Jin Zongmin took a deep breath, his gaze shifting away from Xu Youqing's flushed face. He pulled the blanket over her.
Then he turned and went into the bathroom.
The sound of water ran for a long time.
Jin Zongmin stood under the showerhead, eyes closed, his mind filled with nothing but Xu Youqing's drunken-flushed face, her moist lips, and the slippery, warm sensation of her skin beneath his fingertips…
The water was cold, but that fire kept rising no matter how he tried to suppress it.
After taking care of it, Jin Zongmin came out drying his hair. He glanced toward the bedroom, then went into another room.
…
The next morning.
Xu Youqing woke up. She opened her eyes and saw an unfamiliar ceiling. She sat up with a start.
Where is this? Her first instinct was to look down and lift the blanket—thankfully, she was still wearing yesterday's clothes and pants. She breathed a sigh of relief.
But where on earth was she?
She slipped on her shoes and got out of bed, pulling open the curtains to look outside.
It seemed to be a courtyard, paved with green bricks. Several clumps of bamboo grew in the corner, and there was a tree with gray bark that looked a bit like a magnolia.
Nervously, Xu Youqing pulled open the door. The place was bigger than she'd imagined, but there wasn't a single person around. She took a few steps toward the courtyard, then turned left and passed through a crabapple-shaped moon gate.
Standing under the eaves, she spotted a spacious hall that looked like the main reception room. Maybe there would be someone there.
But when she walked inside, there was no one to be seen either. In the center of the hall stood a long altar table, its color dark and gleaming, the wood resembling rosewood. On it sat a small bronze tripod, flanked by a pair of blue-and-white plum vases—clearly not ordinary pieces.
What drew her attention most, however, was a piece of calligraphy hanging on the wall. It read: Hold steady, guard stillness. The brushwork was vigorous and forceful, nothing like the elegant refinement of typical literati.
She looked at the seal in the corner: Jin Shuhai.
The surname Jin? Her heart began to race. Flustered, she turned to leave—but her arm accidentally knocked against a vase on a small side table.
Crash. The vase fell to the floor.
Nothing in this house was cheap. She was terrified, crouching down to pick up the pieces.
"Don't move."
A voice came from ahead.
Xu Youqing looked up and saw Jin Zongmin standing at the entrance of the hall.
He wore a dark gray shirt, collar open, sleeves rolled up to his forearms—as if he'd just gotten up. Morning light streamed in from behind him, outlining the silhouette of broad shoulders and a narrow waist.
Xu Youqing froze.
Jin Zongmin walked over to her. He glanced down at the chipped vase on the floor, but his gaze didn't linger there—it settled on her face instead.
"Mind your hands," he said.
"Why are you here?" Xu Youqing asked, startled.
Jin Zongmin raised a hand to button his shirt. "Well, I picked up someone last night and brought her home."
Understanding the implication of his words, Xu Youqing's eyes went wide. "You brought me here?"
"Who else? You blacked out from drinking last night."
Xu Youqing tried hard to recall last night's dinner—Director Feng, drinking… and then? Complete blank.
She had no memory of him being there at all.
Setting aside how he'd shown up, the fact remained: she'd spent the night at a man's home—a man who had flirted with her—and she hadn't even been conscious…
Xu Youqing panicked a little. She took a step back, pressing against the sofa behind her.
"Why did you bring me here?"
"With the state you were in last night," Jin Zongmin shot her a sidelong glance, "would it have looked good for you to go back to campus?"
Xu Youqing felt it was wrong regardless. "But you shouldn't have brought me—"
She looked around, her voice tightening. "Where exactly is this?"
"Where I live."
Jin Zongmin had already walked up to her and stopped.
She could smell his scent—pine with a hint of tobacco, though she couldn't place the cologne.
She'd been to his place before, and it was nothing like this one. Had he even been telling the truth?
Xu Youqing was doubtful.
Then she remembered the ambiguous things Jin Zongmin had said before, and her panic grew. She couldn't recall at all what she'd done last night.
She was scared, too.
"How could you bring me to your home? You could have taken me back to school, or contacted my friends… or Han Zheng—Han Zheng would come to pick me up!"
Xu Youqing's expression was tense as she backed away, only to be blocked by the sofa.
The moment that name left her lips, Jin Zongmin's gaze shifted, as if stung by something.
He looked at Xu Youqing.
She wore the look of someone facing a grave threat, her eyes full of distrust—yet the moment she mentioned that name, she leaned on him with such natural reliance.
So this was what he got for his good intentions.
Jin Zongmin said nothing, only advancing toward her slowly with a cold expression.
One step, two steps, three. Xu Youqing had nowhere left to retreat. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed onto the sofa.
Jin Zongmin leaned down, one hand braced on the sofa back beside her, the other on the opposite side, caging her entirely in the shadow of his body.
The distance was too close. Close enough that she could see the fire in his eyes.
"Do you think," Jin Zongmin spoke, his voice slowing, "that I brought you back here to sleep with you?"
