Xuanyi's Visit

As Su Baichen's thoughts raced, plotting how to pave Cao Ying's path to becoming a powerhouse and considering the challenges they might face in the future, the heavy wooden door to the room creaked open as someone gently pushed it from outside, interrupting his contemplation.

Su Baichen turned toward the sound and saw a familiar figure entering with several jars of wine, illuminated by the moonlight and the corridor lamps.

It was Xuanyi. Today, she was not wearing the solemn robes that represented her high status within the Danta, but only a simple moon-white dress. Her dark hair was casually pinned up, leaving her with less of her usual authority and more of a rarely seen softness.

A flicker of surprise crossed Su Baichen's eyes. He rose to greet her, casually taking two of the rather heavy-looking wine jars from her hands as he asked in confusion, "Xuanyi, what is this...?"

Xuanyi gently set the remaining wine jars from her arms onto the rosewood table in the middle of the room. After patting her hands clean, she finally raised her eyes to Su Baichen.

Her cheeks seemed somewhat rosier than usual. It was unclear whether it was from the effort of carrying the wine jars or some other reason.

She cleared her throat, trying to make her voice sound natural. "Tomorrow, you'll be leaving the Danta to travel abroad. Once we part, who knows when we'll meet again?"

"I... I specially found a few jars of 'Zuixian Niang' that have been stored away for years, so we could have a drink! Tonight, we won't go home until we're drunk!"

There was a deliberately crafted boldness in her tone, yet beneath it, her eyes held a trace of barely noticeable nervousness and anticipation.

Hearing this, Su Baichen did not answer immediately. He merely looked at her quietly.

Moonlight filtered through the window lattice, outlining the lovely profile of her face. Her clear, intelligent eyes, usually so composed, now seemed to ripple with a shimmer even more intoxicating than wine.

He felt that something about Xuanyi tonight was off, though he could not say exactly what it was.

Was it the brightness in her eyes, greater than usual?

Was it the faint trembling beneath her forced composure?

Or was it this sudden declaration of "not going home until drunk," so unlike her normally steady manner?

Xuanyi grew uncomfortable beneath his gaze, her cheeks burning hotter by the second, fortunately concealed by the flush of alcohol.

Seeing that Su Baichen only stared at her without speaking, her heart pounded wildly. Afraid that he might see through her thoughts, she became embarrassed and annoyed, raising her voice to conceal her guilty conscience. "Hey! Su Baichen, are you drinking or not? Give me a straight answer! It wasn't easy for me to get this Zuixian Niang from a friend. Other people wouldn't get so much as a taste even if they begged!"

Watching her act fierce despite clearly being nervous, like a little beast guarding its food, the last traces of Su Baichen's doubts suddenly vanished, replaced by an indescribable softness and impulse.

He had already intended to do and say something before leaving. Now that the beauty had come bearing fine wine, was this not fate?

The corners of his lips curved into a gentle smile, helpless yet indulgent, as he said softly, "All right. Since Elder Xuanyi is being so generous, how could Su refuse? Tonight, I'll drink to my heart's content with you."

The moment Xuanyi heard that, her face lit up in a smile, as though a tremendous burden had instantly fallen from her shoulders. She hurriedly stuffed an unopened jar into Su Baichen's arms, then deftly slapped the clay seal off another. A rich, mellow fragrance of wine immediately filled the room.

"Drink!" She raised her wine jar, brimming with heroic spirit.

Su Baichen no longer hesitated. Taking the wine jar, he tipped his head back and swallowed a large mouthful.

The fiery yet sweet liquid slid down his throat, warmth rapidly spreading through his chest and abdomen. As he drank, he caught Xuanyi nervously watching him from the corner of his eye, seemingly checking whether he was secretly using Dou Qi to dispel the alcohol's effects.

Su Baichen laughed inwardly and simply relaxed, allowing the potency of the wine to rise freely.

Seeing that Su Baichen was indeed drinking honestly without using Dou Qi, Xuanyi revealed a sly smile as if her scheme had succeeded. Reassured, she raised her own wine jar and imitated Su Baichen, taking large gulps. The clear wine entered her mouth, yet it tasted sweeter than honey.

