“What eight times?” Su Yue was utterly bewildered.
The sunshine streamed in, backlighting Su Yue’s figure—snow-skinned, with dark hair, red lips, and white teeth. Jiang Ci half-squinted, his long legs casually stretched out, a picture of lazy elegance.
A thought flickered through Su Yue’s mind, and she smiled. “Okay, I’m sorry for you. I remember the eight mango cakes.” She hooked back the off-white gauze curtains, letting the sun flood the room, bathing it in a soft, ethereal glow.
“I didn’t say that you should compensate me with mango cake,” Jiang Ci countered, raising an eyebrow, a hint of a smile in his dark eyes.
“Then what do you want?” Su Yue turned, wondering why the hangover soup was taking so long to arrive from the kitchen.
Jiang Ci didn’t reply directly. He closed his eyes, feigning discomfort. “Come here.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I have a headache,” Jiang Ci whispered.
“Headache?” Su Yue rushed over, squatting by his feet, concern etched on her face. “Does it hurt? Let me see if the hangover soup is ready.”
As she moved to get up, Jiang Ci’s hand shot out, pulling her wrist. “No, you let me hug.” Without lifting his head, he drew her into his arms.
“You lied to me?” Su Yue gasped as she collided with him, steadying herself. She stared blankly at him. “Are you drunk?”
Jiang Ci slowly opened his eyes. They were dark, moist, and slightly flushed, with a hint of brightness. One large hand held Su Yue’s, playing with it. “So what if I’m drunk? What if I’m not?” Her hands felt boneless and soft in his.
He brought her hand to his thin lips, kissed it, then placed her slender, pink fingertips beneath his nose, inhaling their faint milky fragrance. Satisfied, he bit her finger gently.
Su Yue, now accustomed to his odd habits, glared at him. “If you’re not drunk, let me go quickly. There are so many guests downstairs; I need to go down.”
“Oh, then I’m drunk.” Jiang Ci released her hand but held her chin, his thin lips curving slightly. He pecked her bright red lips. “Close your eyes.”
Her lips tingled. Su Yue pursed them. “Why do I close my eyes?” she whispered.
Jiang Ci smiled. “Because I’m going to claim compensation.” He lowered his head, moving closer. “You don’t have to close your eyes. You can just look if you like.”
Su Yue’s dark eyes widened in shock. She opened her mouth, but before she could speak, his lips were on hers. The spicy scent of wine, mixed with his refreshing breath, burst into her mouth. Her moist almond eyes stared directly into his dark ones, noting the redness in their depths, a misty haze. It was then that Su Yue truly realized Jiang Ci was drunk.
Because of the many guests, the kitchen was bustling. After an unknown amount of time, a servant finally delivered hangover soup to Su Jindong’s room, then another portion to theirs.
A knock echoed at the door. “Miss, the hangover soup is ready.”
On the soft, off-white bed, Su Yue pushed Jiang Ci.
“The hangover soup is here,” she finally managed, her lips free. “You get up. I’m going to get the soup.” Su Yue pursed her lips. Her mouth was filled with the taste of wine, spicy yet a little sweet. She hadn’t been drinking, yet she felt almost intoxicated.
When he was blind, Jiang Ci could only perceive through touch and smell. But now, with his sight restored, he could clearly see Su Yue’s dark hair messy against his face, her cheeks flushed, her mouth small and red, her eyes like pools of water—beautiful, enchanting. He remained still, simply looking at her, a smile playing on his lips. Tsk, to see such beauty up close, it’s truly appetizing.
“Miss? I’m bringing hangover soup.” The servant knocked again, waiting patiently.
“Jiang Ci!” Su Yue reached out and pushed him, her snow-white face tinged with anxiety. “You get up quickly.” There was no response from outside the door, and the servant surely knew what was happening within.
His dark eyes, moist and fathomless, regarded her. Jiang Ci raised his eyebrows, his usually clear voice now hoarse, yet still pleasant. “This is only one compensation. There are seven more. Don’t worry, I remember all seven times.”
Only then did Su Yue understand Jiang Ci’s earlier “eight times.” She had foolishly thought he meant eight mango cakes, but he wanted something else entirely—he wanted her. Su Yue’s face burned.
