Chapter 75

It was so noisy.

The bar’s lights spun wildly overhead, casting mottled, fragmented shadows that turned the entire space into a hazy dreamscape.

Pounding electronic music thrummed through everyone’s chests, as if determined to set every body in the room into motion.

At the bar, bottles and glasses gleamed temptingly under the lights, their alluring aromas wafting through the air.

Lu Chaohuan swirled her glass expressionlessly, the amber liquid spinning within it and releasing a seductive fragrance.

It reflected her cold gaze and lowered brows.

She had originally planned to accept the class committee’s invitation this time—after turning them down last time, another refusal would have looked bad. But once she stepped into the bar, Lu Chaohuan realized they had booked a full-on nightclub, not a quiet lounge.

The lingering gazes around her sized her up. After sitting at the reserved booth for just ten minutes, she made an excuse about wanting to sit at the bar and slipped away.

Only to end up dragging along a clingy tagalong.

“Lu Chaohuan, my dear roommate, you have to save me this time… What should I say to her later? Hey, is this too forward…?”

Bai Qing, seated beside her, chattered nonstop about the reason she had dragged her here today. Beyond the hard-to-refuse invitation from their classmates, the real draw was that the senior she had a crush on would be coming too.

Following Lu Chaohuan’s advice from last time, she had posted those photos online, and sure enough, the senior had taken the bait just as predicted. She even quietly inquired about their relationship from time to time afterward.

This was completely unprecedented.

As a result, Bai Qing now saw Lu Chaohuan as her savior in this long-suffering crush. She had been pestering her for ages, asking how exactly to chat with the senior.

What had seemed like a decent roommate at first began to grate on Lu Chaohuan’s nerves after the same words were repeated dozens of times in her ear.

Roommates were such a hassle.

She took a light sip of the sweet wine, its flavor rich but not cloying, laced with a faint fruity note that made it intoxicating.

Unfortunately, this babbling roommate was completely ruining her drinking experience.

Lu Chaohuan swirled the liquid in her glass as she pondered dumping the clear, sweet contents straight into Bai Qing’s mouth. Would that give her enough courage to confess to her senior instead of harassing her here?

The gaze fixed on her face grew intense. Bai Qing eyed her flat expression and the tightening grip on the glass, her instincts screaming danger. She tossed out a quick “I need to use the bathroom” and bolted upright, fleeing the scene.

Leaving Lu Chaohuan alone at last.

Finally, some peace.

She leaned forward slightly, her graceful curves accentuated. Her fingertips drummed irritably on the rim of her glass. Surrounded by strangers, Lu Chaohuan felt even more at ease.

Bai Qing’s nagging had annoyed her—not just because it had gone on too long, but mostly because of her own thoughts.

She was thinking about confessing to Jiang Li.

Previously, she had smoothly maneuvered to keep Jiang Li by her side. She knew her sister was kind and responsible, so she had used the marks on her body to draw Jiang Li’s attention.

And in doing so, she had seized control of their relationship—for the time being.

But what Lu Chaohuan wanted was far more than that.

Her fingertip tapped the glass, and the rippling liquid mirrored her greedy, shadowy eyes. Affection was the truth floating on the surface, but desire lurked deep within like a thick undercurrent.

She wanted Jiang Li’s heart devoted entirely to her, her love enveloping her completely.

Jiang Li’s gaze forever fixed on her, her gentlest smiles always blooming for her alone—even the breeze stirring a single strand of hair by her cheek should belong to her.

With obsessive certainty, Lu Chaohuan longed to hold every part of Jiang Li in her grasp.

Yet she couldn’t claim it all openly—not yet.

The amber liquid slid down her throat, emptying half the glass in hasty gulps. Her cheeks flushed with a thin, enticing red glow. Her slender waist bent even lower.

The mellow haze of alcohol stirred her mind into lively motion, sweeping her thoughts clean in a burst of dazzling fireworks. It was enchanting.

She closed her eyes against the chaotic lights, resting her chin on her arm. She looked drunk, but in truth, she was perfectly sober.

