Sixth page
As the excitement of the birthday party faded, the guests left one by one, filled with satisfaction and joy.
Night had fallen, and snowflakes continued to dance in the air, adding a touch of romance and mystery to the tranquil winter night. Tan Yuze stood on the villa's corridor, watching Xu Li's swaying figure, his heart filled with worry.
She had drunk quite a bit tonight; her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were glazed, and she was walking unsteadily.
"Xu Li, be careful." Tan Yuze quickly stepped forward to support her, trying to let her lean on him. "I...I'm not drunk."
That's right, Xu Li gets really drunk and starts acting crazy, yelling things like, "Don't touch me..."
Tan Yuze sighed softly, "He can't drink, yet he drank so much. He's just a kid."
Xu Li muttered, trying to push Tan Yuze's hand away, but her body involuntarily leaned backward. Seeing this, Tan Yuze immediately picked her up around the waist: "Don't be stubborn, I'll take you home."
Xu Li stopped struggling and simply leaned gently against his shoulder, her even breaths warming his neck.
Tan Yuze carried her out of the villa, carefully avoiding the snow on the ground, and walked towards the car parked not far away.
The car was small but warm. Tan Yuze settled Xu Li in the passenger seat and helped her fasten her seatbelt.
Xu Li leaned back in her seat, looking at him with a dreamy gaze. Tan Yuze gently helped her sit down, and looking at her lips, he couldn't help but move closer to hers.
His lips pressed against hers, and Xu Li instantly sobered up.
Xu Li was stunned, and before she could react, Tan Yuze's lips were already pressed against hers. The kiss was alcohol-scented, passionate and chaotic, like an impulse after getting drunk, or like a long-suppressed emotion exploding.
Tan Yuze's mind went blank for a moment, but his body responded uncontrollably. Snowflakes danced outside the car window, casting a hazy veil over the scene inside.
Tan Yuze gently stroked Xu Li's cheek, trying to make the kiss more tender. However, Xu Li suddenly pushed him away forcefully, a hint of panic and confusion flashing in her eyes.
"I...what happened to me?" Her voice trembled, her eyes filled with confusion and regret. Tan Yuze felt a pang of pain in his heart and quickly let go of her: "Xu Li, you're drunk, don't think like that." Xu Li, however, seemed to be startled, and suddenly opened the car door and rushed into the swirling snow.
Tan Yuze panicked and immediately got out of the car to chase after her: "Xu Li, don't run away!" Snowflakes danced wildly in the wind, and Xu Li's figure looked particularly thin and lonely in the snow.
She stumbled forward, tears mingling with snowflakes, indistinguishable whether it was the vulnerability of drunkenness or the struggle within her heart.
He's probably still not sober.
Tan Yuze caught up with her and hugged her tightly from behind: "Xu Li, don't do this, don't scare me." Xu Li struggled in his arms, her voice trembling with tears: "Let go of me... I hate you... I hate you..."
Tan Yuze's heart sank, but he still refused to let go: "Xu Li, I know you're drunk. When you wake up tomorrow, everything will be alright."
Xu Li gradually stopped struggling, her body going limp in his arms, but her sobs grew louder. Tan Yuze held her, letting his tears soak his clothes, his heart filled with self-reproach and heartache.
"It's all my fault... I shouldn't have let you drink so much..." he murmured softly, as if comforting Xu Li, or perhaps comforting himself.
As night deepened, snowflakes continued to fall. The two embraced and wept in the snow, as if the whole world had shrunk to just the two of them.
The next morning, Xu Li woke up with a splitting headache. She opened her eyes and found herself lying in her own bed, the blankets soft and warm.
Memories of last night flooded back, especially that shameful scene, which instantly made her face turn bright red. She sat up abruptly, looked around, and found that Tan Yuze was not in the room.
There was a note on the bedside table that read: "Xu Li, you got drunk last night, so I took you home. You were very restless in the car, and I was worried you'd catch a cold, so I slept with you on the sofa in the living room. I hope you won't blame me when you wake up."
Xu Li clutched the note tightly, her heart filled with guilt and unease. She recalled her impulsive actions from the previous night and felt deeply remorseful.
She knew she had feelings for Tan Yuze, but she never imagined she would express them in this way. She didn't know what Tan Yuze would think, let alone how their relationship would change as a result.
She quickly finished washing up and walked out of the bedroom, only to see Tan Yuze sitting on the living room sofa, staring intently at his phone.
Hearing the noise, he looked up, met Xu Li's gaze, and smiled slightly: "You're awake." Xu Li's Adam's apple bobbed, her voice slightly hoarse: "She, Yuze... last night..."
Tan Yuze stood up, gently walked to her, and reached out to touch her forehead: "Does it still hurt? You had a low fever last night, and I gave you medicine." Xu Li avoided his hand and whispered, "I'm sorry... I... I didn't know I would do that..."
