Of course, although she had chosen the strategy of drugging him and taking him down, Keqing actually had no experience in that area and certainly wasn't particularly keen on that sort of thing.
Compared to the joining of their bodies, what Keqing cared about more was being the first to win over Ye Ming, the first to claim a place in his heart, the first one to eat the crab.
That way, when facing pathetic losers like Ganyu, Ningguang, and Hu Tao in the future, she could proudly hold her head high, look down on those losers with pity, and sneer, "Didn't expect it, did you? Ye Ming's first time wasn't with you—it was with me, Keqing."
Just thinking about it got her unbelievably fired up.
Of course, that scene only existed in her imagination. Keqing felt she couldn't actually do something like that. But in the end, physical intimacy was merely a means for her to win over Ye Ming. More than their bodies joining, what Keqing wanted was to stay by Ye Ming's side and be with him. That was true happiness.
For that, Keqing had even been willing to give up her beloved 996 work schedule and resort to such a despicable method as drugging him.
So even if Ye Ming unexpectedly regained his senses, she would never give up!
Besides, was Ye Ming really sober?
Keqing secretly studied Ye Ming: his crimson cheeks, unfocused gaze, swaying body, and...
Keqing stole a glance downward. She relaxed, though she also felt a little embarrassed.
"It's fine. I only arrived in this city a couple days ago too, and I haven't had time to find a place to live yet. I happened to book a suite at a nearby hotel. I said I'd help you get a room to rest in, but it just happens to be on my way too."
Keqing said it with a perfectly natural expression.
She hadn't invited Ye Ming to her room right away because Keqing knew that kind of invitation would be too strange. Ye Ming couldn't possibly agree, and it might even put him on guard.
"I see. Then let's go together."
Ye Ming didn't suspect anything either. For an executive at an international corporation like Keqing, booking a long-term hotel suite was perfectly normal.
However, when Ye Ming and Keqing arrived at the hotel where Keqing was staying, they received awkward news from the front desk—the hotel was full, with no vacant rooms.
Ye Ming frowned at that.
On the way there, the alcohol had hit him again. His head felt heavy and faintly painful, while his body burned abnormally hot. Perhaps because he was drunk and had less control over his body, he was already having trouble keeping himself down.
"How about resting in my room for a while?" Keqing suggested calmly, testing the waters. "I booked a suite, so you can pick a room for yourself."
Ye Ming rubbed his brow and refused. "No need. Aren't there other hotels nearby? I'll just switch to another one."
"Then I'll go with you. I'll come back after you've booked a room. In your condition, I'm a little worried."
Ye Ming knew the girl was afraid something might happen to him, so he didn't refuse her kindness. "Sorry for the trouble."
Yet Ye Ming visited several nearby hotels in succession. They were either full or under renovation; not a single one had a vacant room.
After making the rounds, Ye Ming was dizzy and bleary-eyed, his head weighed down so heavily that he could barely stand.
Keqing also looked regretful. "Oh dear, I never expected the hotels around here to be doing such good business. Not one vacant room. What a shame."
"How about..."
"You should rest at my place for a while. Don't worry, I rented a suite. You can choose a room for yourself."
"Then, sorry for the trouble."
This time, Ye Ming truly couldn't hold out any longer and didn't refuse Keqing's kindness.
"It's no trouble. Not at all."
Smiling brightly, Keqing supported Ye Ming, pushed open the door, and led him into the room. Then, with a click, she locked the door from the inside.
Keqing Was Clumsy but Worked Hard
Ye Ming, whose mind wasn't in the best state, heard the door close and assumed Keqing had simply shut it normally. He didn't notice that she had locked it.
At that moment, he was forcing himself to stay alert as he examined the suite.
It was an apartment-style suite consisting of two bedrooms, a living room, and a bathroom. To the right of the entrance, there was even a separate open kitchen.
The kitchen counter held plenty of opened bottles of oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and other seasonings and condiments. It was clear that Keqing had indeed been staying here for quite some time.
On the desk in the living room sat a laptop covered in Keqing stickers. Beside it were stacks of folders, several already open and scattered across the desktop.
As for the two bedrooms, their doors were closed, so Ye Ming couldn't see what they looked like inside.
Honestly, Ye Ming was parched and exhausted enough to collapse into bed immediately. But this was someone else's room, and its owner hadn't said anything yet, so he could only force himself to endure.
Fortunately, Keqing was a very perceptive and considerate girl.
"Tired, right? Come on, go rest."
