Xu Youqing tried to pull her hand back, but Jin Zongmin wouldn't let go. She pulled harder. He still held on.
In the night breeze, the two of them tugged silently at each other. Her wrist burned inside his palm.
Time seemed to freeze for a few seconds. Then, Jin Zongmin abruptly released her hand.
He stared at her. "Xu Youqing, you shouldn't have run into me today."
His voice drifted lightly, like silk threads winding around her wrist.
Xu Youqing didn't understand—whether he meant she shouldn't have seen him on a date, or shouldn't have witnessed him arguing with his father. Seeing that Jin Zongmin had let go, she didn't bother to think further.
"I'm leaving."
She turned and walked quickly toward the school, the residual warmth of his palm still on her wrist. She truly shouldn't have run into him today—and even less should she have stumbled upon his private affairs.
Watching Xu Youqing go inside, Jin Zongmin didn't leave right away. He leaned against his car, pulled out a cigarette case, and lit one. He smoked slowly—one drag, then another.
He just stood there, leaning against the car, smoking for a long time, lost in thought.
After a moment, he finally moved, stubbing out the cigarette butt, then opened the door and got in the car.
…
In the office, Fan Meidi frowned at the three reports in front of her.
Han Zheng said the winery's cash flow was already running low—a batch of high-end custom wines meant to be shipped south had been held up at customs, flagged for label non-compliance and subject to a full investigation.
What was even stranger was that the company's normally stable corporate orders had all run into problems recently. Old connections didn't dare take their orders, and regular clients didn't dare accept deliveries.
"Meidi, have we offended someone?"
With Han Zheng's reminder, Fan Meidi recalled that last month, that man had called her again. She'd hung up and blocked his number.
This string of moves must be Ji Zhongyun's doing. She couldn't think of anyone else with that kind of reach who would go out of their way to make her life difficult.
Fan Meidi propped her head on her hand, looking tired. "I understand."
Han Zheng loosened his tie and sat irritably on the sofa nearby. "So what do we do next?"
The only person who could go up against Ji Zhongyun, Fan Meidi thought, was Jin Zongmin. On the surface, the two men exchanged pleasantries, but everyone in their circle knew just how much they were at odds.
Fan Meidi looked up. "I need to take Jin Zongmin out for a meal."
Hearing those three words, Han Zheng instinctively felt a surge of hostility. "Third Young Master Jin is far too noble for the likes of us. Why would he agree to see us?"
"Don't worry. He will." Fan Meidi's expression was certain.
She was confident that Jin Zongmin would be more than happy to make Ji Zhongyun unhappy.
"Do we really have to go to that Jin guy?" Han Zheng's face showed his displeasure.
Every time he thought of the way Jin Zongmin looked at Xu Youqing, irritation welled up inside him.
Fan Meidi noticed Han Zheng's unusual mood and looked up. "What's wrong?"
Han Zheng tapped a cigarette out of his case and lit it. "He's not a good person."
Fan Meidi found it almost amusing. "A Zheng, do you really think there are good people in this circle?"
Seeing that Han Zheng said nothing, Fan Meidi reminded him, "I don't care about anything else. I need to keep my business. The enemy of my enemy is my friend—you understand that, right?"
At the end of the day, it was all about exchanging interests. Of course Han Zheng understood. He stubbed out his cigarette. "Whatever you decide is fine."
With that, he stood and headed for the door.
"I'm going out for a bit."
"At this hour? Where are you going?"
Han Zheng turned around. "To pick up my girlfriend."
Fan Meidi's lashes fluttered slightly. "That Miss Xu?"
Han Zheng's face, which had been taut, broke into a smile. "Who else could it be?"
"No wonder you've turned down every invitation lately—turns out you've been keeping Miss Xu company."
Han Zheng set down his phone and chuckled. "What can I do? My girlfriend's too impressive—I have to keep a close eye on her."
Fan Meidi lowered her gaze and smiled faintly. "That's lovely."
…
Xu Youqing walked out of the school gate and spotted Han Zheng's flashy sports car at a glance. Ever since she'd tacitly agreed to be with him, he'd been showing up at her doorstep every couple of days.
She quickly opened the door and got in, looking flustered. "Don't park right at the main gate—everyone's staring."
Han Zheng grinned brightly. "That's exactly the point. Let everyone see you're taken, so they don't come sniffing around."
Xu Youqing buckled her seatbelt with a hint of exasperation. "I have a lot to prepare lately—the roster for the Tomb No. 2 project is about to be finalized."
"So that's why I'm taking you out to unwind. You're always keeping yourself so wound up."
Xu Youqing gripped the seatbelt. "I won't be able to relax until the results come out."
"How about we go to the mountains this weekend?"
Xu Youqing shook her head. "No can do. Saturday I need to review materials, and Sunday I have a dinner to attend."
"Dinner?" Han Zheng turned to look at her.
