Chapter 80

Jingyan had once again fallen into that familiar low-pressure atmosphere. Ever since Chi Wanzhao walked in that morning, everyone had been walking on eggshells. During the meeting, several managers were terrified of saying the wrong thing, occasionally darting nervous glances her way.

And Zhou Sheng, the culprit behind it all, was nowhere to be found.

He hadn't shown his face all morning.

It wasn't until almost quitting time that he finally slipped into the office. He sank into his chair, exhaustion written all over his face, and asked, "How's Chi doing right now?"

Jiang Yuan gave him a lazy look. "Go feel it out yourself."

Zhou Sheng shivered for no reason, coughed lightly, and slowly got to his feet. After a moment's thought, he headed for the CEO's office.

Chi Wanzhao was bent over her desk, reviewing documents. Hearing the knock, she said in a low voice, "Come in."

Zhou Sheng opened the door and stepped inside.

Chi Wanzhao gave him a faint glance, then lowered her head and went back to her paperwork.

Zhou Sheng stood before her. "Chi, I've retrieved the photos."

With that, he offered up his phone.

The phone had no lock, and the photo album was already open. Chi Wanzhao took it with an expressionless face, glanced at it, then smiled. "Assistant Zhou photographs quite well, doesn't he?"

Zhou Sheng's spine stiffened. "I'm sorry, Chi. This won't happen again."

Chi Wanzhao gave a faint smile. "You want there to be a next time?"

Zhou Sheng immediately pressed his lips together.

Say too much, make too many mistakes.

How had he forgotten Chi's true nature just because she'd been gentler lately around his wife?

He deserved to have his bonus docked.

Chi Wanzhao placed the phone in her desk drawer, then rose. "Clock out."

Zhou Sheng hesitated, checking the time. "But it's only four—"

He didn't finish the sentence. Chi Wanzhao glanced at him coolly, and Zhou Sheng immediately forced a smile. "Alright. I'll contact Lu Han right away."

"No need."

Chi Wanzhao thought for a moment. "You drive. Lu Han has other plans today."

Zhou Sheng took the keys and followed Chi Wanzhao out to the parking lot.

With the New Year approaching, a bit of festive cheer was beginning to creep into the air, and City B had caught some of it too. The shops lining both sides of the road had pasted up lucky characters, and a few had already closed their doors for the holiday. Zhou Sheng watched the street go by as he thought about how Chi Wanzhao usually spent the New Year abroad—but this year she had his wife now. He wondered...

Seeing they were nearly at the apartment, he spoke up. "Chi, do you still need me to book your flight home this year?"

Chi Wanzhao's gaze dropped, lost in thought.

Chi Chao's health was deteriorating fast. According to Chi Yifan's phone calls, he'd been hospitalized twice more. It was hard to say how much longer he could hold on.

They'd hoped she would come back.

This was, after all, Chi Chao's last New Year in this world. If she went back to see him, at least she'd have fewer regrets.

But then she thought of what he'd done, and her expression tightened again.

The car pulled up to the apartment entrance. Before getting out, Chi Wanzhao said to Zhou Sheng, "Book two tickets."

Zhou Sheng: "Yes, Chi."

He got out and opened the door for her. Chi Wanzhao stepped out in her high heels, paused a moment, then added, "Make it three."

Zhou Sheng's face flickered with surprise, but he quickly recovered. "Understood."

Chi Wanzhao had already hurried off.

She pushed open the door. The apartment was no longer the way she'd left it.

With the New Year nearly upon them, Kong Xiyan and Wang Haining had picked up a few festive touches on their afternoon trip out. Even the plain flowers on the coffee table had been swapped for bright red roses. Chi Wanzhao's gaze swept the room, and a hint of pleasure crept into the corners of her eyes.

She strode inside, shrugging off her coat and hanging it on the rack by the door. She spotted two figures moving in the kitchen—one she knew better than anyone.

The other...

Chi Wanzhao's face darkened.

She still felt a little uncomfortable about it.

She cleared her throat. "Yanyan."

