The oppressive midsummer heat clung to the air, making the very trees on the roadside droop in sullen, listless green. But within the cool confines of the Jiang family mansion, Jiang Xuan’s spirits soared. She gazed at the pristine white dress Jiang Muhang had sent, its fabric soft beneath her fingertips. White, she knew, was her color, reflecting her pure and gentle demeanor. “It’s so beautiful,” she murmured, a soft smile gracing her lips.
Jiang Muhang, ever attentive, set aside his documents. “It suits you very well,” he affirmed, his gaze tender on his wife.
“Can you attend the banquet? Your injury isn’t healed yet, why don’t we…” Jiang Xuan hesitated, her voice trailing off. She understood the weight of the upcoming Hengyuan Group’s 20th-anniversary banquet. As the newly installed head, Jiang Muhang needed to consolidate his power and assert his status. Absence was not an option. Moreover, she yearned to stand by his side, a stark contrast to her past life, confined to Xiaoyanglou, oblivious to such grand affairs. This life, she was determined to be his visible support.
Jiang Muhang’s voice, though still slightly hoarse from his injury, softened into a low, intimate murmur. “Don’t worry, I won’t walk around that day, as long as I don’t touch the wound. If you’re still concerned, then take care of me.” His words, despite his pale complexion, brought a blush to Jiang Xuan’s cheeks.
“Well, I’m looking at you. You can’t drink,” Jiang Xuan insisted, her dark eyes shining with gentle concern.
“Okay,” he agreed.
Later, after class, Jin Mingyuan proposed dinner. “Senior Gu said he was coming to find me,” Xu Xue whispered, her head bowed.
“That’s even better! You two are together now, it’s time he shared a meal with us,” Jin Mingyuan declared, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. Her idea felt perfect.
“Then I’ll ask him,” Xu Xue murmured.
“Good, ask quickly!” Jin Mingyuan nudged Su Yue with her elbow. “What about you? Or are you rushing back to accompany Jiang Ci? Su Yue, you need some conscience; don’t abandon your friends for a colorless Jiang Ci.”
Su Yue chuckled, “Okay, let’s go together.”
Jin Mingyuan led them to a classically decorated Chinese-style courtyard restaurant, a chic and tranquil spot known for its exclusivity. Without a prior booking or VIP status, a table was almost impossible to secure. Inside their private box, the decor was retro and atmospheric, with intricate paintings and calligraphy adorning the walls. A mahogany window opened onto a pond filled with lotus flowers, their vibrant colors reflecting on the water. It was an exquisite setting for a meal.
“This place is truly wonderful,” Gu Chengfeng commented, his handsome features made even more striking by a smile.
“Yes, my eldest brother introduced it to me. He likes to bring business clients here,” Jin Mingyuan said, casually settling into a seat and preparing a pot of lotus tea.
Su Yue sat next to Jin Mingyuan, while Xu Xue and Gu Chengfeng took the opposite seats.
“Your elder brother sounds like an interesting person,” Gu Chengfeng remarked, thoughtfully pouring lotus tea for Xu Xue.
Xu Xue’s fair face flushed. “Thank you,” she said softly.
“My eldest brother enjoys these formalities, but the food here is truly excellent. You’ll taste it later. Here’s the menu, see what you’d like to eat.”
“You can order. I’ll make a call first,” Su Yue said, glancing at the time. She felt it best to inform Jiang Ci.
“Afraid your Jiang Ci will worry? Go on, go on,” Jin Mingyuan teased, a knowing look in her eyes.
The corridor was quiet, the only sound it had is the faint, soothing melody of a guqin. Su Yue dialed Jiang Ci directly. It took a moment for him to answer, and he remained silent, clearly waiting for her to speak.
“Jiang Ci, it’s me.”
“Hmm,” Jiang Ci responded casually.
“I’m out to dinner with Mingyuan and the others now. I won’t be back for dinner, so you and Xiao Haohao don’t need to wait for me,” Su Yue said, facing the wall and poking it with her fingertips.
