Hearing this, Mu Chengyun’s expression showed slight surprise as he glanced back at Wen Yifan. As if unexpected, he raised an eyebrow and asked, “Senior, do you know Sister Yifan?”
Sang Yan’s eyes were devoid of emotion as he coldly looked at him.
“It doesn’t matter if you know her or not,” Mu Chengyun said, his youthful features exuding the fearlessness of a newborn calf facing a tiger. His words betrayed an obvious determination. Still appearing unsteady, he spoke with clarity, “You might have more experience, but in matters like this, I believe it’s more about the person than the technique.”
“Just looking at the person?” Sang Yan drawled lazily, “Then you might as well go home and sleep it off now.”
“…”
Sang Yan couldn’t be bothered to waste more words with him. He turned back, “Wen Yifan.”
As if on cue, Wen Yifan had caught up: “What is it?”
Looking at their faces, Wen Yifan had no idea what they had just been talking about.
Recalling what Mu Chengyun had said in the bar earlier, these two should know each other. Judging by how Sang Yan was dragging Mu Chengyun forward like a sack of potatoes, with the latter showing no signs of displeasure—
They were probably quite familiar with each other.
At this moment, Wen Yifan felt as if she had interrupted their reunion.
Sang Yan stared at her face: “Did you drink?”
Wen Yifan nodded, honestly replying, “A little.”
Sang Yan: “Can you stand steadily?”
Not knowing why he asked this, Wen Yifan still answered seriously, “I can stand steadily.”
“Then help me out,” Sang Yan took his car keys from his pocket and tossed them in her direction, “Go ahead and open the car door.”
Wen Yifan caught them immediately.
Before she could say anything, Sang Yan raised his hand again, once more grabbing Mu Chengyun’s hat, saying with a not-quite smile, “My junior here is too drunk, he can barely walk.”
Wen Yifan looked toward Mu Chengyun, hesitantly asking, “Do you need help?”
“No need,” Sang Yan pulled Mu Chengyun forward, his force seemingly ungentle. Mu Chengyun’s face had turned red from the pressure. “You’re clumsy and careless, how could you take care of my delicate little junior?”
“…”
Watching his behavior, Wen Yifan remained silent for a moment, not mentioning it again: “Where’s your car parked?”
Sang Yan jerked his chin: “Over there.”
Mu Chengyun felt uncomfortable with his collar being pulled.
But having acted drunk halfway through, he couldn’t just stop now. Looking at Wen Yifan several meters away, while enduring Sang Yan’s sarcastic remarks about his delicate nature, he began to regret his decision to feign drunkenness tonight.
They walked to the parking area in the mountain pass.
Wen Yifan quickly went over and opened the back door.
Sang Yan followed behind her, directly stuffing Mu Chengyun inside, his movements swift and decisive.
Seeing this, Wen Yifan returned the car keys to him. She stood there, unsure if Sang Yan would be willing to give her a ride as well. After a moment’s thought, she decided not to embarrass herself by asking.
It was Mu Chengyun who spoke first: “Sister Yifan, why aren’t you getting in?”
Wen Yifan hesitantly looked at Sang Yan.
At this moment, Sang Yan was also standing by the back door, looking down at her. His pupils were dark as ink, his eyebrows slightly raised, as if challenging her. Then, without a word, he closed the back door.
“…”
The rejection was blatantly obvious.
Wen Yifan checked the time; it wasn’t even ten o’clock yet.
Considering it was still early, she didn’t mind too much. Just as she was about to say goodbye and leave, Sang Yan had already started walking towards the driver’s seat, casually throwing out: “Sit in the front.”
This unexpected statement caught Wen Yifan off guard: “Are you talking to me?”
Sang Yan opened the car door, pausing his movement: “Who else?”
Wen Yifan: “Oh, okay.”
“People feel uncomfortable when they’re drunk, let him lie down in the back,” Sang Yan said idly, “Why are you trying to crowd in there?”
“…” Wen Yifan looked through the car window, noticing Mu Chengyun’s slightly pale expression. She found it oddly considerate of Sang Yan today, “That’s true.”
With that, she said to Mu Chengyun: “Then you rest well in the back, and don’t drink so much in the future.”
Mu Chengyun: “…”
–
Once in the car, Sang Yan casually asked: “Where does he live?”
Wen Yifan wasn’t entirely sure of the specifics, so she only answered what she knew: “He’s a senior at Nan University, I think he still lives on campus.”
Sang Yan: “Which campus?”
“…” Wen Yifan recalled the place from her last interview visit, saying uncertainly, “Should be the main campus.”
“Right,” Mu Chengyun mumbled from the back.
After that, no one spoke in the car, the silence becoming almost eerie.
Wen Yifan didn’t notice anything odd about the atmosphere, only feeling the delayed effects of the alcohol. Her stomach was churning, something rising in her throat, making her uncomfortable.
Adding to that, the closed car space allowed the smell of alcohol to spread.
The smell was unpleasant, intensifying her urge to vomit.
Wen Yifan couldn’t help but ask: “Can I open the window?”
Sang Yan spared her a glance without saying anything. He freed one hand, moved it to the left, and pressed the window control button.
The next moment, the window on Wen Yifan’s side lowered.
Cool air from outside rushed in, carrying an unidentifiable floral scent.
Wen Yifan instantly felt much better and thanked him. She leaned weakly against the window, somewhat regretting drinking that glass of alcohol on an empty stomach. She thought about making some soup when she got home, which should help her feel better.
As the wind blew, Wen Yifan’s thoughts began to wander.
She recalled what Mu Chengyun had said at the gathering earlier about Sang Yan downing over a dozen bottles of alcohol at a dinner party without changing expression. For some reason, this reminded her of the first time Sang Yan had “drunk” in front of her in high school.