“Su Yue, I want to go on a date,” Jiang Ci murmured, burying his head in her neck, rubbing it like a spoiled child. He recalled the amusement park; he’d thought it was a date then, but he’d been wrong.
Dating? His hair tickled her skin. Jiang Ci was truly drunk, otherwise, how could he act so spoiled? “Then I promise you. Quickly, let me open the door.”
“Only the two of us will have a date. No one else is allowed,” Jiang Ci emphasized, taking a warm, fragrant breath of her scent.
“Xiao Haohao doesn’t come?”
“No!”
“Okay, I’m going to open the door,” Su Yue replied repeatedly.
“Go tomorrow.”
“Okay!”
Having received the reply he wanted, Jiang Ci finally moved away, satisfied.
Su Yue quickly got out of bed, put on her shoes, and opened the door. The servant stood outside with a tray. “Thank you for your hard work. Leave it to me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” When the servant unintentionally looked up, she saw that the lady’s delicate, white face was covered with a blush, more beautiful than any deliberate makeup. Her lips were an alluring, bright red. The maid, an experienced observer, knew the young lady’s appearance clearly signified she was cherished.
After closing the door, Su Yue took the hangover soup to Jiang Ci. “Jiang Ci, the soup isn’t hot. You can drink it.”
On the off-white bed, Jiang Ci lay on his side, one hand propping his head. He half-squinted, watching Su Yue carefully approach with the soup. She wore pink, soft-soled slippers. Her smoky purple dress, chosen for the day’s outing, draped elegantly. Her soft hair fell naturally to one side, giving her an entirely youthful, girlish aura. She took a step, and the flowing skirt rippled with her movements.
Jiang Ci twitched the corners of his mouth. The faint milky fragrance still lingered on the tip of his tongue, making him greedy again…
In a car, the agent handed Jiang Xuan a script. “Although Director Wu hasn’t worked for two years, his level is undeniable. The news of his upcoming drama has just been released, and half the industry is scrambling for an audition. Xiaoxuan, you have a certain popularity and a positive image. What you lack now is a hit project, a work that will make you truly popular. Do you understand what I mean?”
Jiang Xuan lifted her head, smiling sweetly. “Sister Fang, I know. I’ll perform well later.”
“You match the image of the heroine this time, so you have a great chance, and you don’t have to be too stressed,” the agent comforted, worried that Jiang Xuan’s nervousness would hinder her performance. Jiang Xuan wasn’t a professional actress, and her acting skills weren’t as refined as other trained actors. However, she had a good personality, a good temper, and was willing to work hard and specialize in her craft. Compared to the beginning, she had improved significantly. The manager had high expectations for Jiang Xuan. After all, compared to ambitious artists with no self-awareness, Jiang Xuan was much more grounded, and her star career was destined to go far.
Jiang Xuan smiled softly and nodded. “I know.” She would seize the opportunity to secure the role of the heroine.
In the evening, many guests had already departed. As they left, they passed by the mountains of birthday gifts, each person filled with awe. Lin Nuan, in particular, before leaving, stared at the pile of presents, her eyes red—whether from jealousy or the vibrant red of the gift boxes, it was hard to tell.
What’s so great about a disfigured son-in-law? she thought, Her daughter will find a richer and handsomer son-in-law than Fang Ru’s in the future. She pouted disdainfully and left.
Su Yue and Jiang Ci stayed to have dinner with Su’s father and mother before leaving.
As they departed, Su Jindong, now sober, clapped Jiang Ci heavily on the shoulder and said a few words to him.
On the way back, Su Yue asked Jiang Ci what her father had said. At the time, her mother was saying goodbye to her, and she hadn’t heard clearly.
The night was thick, the car dark. Jiang Ci’s handsome silhouette was vaguely visible in the dimness. He chuckled. “Your father said that if I make his baby cry, I’ll be beaten.”
Su Yue’s heart warmed. She smiled, rolling her eyes. Her almond eyes were already bright in the darkness. “Did you agree?”
Jiang Ci’s lips curved, but he didn’t hum a reply. How could he possibly agree? She was definitely going to be bullied and cry by him.
The next day, Su Yue was woken up by Jiang Ci.
“What’s wrong?” She squinted, looked at Jiang Ci, and closed her eyes again, still very sleepy.
