Our Love, A Public Service - Chapter 35
Chapter 35
“How did you two get this drunk?”
When Jing Rui arrived at the bar, Chi Jia was slumped over the counter, an empty glass in her hand, while Ning Qian was still drinking. Being a seasoned professional, Ning Qian’s alcohol tolerance was much higher than the younger girl’s.
Ning Qian tried to point at Jing Rui, but completely drunk, she just pointed at the air and slurred, “Jing Rui, you made this mess… clean it up yourself!”
Jing Rui sighed.
“Let’s go, I’ll take you home.” Chi Jia was completely wasted, and when Jing Rui put her arm around her, she didn’t even know who it was, mistaking her for Ning Qian, and stood up. Ning Qian was slightly more sober, able to walk, albeit unsteadily, her staggering gait comical.
Jing Rui looked at the two of them, a complete mess. They had their fun, then called her to clean up after them. Thankfully, she had brought her driver tonight, who could at least help out a little; otherwise, dealing with two drunks would be a real headache.
In the backseat of the car, Jing Rui sat in the middle, Chi Jia and Ning Qian leaning against her, one on each side, their arms around hers, mumbling incoherently, reeking of alcohol.
“Mmm…”
“Wen Jin…”
“Jing Rui…”
“Wen Jin…”
“Jing Rui…”
“Mmm…”
Sandwiched between the two, Jing Rui was subjected to their drunken ramblings, a “stereo surround sound” of nonsense. Both Chi Jia and Ning Qian were handfuls when drunk, and together, they were a force to be reckoned with.
The driver wanted to laugh, but maintaining his professionalism, he suppressed his amusement, asking cautiously, “Ms. Jing, where to?”
Jing Rui told the driver to take Ning Qian home first. She wasn’t taking Ning Qian back to her place; that night, after getting drunk, Ning Qian had cried, made a scene, and lashed out at everyone. Jing Rui was traumatized.
After dropping Ning Qian off, they went to Chi Jia’s place.
As soon as they were back in the car, Chi Jia snuggled into Jing Rui’s arms like a kitten, her head resting on Jing Rui’s shoulder, her nose nuzzling against her neck. Jing Rui lowered her head; this was a familiar position from their intimate moments.
Chi Jia was relatively quiet, occasionally mumbling, the familiar scent so comforting that she instinctively nuzzled closer.
Chi Jia’s cool lips lightly brushed against the warm skin of Jing Rui’s neck. Jing Rui didn’t push her away, letting her cling to her. When Chi Jia softly sighed “Jing Rui,” Jing Rui’s heart skipped a beat. She put her arm around Chi Jia, steadying her swaying body, and whispered, “How much did you drink?”
“Mmm~~~” Recognizing the familiar scent, Chi Jia hugged Jing Rui tighter, humming softly like a spoiled child. Chi Jia usually projected a tough, independent image; if she weren’t drunk, she wouldn’t be acting so soft and clingy.
Deep down, she craved care and attention, despite her claims of not needing it.
Chi Jia’s messy hair covered her fair face, her features barely visible.
Jing Rui gently brushed Chi Jia’s hair aside. Her face, bare of makeup, looked tired, her brow furrowed. Jing Rui gazed at her intently. It wasn’t the most beautiful face she had ever seen, but it was comforting, especially her smile, always drawing Jing Rui’s gaze.
Chi Jia slept all the way to her apartment.
“We’re here, get out.”
“Mmm,” Chi Jia mumbled as she got out of the car, her eyes still closed, asking foolishly, “How did you know where I live…?”
This wasn’t the first time Jing Rui had taken Chi Jia home.
She had been to Chi Jia’s apartment before, a small but cozy studio. That night, as soon as they entered, before even taking off their high heels, Jing Rui had pressed Chi Jia against the wall and kissed her, as if certain she wouldn’t be rejected. Once they started kissing, Chi Jia had been even more eager than Jing Rui, quickly undressing her. That night, they naturally ended up in bed.
Chi Jia had never rejected Jing Rui’s advances, even though she always verbally protested, she always responded passionately. She was a master of saying one thing and meaning another with Jing Rui, because although she knew it was wrong, she genuinely enjoyed it.
Jing Rui opened the door and turned on the lights.
