Chapter 115: Drunk Driving Can’t Solve Problems
Chapter 115: Drunk Driving Can’t Solve Problems
“Hey, I’m talking to you. Where is your mind?” Yu Meilin nudged Li Zian’s waist with her elbow.
Li Zian snapped out of his thoughts, but still felt a bit dazed. He casually said, “Oh, everything is fine.”
“Then let’s go with the latex pillows. What do you think of this one?” Yu Meilin leaned closer so Li Zian could see the content on her mobile phone.
The fragrance hit his nose. The glimpse of pale skin inside her collar was something that disturbed his peace of mind.
“Alright, you decide.” Li Zian said.
“Then I’ll buy this one.” Yu Meilin added two latex pillows to the shopping cart, then handed the mobile phone to Li Zian. “You pay. You’re the man with millions in private savings, after all.”
Li Zian smiled and paid using the mobile phone.
Yu Meilin picked up her glass again, her face full of smiles. “Let’s toast to the two pillows.”
Li Zian raised his glass and clinked it with hers. He wanted to say a toast, but couldn’t think of anything suitable, so he just tipped his head back and drank to cover his awkwardness.
He really had a headache. Only he himself knew what he was feeling right now.
If Yu Meilin treated him badly, he could feel at ease being with Mu Chuntao. But if Yu Meilin treated him well, the guilt and sense of wrongdoing in his heart would only grow deeper. And this was just from Yu Meilin, not even counting Li Xiaomei.
Unknowingly, he finished a whole glass of whisky, but the headache in his mind wasn’t numbed at all.
Yu Meilin also drank the wine in her glass. A flush of red from the alcohol appeared on her jade-like cheeks, and obvious drunkenness showed in her eyes. Yet she still picked up the bottle to pour more wine for Li Zian.
“You shouldn’t drink anymore. Any more and you’ll really be drunk.” Li Zian reached to take the bottle from her hand.
But Yu Meilin pushed his hand away. “This is the first time we’ve drank like this together. I’m happy. I’m not afraid of getting drunk. Don’t spoil the mood.”
Li Zian gave a wry smile and watched helplessly as she filled his glass.
Before the second glass was finished, Yu Meilin’s tongue became a bit unsteady when she spoke. “I… I… feel terrible…”
“What’s wrong?” Li Zian had drunk more of the same wine, but he showed no sign of drunkenness.
“I… I miss my mom…”
Li Zian was slightly taken aback.
Right at that moment, Yu Meilin suddenly leaned over and collapsed into his arms, sobbing and crying.
Li Zian’s body stiffened for a moment. But afterward, he still raised his hand and gently patted her back, comforting her. “Everyone has their day to leave. One day we will also leave this world. Then we can reunite with the loved ones we lost. We can tell them about things they didn’t experience, and we can tell them our stories.”
He also thought of his own parents. They never lived in a splendid house, never wore high-end clothes, never ate delicacies. They never even said “I love you” to each other, didn’t understand what romance was, yet they stayed together, supporting each other through their entire lives.
“The Yu Family bullies me…”
“I’m here. They can’t bully you.”
“I feel so terrible, I… sob sob…”
Why did she feel terrible?
A thought stirred in Li Zian’s mind. He hesitated but still tentatively asked, “Is it because of that Hank?”
“Murmur murmur…” The words from her mouth were indistinct.
“Speak clearly. Is it because of that Hank?” Li Zian pressed.
“Hehe… giggle giggle…” She laughed foolishly, tears glistening in her eyes. “I… I want those who harmed my mom… to pay… pay the price…”
Li Zian said with surprise, “What did you say? Your mom was killed by someone?”
This was the first time he had heard about it, and it startled him.
“Snore… snore…” But Yu Meilin had fallen asleep.
“Tell me about that Hank.” Li Zian reached out and patted Yu Meilin’s back.
But Yu Meilin didn’t open her eyes.
Li Zian sighed.
“Drunken words are sober thoughts.” Which idiot said that phrase?
Probably some paid promotional article written for alcohol sellers, someone who got paid.
Li Zian gently propped her up and laid her on the sofa. But seeing her lying on the sofa with her arms and legs exposed, he felt a bit unwilling to leave her like that. He leaned down again, put one arm around her waist and the other under her knees, lifted her from the sofa, went upstairs, and entered her room.
There was only one pillow on her bed.
On the silk quilt lay the suit and bodycon skirt she had changed out of, along with stockings and a large blue face mask.
So that’s why, when drinking with her earlier, he kept having trouble controlling his gaze.
He placed Yu Meilin on the bed, then pulled the quilt over, preparing to cover her. But she suddenly reached out and grabbed his hand.
“Don’t go… murmur murmur…” Her voice was still unclear.
Li Zian froze instantly.
Was this drunk debt drunk repayment?
Four years ago, she “drunk drove” him. Now she was giving him a chance to “drunk drive” her back.
Under the dim light, Yu Meilin’s face was flushed crimson, emerging from beneath her snow-like skin. It felt like pink cherry blossoms blooming in a snowy field. That face was exquisitely beautiful, possessing a soul-stirring magic. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, the waves quite pronounced. The rhythm and amplitude also held a captivating magic.