“Who wants to wait for you to eat?” Jiang Ci scoffed from the other end of the line.
“Oh,” Su Yue rolled her eyes. “I’ll come back after dinner. I won’t stay out all night.”
“What time?” Jiang Ci asked, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
“What time? How am I supposed to know when I’ll finish eating? Jiang Ci, is there a specific time for eating?” Su Yue’s slender fingers poked the wall in annoyance.
“I’ll pick you up,” Jiang Ci stated. He squinted, the softness of Su Yue’s voice on the phone making his ears tingle, a strange urge to rub them.
Su Yue blinked. “You’re coming to pick me up?”
Jiang Ci hummed in affirmation.
Su Yue’s beautiful red lips curved slightly. Was he worried about her? A lightness entered her tone as she gave him the restaurant’s address.
Back in the box, Jin Mingyuan was chatting with Gu Chengfeng. “Senior Gu, you and Xu Xue are officially together now, right?”
“Of course,” Gu Chengfeng said, glancing tenderly at Xu Xue and taking her hand. “Xiaoxue is now my girlfriend.”
“Our Xuexue is quiet and gentle, and easily shy. She’s a good girl. Senior Gu, you can’t bully her, or I won’t let you off!” Jin Mingyuan declared, though she imagined someone as kind as Gu Chengfeng wouldn’t do anything wrong.
Gu Chengfeng smiled brightly and charmingly. “You don’t need to worry, I will cherish Xiaoxue,” he assured her.
Hearing this, Xu Xue turned to look at him, blushing, and smiled shyly.
The dishes arrived, a feast centered around lotus. Colorful water lily stalks, lotus-drunk fish, lotus rolls with Thai sauce, lotus seed soup with lotus fragrance, splendid reflections of lotus leaves, lotus buds, and thousands of flower rolls—each dish was a work of art, both in color and presentation, ingeniously crafted and utterly appealing.
Su Yue gazed at the lotus-flavored lotus seed soup. In a sapphire-colored porcelain plate, a pale pink soup cradled a fragrant lotus flower. Beneath it lay mushrooms, fresh lotus seeds, lotus root, cucumber, crab meat, and fresh shrimp. Dry ice next to the plate created a faint, ethereal mist, giving the dish the beauty of flowers in fog. She took a sip. The flavor was sweet, with a delicate lotus fragrance. Her eyes squinted in pure enjoyment.
Jin Mingyuan, knowing Su Yue’s love for food, smiled at her happy expression. “It’s delicious, isn’t it?” She poured a light pink liquid from a small white jade porcelain pot into Su Yue’s cup. “Try this; I’m sure you’ll like it. Last time I arrived late and only got two pots. I don’t have to buy it this time.”
“What is this?” Su Yue asked, admiring the beautiful pink liquid. She picked it up and smelled it. “It smells wonderful.”
“That’s right, this is lotus brew,” Jin Mingyuan said proudly. “I specifically ordered a lot today, so you can drink all you want.”
“I can’t drink,” Su Yue said sadly, putting her glass down.
“Tsk, your alcohol tolerance is better than mine, yet you say you can’t drink? Xiao Yueyue, aren’t you ashamed?” Jin Mingyuan scoffed, looking at Su Yue as if daring her to lie. “Did your Jiang Ci forbid you? Don’t worry, it’s not strong, it’s sweet. I didn’t get drunk last time. Your tolerance is better than mine, so you don’t need to worry. Try it now; it’s a divine wine.”
Su Yue picked up the cup again and sniffed. The wine scent was indeed faint, more akin to the fragrance of lotus flowers. She used to get drunk easily. At public events, she would never touch a drop, fearing she’d make a fool of herself and be photographed by reporters. Now, no longer a public figure, she didn’t have to worry. And if the original owner had a high tolerance, then she should be fine.
Su Yue took a sip. The light pink lotus wine slid into her mouth, a burst of lotus fragrance spreading from the tip of her tongue. It was truly delicious. She took another sip.
