The Consequences of Getting Drunk

The late-night dinner was still going on, with noise and laughter filling the private room. Gu Yue lay slumped over one corner of the round table, her cheeks flushed red. Her usually cool purple eyes were half-open and half-closed, unfocused and hazy. Every slow flutter of her lashes seemed to carry the weight of her drunkenness. She mumbled indistinctly, "Wulin... I... dizzy..."

Tang Wulin, seated beside her, immediately leaned closer, his brows knitting with concern. He picked up his untouched glass of water and held it to her lips. "Gu Yue, how are you? Have some water." Gu Yue seemed to hear him and reluctantly propped up her heavy head with an arm, taking a few small sips. The cool liquid slid down her throat, bringing a fleeting moment of clarity. She shook her head, her long black hair brushing across Tang Wulin's hand as she tried to dispel the persistent fog in her mind. "...A little better," she murmured, though her voice was still soft and weak.

Tang Wulin looked over at the others, who were still in high spirits—Xie Xie was telling a joke with exaggerated gestures, Xu Xiaoyan and Xu Lizhi were laughing together, Yuanen Yehui and Le Zhengyu were arguing about something, while Ye Xinglan quietly sipped her drink, amusement in her eyes. He withdrew his gaze and decisively stood up. "I'll take Gu Yue back to the dorm to rest first. You all keep going."

"Got it, Boss!" Xie Xie was the first to respond, waggling his eyebrows. "Go on, but come back soon!"

Tang Wulin ignored his teasing tone. He walked around to Gu Yue's side, carefully supporting her arm and helping her up from the chair. Gu Yue's body leaned limply against him, nearly pressing most of her weight onto him. They staggered forward a few steps, but just as they reached the private room's door, Gu Yue's legs suddenly gave out and she pitched forward.

"Gu Yue!" Tang Wulin cried out. His arms tightened instantly, barely managing to catch her. Gu Yue's head rested in the crook of his shoulder, her warm breath brushing against his neck, carrying a faint scent of alcohol and her own distinct cool fragrance. She seemed startled as well, shaking her head groggily. "I'm... I'm fine..."

Seeing that she could not even stand steadily, Tang Wulin lowered his head to look at her tightly shut eyes and slightly furrowed brows. He glanced at the still-noisy group in the distance, gently clenched his teeth, and made up his mind. Bending down, he slid one arm beneath her knees and the other securely behind her back. With a little effort, he lifted Gu Yue into his arms.

The sudden loss of footing made Gu Yue let out a soft grunt. Her arms instinctively wrapped around Tang Wulin's neck, and she buried her head deeper into his embrace, searching for a secure point of support.

This sudden princess carry was like a stone thrown into a calm—though not actually calm—lake. The room fell silent for a moment before erupting into even greater commotion.

"Wow—!" Led by Xie Xie, six pairs of eyes widened in unison, gleaming with excitement and gossip.

"Juicy! This is huge!" Xu Xiaoyan was the first to react, excitedly slapping Le Zhengyu's arm.

"Quick! Take pictures! Evidence! We need evidence!" Xie Xie fumbled for his phone, and the others seemed to snap out of it, quickly following suit. For a moment, the room filled with the clicks and chimes of unlocked screens and camera apps opening. Le Zhengyu even let out a loud whistle.

Tang Wulin's cheeks visibly reddened, whether from embarrassment or something else. He did not dare look at the six troublemakers, nor did he dare lower his head to look at Gu Yue, who seemed to stir slightly because of the noise. He merely tightened his arms around her, as though he were holding some fragile treasure—or a burning-hot ember. He practically fled, turning and pushing open the not-quite-closed door with his shoulder before rushing into the dimly lit corridor outside with hurried yet steady steps.

The streets were deserted in the dead of night, with only sparse streetlights casting dim yellow halos. A cold gust of wind swept past, and the person in his arms unconsciously curled closer to his chest, letting out a muffled hum. Tang Wulin instinctively tightened his arms, supporting Gu Yue more securely as he quickened his pace.

"Gu Yue, hang in there. We're almost there." His voice sounded especially gentle in the silence. Gu Yue seemed to hear him, or perhaps she did not. She merely buried her face into the hollow of his neck and mumbled something indistinctly, her warm breath brushing over his skin.

The dormitory building was silent, its hallway lights switching on automatically. Tang Wulin stopped outside Gu Yue's room and carefully lowered her enough for her to stand against him. Supporting her with one hand, he reached into the side pocket of her coat with the other.

His fingertips touched cool metal. He gently pulled out the key and, by the weak light, guided it into the lock. The lock clicked softly, and the door opened.

