Chapter Thirty-Seven: Intoxication

After separating from Xu Xingxing, Li Daoran walked to Liu Meng’s door.

Before he could knock, Liu Meng’s voice came from inside, “Come in.”

Li Daoran opened the door and saw Liu Meng standing by the window, holding a tall glass filled with a violet-red wine. She turned to him and said, “I saw you sneaking around from upstairs. What’s going on?”

Li Daoran shrugged. “It’s all because of the exam.”

“Hah, getting cocky? It’s just basic knowledge. I aced all those exams when I was twelve. What’s there to be proud of?” Liu Meng scoffed.

“I’m not proud at all,” Li Daoran replied helplessly.

Liu Meng drained her glass in one gulp, poured two more glasses from a bottle on the table, and handed one to Li Daoran.

He shook his head repeatedly. “No, no, I don’t drink.”

Though the vivid purple wine looked enticing, Li Daoran dared not touch it. If he got drunk and returned to Azure Star, a hundred billion people drunk at once would be no joke.

“Really not drinking? This bottle of Violet Orchid is worth thirty merit points, and it’s impossible to find on the market,” Liu Meng said, licking her lips as if savoring the taste.

“Thirty merit points!” Li Daoran stared in shock at the half bottle of wine.

“Yep, made a little profit, so I had to treat myself.”

“A little profit?”

“Yeah, aren’t you here to pay your debt?”

Li Daoran took a sharp breath, grabbed the glass, and downed it, not because he’d stopped worrying about alcohol, but because Chen Ming’s voice echoed in his ear.

“Drink! Drink hard, don’t worry. Finish it!”

One glass wasn’t enough; he grabbed the bottle and drank straight from it, leaving Liu Meng stunned.

“Bah, what a waste. Like a cow chewing peonies—a whole bottle of Violet Orchid wasted.”

Li Daoran set down the elegant crystal bottle, burped, and savored the taste: smooth, mellow, slightly sweet. After swallowing, his stomach felt as if a small stove was warming him from within. His whole body basked in the warmth, as if bathed in sunlight at twenty-six degrees. He felt as though he could soar.

His cheeks flushed, his eyes took on a golden hue like a monkey’s. He staggered, never expecting the alcohol to hit him so quickly.

“You…” Li Daoran didn’t finish his sentence before collapsing into Liu Meng’s arms.

Liu Meng couldn’t tell whether Li Daoran had done it on purpose. She downed her own glass of Violet Orchid, supported him with one hand, shaking her head and muttering something under her breath.

When Li Daoran opened his eyes again, he found himself back on Azure Star. Chen Ming and the others stood around him, heads bowed.

“You really didn’t do it on purpose?” Natasha asked.

“What? You’re all fine? I drank so much—how come you’re not affected?” Li Daoran, not understanding Natasha’s question, voiced his own confusion.

“That little bit? The alcohol in my medicinal tonic is stronger than that,” Chen Ming said.

“Even if you drank a hundred bottles, split among a hundred billion people, it wouldn’t equal the alcohol in one tonic,” David explained, which Li Daoran finally understood.

“Still, was it intentional?” Natasha pressed.

“What are you talking about?” Li Daoran looked at her in confusion.

“Do you remember which direction you fell before you passed out?” David fixed his gaze on Li Daoran.

“No, why?” Li Daoran was even more puzzled.

“See, I told you it’s innate. No way he did it on purpose,” Chen Ming said cheerfully, collecting a hundred silver notes from each of the others, then handing one to Tam.

Li Daoran moved quickly; though he didn’t understand what was happening, he snatched a note. Chen Ming, unwilling to fight him, watched as Li Daoran took it.

David said enviously, “Based on my calculations, your head landed precisely in that spot. It’s absurd.”

“Which spot?” Li Daoran turned to ask.

“Can’t say, can’t say,” David replied mysteriously, turning away.

“By the way, why are you all here?” Li Daoran asked, puzzled, since the five rarely entered his room.

“Oh, you’ve been out for four hours. We figured you’d wake soon, so we came to check. If you didn’t, we’d have to do something,” Chen Ming replied.

“That long? So I slept twelve hours in Daoran’s world?”

“About that. Well, now that you’re awake, it’s time to get to work,” Chen Ming said, heading for the door.

“Hey, we passed fifty-one subjects! How come none of you look happy?” Li Daoran climbed out of bed, turned off the livestream, and stepped down.

“We’re happy, but the greatest credit isn’t ours, so the real celebration isn’t for us. Besides, it’s not time to relax yet,” Chen Ming suddenly said, his expression serious.

“Oh,” Li Daoran pouted, his excitement forcibly suppressed.

But when Chen Ming led him out, they found the base decorated with lanterns and red banners. The remnants of celebration were everywhere; faces were light and joyous, a stark contrast to the anxious, hurried expressions of previous days.

A satisfied smile crept onto Li Daoran’s face. Was there any need to say more? This was enough—worth everything.

He hadn’t expected an even greater surprise. In a small room, Li Daoran met his best friends.

“You’re my idol now, Daoran. You’re incredible. Don’t get up—I’ll say a few words and leave; there’s a line behind me. Even our teacher, Bald Qiang, is here. He’s amazing now—his hair’s grown back. Keep it up, Daoran. Don’t bring shame to Azure Star.”

He saw Bald Qiang, now with a full head of hair, who said as he stroked it, “I always knew you’d make something of yourself. My hair grew back thanks to you. Well done, I’m proud.”

He saw many familiar and unfamiliar classmates, neighbors, and elderly relatives.

Finally, they played for Li Daoran a montage of videos from across the world, showing the tense battles of those who took exams for him. Li Daoran’s heart surged with emotion, unable to contain himself.

“Hey, Chen Ming, what did you say earlier? Were you setting me up?” Li Daoran, returning to himself, realized Chen Ming had played him with a trick.

“See? They’re the ones who truly deserve celebration. Our duty is to protect these smiles. Do you really think we can relax and celebrate now?” Chen Ming’s words left Li Daoran speechless.

“Enough, Chen Ming, you people from Rabbit Country are always like this. I don’t like it. Don’t you think you’re being too harsh?” Natasha spoke up for Li Daoran.

“We won, so for now, what we say goes, Natasha,” Chen Ming replied.

“You won this time, but I still disagree with how you treat Daoran,” Charles said, standing beside Natasha, who stepped away to draw a clear line.

“Alright, enough. Calm down, everyone. Why fight? The five of us may represent different sides, but we’re friends, aren’t we?” David stepped in as peacemaker, positioning himself beside Charles.

Tam, though large and imposing, seemed to have nothing to add. He scratched his head and stood silently.