Li Yang was scrolling through RedNote with complete concentration.
The cocktail she had ordered was called “Singapore Sunset.” It looked beautiful—soft pink and delicate—but it was stronger than it appeared. She had already finished more than half of it, and her face felt slightly warm.
A man had come over earlier to strike up a conversation and asked if he could buy her a drink. She had waved him off, saying she was waiting for a friend, and he had left.
She had only wanted to come out for some fresh air and see what Singapore’s nightlife was like.
She had bought the dress, put on the makeup, and already come all this way. It would be a waste not to enjoy it.
She had taken a few photos and planned to post them later. She had even thought of the caption.
【First night in Singapore, checking in at a famous internet bar.】
Just as she was thinking about it, she suddenly felt someone sit down across from her.
Without looking up, Li Yang casually said,
“Sorry, someone’s sitting here.”
“Who?”
A familiar voice fell into her ears.
Li Yang’s scrolling finger froze.
She raised her head.
Xie Zongxu was sitting across from her. He was wearing a black suit, though his tie had been loosened and the top button of his shirt was undone. An air of elegance and nobility seemed to radiate from him.
The colorful lights of the bar swept across his face, making his calm indifference even more pronounced.
Li Yang blinked once, then twice.
“Why are you here?”
Her tongue felt a little tied as she spoke.
Xie Zongxu looked at her.
The girl’s cheeks were flushed with an unnatural redness. Her gaze was softer than usual, and her eyelashes fluttered gently, like a cat that had just woken up.
His eyes shifted to the nearly empty cocktail glass in front of her.
“How much did you drink?”
Following his gaze, Li Yang looked at the glass and raised two fingers.
“One… and a half.”
Xie Zongxu said nothing.
Li Yang felt that there was something strange about his expression. She shook her head, trying to clear it.
“How did you know I was here?”
Xie Zongxu did not answer. He simply looked at her.
“Had enough fun?”
Li Yang paused, then nodded.
“More or less. I just haven’t had enough to drink yet. I still want another one.”
Xie Zongxu stood up and extended his hand toward her.
“No more drinking tonight. Let’s go.”
Li Yang looked at that hand.
The knuckles were well-defined, the fingers long, and the nails neatly trimmed.
She suddenly remembered how, that night, those hands had been causing trouble inside her body…
Her face immediately turned red. Feeling embarrassed, she reached out and took his hand.
His palm was warm and dry, while her fingers were slightly cool.
Xie Zongxu applied a little force and pulled her up from her seat.
The moment Li Yang stood, she suddenly felt the whole world sway.
Xie Zongxu lowered his head and looked at her.
“What’s wrong? Feeling dizzy?”
Li Yang blinked and tried hard to focus her vision.
“I’m fine.”
She released his hand and took a step forward.
Then her high heel twisted.
Reacting quickly, Xie Zongxu caught her by the waist.
Li Yang crashed directly into his arms.
At that instant, she smelled the familiar sandalwood scent. It was indescribably pleasant.
She rested against his chest and did not move.
Looking down at her, Xie Zongxu saw her flushed cheeks and dazed eyes. She had clearly drunk quite a bit.
“Li Yang, can you stand properly?”
Li Yang lifted her head and looked up at him. The lights of the bar shattered into countless stars in her eyes.
Suddenly, she smiled—a smile full of charm.
“What if I can’t stand properly, President Xie?”
Seeing her speak so confidently, Xie Zongxu slightly raised an eyebrow.
Then he bent down. One arm supported her back while the other slipped beneath her knees. He lifted her into his arms.
Li Yang let out a soft cry and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
“You—”
“Didn’t you say you couldn’t stand?”
Carrying her, Xie Zongxu walked through the crowd toward the exit.
Nestled in his arms, Li Yang inhaled his pleasant scent and suddenly thought he looked quite handsome from this angle.
His jawline was taut, his Adam’s apple moving slightly, and his side profile was sharply defined.
She stared at his Adam’s apple for several seconds before speaking.
“Xie Zongxu.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed once. He glanced at her.
“Hm?”
Li Yang poked his cheek with a finger and smiled as she breathed out softly.
“You’re really handsome.”
