Pretending to be drunk is a skill that men are born with.
Just like how women are born knowing how to act cute.
Stinky men, after a drink or two, will go wild, acting all shameless and obnoxious.
But very few get frisky when they're really drunkâif a man's completely smashed, he's basically like a pig.
The ones who get frisky are usually the ones who didn't drink that muchâthey're just pretending.
They pull all sorts of drunken stunts, just to take advantage of women.
But sometimes, some inexperienced rookies try to fake it, and end up actually passing out in the process.
James, without a doubt, was a rookie.
He slumped onto the sofa, planning to wait for Amanda to kiss him, hug him, or at least lift him up, before he would get up.
But before he knew it, he woke up the next morning.
...
An unfamiliar ceiling.
The bed was soft, the blanket smelled sweet.
The room was decorated in a delicate, elegant style, like a woman's bedroom.
On the bedside table, there was a glass of water placed thoughtfully.
James sat up slightly and glanced around. There was no computer, just a vanity table with all sorts of bottles and jars.
To the left of the bed was a large wardrobe that took up an entire wall. There was a movable clothes rack in the hallway with several spring and autumn jackets hanging on it.
On the other side of the room was a little girl, who looked pretty cute.
Her big, sparkling eyes were fixed on him, radiating curiosity.
Behind her was a window seat with the curtain drawn back. Sunlight was shining on her, casting a soft glow around her.
She looked like a little angel, alive and glowing.
Wait...
Alive?
James snapped out of his confusion and looked at her more carefully.
Her little nose and mouth had some resemblance to Amanda's.
She was wearing a pink and white mini Hanfu, her hair braided in several butterfly knot-like braids tied with red ribbons that hung down her shoulders.
Her bangs were neatly cut, black and shiny, making her chubby little face appear white and tender.
She looked like a cute little princess from ancient timesâso adorable that you couldn't help but want to pinch her cheeks.
James thought this little girl must be Amanda's daughter. Last night, she had probably taken him home.
"Timmy?" James asked, unsure.
"Uncle, you're awake?" Timmy sweetly called out as soon as she saw him stir.
James was instantly charmed. His eyes softened, and he spoke gently, as if afraid to scare the little girl away.
"Morning, Timmy."
Surprisingly, the little girl had no fear of this stranger. She boldly walked up to him and grabbed his hand.
"Uncle, get up, Uncle, get up..."
She pulled at his hand with all her might, trying to help him sit up.
James smiled warmly, allowing her to pull him up slowly.
From the living room, Amanda's voice rang out,
"Timmy, don't bother your uncle while he's still sleeping, okay?"
James called back, "Sis, I'm already awake!"
Timmy echoed, "Yeah, Uncle's awake, and he said he's going to play with me!"
Wait, when did I say I'd play with her?
James wondered, thinking: Did this cute little girl naturally lie?
He felt it wasn't right, so he couldn't help but reach out and lightly pinch her cute face, saying with a playful tone,
"Timmy, Uncle can play with you, but little kids shouldn't tell lies, okay?"
Timmy, with her hands on her hips, argued proudly,
"I didn't lie! I asked Uncle earlier, and he agreed!"
"Uh..."
Did she ask me while I was asleep?
James was completely caught off guard by the little girl's tricks.
Who talks in their sleep like that?
Where did she learn this?
He was unsure of how to respond.
Thinking to himself, from now on, he'd make sure to lock the door while sleeping so she couldn't sneak in.
"Xiaofeng, come out for breakfast. Don't mind Timmy, she's a little troublemaker," Amanda called out.
Timmy puffed up her cheeks, looking displeased.
James replied, laughing, and said to Timmy,
"After I finish breakfast, I'll play with you, okay?"
"Really?"
"Of course."
"Yay, Uncle's so nice!" Timmy cheered. "Can we go outside to play?"
"Sure, we can."
"Can we go to the mall?" Timmy blinked her big eyes, filled with anticipation.
When she got home this morning, she heard her mom say that her uncle was here, so she had been waiting for him to wake up.
She wanted her uncle to take her to play on the climbing wall in the mall.
She loved climbing, but her mom didn't have time to take her, and her grandma wouldn't allow it.
So, she'd been waiting for the perfect opportunity.
"No problem," James grinned.
It seemed that no matter how old a girl was, her obsession with the mall never changed.
James really liked the cute little girl, so he planned on buying her anything she wanted.
In the middle of Timmy's cheers, he followed her out of the room.
They walked into the living room, and he took a moment to observe the place.
It was a high-rise apartment, and from the view outside the window, he could tell they were on the middle floors.
The apartment had two bedrooms and one living room, probably around 100 square meters, or about 80 square meters after subtracting public areas.
The other room was a bit smaller but had a balcony, with women's clothes hanging on it.
In the middle of the living room was a foam puzzle mat laid out on the floor.
A box of neatly arranged toys was placed on it.
Near the kitchen door, there was a small round dining table, two white high stools, and a child's chair with a little ladder.
Though the apartment was small, it felt warm and cozy, full of life.
With Timmy's guidance, James quickly washed up in the bathroom and sat at the dining table.
A bowl of pumpkin porridge and some sour pickles were already placed on the table.
Amanda came out of the kitchen, her hair casually pulled up and secured with a hairpin.
She wore a loose white tank top and an apron, with shorts on her bottom, and orange-painted toenails that made her feet look even whiter.
She placed a freshly made egg pancake on the table, and with her fox-like smile, she looked like an elegant, charming young woman.
The sightâwhether the person or the egg pancakeâmade James want to devour both.
"Try it, see if my egg pancake is better than the ones outside," Amanda said, setting the plate down.
She wiped her hands on her apron and sat on a high stool, with Timmy on either side, both watching James eat.
It felt so natural, as if everything was meant to be.
James didn't feel awkward at all being watched by the mother and daughter. Instead, he felt a sense of warmth he had never experienced before.
Ignoring the fact that it was hot, he picked up a large bite of the egg pancake.
The pancake skin was light and crispy, the flavor of the egg and sauce perfectly balanced, swirling in his mouth, while the scent lingered in the air.
He didn't know why, but this simple egg pancake, just added with sesame, green onions, and ham, tasted better than anything he'd ever eaten.
He devoured it quickly, constantly giving a thumbs-up.
Amanda giggled, reminding him to eat slower, saying that she and Timmy had already eaten, and there was no need to rush.
But before she knew it, Timmy, seeing how delicious it looked, started whining to have some too.
James, feeling sorry for her, quickly gave her a bite, then finished his portion in just a few big mouthfuls.
Sure enough, good things tasted even better when you had to fight for them.
"By the way," Amanda casually said, "That girl you called Tailsa called you a few times last night."
"Huh? What happened?" James asked. He felt a slight sense of joy when hearing that Tailsa had contacted him, but he didn't show it.
"I think she's a nice girl. She answered the phone and comforted her for you," Amanda said with a playful smile.
"How did you comfort her?" James asked, surprised.
"I just told her you were drunk and were sleeping at my place," Amanda grinned, her smile mischievous.
"..." Well, now Tailsa must think I'm a jerk.