Chapter 18: She Was Really Drunk

“What… what?”

Jiang Xiaoyi nearly choked in her excitement. How could she possibly have that kind of thought?

“Sister, listen to me explain. I absolutely didn’t mean to fool around with you.” Jiang Xiaoyi proactively held up three fingers to swear. “If I did, may my fingers shrivel up.”

What a vicious oath for a power top like her. Surely Big Boss Sister would believe her sincerity now.

Meng Chuning clearly frowned.

Jiang Xiaoyi panicked. Did she not believe her?

The office fell into an eerie silence for a moment.

Jiang Xiaoyi hadn’t expected her earlier empty trash talk to embarrass her like this. She racked her brain for a way to ease the tension.

Finally, Meng Chuning’s gaze shifted away from her face. “Forget it.”

Forget it?!

Big Boss Sister didn’t believe her.

Then Meng Chuning’s tone grew ominous. “I won’t gamble away my future happiness.”

She had no idea if Jiang Xiaoyi had actually thought about fooling around with her, but swearing on her fingers? She definitely wouldn’t agree to that.

Jiang Xiaoyi didn’t understand. What future happiness was Big Boss Sister talking about?

“What are you thinking about?” Meng Chuning pushed open the office’s glass door and glanced back to wait for her. “Let’s go.”

Jiang Xiaoyi’s thoughts were interrupted. She snapped back to attention and hurried after her. “Coming.”

It was nearing seven o’clock, and the employees on YN Group’s office floor had already clocked out en masse.

Only Shen Ling remained steadfast at her post. The moment she saw President Meng and Miss Jiang emerging together from the office, she snapped her laptop shut and greeted them with a beaming smile. “President Meng, Miss Jiang.”

Meng Chuning found it odd. “Still not off work? Is the work I assigned you impossible to finish during office hours?”

“No, President Meng, I’ve already finished it all.” Shen Ling had her own ulterior motive—she wanted to stick around and ship their CP, but she couldn’t find an excuse to stay late.

“Then why aren’t you heading home?” Meng Chuning asked.

Shen Ling scooped up her laptop and bowed to Meng Chuning. “Goodbye, President Meng.”

As she passed Jiang Xiaoyi, Shen Ling smiled. “Goodbye, Miss Jiang.”

Jiang Xiaoyi waved. “Bye-bye.”

She watched Shen Ling’s cheerful retreating figure with a slight headache. She really wanted to tell her to stop shipping it—she had the wrong pair.

The elevator took them straight from YN Group’s office floor down to B1. Meng Chuning pressed the key fob, and a sleek black car nearby flashed its lights.

“Do you know how to drive?” Meng Chuning asked.

Jiang Xiaoyi nodded. “I do, but I don’t drive often.”

“Take it slow—no rush. Hengwan Pavilion is close by.” Meng Chuning handed her the keys. “Want to give it a try?”

Meng Chuning was wearing high heels, which made driving inconvenient. Jiang Xiaoyi had been meaning to offer anyway.

Jiang Xiaoyi took the keys, slid into the driver’s seat, and familiarized herself with the car. She turned to Meng Chuning with utmost seriousness. “Sister, entrust your life to me with peace of mind.”

“Alright.” Meng Chuning was amused.

Jiang Xiaoyi drove steadily, her slender hands gripping the black steering wheel and making small adjustments.

Meng Chuning sat quietly beside her without interrupting. Her eyes lingered on Jiang Xiaoyi’s profile. She had noticed before that there was a faint little mole under her eye—one you had to look closely to spot.

Meng Chuning imagined how sexy that little mole would look with silver-rimmed glasses.

As Jiang Xiaoyi drove, she glanced at the right rearview mirror and caught Meng Chuning staring at her.

“I-Is there something on my face?” Jiang Xiaoyi’s heart skipped a beat.

Meng Chuning looked away to the road ahead. “No, your face is perfectly clean.”

“Oh.” Jiang Xiaoyi relaxed. “We’re almost there.”

Hengwan Pavilion’s staff manager greeted members personally all the way. Jiang Xiaoyi just handed over the keys, and he took care of parking.