The apartment was messy, just like the last time she was here, typical Miss Chi, always impeccably dressed in public, but her living space was a mess.
Jing Rui helped Chi Jia take off her coat and led her to the bed.
“I want water…” Chi Jia mumbled, rubbing her head.
Jing Rui stood by the bed, looking at the woman lying there, thinking she must have owed this innocent girl something in a past life, to be constantly taking care of Miss Chi like this.
Jing Rui took off her own coat, went to the kitchen to pour a glass of water, sat down on the edge of the bed, and helped Chi Jia drink.
Chi Jia drank too quickly, some of the water spilling down the corner of her mouth.
“Drink slowly.”
“Mmm…” Chi Jia opened her eyes, her vision blurry, looking at the person in front of her. It looked like Jing Rui. Still dizzy, she thought she was dreaming. She cupped Jing Rui’s face in her hands, studying her features, then said with a pout, “Vixen, you’re seducing me again…”
Jing Rui looked into Chi Jia’s eyes. Was Ning Qian right? Had Chi Jia drunk so much because of her? Chi Jia had indeed been calling her name on the way here, only her name. Jing Rui knew Chi Jia had feelings for her, but she didn’t know it was this intense.
There were many women who felt this way about her, and Jing Rui never took it to heart. Whether they were happy or sad, it was their own choice. But seeing Chi Jia’s vulnerable expression, Jing Rui felt a pang of guilt. She gently wiped the water from the corner of Chi Jia’s mouth, her voice softening. “If you can’t handle it, then drink less. How many times have I told you that?”
“Vixen…” Chi Jia blushed, grabbing Jing Rui’s hand as she wiped her face, her gaze fixed on Jing Rui’s. After a moment, she suddenly embraced Jing Rui, holding her tightly.
As Chi Jia hugged her, their faces brushed against each other, their lips almost touching. Inhaling the familiar, intoxicating fragrance, Chi Jia turned her head and gently kissed Jing Rui’s lips, each soft touch filled with longing, her embrace tight, but her kiss gentle.
Jing Rui also embraced Chi Jia, her eyes closing as Chi Jia kissed her. Their lips, initially cool, warmed against each other. Jing Rui stroked Chi Jia’s hair, her own lips parting as the kiss deepened.
Was this what it felt like to care about someone? Ning Qian had said that she could treat breakups so casually because she never truly cared about anyone, only herself.
This kiss felt different from all their previous kisses. Although Chi Jia was drunk, this time, as they kissed, they were both thinking of each other.
As the kiss grew more passionate, Chi Jia suddenly pushed Jing Rui away, murmuring, “Jing Rui, you’re seducing me again…”
She was the one who initiated the kiss, and she was the one who pushed her away. Jing Rui felt utterly exasperated by Chi Jia.
“Jing Rui… didn’t you say you wanted to pursue me… then why are you sleeping with other women…?”
“When did I sleep with other women?”
“You… still denying it… I saw it…” Chi Jia leaned against Jing Rui, her eyes closing as she drifted off to sleep, her voice fading into a mumble, then silence.
Jing Rui was lost in thought, helping Chi Jia lie down on the bed. Chi Jia clung to her waist, refusing to let go.
“Jing Rui… I like you…”
Jing Rui froze, listening to Chi Jia’s drunken confession.
“I must be blind…”
Jing Rui: “…”.
“Starting tomorrow… I won’t like you anymore… you can go find other women… it has nothing to do with me… it never did…”
After a moment of silence, Chi Jia continued.
“Why would I like you? I’m afraid…” Chi Jia hugged Jing Rui tighter. “I can’t come out, I can’t like a woman…”
The thought of coming out had crossed Chi Jia’s mind because she realized her feelings for Jing Rui were different; she had never felt this way about any of her exes. When Jiang Shen cheated on her, she had been angry, but it was just a matter of breaking up. But seeing Jing Rui with other women, the sadness almost overwhelmed the anger. She and Jing Rui weren’t even in a relationship.
Jing Rui looked at Chi Jia for a long time, gently stroking her hair, then kissed her forehead softly.
Chi Jia hugged Jing Rui even tighter, clinging to her like a child.
The driver had been waiting downstairs for almost half an hour, not daring to call his boss. A minute later, his phone finally rang. “You can go, I’ll be staying here tonight.”
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