Chapter 5: Even an alcoholic can win

The steaming stir-fried beef on the table gave off an enticing aroma.

One dish, two portions of rice, and in my field of vision was Su Xixia’s face, blurred by the rising steam.

I had deliberately taken the beef out to thaw, even took a photo and sent it to her, inviting her over for dinner at my place.

Just what was going on with me?

“That girl was just eavesdropping outside your door earlier. She ran off when she saw me. I was a bit too dismissive before, but now I have to take this seriously!”

She picked up a piece of beef and put it in her mouth, chewing heartily.

Seeing me sitting silently without eating, she picked up another piece and placed it in my bowl.

“Are you really that scared!?”

I had already been so firm with He Mo Ning, so why hadn’t she backed off knowing the difficulty?

She said her dad knew executives at Baiyangwan Mutual Entertainment, offering me such an easy shortcut…

Just who was her father?

“I’m eating.”

I casually swallowed the meat and rice.

“I found an empty apartment in the building next door and I’m negotiating the price with the landlord. If it goes smoothly, I can move in from the hotel tomorrow. Just call me, and I’ll be there anytime!”

“Mm, that’s great…”

I really shouldn’t have called her over.

I had already decided not to rely on anyone anymore, but…

“You look so pale. Is that little girl really that formidable? Otherwise…”

I suddenly realized her voice was right by my ear.

Coming back to my senses, I noticed she had moved her chair over next to me at some point.

“Xixia, I think I’ve calmed down a bit… I’m fine. Thank you for coming.”

“It’s nothing! We agreed to help each other, so of course I’d come! And you made my favorite beef. It’s delicious.”

Her voice was still at a bit of a distance, but then I felt a soft touch on my shoulder.

“Couldn’t very well ask you to come for nothing. I’ve had a lot of troubles lately, ran into a troublesome person who just won’t leave me alone.”

“So, you’ve already tried ignoring her, and it didn’t work?”

Su Xixia faced me, squinting her eyes.

“Mm. But due to work requirements, I can’t ignore her indefinitely. Her background isn’t simple either.”

“No wonder! So… she still likes you, huh?”

Her tone carried a hint of resentment, followed by a soft mutter, “Tsk, her taste isn’t bad though.”

“I can’t accept her. Whether it’s because of workplace romance or her terrible behavior, I just can’t accept it.”

Feeling the touch on my shoulder becoming more distinct, I began to sense her warm breath and that familiar fragrance…

My heart started beating faster.

“Then can you accept me!?”

She suddenly said.

“What do you mean?”

Instinctively, I wanted to move away from her, but she had already wrapped her arms around my waist and pulled me into a tight embrace, that familiar softness enveloping me.

“Xixia!”

I called her name, but didn’t resist.

“I told her this is my home. If she misunderstands that we’re a couple, or have an even deeper relationship, she won’t pester you anymore.”

“Will that work?”

I tried my best to suppress my racing heart, but I could feel hers beating extremely fast.

“Why wouldn’t it! I’m helping you. I’ll leave once she gives up.”

“Then… we can try it…”

I said softly within her embrace.

Just what was wrong with me?

I clearly knew He Mo Ning would be working under me long-term, and she lived nearby.

We’d be seeing each other constantly.

Would this kind of relationship with Su Xixia have to be maintained indefinitely?

I knew she wouldn’t cross the line…

That’s why I didn’t immediately break free from her embrace.

She…

Wouldn’t cross the line.

She knew the consequences of crossing it.

I could trust her, I could…

“Then it’s settled! I’ll come over tomorrow too. After you open the door… I’ll hug you just like this. She’s bound to see it and misunderstand! You have to hug me back then too, that’ll make it believable!”

She gradually tightened her embrace.

The heart hidden deep within that immense softness beat heavily, as if constantly knocking against my chest.

It was just an act.

And the hug only needed to be performed once. Just once.

Stiffly, I reached out.

Just as I was about to encircle her body, I instead grabbed her slender waist and pushed her away.

“That’s enough. I understand.”

That softness gradually receded.

I took a deep breath and gave her a smile.

“Then it’s agreed!”

Her fair face was tinged with a rosy blush, her rapid breathing gradually calming.

Just as we were looking at each other, the atmosphere turning slightly awkward, thud thud—heavy knocking sounded at the door.

I quickly got up and headed for the entrance.

Before I even reached it, I heard the person outside shouting:

“Brother Mingshan!! I brought beer! I have earth-shattering good news to tell you!”

