Chapter 28 The Night Out of Control And so, the plan that was originally laid on her forehead…
The car was dimly lit, with only the dashboard emitting a faint blue light that outlined Lin Yuwei's slightly tipsy profile. She seemed a little uncomfortable, letting out a soft hum. Her long eyelashes trembled, casting a small shadow beneath her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, and her usually bright and intelligent eyes were now misty and half-open, unfocused, which added a touch of defenseless, breathtaking allure. Her full lips parted slightly, her breath carrying the sweet scent of alcohol, unconsciously enticing him to come closer.
Zhou Xubai felt as if his heart had been clenched tightly and then suddenly released, a surge of heat uncontrollably coursing through his limbs. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to look away and suppress the surging emotions in his heart. He was always gentle and composed, and at this moment he was even more determined not to take advantage of someone in distress.
Zhou Xubai got out of the car, walked around to the passenger side to open the door for her, and reached out to help her. Lin Yuwei waved her hand: "It's okay, I'm not drunk. I only had a few glasses of red wine tonight. I can hold my liquor very well." But her unsteady steps still betrayed her.
Lin Yuwei had only taken two steps when she lost her footing on the steps. Fortunately, Zhou Xubai was there to gently protect her, and Lin Yuwei softly fell into his arms.
The warm, soft flesh of her body was in his arms, carrying a faint scent of wine and her own fragrance. Zhou Xubai's body stiffened slightly, then his arms firmly encircled her waist, helping her steady herself. "Be careful," he said, his voice close to her ear, his breath warm. "I'll take you upstairs."
Lin Yuwei didn't push him away again. Instead, she gently rested her forehead on his shoulder, her voice soft and sweet from being drunk: "Okay, my head is so dizzy... Xu Bai."
"We'll be home soon, just rest for a bit." Zhou Xubai coaxed her gently, steadily putting his arm around her waist and half-embracing her in his arms. Feeling the warm, soft body in his arms and her unguarded dependence, the softest part of his heart was deeply touched.
In the small space of the elevator, the limp and powerless Lin Yuwei clung completely to Zhou Xubai. Zhou Xubai felt as if the air had become thick, and his breath was filled with the fragrance of her hair and a faint smell of alcohol. He stared straight ahead, deliberately ignoring the amazing heat and softness coming from her arms and body. When they arrived at the apartment door, he patiently held her wrist and guided her to unlock it with her fingerprint.
With a "beep", the door opened.
This was Zhou Xubai's first time visiting Lin Yuwei's home. The living room was decorated simply yet artistically, just like her own style. He didn't look around too much and went straight to help her into the bedroom, letting her sit down on the edge of the bed. He said in a deep and gentle voice, "Do you have any honey at home? I'll go pour you a glass of honey water. Sit down quietly."
Lin Yuwei did not open her eyes, but nodded almost imperceptibly.
Zhou Xubai opened the refrigerator. There wasn't much inside, but he quickly found the honey, poured it into a cup, dissolved it with warm water, and carried the cup back to the room. Lin Yuwei was already lying on her back on the bed.
Zhou Xubai helped her up and carefully brought the cup to her lips. He watched her sip the water, and a few drops slid down her lips. Afraid of wetting her clothes, he gently wiped them away with his fingertips without thinking. His fingertips touched her delicate skin, and he couldn't help but linger for a moment longer.
Lin Yuwei let out a soft hum, seemingly regaining a little consciousness, or perhaps she was just more drunk. She raised her hazy eyes and looked at Zhou Xubai's face. Her heart stirred slightly. The question that had been lingering in her mind for the past few days suddenly had a definite answer. Tonight, she would completely banish Gu Qingyan's shadow from her heart. She would embrace the warmth and security that was within her reach.
She reached out and grabbed Zhou Xubai's wrist, her grip light but filled with a helpless dependence. "Xubai..." her voice was soft and sweet, tinged with the languor of alcohol, "Don't go, Xubai, I don't want to be alone..."
Zhou Xubai's breath hitched noticeably. He looked deeply into her eyes and saw a clear invitation through the haze. He took her hand in his, gently stroking the back of her hand with his thumb, and slowly sat down beside her.
"Okay, I won't leave. I'll stay here with you. Sleep peacefully." Zhou Xubai's voice was so low it was almost a whisper. After speaking, he lowered his head, with a heart full of tenderness, wanting to place a comforting goodnight kiss on her smooth forehead.
However, just as his lips were about to touch her forehead, Lin Yuwei suddenly tilted her head up slightly, and the kiss that was originally planned to land on her forehead landed precisely on her soft, slightly parted lips.
For a moment, Zhou Xubai's mind went blank. The extremely soft and warm touch on his lips, and the breath that smelled of honey and alcohol, was like an electric current that instantly shattered all his reason and restraint.
Under the influence of alcohol, Lin Yuwei may have been acting on instinct, or perhaps the kiss brought her a false sense of security. Instead of pulling away, she let out a very soft whimper, almost like a sigh, and subconsciously responded.
This subtle response was like a spark that ignited dry tinder.
Zhou Xubai's last shred of restraint melted away, like spring ice melting into a warm current. He no longer hesitated, letting himself sink into that unexpected yet irresistible vortex. The initial touch was tentatively gentle, like the fluttering wings of a butterfly, then it transformed into a deeper entanglement, as if two long-awaited warm currents had finally merged, exploring each other's unfamiliar yet familiar tenderness and sweetness.