Keqing was extremely enthusiastic—almost impatient—as she opened the left bedroom door for Ye Ming, helped him sit by the bed, and, seeing his cracked lips, said understandingly, "You're thirsty, aren't you? Don't worry. I'll go pour you a glass of water."
With that, she turned on the bedside lamp and went out to get water.
The bedroom windows were tightly shut and the curtains drawn. Ye Ming shook his head and instinctively looked at the room's only light source—the bedside lamp—then discovered, to his surprise, that there was already a full glass of water on the nightstand.
Wasn't there water right here? Why did she need to go outside and pour some?
The doubt flashed through his mind and vanished. With his head muddled, Ye Ming didn't think much of it. He licked his cracked lips, picked up the glass, and drained it in one gulp.
"Pfft! Cough, cough, cough..."
Halfway through drinking, Ye Ming suddenly threw away the glass and clutched his throat, coughing violently. His already flushed face turned even redder, as if it would start bleeding.
That full glass wasn't water at all!
It was all goddamn alcohol!
"Hah! Hah! Hah..."
Ye Ming opened his mouth and gulped down air, feeling his mouth and throat burn while a wicked heat surged ever stronger within him.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
Keqing, who entered carrying a glass of water, looked utterly shocked upon seeing Ye Ming like that. She hurried to his side and supported him, exclaiming, "Oh no, don't tell me you drank all the alcohol on the table!? It's my fault, all my fault—I didn't make it clear earlier. The cup had alcohol in it, not water."
Looking deeply annoyed with herself, Keqing brought the water glass to Ye Ming's lips. "Quick, have some medicine. Drink some water to sober up."
Ye Ming was so muddled that he didn't hear what Keqing had said. He directly took the glass, tipped back his head, and drained it in one gulp.
After the glass of water went down, Ye Ming's mind had reached its limit. Though reason told him he couldn't take any more and needed rest, his body was strangely excited instead, burning hot as a wicked flame ran wild within him, making him desperate to vent it immediately.
He desperately suppressed the desire that was about to erupt, forcing his rusted, sluggish brain to form the words. "I-I'm fine now. Th-thank you. If, if there's nothing else, I'd like to rest alone for a while."
What was going on?
Keqing was stunned.
Why was he still rational after drinking so much of the drug?
According to the script, shouldn't he have already turned into a beast and pounced on her by now?
His body's reaction was obvious, so why was this happening?
Keqing was surprised, but at the same time, she felt somewhat proud.
As expected of Keqing's man!
Keqing looked at Ye Ming, hesitated briefly, then gritted her teeth hard.
No matter what, she couldn't let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip away!
Since he wasn't going to pounce on her, then... then... then she'd give him a hand!
Keqing had always taken pride in her strong ability to act, and this time would be no exception.
"Mm, all right. I'll head out first, then. Get some good rest, and call me if you need anything."
Keqing smiled as she got to her feet and pretended to head for the door.
Naturally, Ye Ming stood to see her out.
But for some reason, as he rose, the bend of his leg suddenly went numb as though something had shocked it. Ye Ming, already somewhat dazed, immediately lost his balance and pitched forward, falling onto Keqing.
Caught off guard, Keqing let out a muffled cry. Her soft, delicate body was helplessly knocked onto the bed by Ye Ming.
The air instantly froze.
One second passed. Ten seconds passed. Sixty seconds passed. The room remained deathly silent.
One minute, two minutes, five minutes...
Keqing, blushing furiously with her eyes tightly shut as she lay on the bed waiting for something, finally realized something was wrong. With difficulty, she turned her head and glanced behind her.
Ye Ming had fallen asleep on top of her.
"You!"
Keqing was furious, but she quickly adjusted her mindset.
She couldn't give up!
If she gave up today, where would she find such a good opportunity again!?
Was she supposed to abandon the finish line, run back, and start the race over with Ganyu, Hu Tao, and the others?
No! Absolutely not!
She had to take the initiative!
Strong execution had always been a quality Keqing took pride in, and this time would be no different.
Keqing rolled Ye Ming to one side, got up and took off his shoes, then laid him properly on the bed. Afterward, she removed her own shoes, climbed onto the bed, knelt beside him, and stared at Ye Ming's sleeping face with wandering eyes, momentarily lost in thought.
All right, even someone as decisive as Keqing still felt afraid and embarrassed when faced with this sort of thing—or rather, when actually doing it. Of course, she was also a little lost.
Before you continue