As she walked through Hengwan Pavilion’s grand lobby alongside Big Boss Sister, a familiar figure brushed past Jiang Xiaoyi.

That familiar figure recognized her too and stumbled slightly.

Their eyes met, and Jiang Xiaoyi struggled to keep a straight face.

Su Jiuyue smirked as if they were strangers, lugging a case of red wine past her. Her right hand was wrapped in thick bandages like a pig’s trotter.

Jiang Xiaoyi wasn’t surprised to see Su Jiuyue anywhere. As a writer, she rarely went out, but before starting a book, she loved taking odd jobs for immersive character research. From Jiang Xiaoyi’s experience, Su Jiuyue was probably role-playing as a plucky, self-reliant little pitiful female lead this time.

“What’s wrong, Xiaoyi?” Meng Chuning followed her gaze. “Do you know her?”

Jiang Xiaoyi hummed in affirmation. “A friend.”

Knowing it was Jiang Xiaoyi’s friend, Meng Chuning took a few extra glances. “Is your friend’s hand okay?”

Jiang Xiaoyi had noticed Su Jiuyue’s right hand ages ago. “She’s fine. She just carried that heavy case of red wine without batting an eye—she’s got some serious strength.” In reality, the bandages were stained with red ink. Full commitment to the act.

Meng Chuning glanced up. “Are you two close?”

“Mm…” Jiang Xiaoyi thought for a moment. “We grew up together. Pretty close.”

“Let’s go, Sister—we’ll be late.” Right now, Jiang Xiaoyi just wanted to escape Su Jiuyue’s line of sight. Otherwise, she and Big Boss Sister would surely end up as fodder for one of her stories.

Meng Chuning hummed faintly, casually adding, “Grew up together? Sounds pretty intimate.”

Intimate wasn’t wrong for her and Su Jiuyue, though it gave her goosebumps. Toxic besties fit better.

Jiang Xiaoyi nodded reluctantly. “I suppose so.”

The manager led them to the private room. Jiang Xiaoyi felt a bit nervous. She’d prepared herself, but pushing open the door still stunned her with the scene inside.

Three women on the sofa turned their gazes toward them in unison.

Jiang Xiaoyi took a deep breath. Jing Ying, Li Qiunuo, and one stunning woman she didn’t recognize.

Jing Ying, seated closest to the door, stood and approached with a smile. “Chuning Jie, Xiaoyi—you’re finally here.”

“Hello, Teacher Jing.”

Jiang Xiaoyi blinked, suddenly all hyped up. She was actually hanging out with the Yingqiu CP duo.

“Don’t call me Teacher Jing—it makes me sound ancient.” Jing Ying told Jiang Xiaoyi. “Just call me Yingying.”

How could Jiang Xiaoyi dare use a senior’s nickname?

“It’s fine. You can call her Teacher Jing,” Meng Chuning murmured softly, stepping up beside Jiang Xiaoyi.

Jiang Xiaoyi nodded.

“Xiaoyi.” Li Qiunuo pulled her to sit in the middle of the sofa, all enthusiasm. “What do you like to drink? I’ll grab it for you.”

Surrounded by the real-life Yingqiu CP, Jiang Xiaoyi was at a loss for words. “Ch-champagne, please.”

Jing Ying shot Meng Chuning a glare. “Weren’t you the one who called us here? And now you’re late.”

Meng Chuning’s original intent had been to help Jiang Xiaoyi get acquainted with the leads, so she’d be less nervous on set. But now it seemed like the opposite—Jiang Xiaoyi appeared even more tense around them off-camera.

Jiang Xiaoyi kept her head lowered, exposing a stretch of snowy white nape. Even her soft, slightly curled strands of hair betrayed her unease.

“Jing Ying, liven up the mood with Li Qiunuo,” Meng Chuning said quietly. “She’s too nervous.”

“Tch.” Jing Ying saw right through it. “You’re awfully attentive to her.”

Meng Chuning knew what she meant. “Go on.”