“How is it? Isn’t it delicious?” Jin Mingyuan asked with a smile, glancing over to see Gu Chengfeng serving Xu Xue vegetables and refilling her soup. She felt a wave of satisfaction.
Xu Xue’s personality was different from theirs—delicate, gentle, and easily brought to tears. Su Yue and Jin Mingyuan’s more assertive, playful natures wouldn’t normally mesh with Xu Xue’s, but once, Xu Xue had helped Su Yue. After that, Su Yue found Xu Xue sensible, kind, and non-aggressive. They had become fast friends. Seeing her friend gather the courage to confess and succeed, finally getting together with Senior Gu, filled Jin Mingyuan with happiness.
Since realizing she could lose weight through Jiang Ci, Su Yue had abandoned her strict diet. She reveled in the delicious food, a blissful expression on her delicate face, her bright eyes shining. Between the lotus seed soup and the lotus brew, she was in heaven.
Jin Mingyuan, a foodie herself, continued to enjoy the meal. After several pots of the lotus brew, she turned to find Su Yue’s cheeks flushed crimson.
“Oh my god!” she exclaimed, quickly putting down her chopsticks and reaching out to touch Su Yue’s face. “I’m dying, I’m dying!” She couldn’t help pinching her cheek. Tsk, it was a vision of red against white, pink and tender, even more fresh and beautiful than the pink lotus on the plate, making one want to take a bite.
“What are you pinching me for?” Su Yue slapped Jin Mingyuan’s hand away, annoyed by the painful pinch.
“Phew!” Jin Mingyuan exhaled in relief. “I thought you were drunk, but you seem sober, so it’s fine. But, Xiao Yueyue, go look in the mirror in the bathroom later. You look so beautiful!” Su Yue’s dark eyes were watery, glistening, and her snow-white cheeks glowed with a bright, rosy flush. She looked as though she could bewitch souls.
Gu Chengfeng, meanwhile, was still attentive to Xu Xue, serving her more lotus seed soup.
“Yueyue, don’t drink any more,” Xu Xue interjected, delicately. She had taken a small glass earlier; it was sweet and delicious. But seeing Su Yue’s current state, it seemed the wine had more potency than it let on. “You’re going to get drunk later.”
“She doesn’t want to drink anymore,” Jin Mingyuan said, looking at the empty white porcelain pots with a mix of tears and laughter. She had drunk two pots herself and felt no effects, her face not red, her heart calm. Why did Su Yue get so alluringly flushed? It only made her envious.
Jin Mingyuan moved to squeeze Su Yue’s cheek again, but Su Yue glared at her.
“Well, I won’t drink anymore,” Su Yue conceded. Her cheeks felt burning hot, definitely red. But her mind remained clear, suggesting the original owner indeed had a good alcohol tolerance, otherwise, she’d have been completely drunk by now.
After eating for a while longer, the evening breeze drifted in through the wooden window, carrying the faint fragrance of lotus flowers, bringing a sense of peace and joy. Su Yue still felt her cheeks were very hot; even the cool breeze couldn’t entirely dispel the warmth.
“It’s getting late,” Gu Chengfeng said, glancing at Su Yue. “Student Su seems a little drunk? I’ll take you back.”
“Yueyue, are you drunk?” Jin Mingyuan asked quickly.
“It seems a little dizzy,” Su Yue admitted, pursing her lips. “But it’s okay.”
“Why is your alcohol tolerance so bad now?” Jin Mingyuan couldn’t help but laugh and cry. “Last time, you drank me under the table! Why are you getting drunk from this now?”
“Maybe Yueyue is more sensitive to this kind of wine, even with its low alcohol content and surprising potency,” Xu Xue suggested delicately.
“Ah? Is there such a thing? Come on, I’m full too. Let’s go and take Yueyue back,” Jin Mingyuan said, getting up to help Su Yue.
“You don’t need to send me,” Su Yue blinked her dark eyes, pulling out her ringing phone. “Jiang Ci said he was coming to pick me up.”
“He’s coming to pick you up?” Jin Mingyuan was slightly startled. It was truly a testament to his care for Su Yue, despite his blindness, that he would make the effort.
