95

After parting ways with Stella, Long Zhan returned to the dormitory and shared the exciting news about Stella organizing a singles-only party with the perpetually frustrated Brian and Clay.

These two guys, despite frequenting bars whenever they had free time, had yet to find suitable "roommates" due to their somewhat picky tastes.

They also refused to resort to paid solutions!

Months of this situation had left their hormones on the verge of explosion.

When they heard about this golden opportunity—a singles-only party organized by Stella and her roommates—they were instantly ecstatic.

"Brother, you're the best! I'll do your laundry for the next month. No, scratch that, I'll handle your clothes for a whole month. I just have one request," Clay said, his eyebrows shooting up in excitement as he whispered to Long Zhan, "You already have Stella. Leave the other women to me."

The implication was clear: "I admit you're great at charming women, but please save some for the rest of us."

"Zhan, you're the best brother ever. If I meet the right woman this time, I promise to make you the godfather of my child," Brian chimed in.

Although Brian, a classic introvert, appeared calm on the surface, his heart was bursting with joy. His next move reflected his urgency—he didn't even wait for the free lunch at the DG Building restaurant. Instead, he grabbed his backpack from the upper bunk and began rummaging through it.

As the eldest of the three, a single man in his 30s, Brian's longing for a family was much stronger. How could he not be anxious?

"What are you doing? It's almost lunchtime," Long Zhan asked in confusion.

"I need to go buy a few outfits that will take my charm to the next level. Whether I break out of being single depends entirely on this party," Brian explained seriously, grabbing a casual outfit and rushing out. "I'm going to shower first. Don't wait for me for lunch."

"Brian, wait for me! I'll come too," Clay exclaimed. It had been ages since he last bought casual clothes, and Brian's urgency woke him up to the importance of the occasion. Grabbing a set of clothes, he quickly chased after him.

The saying goes, "Clothes make the man, and gold makes the Buddha."

This principle isn't exclusive to Chinese culture. In America, where social etiquette is highly valued, personal attire is equally significant—especially for a party aimed at finding a partner. First impressions often determine 80% of success.

When deeper qualities cannot be immediately discerned, external appearance becomes the most critical factor.

Naturally, both men needed to look sharp. After all, any woman acquainted with Stella, a university teaching assistant, was unlikely to be of poor quality. They couldn't let this golden opportunity slip away.

"Ah, men… When they've been pent up for too long, even an average woman can look like a goddess. Look how excited they are," Long Zhan muttered to himself as he watched Clay and Brian dash downstairs, calm and unhurried.

But less than two seconds later—

"Wait!"

Long Zhan suddenly remembered Stella's flushed face when she mentioned the party earlier in the parking lot. Something didn't feel right.

Recalling their entire conversation and noting Stella's subtle expressions and gestures, Long Zhan had an epiphany.

"Heh, heh, heh, wait for me! I'm coming too!"

Realizing what might happen, Long Zhan's composure evaporated. Grabbing a casual outfit, he sprinted to the first-floor shower room, ready to join the shopping spree for his "golden armor."

After months of effort, things were finally about to bear fruit. Long Zhan was determined to leave no room for mistakes this time.

...

Three grown men shopping for clothes together might sound odd, but it turned out to be surprisingly straightforward.

In and out of the high-end menswear stores in the mall, the trio quickly amassed a pile of shopping bags. From clothes and shoes to socks and cologne, they covered everything inside and out.

Though they spent a hefty amount—nearly a month's salary—they didn't mind at all. The thought of tomorrow's party filled them with joy, and none of them felt the slightest sting of regret.

With everything prepared, the cheerful trio didn't idle that evening. They brought along the ever-unlucky Cooper, whom they'd prearranged to meet, to the Sexy Lady Bar.

Using the tactics from their special operations training, they vividly applied them to the art of wooing women.

As they drank, they delved into strategies for securing a "beautiful encounter" at the next day's singles party.

As the saying goes: "Three heads are better than one."

When four men gather to discuss flirting techniques, they could practically write a guidebook. The variety of tactics and tricks seemed endless.

Particularly Cooper, the perennial loser, surprised everyone. Despite often being bested by Long Zhan, his experience in flirting was top-notch.

As a seasoned "gatekeeper" in his 30s, his decades of singlehood were clearly not wasted. His insights were detailed and persuasive.

Both Clay and Brian were captivated, eagerly seeking his advice on various techniques. The rapport among them quickly deepened.

By the end, Clay and Brian even invited Cooper to join the singles party as a practical instructor and hands-on guide.

Long Zhan, who valued friendships, saw this as an excellent opportunity.

Not only would bringing Cooper along strengthen their bond, but it would also serve as an apology for all the times Long Zhan had knocked him around.

Two birds with one stone!

Thus, Long Zhan called Stella.

As long as they weren't bringing any women, Stella was agreeable. Since parties thrive on numbers, she happily approved Long Zhan's additional request.

The originally planned three-person group for the singles party now expanded into a four-man team.