Returning - Chapter 33
Chapter 33: Love Trap
In the end, the "drunk" Zhao Yu was sent home by a male colleague who hadn't touched a drop of alcohol.
After the dinner ended, everyone went their separate ways. She and Xu Chengyan maintained their estranged relationship of unequal status—the kind where they couldn't even exchange a word—each going their own path.
She was basically certain that he still wouldn't expose her true nature in front of others.
Before, it was because he didn't want to waste energy on someone like her; it was beneath him. But now, he probably thoroughly enjoyed that feeling of superiority and thrill—the masses are drunk while I alone remain sober, the only one who knows her real face.
When she returned to the apartment, Xue Zi'ang was already inside waiting.
He had also attended a dinner that evening and hadn't gotten drunk. After arriving at her apartment, he'd even sent her a message, but she hadn't replied.
Watching her push the door open, reeking of alcohol, Xue Zi'ang was somewhat annoyed. "How did you end up drinking so much?"
Zhao Yu swayed unsteadily against the wall, her gaze unfocused, seemingly oblivious to his anger. Instead, she smiled at him. "You're back?"
Seeing her stumble and about to fall, Xue Zi'ang strode over to steady her. The strong smell of alcohol on her made his expression even darker. "Who forced you to drink this much?"
"I did." Zhao Yu continued giggling in his arms. "I was happy, so of course I drank more when I'm happy."
"What's there to be so happy about?"
"They complimented my watch, said it looks good. Hehe." Zhao Yu grinned at him without any regard for her image, lifting her wrist in front of him and waving it. "Doesn't it look good?"
The pent-up anger instantly dissipated. Looking at the wristwatch he had given her, Xue Zi'ang felt somewhat helpless. "Just because of this, you got this happy?"
Seeing him reach out to touch her watch, Zhao Yu quickly pulled her wrist back, clutching it tightly to her chest. "Don't touch! You're not allowed to touch it! This is mine. No one is allowed to touch it."
Her tense reaction immediately made Xue Zi'ang laugh. "Alright, alright, I won't touch it. I won't touch it, okay? It's just a watch. Do you have to treasure it that much?"
"Of course I do. You gave it to me." Zhao Yu grinned at him, then reached out to hug him, rubbing against him restlessly. "Xue Zi'ang, I really, really like you. I like you so much, so much. Don't drive me away, okay?"
Xue Zi'ang froze. "Who said anything about driving you away?"
"They did. The things they say at the company—I actually know all of it. They say the women who stay by your side never last long, and I'm no exception. That once you get tired of playing with me, you won't want me anymore. I know I'm not good enough for you, and I've never thought about marrying you. But I can't bear to leave you. As long as you're not married yet, just don't drive me away, okay?"
After standing there dazedly for a moment, he straightened her up and looked at the tear stains on her face. Xue Zi'ang paused briefly, then smiled. "No, I won't stop wanting you."
"Really?" She looked like an abandoned pet, gazing at him pitifully.
"Really."
She immediately burst into smiles through her tears. "You said it, so you have to keep your word."
He nodded. "I'll keep my word."
"No going back on it. Whoever goes back on it is a dog."
"Fine. If I go back on it, I'm a dog."
Finally satisfied, she burrowed into his arms again. "Tired. Want to sleep."
Xue Zi'ang directly scooped her up in his arms. "I'll help you shower first."
"Oh." She obediently wrapped her arms around his neck, acting coquettish. "Just shower, no washing hair."
Xue Zi'ang couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Why are you acting like a little kid?"
"I am a little kid. I'm only eighteen, forever eighteen."
"Fine, you're forever eighteen, forever young and beautiful."
Xue Zi'ang truly coaxed her like a child the entire time—coaxing her to undress, coaxing her into the bathtub. By the time he had helped her wash from head to toe, he had long since been tormented by her into burning with desire.
But looking at her naked body, he didn't do anything. He dried her off with a bath towel, helped blow-dry her hair, then carried her into the bedroom, gently laying her on the bed.
"Don't go. Stay and sleep with me." Just as he was about to straighten up, the drowsy Zhao Yu wrapped her arms around his neck again. "Stay and sleep with me. I want to sleep with you."
"You're going to drive me insane."
Xue Zi'ang sighed, rolled onto the bed, kissed her forehead, and held her tightly in his arms from behind. "Sleep. I'll stay with you."
"Xue Zi'ang." Even as she was drifting off, his name was still on her lips.
"Mm." He responded quietly.
"I like you so much."
"I know."
"Xue Zi'ang."
"Mm?"
"Want hugs."
"I'm holding you. Go to sleep."
Only when the steady sound of the man's breathing came from behind her did Zhao Yu slowly open her eyes in the darkness.
She had indeed drunk a lot; otherwise, pretending to be drunk wouldn't have been convincing. Even now, her head still ached, and her face was still flushed.
