Chapter 35

As they stepped outside, Yan Su took Zhen Ai's trench coat from the waiter and helped her put it on. He carefully buttoned it up, his fingers brushing against her flushed cheek, warmed by the alcohol.

The fleeting touch lingered on his fingertips, yet he remained composed, looking down at her as he softly said, "It's cold outside."

His voice was deep and melodious, and Zhen Ai looked up at him, her cheeks rosy and her eyes sparkling.

Not used to drinking, she had enjoyed the taste tonight and had accidentally indulged a bit too much. "I don't feel cold at all!" she exclaimed, grinning widely.

Yan Su paused for a moment, his expression momentarily frozen before it disappeared.

As they walked out together, Zhen Ai recalled his behavior tonight—so different from his usual aloofness—and she couldn't help but chase after him, tilting her head to ask, "You're quite talented at playing the role of a boyfriend!"

Yan Su replied casually, "That's because I've had many relationships."

Zhen Ai faltered, her voice dropping slightly, "Really?"

"Of course not," he said, puffing with pride. "It's because I'm a genius and can do everything."

Zhen Ai couldn't help but smile, though her expression soon became more serious.

Perhaps being good to her was merely a simple skill, unrelated to feelings—like playing the piano, taking morning walks, drinking water, or cooking.

But even so, she felt a rush of happiness being treated with such sincerity and focus.

Taking a deep breath of the chilly air, she thought to herself how wonderful it would be if he remembered this skill years from now.

As they continued walking, her steps felt a bit unsteady, and her mind hazy, but she still managed to voice her curiosity: "It seems like you have no ill will toward Allen."

Yan Su walked steadily, asking, "Why should I have ill will toward him?"

"He questioned you…" she stumbled slightly, "over and over again."

"He upheld his sense of justice," he replied calmly, but with an underlying tension. "And anytime there's dissent, it's important."

"I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable," Zhen Ai mumbled, feeling a bit dizzy.

Yan Su chuckled softly, "Not at all. I actually enjoyed seeing you defend me like that."

He found it strangely uplifting to see her so fervently argue on his behalf, a feeling he had never experienced before and couldn't quite understand.

This was irrational.

"But," he suddenly stopped and turned to her, "what's wrong?"

Before she could respond, Zhen Ai lost her balance and stumbled into his arms, unable to regain her footing.

He caught her, gazing into her sparkling, dark eyes and the rosy blush on her cheeks. "You can't hold your liquor, can you?"

She dazedly raised a finger, "I only had… one glass."

Yan Su straightened his face, adamantly stating, "Your ability to drink has nothing to do with how many glasses you've had."

She swayed a bit, confused. "At this time, you want to talk logic with me?"

Yan Su: "…"

"I wouldn't stand on the street at night discussing my favorite subject with an unclear-minded woman," he declared sternly, "that would be foolish."

"Yeah, really foolish!" Zhen Ai nodded emphatically, but as she tried to move forward, her legs buckled, nearly causing her to fall.

Yan Su quickly wrapped his arms around her waist, and she ended up hanging onto him, forcing him to half-carry her as they continued down the street.

Her body felt soft against him, a sensation that made him uncomfortable. The warmth of her presence enveloped him, and as she leaned against his neck, her warm breath tickled his collarbone, igniting a strange restlessness within him.

"Yan Su, are you gay?" she suddenly asked, her words slurred.

His annoyance turned into a laugh. "What are you thinking?"

Zhen Ai chuckled, her speech unclear. "I heard that extremely talented men are all gay."

Yan Su frowned. "While I appreciate your insight into my talent, your logic is seriously flawed. Some talented men are gay, but you've generalized it to all talented men…"

Zhen Ai's eyes were glazed, the alcohol clearly affecting her cognitive abilities. She smiled softly, "Actually, I think it's pretty cute when you're being so serious about this."

Yan Su fell silent, unsure how to respond.

She shook her head. "But now, I really don't understand what you're saying."

Yan Su: "…"

Leaning her head against his chest, she mused, "So you're not gay, which means you like women, right?"