“Fine, if President Meng says so, how can I refuse?” Jing Ying sauntered over with a hint of sourness, looping her arm through Li Qiunuo’s. “Qiunuo, didn’t you want to sing? Let’s duet.”

“When did I—” Before Li Qiunuo could finish, Jing Ying shoved a microphone into her hand.

The karaoke screen switched to the backing track, and the two sang a lively tune together against the music.

What a divine sight. The CP she shipped was holding hands and singing right in front of her—sugar overload.

Jiang Xiaoyi only regretted her eyes couldn’t record video. She’d loop it endlessly at home.

Meng Chuning sat beside her and watched. “Still nervous?”

The sofa dipped slightly. Jiang Xiaoyi, next to the karaoke machine, turned her head and met Big Boss Sister’s gaze.

The enclosed space felt oddly intoxicating. In the dim light, Meng Chuning was very close. Jiang Xiaoyi’s heart, which had just begun to calm, raced again.

“I-I’m not nervous…” Jiang Xiaoyi scooted to one side of the sofa and grabbed a wine glass from the coffee table, downing it in one gulp.

The woman who’d been sitting quietly beside them startled. “That’s mine.”

“Huh?” Jiang Xiaoyi set down the glass apologetically. “S-Sorry, I didn’t see.”

“It’s fine—I hadn’t touched it.” Gu Nanzhi reminded her, “But it’s pretty strong. Can you handle it?”

No wonder her throat burned. Jiang Xiaoyi stuck out her tongue and played it cool. “It’s okay. I can hold my liquor.”

She absolutely couldn’t embarrass herself in front of the Yingqiu CP and Big Boss Sister tonight.

“Have some water.” Meng Chuning poured her a glass of warm water. “Don’t gulp it so fast—your stomach can’t take it.”

Big Boss Sister held the water to her lips. Jiang Xiaoyi tilted her head back without thinking and drank it down sip by sip.

Once the glass was empty, Meng Chuning held it and asked, “Feeling better?”

“Mm, much better.” Jiang Xiaoyi was certain she was fine—her tolerance wasn’t that low.

Meng Chuning breathed a sigh of relief. “Good.”

Jiang Xiaoyi rubbed her cheeks. Maybe it was the alcohol, but her courage grew a bit. “Teacher Jing, Teacher Li, can I sing with you two?”

“Sure.” Jing Ying turned the karaoke screen toward her. “What do you want to sing?”

“Um…” Jiang Xiaoyi tapped the screen twice. “This one.”

It was a song Jing Ying and Li Qiunuo had collaborated on.

Meng Chuning watched Jiang Xiaoyi clutching the mic with both hands, singing earnestly. She put her all into everything—utterly adorable.

Gu Nanzhi clinked her wine glass against Meng Chuning’s. “You dragged us all out here just to help Jiang Xiaoyi relax?”

Meng Chuning clinked back with a smile but said nothing. Gu Nanzhi, an old friend, knew exactly what she was thinking.

The song ended, and Jiang Xiaoyi felt her life was complete.

She was the happiest person in the world right now.

“Chuning?” Gu Nanzhi called softly a few times, but got no response.

Jiang Xiaoyi approached and saw Meng Chuning in a daze. “What’s wrong with Sister?”

Gu Nanzhi replied, “Looks like she’s drunk.”

“Huh?” Jiang Xiaoyi glanced at the empty bottle of red wine on the coffee table. Was Big Boss Sister’s tolerance that bad?

“Xiaoyi, you’ll have to take Chuning home, I’m afraid.” Gu Nanzhi checked the time. “We three have a last-minute job to handle.”

They worked too hard—still busy so late.

Jiang Xiaoyi said quickly, “I’ll get Sister home safely. You all go ahead.”

“Thanks.” Gu Nanzhi ushered Jing Ying and Li Qiunuo out.

Jing Ying found it strange. “How much did Chuning Jie drink? Her tolerance shouldn’t…”

“Shh.” Gu Nanzhi quickly covered Jing Ying’s mouth. “I’ll take you home.”

The room emptied in an instant.

