—this was a matter of a man's dignity!

Le Jiatong reached from behind and locked her arm around his neck, demanding, "Are you talking dirty? Your mind is impure!"

"You understood it? That means you're impure too!"
"Ugh!"

Fan Bingbing caught on, and at the thought of him saying he would "shoot" her, her face turned bright red. She reached out and twisted Ji Yu's ear, shouting, "You're teasing me, this isn't over!"

"I'm wrong, I'm wrong! I won't drive anymore!" Ji Yu begged for mercy.

Le Jiatong snorted and let go, saying, "If you don't drive, who's going to? Drive!"

Ji Yu muttered under his breath, "I drive, and you hit me."

*Pfft!*

Ji Yu shifted gears and slammed on the gas. "Beep beep! Sit tight and hold on, the Big Ji Bus is leaving the station!"

Inside the speeding car, the sounds of two women rang out.

"Slow down! I can't take it!"
"Ah! Ji Yu!! Take it easy!"

The women's cries were filled with joy and excitement. Ji Yu steered with one hand, looking suave. *Slow down? Absolutely impossible!*

"Scream all you want! Even if you scream until your throats go hoarse, no one is coming to save you!"

*Hehehehe~~~~*