Chapter 35: Wine Warms, Hearts Grow Drunk

Two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes, no soup.

According to Liang Xue, it's not good to eat too much at night; just a few dishes and some red wine for the two of them would be enough.

There was no dedicated dining table in the one-bedroom apartment, so the coffee table in front of the sofa served as their table. Zhang Long grabbed a small stool to sit on, which was more comfortable than bending over from the sofa.

Well, and the view was certainly more pleasing, too.

...

"Hey, what are you staring at?"

Liang Xue noticed something off about Zhang Long's gaze. She followed his line of sight downward, and immediately, as if by reflex, covered her neckline with her left hand to prevent any further exposure as she leaned over.

She looked up at Zhang Long and shot him a reproachful glare.

"Ahem, eat your food," Zhang Long said, inhaling lightly as he calmly reached for another dish. He had to admit, her cooking was quite impressive.

It could almost rival Luo Man’s culinary skills.

"Hmph, you lecherous dragon," Liang Xue huffed, tugging her collar back up. Confident now that nothing would be revealed as she leaned to pick up food, she tossed Zhang Long a sidelong glance. For the first time, she realized how strong his nerves were—some people might call it shamelessness. Even after getting caught, he didn't so much as bat an eye.

A soft clink sounded as their wine glasses met—a clear, crisp note.

Liang Xue exhaled a fragrant breath, blinking as she said, "Don’t get any ideas. Half a bottle of red wine each isn’t enough to get me drunk. When we’re done eating, you go home."

"If you pretend to be drunk, you’ll pay for it."

At that, Zhang Long broke out in a sweat. "Heaven as my witness! Sister, do you have some kind of persecution complex?"

"I have a girlfriend!"

"Oh? Does it make a difference?" Liang Xue laughed, tossing the question back at him. "Aren’t all men always looking for something more? Honestly, I don't see anything between you and your old classmate. You don't act like you're in a relationship. Frankly, you don't seem like someone with a girlfriend at all."

"Just admit it already."

Zhang Long was speechless. Admit to what?

Granted, things with Luo Man didn't exactly look like the passionate stage of a romance, but it was a relationship nonetheless. They just didn’t work together, so there was no opportunity for those tender moments.

It wasn’t obvious, but that was normal.

...

"If you don't want to talk about it, forget it."

Liang Xue raised her glass once more, her gaze lingering on the depths of Zhang Long’s eyes, a touch of melancholy in her voice. "Actually, today’s my lunar birthday—the sixth day of the ninth month."

Zhang Long faltered. Her birthday?

"My ID says June, but in the countryside parents always changed the date so their kids could start school earlier."

Liang Xue shrugged. "But really, whether it’s the lunar or the solar date, I never celebrated much. It never meant anything to me. Been that way since I was a kid."

"Today, I just happened to be forced to move. I just wanted someone to talk to."

"Come on, a toast."

"Happy birthday!"

Zhang Long reached out and clinked his glass gently against hers, offering birthday wishes with a smile. "Moving house on your birthday is actually a good omen—at least you’re in a new environment, something more cozy, more like home."

"At least it’s better than a shared apartment."

"True, but it’s a lot more expensive," Liang Xue said, wincing at the thought. Even now, with better performance and higher pay, the new place cost much more than the old shared rental. It felt so indulgent.

"At least the experience is worth it," Zhang Long said noncommittally. "I’m paying ten thousand a month for my two-bedroom. After work, I get to look out at the Bund and the dazzling Oriental Pearl Tower. Totally worth it."

"Come on, Snow, you’re already earning as much as the top white-collar workers. Be good to yourself, okay?"

"You don’t understand," Liang Xue sighed, wanting to say something but letting it dissolve into a breath. "Everyone has their own way of living. We’re just ordinary people. Just being alive is enough."

"Let’s drink."

Zhang Long clinked glasses again, seeing her mood wasn’t great but not pressing further.

If she wanted to talk, he’d listen. If not, he wouldn’t ask.

And so, their housewarming and birthday dinner continued with conversation and laughter. Half a bottle each wasn’t enough to really get drunk, but sometimes the wine intoxicates not the drinker, but the heart.

