Chapter 16 Drunken Kiss (Part 2)
Ji Rendong felt the person beside him go from stiff to relaxed, and finally lean on him dependently, a hint of a smile flashing in their eyes.
Ji Rendong did not press Shi Banxia about her thoughts that afternoon, nor did she point out her earlier hesitation and the distance she deliberately maintained.
As Shi Banxia leaned against Ji Rendong, the worries about distance, deadlines, and unrequited love seemed to be temporarily dispelled in this warm embrace.
Shi Banxia took a deep breath, savoring the moment, and said to herself: Forget it, don't think about it too much, just cherish the present.
Over the next two days, Shi Banxia tried her best to maintain her outward appearance, but Ji Rendong still noticed her occasional absent-mindedness and the subtle sense of distance that she tried to conceal but still maintained.
Ji Rendong didn't ask any questions, but when Shi Banxia was working in a daze, he would hand her a cup of hot cocoa, or when she was filming, he would stand in front of the camera for a while longer.
Soon, the research station held a small farewell party for Shen, who was about to finish his short-term work and return to the domestic base. The party was held in the common lounge, and the atmosphere was lively.
Shi Banxia was a little sullen. She always had some inexplicable concern about Shen Ye's existence, but seeing Ji Rendong sitting in the crowd chatting as usual, she told herself not to spoil the fun and to relax and blend into the lively atmosphere.
Some senior staff members suggested that, to bid farewell to Shen Ye and to celebrate the success of the observation project, everyone should have a small drink as a token of appreciation.
Shi Banxia had a low alcohol tolerance to begin with, and with something on her mind, her face flushed after a few sips of wine. Feeling dizzy, she quietly moved to a sofa in the corner and sat down, looking at Ji Rendong in the center of the crowd.
Ji Rendong also drank some, and a faint pink tinge appeared on her fair face, making her look less aloof and more gentle.
She was talking to the stationmaster, her profile looking particularly beautiful in the dim, soft light. Occasionally, she would curl the corners of her mouth, and the relaxed feeling that she inadvertently revealed made Shi Banxia's heart flutter.
Shen Ye walked over, smiled, clinked glasses with her, and leaned close to Ji Rendong. The two chatted fluently and in perfect harmony.
As Shi Banxia watched this scene, a bitter feeling welled up inside her, and under the influence of alcohol, she felt a surge of grievances, and her eyes stung.
She quickly lowered her head, not wanting others to notice her unusual behavior.
As the party drew to a close, people left in twos and threes.
Shi Banxia felt extremely dizzy and her steps were unsteady. Seeing this, Ji Rendong nodded to his colleague, quickly walked to Shi Banxia's side, and gently supported her.
"Did you drink too much?" Ji Rendong's voice was very close and gentle.
Shi Banxia raised her head and met those gentle eyes. Under the influence of alcohol, the emotions she had been suppressing finally burst forth.
Shi Banxia shook her head, then nodded, her voice carrying a hint of grievance and dependence she herself was unaware of, even a touch of coquettishness, "No... it's just, I feel a little dizzy... Sister Rendong..."
"I'll take you back to your room." Ji Rendong said gently, half-supporting and half-carrying Shi Banxia as they walked towards the room.
The corridor was unusually quiet, with only the sound of their footsteps.
Shi Banxia smelled the familiar cool fragrance on Ji Rendong and the faint, mellow aroma of wine lingering in her nose, which made her feel both at ease and sad.
"Sister Honeysuckle..." Shi Banxia spoke softly, her voice tinged with drunkenness.
"Hmm?" Ji Rendong's heart skipped a beat.
The term "elder sister" was first heard from Shi Banxia's lips.
"Did you accept the coffee cup that Chen Ye gave you?" Shi Banxia blurted out, her tone filled with jealousy. The alcohol made her unconsciously reveal her innermost thoughts.
Ji Rendong paused for a moment, then shook her head. "No..."
Shi Banxia raised her head and looked at Ji Rendong. Her eyes were a little hazy from the alcohol, but they also showed a bit of courage in their directness.
My thoughts were like a tangled ball of yarn. Alcohol blurred the boundaries of reason, and the unease and doubts that had been forcibly suppressed for the past two days surged uncontrollably into my mind.
"Sister Rendong..." Shi Banxia asked softly, her voice slightly nasal, "Chen Ye... has she left...?"
"Yes, she went back to her room to pack her luggage. Her flight is early tomorrow morning," Ji Rendong replied patiently, noticing Shi Banxia's low spirits.
The journey back wasn't long, and soon Ji Rendong escorted Shi Banxia back to her room, gently helping her sit down on the edge of the bed before turning to pour her some water.
"Hmm..." Shi Banxia lowered her head, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes. "Is she...is she very familiar with you...? She knows your birthday...and calls you 'Dongdong'..." Her voice grew softer and softer, tinged with a hint of grievance.
Ji Rendong was slightly taken aback, then suddenly realized that the little guy's absent-mindedness all night was because of this.
Ji Rendong placed the water glass on the table, sat down next to Shi Banxia, reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of Shi Banxia's hair behind her ear, her movements gentle, but her voice remained calm, "Yes, we've worked together before, we're quite familiar with each other."
Fueled by alcohol, Ji Rendong's words instantly triggered Shi Banxia's jealousy, and she gently grabbed the hem of Ji Rendong's clothes.
"Sister Rendong..." Shi Banxia's voice was thick with emotion, as if she was about to cry, "Don't go...stay with me..."
Ji Rendong was stunned. She gently took the girl's hand and saw that the girl's eyes were slightly red, filled with unease and dependence.
"I'm not leaving," Ji Rendong said gently.