Lu Chaohuan had a high tolerance for alcohol. Once, during a club gathering, a junior who disliked her had brought friends to challenge her to a drinking contest. Lu Chaohuan had drunk them all under the table single-handedly.

Aside from her flushed face, she had risen early the next day for her eight a.m. class.

The sweet wine she was sipping now had a decent kick—perfect for loosening up. It relaxed her mind, letting her thoughts drift lazily through the fog.

As they drifted, they settled inevitably on Jiang Li, whom she hadn’t seen in five days.

Five whole days. Sister was being so mean… She had only teased her that one time on the second night…

With a pout that was equal parts petulant and disdainful, her slightly tipsy mind began irrationally blaming Jiang Li. She had promised not to make her sister do those things anymore, yet Jiang Li wouldn’t even video call her.

Leaving her all alone at home, ignoring her completely. Bad sister.

Lu Chaohuan grumbled about Jiang Li inwardly, but there was nothing she could do. After all, last time she had worked her up and then run off—even if it had been meant as a light punishment for her sister’s dishonest words.

Who could blame her? Sister wasn’t the least bit honest—she had clearly enjoyed watching her pleasure herself.

Even after that, Lu Chaohuan couldn’t cling to Jiang Li anymore. Her sister was away at that exchange conference, and staying up too late at night would drain her energy.

Besides, Lu Chaohuan tapped the glass irritably, annoyed at herself for not demanding a proper title from the start. Being the “little sister” clearly wasn’t as useful as being her girlfriend.

As a sister, she couldn’t afford to be too willful.

As a girlfriend, Jiang Li wouldn’t refuse a simple video call because her girlfriend missed her and wanted to see her.

She downed one glass of boozy haze after another. Out of the corner of her eye, Lu Chaohuan spotted Bai Qing approaching with her phone clutched tight, her face a mix of distress and apprehension.

She waited silently as Bai Qing drew near, only for her roommate to drop a complete bombshell.

“Lu Chaohuan, your sister messaged me? Didn’t you see her texts?”

Instantly sobering, Lu Chaohuan pulled out her phone—which she hadn’t checked all evening. Sure enough, unlocking it revealed a flood of messages from Jiang Li, along with several missed calls.

Sister had come back early?!

Joy lit up her features. Lu Chaohuan was about to reply when a thought struck her. She whipped her head around to ask Bai Qing, “What did she say to you?”

“Just asked where our class gathering was tonight, and if you’d accidentally left your phone in your bag or something—are you okay? Stuff like that.”

Bai Qing scrolled through the messages, marveling at the string of them. “Teacher Jiang is such a gentle beauty. I’m not used to seeing texts this sweet.”

“Delete them after.”

The cool voice sounded right by her ear. Bai Qing looked up at Lu Chaohuan in disbelief, scrutinizing her face before realizing she wasn’t joking.

“No way, are you some vinegar incarnate reincarnated or what? Not even letting your sister’s messages linger on someone else’s phone?”

The sidelong glance made it abundantly clear to Bai Qing: Yes, you got it right. I’m the kind of jealous freak who controls even my own sister’s texts.

Bai Qing went silent. Fine, whatever. She wasn’t shocked to learn Lu Chaohuan was a bit twisted.

“I already replied, by the way. Told her the bar’s location.”

Lu Chaohuan’s fingertips drummed the counter, a sly smile curling her lips. She had a perfect plan.

“Message her back. Say I’m drunk and still playing with the others—haven’t checked my phone. Make sure to emphasize that I’m still drinking right now.”

Heavily emphasize it? What a scheming little devil.

Bai Qing grumbled inwardly but forwarded Lu Chaohuan’s instructions to Jiang Li. Within seconds came a lightning-quick reply.

The screen showed nothing but gentle concern. Bai Qing glanced up at Lu Chaohuan, who lounged casually sipping her drink in patient wait. It was obvious she was up to something.

Lying in wait like a hunter.

“She says to please keep an eye on you, don’t let you drink more. I told her I can’t stop you, and she replied to watch you closely—she’ll be here in about twenty minutes.”