But her mind had been exceptionally clear the entire time.
The hard object pressed against her back had already softened. Instead, it was the desire Xu Chengyan had stirred in her earlier that still hadn't subsided.
But tonight, Xue Zi'ang not touching her was the best possible outcome.
The next morning when Zhao Yu woke up, the person beside her had long since disappeared.
She had just stepped out of the bedroom when she heard a muffled "bang" from the kitchen. When she hurried over, she saw a complete mess on the floor and a thoroughly bewildered Xue Zi'ang.
Zhao Yu froze for a moment, then rushed forward to pull Xue Zi'ang over and inspect him carefully. "Are you hurt?"
Xue Zi'ang shook his head, his eyes dazed. He probably still hadn't snapped out of his shock.
Looking at his adorable reaction, the exploded egg splattered all over the microwave, and the yellow stains on his clothes, Zhao Yu couldn't hold back and burst into loud laughter. "Hahahahaha…"
Xue Zi'ang felt a bit embarrassed and glared at her. "What are you laughing at? I've never used one before."
There had always been a housekeeper who cooked. When had it ever been his turn to go into the kitchen?
Seeing that Zhao Yu wasn't holding back at all and was instead laughing louder and louder, he became even more frustrated and added, "The bottom of the dish said microwave-safe."
"It's not about the dish." Zhao Yu had already doubled over laughing, struggling to catch her breath.
"Raw eggs can't be heated like that. It's common sense, young master. Look, you used the toaster just fine. How could your operation be so aggressive that it blew the lid off my microwave? Good thing you're tall—it didn't hit your handsome face."
Xue Zi'ang continued glaring at her. "It was all for making you breakfast."
"Okay, okay, I understand, I appreciate it. Hurry up and change your clothes. I'll make breakfast, alright?"
Half-pushed out of the kitchen by Zhao Yu, he hadn't even reached the bedroom door before he heard another burst of uncontrollable, explosive laughter from the kitchen.
Xue Zi'ang was speechless.
When the two arrived at the company one after the other, Xue Zhan was already waiting in Xue Zi'ang's office.
Zhao Yu brought in the organized materials for the uncle and nephew. Just as she turned and took a few steps, she heard Xue Zhan behind her ask, "What's that smell on you?"
Xue Zi'ang lowered his head and sniffed. "I changed clothes. You can still smell it?"
Recalling his egg-covered state that morning, Zhao Yu couldn't help it and let out a "pfft" of laughter.
Ignoring Xue Zhan's presence, Xue Zi'ang glared fiercely at her. "I'll deal with you when we get home tonight."
Watching Xue Zhan seriously review the report, Xue Zi'ang suddenly asked, "Uncle, do you know how to use a microwave?"
Xue Zhan gave him a strange look.
Xue Zi'ang held back his laughter and patted Xue Zhan's shoulder meaningfully. "You should try making your own breakfast sometime. Eggs heated in the microwave are especially delicious."
Xue Zhan was speechless.
After discussing business with Xue Zhan for half the day, Xue Zi'ang walked out, massaging his sore, aching shoulders. He saw Zhao Yu bent over with a pen in hand, focused intently on something on her desk.
He silently approached, standing behind her and looking closely, only to discover she was drawing—a sketch of him.
She was very focused, each stroke meticulously rendered, and never noticed him behind her.
Once she finished, Xue Zi'ang straightened up, stepped back a few paces, and cleared his throat.
Zhao Yu jumped in fright and immediately grabbed a document nearby and placed it over the sketch paper, pretending to look at her computer screen.
"Come downstairs with me."
"Oh."
The moment Zhao Yu left her seat, Xue Zi'ang rushed over with lightning speed and pulled out the sketch from under the documents. "What's this?"
Zhao Yu was both embarrassed and flustered. "I… I was just doodling for fun."
"Is that so?" The smile on his face seemed to hide more and more mischief.
Zhao Yu straightened her back. "Yeah, I was bored. Anyway, I've finished everything you assigned me. I didn't delay my work."
"I don't believe it." Xue Zi'ang suppressed his smile and looked at her seriously. "Doing personal things during work hours—this is confiscated."
Seeing him walk toward his office with the drawing, Zhao Yu quickly chased after him. "Give it back."
But Xue Zi'ang ran faster than a rabbit, strode inside, and quickly locked the door, shutting Zhao Yu out. He admired the drawing in his hand while cheerfully whistling.
Xue Zhan, who had finally found some peace and quiet, looked up helplessly at him. "Be quiet."
Xue Zi'ang rolled his eyes at him, then couldn't resist smugly showing him the drawing. "Handsome, right?"
Xue Zhan continued reading the documents, ignoring him.
Xue Zi'ang kept flaunting the drawing. "Super handsome. Drawn by my girlfriend. Don't be jealous."
Xue Zhan didn't even spare him a glance, only muttering under his breath, "Childish."
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