Jiang Mu sat down with the chicken wings. After Jin Chao walked over, he exchanged a few words with Zhang Guangyu before turning around and naturally taking a seat beside Jiang Mu. No one noticed he had changed positions, the shift from sitting opposite her to beside her feeling entirely seamless.
In truth, Jiang Mu hadn’t felt drunk earlier, but now her heart was racing, her thoughts hazy—she was definitely feeling the effects of the alcohol. Especially with Jin Chao sitting beside her, even with her head bowed low, she could keenly sense his commanding presence. The intense nervousness made her wrists tremble slightly, and being under so many watchful eyes only added to her unease.
Pan Kai and the others brought over a plate of freshly grilled skewers. The aroma of barbecue, the clinking of glasses, and the sound of laughter filled the rooftop, yet none of it could drown out the pounding of Jiang Mu’s heart. She even felt that the dizziness she was experiencing now was more overwhelming than the time Jin Fengzi had made her drink so much.
Later, San Lai suggested that everyone go hiking together in July once they had finished their busy schedules. He even mentioned finding a mountain with a cable car, though it was unclear why he emphasized the word "hiking."
Jin Fengzi proposed going to Mount Tai, the leader of the Five Great Mountains, but Zhang Guangyu countered with, "After seeing Huangshan, no other mountains are worth viewing," suggesting they go to Huangshan instead since he worked in Anhui and it would be convenient for him.
As the group debated enthusiastically, Jin Chao held his drink, a faint smile playing on his lips as he occasionally chimed in, appearing completely at ease. Jiang Mu, however, wasn’t as composed. She kept her head down, eating skewers even though she was already full—sitting idly would have felt too awkward. At one point, her elbow accidentally brushed against Jin Chao’s, a seemingly trivial occurrence, but in that moment, the sensation felt magnified, creating a subtle intimacy only the two of them were aware of.
Noticing she hadn’t stopped eating, Pan Kai asked in surprise, "Jiang Jiang, are you really that hungry today?"
Only then did Jiang Mu realize she truly couldn’t eat another bite. But since everyone was in high spirits, she had no choice but to keep them company. Out of the corner of her eye, she stole a glance at Jin Chao—his right hand rested on the edge of the table, while his left hand, closer to her, hung loosely by the chair.
Jiang Mu couldn’t help but lower her gaze to his left hand. It was slender yet strong, with clearly defined veins on the back. She rarely paid such close attention to such minute details in others. Back when she had a fever and needed an IV, nurses often remarked that her veins weren’t prominent, and if she encountered an inexperienced nurse, she’d end up with an extra needle prick. Seeing Jin Chao’s slightly raised veins, she found it intriguing and couldn’t resist poking one of them.
Jin Chao tilted his head slightly, casting a faint, sidelong glance her way. Not satisfied with just one poke—the springy sensation of pressing against someone’s veins was oddly amusing—Jiang Mu, unable to keep her hands still, went for another poke. But before she could make contact, Jin Chao flipped his hand over and grasped her small hand firmly.
Jiang Mu instantly looked up at him, but he had already averted his gaze, turning back to listen to San Lai ramble about the monkeys on Mount Emei as if nothing had happened. His grip never loosened, his thumb gently stroking the rounded tips of her fingers.This wasn't the first time Jin Chao had held Jiang Mu's hand. Whether during their act while street racing or when facing Boss Wan, he had indeed held her hand before. However, those two times were when she was extremely unsettled, and he used this method to soothe her emotions—simply holding it without any additional movements.
But tonight, in such a relaxed atmosphere, every touch from him carried an electrifying current that stirred her heart. Jiang Mu didn't dare to look at anyone else, though she knew no one would notice the burning sensation that had spread from her chest to her cheeks, flushing them crimson. She could no longer make out what the people around her were saying.
After what felt like an eternity, Zhang Guangyu's girlfriend asked her, "Have you had too much to drink?"
