Chu Dingjiang never imagined that after stepping away from politics, he’d become a part-time matchmaker. However, since An Jiu had asked, he couldn’t refuse.
The matter of sweet talk was left unresolved, but Chu Dingjiang didn’t mind much. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future. For now, he had a question: “Can you explain what ‘masturbation’ means?”
“It’s when…”
Chu Dingjiang quickly covered her mouth. “Never mind. I should have known you’d be so direct.”
Without even the pleasure of teasing, he felt dejected.
An Jiu had finally learned to read the room. Noticing his mood shift, she tentatively asked, “Are you unhappy?”
This carefree girl was now concerned about his feelings. What more could he ask for?
Chu Dingjiang gently stroked her face. “Not at all. An Jiu, remember that no matter what happens, I’ll always be by your side.”
“Mm.” A soft smile spread across An Jiu’s face.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“An Jiu!” Mo Sigui shouted from outside.
“Come in,” Chu Dingjiang called.
The door wasn’t locked.
Mo Sigui entered, carrying a large jug of wine. “Today’s a good day. Let’s have a drink to liven things up!” He winked at Chu Dingjiang, smiled, and left, making sure to close the door behind him.
“Did you ask him to prepare this?” An Jiu had noticed Mo Sigui’s gesture.
“No,” Chu Dingjiang replied, watching An Jiu open the seal. “Unsolicited favors are either treacherous or thieving.”
The wine’s aroma wafted through the air, carrying hints of flowers – plum and orchid – with a faint milky scent. It smelled less like wine and more like an alcoholic dessert, incredibly enticing.
“If you won’t drink it, I will!” An Jiu declared righteously. “If anything happens to me, you must avenge me!” She hugged the jug and took a large gulp.
The intoxicating fragrance lingered in her mouth. First came the rich milk flavor, followed by the wine’s essence, leaving a subtle floral aftertaste. An Jiu narrowed her eyes, resembling a fox that had stolen a treat.
Chu Dingjiang couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Try some,” An Jiu offered him the jug.
Guessing Mo Sigui’s intentions, Chu Dingjiang took only a small sip. “It’s good. You should drink more.”
Though seemingly unreliable, Mo Sigui was meticulous in medical matters. He wouldn’t harm An Jiu; he just wanted to get her drunk.
Almost every time An Jiu got drunk, chaos ensued. However, the last time had been surprisingly quiet. Mo Sigui wanted to determine if the stabilization of her mental condition was related to his efforts.
Chu Dingjiang was curious too.
Enticed by the delicious taste, An Jiu drank one mouthful after another. Before long, the jug was empty, and her cheeks were flushed. Frowning, she complained to Chu Dingjiang, “This jug is too small. Let’s ask for another one.”
“An Jiu.” Knowing she was drunk, Chu Dingjiang pulled her into his arms.
An Jiu found a comfortable position and lay still.
After a long silence, Chu Dingjiang heard soft snoring near his ear.
Mo Sigui peeked in mischievously, whispering, “Is she drunk?”
Chu Dingjiang nodded, “She’s asleep.”
She fell asleep quietly after getting drunk.
“I’ll head back then,” Mo Sigui said eagerly, intent on getting Wei Yuzhi drunk.
Mo Sigui had personally prepared the wine, which had therapeutic effects on the mind when drunk. However, Wei Yuzhi’s weak constitution meant he couldn’t drink much. Fortunately, Mo Sigui had learned from Cheng Changying that Wei Yuzhi was a lightweight, so getting him drunk wouldn’t be too difficult.
Humming a tune, Mo Sigui carried the wine jug to the library.
The island’s library was once the private study of the Second Old Madam. Though she didn’t enjoy reading, she liked to appear cultured, so the library housed many books. However, the building’s most remarkable feature wasn’t its collection but its structure.
From the outside, it appeared to be a two-story building. But inside, there was only one floor. A terrace encircled the exterior, accessible from within, offering panoramic views of the vast lake. Crystal windows connected the interior to the terrace, allowing light to refract and fill the room. The illumination was excellent, often creating rainbows. Sometimes, sitting there felt like being in a celestial realm.
When Mo Sigui entered, he saw Wei Yuzhi standing in the center of the room, gazing up at the crystal windows.
Moonlight bathed him in a hazy glow. His wide-sleeved cyan robe and snow-white hair seemed to shimmer with tiny fragments of rainbows, giving him an ethereal appearance tinged with an inescapable loneliness.
Mo Sigui hesitated, reluctant to disturb the tranquil scene.
Wei Yuzhi turned to look at him and nodded slightly. “Divine Physician.”
Mo Sigui then approached, raising the wine bowl. “Care for a drink?”
“Am I allowed to drink?” Wei Yuzhi asked.
Mo Sigui sat on the floor, arranging the wine bowls. “Of course. This is a special blend I’ve prepared. It has many benefits.”
Wei Yuzhi sat down as well, his white hair cascading onto the dark floor behind him.
“These are simple earthenware bowls. Hope you don’t mind,” Mo Sigui said.
The milky-white liquid in the yellow-brown bowls easily aroused the desire to drink.
Mo Sigui watched as Wei Yuzhi’s slender, fair fingers grasped the bowl – a gesture both rustic and elegant.
“Please,” Mo Sigui said.
“Please,” Wei Yuzhi responded, taking a sip. It lacked the harsh, throat-burning sensation he remembered. Instead, it was smooth and fragrant, unlike any wine he’d known. “I hadn’t expected the Divine Physician to be such a skilled wine-maker.”
Mo Sigui took a sip himself. “Indeed. You don’t drink often, do you?”
“I’ve only drunk twice in my life,” Wei Yuzhi replied.
Mo Sigui was puzzled. Despite his low tolerance, Wei Yuzhi started drinking without hesitation. Curiously, he asked, “Have you never been drunk?”
“I have.” But for Wei Yuzhi, there was little difference between being drunk and sober.
“The goal of drinking is to achieve a pleasant buzz. What’s the point if you don’t get drunk? Come on, bottoms up!” Mo Sigui raised his bowl.
Wei Yuzhi smiled and drained his bowl.
The wine tasted like a sweet soup upon entering the mouth, but it was more intoxicating than strong liquor due to the added herbs that enhanced its potency. These herbs had little effect on Mo Sigui, so he drank a bowl without worry.
Wei Yuzhi’s pale face had taken on a faint blush, making him appear more approachable.
Seeing Wei Yuzhi’s eyes still clear, Mo Sigui encouraged him to drink another bowl.
After two bowls, Wei Yuzhi’s face was redder, with a light sheen of sweat on his nose and temples. Mo Sigui wondered, wasn’t he supposed to have a low tolerance? How was he still composed? Had Cheng Changying’s information been wrong?
“I’m drunk,” Wei Yuzhi said with a slight smile. “Do you believe me?”
Before Mo Sigui could answer, Wei Yuzhi collapsed onto the floor with a thud. The wine bowl slid down his wide sleeve, making a muffled sound as it hit the floor through the thick fabric, without breaking.
“Eh?” Mo Sigui was dumbfounded. He had passed out just like that? He seemed fine just a moment ago!
“Wei Yuzhi?”
Mo Sigui poked him, unaware that Chu Dingjiang was standing behind him.
His drunken state was very similar to An Jiu’s – so quiet, so sudden.
Chu Dingjiang’s brow furrowed. So the blood essence had affected An Jiu to this extent…