Xu Youqing shrank into the sofa, unable to speak, merely staring with those eyes full of terror and wariness.
Jin Zongmin stared at her, his gaze sliding from her trembling lashes to her pressed-tight lips, then back to those glistening eyes.
"Not saying anything," his gaze dropped to her lips, "means you admit it."
Xu Youqing reached out to push him, but couldn't budge him.
Jin Zongmin began unbuttoning the shirt he'd just fastened, with deliberate, sensual slowness.
"Since that's what you think," he stared at Xu Youqing, his gaze roaming over her face and body, his voice lowering, "…then I can't very well bear the accusation for nothing."
He leaned down, pressing her into the sofa.
"Jin Zongmin…"
Xu Youqing was terrified, her voice breaking with a sob as she pushed at him desperately.
Jin Zongmin paused.
This was the first time she'd called his name.
It carried fear, carried anger, yet also a rawness she'd never shown before.
His heart trembled.
He looked down at her, his gaze turning deep and dark.
"Say it again."
Xu Youqing froze, then began shoving and pounding at him frantically.
Jin Zongmin easily caught her wrists with one hand, pinning them above her head, while his other hand gripped her chin. "Scared now?"
Xu Youqing's eyes were already wet, but she fought desperately to keep the tears from falling.
Jin Zongmin felt a twinge of reluctance. He hadn't truly intended to do anything to her anyway.
He released his grip on her chin, pushed himself up, and pulled back slightly—but still kept her trapped beneath him, his heavy gaze locked on her. "If I hadn't shown up last night, where would you be right now? In whose bed? Hmm?"
Xu Youqing froze, her struggling ceasing, though her body still trembled uncontrollably.
The fire in Jin Zongmin's chest subsided. He let go, rose to his feet, and stood by the sofa, looking down at her with a softened tone:
"If you know fear, then take it as a lesson. You won't need to accompany anyone for drinks anymore."
Jin Zongmin stepped away from the sofa and straightened his shirt.
"Go wash up." He tilted his chin toward the right. "Come out and eat when you're done."
Xu Youqing didn't move.
"I'm leaving," she said.
Jin Zongmin was unbothered. He picked up the teapot from the table and poured himself a cup of tea. "You plan to go back to school looking like this, letting everyone know you didn't come home last night and spent the whole night with a man?"
Xu Youqing lowered her head, looking at her clothes reeking of alcohol and her slightly disheveled hair—even her hair seemed to carry the smell of liquor.
She raised a hand to her face. It was burning hot, probably flushed red too…
"Change of clothes is on the chair in the bathroom," Jin Zongmin added. "Whether you wear them is up to you."
Xu Youqing sat stiffly on the sofa.
Humiliation, lingering fear, confusion… and a trace of embarrassment at having her predicament seen through—all of it churned in her chest. But she knew he wasn't wrong. Going back to school like this would inevitably invite misunderstanding.
She pushed herself to her feet, avoiding Jin Zongmin's gaze, and walked step by step in the direction he'd indicated, head bowed.
In the bathroom, Xu Youqing picked up the clothes from the chair. The size fit perfectly. The toiletries on the vanity were all brand new as well.
She washed up quickly and came out wearing the impeccably tailored camel-colored coat.
Jin Zongmin leaned against the doorframe, giving her a once-over. The coat suited her well.
Reluctant as she was, Xu Youqing still spoke up: "Thank you… I'll wash it and return it to you."
Jin Zongmin didn't respond to that, simply saying, "Eat your breakfast."
"No need. I'm going." Xu Youqing turned to leave as she spoke.
Jin Zongmin stepped forward, blocking her path. "Do you think my place is somewhere you can come and go as you please?"
She knew it. He wasn't being kind out of the goodness of his heart.
Xu Youqing frowned. "What exactly do you want?"
Jin Zongmin looked at her with a smile. "I was taken advantage of last night. Who am I supposed to seek compensation from?"
She grew flustered under his gaze. "I—how would I know? It wasn't me…"
But her voice grew less confident with each word.
"Turning your back and denying it now?" Jin Zongmin's smile remained, his tone ambiguous. "You were very well-behaved when you were hugging me last night."
Xu Youqing's face flushed even deeper.
What exactly happened last night? How could she have hugged him!
The more flustered she became, the more pronounced the smile on Jin Zongmin's face grew.
"What's the matter," Jin Zongmin tilted his head slightly, like someone teasing a trapped kitten. "Can't remember?"
"I don't believe you. You're making things up."
He was the best at playing games with people. It couldn't be true.
"You don't believe me?" Jin Zongmin's smile deepened, yet his expression turned serious. "Then go ask Old Chen. He saw everything."
At those words, Xu Youqing was instantly mortified. She didn't want to verify anything—she just turned to flee.
But Jin Zongmin caught her wrist with a light tug. The force wasn't strong, yet it made her stop in her tracks.
Xu Youqing tried to shake off his hand but couldn't.
"Drink less from now on."
Jin Zongmin's voice had grown deeper, no longer in a teasing tone—there was something more earnest in it.
