Volume One, Chapter 15: Intoxication

Sitting inside the car, Fu Mingchi gazed through the window at Ye Zhaoying, who was chatting and laughing with Lu Jingchen, his chest burning with jealousy until it felt like it would explode.

The surge of envy nearly overwhelmed him.

Suddenly, Fu Mingchi recalled the night he drugged Ye Zhaoying—she had disappeared without a trace, didn’t return home, and when she reappeared before him, her clothes were disheveled and her complexion off.

Considering her recent coldness toward him and her resistance to marriage, a dark thought pierced Fu Mingchi’s mind.

Had Ye Zhaoying grown close to Lu Jingchen? Had she perhaps already been with him?

She had been so good to him before, but now, upon meeting the wealthier Lu Jingchen, she was eager to cast him aside!

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, his chest heaving wildly. With a punch to the steering wheel, a violent aura radiated from him as his eyes locked onto the restaurant entrance, murderous in their intensity.

Ye Zhaoying had refused to let him touch her for three years; last time, she had resisted so fiercely she even injured him.

This time, he was determined to find out if Ye Zhaoying was still innocent...

This evening, with Manager Yuan hosting, a lavish private room had been reserved.

Originally a dinner to celebrate the collaboration between DL Company and Morninglight Studio, Lu Jingchen’s arrival had made him the center of attention.

It was the first time Manager Yuan’s group had managed to get Lu Jingchen to dine with them; flattery came easily, and toasts were lined up one after another.

Ye Zhaoying was no exception, but since she didn’t drink, she could only lift the teacup beside her.

After everyone had toasted in turn, Ye Zhaoying slowly approached Lu Jingchen.

“Mr. Lu, I don’t drink alcohol, so I offer you tea instead. I hope you’ll understand,” she said, raising her cup.

Lu Jingchen gave no noticeable reaction, only staring at her, which made Ye Zhaoying uneasy.

It was the first time she saw Lu Jingchen like this—he was probably drunk. His skin remained pale and flawless, but his eyes were hazy, less sharp than usual, like a mist-covered lake at dawn—mysterious and tranquil.

His naturally red lips, tinted deeper by traces of wine, gave him an inexplicable, almost demonic allure, like a vampire count lurking in the night.

They were standing close. Lu Jingchen’s features were strikingly clear, flawless even when viewed up close, his skin delicate and smooth with only fine, barely visible peach fuzz.

It was the kind of complexion any woman would envy.

Startled, Ye Zhaoying nervously averted her gaze.

For some reason, her ears burned as if wings brushed against her heart.

A faint, elusive smile curved Lu Jingchen’s lips. At last, he made a move—slowly lifting his cup from the side and gently clinking it against Ye Zhaoying’s.

At the instant their glasses touched, Lu Jingchen’s fingertips grazed the back of Ye Zhaoying’s hand.

A jolt shot through her, as if a slow current of electricity spread from the point of contact throughout her body.

Her heart skipped a beat. Hastily, she steadied herself, withdrew her hand, and drained the tea in one gulp.

Perhaps due to the swift movement or the cup being too full, some tea spilled over.

By the end of the dinner, everyone except Ye Zhaoying and Xiao Li was drunk, including Lu Jingchen.

“Miss Ye, it’s a bit late. I’ll escort you back,” Qin Li called out as Ye Zhaoying prepared to leave. Beside him stood the intoxicated Lu Jingchen.

“No, it’s too much trouble. Xiao Li and I will just take a taxi,” Ye Zhaoying declined politely.

Qin Li insisted, “It’s not troublesome. It’s not safe for two ladies to take a taxi at this hour.”

Ye Zhaoying had no choice but to agree. “Alright, then it’s a favor to Mr. Lu and Assistant Qin.”

Because of his drunkenness, though Lu Jingchen could still walk, Qin Li supported him carefully.

When they reached the parking lot, Qin Li’s phone suddenly rang. He answered, frowning. “Okay, Mr. Lu is drunk. I’ll head over immediately.”

Ye Zhaoying saw his troubled expression and asked with concern as he hung up, “What’s wrong?”

“Sorry, Miss Ye. Something urgent came up at the company. Since Mr. Lu is drunk, he can’t go. I have to handle it. The driver has already left. Can you drive? Could you please take Mr. Lu home?”

Ye Zhaoying hesitated, glancing at the silent Lu Jingchen beside her.

He was an investor, after all. It wouldn’t be right not to help.

“I can drive. You should go handle your business. I’ll make sure Mr. Lu gets home safely.”

“Thank you so much. I’ll send you the address,” Qin Li said gratefully before hurrying off.

Now, only Ye Zhaoying, Lu Jingchen, and Xiao Li remained.

She wasn’t sure how Lu Jingchen would behave when drunk, but so far, he seemed much like usual.

Still, she carefully stepped forward, extending her hand. “Mr. Lu, let me help you into the car.”

Lu Jingchen nodded slightly and raised his arm, allowing her to support him.

Xiao Li opened the front passenger door. As Ye Zhaoying helped him in, she shielded the car roof with her left hand, worried he might bump his head.

Standing so close, the faint scent of lemon mingled with the subtle aroma of alcohol wafted from Lu Jingchen, like a bewitching fragrance that momentarily distracted Ye Zhaoying.

When he settled inside, a few soft strands of hair brushed against her palm, tickling her like feathers.

Her breath faltered uncontrollably. Hastily, she closed the door and took the driver’s seat. Xiao Li climbed in as well.

Starting the engine, the dashboard alerted that the passenger seatbelt was unfastened.

Ye Zhaoying turned and softly reminded, “Mr. Lu, please fasten your seatbelt.”

“Mm,” Lu Jingchen murmured, raising his hand to grab it, but perhaps due to his drunken state, his vision blurred and his movements uncoordinated, he fumbled several times.

Without thinking, Ye Zhaoying leaned over to help. As she reached for the seatbelt, Lu Jingchen’s hand was still on it, and she grasped the back of his hand.

The cool touch stunned her for a moment.

Their closeness brought her face nearly flush against the fabric of his shirt, and his warmth and breath enveloped her suddenly.

“Sorry,” Ye Zhaoying murmured, awkwardly releasing his hand and hurriedly fastening the seatbelt for him.

Only when she straightened up did she finally breathe freely.

Her flushed cheeks took over ten minutes to fade.

She stared rigidly ahead, too nervous to glance sideways, unaware that in the dim corner, the once-straight line of Lu Jingchen’s lips curved into a faint smile.