Yan Su didn't bother answering.

Her movements were clumsy, making it difficult for him to maintain his balance, and she kept accidentally brushing against him, stirring sensations he wasn't ready to confront.

With her soft nudges, he felt himself responding more than he intended…

Suddenly, she leaned her head at an odd angle, her warm face burying into the crook of his neck, her hot breath tickling him. He jolted, instinctively pushing her away.

But that push made her lose her balance again, and he quickly reached out to catch her, only to have her crash back into him.

Looking down, their lips almost brushed against each other's in a fleeting moment. The heat surged between them, their cheeks nearly touching.

Yan Su yanked her away, holding her firmly, while she, still oblivious to what had just happened, blinked up at him, her eyes wide and innocent.

"What are you thinking?" she asked, genuinely confused.

Yan Su pressed his lips together, frustration barely concealed. "Not something I want to talk about."

"Tell me," she urged.

"I want to throw you away!" he retorted.

Zhen Ai covered her mouth with her hands, her big black eyes looking at him obediently. "I won't say anything."

Yan Su was speechless.

Analyzing the situation from a physiological standpoint, he realized that while home wasn't far, carrying her in this half-embrace would definitely trigger some unwanted reactions due to her soft, warm body.

In just a short time, he was surrounded by her gentle form, delicate like water.

After that brief brush of lips, he could still feel her lingering scent and the smoothness of her skin on his cheeks.

Though he knew these were normal physiological responses, his heightened sensitivity made everything feel amplified.

He had to admit, this little woman's body was both foreign and exhilarating, sending electric shocks through him multiple times.

These sensations weren't something he could easily shake off—more like an imprint that would linger long after.

After some thought, he decided to carry her back.

Zhen Ai didn't resist as he lifted her onto his back, feeling dazed, caught between sleep and wakefulness.

Yan Su wasn't sure how aware she still was. After walking a while, he glanced back at her. Her little head rested on his shoulder, eyes closed, peaceful.

The streetlights cast shadows through the branches, illuminating her pale, rosy face, while her long eyelashes created soft shadows beneath her eyes. Her skin almost seemed translucent, delicate enough to shatter at a touch.

He returned his gaze to the path ahead, instinctively raising his shoulder to keep her from toppling over. But misjudging the strength of the lift, her head tilted inward and pressed against his cheek, her lips brushing against his neck, warm breaths wafting into his shirt.

What a self-inflicted predicament…

It tickled… 

Yan Su thought, Couldn't I just wrap her in a sack and carry her like Santa Claus?

The crisp, clean air of early spring filled the night, with soft white lights filtering through the branches, casting patterns on the cobblestone walkway. Occasionally, warm light spilled from the windows of the Western-style buildings lining the street, while cars passed by in the center.

He silently carried her through the colorful lights, feeling her lighter than he expected. Standing at 167 cm, she seemed to weigh only around 47 kg on his back. His gaze fell to her hands, which were draped around his neck. The sleeves of her coat had slipped up slightly, revealing her slender wrists, marked by faint scars.

His expression darkened, eyes narrowing slightly before returning to a steady focus ahead.

As her lips brushed against his neck, she murmured softly, "Brother…"

He maintained his distance, "Who's your brother? Stop shouting nonsense…"

"I'm so dumb," she mumbled.

He couldn't help but smile, "That's true."

Finding humor in the situation, he realized he was actually conversing with a tipsy girl. What was the logic in that?

"I can't understand the password you left," she sighed sadly.

Yan Su's smile faded.

He turned slightly to glance at her. She furrowed her brows, her eyelashes fluttering. "What do you want to say? I'm so dumb, I don't understand."

Yan Su returned his gaze to the front, "Not only dumb, but stubborn too."

"4407 times… still failed… I'm sorry," her voice was barely above a whisper, carried away by the wind.

Yet he could hear the guilt and pain in her words, deeper still was the sense of helplessness.

Suddenly, he halted, feeling a cold tear slip into his collar.

The cool spring breeze cut through the night, biting into him.