I'll take him home

In the end, it was Qi Su who cleared up everyone's confusion over the awkward question.

He was the one who had started it all. He had meant well, never imagining things would take such an awkward turn.

Once the eldest and the others understood what had happened, they exchanged looks. A few seconds later, they glared at Qi Su, then worked together to smooth things over.

The second eldest even casually tugged Cheng Yue aside and plopped down between them, putting some distance between the two.

Cheng Yuxuan turned his face away and gave a discreet smile. He had never expected to succeed in one go anyway. He knew very well that some things couldn't be rushed.

The friend he had arranged to meet earlier chose that moment to approach. Both sides were eager to liven up the atmosphere, and after some back-and-forth conversation, the earlier awkwardness vanished.

They were all adults around the same age. A few drinks dispelled their unfamiliarity, and everyone gathered to play games again.

Cheng Yue had good luck, winning more than he lost, but he couldn't hold his liquor. After only a few rounds, he voluntarily bowed out of the drinking.

After a short rest, it was time to call it a night, and the group crowded out of the bar.

Qi Su was a seasoned drinker, so this amount was nothing to him. He tossed his keys to the designated driver and asked him to bring the car around.

"All right, don't worry about it. I'll take him home."

Qi Su supported the unfocused Cheng Yue and let him lean against a utility pole, then turned and waved the eldest and the others off.

"Remember to let the group chat know you got home safely."

The others were long used to this. After a few reminders, they each went to find their cars and head home.

Qi Su's car wasn't parked far away, yet he had finished a whole cigarette without seeing any sign of it. He craned his neck to look and happened to spot the designated driver hurrying toward him.

"There seems to be a problem with your car. You'd better come take a look."

Seeing how flustered he was, Qi Su grew nervous too. He had only taken two steps when he remembered Cheng Yue, who was still clinging to the utility pole.

"Don't wander off. Wait here for me... Never mind, come with me."

Qi Su might seem carefree, but he wasn't clueless. His Cheng Yue was so good-looking; it would be disastrous if someone picked him up while he was drunk.

Though Cheng Yue had drunk a little too much, he could still walk. He followed Qi Su unsteadily to the car, and before he had even found his footing, a piercing shout exploded beside his ear.

"Fuck! Who the hell did this?!"

Qi Su stared at the footprint dented into the car's body, so furious his hair practically stood on end.

"Goddammit! I just had my baby polished!"

This was a street lined with bars, and drunkards were the last thing it lacked. As everyone knew, drunk people could do absolutely anything when they went wild.

Fortunately, there were cameras everywhere. He couldn't disturb the scene, or it would be hard to establish what had happened later. Cursing all the while, Qi Su called the police.

Seeing that they wouldn't be leaving anytime soon, the designated driver quietly mounted his little bike and went off to find another booking.

Just as Qi Su was debating whether to have Cheng Yue wait in the car or get him a taxi home first, a black Hummer pulled up.

The window rolled down, revealing Cheng Yuxuan in the passenger seat-the very person they had parted ways with earlier.

"Qi Su, did something happen?"

At the sight of him, Qi Su's eyes immediately lit up.

"Don't worry, Qi Su. I'll get him home safely."

Still dizzy, Cheng Yue hadn't caught their conversation and assumed Qi Su would be coming with them.

Only when the car slowly pulled away did he realize Qi Su wasn't inside.

"Huh? Qi Su hasn't gotten in yet."

Cheng Yuxuan turned back from the passenger seat, his voice gently coaxing. "He still has to deal with his car. He can't leave right now."

The blue-haired young man in the back seat was strikingly handsome. With the alcohol affecting him, his soulful brown eyes looked hazy as he gazed over.

Cheng Yuxuan's heart suddenly skipped a beat. He unconsciously licked his lips, and when he spoke again, his voice was rough. "Cheng Yue, do you know who I am?"

His question received no answer. Cheng Yue had closed his eyes and leaned against the seat, seemingly asleep.

The mottled light from the streetlamps swept across his face without leaving a trace.

Cheng Yuxuan opened his mouth, swallowed what he had wanted to say, then turned back and took a sip of bottled water, letting out a helpless chuckle.

Silence filled the car. In the back seat, Cheng Yue pretended to sleep while inwardly cursing Qi Su up and down.

He had sobered up shortly after the car set off. Before he could even get his bearings, he heard Cheng Yuxuan's words and promptly shut his eyes.

There was no point in suddenly waking up now. Cheng Yue could only keep playing dead to the end.

He had figured it out: Qi Su had been born to be his nemesis!

A cleansing bath and some incense could wait no longer. He made up his mind to find a temple on his next day off and properly rid himself of this bad luck.

There were no more mishaps this time, and they arrived without incident. Cheng Yue forced himself to wait until the car stopped before pretending to wake up, bleary-eyed.

"Sorry for all the trouble tonight. Thanks."

Without waiting for a response, Cheng Yue eagerly jumped out of the car and politely thanked him.

Cheng Yuxuan smiled and glanced toward the residential complex. "It's only right. I'm partly responsible for you drinking too much. It's late, so let me walk you in."

Of course Cheng Yue wouldn't agree. He hurriedly refused. "No need. I can get back on my own."

He thought he had made his stance clear, but to his surprise, Cheng Yuxuan insisted on walking him in, claiming he was worried Cheng Yue might fall.

Cheng Yue's head was starting to pound, and his voice was full of exasperation. "Young Master Cheng, there's really no need. I can manage on my own. You should hurry home."

As the two remained at an impasse, a cold voice suddenly rang out across the empty street.

"Cheng Yue."

Ji Huaijin wore a gray shirt with the sleeves rolled up over his long forearms, and black dress trousers that encased his long, straight legs. Under their differing gazes, he approached one step at a time.

Surprise filled Cheng Yue's face. "What are you doing here?"

If he remembered correctly, it was almost two in the morning. Why was this man outside his residential complex in the middle of the night instead of sleeping? Counting stars?

Ji Huaijin's gaze swept inch by inch over that exquisite face. It felt different from the photos; seeing him in person made the liveliness of his features and the fullness of his contours all the more striking.

His gaze gradually dropped. A black leather collar crossed the prominent Adam's apple, partly concealing it, tugging at the heart.

Ji Huaijin rubbed the knuckle of his ring finger. In the darkness of the night, the meaning hidden deep in his inky eyes was impossible to discern.

Cheng Yuxuan looked at this man, whose entire bearing was extraordinary, and asked in confusion, "And you are?"

Ji Huaijin stepped forward and supported Cheng Yue's arm, his movements unhurried. He lifted his eyes, his expression cool. "No need to trouble yourself. I'll take him home."

He had no intention of introducing himself.

Cheng Yuxuan froze for a moment.

The twenty-three-year-old university student, only just entering the adult world, was utterly overwhelmed by the thirty-one-year-old mature man.

The night breeze was cool, and Cheng Yue suddenly shivered.

"Ah, right. He can take me back. It's getting late, Young Master Cheng. You should hurry home."