Time lost its measure at that moment; only the intertwined breaths and the drumming of their hearts amplified in the silence, becoming the sole rhythm. The air grew warm and moist, filled with an indescribable intimacy. As they parted slightly, their foreheads touched, their breaths still mingling in a chaotic fusion. He glimpsed her once-defined lips softening and blurring, spreading a captivating blush, like petals glistening with dew in late spring. Her eyes were veiled in a misty light, reflecting deep, swaying emotions, like the shimmering surface of a lake under the sunlight, intoxicating and mesmerizing.
All this silent scene transformed into a warm and surging tide, instantly washing over his limbs and bones, igniting the most primal throbbing and desire hidden deep within his blood.
What followed seemed to unfold naturally. The warm yellow light cast a hazy veil over the room, and a silent tremor filled the air. Zhou Xubai's hand trembled slightly as he gently grasped Lin Yuwei's fingertips. The two of them, as if appreciating a rare treasure, faced the magnificent landscape painting before them.
Zhou Xubai carefully unpacked the double-opening cashmere packaging, and the royal blue velvet gradually revealed itself, wrapping the captivating scroll. Touching the silky cool fabric, he could already feel the rounded and full outline of the scroll under the fabric, and couldn't help but whisper in admiration of this almost divinely bestowed perfect form.
As he gently pulled open the silk ribbon tied to the center of the scroll, the royal blue velvet quietly slid down, and the snow-white scroll slowly revealed itself under the light. Its texture was so delicate that it seemed as if it could be broken with a breath. The key parts were still lightly covered with two circles of thin, soft paper, which made the calligraphy and painting inside seem to be partially hidden, which only made people more curious and eager to explore the whole scroll.
Zhou Xubai spent his life pursuing ultimate beauty, and now, with such beauty before him, he was almost breathless. Like a devout believer, he prostrated himself, lip to inch, worshipping this sacred work of art. Lin Yuwei, too, could not contain her surging emotions, letting the painting slowly unfold between them…
Finally, a magnificent landscape, as if carved from mutton-fat jade, was fully revealed. Under the dim light, it shone with a warm and soft luster, and the towering peaks were breathtakingly beautiful and precipitous.
Zhou Xubai saw pale pink peach blossoms dotting the snow-white peaks, and vermilion pavilions and towers appearing and disappearing in the thin mist. Most amazingly, when his breath brushed across the scene, the still crimson clouds began to move slowly.
Zhou Xubai found his hands trembling. As his fingertips brushed against the damp silk, the entire scroll suddenly shuddered slightly beneath his palm, startling the kingfisher perched on the corner of the painting. At this moment, the rules of connoisseurship were long forgotten. He was like an apprentice holding a paintbrush for the first time, eager to explore all the mysteries of the painting. As his palm traced the undulating lines of the mountains, he discovered that the seemingly static ink tones changed in shade and intensity with his touch. When he tasted the waterfall with his lips and tongue, he truly tasted the clear, cool spring water.
All sounds gradually faded away, leaving only the intertwined breaths, growing more rapid and heavy, striking the silent air like some ancient and primal rhythm. Vision gradually blurred, yet also seemed unusually clear, able to capture the subtle pulse beneath every inch of the canvas, the flow of every hazy ray of light and shadow on the undulating curves. An indescribable heat spread from the skin pressed together, like a wildfire in spring, silently yet irresistibly sweeping over all senses.
At that peak of delirious consciousness, Zhou Xubai seemed to glimpse the most primal and sacred totem of life. It was not conquest, but return; not possession, but fulfillment. A resolute and yearning, like a moth drawn to a flame, enveloped him, driving him closer and closer to that warm, inclusive source of boundless life force, until he lost himself, longing to achieve complete release and unity in that ultimate beauty and harmony.
However, at this critical moment, Lin Yuwei's eyes, which were originally filled with drunkenness, suddenly opened.
Gu Qingyan's face suddenly appeared in her mind, with a cold and mocking expression, abruptly piercing her hazy consciousness shrouded by alcohol and lust. Images of her past intimate entanglements with Gu Qingyan, full of possessiveness and plunder, surged uncontrollably and frantically, every detail so clear it was suffocating.
Lin Yuwei felt a strong sense of betrayal and an overwhelming panic. The discomfort spread from her heart to her whole body. She shivered and suddenly pushed Zhou Xubai away with her arm on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." she sobbed incoherently, tears streaming down her face without warning. Her voice trembled violently as she cried, "I'm still a little drunk, and my head is spinning... I'm sorry, Xubai."
Lin Yuwei's sudden breakdown and tears were like a bucket of ice water poured over her head, instantly waking Zhou Xubai up. His self-control and rationality returned to their peak. The situation in front of him made him break out in a cold sweat. He got up as quickly as possible, grabbed the quilt and quickly wrapped it around the trembling Lin Yuwei.
Overwhelmed by immense regret and self-blame, Zhou Xubai looked at Lin Yuwei, who was curled up in a ball, her face streaked with tears, appearing incredibly fragile and helpless. It felt as if his heart had been stabbed. He had been thinking about how to protect her, but in the end, he had hurt her because of a moment of impulse.
"I'm the one who should apologize! Yuwei! It's all my fault! I completely lost control! You drank too much, I shouldn't have done this." His voice was hoarse and filled with panic and apology. He frantically tried to wipe away her tears, but dared not touch her again. "Are you dizzy? Is there anything else that's bothering you? Tell me, I'll take you to the hospital. Don't be afraid, I won't touch you anymore, I won't..."
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Author's Note: This chapter has been locked, haha, revising it is giving me a splitting headache [laughing and crying with face covered]
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