Perhaps it was the alcohol that gave her courage, or perhaps it was the pent-up anxiety of the past few days reaching its peak; Shi Banxia sniffed, and words poured out without restraint:
"Sister Rendong, am I annoying...? I'm always bothering you... I heard from Sister Xueqing that someone used to pursue you for a long time, but you never agreed to be with them..."
Shi Banxia's speech quickened, her voice trembling slightly, "I know... I'll be leaving soon... I'm just a temporary worker, a photographer, I'll leave after taking the photos..."
"I feel like... I can't help but want to get closer to you... but I'm also so scared... Honeysuckle Sister is so amazing... after I leave, will you forget me so quickly...?"
"But Sister Rendong, I think... I really like you..."
"Don't forget me... okay...?"
When she was sober, Shi Banxia wouldn't dare say these words. She was afraid of hearing the answer, and even more afraid of breaking their current ambiguous relationship, so they wouldn't even be able to remain friends...
Ji Rendong listened quietly without interrupting Shi Banxia.
Only after Shi Banxia finished speaking, leaning on her shoulder, tears streaming down her face, and repeatedly muttering "I like you" and "I'm scared," did she sigh softly.
"Banxia, you're drunk." Ji Rendong gently stroked Shi Banxia's hair.
“I’m not drunk…I’m perfectly sober…” Shi Banxia stubbornly shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “I’m just afraid…afraid you don’t like me…afraid you’ll forget me…”
Looking at Shi Banxia's flushed cheeks, red from drunkenness and grievance, and her wet eyes, Ji Rendong's heart pounded uncontrollably.
Her usual restraint and forbearance seemed to have lost their effectiveness at this moment.
Shi Banxia's words touched her heart, and her breathing quickened slightly involuntarily.
Ji Rendong reached out and gently wiped away the tears from Shi Banxia's eyes, his fingers caressing her flushed cheeks, a rare gentle smile on his face, "Really not drunk?"
Shi Banxia's heart skipped a beat. She unconsciously rubbed against Ji Rendong's hand and nodded blankly.
“Chen is just a colleague. ‘Dongdong’ is just her habitual way of addressing her. I’ve corrected her, but she hasn’t changed it.” Ji Rendong explained patiently, looking into Shi Banxia’s eyes with a serious tone.
“But I will only let Shi Banxia cling to me, and like now, let her cry to me.”
Ji Rendong's face flushed slightly, and her voice was gentle. Hearing Ji Rendong's words, Shi Banxia's heart began to pound involuntarily.
Honeysuckle Sister means... am I that special person...?
As Shi Banxia watched Ji Rendong slowly approach, her usually cool eyes now brimmed with a warm and tender light that Shi Banxia had never seen before.
“Silly girl…” Ji Rendong chuckled softly. She reached out and gently brushed the stray hairs on Shi Banxia’s forehead with her fingertips. Then, she lowered her head and placed a soft and warm kiss on Shi Banxia’s forehead.
The kiss was light and gentle, tinged with the slight buzz of alcohol and a tender, careful affection.
Shi Banxia froze instantly, her drunkenness mostly dispelled, leaving only the burning sensation on her forehead and the thunderous roar of her heart pounding in her chest.
Ji Rendong's lips quickly parted, her voice softer than usual, carrying a soothing power.
"Don't overthink it, you won't forget."
Ji Rendong did not make any further promises, nor did he explain the meaning of that kiss.
Without flowery words, the words dispelled most of the gloom in Shi Banxia's heart. Shi Banxia's heart pounded, this time overwhelmed by immense peace and joy.
Ji Rendong gently wiped away her tears with his fingers, his tone tinged with helplessness and doting, "You got so drunk after drinking so little, go lie down and go to sleep."
After receiving the promise of "I won't forget" and a gentle kiss on the forehead, Shi Banxia's willpower completely collapsed.
A great sense of security, combined with the effects of alcohol, caused her to grab Ji Rendong's clothes and fall into a deep sleep the moment Ji Rendong covered her with a blanket, a satisfied smile still on her lips.
After confirming that Shi Banxia was asleep, Ji Rendong carefully pulled back the corner of her clothes. Her fingertips gently traced Shi Banxia's slightly flushed cheeks, and the sensation of that kiss suddenly returned, causing her to pause and her ears to burn.
She actually kissed her.
Ji Rendong looked at Shi Banxia's obedient sleeping face, and his fingertips seemed to still retain the warmth of the girl's cheek.
The kiss on her forehead had crossed the line. Ji Rendong was about to get up, but her gaze involuntarily fell on Shi Banxia's lips...
Ji Rendong leaned down and very gently placed a second kiss on Shi Banxia's lips—the touch was warmer than he had imagined, with a faint scent of alcohol.
The moment their lips touched, Ji Rendong was stunned.
She sat up abruptly, her heart pounding in her chest, a strange sense of panic washing over her.
She had never allowed herself to be so out of control.
As Ji Rendong gently caressed her lips with her fingertips, she could still feel the warm, intoxicating touch of Shi Banxia's lips.
Ji Rendong's gaze fell back on the sleeping Shi Banxia's face. Shi Banxia's unconscious smacking of her lips in her sleep made her heart skip a beat again.
Ji Rendong took a deep breath, forcing herself to regain her composure. She gently tucked the blanket around Shi Banxia, then quietly closed the door, letting out a barely audible sigh…
"Goodnight, Banxia..."
A note from the author:
Our Dongdong won't let Xiaxia feel uneasy, hahaha! Please rest assured, after Xiaxia took the initiative for so long, Dongdong finally stepped up too.
Xiaxia (confused): You kissed me? How come I didn't know?
Update frequency has returned to every other day~ I'll update daily when inspiration strikes or I have more free time. Thank you for your support!
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