368: Please come in, my man.

The other three classes all knew that class three was having a group dinner in the cafeteria tonight. Since they would be drinking while the others just watched, as department-level Cadres, why would they come to the cafeteria for dinner and subject themselves to such awkwardness?

So, the students from each class had already agreed yesterday that they would leave the cafeteria to class three tonight.

The class teachers of the three classes also notified the cafeteria in advance that their students would not be coming to eat tonight, in order to avoid unnecessary waste.

Therefore, once everything was ready, there were no students from other classes in the cafeteria except for those from class three.

Thirty-one students plus the class teacher Li Jiaqiang, a total of thirty-two people, sat around three tables. Everyone had their glasses filled with liquor; not a single person was absent.

They all knew in their hearts that students from other classes wouldn't be coming, but no one brought it up.

At this moment, Li Jiaqiang stood up with his wine glass and said in a resonant voice, "Students, this is the first full gathering of our class three since the start of the Party School Advanced-Study Class."

"This was won through the unity and hard work of every student in our class three."

"Let's celebrate class three winning first place in yesterday's basketball game."

"Thank you for your hard work, and thank you all for actively participating in tonight's gathering."

"Come, let us drink this glass together to celebrate this hard-won victory."

Everyone stood up one after another, raising their glasses in response, and drank the liquor together.

They were all veterans of the social scene, so in such a setting, everyone performed with ease and finesse.

People toasted each other and occasionally moved to the neighboring tables to interact. The atmosphere in the cafeteria was very lively as they exchanged toasts, with hearty laughter breaking out from time to time.

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food, the group broke into small clusters to chat. Some who had had enough to drink said their goodbyes to the class teacher and the others before gradually leaving.

As the class monitor, Lin Zifeng stayed until the very end, leaving the cafeteria together with Li Jiaqiang, Jiang Shuhua, Wang Li, and Yang Zhongqiang.

Once outside the cafeteria, they bid farewell to Li Jiaqiang and walked toward the dormitory building together.

"Zifeng, your alcohol tolerance is really impressive! Aside from the class teacher, you were the primary target for toasts."

"I was sitting next to you just now and kept an eye on you. You must have drunk at least two catties of White Liquor, which is at least half a catty more than the rest of us."

"We're all about at our limit, yet your face hasn't even changed color. It seems you haven't reached your limit yet!"

"Be honest with me, just how much can you drink?"

Wang Li asked with a chuckle.

Hearing Wang Li's question, the others also looked at Lin Zifeng curiously.

"Brother Li, I've also had about enough. If I drink any more, I'll be drunk in no time," Lin Zifeng said evasively.

Lin Zifeng spoke vaguely.

"You're not telling the truth! I bet you could drink another half catty without any problem," Wang Li said, shaking his head.

The others nodded in agreement, but none of them pressed him further.

They entered the dormitory building and parted ways in the hallway, returning to their respective rooms.

Lin Zifeng's days at the Party School continued as usual, but he found himself looking forward to the weekends much more.

Every night before bed, besides making video calls or phone calls to his parents, grandparents, Chen Yuxi and her sister, and Jiang Yufei, he also had a sweet and affectionate exchange with Li Yanran.

Lin Zifeng also contacted Wang Ziyan a few times. Her attitude toward him was normal, as if nothing had ever happened between them.

Lin Zifeng gradually understood her mindset, so he also let himself act as if nothing had happened that night, and their contact became less frequent.

When Friday afternoon rolled around again, many people made plans to go out for small gatherings. As the monitor of class three, Lin Zifeng received quite a few invitations, but he turned them all down one by one.

He didn't dare stand Li Yanran up; this was something they had agreed upon long ago. Besides, he didn't want to stand her up anyway.

So, after the last class ended, Lin Zifeng returned to his dorm, packed up briefly, avoided Yang Zhongqiang and the others, and slipped out of the Party School gates alone.

To prevent people from discovering his relationship with Li Yanran, they had agreed to meet in an alley a few hundred meters away from the Party School. Thus, after walking out the gate, Lin Zifeng headed toward the designated alley.

Ten minutes later, Lin Zifeng turned into their agreed-upon alley.

As he turned the corner, he saw Li Yanran's bentley. He walked over quickly, opened the passenger door, and sat right inside.

As soon as he sat down, a fragrant, soft body threw itself into his arms.

"Zifeng, why do these five days feel like they pass so slowly? Why didn't I feel this way before?"

"Every day, I look forward to Friday's arrival."

Li Yanran whispered into his ear, her breath sweet.

Seeing Li Yanran acting like a young girl in love, Lin Zifeng gave her a light kiss on her red lips before saying, "Didn't it pass by quickly enough?"

"My daily life at the Party School is very disciplined. Let's go; I'm actually a bit hungry."

Hearing this, Li Yanran quickly sat up and left his embrace. As she started the car, she said, "We're going to the home that belongs only to you and me now."

"Over the past week, I've redecorated our home. I've already prepared all the daily necessities you'll need."

Li Yanran was telling the truth. From large household appliances down to toiletries, she had personally selected and arranged everything.

Everything was brand new. Although the previous appliances had barely been used, she had replaced them all anyway.

It could be said that everything was new inside and out. She wanted to welcome Lin Zifeng, the master of the house, in this way.

Li Yanran drove all the way toward the Second Ring Road, finally stopping in front of an alley with a traditional, quaint gate.

After they got out of the car and reached the gate, Li Yanran took out two keys. she handed one to Lin Zifeng, signaling him to take it.

Seeing his puzzled look, Li Yanran smiled and said, "This is the key to this place. You're the master here now, so how can you not have a key?"

After saying this, Li Yanran insistently pressed the key into his hand.

She then took a few steps to the door, unlocked it, pushed it open, and looked at Lin Zifeng. She playfully made a 'please' gesture and said, "Please come in, my man!"

Seeing the usually cold Li Yanran acting so playful, Lin Zifeng walked to her side with a wide smile, took her hand, and walked inside.

Inside was a two-entry courtyard house with carved beams and painted pillars. It was quaint and filled with a sense of historical weight.

There was a small courtyard paved with bluestone in the front. In the center of the courtyard was a fish pond with a few lotus leaves floating on the water.

The back courtyard was connected to the front buildings. It had been renovated without losing the traditional courtyard house style.

The interior of each room was decorated with a modern feel, with only one study retaining the original style.