"Yeah, it's for the project team. Professor Zou said I've been doing well and asked me to come along."
"Skip it if you can," Han Zheng said.
Xu Youqing wasn't good at such occasions and had initially wanted to decline, but Professor Zou had told her the competition was fierce—even he couldn't decide on the assistant position himself. The higher-ups thought highly of her, and he hoped to bring her along to make an appearance and show what she could do. Xu Youqing didn't want to jeopardize her opportunity or put Professor Zou in a difficult spot, so she agreed.
"I know what you're worried about. Don't worry—Professor Zou looks out for me."
Seeing Han Zheng's brow still furrowed, Xu Youqing added, "It's all academics, not the kind of drinking party you're imagining. Don't worry."
"I still think—"
"This opportunity really matters. If I do well, I'll have more chances to join archaeological projects in the future." Xu Youqing's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
That was also why everyone was vying for this small assistant position—all for the sake of future prospects.
Knowing this was something Xu Youqing had long hoped for, Han Zheng stopped trying to persuade her. He turned to shift gears and drive, telling her to call him if anything came up, and taught her a few tricks for dodging drinks.
…
The dinner was hosted by Director Feng, one of the heads of the archaeological project. On the surface, it was a team gathering, but in reality, he wanted to use the occasion to curry favor with Jin Zongmin. Unexpectedly, the other party couldn't even be bothered with pleasantries and turned him down.
And when Xu Youqing arrived, she realized this was nothing like the academic dinner she'd imagined.
The private room was spacious, with a few familiar faces seated around the round table. Professor Zou sat on the left and gave her a nod. On the other side sat several strangers in suits. Beside Director Feng were also a few school administrators.
She'd barely taken her seat when Director Feng's gaze swept over her, and he said cheerfully, "So you're Xu Youqing? Professor Zou is always singing your praises."
Xu Youqing nodded politely, though a vague sense of unease crept over her.
By the time the wine had gone around a few times, she understood.
"Come now, Miss Xu—since we're meeting for the first time, let's have a toast." Director Feng raised his glass with a genial smile.
Xu Youqing looked at the glass of baijiu in front of her, her face showing reluctance. "Director Feng, I really can't drink…"
"Come on, who's born knowing how to drink? You'll learn with practice." Director Feng was insistent.
Seeing Xu Youqing still hesitating, he added, "What, you're not giving me face?"
Professor Zou tried to mediate from the side. "Director Feng, Youqing really doesn't drink. How about she toast with tea instead—"
"Old Zou, that's not very sporting of you," Director Feng interrupted with a smile. "When a student comes out to see the world, how can she not drink a little? Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
With it put that way, Xu Youqing knew there was no way out.
She picked up the glass, her heart racing. Every trick Han Zheng had taught her for dodging drinks had completely slipped her mind.
She had no drinking technique. She closed her eyes and downed it in one gulp.
A sharp, burning pain seared from her throat all the way down to her stomach.
"Good!" Director Feng clapped. "Student Xu is refreshingly straightforward!"
Where there was a first glass, there was a second.
Professor Zou did his best to protect her, taking several drinks on her behalf, but he couldn't hold off Director Feng's endless pretexts.
Things like "A toast to Old Zou's prized student," "A toast to the promising future of the young," "This one has to be drunk alone"…
Xu Youqing didn't know how much she'd had. She only remembered that by the end, her face was burning fiercely, and people were starting to appear double.
Meanwhile, in the cigar lounge on the top floor of the club.
Jin Zongmin lounged in a black leather sofa, his long legs crossed, a half-smoked Cuban cigar between his fingers. He listened to the few men across from him making small talk, took a sip of his whiskey, his expression indifferent, occasionally offering a word or two.
His phone vibrated. He glanced at it—a call from Secretary Gao.
Jin Zongmin took a drag of his cigar. "Speak."
"Mr. Jin, at the dinner for the archaeology project, I heard Miss Xu was also invited."
Jin Zongmin's gaze paused, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Understood."
…
By the time Jin Zongmin arrived at the restaurant, the private room had already dispersed.
At the end of the hallway, Professor Zou was being supported by someone, barely able to stand. Beside him, a young woman leaned against the wall, her head hanging low, hair falling loose to cover her face.
From her figure, it was Xu Youqing.
Jin Zongmin strode over.
"Professor Zou," he said.
Professor Zou looked up with bleary, drunken eyes, staring for several seconds before recognizing him. "Mr…. Mr. Jin?"
"Professor Zou, would you like me to have my driver take you and the other professors home?"
Professor Zou waved a hand, his speech slurred. "We… we're fine, it's just… Youqing… Youqing is alone… I…"
Jin Zongmin's gaze had already fallen on the figure by the wall. "Student Xu. I'll take her."
