Winning the male lead

Under the dim blue lights of the private room, Le Tian sat comfortably in the center, legs crossed as he downed drink after drink poured for him by the others. His face was already flushed, yet he responded to the probing questions around him with vague, indifferent remarks.

Sitting beside him, Xu Tao noticed his reddening complexion and tugged on his sleeve, whispering, “Drink less.”

Lu Tianning, who had been observing them, quickly handed him another “Depth Charge” cocktail. “What are you talking about? If we’re out to have fun, we should go all out!”

Le Tian chuckled, nodding. “True.” Taking the glass, he turned to Lu Tianning with a sweet smile. “How about we drink together?”

Lu Tianning’s smile froze.

Although he had insider information that Shen Le Tian had been removed from the family registry, Le Tian’s natural and unbothered demeanor made him second-guess himself. For a moment, he wasn’t sure what attitude he should adopt toward him. While he hesitated, a crystal glass was shoved into his palm.

Looking up, he met Le Tian’s bright, crescent-shaped smile. As if bewitched, he raised his glass and downed it in one gulp.

The strong alcohol burned down his throat, yet he maintained eye contact with Le Tian the entire time. Seeing the appreciative smile on Le Tian’s face, he instinctively straightened his back, suddenly feeling full of masculine confidence.

“Lu, your drinking skills are impressive,” Le Tian gave him a thumbs-up. “Another round!” Then, turning to Xu Tao, he called out, “Tell the kitchen to whip up some dishes. Drinking alone is boring.”

Xu Tao hesitated. “…Alright.”

Blue Moon didn’t even have a kitchen. Xu Tao suspected Le Tian was already drunk. He vividly remembered their last drinking session—his alcohol tolerance was merely average at best.

After struggling internally for a while, he discreetly got up and headed to the restroom. He locked himself in a stall, debating for ten minutes before finally gathering the courage to dial the Shen family’s number.

A housekeeper answered, her voice lively. “Hello, this is the Shen residence.”

“Is Mr. Shen there?”

The maid was well-trained, answering tactfully, “May I ask who’s calling?”

“I can’t say, but please inform Mr. Shen that Le Tian is at Blue Moon, being forced to drink. He’s already very drunk,” Xu Tao paused before adding, “If he still cares, he should come pick him up.”

The housekeeper replied cheerfully, “Understood, thank you.”

She hung up and immediately went to knock on Shen Lixing’s study door.

“Come in.”

Because he was at home, he was dressed casually in a charcoal-gray shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hair was neatly combed, and he stood by the window, reading a document in his hand.

“Sir, someone just called saying that the young master is drunk at Blue Moon.”

Shen Lixing lifted his gaze, his face as cold and impassive as a stone statue. He said indifferently, “Got it. You may leave.”

The housekeeper obeyed, but as she walked down the stairs, she mumbled, “Does the master really not care about the young master anymore? That doesn’t seem right…”

Every time the young master thought he was sneaking out unnoticed, the master would watch him from the balcony, standing there for a long time as he left.

What kind of game were these two playing? The housekeeper sighed worriedly.

Having worked in the Shen household for nearly ten years, she had long regarded the place as her second home. Just as she reached the corner of the staircase, she heard the sound of steady footsteps behind her. Turning back, she saw Shen Lixing draping a black trench coat over his shoulders, his expression dark as he strode past her like the wind.

The housekeeper patted her chest. Now, this was how things should be.

Back at Blue Moon, the private room was now a battlefield of intoxication. People were sprawled across the sofas, passed out from drinking. Le Tian, still looking relaxed, poured himself another drink. Although his face was flushed, he remained composed.

System: Heh, a bunch of mortals thinking they can challenge an elephant’s drinking capacity.

Xu Tao, having returned from his phone call, tried to shield Le Tian from a few more drinks but ultimately succumbed to drunkenness, collapsing onto the couch while mumbling his name.