Feeling guilty, Jiang Mu withdrew her hand and nodded along with her words: "Maybe."
So everyone agreed it was about time to call it a night.
On the way back, San Lai hailed a taxi and, together with Jin Chao, took Jiang Mu back to Jin Qiang's place first. Once San Lai started drinking, he became endlessly talkative. From the moment they got in the car, he sat in the passenger seat and chatted with the driver about everything under the sun, especially his pet shop. His grandiose way of talking made it seem as if he ran a large-scale pet trading market. Coincidentally, the driver had two dogs at home, and once the conversation started, it never stopped.
Jin Chao and Jiang Mu sat in the back seat, with a considerable distance between them. The people in the front were too noisy, so they didn't exchange a single word during the ride. Jiang Mu occasionally stole glances at Jin Chao. Whenever he sensed her gaze, he would turn his head toward her, and she would instantly look away.
By the time they reached the entrance of the residential complex, San Lai had already successfully marketed a VIP customer, leaving Jiang Mu utterly impressed.
San Lai turned around with a cheeky grin and said to her, "You can sleep soundly now, college student."
Jiang Mu smiled back at him, then hastily glanced at Jin Chao.
Sensing her gaze, Jin Chao said to San Lai, "I'll walk Mu Mu inside."
Then he told the driver, "Please wait, we'll settle the fare."
Jiang Mu pulled open the car door, and Jin Chao got out as well. San Lai continued chatting with the driver about cats and dogs.
After the two turned into the complex and the taxi was out of sight, the dim streetlights of the old neighborhood, covered in a thick layer of dust, cast a faint glow. Jiang Mu reached out to tug at Jin Chao's sleeve, but before she could touch him, her hand was already grasped by his. He didn't look at her, as if everything was intuitively synchronized between them.
Walking through the quiet neighborhood at night, Jin Chao led Jiang Mu back to the old building. As he opened the door to the stairwell, she said in a soft, slightly tipsy voice, "Brother, I can't climb the stairs."
Jin Chao smiled without a word. Though he knew she was deliberately being lazy, he bent down and waited for her to jump onto his back. Then he carried her up the stairs. His steps were unhurried. Jiang Mu crossed her arms in front of his chest and rested her face against his broad shoulders. Her breath, sweet with a faint hint of alcohol, brushed against his neck, causing his originally steady breathing to grow increasingly heated.The motion-sensor light in the dim hallway flickered on with Jin Chao's footsteps. When they reached the fifth floor, he set her down and turned to gaze at her with intense, dark eyes. Jiang Mu swayed slightly, and Jin Chao, fearing she might lose her balance, shifted closer to block her from the stairwell. His eyes swept over her soft lips, lingering for a few seconds. Suddenly, the sensor light went out, plunging them into darkness. In the pitch-black space, their proximity felt dangerously intimate. Jin Chao leaned in closer, and the nearer he got, the more Jiang Mu's body trembled uncontrollably.
Jin Chao let out a soft chuckle and straightened up, saying to her, "You've had alcohol today. We'll talk when you're sober."
Jiang Mu lifted her watery eyes—large and dark, with a pitiable charm when she was drunk—and asked softly, "Are you leaving?"
Jin Chao reminded her, "San Lai is still waiting in the taxi."
Jiang Mu lowered her head again. Standing before Jin Chao with her head bowed, she always seemed so small. Neither spoke further. Jiang Mu took a tiny step forward, resting her forehead against his chest.
Jin Chao looked down at her, his eyes shimmering with intoxication, yet he murmured under his breath, "Such a torment." As the words left his lips, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into an embrace.
This was the first time Jiang Mu had been held like this by Jin Chao. She felt as though she were melting into him, never realizing his embrace could engulf her so completely. Whether it was the warmth of his breath, his captivating scent, or his solid chest, if he willed it, he could dissolve her entirely in his arms, leaving her with nowhere to hide.
By the time Jin Chao returned to the taxi outside the residential complex, twenty minutes had passed. San Lai asked in surprise, "What took so long?"
