Chapter 2: Clinging On?

A row of eight small wine cups stood on the little tray, each filled with clear, pure liquor.

The tray was set down before Yu Xiangsi, and Shen Xinian smiled warmly. “At this level, this should be no problem, right?”

A flicker passed through Yu Xiangsi’s eyes, and the dimples at the corners of her lips appeared again before she let the smile fade.

The earlier investigation had been correct: Shen Xinian was the biggest owner of the Night Scene Bar. Strong liquor was generally something middle-aged men drank, yet no one knew that Shen Xinian, influenced by his grandfather, was also fond of it. He was a collector of fine liquor, and he kept quite a lot of white spirits at Night Scene, taking an occasional sip.

When the plan to accept the three challenges had been set, the tasting challenge had been the hardest to carry out. Many of the wines were too expensive, and their finances could not support letting Yu Xiangsi familiarize herself with imported liquor.

But white liquor was different, because Qin Lang’s family had once run a distillery.

Yu Xiangsi’s thoughts turned over and over. Qin Lang was helping her once again, as though, in some unseen way, everything was aiding her in avenging him.

Yu Xiangsi pressed her lips together. Shen Xinian curved his lips, just about to smile, when he saw Yu Xiangsi already pick up the first cup.

She drank it in one go, as crisp and decisive as her billiards, carrying a broad, unrestrained elegance that did not match her appearance.

She held the liquor in her mouth for a moment, then thought carefully. “Twenty-five-year-old nuerhong?” She glanced at Shen Xinian with playful amusement. “Looks like Mr. Shen is actually quite gentle.”

Shen Xinian looked toward the bartender, and the bartender gave the slightest nod. She had guessed right.

Yu Xiangsi drank the second cup, and this time named it even faster. “Fifteen-year-old Luzhou Laojiao? Mm, I like rich-aroma spirits best.”

The bartender froze for a moment, and from his expression, Shen Xinian knew enough.

The commotion drew everyone in the bar’s attention, and the entire place fell into a rare hush.

Yu Xiangsi remained unmoved, continuing to drink. With each cup, she named the liquor exactly, until she had finished seven.

Only on the eighth cup did Yu Xiangsi frown and think carefully, but still come up empty.

With a relaxed smile, she looked at Shen Xinian. “Sorry. I couldn’t identify the eighth cup. I lose.”

Even when she admitted defeat, her tone was calm and relieved, her expression open and honest.

But Shen Xinian could not smile, because he knew he had cheated.

The eighth cup was a special reserve, something only certain people could drink. Ordinary people could never possibly have tasted it.

Yu Xiangsi turned to leave, but when she turned around, she ran into someone.

After drinking eight cups in a row, she was a little dizzy and crashed straight into the person’s chest. He steadied her by the waist and held her upright.

Yu Xiangsi instinctively apologized. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

Then she looked up and met Ji Jing’s deep gaze.

She paused for a beat, then her eyes lit up and she broke into a radiant smile, the dimples at the corners of her mouth appearing distinctly.

At the mere sight of him, light filled her eyes.

What had sounded like a figurative phrase became literal in that instant.

She tilted her face up slightly and looked at him earnestly, her gaze focused so completely that it seemed the whole world had narrowed to just him.

“Are you all right?” Ji Jing asked.

The next second, Yu Xiangsi leaned against his chest, both hands clutching his hem. “I’m not well,” the girl said with bright, coquettish complaint. “Very not well. I’m dizzy. Let me lean on you for a moment.”

Ji Jing had met many women who found excuses to throw themselves into his arms, but the one in his embrace was somehow different.

He understood at once. Yes, she really was here for him.

Shen Xinian came over then. “I say, aren’t you being a little too biased? When you just saw me, that perfunctory look of yours wasn’t even as good as the way you looked at the darts board. Now that Old Ji is here, why has your expression changed? Am I really that bad?”

Shen Xinian felt deeply wronged.

He knew this girl was probably here to hook a rich man, but they were all handsome, capable young men—how could she treat them so differently?

Yu Xiangsi was still a little unsteady. She glanced at Shen Xinian indifferently. “How can you compare with him?”

Shen Xinian: “!”

He felt as though another knife had been stabbed into his chest.

“I’m not allowed to compare with him?” Shen Xinian protested indignantly.

Yu Xiangsi raised her head and looked at the man’s handsome jawline, her eyes bright as stars. “Because I like him.”

The girl’s voice carried a trace of lingering tenderness. Merely mentioning him brought softness and attachment with it. Her attitude was unmistakable, utterly unhidden in its difference toward him.

In those eyes, his shadow filled everything, and the words of admiration were written all over her gaze.

Ji Jing’s heart stirred. He had met too many women who admired him, yet never had he felt this way.

Perhaps it was because the three challenges she had completed were so unusual. Perhaps it was because her eyes were so bright at this moment. Or perhaps it was simply because she was beautiful.

But Ji Jing realized clearly that he was moved by her, drawn to her.

He lowered his head; the girl’s crimson lips were right before him, like a flower waiting to be plucked.

Gu Ze had also come over and, after glancing at Yu Xiangsi, said with a smile, “Since this young lady is so devoted to you, Old Ji, stop putting on airs. Why waste such sincere feelings?”

Ji Jing lowered his eyes. Yu Xiangsi leaned against his chest, her cheeks flushed red, her eyes closed, her body carrying a faint scent of alcohol.

“Dizzy,” she muttered, then held tightly to him.

Had she latched onto him for good?

Ji Jing scooped her up in his arms and turned to leave in long strides. Behind him, Gu Ze and Shen Xinian watched, exchanged a glance, and smiled in tacit understanding.

“Come on, let’s go drink,” Gu Ze said.

Things like this were not uncommon in their circle. This time was no different—just a woman who had主动靠上来, nothing worth paying too much attention to.

Even if she was indeed a little different.