As noon approached, it was time for another joyful meal – or as Su Yudiel would say, grub time.

  Su Yudiel insisted on going for all-you--eat Korean BBQ.

  She pulled out all her cash, ted it, and said, "I'll keep enough for the bus ride back, and you have the rest. If it's not enough, you cover the rest."

  Zhuang Zi'ang shook his head. "You don't o pay."

  "No way, I said st time it’s my treat!" Su Yudiel insisted.

  Zhuang Zi'ang, seeing her determinatioed and took the money. He had his own little egg, about five or six thousand yuan, saved up over the years – New Year's red envelope money from his grandparents and occasional pocket money from his mom.

  With his usual spending habits, it would easily st him three months, as long as he did out extravagantly every day. But with this little foodie around, his expenses were definitely higher than pnned.

  Korean BBQ meant grilling the food yourself, which was more iive than just dishes.

  Su Yudiel oiled the grill and pced various meats on it. Soon, the sizzling sounds and delicious smells filled the air. Drool ractically dripping from the er of her mouth, the little glutton.

  Ohe meat was almost cooked, she picked up the first piece, dipped it in sauce, ed it iuce, and held it up to Zhuang Zi'ang's lips.

  "Here, open wide."

  Zhuang Zi'ang obediently opened his mouth and accepted her .

  The riess of the pork belly erfectly banced by the crisp lettuce. The first bite ure bliss.

  Zhuang Zi'ang couldn't feed himself because he was busy peeling shrimp for Su Yudiel. His hands were greasy.

  He peeled the shrimp with practiced ease, and soon a mountain of glistening shrimp piled up on Little Butterfly's pte. It was a se of tender domesticity, remi of a harmonious and respectful marriage (举案齐眉, a ese idiom).

  Diners at other tables gave them envious looks.

  "Wow, that young couple is so cute together!"

  "The girl is so pretty and sweet."

  "And the guy is hot too! Look how smoothly he peels shrimp."

  ...

  Some of the ents drifted iving Zhuang Zi'ang a little ego boost. If only Little Butterfly were really my girlfriend, he thought.

  Su Yudiel tuned out the ents, pretending to focus on the food on the grill. But her pink earlobes gave her away.

  Just as Zhuang Zi'ang swallowed the first pieeat, another was already at his lips.

  He gently pushed her chopsticks away. "You haven't eveen anythi. Don't just keep feeding me."

  "Eat one more piece, then I'll eat," Su Yudiel said firmly.

  Zhuang Zi'ang sighed and opened his mouth agai fed to him by Little Butterfly tasted extra delicious. Even though she was a big foodie herself, she was holding back her cravings to feed him first. What a sweet girl.

  Zhuang Zi'ang had been to this BBQ pce before with Lin Mushi. Lin Mushi, a pampered princess, was terrified of getting oil sptters on her hands or fad kept well away from the grill. Back then, he had to grill, peel shrimp, and pour drinks, while campus queen Lin Mushi did nothing but eat and drink.

  Little Butterfly was different. You could tell she was a skilled girl, probably great i too. She always got the cooking time just right.

  After finishing the shrimp, Zhuang Zi'ao wash his hands. When he came back, he saw that Little Butterfly had split the remaining shrimp, giving him half.

  "What do you want to drink? Coke again?" Zhuang Zi'ang asked, smiling.

  Su Yudiel beed him closer. "e here a sec."

  Zhuang Zi'ang leaned down. "Why the big secret about drinks?"

  Su Yudiel leaned in close and whispered a bold idea in his ear.

  Zhuang Zi'ang's pupils instantly widened. "What? Dr… drink alcohol?"

  Su Yudiel blinked ily. "I’ve heard that alcohol tastes really good. People say it makes you feel like you're in heaven."

  Zhuang Zi'ang had always been a good boy and rarely drank. He’d only heard adults say that alcohol could mess you up.

  Their eyes met, both teetering on the edge of something daring.

  Finally, Zhuang Zi'ang screwed up his ce. To hell with it, let's drink! He only had three months left anyway. He was done being a good boy. It would be a waste to die without ever knowing what it was like to be drunk. Besides, Dr. had said to eat and drink whatever he wahe freedom of not g was… liberating. The BBQ pce had a self-serve drink station. Zhuang Zi'ang first grabbed a bottle of baijiu, strong ese liquor, then put it bad took two bottles of beer instead. Maybe they shouldn't go too crazy.

  He poured the beer into their gsses. The golden liquid with its white foam released a light, malty aroma.

  Su Yudiel raised her gss. "Zhuang Zi'ang, to being happy every day! Cheers!"

  "Cheers, to my good friend."

  Their gsses ked, and they both started chugging.

  The beer was bitter with a slight alcoholic bite. Zhuang Zi'ang frowned. pared to milk tea and Coke, this stuff tasted like horse pee.

  He g Su Yudiel. Her brows were furrowed too, she clearly wasn’t enjoying it either. Their eyes met, but her wao back down. They forced themselves to finish their gsses, despite the taste.

  Little Butterfly's face was noticeably pinker now, a lovely rosy hue. Even cuter than before.

  "Zhuang Zi'ang," Su Yudiel asked tentatively, "is it… good?"

  "Dude, it’s amazing! I drink this stuff all the time!" Zhuang Zi'ang bluffed.

  "Yeah, it’s actually not bad!" Su Yudiel chimed in, not wanting to be outdone. "Another round? I'm gonwo more bottles!" She refilled both their gsses.

  Zhuang Zi'ang gulped, already suffering for his pride. Ah, pride es before a fall.

  After a couple of shrimp, they ked gsses again, the sound clear and bright. They dowheir drinks, secretly watg each other, making sure no one cheated.

  Little Butterfly’s cheeks were even rosier, and she was much more animated, talking non-stop. She chattered away, sharing jokes she’d collected over the years, often bursting into ughter halfway through, doubling over with giggles.

  Beer wasn’t strong, but Zhuang Zi'ang was a total newbie when it came to alcohol. After a few gsses, his head inning, his cheeks were flushed, and he was seeing two of Little Butterfly. He didn't quite get the punes of her jokes, but he ughed along anyway. Just being with Little Butterfly made him happy.

  Before they k, they’d each dowwo bottles of beer. Zhuang Zi'ang, fighting off the wooziness, stumbled to the ter to pay.

  Wheurned, he found Little Butterfly slumped oable, head resting on her arms, fast asleep. She looked adorably tipsy.

  "Little Butterfly, I'll take you home to sleep," Zhuang Zi'ang said, gently nudging her.

  "Zhuang Zi'ang, carry me," Su Yudiel slurred, her words a little mushy.

  Sober, Zhuang Zi'ang could have carried her easily. But now, he was willing but unable. He could barely walk straight himself.

  They ended up supp each other, staggering out of the BBQ pce.

  Luckily, his apartment wasn't far. With Herculean effort, Zhuang Zi'ang mao get Su Yudiel onto his bed.

  He took off her vas shoes and pulled her skirt down a little, c her long, elegant legs.

  "You sleep here. I'll take the sofa outside," Zhuang Zi'ang whispered in her ear.

  Suddenly, Su Yudiel ed her arms around Zhuang Zi'ang's ned pulled his head down.

  Caught off guard, Zhuang Zi'ang lost his bance. He fell forward, his lips nding squarely on her plump, cherry-red lips.