Dai Chengfeng's tone carried a subtle, almost imperceptible coaxing.
Across from him, Liu Erlong looked at the tempting wine in the glass, then back at Dai Chengfeng.
Thinking about everything that had happened today, and the pain brought by Yu Xiaogang… perhaps… perhaps she really needed something to numb herself.
She hesitated for a moment before reluctantly reaching out to take the glass.
"Just one glass," she emphasized, as if warning Dai Chengfeng, or perhaps reminding herself.
"Of course."
Dai Chengfeng smiled and gently clinked his glass against hers.
The crisp yet slightly bitter liquid slid down her throat. At first, it felt unfamiliar, but soon, a warm current spread from her stomach, gradually seeping into her limbs, bringing with it an odd sense of relaxation.
Without realizing it, Liu Erlong finished the entire glass.
And Dai Chengfeng seemed to always find reasons to refill her glass.
"This wine has a nice flavor. How about another half glass?"
"Enough! I said just one glass!"
Liu Erlong shook her head.
But Dai Chengfeng didn't take the bottle away.
Instead, he lightly tapped the bottle with his fingertips, producing a faint knocking sound, while his gaze lingered on her still weary and pained brows.
"The aftertaste of this wine is long-lasting. Half a glass won't get you drunk."
His voice softened, like a gentle evening breeze brushing over leaves. "Just this half glass might help you sleep better tonight."
Liu Erlong curled her fingers slightly.
She truly was exhausted today—both her soul and body felt as though they had been torn apart.
Yu Xiaogang's face and those decisive words still churned in her mind, making her temples throb faintly.
Yet the warmth spreading through her stomach strangely eased the sharpness of the pain.
She glanced at the amber liquid, then at Dai Chengfeng. "Just half a glass?"
Her voice wavered, the determination in it already cracking.
Dai Chengfeng smiled and tilted the bottle slightly, pouring precisely half a glass, stopping perfectly below the belly of the glass.
"It's just to help you sleep."
Liu Erlong fell silent for a moment.
A cool breeze passed through the courtyard, carrying a touch of chill. With a sense of self-abandonment, she reached out and took the half-filled glass.
This time, she drank more slowly, savoring the slight bitterness followed by a lingering sweetness, feeling the warmth seep more gradually into her cold limbs.
Soon, the bottom of the glass was empty again.
Dai Chengfeng watched as her shoulders relaxed slightly, a faint smile flickering in his eyes.
He didn't act immediately, instead patiently waiting, as if merely accompanying her to admire the fading twilight.
After a while, Dai Chengfeng casually mentioned, his fingertips lightly tracing the engraved patterns on the bottle: "It's a pity to drink this wine alone."
"Its charm needs to be savored slowly to be fully appreciated."
"When weighed down by emotions, occasionally indulging once or twice isn't necessarily a bad thing… Would you like a little more? Just one last bit."
Perhaps the wine was truly intoxicating, or perhaps Liu Erlong truly wanted to get drunk—to escape certain things.
In any case, a subtle haze of drunkenness had already crept into the corners of Liu Erlong's eyes, casting a faint mist over them.
Words of refusal hovered at the tip of her tongue but couldn't quite make their way out.
She hesitated, looking at the glass being offered again.
Seeing this, Dai Chengfeng didn't rush her, simply holding out the glass.
Liu Erlong took a shallow breath and, unable to resist the temptation, nodded ever so slightly, a hint of resignation toward herself evident in her gesture.
The crystal glass was filled again, this time slightly more than half.
She took it, her fingertips brushing lightly against his, bringing a strange warmth.
She didn't look at him, only gazed at the ripples shimmering in the glass before tilting her head back and drinking it slowly.
"Try these roasted mushrooms—they pair perfectly with this wine."
"Sister Erlong, you've had a tough day."
"…"
Dai Chengfeng's words urging her to drink were natural and unforced, his lazy, smiling eyes making it hard to refuse.
Already troubled by her chaotic thoughts, Liu Erlong half-heartedly accepted another glass, then another…
Soon, the lingering effects of the red wine began to take hold. Her cheeks flushed a vivid peach hue, and her gaze grew hazy. Her usually sharp, beautiful eyes now shimmered with a naive, endearing softness.
"I… I really can't drink anymore…"
She felt her head spinning, her body heating up. Instinctively, she pressed the back of her hand to her burning cheek.
Watching her slightly tipsy, charming demeanor, Dai Chengfeng's gaze deepened subtly.
He set down his glass, stood up, and moved to sit beside Liu Erlong.
The proper distance between them vanished instantly, and Liu Erlong could even feel the warm, wine-tinged breath emanating from him.
She instinctively tried to shift away, but Dai Chengfeng gently grasped her wrist.
"Sister Erlong," his voice was huskier than usual, laced with magnetic allure, "…thank you for your manuscript."
His proximity made Liu Erlong's heart race, momentarily jolting her out of her drunken haze.
"You… go back and sit over there!"
She tried to pull her hand away, but his grip tightened.
The scorching heat of his palm pressed against her skin, sending a shiver through her.
"Thank you too…" Dai Chengfeng's gaze lingered on her flushed lips, his meaning clear, "for today's… 'reward.'"
Liu Erlong immediately understood his insinuation and was filled with a mix of shame and anger.
"How dare you spout such nonsense! That wasn't… mmph!"
Before she could finish her protest, Dai Chengfeng suddenly leaned in and sealed her lips with a kiss.
Unlike his earlier aggressive ambush, this kiss was infused with the rich aroma of red wine. It began with a slow, tentative gentleness but quickly escalated into the familiar, irresistible dominance.
"Mmm… no…"
Liu Erlong weakly pushed against his chest with her free hand, her protests feeble and fragmented.
The alcohol had made her body softer, as if all her strength had been drained. Her resistance felt more like reluctant acceptance, a hesitant yielding.
Her mind was in chaos. Her rationality screamed rejection, but her body betrayed her will under his kiss. A strange, intense tingling sensation surged through her once again, stronger than before, making her tremble uncontrollably, nearly melting into his embrace.
Two conflicting thoughts battled fiercely in her mind.
No! I can't let this happen!
But… it already happened once…
Ultimately, surrendering to the numbing effects of the alcohol, she thought: Fine… just for today… after all, it already happened once today… one last indulgence…
Tomorrow… tomorrow I'll draw a clear line…
Once this thought took root, all her resistance melted like snow under the sun.
Her hand, which had been pushing him away, slowly slid down, finally coming to rest limply on his arm. Her tightly closed eyelashes trembled as she awkwardly and passively endured this long, deep kiss. Unconsciously, she let out a faint, barely audible whimper, one so soft she didn't even notice it herself.
Having received her tacit permission and encouragement, Dai Chengfeng's kiss grew even more passionate and possessive. The arm around her waist tightened, almost pulling her entirely into his embrace.
Unspoken tenderness filled the air.
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