Tan Yuze suddenly reached out and gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. His eyes were deep and complex, with a hint of lingering affection and reluctance: "Xu Li, don't apologize. It wasn't your fault, it was the alcohol that caused it."
Xu Li's heart skipped a beat, but the next moment, Tan Yuze's lips pressed against hers again. This kiss was gentle and affectionate, as if soothing her inner turmoil, or as if expressing some unspoken emotion.
Xu Li's body stiffened, and she froze on the spot, her mind going blank.
After a long while, Tan Yuze slowly released her, his gaze still fixed on her face: "Xu Li, I've liked you for a long time."
Xu Li felt as if struck by lightning, her body involuntarily taking a step back and bumping into the cabinet behind her. She stared at Tan Yuze in disbelief, her eyes filled with terror and panic: "Why...why did you do this?"
A hint of sadness flashed in Tan Yuze's eyes, but he still said gently, "Because you are Xu Li, the girl who made my heart flutter."
Xu Li suddenly seemed to have a fuse lit; the shame and panic in her heart instantly turned into anger. She raised her hand sharply and slapped Tan Yuze hard across the face.
The crisp sound of a slap echoed in the quiet living room, and Tan Yuze's face instantly flushed red. Xu Li's eyes welled with tears, her voice trembling: "Tan Yuze, you've gone too far! Do you think you can get me like this? I hate you!"
Tan Yuze touched his burning cheek, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes, but he still did not back down: "Xu Li, I know you may need time, but please believe that my feelings are sincere."
Xu Li seemed not to hear him, turned and rushed out of the house, leaving without looking back. Tan Yuze stood there, watching her departing figure, his heart filled with bitterness and helplessness.
He knew that the slap had not only struck his face, but also left a deep imprint on his heart. For the next few days, Xu Li seemed to vanish into thin air, completely severing all contact with Tan Yuze.
She changed her phone number, deleted all his social media accounts, and even deliberately avoided any place where she might run into him. Tan Yuze tried to contact her, but the phone went unanswered, and his messages disappeared without a trace.
He felt as if he had been thrown hard onto the edge of a cliff, and could only watch helplessly as Xu Li's figure receded into the distance.
Zhou Chen noticed Tan Yuze's unusual behavior. One afternoon, he found Tan Yuze sitting on a park bench, staring blankly into the distance. Zhou Chen sat down beside him and said softly, "What's wrong? You've seemed distracted these past few days."
Tan Yuze sighed softly and recounted the whole story to Zhou Chen, including Xu Li's impulsive actions while drunk, his absurd confession, and the subsequent slap. Zhou Chen was silent for a moment before saying, "Yuze, you were indeed a bit impulsive this time. Xu Li is a good girl; your rash actions will only scare her away."
Tan Yuze smiled bitterly: "I know, but I just couldn't help it. I've liked her for so long, and I finally mustered up the courage to confess, but it backfired."
Zhou Chen patted him on the shoulder: "Now is not the time to regret, the key is to find a way to make amends. Xu Li is definitely angry with herself too, you two need to have a good talk."
Tan Yuze nodded, a determined look flashing in his eyes: "You're right, I can't give up like this."
Meanwhile, Xu Li was holed up in her room, feeling extremely depressed. She locked herself in her room, the curtains were drawn, and she only turned on a dim desk lamp.
She kept replaying everything that happened that night in her mind, filled with self-reproach and shame. "How could I have been so impulsive? How could I have let him succeed?"
She sat on the bed, hugging her knees, tears streaming down her face. Mu Mu noticed Xu Li's unusual behavior and knocked on her door.
Seeing Xu Li's red and swollen eyes and disheveled hair, Mu Mu was startled: "Ah Li, what happened to you? What's wrong?"
Xu Li looked up and saw Mu Mu's concerned eyes, and tears welled up in her eyes again. She told Mu Mu everything that had happened, including her drunken outburst, Tan Yuze's confession, and that absurd kiss.
After listening, Mu Mu remained silent for a moment before saying, "Ah Li, Tan Yuze is indeed a bit impulsive, but his feelings are genuine. You can't completely deny his intentions."
Xu Li seemed to have been touched on a sore spot, and her voice instantly rose a few decibels: "But what he did made me very uncomfortable! I need time to sort out my own thoughts, instead of being forced into a relationship by him like this."
Mu Mu sighed: "I understand how you feel, but you can't keep running away. After all, you've been friends for so long, you have to find a chance to talk things out."
Xu Li lowered her head and remained silent. She knew Mu Mu was right, but her mind was still in turmoil, and she didn't know how to face Tan Yuze.