Xu Youqing's heart gave a sudden lurch. She wrenched her hand free in a panic and turned to run to the right.
Jin Zongmin watched her with a smile. "The front door is on the left."
Xu Youqing turned around in embarrassment, her face red all the way to her ears, and fled like she was running for her life.
Jin Zongmin leaned against the doorway, watching Xu Youqing's retreating figure like a hunter eyeing his certain prey.
He raised his phone. "She's out. Make sure she gets home safely."
Driver Old Chen saw Xu Youqing emerge and immediately got out of the car, respectfully opening the rear door. "Miss Xu, please."
"I can make my own way back, no need to trouble you."
Old Chen's tone was gentle, but his face showed reluctance. "Mr. Jin said I must see you home safely. If you don't get in the car, I'm afraid… it'll be hard for me to explain."
He was just doing his job, and Xu Youqing didn't want to make things difficult for him. Her heart softened, and she thanked him before bending down to get in.
Old Chen handed her a paper bag from the front seat, containing still-warm congee and a few light Cantonese dim sum items.
"Miss Xu, Mr. Jin was worried you might be hungry, so he specially prepared this for you."
It was as if Jin Zongmin had known she would try to slip away.
"Thank you, but I'm not hungry."
Old Chen turned around, speaking to her like an elder advising a younger one. "Do eat a little—riding on an empty stomach can make you dizzy. You drank last night, which is hard on the stomach. You need to take care of it."
If Xu Youqing's father were still alive, he would be around Old Chen's age. Old Chen's words were plain and carried genuine concern.
Back in the old days, her father would also buy her favorite custard buns and keep them warm in a thermos before heading to work.
Xu Youqing was a little moved. She took the paper bag again and sipped the warm congee in small mouthfuls. The warmth slid down into her stomach, and it did feel more comfortable.
As she ate, her mind drifted elsewhere, still wondering what had actually happened last night.
"Master Chen… did I cause you trouble last night? I drank too much—I must have made a mess of things."
Old Chen gripped the steering wheel and smiled. "Miss Xu is too polite. It was mainly Mr. Jin—you gave him quite a hard time last night."
Xu Youqing's heart lurched. "I… what did I do?"
"Nothing much. You threw up, and Mr. Jin took care of you. Then Miss Xu fell asleep in the car."
"That's… that's it?" Xu Youqing was puzzled. "Did I… do anything inappropriate?"
"Inappropriate?" Old Chen seemed to think for a moment, then answered firmly, "No."
Could Jin Zongmin be teasing her again?
Xu Youqing steeled herself. "Then… did I cling to anyone… and not let go?"
"Oh, that. When you got out to throw up, you were holding onto Mr. Jin and wouldn't let go. After getting back in the car, you kept holding onto Mr. Jin's arm. When he tried to settle you properly, you weren't having it and made a bit of a fuss."
Xu Youqing felt her vision go dark, her heart sinking like dead ashes.
"…Master Chen," her voice came out dry, "but you just said I didn't do anything inappropriate."
Old Chen let out a chuckle. "How is that inappropriate? Mr. Jin didn't mind it, so you shouldn't take it to heart either."
Didn't mind it? He'd clearly said he was going to settle the score with her.
Xu Youqing leaned back against the seat and let out a deep sigh.
On the way back to the dormitory, she noticed a missed call from Han Zheng on her phone, from last night.
She was about to call him back when Han Zheng happened to ring.
"How did the dinner go last night?" Han Zheng's voice came through the line, hoarse with exhaustion.
"I had a bit to drink, but nothing happened." Xu Youqing didn't want Han Zheng to worry, so she glossed over it lightly.
"I called you last night but you didn't pick up. Then a difficult client showed up on my end, and I ended up drinking a lot with him. I didn't expect to oversleep…"
Han Zheng had originally been worried that Xu Youqing couldn't handle that kind of occasion and wanted to go pick her up, but the client was truly hard to deal with. He'd planned to doze off on the sofa for a bit, but ended up sleeping until now.
"Your stomach must be hurting, right? Have Dayu go buy you some congee." Xu Youqing had just drunk congee herself and could clearly feel that her stomach was much better.
"It's fine, Sister Meidi already bought some."
Xu Youqing was taken aback. "Oh."
Back in the dormitory, Lin Xiao wasn't there—she'd probably gone to the library. She noticed some things placed on another desk, likely belonging to a new roommate who had moved in, but she hadn't seen anyone yet.
Her mind was in a jumble. She sat on the edge of the bed and stared blankly for a while, thinking about the vase she'd knocked over.
Even though she didn't want any more entanglements with Jin Zongmin, she was the one who had broken it, so she had to take responsibility.
She picked up her phone and thought for a long time before deciding to send a message:
【I'm very sorry about the vase. If you don't mind, I can repair it.】
The message went through, and before long, Jin Zongmin called back.
"Come over on Saturday."
"Okay, I'll come pick it up. It should take about a day or two to—"
On the other end of the line, Jin Zongmin flicked the ash from his cigarette and interrupted in a low voice: "The item can't leave my place."