Why is the system taking my request to photograph a cosplayer seriously?

Chapter 13: The First Time

Inside the private room.

Ten people, eight men and two women, were scattered around a large round table that could seat fifteen.

Several plates of cold dishes, peanuts, and edamame were already laid out on the table, and seven or eight bottles of beer had been opened. The atmosphere was slowly warming up.

Xie Baoyang pushed the door open and shouted, "The food's served! Is everyone here?"

"Where is Ding Heng?" someone asked.

"That shouldn't be," Xie Baoyang scratched his head. "He arrived at seven o'clock, and just disappeared?"

"Sorry, I'm off to pick someone up."

Ding Heng walked into the private room right on time, and everyone turned around at once.

The entire private room fell silent for a moment, then erupted in a chorus of exclamations of "Wow!"

A girl with dyed silver hair and a cool and stylish outfit was standing close to Ding Heng, smiling brightly.

"Hello, my name is Zhao Yanxi!"

Zhao Yanxi introduced herself generously. Although she didn't directly mention her relationship with Ding Heng, their intimate posture was enough to explain the situation.

"Holy crap! Ding Heng! You're something else!"

Xie Baoyang was the first to yell, his eyes wide: "Where did you find this junior, Wa?"

Ding Heng pulled out two chairs, gesturing for Zhao Yanxi to sit down, and complained, "Don't even think about it, she's a complete casual gamer, she doesn't play games."

Zhao Yanxi gently nudged Ding Heng's arm, playfully complaining, "Isn't it because someone won't teach me? You stingy guy."

"Hahaha--"

Everyone burst into laughter, and teasing voices rose and fell.

"Ding Heng, that's not very nice of you! Your own wife wants to learn, and you're not going to teach her step by step!"

A blush crept onto Zhao Yanxi's face. She didn't refute the term "wife" at all. She then naturally took the bowl and chopsticks in front of Ding Heng, picked up the teapot on the table, and carefully rinsed it with hot water.

Ding Heng sat down leisurely, enjoying Zhao Yanxi's service with a clear conscience.

"By the way, I heard from Ding Heng that you guys can all hold your liquor?"

After clearing away the dishes, Zhao Yanxi smiled sweetly, took out two bottles of Moutai from her small backpack, and slammed them onto the turntable.

In an instant, it was as if the private room had been muted.

All eyes were focused on the two bottles of wine, and the air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

Many of the families present were well-off and wouldn't be surprised by two bottles of Moutai.

However, most high school graduates are eager to integrate into society during the summer vacation and prove their adulthood in various ways!

Boys might try things like spending all night at internet cafes and experimenting with smoking and drinking, while girls might try things like wearing makeup and traveling.

Or perhaps a man and a woman get involved together...

Moutai, a symbolic liquor in the adult world, undoubtedly represents a significant and symbolic threshold for "adulthood" in this specific context.

Even in the eyes of real adults, their behavior is still childish and ridiculous...

"You're so generous, sister-in-law!"

Some quick-witted people had already started making noise, instantly igniting the atmosphere, which was more than ten times more enthusiastic than before.

Xie Baoyang jumped up with a yell: "I'm going downstairs to get the decanter and liquor glasses! Wait here!"

Taking advantage of the moment, Ding Heng slightly turned to the side: "Where did you get that Moutai?"

Zhao Yanxi felt Ding Heng's warm breath, but instead of flinching, she moved even closer, her lips pressed against his earlobe.

"I took it from my dad's liquor cabinet, and brought it here especially to make you look good."

"You're such a rip-off!"

"Then I won't take it next time?"

"Next time, just give it to me directly. It's too wasteful to let them drink it."

"Hehe...Okay!"

Zhao Yanxi was amused by Ding Heng, but then she began to think seriously about what else was in her wine cabinet.

It seems that there are several bottles of wine that have been there since she can remember.

My dad hasn't drunk it; he probably doesn't like it...

Soon, Xie Baoyang returned with a decanter and small white wine glasses. He carefully opened a bottle of Moutai and gave each of the boys who could drink a small cup.

Just as Ding Heng raised his hand to say he would drive, a slender hand reached out and steadily took the cup of wine from him.

He's driving, I'll take his place.

"oh--!!!"

