Chapter 155: Drunkenness (Extra)
Even the oblivious He Wei understood, seeing Lin Luo’s stunned expression. She looked at Zhou Tianzui, who was leaning against You Ruxu, looking down at something on her phone, their heads close together, occasionally whispering to each other, their voices low, as if they were in their own world, a world no one else could enter, despite the crowded room, she had always known this.
Always known.
He Wei had taken a long break, consulting with a therapist, only returning to work after she had recovered, the incident had been a huge shock, those first few nights at home filled with nightmares, she would dream of You Ruxu, of her not making it, of Zhou Tianzui, lying on the operating table, bleeding, looking at her, with that familiar intense gaze, “He Wei,” she would say, “Operate on me.”
Her dreams were chaotic and fragmented, she couldn’t sleep, the fear and the guilt clinging to her, she had even thought of resigning, but she hadn’t, looking at her white coat hanging in her room, she had persevered, her perspective on her profession, on that night, on Zhou Tianzui, completely transformed, even her mother had commented, “My good girl has finally grown up.”
She was no longer the arrogant and spoiled princess she used to be, but more mature and grounded.
He Wei sat opposite You Ruxu, watching as everyone greeted them warmly, some even teasing them playfully. You Ruxu was still the same, her beauty clear and bright, like the moon, she was the moon.
In everyone’s eyes.
She was still that distant, luminous presence, just not as unattainable anymore.
He Wei’s feelings towards You Ruxu were different now. They said that knowing too much about your idol could shatter the illusion, but for her, it hadn’t shattered, only deepened her admiration and respect.
She liked You Ruxu even more now.
Although now, she didn’t dare express it.
Dr. Zhou was too possessive!
Thinking of this, He Wei smiled to herself.
She had been so oblivious, visiting Dr. Zhou’s home, having dinner with them so many times, and hadn’t even noticed their relationship, no wonder Dr. Zhou always looked at her strangely.
She had even confessed her admiration for You Ruxu to Dr. Zhou, more than once.
But she didn’t regret it.
She really liked You Ruxu.
So much so that when she heard about You Ruxu and Zhou Tianzui being together, she wasn’t surprised or heartbroken, but strangely happy, You Ruxu liked women, a sliver of hope, a fantasy, that perhaps, just perhaps, You Ruxu might also have some feelings for her.
It was a ridiculous thought, so absurd she wanted to laugh.
He Wei raised her glass, her first toast to You Ruxu.
Fu Shushu chuckled, “He Wei, shouldn’t your first toast be to your mentor?”
He Wei looked at Zhou Tianzui.
She bit her lip.
Then said, “Isn’t pleasing Teacher You the same as pleasing my mentor?”
Everyone at the table laughed, You Ruxu looking at her, their eyes meeting, He Wei’s heart ached, a bittersweet pang, You Ruxu reached for her glass, but Zhou Tianzui intercepted it, “She’s still recovering, I’ll drink this for her.”
You Ruxu looked at Zhou Tianzui.
Her injuries were much more severe, You Ruxu herself had been wearing a bulletproof vest, so claiming she was still recovering, it was just an excuse to prevent her from drinking with He Wei, everyone knew how much He Wei admired You Ruxu, it was no secret, but some feelings were best nipped in the bud, a clean break better than lingering ambiguity.
Since He Wei couldn’t let go.
Zhou Tianzui didn’t mind being the executioner.
You Ruxu didn’t say anything, just watched as He Wei toasted Zhou Tianzui, and they both sat back down,
The atmosphere more relaxed now. After a few drinks, their conversation became more animated. You Ruxu, sitting beside Zhou Tianzui, didn’t talk much, but answered every question directed at her. It was the first time everyone interacted with her not as Reporter You, but as Zhou Tianzui’s girlfriend, their initial awkwardness giving way to playful teasing, “A toast between the happy couple wouldn’t be too much to ask, would it?”
“Dr. Zhou, if you don’t drink it, we will.”
“Seriously, if I could hug Teacher You, I would be dreaming for days!”
The subtle ambiguity now out in the open, fueled by alcohol, their words increasingly bolder. The director, sitting beside Zhou Tianzui, shook his head, amused, leaving the youngsters to their fun, he excused himself and left the room.
With the director gone, they became even more unrestrained.
Perhaps because of their different upbringing, their views more open and accepting, they didn’t find anything unusual about You Ruxu and Zhou Tianzui’s relationship, it was as normal as eating and drinking, although their teasing was still mostly directed at You Ruxu, they still didn’t dare tease Zhou Tianzui too much.
You Ruxu was pressured into drinking several glasses of wine.
She held her glass, and Zhou Tianzui whispered, “You don’t have to drink so much.”
You Ruxu said, “It’s okay, as long as everyone’s having fun.”
Her face was flushed, but she held her liquor well, no obvious signs of drunkenness, just her eyes, sparkling with a bright, captivating light. They couldn’t take their eyes off her, her voice, clear and melodious, even more enchanting now, they envied Zhou Tianzui again, secretly wondering if they had a chance.
Zhou Tianzui kicked them under the table, “Keep your voices down, I can hear your scheming from here.”
