Chapter 964

Evelyn pondered for a long time, her fingertips lightly tapping the car window edge. "When Vivian was being relentlessly pursued by that third-place guy, Victor happened to be abroad. What was he really thinking... I can't figure it out."

Alexander gripped the steering wheel, the corner of his mouth lifting. "Now I understand why you and Vivian became best friends."

"We've known each other for years, of course—" Evelyn cut herself off mid-sentence and turned to glare at him. "Are you implying I'm as oblivious as she is?"

Soft prenatal music filled the car as sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her slightly flushed earlobes.

Alexander kept his eyes on the road, his smile deepening. "You said it, not me."

Evelyn turned away but couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips.

——

The whiskey bottle was more than half empty in the restaurant.

Vivian swirled the ice ball in her glass, challenging the man across the table. "What, scared? Who was it that claimed they could drink anyone under the table?"

Victor stared at the overflowing glass before him, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Are you trying to kill me?"

His knife made a precise cut through the sea bass, sending parsley flakes trembling.

"Stop whining!" Vivian downed her drink in one gulp and slammed the empty glass on the table. "You disappeared without a word back then, and now you won't even drink with me?"

Victor took a deep breath, lifted the glass, and drained it. The alcohol burned his throat as he thumped the glass down. "I was wrong to leave. I'll take my punishment."

A memory flashed—a summer night on the rooftop. Two high schoolers secretly sharing a can of beer. He'd blacked out, only to wake up covered by a school jacket, Vivian curled beside him clutching the half-finished can.

"I remember that night," Victor's voice turned hoarse. "You stayed with me the whole time so I wouldn't be alone."

Vivian scoffed. "You were such a lightweight—one beer and you were out. What if some stray cat dragged you away?"

As the alcohol took effect, Victor's gaze grew hazy. "Things were simpler then. Our biggest worry was midterm rankings."

He suddenly looked up, eyes red-rimmed. "Why do people have to change?"

Vivian swirled her glass, ice cubes clinking. "Like how I loved sweet milk as a kid, then got hooked on coffee, and now prefer whiskey. People grow up."

Victor studied her for a long moment before breaking into a grin. "Is this your way of comforting me?"

The smile hadn't fully formed before he pitched forward.

"Hey!" Vivian grabbed at him but only caught his sleeve.

With a dull thud, Victor's forehead hit the table.

She poked his cheek. "Quit faking. I can't carry you."

Only steady snores answered.

Sighing, she massaged her temples while surveying the drunken mess before her. Outside, the setting sun stretched their shadows long across the floor.