Meng Chuning lay sideways on the sofa, her usually cool features flushed with red. A strand of long hair fell across her lips— the picture of a drunken beauty.

“Sister, can you walk?” Jiang Xiaoyi felt foolish for even asking. Meng Chuning was dead drunk, barely conscious—walking was out of the question.

This made her own tolerance seem better than Big Boss Sister’s.

“Sister, let me help you to the car.” Jiang Xiaoyi wrapped her right arm around Meng Chuning’s lower back, holding her in an embrace that was nearly a full hug.

Meng Chuning leaned against her shoulder, murmuring in broken fragments: “My legs… feel so tight…”

“What?” Jiang Xiaoyi hadn’t caught it clearly, but she could tell Meng Chuning was uncomfortable. She eased her sister back onto the sofa and leaned in close. “Sister, where does it hurt?”

Meng Chuning frowned. “My legs…”

Her legs hurt?

Had she bumped into something? Or scraped them?

The sheer black stockings hid any injury from view. Jiang Xiaoyi considered tearing them off to check—and maybe complete that task along the way.

But that was just a thought; she didn’t act on it. “Sister, should we go to the hospital?”

“No…” Meng Chuning slumped against the sofa, her long lashes drooping as she tried to explain. “Help me undo them… my legs hurt from being so tight…”

Jiang Xiaoyi finally understood the words, but not the meaning.

“How could they be tight?”

Big Boss Sister frowned again, as if annoyed by her slowness.

Jiang Xiaoyi asked cautiously, “What do you need me to undo?”

No sooner had she spoken than Meng Chuning grasped her skirt hem and lifted it. Jiang Xiaoyi panicked and pressed her hand down, averting her eyes.

It scared the wits out of her.

Jiang Xiaoyi’s cheeks burned hot. “Sister, please don’t move.”

Any higher and it would reach her waist.

She was really drunk.

“The garter…” Meng Chuning half-opened her eyes and looked at Jiang Xiaoyi. “It hurts so much.”

Jiang Xiaoyi stole a quick glance. Meng Chuning wore suspender stockings in sheer black.

The garter straps bit into her thighs, leaving two vivid red marks against her snow-white skin, flushed angry red all around.

No wonder it hurt.

Jiang Xiaoyi bent at the waist before Meng Chuning, her gaze landing right on those curled lashes.

She forced herself not to look down, meeting the eyes of her drunken Big Boss Sister. “I’ll undo it for you, but you have to stay still.”

Meng Chuning closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them. “Mm.”

She might fumble while dressing in the dark, but taking something off should be fine.

After releasing Meng Chuning’s hand, Jiang Xiaoyi slowly groped for the position of the garter strap.

She felt her breath catch in her throat. Thank goodness Big Boss Sister was drunk—otherwise, she wouldn’t dare even if given a hundred times her courage.

Meng Chuning tilted her chin up slightly. In her hazy, tipsy vision, Jiang Xiaoyi’s skin glowed red.

Her ears were red. Her neck was red. Her cheeks burned even brighter.

Jiang Xiaoyi’s fingertips brushed smooth, slick skin. Her lashes trembled, and she jerked her hand up.

Meng Chuning’s lips curved faintly. She reached out, grasped Jiang Xiaoyi’s wrist, and guided it to the side of her thigh.

“The garter’s here.”

Jiang Xiaoyi went rigid all over. “Sister, are you really drunk?”

Meng Chuning sat on the sofa with her legs pressed together; the clasp seemed to be on the inner thigh.

Jiang Xiaoyi felt her hand trapped between those soft thighs.

Meng Chuning gave a slow, drawn-out “Mm.”

Jiang Xiaoyi just wanted to confirm. If Big Boss Sister weren’t drunk, there was no way she’d clamp her legs around her hand like this.

Her legs must really hurt from the straps for her to urge Jiang Xiaoyi to hurry.

But…

With her hand’s movement restricted, Jiang Xiaoyi broke into a light sweat on her forehead. She worried that even a slight shift might be improper.

“Sister…”

Jiang Xiaoyi negotiated with her drunken sister in simple words. “Spread your legs a little.”