Chapter 14: Out with One Glass

Jiang Yao never needed anyone to shield her from drinking. Her capacity for alcohol was such that even several grown men together might not outdrink her. She had always been the one to step in for the other women at her company, taking their place when the drinks were forced upon them.

She stared, dazed, at He Yunqing’s profile. In the dim light, the contours of his eyes and brows were veiled in a delicate haze. Something stirred within her, swelling quietly in her heart.

“Where did you come from?” The man across from them was startled, his tone hostile as he questioned him.

He Yunqing set his glass down with deliberate slowness, his movements elegant yet imbued with an inexplicable sense of authority. The glass struck the table with a clear, crisp sound. He lifted his eyes just slightly, and the chill in his gaze made the man opposite shiver instinctively.

“That’s enough.” He Yunqing’s lips curled into a faint smile, calm and detached, beautiful yet carrying the weight of indifference.

His voice was tranquil, but utterly devoid of warmth.

The other man cleared his throat, realizing He Yunqing was not someone to provoke. He didn’t want to escalate the situation, so he muttered, “Forget it, forget it.”

He Yunqing’s eyes narrowed as he cast a sidelong glance at the man, then reached out and seized Jiang Yao’s wrist, wordlessly pulling her along at a brisk pace toward the exit.

“Hey, wait, hey…” Jiang Yao called after him, following all the way until they stood outside the back door of “Ten Miles of Spring Breeze.”

He Yunqing finally stopped, released her wrist, and looked at her.

Jiang Yao gently rubbed her wrist, sore from the sudden tug. “I haven’t even changed out of my work uniform yet.”

“You shouldn’t come to places like this,” he said coolly.

Jiang Yao sized up He Yunqing. From the first moment they met, his words and bearing betrayed a background of privilege.

“What’s the point of ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’? People like me still have to survive.” She inclined her head toward him, turned to go back and change, but was abruptly struck from behind—

He Yunqing collapsed onto Jiang Yao, his firm jaw hitting her head directly.

Caught off guard, Jiang Yao staggered, wincing from the sudden pain. She turned with difficulty to steady him.

“Hey, hey!” She shook He Yunqing with effort. “Seriously? You’re drunk already? Don’t pretend with me!”

How much did he drink?

Just one glass—only one!

Jiang Yao shook him while calling for a car. With the driver’s help, she finally managed to get the man into the vehicle.

“If you can’t hold your liquor, just don’t drink. I can handle it,” Jiang Yao said helplessly, looking at him.

At that moment, He Yunqing leaned against the seat, eyes gently closed, his long lashes trembling slightly. His normally pale face was flushed with a faint red from the alcohol, making him look even more striking.

The scent of alcohol mingled with his own cool cedar fragrance, forming a unique masculine aura that filled the cramped space in the car’s back seat.

“Mmm,” he murmured softly, though it was unclear if he’d heard Jiang Yao’s words.

The car started. The driver glanced at them through the rearview mirror and chuckled. “All these years driving, I’ve only ever seen sober men with drunk women. This is the first time I’ve seen it the other way around.”

Jiang Yao gave an awkward laugh. “It’s a first for me too.”

Who’d have thought that such a tall, handsome man would be a lightweight?

The driver clicked his tongue. “How much did he have?”

“Not much,” Jiang Yao sighed, “He drank for me.”

“Wow,” the driver said, amused. “These days, it’s rare enough to find a man who’ll shield you from drinking when he can’t handle it himself. Miss, you should treasure him.”

Jiang Yao scratched her head and forced a smile. “Ah, sure, treasure…”

The car slowed to a stop in the suburban villa district.

Unable to enter He Yunqing’s home, Jiang Yao had no choice but to bring him back to hers.

Ye Yiyi was away on a last-minute trip and wouldn’t be back tonight.

Jiang Yao, supporting He Yunqing, staggered into her room. “Since you let me sleep at your place last time, and now you’ve shielded me again, I’ll let you stay in my room for tonight.”

She gently eased him onto the bed, preparing to get up, but his hand clinging to her shoulder refused to let go.

Her attempt to rise failed. Instead, her slender body fell lightly onto his.

His skin was warm, almost feverish.

Jiang Yao pressed her lips together. “Let me warn you: I brought you home as thanks for helping me. Don’t even think about using drunkenness as an excuse to act out!”

She’d worked at Ten Miles of Spring Breeze for years, witnessing too many men use alcohol as a pretext for misconduct.

He Yunqing’s brows drew together, then slowly, he opened his eyes.

“You’re awake?”

His deep gaze was mesmerizing, intoxicating. He smiled at Jiang Yao, warmer than she’d ever seen him.

Then, his smile faded into a deep bitterness.

He looked at her quietly for a long time, then spoke in a low voice, “Jiang Yao.”

“Mm?”

“I’m sorry.”

Perhaps those three words were what he’d buried deepest in his heart—words he only dared to speak to her when drunk.

If not for him, would she have suffered so much? Would her life have turned out differently?

“What?” Jiang Yao frowned, puzzled. “Forget it, I’ll go make you some honey water to sober you up.”

With that, she left the bedroom to prepare honey water for He Yunqing.

When she returned, honey water in hand, she found he’d already sat up on the bed.

“Are you alright?” Jiang Yao leaned forward to ask.

He Yunqing didn’t reply. He stood up, grabbed a broom nearby, and began sweeping the already spotless floor.

“Hey,” Jiang Yao followed him, “What are you doing?”

He Yunqing looked at her with dazed eyes, handed her the broom, then picked up a cloth and started wiping the table.

Jiang Yao scratched her head.

Everyone reacts differently to drinking.

Some pass out, some cry, some curse, some fight.

But this man—he does housework.

At that moment, he couldn’t bear even the slightest speck of dust in the room.

Two hours later, Jiang Yao dragged a chair over and sat, watching as He Yunqing finished cleaning her bedroom and started on the living room.

“Why don’t you take a break?” Jiang Yao massaged her temples.

He Yunqing, as if he hadn’t heard, took the broom and headed toward Ye Yiyi’s room.

“Hey,” Jiang Yao quickly got up to stop him, coaxing like a child, “You can’t go in there.”

Surprisingly, He Yunqing listened, nodded gently, dropped the mop, looked at Jiang Yao’s small face, then slowly reached out his hand.

“What are you doing?” Jiang Yao tried to dodge, but He Yunqing’s hand landed directly on her collar.

A single strand of hair.

Jiang Yao forced a smile. Even drunk, his eyesight was sharp as ever…