To thank Bai Qing for her invaluable help, Lu Chaohuan freely offered one tidbit of intel on the senior. Watching her roommate scamper off delighted, she settled back at the bar.

One by one, she poured and drank, her face impassive as she refilled her glass. Yet her cheeks grew redder and redder, her lips curving gradually upward.

Her mind could stay sharp, but her breath needed to reek of alcohol. Otherwise, how could she play on Sister’s sympathies?

A dribble of liquor escaped the corner of her mouth, lapped away by her vivid red tongue. She propped her chin lazily, forcing down more, her eyes narrowing in a drunken haze as she murmured.

Sister, hurry up and come.

Jiang Li pushed open the bar’s door, hit by a wave of mingled booze and heavy perfume. The perfume was overpowering and far from pleasant.

The bar counter stood in plain view, Lu Chaohuan’s slender back unmistakable amid the crowd. Her pale waist silently beckoned eyes in the dim, flickering lights.

Jiang Li’s brow furrowed at the men and women clustering around Lu Chaohuan. A surge of displeasure welled in her chest, laced with bubbling jealousy.

This heartbreaker.

When Bai Qing had told her the gathering spot—with “bar” tagged at the end—Jiang Li had known Lu Chaohuan would be the evening’s social butterfly. But she hadn’t anticipated just how many admirers the butterfly would attract.

Pushing through the bustling throng, Jiang Li approached that familiar figure. She seemed utterly hammered, oblivious to the person drawing near behind her.

Lu Chaohuan slumped over the bar, head tilted to one side, a soft, obedient smile playing on her lips. Her eyes were shut, as if lost in her own world.

Jiang Li stepped up, shooting glares that scattered the onlookers. She gathered the sleeping girl fully into her arms and patted Lu Chaohuan’s shoulder gently, murmuring in her ear, “Can you still walk?”

The familiar voice reached her ears. Jiang Li watched as Lu Chaohuan lifted her head groggily, blinking in disbelief at the sight of her. She even rubbed her eyes.

Adorable, Jiang Li thought.

She assumed Lu Chaohuan hadn’t recognized her, but in an instant, unbridled joy lit up those eyes, her smile blooming radiantly—like a handful of sunflowers scattered across Jiang Li’s heart.

Unable to help herself, even as a spark of annoyance lingered, Jiang Li smiled back.

Lu Chaohuan laughed, reaching to loop her arms around Jiang Li’s neck. She stumbled, tumbling fully into her embrace, held steady there.

“You’re finally back!”

Her arms locked around Jiang Li’s neck like a vice, Lu Chaohuan’s hands hot against her skin, as if imprinting her warmth.

Her longing was palpable. Gazing at the soft form in her arms, Jiang Li’s heart fluttered, her earlier irritation fading further.

Jiang Li parted her lips to speak, but Lu Chaohuan’s face loomed suddenly close. A sharp sting followed.

Hiss.

“This is punishment for not answering my calls, Sister.”

Warm, moist lips pressed to her cheek, sharp teeth sinking lightly into the flesh beside the fresh bite mark. Lu Chaohuan’s wide eyes stared straight at her in that moment.

The sweet liquor she had drunk that night was left behind on Jiang Li’s cheek—a memento celebrating her return.

With that, the girl in her arms seemed to have found her anchor and fully relaxed, passing out against her.

Jiang Li touched the bite mark on her cheek in a daze, holding the thoroughly wasted girl close. Her emotions were complicated.

It was supposed to be punishment—but from where she stood, it didn’t feel like Lu Chaohuan punishing her at all.

Bai Qing watched from nearby as Jiang Li carried off the “passed-out” Lu Chaohuan. She marveled deeply at the power of such manipulations, and her roommate’s acting skills.

Getting drunk to summon a pickup, then flinging herself into waiting arms and capping it off with a cheek bite. Now she was snugly held and carried home.

With the play at this point, Bai Qing couldn’t help wondering—

What exactly do you plan to do to her tonight, “drunk” as you are?