The cat immediately leapt off the sofa, meowing as it dove into her arms and extended a pink tongue to lick her chin. Chi Wanzhao hastily held it away from her. Just then, Kong Xiyan came out carrying a plate of food, all smiles. "You're back."

Chi Wanzhao stared at her smiling face for a long moment before nodding. "Mm."

Kong Xiyan set the clean vegetables and lamb rolls on the dining table. Chi Wanzhao looked over and saw a dual-flavor hotpot pot sitting there, the water already boiling, steam rising. The whole apartment was filled with the aroma of hotpot.

She walked over to the table and bent down. "Hotpot?"

Kong Xiyan nodded. "Same dipping sauce as last time?"

Chi Wanzhao: "Sure."

She put down Yanyan, went to the bathroom, and washed her hands. When she came out, Wang Haining was already seated at the table. It hadn't been long since they'd last met in the countryside, so there wasn't any awkwardness between them.

But there wasn't warmth either.

The two simply exchanged a curt nod by way of greeting.

The hotpot had split flavors—spicy on one side, mild on the other. Wang Haining loved heat, while Kong Xiyan couldn't handle it, so they'd gone with the divided pot.

Chi Wanzhao sat down at the table and noticed a few cans of beer beside the pot. She frowned. "You're drinking?"

She spoke to Kong Xiyan, but Wang Haining answered for her. "Well, the New Year's just about here. We're celebrating."

Chi Wanzhao's brow remained furrowed as she looked at Wang Haining. "Her stomach is weak. She can't drink."

A glint of interest flashed in Wang Haining's eyes, though her expression stayed neutral. "A little now and then won't hurt. Right, Xiyan?"

Kong Xiyan chimed in. "A small sip is fine."

With that, she cracked open a can and offered it to Chi Wanzhao. "Want one too, Chi?"

Chi Wanzhao watched the two of them playing off each other and her face sank. Without a second thought, she took the can from Kong Xiyan's hand, tilted her head, and drank.

Then her expression twisted.

The beer rolled around her throat before she could force it down.

That was awful.

Kong Xiyan and Wang Haining seemed not to notice her expression, eating and drinking while chattering about little village affairs from Changning. Chi Wanzhao couldn't get a word in edgewise, so she could only quietly eat her hotpot. The longer she watched the two women talk so animatedly, the more frustrated she grew. She picked up the awful beer and took another long gulp.

Before she knew it.

One can was finished.

Wang Haining conveniently opened another for her, adding with a touch of apology, "Sorry for intruding—here's a toast to you."

Chi Wanzhao's face tensed, and she answered stiffly, "No intrusion at all."

Then she clinked her can with Wang Haining's.

And so they went back and forth. By the time the hotpot was over, they hadn't eaten much but had certainly drunk plenty.

Chi Wanzhao had always held her liquor well—at least she could drink this much without so much as a change in expression—but her cheeks had taken on a faint flush, and her eyes were hazy, though it was hard to say if it came from the alcohol or the spice.

Kong Xiyan had the lowest tolerance of the three.

She'd only had three cans, yet her face was flushed crimson, her bright eyes shimmering with watery light. When she looked at someone, it took her a long while to look away, her gaze soft and unfocused.

Wang Haining noticed and said softly, "You alright?"

"Great."

Kong Xiyan raised her cup. "Another round?"

Chi Wanzhao caught hold of her wrist and pried the cup from her hand. Her already stiff face turned even colder. "Another round? Are you trying to drink yourself to death right here?"

Kong Xiyan pouted, mumbling under her breath, "That's not true."

The way she played coy was genuinely adorable. Chi Wanzhao found herself momentarily frozen. Wang Haining cleared her throat. "Chi, mind taking Xiyan upstairs to rest?"

Chi Wanzhao went to Kong Xiyan's side and helped her up the stairs. Yanyan tried to follow, but Wang Haining called out, "Yanyan! Want a fish treat?"

With that, she pulled out a dried fish from who knew where. Yanyan immediately perked up, meowed, and bounded over!

Wang Haining watched the cat leap toward her with satisfaction, then glanced at the two figures retreating up the stairs.