“He should be here. I’m going out,” Su Yue said, answering the phone.
“I’m at the door,” Jiang Ci’s cool voice sounded on the other end.
“I’ve finished my meal here, and I’m about to leave. I’m coming out to find you now,” Su Yue replied, her voice a little soft and slurred from the alcohol.
“Hmm,” Jiang Ci acknowledged.
After hanging up, Jin Mingyuan, Xu Xue, and Gu Chengfeng accompanied Su Yue out. At the entrance, a sleek black car was parked. The window was halfway down, revealing Jiang Ci’s left profile, marred by its hideous scars.
Jin Mingyuan looked at her friend beside her, and at that moment, she felt Su Yue was truly a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung—no, dog dung.
“I’m leaving. See you at school tomorrow,” Su Yue said, her dark eyes lighting up at the sight of Jiang Ci.
“Okay, okay, go on,” Jin Mingyuan said, observing Su Yue’s expression. Tsk, she really did like Jiang Ci?
“Goodbye, Yueyue. If you go back and have a headache, you can drink some hangover soup,” Xu Xue reminded her, intimately and gently.
“Well, I know,” Su Yue waved to them and walked toward the car.
Gu Chengfeng pulled his surprised gaze from Jiang Ci’s face, then lowered his head and touched Xu Xue’s head. “I’ll take you back.”
Xu Xue smiled shyly. “Yes.”
The car was quiet. Su Yue sat beside Jiang Ci, leaning back in her seat. Her breathing was a little hot, and her cheeks flushed even deeper; the full effect of the wine was setting in.
“You’ve been drinking?” Jiang Ci’s voice cut through the silence. Though the scent of wine was faint, easily masked by her usual milky fragrance, his sense of smell, heightened by his blindness, was exceptionally keen. Even the slightest hint was enough.
“It’s not wine, it’s made from lotus flowers,” Su Yue replied, feeling a touch of guilt.
“Ah,” Jiang Ci scoffed. He suddenly leaned toward her, inhaling deeply. The faint wine mingled with her natural scent. His thin lips curved. “It’s clearly a wine.”
Su Yue’s head was already spinning. As Jiang Ci closed in, breaking through her evasion, her face burned hotter. A little flustered, her mind fuzzy, her voice was soft and weak, almost devoid of strength. She mumbled, “Mingyuan said the alcohol content was very low, that it wasn’t really alcohol. But… I seem to be drunk.”
Jiang Ci raised an eyebrow. “Su Yue, are you drunk?” he asked casually.
“A little,” Su Yue complained in a low voice. “I didn’t use to get drunk.” Suddenly, she blinked, her red lips curving into a smile. She looked at Jiang Ci. “But that wine was really delicious. I’ll drink it next time. I’ll even bring some for you to taste. You’re sure to like it too.”
“I don’t like it,” Jiang Ci sneered. “And you’re not allowed to drink it either.” She could get drunk on such a low-alcohol drink? How dared she even think of drinking?
Su Yue’s dark, bright eyes were now glistening, brimming with a watery sheen. She gazed at Jiang Ci’s face. “I’m going to drink,” she declared shamelessly. After a pause, she stuttered, “Will… will you be angry?”
Jiang Ci was momentarily stunned. Then he said lazily, “Of course I’ll be angry.” She actually seemed to care whether he was angry or not.
“Yeah,” Su Yue narrowed her eyes and yawned, feeling sleepy. “If you want to be angry, be angry. You’re easy to coax anyway.”
“Cough, cough, cough…” Uncle Fang, in the driver’s seat, choked, startled. He quickly apologized, “I’m sorry, Young Master.”
Jiang Ci’s brows furrowed. “Drive seriously.”
“Yes, Young Master.” Uncle Fang’s heart tightened, and he instantly became alert, daring not to listen further.
Jiang Ci pressed a button, raising the barrier between them and the driver. He frowned, leaning back in his seat, a peculiar expression on his face. “I’m so easy to coax?” he asked Su Yue.
