Chapter 78：Ping

It was time, today was the day Dylan would finally meet his maker, the day he embraced the sweet release of death. Alright, that was an exaggeration, but Dylan hadn't felt this nervous since the time he led three hundred troops out to fight a hoard of ten thousand monsters. The pounding of his heart in his chest right now was comparable to back then. His palms sweaty, body jittery and mind wandering.

"Ah, should go jogging to clear my mind." Dylan muttered to himself before pulling himself out of bed. He got dressed and washed up and quietly left the apartment by himself. He didn't take Fir because the bird was still asleep and complained when Dylan tried to wake him up.

After a long workout, Dylan reentered the apartment and started to make breakfast. After some consideration, Dylan decided that he needed to eat something light. His stomach was obviously not going to stomach too much in his nervous state, and who knew what he was going to do with Sherry's dad. He needed to save room in his stomach in case they were eating together.

Dylan decided to bake some potatoes, mash the insides and mix them with cut up bacon, cheese, some sour cream, etc. Dylan's mum used to make it for him all the time, so he had fond memories for the simple dish.

With a nostalgic smile, Dylan made the potatoes and ate it up with gusto, filling himself up with self-confidence and a renewed sense of life(?).

Dylan: I'll meet Sherry's dad, live and survive!

Author, in the SpongeBob voice: A SHORT WHILE LATER

"Hey, Dylan. Long time no see." Sherry greeted with a delighted smile. She was dressed in nice clothes and had half tied up her hair, ready to go out. Sherry hugged Dylan very briefly before grinning and also greeting Fir. "It's been awhile Fir."

Sherry pat Fir on the head before whispering, "good luck" to Dylan.

Dylan just dryly smiled. "It's nice to see you again, Sherry. I missed you." He hugged her again, separating only after a cough from Ping.

Dylan let out a forced chuckle. "It's nice to meet you again, Mr and Mrs Chen." He stretched out his hand for a handshake.

An received his handshake with an amiable smile. "Didn't I tell you to call me Aunty?"

"Ah, yesh, Aunty." Dylan stuttered.

An chuckled. "I forgive you for hiding the fact that you were staying here from us, but I hope you will refrain from doing so in the future. There isn't anything you're still hiding, is there?"

Sherry and Dylan made eye contact before they both tore their gazes away from each other. They frantically shook their heads and denied her claims. An narrowed her eyes before smiling again. She cast a cursory glance at Fir but restrained her curiosity.

"Hmm, well, have fun. We'll be back in a few hours." An and Sherry left, leaving Ping and Dylan alone in the house.

"Shall we sit?" Ping suggested, he also ignored Fir's existence. He only had one goal currently.

"Ah, yes, uncle." Dylan followed Ping into the kitchen.

When they were both settled, Ping did that serious pose where he rested his head on both hands and posed Dylan a question. "So, when did you first meet Sherry?"

"It was three years ago." Dylan answered honestly. However, the instant those words left his mouth, he began to regret it. They met three years ago in Diva, not Earth. Technically, the time they've known each other on Earth was only three months. Also, they came from different timelines so Sherry had only known him for two years.

Ping noticed Dylan turn slightly pale and raised an eyebrow at that but ultimately decided to ignore that. "Three years? And we didn't know about you the entire time? Why?"

"I-I'm not quite sure, Sir." Dylan answered.

"You're too nervous, Lyn! Calm down, you can do it!" Fir whistled in encouragement. Dylan smiled and pat Fir's head in thanks.

"Well, I won't dig too dig." Ping declared. "I just want you to know that should any harm fall upon my daughter, I will not let you get away from it. I will make sure to make you pay for what you did."

"Yes sir! Understood sir!" Dylan replied sincerely.

Ping nodded, satisfied. He got up from his seat and rummaged through the cabin before coming back with a bottle of whisky and two shot glasses. Ping put some ice in the glasses and poured whiskey into them.

"As a token of our agreement." He explained and placed a glass in front of Dylan.

Dylan stared at the glass of amber liquor. A little had spilled and trickled down the cold transparent glass. It formed a small drop on the wooden table, glistening in the light. The whiskey reflected back his appearance, apprehensive and hesitant.

"You're going to drink, Lyn?" Fir chirped as he asked.

Dylan slowly reached out for the glass under Ping's expectant gaze. Ping stretched out his hand, ready to touch glasses and take the shot. Dylan slowly complied. The two glasses touched, a few more drops of the precious liquor overflowing.

Ping gulped the whiskey down in one go. He felt the cold liquid flow down his throat, burning yet satisfying. Putting down the glass, the ice clinking against the cup, Ping cast a glance over at Dylan, who was still hesitating. His gaze turned quizzical and even slightly offended.

"You can't drink, Lyn." Fir chirped yet again.

"…It would be rude of me to reject it. Besides, I can handle a glass. I'm older now too." Dylan replied telepathically. He threw the shot into his mouth, swallowing all at once and felt that strange burning sensation in his throat. The liquor had been bitter, but as bitter as it was, it was strong, stronger than any alcoholic drinks he had ever consumed. Dylan subconsciously furrowed his brows.

Ping chuckled. "Is this your first time?"

Dylan nodded.

"How old are you?"

"I am 21 this year."

"A year older than Shi Ming. That explains why, here, I'll teach you how to drink." Ping smirked.

Dylan nodded, his face a little flushed from the alcohol. However, compared to before, he was considerably more relaxed.

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~Excerpt from Dylan's past~

Random1: Dylan, come have a drink with us!

Dylan: Alright. I've never gone drinking before though, is that fine?

Random1: You've never gone drinking?! You're missing out. But don't worry, I'll teach you all the knowhows.

~A few big mugs later~

Dylan: T-there are two Random1's. Haha, that's strange. *Hic* This beer is too warm, I should cool it down, haha.

Random1: W-wait, Dylan! W-w-w-w-why are you chanting a high class freeze spell? Ah-!

Dylan: *Hic*, somehow everything is cold now, ehehehe. There's ice everywhere. *Faints* *Random animals come to surround him, ensuring that he was kept warm*