Time slipped away in silence and agonizing uncertainty, and a week had passed in the blink of an eye. Tan Yuze had tried almost everything he could to contact Xu Li during those days, but all his efforts ended in failure.
He began to reflect on his behavior and realized that his impulsiveness had indeed caused her distress.
"Perhaps I should give her some space and let her calm down," Tan Yuze thought to himself.
Meanwhile, with the encouragement of her friends and family, Xu Li gradually calmed down. She began to realize that although Tan Yuze's behavior was somewhat impulsive, his feelings were genuine, and she couldn't keep running away from him.
She needed an opportunity to have a proper talk with Tan Yuze and to clear up her mind.
So, on that weekend afternoon, Xu Li mustered up her courage and sent Tan Yuze a message: "Tan Yuze, I want to talk to you." The moment Tan Yuze saw the message, his heart skipped a beat.
He quickly replied, "Okay, I'll wait for you at the usual spot." The usual spot was the grove of trees where they used to play, which had now grown into towering trees, providing them with a quiet and private space.
Xu Li stood at the entrance to the woods and saw Tan Yuze leaning against a large tree, his eyes fixed intently on her. His gaze was filled with anticipation and trepidation, like a prisoner awaiting trial.
"Tan Yuze..." Xu Li spoke softly, her voice trembling slightly. Tan Yuze quickly stepped forward and gently took her hand: "Xu Li, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have acted so impulsively. Please forgive me."
Xu Li withdrew her hand, took a step back, and looked at Tan Yuze with a hint of wariness: "Tan Yuze, I don't need your apology. What I need is an explanation. Why did you do this?"
Tan Yuze took a deep breath and organized his thoughts: "Xu Li, I've liked you for a long time. Seeing you drunk, I couldn't control my feelings. I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have confessed when you were sober, and I shouldn't have kissed you forcibly."
Xu Li looked at him, a complex look flashing in her eyes: "Tan Yuze, I know you like me, but I need time to accept all of this. We are friends, and I don't want to lose you because of this."
Tan Yuze nodded, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes: "I understand. I'm willing to wait for you, no matter how long it takes."
The two stood there in the woods, surrounded by lush trees and the gentle sound of the wind. On this peaceful afternoon, they finally spoke their minds.
Although their relationship has been fraught with difficulties, they have both persevered, for each other and for their long-standing friendship. The road ahead is long, and they don't know what challenges they will face, but at least for now, they have both taken an important step.
In the days that followed, Tan Yuze truly began to give Xu Li space. He no longer contacted her proactively, but silently observed her life, waiting for her to reach out to him.
Xu Li is also slowly adjusting her mindset and trying to accept Tan Yuze's feelings.
Occasionally, they would run into each other at friend gatherings. Although there was still some awkwardness between them, they had begun to try to reconnect. They would chat and eat together, just like before, only with a subtle tension in the air.
Once, at a party organized by friends, Xu Li and Tan Yuze were seated together. At first, both of them were a little reserved and didn't know what to say.
Tan Yuze broke the silence first: "Xu Li, how have you been lately?" Xu Li looked up, glanced at him, and smiled slightly: "Not bad. I've been quite busy with my studies, but it's going smoothly." Tan Yuze smiled as well: "Really? That's good."
The two started chatting about trivial matters in their work and lives, and gradually the atmosphere became more relaxed. Xu Li discovered that Tan Yuze hadn't become strange because he liked her; he was still the same gentle and considerate Tan Yuze.
Tan Yuze also discovered that Xu Li hadn't completely distanced herself from him because of his previous impulsiveness; she was still the kind and straightforward Xu Li. As they spent more time together, their relationship slowly began to heal.
Xu Li began to realize that Tan Yuze's feelings were not a momentary impulse, but rather the result of a long period of accumulation. Tan Yuze also gradually understood that Xu Li was not completely rejecting him, but simply needed time to adjust to the relationship.
On a sunny weekend, they went for a walk in the park together. Xu Li walked beside Tan Yuze, looking at his smiling face in the sunlight, and a warm feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.
She gently took his arm: "Tan Yuze, thank you for waiting for me all this time."
Tan Yuze looked down at her, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Xu Li, does this mean..." Xu Li nodded, a blush rising on her face: "I think, how about we put this relationship aside for now?"
Tan Yuze immediately hugged Xu Li gently: "Okay, I respect your choice, let's put it aside for now."
Xu Li leaned against him, feeling his warm embrace, her heart filled with happiness and contentment.
Although the beginning of their relationship was somewhat bumpy, they both worked hard to overcome the difficulties, for each other and for their shared future.
They know that the road ahead is long and there may be more challenges, but as long as they work together, there is nothing they cannot overcome.
In this hopeful season, Tan Yuze put his relationship on hold for Xu Li's sake.
And their story, in this ordinary yet real daily life, is slowly writing its own beautiful chapter.
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