Chapter 129: Drunk

Xue Tian'ai cast aside the chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind, cracked the car window slightly, and took a deep breath of the delicate, humid night air.

If one were to ignore the patches of bite marks covering his neck, arms, and face, Xue Tian'ai would look exactly like a wealthy young master driving a luxury car, accompanied by a beauty, leisurely enjoying a countryside excursion.

The one responsible for those marks—his legally wedded wife, Qin Mengxue—seemed exhausted from her earlier biting and was now curled up in the passenger seat, eyes closed in a light nap, a satisfied smile lingering on her lips.

Glancing at her from the corner of his eye, Xue Tian'ai chuckled helplessly. He had to admit that in some respects, Qin Mengxue was quite similar to that young girl, Ye Hairuo. Both were adept at wearing a cold, icy mask to maintain their image as corporate presidents. In reality, both women were still in the prime of their youth—a time meant for traveling, enjoying life, and indulging in their vitality—yet they both bore the heavy burden of managing massive conglomerates.

A pang of heartache stirred within him at the thought. Moments later, he self-deprecatingly shook his head. Was he not the same? Though he had temporarily set aside the "Phantom Butterfly" mask, was he not wearing a different set of masks now to hide himself and evade certain truths?

He drew a long breath and cleared his head. With one hand on the steering wheel, he reached for the jacket he had taken off earlier and gently draped it over Qin Mengxue, then softly smoothed her cascade of long hair.

Focusing back on the road, he failed to notice the faint flush returning to Qin Mengxue's face, nor could he see the sweetness rippling within her heart. Yes, she was lying there with her eyes closed, but she was far from asleep.

The car drifted on like a small boat... Qin Mengxue continued to feign sleep out of shyness, and Xue Tian'ai continued to drive.

Just then, a woman’s figure appeared in his line of sight. She stood with a graceful, alluring posture against the riverbank railing, holding a bottle and taking deep gulps of liquor.

Her fire-red cheongsam was starkly striking in the darkness, and under the dim, yellowish streetlights, it exuded a unique, seductive charm. A breeze stirred, lifting a corner of the fabric to reveal a glimpse of her long, snowy-white legs. Even from a distance, Xue Tian'ai was certain she was a woman of absolute, sultry beauty.

But why would such a stunner be here, drinking so heavily? Despite her bold movements, Xue Tian'ai sensed a profound, desolate sense of helplessness and an aching, hollow pain radiating from her through the window.

He sighed softly and pressed slightly on the accelerator, intending to pass quickly. Though he possessed a sympathetic heart, he wasn't about to stop for every troubled woman he saw—plus, his wife was sleeping in the passenger seat, and even a flirt needs to know when to time his pursuits.

Yet, as he drove on, he looked into the rearview mirror at the woman's fading silhouette. For some reason, he caught a whiff of a familiar scent—as if he had met her somewhere before.

He did not stop. Instead, he pressed down on the gas, eager to shorten the journey home.

***

Because it was deep into the night, the roads were clear. Twenty minutes later, Xue Tian'ai finally pulled the car into the Hongyang Villa complex.

A black Volkswagen Phaeton was parked in the courtyard of Villa No. 3, next to the luxurious Porsche 918 he had bought the day before. It seemed Cen An'an was back from school, and given the bright lights inside, the girl was likely still awake.

"Hey, wifey, wake up. We're home," Xue Tian'ai said, poking her soft cheek.

"Hmm... hmm..." Qin Mengxue rubbed her sleepy eyes, turned to look at him blankly, and let out a yawning, alluring sigh: "Tian'ai, carry me up..."

"Ehhhh?" Xue Tian'ai was stunned. He hadn't misheard, had he? Qin Mengxue was asking him to carry her?

"Tian'ai, I'm so sleepy, carry me up..." She leaned there, face flushed, reaching out her arms to him with a hint of coquettishness.

Xue Tian'ai, clever as he was, couldn't quite grasp what was happening. Suddenly, he leaned in and sniffed near her—his face darkened immediately. It was just as he thought.

Beyond her natural fragrance and the scent of citrus perfume, there was a faint tang of alcohol. She must have been feeling the delayed effects of the red wine she’d had earlier, which explained her current muddled state.

"Alright, alright, stay there, let me get you out," he said with a wry smile. He opened the door, walked to the passenger side, and lifted her into his arms in a princess carry.

Sensing his warmth, Qin Mengxue clung to him like a little octopus, burying her head against his chest and nuzzling affectionately, greedily inhaling the scent that gave her such peace.

Hearing the engine, Cen An'an had already opened the villa door before Xue Tian'ai could even ring the bell. Seeing him, her eyes lit up, and she was about to shout excitedly, "Brother-in-law, you're back—"

Xue Tian'ai shook his head gently, signaling her with his eyes. He pursed his lips toward the drunken, sleepy Qin Mengxue in his arms and whispered, "I'm taking your sister upstairs to sleep first."

Cen An'an immediately covered her mouth, nodded solemnly, and ran back to the sofa to turn down the volume on her tablet.

Xue Tian'ai carried Qin Mengxue upstairs, step by slow step, and entered her bedroom. Placing her gently on the bed, he gazed at her infant-like sleeping face and couldn't help but reveal a happy smile.

***

Back by the banks of the Hunhe River, the woman in the fire-red cheongsam still leaned against the wooden railing. Her mouth was numb from the alcohol, yet she continued to pour the liquor down her throat, her movements heavy with a fragile, helpless sorrow.

Like a heartbroken woman, crystal-clear tears slid silently down her alluring face, catching the moonlight and casting a hazy, ethereal glow upon her features. Moonlight flowed over her exquisite face, and whether it was tears or spilled wine, her prominent, proud chest shimmered with a silvery luster, dancing across the vibrant fabric of her dress.

Crying and laughing, shouting and raving—the woman was drunk, venting her inner bitterness and troubles in the haze of intoxication. Yet, on this empty riverbank and desolate road, she was the only performer, and there was no audience to applaud her.

Midnight came and went. Whether she had finally vented enough or simply realized it was too late, she gradually calmed down. She sank into a sitting position against the railing, staring blankly at the moon, lost in thought.

She pulled out her phone and dialed a number: "I've sent you my location. I've been drinking and can't drive. Send someone to pick me up."

Fifteen minutes later, a Rolls-Royce pulled up with a sense of urgency. A man and four women stepped out. Had Xue Tian'ai been there, he would have recognized the man immediately—it was none other than Cheng Qiankun, the boss of Lishui Longxuan!

And just as Xue Tian'ai would have recognized Cheng, he would have surely recognized the woman in the red cheongsam—she was none other than Sister Hong, the hostess of the previous night's auction!

"Oh my, Sister Hong, why are you out here drinking? And without any bodyguards! If something happened to you, how would I answer to the Hall?" Cheng Qiankun looked flustered and quickly gestured to the four women beside him: "Don't just stand there, help Sister Hong up!"

Undoubtedly, she was not the only one getting drunk tonight.