A familiar scent, carrying a faint sweetness, washed over him. Tang Wulin helped Gu Yue into the room and nudged the door shut with his foot. The main light was off. Only a small night lamp on the desk gave off a soft warm glow, bathing the room in a cozy, tranquil orange.

His gaze swept over the room out of habit. A small potted plant by the window showed only a hazy outline in the night. The bookshelves were packed full, while the conspicuous large snack box beneath the bed sat half-open, still stuffed with all kinds of packaged snacks. It seemed Gu Yue had not been neglecting herself at all.

The corners of Tang Wulin's lips lifted unconsciously. He walked to the bed and gently laid Gu Yue down, pulling over the folded blanket and carefully covering her before tucking in the edges. Her breathing had already become steady and deep, her cheeks tinted a faint pink beneath the night lamp. A few strands of hair clung to her forehead. Tang Wulin watched for a while, and once he was sure she was sleeping peacefully, he prepared to leave. But just as he moved, a warm hand suddenly grabbed his wrist.

That hand did not grip him tightly; it was even somewhat limp, yet it held on with stubborn refusal to let go. Gu Yue's eyes remained closed, her long lashes casting faint shadows beneath them. Her lips moved slightly as she unconsciously murmured, "Wulin... don't go..."

Her voice was soft, carrying the drowsy fuzziness of sleep, yet it was like a small stone falling into Tang Wulin's heart, sending faint ripples outward. He froze, lowering his head to look at the hand clutching his wrist. Her fingertips were neatly trimmed, her nails a healthy pale pink. He sighed inwardly, feeling helpless, but even more so an indescribable softness. He raised his other hand and gently patted the back of Gu Yue's hand, lowering his voice further as though afraid of disturbing her dream. "All right. I won't leave."

Having received his answer, that hand seemed to relax slightly, but it still did not let go. Tang Wulin had no choice but to sit down on the carpet beside the bed, leaning against its edge. Gu Yue still held his wrist. Turning slightly, he looked at her peaceful sleeping face and found the situation both amusing and strangely comforting. Then his pocket gave a faint vibration, followed by a crisp notification chime.

Using his free left hand, Tang Wulin pulled out his phone. The screen's glow was somewhat glaring in the dim room. It was a message from Xie Xie in the small group chat containing only the eight of them: "Boss, why aren't you back yet? We're waiting for you to keep drinking!"

Tang Wulin could practically picture Xie Xie's eyebrow-waggling expression. He smiled silently, his gaze falling upon the wrist Gu Yue was holding. An idea came to him. He raised his phone, adjusted the angle, and with a click, took a picture. The photo showed only his hand, the wrist Gu Yue was tightly clutching, one corner of a dark blue blanket, and a few strands of dark purple hair scattered beside the pillow. He tapped the screen and sent the picture to the group.

Almost instantly, the previously quiet chat exploded.

Le Zhengyu was the first to jump in, sending three exclamation marks in a row. "Wow! What am I looking at?!"

Xu Xiaoyan followed right after with an emoji covering its face with both hands. "This scene is too beautiful. I don't dare look..."

Ye Xinglan was concise as ever. "Opportunity."

Xu Lizhi sent a grinning emoji. "Boss, take good care of Sister Gu Yue."

Xie Xie simply began spamming the chat. "Boss! Seize the opportunity! The future is in your hands!" "Does this count as an official relationship announcement?" "Need your brother here to keep watch? We won't be coming back tonight!"

Watching the teasing and cheers race across the screen, Tang Wulin felt his ears grow hot, his cheeks warming as well. His fingers flew over the keyboard as he typed and sent, "Once she wakes up and sees these messages, every last one of you will pay for it." After sending that obvious threat, he decisively turned off his phone screen, slipped the phone back into his pocket, and decided to ignore those troublemakers who loved stirring up drama.

The room returned to silence, with only Gu Yue's soft, even breathing audible. Tang Wulin turned back, his gaze settling on her face once again. The warm night-light glow coated her fair skin in a gentle radiance, and her features looked as though they had been exquisitely sculpted. His eyes traced her brows, her eyes, her nose bridge, and finally rested upon her softly pressed lips.

As if possessed, he lifted his free hand. His fingertips gently brushed away several strands of hair stuck to her cheek and tucked them behind her ear. The pads of his fingers accidentally grazed her skin, which felt smooth and slightly cool.

Just as his fingers withdrew, he suddenly noticed that at some point, the corners of Gu Yue's previously peaceful lips had quietly curved into the faintest smile. It was a tiny curve, like the natural smile that surfaced during a sweet dream—shallow, yet seeming to carry the warmth of sunlight. In an instant, it soothed the deepest part of Tang Wulin's heart.

He paused, looking at that smile, and could not help smiling faintly himself. He remained in that position quietly, his gentle gaze resting on her face.