Liang Xue’s beautiful eyes were already lost in a gentle haze.

...

Thunder rumbled, crashing outside.

In late October in this southern metropolis, the nights were neither cold nor hot. But being near the sea, rain was common. Without warning, thunder crashed and rain began to pour.

A sudden, violent storm.

"Hey, Snow..."

Zhang Long shook his slightly dizzy head and looked at Liang Xue, sprawled out on the couch, drowsy after food and wine. She couldn’t be that light a drinker, could she?

"Ah, what a hassle."

Zhang Long stood, surveying the piles of luggage in the living room. The bedroom didn’t even have the bed made yet. He couldn’t just let her sleep on the couch, could he? He sighed.

"This isn’t it..."

"Not this one, either..."

"Ah, merciful heavens..."

Muttering a prayer, Zhang Long rummaged through Liang Xue’s bags for bedding, but ended up unzipping a bag full of her clothing and underwear—bright, colorful things.

Red, white, black, purple...

His breath caught—the warmth of wine making his thoughts drift toward dangerous territory. He forced himself to zip the bag shut.

"A gentleman, was it?"

Suddenly, Zhang Long recalled what Liang Xue had said at the supermarket about buying red wine. He couldn’t help but smile wryly.

A moment later, he finally found the bag with sheets and bedding. As soon as he spread them on the bed, a delicate fragrance wafted out—her scent.

Girls must always use shower gel or body lotion at night, he thought. No wonder the bed smelled so sweet.

"Hey, Snow, wake up?"

In the living room, Zhang Long gently patted Liang Xue, trying to rouse her, but apart from a sleepy shift in her position, she showed no other response. In fact, she almost rolled off the couch, and he had to quickly catch her.

Whoops—slippery hands, sorry, sorry.

"Calm down, calm down..."

He silently recited a mantra for peace of mind, then, without further hesitation, lifted Liang Xue in a princess carry and brought her to the bedroom. After hesitating, he wondered if he should undress her.

...

"Merciful heavens, forgive me."

Zhang Long shook his head, still a little tipsy, but decided not to remove her T-shirt or pants. Shoes, though, had to come off—and the socks, too.

He didn't know about anyone else, but he found it uncomfortable to sleep with socks on.

"Hold it together, hold it together..."

He slipped off her sneakers, revealing a pair of short, yellow cotton socks with little flowers. His breath caught again—her small feet seemed to radiate temptation.

Fresh out of their shoes, her toes instinctively wriggled and stretched, a tiny gesture but a tremendous impact. It was almost too much.

His breathing deepened, his heart pounded.

"Even a monk might break his vows..."

He inhaled, the air itself carrying a subtle fragrance. Zhang Long forced his eyes shut, crushing any wayward thoughts, and pulled off her socks.

He drew a sharp breath.

Her ten little toes, painted pink, squirmed like silkworms. His resistance was at its breaking point. At that moment, he almost didn’t want to restrain himself. Stuffing her socks into her sneakers, he gazed at the sleeping Liang Xue.

"Good night..."

Looking at her drowsy, delicate face, Zhang Long pulled up the covers, turned, and left without hesitation.

To take advantage of her in this state would be unforgivable—a beastly act.

Had Liang Xue been awake, had she shown the slightest hint of temptation, Zhang Long admitted to himself that he probably wouldn’t have acted like such a gentleman tonight. It would have been too hard to resist.

"Home, or the club?"

After finishing everything, Zhang Long found one of her umbrellas in a bag and set out for home. The thunderstorm had eased by now.

But stepping outside, a breath of cool, rainy air sobered him up instantly.

Forget the massage parlor—home it was.

"Ah, my heart aches..."

Just before leaving, Zhang Long glanced up at Liang Xue’s apartment. If only he’d chosen the wrong path tonight, he could have ended his nearly two months of celibacy since arriving in this world, finally saying goodbye to the loneliness of his body. But he couldn’t.

If there’s a next time?

Damn it—so what if I’m a beast!