"Mom, Dad, I'm heading back to school tomorrow," Qiu Xi told her parents the next morning after making her decision.
The couple looked at her, puzzled. "Aren't you staying for a few more days?"
"Yes, but I'm going back with a classmate."
"Alright, do you want Mom to help you pack?" Her daughter was becoming more accomplished with university, and she no longer worried as much as she used to.
"Mom, that's not necessary. I can do it myself."
"Okay."
"Oh, right, Mom. The books and things I bought for you should be arriving soon. Remember to get them, and also..."
"Alright, alright, you young girl. Why are you more long-winded than your mother?"
Uh… it seemed she was being a bit too talkative.
"Okay, I won't say any more."
The more she said, the more she might say wrong, and most of what she was saying seemed like nonsense anyway.
"Then I'll transfer some money to you and Dad."
"Xiao Xi..." The family wasn't short of money. This child!
"Don't say anything, and don't try to stop me! You can't!"
"Alright, we'll accept it then."
"Mhm!"
After finishing these matters, Qiu Xi began packing her luggage.
The next afternoon, after parting ways with her father at the airport, Qiu Xi got into Nan Hua's car and headed back to Chongxi City.
...
"Going straight back to school?"
Looking at the sky outside the window, Qiu Xi thought it might be better to stay somewhere else for a night. If she went back, it would be packing, then dinner, and by the time everything was done, it would be past midnight.
"Let's find a hotel and stay for the night."
Hearing this, Nan Hua's lips curved into a smile. "Xi Xi, you really trust me, don't you?"
"Of course! A gentleman!"
"What gentleman?"
"Song Daiyao told me what Zhao Huasheng said before – a refined young man, a gentleman."
"That gossip!"
Seeing Nan Hua display such a rare expression of embarrassment and annoyance, Qiu Xi felt like laughing.
"You're still laughing? You should be more concerned about yourself. Be careful, I might sell you off later."
"Immature! You wouldn't dare."
"..."
This feeling of having her weakness exposed, her very lifeline held captive, was truly… indescribable!
"Grumble~"
"..."
"Hungry?"
"Mhm..."
How embarrassing. Why did it have to be now?
"Hahahaha~"
Angrily flustered, Qiu Xi said loudly, "Let's go!"
"Hahahaha~"
"..."
"Alright, this is it. I'll take you in first to put your things down, and then we can go out to eat together later."
"Mhm."
...
Restaurant—
"Nan... Hua..."
"What?"
"I… I feel so dizzy..."
Sensing something was wrong, Nan Hua immediately turned to look at her.
"When did you have something to drink, you silly girl?" He hadn't bought any drinks. Did she drink something after he went to the restroom?
"Didn't… drink anything, just juice..."
"..."
Even like this, and she's calling it juice!
"Alright, don't move around. I'll take you back first."
Looking at the person in his arms, who was clearly drunk, he had no idea what he was going to do when they got back. With that thought, he carried her out of the restaurant.
"Sit properly!"
This was torture! If Heaven wanted to test him, did it have to be like this!
To minimize the ordeal, he bought some hangover remedies on the way and then sped back to the hotel.
"Here, drink this. Get some good sleep."
"I want… juice."
"...Mhm, juice."
"Okay..."
After finally coaxing her and getting her to drink, Nan Hua was already sweating profusely.
"Slap!"
"..."
You call yourself a quiet and demure girl, but when you're drunk, you're so unruly! He had no choice but to get up and deal with it. But he didn't expect that the moment she stood up from the floor, she stumbled and fell right onto him.
"Mmph!"
"Qiu Xi!"
Seeing Qiu Xi on top of him, Nan Hua was almost in disbelief, his eyes wide open. Could this be the unexpectedness of a drunkard?! He didn't understand! He knew now that if he didn't get up, he probably wouldn't be able to.
"It's so soft, what kind of jelly is this? I've never had it before?" she murmured, touching it with her hand.
"..."
"Qiu Xi! Do you really think I won't do anything reckless?!"
As she continued to touch, her head lowered again.
"Mmph! This jelly isn't sweet at all."
"..."
"Then I'll give you something sweet." Thinking this, Nan Hua's hand, which had been hanging by his side, lifted and pulled, causing the person who had just gotten up to fall back down.
"Mmm~"
Naughty bug! Get out!
The unconscious person, disturbed by the sudden movement, began to thrash about.
"Whoosh!"
Finally, reason prevailed, and he stopped.
"Slap!"
Raising his hand, he delivered two sharp slaps. He scolded her for touching and grabbing, nearly causing a major mistake.
"Naughty bug!"
"Get out!"
"..."
Watching the person on the bed still flailing her arms, Nan Hua's face turned red. What a little temptress!
...
"You, on the other hand, are sleeping soundly, but you've made things miserable for me." Nan Hua, having regained his composure in the bathroom, looked at the person on the bed and gave a wry smile. He finally tucked her in, then looked at the chair beside the bed, his head aching again. What a torment! Well, he chose this himself! With that thought, he drifted off to sleep.