225. One Cup and You're Down
"So many scientists from Schicksal have spent so much time and still haven't been able to find a solution to the dangers of 'Artificial Stigmata,' do you really think you can?"
Himeko's tone softened slightly, perhaps because she felt a little apologetic for misunderstanding Yun Ling earlier.
"There's an old saying in Shenzhou: 'What predecessors couldn't do, doesn't mean we can't do too!' Just because they couldn't do it doesn't mean I can't. I am Yun Ling."
A strong confidence surged in Yun Ling's words, making Himeko feel as if he truly could do it, could create a miracle.
"Pfft..." Himeko couldn't help but laugh.
Of course, it wasn't mockery, but rather a strange kind of joy.
"Alright, if you really can do it, I don't mind having a boyfriend ten years younger than me!" Himeko's expression held a hint of amusement.
If it were before, she would never have given Yun Ling hope, but his confidence and persistence seemed to have truly given Himeko a glimmer of hope.
No wonder he's always surrounded by so many girls; they're probably all touched by his unintentional sincerity.
"Then, Himeko, get ready! I'll definitely succeed!" Yun Ling smiled, his eyes filled with joy.
"Come on, let's go for a drink." Himeko put her arm around Yun Ling's neck and headed towards the bar.
"Sister Himeko, please let me go!" Yun Ling pleaded, inhaling the fragrance emanating from Himeko.
"No way. Let me test if you really can't handle one drink." Himeko seemed determined to let Yun Ling experience it.
"This... alright." Yun Ling silently mourned for himself for a moment, hoping that his increased physical strength would also increase his alcohol tolerance.
Himeko ordered Yun Ling a drink with the lowest alcohol content, basically just fruit juice with very little alcohol.
Yun Ling suddenly remembered that he still had a Gift of Eden on him—a wine cup. Perhaps he could take this opportunity to test what that wine cup was for.
"Please fill this glass for me," Yun Ling said, pulling a wine glass from seemingly nowhere and addressing the bartender.
"What? You brought your own glass, and you say you don't drink?" Himeko felt immediately deceived.
Looking at the glass, the walls were entirely black, adorned with gold patterns. A dazzling ruby shimmered at the bottom.
The glass, resembling a work of art, immediately caught Himeko's attention; its extraordinary nature was evident even from its appearance.
No normal person would bring their own wine glass. Even if they did, it wouldn't be this expensive, would it?
"This was a gift. Since I rarely drink, I've never used one before. I thought I'd give it a try. I've heard that different glasses make a big difference in the taste of the wine," Yun Ling explained.
Soon, the elegant glass was filled with clear liquid.
Yun Ling swallowed, clinked glasses with Himeko, and drank it all in one gulp.
A rich fruity aroma filled Yun Ling's mouth; he couldn't even taste the alcohol, it was as if only fruit juice was inside.
Suddenly, his eyes widened, a warm sensation coursing through his body, seemingly sweeping away all his fatigue.
"It's delicious! Is it Pure fruit juice?" Yun Ling swirled the glass and asked.
"It has alcohol in it," the bartender shook his head.
Yun Ling immediately felt something was off, because previously he couldn't tolerate even a drop of alcohol; one sip and he'd be dead...
Could it be that his body had become stronger, and his alcohol tolerance had increased? Or was the alcohol concentration too low? Or was it the glass's doing?
"Another one, please. A higher alcohol concentration is fine," Yun Ling said eagerly, wanting to test it out.
"Didn't you say you couldn't drink?" Himeko pinched Yun Ling's cheek.
"Let me try again. Maybe this magical glass is working its magic," Yun Ling said, raising his glass.
His glass was quickly refilled, and he downed it again in one gulp.
Sure enough, there was no taste of alcohol, only a slight lemony dryness, like sparkling water.
"Still no alcohol taste. Looks like the glass really is the culprit," Yun Ling said, stroking his chin.
"I don't believe it. Let me try." Himeko snatched the glass from Yun Ling's hand, filled it with some liquor, and drank it down without hesitation.
If she wasn't mistaken, her lips touched the same spot Yun Ling had just drunk from.
Himeko smacked her lips, starting to wonder if she had drunk fake liquor.
If it weren't for the fact that another glass contained liquor from the same bottle, she would have grabbed the bartender by the collar and demanded an explanation.
"This really is...some kind of black technology?" Himeko examined the glass carefully but found nothing unusual.
"I don't know," Yun Ling shook his head.
He could roughly guess what was going on.
During the third simulation, he stayed by Eden's side as Eden's younger brother. At that time, Ling often restricted Eden's drinking, as alcohol was harmful to her health.
Therefore, Ling didn't want Eden to drink too much. Perhaps Eden kept this in mind after Ling's death, which is why such a wine glass appeared.
"Who gave you this? It's not some girl again, is it?" Himeko returned the wine glass to Yun Ling.
"...Sister Himeko is so perceptive." Yun Ling nodded awkwardly.
"You little brat, watch out, don't actually get a butcher's knife one day." Himeko was somewhat speechless, but she was slowly getting used to it.
"A butcher's knife? Absolutely not! Never in this life! I'm not the kind of person who starts something and then abandons it. I'm the most affectionate person in St. Freya Academy!" Yun Ling boasted.
"I think it's not affectionate, it's fickle." Himeko rolled her eyes at him, then poured a glass of wine and placed it in front of Yun Ling.
"Uh... Sister Himeko, what's this?" Yun Ling looked at the glass in front of him.
"Didn't I tell you? I don't believe you'll get drunk after just one glass. If you're lying to me, you'll be sorry." Himeko waved her fist.
"When did Sister Himeko become so mischievous?" Yun Ling tilted his head, feigning ignorance.
Himeko seemed to realize that her words were somewhat inappropriate, too girlish, completely out of place for her age.
Himeko immediately coughed lightly to cover her embarrassment.
She seemed to have relaxed too much in front of Yun Ling. Had she already let her guard down so easily in such a short time?
Indeed, this person was terrifying.
"Stop talking nonsense, drink." Himeko clinked her glass against Yun Ling's, then downed it in one gulp.
She turned the glass upside down to look at Yun Ling.
"It's a provocation."
"Sigh... I hope I'm still alive."
Yun Ling picked up his wine glass, looked up, and drank the liquid in it.
Then, he just slumped backward as he looked up.
Himeko quickly caught him.
What the hell? Is he really drunk after just one drink?
The wine hasn't even reached his stomach yet!
Himeko even suspected Yun Ling was faking it.
But seeing the flush on Yun Ling's face and hearing the soft snoring, it didn't seem fake at all.
"Alright, Yun Ling, stop pretending. I saw you smiling," Himeko said to Yun Ling.
But Yun Ling only responded with a deep breath.
"If you don't get up, I'll get angry."
"Okay, I was just joking with you. I won't hit you."
Himeko tried a few more words, but received no response.
He seemed to have really passed out drunk.
"Is it really true..."
...