“Never… broke up?”

Peng Xue stared in shock at Xia Yuan clinging affectionately to Mei Fang. “So you didn’t ‘stay friends after a breakup’—you just… Wait, let me process this…”

“No need to process! I’ll explain everything properly…”

Xia Yuan had long wanted to share the truth about their three-way relationship with her best friend Peng Xue but never found the right moment. Now, after a detailed account, Peng Xue furrowed her brows, studying Xia Yuan until she squirmed.

“I-I’m not asking for your blessing! I know our situation is hard to understand… But you’re my closest friend. I had to tell you.”

“I’m just realizing something…” Peng Xue sighed. “No wonder I’ve always been your ‘best friend’ while Youxi wasn’t even in the running. She’s already family, huh?”

“Hehe… You could say that.”

Peng Xue’s gaze then shifted to Mei Fang. She scrutinized him before suddenly sliding onto his other side, leaning in until their faces were inches apart.

“What?” Mei Fang edged back, but Peng Xue closed the distance, slapping his shoulder with exaggerated force.

“Damn, Billionaire Boss Mei! You really know how to live, don’t you? Hahaha!”

Though unjustly pummeled, Mei Fang endured it for Xia Yuan’s sake. Meanwhile, Xia Yuan peeked around him, pleading, “Xiao Xue… I’ve told you everything now…”

“Yeah, yeah.” Peng Xue smiled faintly. “You shared this because I’m your best friend. Personally? I get it. You and Youxi grew up with this guy—of course your bonds are unbreakable.”

She raised her glass. “So let me revise my toast: May the three of you stay happy forever!”

“Thank you!” Xia Yuan eagerly clinked her cup against Peng Xue’s—only for Peng Xue to yank it away. “Hold on! No celebrating with kids. Boss Mei’s underage, but you gotta drink properly tonight!”

“F-Fine, I will!”

Mei Fang coughed pointedly. Xia Yuan immediately clutched his arm, swinging it like a pendulum while batting her lashes. “It’s just one cocktail! The alcohol’s low… Please?”

How could Mei Fang resist such a ‘devastating’ attack? With feigned sternness, he relented: “One. Cup. Only.”

“Yay! Ah Fang, you’re the best! Mwah!” She planted a kiss on his cheek as Peng Xue fake-gagged.

“I want an Alexander too! It’s delicious!”

After the drink arrived, Peng Xue clinked glasses with Xia Yuan. “Cheers!” She downed hers in one go while Xia Yuan struggled with cautious sips.

“Slow down! Don’t copy me—I can handle liquor.” Peng Xue watched, amused, as Xia Yuan managed half a sip before gasping, “I’m… learning to drink! See, Ah Fang? Hic!”

Her face flushed crimson. Mei Fang and Peng Xue burst out laughing.

“‘Learning’? You’re already wasted!” Mei Fang reached for her glass. “No more.”

“No! I need to… celebrate with Xiao Xue—”

“I said stop.”

The moment Mei Fang confiscated the drink, Xia Yuan’s temper flared—apparently, she was a feisty drunk. “Ugh, you’re so annoying! Take this!”

She plopped onto Mei Fang’s lap, tilted his chin up, and launched a clumsy but aggressive kiss.

“Mmph—”

This was Peng Xue’s first time witnessing Xia Yuan and Mei Fang lock lips. Though Mei Fang often teased Xia Yuan for her lack of skill, the sheer intensity of this “Youxi-style” kiss left Peng Xue stunned.

Five minutes later, Xia Yuan finally pulled away, smugly pinching Mei Fang’s cheeks. “Who’s… the noob now, huh? Hic!”

Mei Fang wiped his mouth, shooting Peng Xue a deadpan look. “Happy now?”

“How was I supposed to know she’d go full tigress?” Peng Xue laughed weakly, but her smile faded as Xia Yuan suddenly slumped against Mei Fang, murmuring his name in a drunken daze.

“Out cold by 9 PM…” Mei Fang checked his watch. “I should get her home.”

As he stood, Peng Xue grabbed his wrist. “Why rush? Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“Well…” He sat back down. “If you return to school, consider applying near Pengcheng University. We could collaborate on music—”

Peng Xue drained Xia Yuan’s abandoned glass. “Do you know the story behind ‘Alexander’ cocktails?”

“Not really.”

“It was created to honor the wedding of Britain’s King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. A royal drink—sweet, rich, like love itself.” She raised her empty cup. “Consider it my tribute to you and Yuan Yuan.”

“Thanks,” Mei Fang said softly.

“Ugh, you’re so boring without her.” Peng Xue elbowed him. “If you’re gonna play the perfect boyfriend, shouldn’t you at least not two-time?”

“Yuan Yuan and Youxi are exceptions.”

“Yeah… exceptions.” Her laughter was brittle.

By now, Peng Xue’s cheeks were flushed. Mei Fang frowned. “Should I get your cousin? You’re drunk too.”

“I wish I were drunk…”

Tears spilled suddenly as Peng Xue gazed at Xia Yuan’s sleeping face.

“Mei Fang… you bastard.”

“You stole the most important person in my life.”

“You were supposed to cherish her alone—with everyone’s blessing, including mine.”

“Now you want me to lie? To say I’m happy for you?”

“How could I ever be happy about this?!”

Her tear-streaked smile wavered as she searched Mei Fang’s eyes—but found only calm acceptance, no guilt or pity.

“…Sorry,” he whispered.

Then, in a blur, Peng Xue lurched forward—stopping just short of kissing Mei Fang. At the last second, she veered to press her lips lightly against Xia Yuan’s forehead instead.

“Oops.” She leaned back, touching her own lips with a shaky grin. “Tell Yuan Yuan I couldn’t resist—I just adore her so much.”

After wiping her face with the tissue Mei Fang offered, Peng Xue lifted her chin, her usual bravado returning.

“Hey, Boss Mei. You write such great songs… Will you compose one for me someday? Just one. I want to sing something you made for me.”

“I promise,” he said gently.

Outside, the light snow that had dusted Jiangcheng for days finally ceased—as if honoring the quiet truce in that dimly lit bar.

(TL:??? So did she like Mei Fang or did she like Yuan Yuan?? I’m leaning towards Yuan Yuan after this chapter.)