Le Tian finished his last sip and got up slowly. The moment he lifted his foot, a hand grabbed his wrist—it was Lu Tianning, who was slumped on the floor.

He was completely drunk, eyes unfocused as he held onto Le Tian’s hand stubbornly, slurring, “D-Don’t… don’t go…”

Drunk people were ridiculously strong. Le Tian couldn’t shake him off and crouched down to meet his gaze. “Let go.”

Lu Tianning stared at him, his gaze almost predatory. Suddenly, he yanked Le Tian into his embrace.

Le Tian was momentarily stunned and was about to push him away when Lu Tianning slumped against his shoulder, mumbling drunkenly near his ear, “You… faking… hic… fake your mom’s… zzz…”

Le Tian: “…”

For a moment, he was unsure which part of this bastard he should punch first.

Entangled tightly by Lu Tianning, he bent his knee slightly, preparing to shove him off. However, as soon as he moved, Lu Tianning’s long legs wrapped around his own, and his grip tightened even further.

“Why is this dog so damn strong?” His face turned red from exertion. His glasses had fallen aside, and the bright lights stung his eyes, making them water slightly. “Almighty System, help your dear partner out!”

System: I’d love to, but I don’t think you’ll need my help.

Le Tian: “⊙▽⊙?”

The private room door suddenly swung open with a loud thud. The lively chatter outside instantly died down.

The sound of steady, authoritative footsteps approached.

Le Tian squinted against the harsh lighting, looking up. Under the dim blue glow, he could only make out a tall figure—clad in a black trench coat, standing imposingly.

“Wow, even in such a dark room, Shen Lixing’s beauty is still dazzling,” Le Tian excitedly told the system. He then gave him a goofy, drunken smile and called out in a sticky, affectionate voice, “Little Uncle~”

Shen Lixing remained expressionless as he reached out and grabbed Lu Tianning’s arm. A sharp scream immediately rang in Le Tian’s ears—Lu Tianning let go of him in an instant, rolling on the ground while clutching his arm in pain.

Le Tian silently mourned for him for three seconds before turning back to Shen Lixing, still grinning foolishly, tilting his head in an attempt to look cute.

“Get up,” Shen Lixing commanded in a low voice.

To maintain his persona of having a low alcohol tolerance, Le Tian had no choice but to continue pretending to be drunk. Slurring his words, he mumbled, “I… I like… Little Uncle the most!”

Shen Lixing’s dark eyes flickered. His long, dense eyelashes slowly lowered, hiding his expression. Without another word, he reached out and picked him up.

Le Tian obediently wrapped his arms around his shoulders.

Shen Lixing could feel the heat from Le Tian’s flushed face against his chest. He cast a cold glance around the private room before addressing the fearful manager standing at the door. “Send them home.”

The manager, who had been bowing ever since Shen Lixing arrived, hurriedly nodded. “Yes, yes, of course!”

Shen Lixing had driven himself here in a fiery red sports car—one that Le Tian had always liked. The cramped interior made it slightly difficult for him to settle Le Tian into the passenger seat.

Inside the car, Le Tian’s face was flushed, his soft short hair messily scattered, revealing a smooth forehead. His round, bright eyes were closed as he leaned against the window, sleeping soundly and carefree.

Shen Lixing stared at him for a long time.

Le Tian grew nervous. “Is he suspecting that I’m faking sleep?”

System: “Kinda looks like it. His gaze is really sharp.”

Le Tian tried to steady his breathing, attempting to make his movements appear natural. He subtly shifted his shoulders, hoping to block Shen Lixing’s gaze with his arm.

The moment he moved, Shen Lixing moved as well. He slowly leaned in, lowering himself beside his ear.

“Shit, is he about to curse at me too?” Le Tian grumbled internally. Lu Tianning, that bastard, I won’t let him off the hook.

Then, suddenly—

A soft, cool touch brushed against his burning earlobe.

His entire body tensed.

A low, gentle voice sounded next to his ear.

“I feel the same way.”