In that instant, it was as if something ignited in Li Zian’s heart. The ensuing impulse was very strong. He really wanted to throw caution to the wind and pounce down.
But, he actually calmed down.
Maybe because of Mu Chuntao, or perhaps because of the unresolved issue with Hank. Whatever the reason, he ultimately did not pounce on her.
Yu Meilin murmured, “Don’t go… I feel so terrible…”
Li Zian held her hand, placed it under the covers, and said softly, “I’m sorry, I’m not ready yet.”
These were the words she said to him back in Yun Di. At that time, he deeply desired to have a real married life with her, but she told him he wasn’t ready. Now, he said the same words to her. It wasn’t because he was petty, seeking eye-for-an-eye payback, but because he truly wasn’t prepared.
For four years, you treated me like air, while thinking of another man in your heart.
Could this damage be erased by just two glasses of wine?
Four years ago, you “drunk drove” me. Tonight, you gave me the chance to “drunk drive” you. That might seem fair, but the problem is, I carry the Great Sluggish Cauldron with me; I can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk.
Moreover, how can matters of emotion be resolved through drunk driving?
That’s just avoiding the problem.
Li Zian tucked Yu Meilin in properly, then left her room.
The moment the door closed, Yu Meilin’s eyes twitched slightly open, but didn’t fully open. Two tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes.
When Li Zian returned to the living room, Tang Qing’s door opened.
Tang Qing came out and asked cautiously, “Brother Zian, I thought I heard Sister Meilin crying just now. What happened to her?”
Li Zian said, “She got drunk, said some drunken words, remembered her mom. It’s nothing, go back to sleep.”
But Tang Qing didn’t return to her room. Instead, she walked towards Li Zian.
Li Zian asked curiously, “Is there something else?”
Tang Qing blushed and said, “Brother Zian, thank you for everything you did for me today.”
Li Zian laughed. “Why are you still being so polite with me? Really, no need.”
Tang Qing fidgeted nervously. “Well… I don’t have money right now. That 710,000… I’ll pay you back when I have money.”
Li Zian smiled and said, “Alright, then I’ll also tell you something.”
“What is it?”
“Come do part-time work at my studio. I’ll temporarily pay you 50,000 a month. If you insist on paying me back, then take 40,000 each month. The remaining 10,000 counts as your repayment. When it’s all deducted, it’s done.”
“This… how can that work?”
“Then I’ll deduct 5,000 each month.”
Tang Qing said anxiously, “No, no, no. That’s not what I meant. I mean you’re offering too much. How could I possibly earn 50,000? And only deducting 5,000, when will it ever be paid off? It’s practically like not paying back at all.”
“If you say more, then I’ll only deduct 1,000 each month.” Li Zian said.
“Brother Zian, you…” Tang Qing didn’t know what to say.
Li Zian smiled. “Let’s deduct 10,000. Later, when the studio expands, I’ll raise your salary. Alright, go back to sleep now.”
Tang Qing’s lips moved as if she wanted to say something grateful, but in the end, nothing came out. She nodded, turned around, and walked towards the guest room.
Indeed, between the two matters totaling 710,000, the first one wasn’t a big deal, but the 660,000 was pulling her out of a pit of fire. Such a great kindness, no amount of words of thanks would be enough.
Tang Qing’s door closed.
Li Zian walked towards his room. Nearing the door, he inexplicably turned back. He walked to the main door, reached out, and opened it.
Whether Mu Chuntao’s words were a joke or not, he had nodded. So he had to leave the door open for her.
Whether you come or not, my door remains open for you.
Even when a Master “steals” someone, he must be open and upright, be magnanimous. He couldn’t nod and promise to leave the door open, then not actually leave it open. That would be petty.
After leaving the door open, Li Zian returned to his room and practiced boxing.
He practiced the ancient-style boxing art repeatedly. Compared to the initial awkward state, now he felt somewhat able to control it at will. Naturally, this was partly because his Zhenqi was growing stronger, but the main reason was his persistent hard work.
The earlier incident with Li Qiang was an example. He jumped up from standing, leaping over a meter high, instantly executing a whip kick attack. Li Qiang didn’t have even half a moment to react.
In martial arts, only speed is unbreakable.
What he needed to improve now was the attack speed of his Branch-Breaking Boxing.
After finishing one session of Branch-Breaking Boxing, Li Zian was slightly sweaty.
He glanced at the time on his mobile phone. It was already 9:50. Usually by this time he would have practiced several sessions. Tonight he only did one. If he practiced more boxing now, his cultivation time for the Great Slumber Qi Refining Art would have to be shortened. It was really a bit of a dilemma.
Yu Meilin’s image abruptly surfaced in his mind. A phrase slipped out of his mouth: “She drank so much. Will she throw up? Should I go check on her, get her some orange juice or something?”
Then he gave a bitter smile.
You’re always too soft-hearted.
He walked towards the windowsill, intending to get the glass cup he used for incense. As he reached the window, his peripheral vision accidentally caught a glimpse of the river embankment beside Gaochen Yipin. And in that instant, he froze in shock.
On the sparsely populated river embankment stood a white figure. The face, veiled with a white gauze scarf, was looking towards his direction.