Zhang Zhenpeng, a chuunibyou teenager, had his entire mind focused on basketball before the national competition ended. Now that the national competition had finally concluded perfectly, he had, as expected, helped his team secure the championship trophy. While he felt a slight regret for not becoming the best player, Zhang Zhenpeng was generally satisfied with his performance this year.
The next national competition would not start for a long time, and Zhang Zhenpeng suddenly felt a sense of losing his goal.
Hearing He Ximeng say he was going out with friends, Zhang Zhenpeng thought for a moment and felt he should relax too.
“Count me in?” Zhang Zhenpeng replied to He Ximeng in English, asking both He Ximeng and John.
John looked at He Ximeng, who in turn asked John, “Are you financially well-off right now?”
Upon hearing this, John's face immediately fell. “If I were well-off, would I need to come all the way to China to earn a living?”
“What a coincidence! I don’t have money either!” He Ximeng spread his hands.
“Money? I do!” Zhang Zhenpeng said, looking like a generous fool.
John and He Ximeng exchanged a smile and said in unison, “Welcome aboard!”
“No! You can’t go out alone!” Zhang Tianai, who had been eavesdropping, immediately jumped out to stop them.
“Your girlfriend doesn't seem to agree…” John pointed at Zhang Tianai and asked He Ximeng.
“This isn't my girlfriend, this is my brother’s sister!” He Ximeng pointed at Zhang Zhenpeng. “She’s like my sister!”
“I’m not your sister! I want to be your girlfriend…” Zhang Tianai retorted in English!
John’s eyes widened. “Aren't Oriental girls usually very reserved?”
Zhang Tianai said with a proud look, “I’m an exception!”
Zhang Zhenpeng tugged at Zhang Tianai. “Stop messing around! We have important things to discuss!”
“Bullshit important things! You just want to go out and have fun!” Zhang Tianai insisted. “Unless you take me with you! Otherwise, I’ll tell Mom and she’ll cut your allowance!”
Zhang Tianai had hit Zhang Zhenpeng's soft spot. Zhang Zhenpeng looked at He Ximeng and John with a wry smile.
Zhang Zhenpeng was their benefactor, and they would all have to rely on him to pay for this outing.
“If you insist, then come along!” He Ximeng agreed.
“Is that convenient?” John asked.
“We'll play as we planned!”
John shrugged. Anyway, this little girl wasn't after him, so it wouldn't affect his fun.
“Yes! That’s great! Ximeng, you’re the best!” Zhang Tianai said, reaching out to hug He Ximeng's arm.
He Ximeng, however, pushed Zhang Zhenpeng’s arm into Zhang Tianai's hand.
After making arrangements, the four split up.
John first returned to the hotel to find his superior, saying he had met a friend and would be out for a drink tonight, returning to the hotel later.
He Ximeng and the Zhang siblings first returned to the team’s hotel.
He Ximeng reported the good news of winning the championship to his mother. In fact, He Fengting had watched the entire broadcast and already knew that her son had not only won the championship trophy but had also been selected as the best player of the national finals. This meant her son was now the strongest high school player?
He Fengting still found it hard to believe the outcome, as if it were a dream.
But the broadcast didn't lie, and her son’s call didn't lie. It seemed her son was truly about to embark on a professional basketball career.
After returning to the hotel, Zhang Zhenpeng and Zhang Tianai immediately called their mother and secured a large sum of activity funds!
With this activity fund, the Zhang brothers directly hired a large bus to take all their teammates, including Third Uncle, and special guest John, to Quanjude at Qianmen for a grand meal: one roast duck each, one box of lotus leaf buns each, and one plate of sweet bean sauce each.
It was a lavish way to eat! He Ximeng couldn't help but give Zhang Zhenpeng a thumbs-up.
John, however, was a little confused. “Is it common to serve individual portions in Chinese cuisine now?”
After finishing the roast duck, He Ximeng used John as an excuse to ask Third Uncle for leave. He said he wanted to take the Zhang siblings to visit the Beijing office of Nike.
Third Uncle suspected no trickery. After all, from Best Coach of the Zhejiang region, to Best Coach of the Eastern region, to Best Coach of the National Finals… Zhang Yide’s life had changed drastically because of his “trust” in He Ximeng.
Third Uncle did not hesitate to believe He Ximeng’s words!
Thus, Third Uncle led the remaining teammates onto the bus back to the hotel.
“Alright, what’s our plan now?” John eagerly asked He Ximeng.
“First, we’ll go to Houhai Bar Street for a drink, then to Gui Street for crayfish, and at midnight, we’ll go to the north gate of Gongti…”
John had been full of anticipation for Houhai Bar Street. However, upon arriving, he discovered it was mainly for enjoying the scenery and listening to migrant singers, which was too refined for his taste.
On the other hand, Zhang Tianai and Zhang Zhenpeng loved the scenery of Houhai and praised it profusely.
When they reached Gui Street, the crayfish looked delicious, but John didn't know where to start! It took him a great deal of effort to peel the crayfish shell, and the spicy flavor made him gasp for air as he inhaled.
As for the last stop, the north gate of Gongti, John initially didn’t want to go, thinking Beijing's nightlife was just like this.
However, at He Ximeng's strong suggestion, John reluctantly agreed to take a car to the north gate of Gongti. To his surprise, he was greatly invigorated!
He Ximeng ultimately did not disappoint him.
In their previous lives, when they were both single, John had often taken He Ximeng to such places to relax. Of course, later, He Ximeng had Kayla, and John had Jill, so they rarely went to bars. Even when John couldn't resist and dragged He Ximeng along, they would just go for a drink and wouldn't dare do anything that would betray their families.
But now… John was still single!
Although He Ximeng was also single, he had Zhang Tianai, a burden, with him. In the dim and ambiguous environment, Zhang Tianai had already attracted more than one wave of approaches from lonely men. To ensure Zhang Tianai’s safety, He Ximeng dared not leave her side, acting as her bodyguard throughout.
As for Zhang Zhenpeng, he actually preferred the atmosphere of the Houhai bars. Could it be that Zhang Zhenpeng was still a literary youth at heart?
Within an hour, John had managed to pick up a blonde, blue-eyed British international student in the crowd!
Fortunately, he hadn’t corrupted a Beijing girl. As for Sister Jill, He Ximeng could only silently say “I’m sorry” in his heart. Before meeting you, John wouldn’t have remained chaste anyway. One less British girl, and one more British girl made no difference.
After his confession, He Ximeng checked his watch. It was past one in the morning, and today’s sightseeing activity should come to an end.
He Ximeng suggested they all return to the hotel to sleep. Zhang Zhenpeng and Zhang Tianai were already exhausted and enthusiastically agreed. John, having met his destined person, also readily agreed.
Leaving the bar, the five of them took two taxis.
He Ximeng, with the Zhang siblings, prepared to return directly to the team’s hotel to sleep.
John, with the British girl, got into another car, ready for a night of pleasure.
After getting into the car, before leaving, John rolled down the car window. His eyes appeared hazy with drunkenness, but in reality, he had a shrewd look as he said to He Ximeng, “Don’t you have anything you want to ask me? I’ve been waiting all night…”