Jin Chao shot him a silent glance, then turned away and told the driver, "Let's go."
...
Jiang Mu wasn't entirely sure how she made it home. It seemed Jin Chao had opened the door for her, but he didn't step inside. Instead, he lifted her by the waist with one hand, placed her just inside the doorway, wished her "good night," and closed the door behind her. After that, she drifted in and out of consciousness, feeling as though she might still be sleepwalking even after lying down in bed.
She was usually a sound sleeper, able to rest peacefully through most nights. But tonight, she lingered in a state of light slumber, her soul adrift. Fragmented images of Jin Chao's eyes, his pleasing voice, and his alluring lips flickered through her mind. It was as if his presence enveloped her—a crisp, unique minty fragrance mingled with the faint, rich aroma of tobacco, a scent she found utterly intoxicating.
This wasn't the first time Jiang Mu had dreamed of Jin Chao. In her hazy state, she couldn't distinguish between dream and reality. Excitement, nervousness, shyness, and even emotions she could hardly believe she felt continuously stirred within her. It wasn't until nearly dawn that she finally sank into a deep sleep.
Zhao Meijuan assumed that Jiang Mu had been under immense stress preparing for the college entrance exams and that now, with the pressure off, her body was naturally recovering. So, she didn't wake her for meals during the day, letting her sleep as much as she needed.
True to form, Jiang Mu slept straight through until two in the afternoon. When she finally opened her eyes, she was momentarily disoriented, unsure of where she was. For about ten minutes, her mind remained blank, and she behaved as if everything were perfectly normal.But after these ten-plus minutes, fragments from last night gradually resurfaced. She began to realize she might have done something quite bold. Sitting at the dining table, she suddenly stood up pale-faced, startling Zhao Meijuan, who asked what was wrong.
Jiang Mu returned to her room without a word, locked the door behind her, and buried her face in the pillow. She had kissed him—not a peck, but a real kiss.
This was Jiang Mu’s first kiss. Before this, she never knew kissing someone of the opposite sex could feel so intimate. She could still vaguely recall Jin Chao’s deep yet gentle entanglement with her. The sensation was like being under a spell—unable to move, her whole body soft and weak, yet unable to resist.
At the thought of that scene, Jiang Mu’s entire body burned. Tracing back the memories of last night, she remembered that before parting with Jin Chao in the hallway, he had seemingly said something about her being drunk and that they’d talk when she was sober.
Jiang Mu now strongly suspected that Jin Chao thought her bold move last night was an impulsive act fueled by alcohol. Though there was some impulsiveness, it wasn’t entirely unconscious.
As for how to face Jin Chao after sobering up, Jiang Mu had no idea. She lifted her face from the pillow, wanting to call him but feeling utterly weak and hesitant.
After deliberating for a long time, she sent him a message with just three words: "I’m awake."
Jin Chao didn’t keep her waiting long, replying shortly after: "Still busy. Wait for me at the garage."
Receiving this message, Jiang Mu instantly felt rejuvenated. She dug out her backpack, dumped out all the clutter inside—pens, exercise books, English vocabulary notes, meal cards, and more—then packed a few simple personal items and headed out. Zhao Meijuan assumed she was going out with classmates and didn’t ask further.
Jiang Mu even made a special trip to the supermarket, buying a large pile of snacks to bring to the garage. Tie Gongji was with Jin Chao, so only Xiao Yang was at the garage, and business wasn’t particularly busy. Jiang Mu shared some snacks with him, then carried the rest back to Jin Chao’s room, covering his tidy bedside table with food and drinks, as if preparing for an all-night chat.
However, by evening, Jin Chao sent another message to Jiang Mu, telling her he might be late—Master Ren and the others were around, so he couldn’t get away.