Xuanyi's thoughts at this moment: Tonight was the night. This was my last chance!

Once he leaves tomorrow, mountains and rivers will lie between us. Who knows what year or month we'll meet again?

This blockhead! A confession is supposed to be initiated by the man. Was I, a girl, supposed to say it first? How embarrassing would that be?

We've been together for so many years, and our hearts have long understood each other. He must like me too, yet he just refuses to tear through that last layer of paper! It's enough to drive me mad!

Hmph, if that's the case, don't blame me for using some "extraordinary measures."

Tonight, I'll make you speak the truth while drunk. Better yet... better yet, turn raw rice into cooked rice! Hehe, let's see where you can run then!

At that thought, a crimson blush spread across Xuanyi's face. Unconsciously, she drank even faster, as though the wine were the source of courage that would help her fulfill her wish.

Su Baichen's thoughts at this moment: What perfect timing. I was worrying about what excuse I could use to be alone with her before leaving and say what had been bottled up in my heart, yet she came to me herself.

And she even brought wine... this was simply a heaven-sent opportunity! Fine, it saved me from racking my brains over how to begin.

This was my first time doing something like this, so of course I was a little nervous, and thin-skinned too. With the strength of this wine, I could gather some courage, say what needed to be said, and do what needed to be done... well, I'd play it by ear!

With that thought, Su Baichen felt his heartbeat quicken and a surge of heat sweep through his body. Even his drinking became more uninhibited.

Each harbored their own thoughts, yet they were perfectly in sync. Neither used even a trace of Dou Qi to resist the effects of the alcohol. Jar after jar was emptied, and more and more empty wine jars accumulated on the table.

Zuixian Niang truly lived up to its reputation, its aftereffects remarkably potent. In less than half an hour, several jars of fine wine had been drained dry.

Su Baichen and Xuanyi sat facing each other, their faces flushed with captivating redness, their gazes unfocused, and the rich scent of alcohol lingering in every breath.

The powerful intoxication battered their reason without pause, their consciousnesses flickering like candles in the wind.

"Ba... Baichen."

Xuanyi felt dizzy and weak all over. She barely managed to prop herself against the table, lifting her hazy eyes to look at the blurred yet unforgettable figure across from her. Her tongue tangled as she said, "I... I have something I want to tell you."

Su Baichen was not doing much better. He struggled to focus his gaze on Xuanyi, whose cheeks were crimson and whose eyes shimmered with alluring charm. She seemed even more beautiful than usual.

He shook his heavy head and answered with a slur, "What a... what a coincidence... Xuanyi, I... I do too. I have something I want to tell you too."

At once, enormous joy and anticipation surged through Xuanyi's heart, as though the alcohol had sobered her by a fraction. Struggling to retain her last shred of clarity, she said softly, her tone both encouraging and urging, "Uh... then, then all right... you, you say it first! You say it first!"

She held her breath, her heart thudding wildly as she waited to hear the words she had awaited through countless days and nights from Su Baichen's lips.

"All right... I'll, I'll say it first!"

Su Baichen drew a deep breath, as though gathering every ounce of strength in his body. Swaying, he stood up and braced both hands against the table, leaning forward as his burning gaze fixed upon Xuanyi's intoxicated eyes. Word by word, clearly yet awkwardly, he said:

"Xuanyi! I... I like you! I like you so much... so much!"

"I've liked you... liked you for years!"

Those few sentences seemed to drain every bit of courage from him. After saying them, Su Baichen felt as though his face were on fire, even the tips of his ears turning bright red.

This was the first time in his two lifetimes that he had confessed so directly to a woman he loved.

In his previous life, he had been a lonely man who had never even held a girl's hand. When it came to matters of the heart, the Su Baichen within was still a pure yet clumsy fool of a young man.

And in this life, he had actually said it! He, Su Baichen, had confessed to Xuanyi, whom he had silently loved for so long!