Xiao Ji?

Ever since returning from my hometown, I’d had little contact with him.

Or rather, he replied to messages very slowly, as if busy with something.

He knew about my breakup with An Zhi and had clumsily comforted me.

Not reaching out proactively was probably to give me space to sort out my feelings.

“Xiao Ji, what are you…”

I opened the door to see him holding a case of beer, grinning wildly.

“Bro, earth-shattering good news! Let’s talk inside!”

He kicked off his shoes, took a step in, then stopped.

“Huh?”

I closed the door and saw him looking puzzled at Su Xixia.

“Hello, Xiao Ji.”

“You! Bad woman!? What are you doing in Brother Mingshan’s house?”

Xiao Ji’s eyes widened.

I patted Xiao Ji’s shoulder, shaking my head to calm him down.

“Bro, have you really moved on this time? If you say ‘yes,’ then I have absolutely no problem with it!”

“I… no, we’re friends.”

“You’ve forgotten what she did before? You…”

Just as Xiao Ji was looking warily at Su Xixia, she didn’t back down at all.

She stepped forward, staring straight at Xiao Ji.

“Mingshan has even been to my house. We’re good friends now. It’s not good for a man to be so sensitive, right, Mingshan?”

“Don’t listen to her nonsense. Xiao Ji, what happened before is in the past…”

I patted his shoulder.

“Those two days I went back to my hometown, a lot happened. Have a seat first.”

“Alright, alright! My apologies!”

Xiao Ji laughed heartily and sat down at the table.

“More people is better, drink! Just bought this beer!”

It had been a long time since I’d had a drink with Xiao Ji, ever since reuniting with An Zhi.

Raising the beer, the slightly bitter taste flowed through my mouth, warming my body with the alcohol’s effect.

Unconsciously, I started talking about my experiences back in my hometown, the process of seeing An Zhi off with Su Xixia, and An Zhi’s current situation in Vienna.

Just like before, his face turned red from drinking as he responded enthusiastically:

“Her family is still something else! Five hundred thousand, just like that! And getting into the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts just like that! I remember even that failed art student couldn’t get in!”

“You’re already drunk…”

I sighed.

“I’m telling the truth, the gap between you and her was a bit too big. Breaking up is for the best!”

Xiao Ji became unfiltered when drunk.

He loved drinking so much, but his alcohol tolerance was very unstable.

When excited, one can would get him drunk.

“Mingshan and I are well-matched in social status, right!”

Su Xixia took small sips of beer, helping me change the subject, her cheeks flushed pink.

Coming from a family that ran a restaurant, her alcohol tolerance shouldn’t be poor.

Sometimes I really suspected she was pretending to be drunk.

“Hey! Don’t say it, but that’s truly well-matched!”

Xiao Ji clinked glasses with her.

Wait…

Weren’t you two just at each other’s throats?

How did you make up as soon as you started drinking?

“Xiao Ji, just what happened that made you so happy?”

Not wanting to see them drink themselves into a stupor, I got straight to the point.

“What happened? Guess. What else could make me this ridiculously happy?”

He said, downing half a can of beer in one go.

“Senior Sister Xu… agreed?”

My eyes widened.

Huh??

How could that be!?

No…

It’s not that I thought they couldn’t be together.

It’s just that Senior Sister Xu hadn’t accepted for so long.

How did it happen all of a sudden?

“Bro, what do you mean by that! Eyes so wide. Me, confessed! Her, agreed! Simple as that! I just made a move and got her! Those gifts weren’t for nothing. That’s called catering to her preferences!!”

He boasted loudly, the smell of alcohol filling the room.

“That’s really impressive. Awesome, Xiao Ji!”

I quickly applauded for him.

“Congratulations!”

Su Xixia chimed in.

I was genuinely happy for him that he could be with the person he’d pursued for years, but…

It felt a bit strange.

Maybe it was just my imagination.

“Bro, it’s all thanks to you. That time she tried to drive a wedge between you and An Zhi, I was so angry. The angrier I get, the braver I become. Then, not long ago, I saw she was unhappy, went up to comfort her, and boldly confessed!”

I suddenly understood the reason he had reduced contact with me.

He was probably afraid An Zhi and I would be unhappy if we found out.

Hearing we had broken up, he came over to share the good news.

But as for Xu Yinyin…

I still hadn’t forgiven her.

It would be hard to return to our past relationship…

Su Xixia probably felt the same.

When I looked at her, she was also looking at me meaningfully.

Was she…

Hinting at something?