Jiang Mu told him to focus on his work, then went next door to hang out with San Lai. San Lai’s business hadn’t been great lately, and he’d been gaming since afternoon. Jiang Mu pulled up a small stool and sat watching him play. They ordered takeout for dinner together, and afterward, San Lai simply pulled Jiang Mu into the game, getting her to play too.
When Jin Chao returned, what he saw through the glass door was Jiang Mu intently gripping the controller, her body swaying with the left and right buttons, looking adorably silly.
He didn’t go in but knocked twice on the door. Jiang Mu turned to look, immediately dropped the controller, and stood up. Shandian, who had been at her feet, trotted toward the door.
San Lai pursed his lips and leisurely remarked, "Heartless girl and dog."
Jin Chao turned back toward the garage, with Jiang Mu and Shandian following. He headed straight for his room and said to Jiang Mu, "Close the door.Jiang Mu wasn’t as tall as Jin Chao and couldn’t reach the roller shutter door, but she skillfully picked up a long hook from the corner, pulled the door down to lock it, and returned the hook to its place.
When she followed him into the room, Jin Chao was already showering. Suddenly, she felt at a loss, not knowing what to do.Before long, Jin Chao emerged from the bathroom wearing a loose T-shirt. Jiang Mu sat quietly at the foot of the bed like a timid newlywed. His gaze swept over the nightstand cluttered with snacks before returning to her, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Sober now?"
Three ordinary words, yet Jiang Mu’s face instantly burned. She nodded obediently, not daring to meet his eyes, resembling a child who’d done wrong—and an unrepentant one at that.
After saying this, Jin Chao didn’t press further. He dried his hair, tossed his dirty clothes into the washing machine, added detergent, twisted the dial, and pressed "Start." All the while, his eyes drifted over her intermittently, making Jiang Mu even more flustered. Never before had she felt so nervous being alone with him.
Only when the washing machine hummed to life did Jin Chao approach her again. Leaning against the wardrobe, he studied her for a moment before asking, "Anything to say to me?"
Jiang Mu’s eyes darted around before she finally lifted her gaze and shook her head.
A suppressed smile played at the corners of Jin Chao’s lips, though his expression remained serious. "If you think you were too hasty last night, it’s not too late to regret it."
Jiang Mu shook her head vigorously. "I don’t regret it! It was a bit rash, sure, but I was too muddled to really feel anything."
As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized her mistake—she’d blurted out her true thoughts.
Panicked, she glanced up at Jin Chao. His raised eyebrows betrayed unconcealed amusement, and Jiang Mu wished desperately for a hole to crawl into.
Author’s Note:
My dear readers, a few days apart feels like years! I’ve returned from afar, plump as ever~
Let’s kick off a round of red envelopes!
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or nourished this story with nutrient solutions between 2021-09-30 17:26:41 and 2021-10-04 01:21:32~
Special thanks for the grenades: 17444142, Tiger Tooth Girl Rong Xiaorong, Takayasan (1 each)
For the landmines: Good Want Become Panda, saantha7788, 42636267, Great Li Loves Cabbage, "Dazzling" 1, Northern Girl 77 Ya, Qi, Fish Fragrant Shredded Pork, WJNY, Peach Eat More Kiwi, Witch, 41416783, Odile, iiiaaa, It’s UU Ya, Yili (1 each)
For the nutrient solutions: theJYC, Xiang Wan (30 bottles); Zhao Zhao Mu Mu (24 bottles); Guo Lü? (15 bottles); lily_dengcr, Pau, Yu Hua, You You You, 44897999 (10 bottles each); Shi Shi Ru Yi, Young Lady’s Feelings Are Always Poetry, Cold White Skin Bao Qing Tian, Daily Progress One Step, Apple (5 bottles); Drea (3 bottles); Warmth, Exclusive Witch, Cool Mint (2 bottles each); Little Bear Jadeite Cake, Green Fairy Monkey, Odile, Wooden Head, Meow~, Yi Man, Yoa (1 bottle each)
I’m deeply grateful for your support and will keep working hard!
OpenNovel