Another loud commotion erupted, loud enough to blow the roof off.

Ding Heng didn't stop him, but asked in a low voice, "Have you been drinking?"

Zhao Yanxi shook her head, looking at the clear liquid in the glass, and said in a relaxed tone, "No, but there's always a first time for everything."

Her tone was calm, with a slightly trembling, alluring quality at the end, but the hand holding the wine glass was visibly trembling.

Excitement? Or fear?

Ding Heng couldn't guess what Zhao Yanxi was thinking at that moment, nor did he have any intention of stopping her.

He silently watched as she raised her glass, tilted her head back, and swallowed her first sip of strong liquor.

The spicy liquid slid down my throat, bringing a burning sensation.

Zhao Yanxi tried hard to maintain her expression, but the tears that welled up instantly and her brows that furrowed suddenly betrayed her.

Ding Heng asked with concern, "How is it?"

She quickly grabbed a few bites of cold food to suppress her urges, forcing a smile as she said, "It's alright..."

The party continued, but Zhao Yanxi wasn't the only one who couldn't drink alcohol.

For a group of young people who are experiencing strong liquor for the first time, this "adult experience" is not pleasant.

After a few rounds of drinks, people began to turn pale, covering their mouths and rushing to the restroom, perhaps with traces of dishevelment still lingering on their lips when they returned.

Ding Heng noticed that Zhao Yanxi was putting on a brave face.

She drank most of the cup of wine. Although she didn't vomit, her condition visibly deteriorated. Her originally fair cheeks were now flushed with an intoxicating blush that spread all the way to her ears and neck.

Those bright, lively eyes seemed to be covered with a layer of mist, their gaze unfocused and difficult to concentrate.

She stopped talking much, only occasionally laughing absentmindedly. Her body grew weaker and weaker until she finally lost all strength and collapsed into Ding Heng's arms.

Silver strands of hair clung messily to his sweaty forehead, and his breath, carrying the warm scent of alcohol, brushed against the man's neck.

Her arms were softly wrapped around Ding Heng's arms, and her body temperature was alarmingly high even through the thin fabric of her clothes.

Because of her posture, the collar of her loose sports jacket was askew, revealing one side of her delicate collarbone and the soft, curved shadow below.

A classmate handed Ding Heng a cigarette. Ding Heng took it, thanked him, but simply placed it on the table in front of him without touching it.

In her dazed state, Zhao Yanxi seemed to have seen some novel toy. She reached out, picked up the cigarette, held it up to her eyes, and examined it with hazy, drunken eyes.

"You...don't smoke?"

She mumbled incoherently and tilted her head to look at Ding Heng.

"I don't smoke much."

Ding Heng tried to take the cigarette back from her hand, but Zhao Yanxi pulled her hand away and pouted mischievously.

"So, should we smoke or not?"

"The last time I drew a lottery ticket was before the college entrance exam, and I was under a lot of pressure."

"And... what about the time before that?"

Zhao Yanxi continued to press for answers, her eyes unfocused yet persistent.

Ding Heng did not reply.

Zhao Yanxi suddenly laughed, her laughter tinged with drunken abandon.

She imitated the way her father used to smoke, clumsily putting the filter into her rosy lips, and then picked up a lighter from the table.

"Smack."

A flame shot up, and Zhao Yanxi leaned over to light it, then took a deep breath.

"Cough cough! Cough cough cough—"

The thick smoke rushed into her throat, causing her to cough violently and her eyes to well up with tears.

Ding Heng reached out and took the cigarette directly from her lips, then stubbed it out on the table.

"Don't learn this."

"Hmm... I'll listen to you, I'll listen to everything you say."

Zhao Yanxi, drunk, leaned further into Ding Heng's arms, wrapped her arms around his waist, buried her burning cheeks in his shoulder, and spoke in a muffled voice.

"It's my first time... I just wanted to try it..."

This was my first time drinking alcohol, and also my first time smoking.

So what's next?

Zhao Yanxi tilted her head back, her burning lips almost touching Ding Heng's chin. Her misty eyes stared straight at him, swirling with the confusion of drunkenness.

She wrapped her arms around Ding Heng tighter, her breath sweet as orchids, making a bold suggestion.

"I'm drunk, take me back to the hotel..."