Kong Xiyan leaned her whole weight against Chi Wanzhao, her body limp as if boneless, barely able to hold herself upright. Chi Wanzhao half-carried, half-guided her into the bedroom.

The heating in the room was turned up high. Kong Xiyan lay down on the bed, and a fine sheen of sweat broke across her forehead, the flush spreading all the way from her face down to her earlobes. She let out a few uncomfortable little whimpers. Chi Wanzhao went into the bathroom, wet a towel, and gently wiped the sweat from her face.

Kong Xiyan's eyes had been closed, but sensing something on her skin, she slowly opened them. She reached out and caught Chi Wanzhao's wrist.

Chi Wanzhao met her gaze. Her hand gripping the towel tightened unconsciously, her body went rigid, and even her expression turned stiff.

Kong Xiyan seemed not to notice. She pulled Chi Wanzhao's hand onto her own cheek, stroking it, and whispered, "Chi..."

Drunk and languid as she was, every glance she cast was alluring, and a single hazy look was enough to stir the heart. Chi Wanzhao felt bewitched as she slowly leaned in. With just a dip of her head, she could kiss those lips she'd been longing for.

Suddenly, there was a loud *bang* from downstairs. Chi Wanzhao snapped upright!

She glanced at the drunk Kong Xiyan, cursing herself for taking advantage of the moment. Then she helped Kong Xiyan sit up against the headboard and said in an even voice, "Don't move. I'll go downstairs and get you some milk to sober you up."

With that, she hurried out of the room as if something were chasing her.

The door clicked shut. Kong Xiyan's drunken expression shifted. She clenched her jaw.

So close!

She'd been so close just now!

It hadn't worked!

Did this Chi Wanzhao have feelings for her or not?!

Kong Xiyan took two deep breaths, staring at the door.

No matter. Life's a stage and all of us are actors—miss once, try again.

Anyway, she was supposed to be drunk, so she could claim any excuse. If Chi Wanzhao flat-out said she didn't like her when she came back, that was fine too—one night's sleep and she could just say she didn't remember a thing.

Having mentally prepared herself, Kong Xiyan got up and turned off the crystal chandelier.

She also made sure to switch on the little bedside lamp.

The room immediately dimmed.

Downstairs, Chi Wanzhao stood by the sofa. A glass of milk had already been poured on the coffee table. Wang Haining was admonishing Yanyan for its earlier misbehavior. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Chi Wanzhao and pulled out a fish treat. "Eat up," she said to the cat. "Why refuse meat that's handed right to you? That would just be foolish, wouldn't it, Yanyan."

Perhaps because of the fish treat, Yanyan's attitude toward Wang Haining had warmed considerably, and at her words it gave a meow.

Chi Wanzhao: ...

She glanced toward Wang Haining, just as Wang Haining's gaze met hers. They both smiled. Wang Haining said, "Chi, not going upstairs? That's for waking Xiyan up, isn't it? Her stomach's always been weak, and she just drank so much..."

Before Wang Haining could finish, Chi Wanzhao was already carrying the glass upstairs.

In a hurry.

She entered the room. Kong Xiyan hadn't fallen asleep yet, still propped up against the headboard. Seeing Chi Wanzhao come in, she squinted at her, then gave a silly smile. "Chi."

The room was dim, lit only by the faint glow of the lamp. Chi Wanzhao frowned slightly but didn't turn on the light. She walked over and sat beside Kong Xiyan, handing her the glass. "Drink."

"Then get some sleep."

Kong Xiyan drank half the glass and set it on the nightstand. Then she tilted her head up to look at Chi Wanzhao.

The milk had left a ring of white around her upper lip. Chi Wanzhao handed her a tissue. "Wipe."

Kong Xiyan had no idea what she meant. She stared at the tissue for a long while, blinking slowly, as if confused.

Seeing this, Chi Wanzhao sighed, took the tissue from her hand, steadied her head, and said, "Don't move."

Kong Xiyan didn't move.

She didn't just hold still—she watched Chi Wanzhao with total focus, her not-quite-clear eyes reflecting Chi Wanzhao's image, small and bright. Chi Wanzhao leaned closer to wipe the milk from her lips. Before she could pull away, Kong Xiyan suddenly raised her hands and wrapped them around Chi Wanzhao's neck.