Professor Zou was in no state to look after Xu Youqing at this point. He knew Jin Zongmin and trusted him, so he thanked him repeatedly and was helped into a car.
After seeing Professor Zou off, Jin Zongmin walked toward Xu Youqing, finding her leaning against the wall, swaying as if about to collapse at any moment.
He stopped in front of her, reached out, and tilted her chin up to make her look at him. Xu Youqing's face was flushed red, her eyes unfocused. She stared at him for several seconds, as if she couldn't recognize who he was.
"Do you know who I am?" Jin Zongmin asked.
She stared at him, first shaking her head, then nodding, then grinning foolishly. "You're… Professor… Hello, Professor."
Jin Zongmin's expression darkened.
He said nothing more. Bending down, he helped Xu Youqing up and guided her toward the car.
In the car, Xu Youqing swayed and slumped from side to side. Just as he straightened her up, the car took a turn, and she tilted over to the other side again.
Afraid she might hit her head, Jin Zongmin simply reached out and pulled her over, letting her lean against his shoulder.
He stared at her drunken state, and the fire in his chest flared up instantly.
Good thing it was him. What if he hadn't come?
"Who told you to drink?" Jin Zongmin asked, his anger held in check.
Xu Youqing, as if asked about something upsetting, reported in broken fragments: "It was that Director Feng… he kept making me drink… said if I didn't, I was… I was disrespecting him…"
Jin Zongmin's gaze turned cold.
"Quite the face he has."
Xu Youqing continued rambling to herself: "I can't offend him… can't cause trouble for the professor…"
The moment she finished speaking, she suddenly covered her mouth and lurched forward. "Ugh… I'm going to throw up…"
"Pull over." Jin Zongmin spoke, and the driver slammed on the brakes.
Jin Zongmin helped Xu Youqing out of the car. She bent over, vomiting violently.
He stood at her side, one hand supporting her shoulder, the other gently patting her back.
"Go buy hangover medicine, and water." Jin Zongmin instructed the driver without looking back.
After throwing up, Xu Youqing felt a bit better, but her head was still spinning badly.
"Why is the sky spinning? My head is so dizzy…" Xu Youqing muttered.
She couldn't stand steady and swayed. Jin Zongmin extended his arm and pulled Xu Youqing entirely into his embrace.
"Lean on me."
Drunk Xu Youqing had lost her usual coldness and guardedness, becoming unusually docile. After he spoke, she obediently rested her head against his chest and stayed still.
Jin Zongmin stood there holding her, rooted in place.
He lowered his head slightly, and her hair was right before his nose. A faint fragrance drifted into his nostrils—like the sweet freshness of early-ripening figs, mixed with her own natural scent, subtle and elusive, tempting one to pluck it.
He didn't move.
Moonlight spilled down, falling upon the two of them. She leaned in his arms, he looked down at her, like a frozen frame in a painting.
Old Chen, the driver, returned with the medicine and saw the scene. He immediately turned around tactfully and walked to a distance to wait.
Xu Youqing's breathing grew increasingly even, as if she had fallen asleep.
Jin Zongmin reached out and stroked her hair. "Sleep in the car, hmm?"
Xu Youqing didn't respond.
Afraid she might catch cold, Jin Zongmin bent down and scooped her up horizontally, carrying her back into the car.
Jin Zongmin took the hangover medicine, twisted open the cap, and brought it to Xu Youqing's lips.
"Open your mouth."
Xu Youqing, eyes closed, obediently opened her mouth. A drop of the liquid slid down the corner of her lips, and he extended his thumb to gently wipe it away.
Her lips touched his fingertip—rosy red, impossibly soft.
Jin Zongmin stared at those crimson lips, his gaze deepening.
He nearly bent down.
He held back.
She really knew how to test him.
Watching Xu Youqing in this obedient state, he found her both adorable and infuriating. Usually, when she saw him, she was either tensing up defensively or looking at him with that distant, aloof gaze.
But now—drunk like this, obedient as anything.
The car stopped at the gate of Jing University.
Jin Zongmin looked at the people at the school gate, then at the girl beside him who was dead to the world.
If he sent her back like this and someone saw her, who knew what rumors would spread by tomorrow.
He propped his head on his hand, thought for a few seconds, and said to the driver, "Go to Fushun Hutong."
Fushun Hutong was the courtyard house his grandparents had lived in before. On his twenty-first birthday, his grandfather had gifted the courtyard to Jin Zongmin. On ordinary days, he would go there to stay from time to time.
The door opened, and Jin Zongmin helped Xu Youqing inside. Her coat reeked of alcohol, so he casually slipped it off her and tossed it aside.
He bent down and laid Xu Youqing onto the bed. She furrowed her brow and shifted, the softness of her chest pressing against him inadvertently through her sweater.
Jin Zongmin's Adam's apple bobbed. He stared at her, the veins on the back of his hand, braced against the edge of the bed, faintly visible.