Even on New Yearâs Eve, the bar was still buzzing with noise, and the perplexing lights flickered before her eyes as the music blared deafeningly.
Lin Xu walked around the bar, rejecting many menâs advances, until she finally found Ji Yuqiao, drunk in a corner of the bar.
Next to her sat two men with ill intentions, continuously pouring drinks into her glass.
âBeauty, come on, letâs have another drink,â one of the men said with a laugh, even attempting to reach for her waist.
Lin Xu grabbed the manâs hand that was about to grope and pulled him away from Ji Yuqiao, âSorry, my friend is drunk, and I am taking her home.â
The interrupted manâs face turned furious, his eyebrows furrowed in displeasure, and he was about to spew a swear word but swallowed it back upon seeing Lin Xu, his eyes lighting up, staring wide-eyed.
âBeauty, donât be in a rush to leave, how about you drink one with your friend?â the man said insinuatingly, raising his eyebrows at her.
âMaybe next time. Itâs so late now, I still need to go back for New Yearâs. If my family finds out, I might get a beating,â Lin Xu declined.
âWho even cares about New Yearâs now? Itâs us youngsters who go out on our own play,â the man said as he grabbed Lin Xuâs wrist and tried to pull her into the sofa.
Lin Xu immediately straightened her face and said coldly, âNo need.â
âWe just want to chat with you girls, we arenât going to do anything. Donât make a face when given face,â another man on the sofa suddenly stood up.
Then, around three or four men also stood up and all turned their attention to Lin Xu.
Clearly, they were in a group.
Lin Xu hesitated whether to call Ji Tingyang or to directly call the police when she heard the man speak again, âLook, we wonât make it difficult, just drink this cup and we will let you go, how about that?â
The man picked up a drink that looked like iced tea and handed it to her.
Lin Xu recognized the drink.
Long Island Iced Tea.
The name and appearance were deceptive, making one think it was just a regular tea, yet in truth, it was a strong liquor.
They clearly thought Lin Xu, the good girl, wouldnât know, their eyes filled with a bit of schadenfreude.
âOkay,â Lin Xu slightly arched her eyebrows, took the drink, and downed it in one gulp. âCan we go now?â
The men, seeing Lin Xu as calm as ever, were momentarily stunned, âYes⦠you can go.â
It was only after Lin Xu and Ji Yuqiao had walked away that they came back to their senses.
âDid you really just give her a drink? Why didnât she react at all?â
âIâI donât know either.â
While they were confused, Lin Xu had already settled Ji Yuqiao in a nearby hotel.
Lin Xu didnât know where Ji Yuqiao lived, so she had to get a room for Ji Yuqiao first and let her rest until tomorrow to find out what had happened.
It was so late now, especially on New Yearâs Eve, that it was virtually impossible to hail a cab outside.
Lin Xu then sent Ji Tingyang an address to come pick her up.
As she stood by the roadside waiting, her head suddenly began to spin.
The effects of the alcohol she had forced down seemed to surge up at that moment. Lin Xuâs body swayed, and she clung to the lamppost rail, retching a few times.
âAre you okay?â
A deep, magnetic voice sounded from behind her.
Lin Xu turned around and saw Xie Changyan standing behind her, offering her a blue and white striped handkerchief.
âWhy is it that every time I see you, youâre somewhat in a mess?â the man said with a tone that was teasingly light.
Lin Xu stared blankly at him, his somewhat familiar face blurring into one under the catalysis of alcohol, indistinguishable.
She staggered and threw herself into Xie Changyanâs arms, hugging his waist tightly, her head nuzzling against his neck like a spoiled child, âWhere have you been? Why havenât you come to see me? Do you know how much Iâve missed youâ¦?â
The scent of alcohol on the woman mingled with a hint of a sweet aroma, infiltrating his nostrils.
Xie Changyanâs breathing paused for a moment before he let out a slight chuckle.
With one hand in his pocket and the other around her waist to steady her, a slight curve played at the corners of his mouth, his tone laced with a subtlety of mockery, âMiss Lin, are you mistaking me for someone else?â
Lin Xu didnât respond to him, but continued to talk to herself, âI sent you so many messages, why didnât you reply to any of them?â
âIs there another woman by your side, and you donât like me anymore?â
As Lin Xu spoke, her voice suddenly choked up.
For some reason, hearing her cry, Xie Changyan felt as if something was stuck in his chest, creating a sense of heaviness in his heart.
This abnormal state made his eyebrows furrow.
But he had finally realized that the person she kept mentioning indeed seemed to be him.
His fingertips, separated by her thick clothing at the waist, gently caressed, with Xie Changyanâs deep brown eyes slightly downcast, he watched her face resting on his shoulder and casually commented, âIsnât Miss Lin already married? Isnât it inappropriate to say such things to another man?â
And he himself knew well that he should keep a distance from her, but when he saw her in the car, he still couldnât resist walking over.
He inwardly clicked his tongue, feeling that this was unlike him.
He also said these words as a reminder of her status.
However, she seemed not to understand at all, her beautiful, misty eyes blinked, blurting out naively, âI donât really understand, why would it be bad?â
Her warm breath fell on his neck, tickling and stirring his heartstrings.
Xie Changyanâs breathing suddenly became heavier, the hand around her waist loosened, trying to pull away from her.
âMiss Lin, where is your cell phone? I will call your family to come and take you home,â he said.
Lin Xu didnât respond, her arms encircling his neck and her body once again pressing close.
The soft touch of their lips meeting.
In that moment, time around them seemed to stop, with only the sound of their breathing and the sudden acceleration of his heartbeat echoing in his ears.
Xie Changyanâs adamâs apple bobbed, and the hand on her waist suddenly tightened.
Lin Xu smiled with her eyes, loosening her grip around his neck.
âAh Yan, happy New Yearâs Eve,â
she said.
Xie Changyan breathed deeply, his deep eyes harboring a subtle desire.
He pulled her back into his arms, looking at her rosy lips as his head slowly leaned in.
Suddenly,
a hand fiercely pulled Xie Changyan away, and a fist landed heavily on his face.
At the same time, a voice snarled through clenched teeth.
âYou bastard! Stay away from her!â
Xie Changyan staggered back a few steps, he let out a low hiss, a taste of blood suddenly spreading in his mouth.
He reached up to wipe the blood from the corner of his lips, scoffing coldly as he looked up.
He saw Ji Tingyang had already taken Lin Xu into his arms, his eyes cold and sinister as they met his, filled with hostility.