“Date,” Jiang Ci said coolly.
Su Yue yawned and opened her eyes again. Through the haze of sleep, she saw that Jiang Ci had already changed. He wore a black suit, his lean, straight figure making his expressionless face seem even colder.
“So early, where are you going on a date?” Su Yue found it amusing. Did he have to wear something so formal for a date?
Jiang Ci glanced coldly at the person who was covering her mouth with the quilt and snickering. He slowly said, “If you don’t get up, don’t get up.” His slender fingertips went to his collar, slowly unbuttoning it. “I think it’s fine to date all day in bed.”
Su Yue was instantly dumbfounded. She scrambled out from under the quilt and sat up, then leaned in and kissed the corner of his lips, coaxing softly: “I’m awake. Wait a minute; I can wash up soon. Okay?”
Looking at Su Yue’s retreating figure, Jiang Ci’s eyes were filled with regret.
Since learning that Jiang Ci could see, Su Yue had never changed clothes in front of him. When she emerged from the bathroom, she was already dressed in a crescent white gown. All of Su Yue’s clothes lacked brands but were made by specialized designers and delivered to her door, ensuring the latest styles and finest fabrics. The dress cinched at her waist, accentuating her slender, soft figure. The slightly transparent, shimmering skirt was embroidered with a blooming flower branch, making her appear elegant and ethereal, as if touched by fairy dust.
Su Yue walked over with a smile. “Okay, where are you taking me?”
Jiang Ci turned to look at her, and once again, he felt she was as beautiful as a delicate girl, while he, serious and with his scarred face, looked like a fierce bully standing beside her.
“Jiang Ci?” When he didn’t respond, Su Yue reached out and nudged his long, relaxed leg with her foot.
“I don’t know,” Jiang Ci replied, remembering the photo on his phone—a girl and a bully.
Su Yue had never been on a date and wasn’t sure what it entailed. However, she once heard her assistant mention that her boyfriend would take her to the movies and to dinner. There’s nothing special about it, is dating as a couple so boring? She usually attended movie premieres, surrounded by actors, directors, and media. She had never experienced going to a theater privately. Perhaps, going to the theater with Jiang Ci might feel different.
With this thought, Su Yue took Jiang Ci’s hand. “Let’s go. Let’s have breakfast first, then go to the movies.” Seeing Jiang Ci’s expressionless face, she lowered her head and kissed his jaw. The scars on his face seemed to have shrunk even more today.
The soft touch softened the hard, cold lines of Jiang Ci’s profile. He glanced at Su Yue. What about the ugly bully? After all, she was his.
After breakfast, before going out, Su Yue instructed the housekeeper to look after Jiang Haoyan. The little boy was very sensible. Knowing Su Yue and Jiang Ci were going out, he didn’t fuss but obediently said he would stay home with Coriander and Chives.
It happened to be the weekend, and there were many pedestrians outside. It was still early. Su Yue checked the movie times online and found that no showings had started yet, so she took Jiang Ci for a long stroll through the mall.
When it was almost time for the movie, Su Yue and Jiang Ci went to the cinema on the fifth floor. Su Yue thought there wouldn’t be many people watching a movie in the morning. However, seeing the crowd waiting for movies to start outside the cinema, she realized her mistake.
“There are a lot of people today. Is there a new movie out?” Su Yue looked at the poster at the entrance of the cinema. “Jiang Ci, what do you want to watch?”
The crowd made Jiang Ci subconsciously frown. “Whatever.”
“Then let’s watch a sci-fi movie.” Su Yue felt the newly released sci-fi blockbuster should be good.
“So many people crowded into a small room to watch a movie?” Jiang Ci, visiting a cinema for the first time, glanced around. They were all couples, or groups of friends.
“Yeah. I’ll buy a ticket for the next showing,” Su Yue said, checking the time and session numbers.
“I just want to date you alone.” Clearly, with so many people crowded into one room, how could he date Su Yue alone?
Su Yue didn’t understand what he meant. She was already dating him alone.
Jiang Ci reached out and squeezed Su Yue’s snow-white cheek, his fingertips delicate. He stated simply, “In the entire movie theater, there can only be you and me!” This was what he considered a date.