Xue Guangli recalled that Yin Shou was a trouble-maker; he also hated drama, so he disregarded what happened between w.a.n.g Weimin and Long Huojin, keeping them both as friends.

He also defended Long Huojin when w.a.n.g Weimin kicked him out of their social group.

w.a.n.g Weimin was still speaking to his friend, so Xue Guangli decided to go on her phone to scroll through Weibo.

Soon after, from the corner of her eyes, she could see the woman leading Long Huojin into the house, holding his hand. Xue Guangli rolled her eyes; her cheeks burned.

Xue Guangli straightened her back and continued to be on her phone. w.a.n.g Weimin began to drink and gamble with his friends. Xue Guangli wanted to learn how to play cards but w.a.n.g Weimin never let her.

She then waited three hours for him until it was very late.

"Weimin," she called out to him suddenly.

"Hm?" he responded, his attention still towards the game.

"I want to go home," she said. She felt rather bored and tired.

"Not now," he said, and then he murmured something to his friend, and they both laughed.

She then clung onto w.a.n.g Weimin"s forearm, rubbing against him, trying to convince him to take her home. But with a jolt, he jerked his elbow, chucking her aside, "Can"t you listen, woman?" he said to her with a harsh tone.

Xue Guangli"s eyes-widened, she felt terrible and humiliated at the same time. But she knew he drank a lot.

She then downed a shot of alcohol before she decided to go inside the house. Xue Guangli found a washroom and relieved herself. When she finished, she fixed up some of her light makeup. She then straightened her dress as she walked out of the room.

She took a sharp turn around the corner when she caught sight of Long Huojin descending the stairs, b.u.t.toning up his collar; his hair hung over his eyes. Xue Guangli"s cheeks heated.

She was jealous, not of the woman he was with, but of their intimacy. With w.a.n.g Weimin, it wasn"t like that at all. Did they really do anything? She shook her thoughts, continuing to walk away.

"Xue Li," Long Huojin called out to her suddenly; she froze. She turned, her chin raised. He locked their eyes; he was achingly handsome, she could admit, but she never fell for the man beneath the ice-cold eyes.

She waited for him to say something. But all he did was approach her, invading her s.p.a.ce. He nearly closed the gaps between them as he looked down at her, hard and piercing. Xue Guangli looked up at him, bold and unwavering; he lifted her chin with a lover"s touch.

"Can I help you?" she asked him softly; she began to feel fuzzy from the alcohol.

"Are you drunk?" he asked her; his tone low and smokey. Xue Guangli giggled, shaking her head enthusiastically like a child. "No," she denied it.

Long Huojin let go, then suddenly grasped her hand in his, locking their hands together. Without a word, he led her down the hall. She followed him, puzzled. He strolled with her, his touch scorching hot.

He led her to the front porch outside, down the stairs. They walked through the cobblestone pathway towards a car. He let go of her hand, opening the pa.s.senger door for her.

Xue Guangli stood, rooted in her spot, raising a brow.

"I"m taking you home," he said flatly.

Xue Guangli shook her head, folding her arms underneath her chest. "Not going," she said like a child refusing to go to bed.

Long Huojin"s face darkened. "Let"s go home," he insisted.

Xue Guangli shook her head stubbornly. "Why would I want to get in the car with the Black Prince? I hate you!" she said clumsily and angrily.

Black Prince? Long Huojin thought. "What kind of pet name is—" Xue Guangli didn"t let him finish speaking, covering his mouth with her hand. "Shh," she said. "Every time you speak, my blood recoils." Long Huojin laughed. He then lifted her up, but she fought him.

"What are you doing!?" she yelled at him.

"Listen. You look tired and worn out; your place is on the way to mine, obviously," he said with slight sarcasm. Xue Guangli puffed her cheeks, "You"re horrible!" she said

Long Huojin nodded. "Indeed," before he set her down gently on the pa.s.senger seat, fastening the seat belt around her.

Xue Guangli knitted her brows, crossing her arms together as he walked over to the driver"s seat. She glanced over at the front door and realized w.a.n.g Weimin wasn"t coming for her.

Xue Guangli kept silent as Long Huojin started the car and they drove away.

It was silent between them, but Long Huojin played some cla.s.sical music. The windows were open, so she felt refreshed as the warm air parted through them, caressing her face. It was a hot summer night, and she felt comfortable. Surprisingly it was not awkward at all, despite the silence and absence of words. It was calming.

When they arrived, Xue Guangli stepped out of the car clumsily. Long Huojin held her gently, helping her walk to the front porch. Xue Teegan was waiting at the door; she figured that Long Huojin had called her ahead without her realizing.

Xue Teegan thanked him for taking her home safely before she heaved up Xue Guangli taking her to bed. She recalled her sister tucking her into bed, caressing her head gently until she fell asleep.