133 Amusing Oneself

Pan Xiaoliang rolled up his shirt sleeves and declared with great bravado, "A real man has nothing to hide. Ask away!"

"Alright then, listen closely," Xiao Yao said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Have you ever peed in a swimming pool?"

Pan Xiaoliang had expected Xiao Yao to ask something lewd. As a seasoned man with a thick skin, he wouldn't have minded such questions, especially among classmates; even if his private life were exposed, it wouldn't be particularly shameful. For instance, the answer Xiao Yao had given earlier—while shocking and bordering on the boundary of social norms—wasn't something that would cause a man any real reputational damage.

He hadn't expected Xiao Yao to ask such a piercing question regarding public morality. He really didn't want to answer; telling the truth would severely damage his upright image.

"Can I choose to drink instead?" Pan Xiaoliang asked, looking conflicted.

"Actually, even if you don't answer, everyone can already tell the truth from your hesitation and your current expression. Do you really think there's any point in dodging it?" Xiao Yao, having already succeeded, spoke with airy indifference.

Pan Xiaoliang sighed, resigning himself to his fate. "Fine, you trapped me. I'll tell the truth."

"The answer is yes. I admit it, I'm a bad guy. Everyone, feel free to despise me!" Pan Xiaoliang slumped, looking like a man facing the firing squad.

No one had expected Xiao Yao to ask such a tricky question, or for Pan Xiaoliang to actually admit to it. It was a juicy bit of gossip that immediately gave everyone something to talk about.

"You boys are truly terrifying. I am never going to a public pool again," Chen Yuxi said, visibly shuddering.

"Pan Xiaoliang, I really misjudged you! As your close roommate, I’ve gone to the school pool with you at least ten times. I really want to kill you right now! Is that okay?" Wang Zhilie gritted his teeth, itching to give Pan Xiaoliang a beating.

"Zhilie, calm down. I solemnly declare that you are not a victim, so don't lose your temper," Pan Xiaoliang hurriedly explained. "I was young and ignorant when I did that. I haven't done such a thing since high school."

Unfortunately, his explanation seemed futile.

"Drink! You must pay the penalty—three glasses, no less. If you don't accept this, I will never forgive you. If I develop 'pool phobia' starting today, can you take responsibility?" Criticism was just the means; the drinking penalty was the goal. Having finally caught Pan Xiaoliang in a trap, Wang Zhilie wasn't about to let him off the hook.

"Doesn't that make me the one losing out?" Pan Xiaoliang felt like an idiot. He shouldn't have answered; he should have just taken the drink. Even if everyone guessed the truth, as long as he didn't confirm it, Wang Zhilie wouldn't have had this excuse to punish him.

"Are you drinking or not? If you don't, this will stay between us forever. It's your call," Wang Zhilie threatened directly.

It was a serious matter. Since Wang Zhilie knew and was holding it over him, even if he escaped for now, he wouldn't be able to avoid it forever.

Pan Xiaoliang picked up his glass. "Fine, I'll take the three penalty glasses, but consider this matter settled. No one is allowed to bring it up again."

Wang Zhilie agreed. "I've always been generous. Drink these three, and I'll never mention it again."

Seeing Pan Xiaoliang down three glasses in one go with a sincere attitude of repentance, everyone reluctantly forgave him for the moment.

Once the alcohol hit, Pan Xiaoliang was back to his lively self. Gritting his teeth, he said to Wang Zhilie, "Zhilie, you forced me to drink three penalty glasses, and I’m very unhappy about it. How do you think I should get my revenge?"

"Xiaoliang, we’re best brothers. We shouldn't let others laugh at us. Let me off the hook today, and I'll treat you to a big meal another day to apologize. How about that?" Knowing when to yield is the mark of a wise man; Wang Zhilie changed his tune quickly.

Pan Xiaoliang spoke with righteous indignation. "I am a steadfast proletarian warrior. You think you can bribe me? You've got the wrong idea. I can't wait for 'another day'; I’m the type to settle scores immediately. I’ve already thought of my question. Tell me, are you scared now?"

"I’ve long seen through your true colors. You and Li Wenxuan are both backstabbers. It doesn't matter if I have friends like you or not. Go ahead and ask; I'm ready for anything." Since he couldn't avoid it, Wang Zhilie chose to face it bravely.

"Alright, listen up," Pan Xiaoliang said with a devious grin. "During 'the dance of the fairies,' what is your shortest time in seconds?"

"To hell with your 'seconds'!" Wang Zhilie slapped Pan Xiaoliang hard on the back. "Don't use your own time to measure normal people! Your time is measured in seconds, while ours is measured in hours."

Pan Xiaoliang looked at him with disdain. "Keep bragging. I’m warning you, you must tell the truth. If you lie, watch out, or we’ll all make sure you get a 'green hat' [cuckold] for your troubles."

"You underestimate me. I’m a real man. Usually, it's about 20 minutes, and if I'm in the mood, half an hour is no problem," Wang Zhilie said, trying to downplay the issue.

"Did you not hear my question? Dodging won't work, tell the truth," Pan Xiaoliang interrupted his boasting.

"Zhilie, just tell the truth. Even if it's short, we're all good classmates. We won't discriminate against you," Li Wenxuan chimed in, egging him on.

If they were to be honest, this question was indeed harder to answer than the previous ones. Every man present felt the same way and was relieved not to be the target; they all became energized and began to tease Wang Zhilie. Wang Zhilie really didn't want to answer and tried to reach for his glass to dodge the question, but the others wouldn't allow it.

"Zhilie, we can't be cowards. Your time is already short enough; if you keep acting like a coward, are you even a man?" Xiao Yao encouraged from the sidelines.