Su Yue was confused. She felt Jiang Ci was being a little annoying. She closed her eyes, wanting to sleep.
When he received no response, Jiang Ci reached out, intending to pat Su Yue’s face. But as his hand touched her, he paused. “Answer,” he commanded. The cheek beneath his palm was smooth and tender, still warm, and surprisingly pleasant to the touch.
“Mm?” Su Yue, nestled in the car seat, was roused by the touch on her face. She opened her eyes, looking blankly at Jiang Ci.
“What do you mean when you say I’m easy to coax?” Jiang Ci’s slender fingers gently pinched Su Yue’s face, as if to emphasize his point, though his touch was surprisingly gentle.
“It’s easy to coax, it’s easy to coax,” Su Yue’s watery eyes curved, and a smile appeared on her face. “Jiang Xiaoqi is easy to coax.”
“So, you’re making fun of me as a fool,” Jiang Ci’s brows darkened, his face sinking.
A sharp, ringing headache assaulted Su Yue. Angry value: 10. She straightened up instinctively, quickly reaching for Jiang Ci. Both her hands cupped his face, the warm scent of lotus flowers wafting over him. “Jiang Ci, you can’t be angry!” she warned, her voice surprisingly firm for her state. “You’re so annoying when you’re angry!”
“Su Yue…” The palms holding his face were hot and soft. Jiang Ci felt his scarred left cheek twitch fiercely. “You’re drunk. Don’t be crazy.”
Su Yue opened her wet eyes, looking at the man’s cold face. “I know you’re angry. I know when you’re angry.” The headache intensified, the ringing growing louder. Dizzy and uncomfortable, she whispered, “Can you stop being angry? I’m uncomfortable.”
Jiang Ci felt Su Yue was a delirious little lunatic. He twitched the corners of his mouth. “Oh, I’m angry. Didn’t you say I’m easy to coax? Then you coax me.”
Su Yue raised her lips and smiled. Coaxing Jiang Ci? She was the best at it. Her warm fingertips touched Jiang Ci’s browbones. “Jiang Ci, you are so beautiful.”
“Little liar, hypocrite,” Jiang Ci scoffed. “You used to say you were too disgusted to even look at me.” He raised an eyebrow, the brow bone Su Yue touched feeling a little itchy.
“I don’t lie, it’s so beautiful,” Su Yue replied in a low voice. “I used to be uglier.” Before, her scars had oozed pus, so disgusting she couldn’t even eat.
Jiang Ci snorted coldly. “I know you’re ugly.” She admitted it when she was drunk.
Su Yue blinked. “I’ve praised you for your good looks, why are you still angry?” She felt Jiang Ci was being unusually difficult to coax tonight.
Jiang Ci grabbed her hand, which was touching his face indiscriminately, and pulled her into his arms. “I don’t get angry when you’re drunk,” he said with a smile. He held her soft body, breathing in the delicate aroma of the wine. Jiang Ci’s lips curved, and he lowered his voice. “Su Yue, I want to kiss you. Will you give me a kiss?” He was being mischievous. “Kiss me, and I won’t be angry with you.”
Su Yue looked at Jiang Ci in confusion. The next moment, she felt a gentle bite on her lips, followed by something warm in her mouth.
Angry value: 0.
After getting out of the car, the cool night wind swept away the heat from her body. Jiang Ci’s arm was half around Su Yue. His brows relaxed, his thin lips curved slightly. “Su Yue, I can’t see. Can you lead the way?”
Su Yue’s mind was still fuzzy, her breathing a little shallow. She leaned on Jiang Ci, opening her eyes to the familiar surroundings. “Okay, I’ll show you the way.”
“Oh, then please,” Jiang Ci chuckled, his voice hoarse. Remembering the lotus-scented taste on her tongue just moments ago, he decided it was perfectly fine for Su Yue to drink a little wine occasionally.
The evening wind blew gently again, and under the warm yellow lamplight by the roadside, the figures of two people, supporting each other, were cast long and intertwined.