25 After drinking
Cui Sitong arrived the following afternoon.
For the next few days, aside from eating and sleeping, the three of them were busy studying. A flood of professional knowledge poured into their minds. Since the bar exam, Fang Shuning had never used her brain so excessively. She felt a kind of overwhelming, exploding feeling. Cui Sitong was even more so, secretly complaining to Fang Shuning late at night that if she had studied this hard in school, she wouldn't have ended up only getting a junior college diploma.
Fang Shuning thought for a moment and said two words, "As for it."
Cui Sitong was angry, and huffed and puffed as he went back to his room with his butt sticking out.
Song Jiuchen wasn't sure if it was just his imagination or because he had been studying these past two days, plus Cui Sitong's visit, but he felt that Fang Shuning's attitude towards him had become much colder.
Perhaps it was the inappropriate occasion that made Fang Shuning become serious. However, the evasive gaze and deliberate distancing were undeniably present in his demeanor.
Before, we were neither too close nor too distant; now, we are completely distant.
This isn't right.
However, due to the occasion and timing, Song Jiuchen couldn't properly "question" Fang Shuning about what had happened. He could only suppress a strange anger within himself. Song Jiuchen had never felt like this before.
For the past 28 years of his life, Song Jiuchen had lived a relatively smooth life. Steady and methodical, he went through college entrance exams, postgraduate studies, and employment, without encountering any major setbacks or moments of confusion. Until he reunited with Fang Shuning. Then, emotions became uncontrollable.
Having uncontrollable emotions is not a good thing.
The training was finally drawing to a close, and on the eve of their departure, Factory Director Wu specially hosted a banquet for them. After spending these few days together, Factory Director Wu felt even more strongly that these young people were thoughtful, capable, and had a promising future. It truly proved the saying that the future belongs to the youth.
At the banquet, everyone chatted happily. Fang Shuning and Cui Sitong boldly outlined their bright future. However, Song Jiuchen looked sullen.
Fang Shuning naturally noticed Song Jiuchen's less-than-enthusiastic mood, and even his forced smile. Fang Shuning wanted to show concern, but after a moment's thought, she gave up.
She had considered the possibility that she might have her own reasons for it. Her avoidance and distancing were intentional. She thought about it for a long time that day; she wouldn't give her heart away, so she shouldn't easily trample on someone else's sincerity.
Many things are unsolvable; he shouldn't let himself be consumed by her self-righteousness and then be abandoned.
Raise a glass to celebrate! The wine is made by a local winery. It's not very famous, but it's smooth to drink and doesn't give you a headache. One sip and it's as sweet and refreshing as a spring, leaving your mouth watering.
Fang Shuning praised it repeatedly, and Factory Director Wu immediately said that since they came by car, they could take two boxes with them when they left.
Fang Shuning said she was embarrassed, but she was secretly overjoyed. She knew Old Fang would love it if she took it back.
In a secluded corner where no one paid attention, Song Jiuchen quietly drank too much again.
By the time Fang Shuning realized it, Song Jiuchen was already grinning foolishly. But that grin looked more bitter than tears. No matter how deliberately you try to avoid or distance yourself, you can't completely ignore things at a time like this.
"Song Jiu Chen, Song Jiu Chen, can you still stand up?"
Song Jiuchen looked up, trying hard to see who it was. After seeing who it was, a hint of grievance appeared on his face. "No." He choked out like a puppy.
Although Fang Shuning wasn't drunk, the alcohol was still affecting her, and she said softly, "No, what should we do then? Are you going to sleep here?"
"Aren't you taking me with you?" Song Jiuchen looked up, his eyes glistening with tears from the alcohol, staring intently and sincerely at you. Anyone who saw him would feel a surge of tenderness. Especially Fang Shuning, who already had some feelings for him.
"Let's go, but where do you want to go?"
"I'll go anywhere with you."
For a moment, Fang Shuning wondered if Song Jiuchen was really drunk or just pretending.
"Sigh~" Fang Shuning sighed, then turned to Cui Sitong and Factory Director Wu, who were still chatting and gossiping, and said, "I'll take Secretary Song back first."
"Hey~ He's drunk again. Song Jiuchen is such a noob, he's bad at everything and loves to drink. You can come back after you drop him off, okay?" Cui Sitong said to Fang Shuning, without considering whether Fang Shuning could manage on her own.
Fang Shuning reached out her hand to Song Jiuchen, "Secretary Song, let's go."
Whether it was because Song Jiuchen still had a sliver of rationality or because Fang Shuning's voice was too unforgettable, Song Jiuchen placed his hand on Fang Shuning's hand and struggled to stand up, but he stood up unsteadily.
Staggering, he followed Fang Shuning toward the room where they were resting.
Along the way, Song Jiuchen behaved obediently, letting Fang Shuning hold his hand. It was already autumn, and the night wind was chilly.
The warmth of the baijiu opened the pores of her body, making her exceptionally sensitive to the slightest breeze. Song Jiuchen suddenly stopped, and Fang Shuning felt resistance as she held his hand. She stopped as well and asked him what was wrong.
Song Jiuchen pulled his hand away from Fang Shuning's grasp, took a step forward, and hugged her tightly. His warm body shielded her from the night wind.
Song Jiu Chen's voice came from beside her ear, "Aren't you cold?"
Aren't you cold?
A seemingly ordinary sentence stirred up ripples in Fang Shuning's heart.
Fang Shuning suddenly realized that Song Jiuchen was different from others, but she shouldn't compare him to those fleeting passersby.
There's no comparison; they're not the same kind of people.
Fang Shuning suddenly felt a sense of relief, and the corners of her mouth turned up. "I'm cold, but you can't keep holding me like this. What should I do?"
Song Jiuchen stood up, took off his thin coat, and clumsily but carefully draped it over Fang Shuning's shoulders. He reached out his hand to Fang Shuning, gesturing for her to take his hand quickly. He said, "Let's go back quickly."
Fang Shuning grinned, but also cooperated. This was the first time she had ever seen Song Jiuchen so disoriented. Unlike the first time he drank too much and vomited violently, and unlike the second time he drank too much and slept soundly.
It's alright, let's just hold hands and walk forward like this. Even if we don't know where we'll end up, at least we're holding each other's hands now.
After finally getting Song Jiuchen to sleep, Fang Shuning had no chance to catch her breath before heading back. Fang Shuning wasn't the type to prioritize romance over friendship; Cui Sitong was still there, and she was worried about him.
Sure enough, Cui Sitong seemed even less lucid than when she left.
They found someone to take Director Wu back, then helped Cui Sitong up and started walking back. However, Cui Sitong was being a bit too unruly. Looking at Fang Shuning in front of her, Cui Sitong was both crying and laughing, gesturing wildly. Fang Shuning, worried that she might fall, walked exceptionally slowly the whole way.
The moon was very round tonight. Cui Sitong suddenly stopped to look at the moon, and Fang Shuning couldn't refuse, so she said "okay, okay," and then looked into the distance. The moonlight shone on the two of them, like a thin veil.
"Thank you," Cui Sitong suddenly said, his voice soft but firm.
Fang Shuning gently put her arm around Cui Sitong's shoulder. "Between us, there's never a need for thanks."
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