Xie Zongxu’s steps paused briefly.
He lowered his gaze to the woman in his arms. Her eyes were bright with a hint of drunkenness as she stared directly at him.
He said nothing and continued walking.
Not getting a response, Li Yang felt dissatisfied.
She stretched out her index finger and poked his chin again.
“Mr. Xie, I’m talking to you. Why are you ignoring me?”
Xie Zongxu tilted his head away from her finger.
“Stop fooling around.”
Li Yang pouted, withdrew her hand, and continued curling up in his arms.
As they left the bar, the night breeze rushed toward them, carrying the damp scent of the river.
The wind cleared Li Yang’s head a little.
Only then did she realize that Xie Zongxu was carrying her through the middle of the street.
“Actually, I can walk by myself. You don’t have to carry me.”
She spoke quietly.
Xie Zongxu looked down at her.
“Are you sure?”
Li Yang nodded.
Without hesitation, Xie Zongxu set her down.
The moment her feet touched the ground, she felt the earth sway again.
Holding onto his arm, she steadied herself.
Xie Zongxu said calmly,
“All right. Let me see how you walk.”
Obediently, Li Yang released his arm and took a step forward.
Immediately, her left foot tripped over her right, and she pitched forward.
Xie Zongxu grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
Li Yang crashed into his chest once more. She looked up and met his eyes.
With an arm around her waist, Xie Zongxu said,
“You can’t even walk straight, and you’re still trying to be stubborn?”
Li Yang looked down at her beautiful high heels and laughed awkwardly.
“Looks like I really can’t.”
Without another word, Xie Zongxu picked her up again.
This time, Li Yang did not struggle. She obediently wrapped her arms around his neck.
After they walked a few more steps, she suddenly spoke again.
“Xie Zongxu.”
“Hm?”
Li Yang looked at his neat and dignified collar.
“Have you ever carried another girl before?”
Not hearing clearly, Xie Zongxu asked,
“What?”
Li Yang blinked.
“I’m asking whether you’ve ever carried another girl like this.”
Xie Zongxu fell silent for a second.
“No.”
Li Yang nodded with satisfaction.
“Then I’m the first?”
“Hm.”
Li Yang smiled, her eyes curving into crescents as she hugged his neck.
“Then I got a bargain.”
Seeing her smug expression, the corner of Xie Zongxu’s lips moved slightly.
The car was parked at the street corner. The driver saw them approaching from afar and quickly opened the rear door.
Xie Zongxu placed Li Yang inside the back seat before entering from the other side.
Li Yang leaned against the seat with her eyes closed.
The car started moving. Streetlights streamed past the windows, casting shifting shadows across her face.
Xie Zongxu looked at her.
After drinking, she was completely different from the polite and courteous girl she was during the day.
She talked more, smiled more, and even poked people’s chins.
He withdrew his gaze and pressed the button for the partition.
The driver’s voice came from the front.
“President Xie?”
“Find a pharmacy and buy some hangover medicine.”
“Understood.”
The car turned at the next intersection.
Li Yang sat drowsily in her seat, feeling light as though she were floating on clouds.
The cabin was quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioner.
She turned her head and opened her eyes.
Xie Zongxu was sitting beside her, facing the window and looking outside.
Li Yang stared at him for a while before suddenly speaking.
“Mom.”
Xie Zongxu turned around.
Looking at Li Yang, he frowned slightly.
“What did you just call me?”
Li Yang did not answer. She simply looked at him as a layer of moisture gradually appeared in her eyes.
“Mom, I miss you so much.”
Xie Zongxu: “…Li Yang, look carefully. Who am I?”
Li Yang blinked and tried hard to make him out. Then she shook her head.
“I can’t see clearly.”
Xie Zongxu: “…”
He rubbed his forehead, pressed the partition button, and instructed the driver,
“Forget the hangover medicine. Drive faster.”
The driver acknowledged the order, and the car accelerated.
Li Yang continued staring at him.
As she looked and looked, she suddenly reached out and touched his face.
Xie Zongxu’s body stiffened slightly. Her palm was soft and carried the lingering warmth of alcohol.
“Mom, why has your face become hard?”