She even pulled Chi Wanzhao a bit closer to her, until their noses brushed. They looked into each other's eyes.

The atmosphere in the room shifted, turning charged and intimate.

Kong Xiyan parted her lips slowly and murmured, "Chi, I want to tell you a secret."

Chi Wanzhao's gaze locked on her rosy lips as they opened and closed. Her palms were sweating, her heart pounding in her throat. In a hoarse whisper, she asked, "What secret?"

Kong Xiyan bit her lip, making it flush even redder. She swallowed hard, her voice barely audible. "I... I've fallen for someone."

Chi Wanzhao's bright eyes were dark and shining, her voice carrying an unconscious tension. "Who?"

"You."

Kong Xiyan broke into a smile, radiant as a flower. It struck Chi Wanzhao's heart like a sharp blow. She leaned back slightly, her gaze burning, her eyes dark and bright.

The temperature in the room climbed rapidly. Kong Xiyan felt the heat building, and seeing that Chi Wanzhao remained silent, a flicker of panic shot through her. Her gaze drifted to the half-finished glass of milk she'd set down. She picked it up, tilted her head, and drank the rest.

Chi Wanzhao's voice came low, as if strumming the strings of a fine instrument.

"Good?"

She asked.

Kong Xiyan froze. "Good."

Chi Wanzhao lifted her eyes to look at her. "Do you know what you just drank?"

Kong Xiyan: "Milk."

Chi Wanzhao clenched her hands. "What did it taste like?"

Kong Xiyan couldn't meet her eyes. Fortunately, the room was dim, so she was able to lower her head and avoid Chi Wanzhao's gaze as she answered weakly, "A little sweet."

"Is that so?"

Chi Wanzhao's voice sounded right beside her ear. Then her lips were warm against Kong Xiyan's. "Let me taste."

Their lips and tongues tangled together. Kong Xiyan forgot to breathe, staring blankly at the face so close to hers, blinking rapidly. Chi Wanzhao kept it brief—a taste, then she pulled back.

Kong Xiyan shyly lowered her head. "Sweet?"

Chi Wanzhao thought for a moment. "Sweet."

Kong Xiyan plucked up her courage and looped her arms around Chi Wanzhao's neck. "If it's sweet, then taste it again."

Chi Wanzhao: ...

From the room came soft, mingled sounds of kissing. Chi Wanzhao kept her eyes closed and pressed down on Kong Xiyan's shoulders, easing her onto the mattress. Their lips never parted, still tangled together.

Their body heat climbed higher and higher. The bare skin Kong Xiyan had exposed flushed pink, and the color spread across her cheeks. Chi Wanzhao was in much the same state—even her eyelids were tinted red.

She kissed Kong Xiyan's lips, the tip of her tongue pressing at Kong Xiyan's teeth. Kong Xiyan willingly surrendered, giving herself fully to the moment.

They played at lips and tongue for a good while before Chi Wanzhao finally pulled away, breathless.

She looked down. Kong Xiyan's hair was a mess, her body flushed, her eyes glistening. Chi Wanzhao let out a soft laugh. Kong Xiyan stared at her. "What are you laughing at?"

Chi Wanzhao bent down until her forehead touched Kong Xiyan's, her voice carrying a note of delight. "I'm laughing at how excellent Miss Kong's acting is."

Kong Xiyan's face flared crimson. She tried to protest. "I..."

But Chi Wanzhao sealed her lips with another kiss, nipping lightly at her lower lip before drawing back a little. "But since Miss Kong isn't drunk after all, I have a secret I'd like to tell you too."

Kong Xiyan looked up, her lashes brushing against Chi Wanzhao's cheek, stirring another strand of intimacy.

Chi Wanzhao lowered her head again, her lips brushing Kong Xiyan's earlobe, her breath soft as orchid. Word by word, she said, "Miss Kong, I don't have a fetish for cats."

"I have a fetish for people."

"And the person I'm infatuated with—is Kong Xiyan."