A young nurse leaned closer and whispered, “Dr. Zhou, who pursued whom?”
Curious about such gossip seemed to be human nature. Zhou Tianzui took a sip of red wine, “Guess.”
The nurse who asked said, “Then it must have been Dr. Zhou pursuing Teacher You.”
Zhou Tianzui looked at her.
The others chimed in, “It’s obvious, isn’t it?”
“Definitely.”
“I think so too.”
Zhou Tianzui couldn’t help but look at You Ruxu, listening to their chatter, a smile playing on her lips.
On their way back, she asked You Ruxu, “So, who pursued whom?”
You Ruxu, although not drunk, was slightly tipsy, a little dazed by the question. She looked at Zhou Tianzui, they were sitting in the backseat, having hired a designated driver. Zhou Tianzui’s voice was low, almost a whisper in You Ruxu’s ear, the music in the car masking their conversation, You Ruxu wondered if she had misheard.
Zhou Tianzui said, “Is it that difficult to answer?”
You Ruxu said, “I’m thinking.”
Zhou Tianzui: …
Please don’t discuss such a private matter in such a serious tone, it made her want to kiss You Ruxu right there in the car.
But she didn’t.
She restrained herself.
There was a driver present, after all.
Zhou Tianzui gently squeezed You Ruxu’s hand in the darkness. You Ruxu turned her head away, not looking at her, but her hand was held by Zhou Tianzui, a warm, comforting touch, She thought back, who had pursued whom?
It hadn’t been explicit, just a silent understanding, then on her birthday, she had gone home with Zhou Tianzui, and they had become intimate, naturally, almost inevitably, and after that, there had been no need for labels, because back then, there was still a distance between them.
And back then, Zhou Tianzui’s words were like poison.
You Ruxu smiled faintly, remembering.
Zhou Tianzui, looking at her, You Ruxu not explaining what amused her, finally couldn’t hold back when they arrived and got out of the car, “What were you thinking about in the car?”
You Ruxu said, “Nothing.”
Zhou Tianzui poked her waist, “Tell the truth.”
You Ruxu: “Thinking about when we first met.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “What about it? Love at first sight?”
You Ruxu said, “I thought you were very mean.”
Zhou Tianzui: “…”
She chuckled softly.
You Ruxu covered her mouth, “Don’t laugh.”
Zhou Tianzui took her hand, “What’s wrong with laughing?”
You Ruxu couldn’t bear it, “Just don’t laugh.”
They were still playfully entangled when they entered the apartment. The living room lights weren’t on, and it was dark inside. You Ruxu reached for the light switch, her hand brushing against Zhou Tianzui’s, she pulled it back, but Zhou Tianzui caught it, their breaths mingling, a familiar intimacy, unspoken, Zhou Tianzui held You Ruxu’s hand, their palms slightly sweaty, she took a step closer,
The same position as before, but a different feeling.
You Ruxu, her hand held by Zhou Tianzui, her other arm around Zhou Tianzui’s waist, she leaned in, her breath warm against Zhou Tianzui’s neck, the faint scent of wine making the air thick with unspoken desire.
Zhou Tianzui’s arm tightened around You Ruxu’s waist, she lowered her head and kissed her deeply, fiercely.
You Ruxu moaned softly, the pain turning into pleasure. Zhou Tianzui half-lifted her, their bodies pressed against the sofa, “The balcony…” You Ruxu whispered.
The light from the balcony streamed in, the moonlight illuminating them, You Ruxu, slightly embarrassed, curled up on the sofa, and Zhou Tianzui walked over to the balcony and drew the curtains, the room plunged into darkness, the occasional noises from the apartments above and below a subtle soundtrack to their intimacy.
The alcohol slowed their reactions, but this slowness, combined with Zhou Tianzui’s eagerness, created a unique pleasure.
It was the alcohol.
She knew she was slightly intoxicated, but she didn’t care, she just wanted to dance with Zhou Tianzui, to let Zhou Tianzui lead her, their movements a chaotic rhythm, her hair falling around her shoulders, swirling as she moved, her head tilted slightly, tears welling up in her eyes, although she couldn’t see Zhou Tianzui’s expression in the darkness, it allowed for a different kind of intimacy,
She was lost in the darkness.
Consumed by it.
Zhou Tianzui carried You Ruxu, her body still trembling slightly, and laid her on the chaise lounge, barely enough space for the two of them, You Ruxu’s energy seemingly boundless tonight, Zhou Tianzui figured it was the alcohol, even her voice was softer, sweeter, she made You Ruxu lie on the inside, “You lie on the inside,” You Ruxu said.
Zhou Tianzui said, “I’m afraid you’ll fall.”
You Ruxu said, “You can hold me.”
Her voice hoarse and languid, and Zhou Tianzui, leaning closer, kissed her cheek, “Okay, I’ll hold you.”
Her skin smooth as silk beneath Zhou Tianzui’s hand, she played with You Ruxu’s hair, her fingers occasionally brushing against the bare skin of You Ruxu’s back, a tantalizing touch, and You Ruxu’s breathing, instead of calming down, quickened.