She remembered it was Su Hao’an’s birthday that day.
For this occasion, Su Hao’an invited many classmates, including Wen Yifan.
Wen Yifan’s participation in such collective activities and gatherings was quite low. This time, it was only because Su Hao’an had invited her many times that she felt too embarrassed to refuse again.
The location was set at a KTV in Shang’an.
Su Hao’an had told her the room number in advance. Wen Yifan asked a staff member and walked directly inside. As soon as she pushed open the door, she saw Sang Yan sitting at the edge of the room. He was wearing a black T-shirt, leaning against the back of the chair, a drink in hand.
Seeing her, Sang Yan turned his head, the corners of his lips curving into a slight arc.
Before there was any movement, Wen Yifan was pulled away by a girl on the other side.
The two had no interaction all evening.
Wen Yifan didn’t plan to stay too long. Around nine o’clock, she got up to say goodbye to Su Hao’an, adding a quick “happy birthday.” Not wanting to disturb the other classmates’ excitement, she quietly left through the back door of the KTV.
Following these stairs down led to a small square. There was a row of shops nearby, including a McDonald’s.
Wen Yifan felt her pocket, considering whether to go buy a McFlurry, when suddenly a larger shadow overlapped her own. She instinctively looked up, immediately meeting Sang Yan’s nonchalant gaze.
She paused: “Are you heading back too?”
Sang Yan replied lazily: “Mm.”
They lived in different directions, so Wen Yifan just nodded: “Then see you on Monday, be safe on your way.”
Having said that, Wen Yifan started walking towards McDonald’s. But after a few steps, Sang Yan’s body swayed slightly, suddenly grabbing her arm as if trying to steady himself.
Wen Yifan turned her head: “What’s wrong?”
Sang Yan didn’t let go, slowly uttering a word: “Dizzy.”
Hearing this, Wen Yifan looked at his face. It seemed no different from usual. His eyes were dark yet bright as if reflecting the streetlights. She didn’t understand what was wrong with him and asked: “What’s the matter?”
“Can’t stand steady,” Sang Yan looked at Wen Yifan, emphasizing his words, “Need someone to support me.”
“…”
Wen Yifan hesitantly walked back in front of him, just happening to catch a faint smell of alcohol: “Did you drink?”
Sang Yan grunted in affirmation.
Wen Yifan felt this wasn’t good: “Why are you drinking alcohol as a high school student?”
“Grabbed the wrong one, they’re all red cans,” Sang Yan said, “Thought it was cola.”
“Oh.” Wen Yifan didn’t know how to handle this. After thinking for a moment, she suggested, “Then should I call Su Hao’an to come down and get you? Or you could call your parents—”
Sang Yan interrupted her: “I don’t like troubling people.”
He doesn’t like troubling people.
Does that include her as well?
“Then you,” Wen Yifan thought for a moment, pointing to the nearby steps, “Why don’t you sit down and clear your head for a bit?”
“…”
She finished her suggestion slowly: “And I’ll head home first?”
Unsure whether to be angry or amused, Sang Yan stared straight at her. Seeming somewhat frustrated, after a long moment, he waved his hand at her.
“Fine, you go ahead.”
Given these words, Wen Yifan walked towards McDonald’s again. Soon, she turned back and saw that Sang Yan had indeed sat down on those steps. He sat loosely, his black hair falling over his forehead, head lowered, his eyes and brows hidden from view.
He looked like a pitiful homeless person.
Wen Yifan turned her gaze away and continued walking forward.
Not long after, she stopped again, sighed, and walked back in front of him.
“Sang Yan.”
Sang Yan didn’t even lift his eyes, carelessly making an “Ah” sound as a response.
Never having encountered such a situation, Wen Yifan was at a loss. She could barely take care of herself, let alone others. She could only say, “Can you walk? Shall I take you to the bus stop?”
The next moment, Sang Yan raised his head, paused for a few seconds, then reached out to her.
“Can’t get up.”
Wen Yifan licked her lips, grasped his wrist, and exerted force, trying to pull him up.
He didn’t budge an inch.
She added a bit more strength.
Still, he didn’t move at all.
Wen Yifan felt a bit frustrated and half-squatted down: “I’ll go up and call Su Hao’an to come down.”
Sang Yan looked at her calmly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing: “Can’t you use a bit more strength?”
“I can’t drag you, you’re too heavy,” Wen Yifan said, pulling him again, “See—”
Before she could finish, this time Sang Yan stood up extremely easily.
Wen Yifan was dumbfounded.
Sang Yan stood in place and continued to command: “Let’s go, to the bus stop.”
“…”
Wen Yifan felt something was odd, but couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She could only say dryly, “How should I support you?”
Sang Yan thought for a moment: “Let me lean on your shoulder.”
Recalling how she had struggled to pull him up earlier, Wen Yifan was reluctant. Fearing he would put all his weight on her and crush her completely, she said, “Can’t I just hold your arm?”
Sang Yan smiled: “Then can you hold both arms?”
Wen Yifan didn’t understand: “How can I hold both sides?”
She imagined the posture, feeling it was no different from an embrace.
“Only supporting one side,” Sang Yan smirked, “I’m unsteady on the other side.”
“…”
Wen Yifan considered for a good while before reluctantly accepting. Thinking the distance wasn’t too far, she gritted her teeth and decided to go through with it. Leaving such a drunk person here didn’t seem right either.
She moved closer: “Alright, lean on me.”
When saying it, Sang Yan seemed matter-of-fact, reaching the height of shamelessness. But when it came to action, he became hesitant, taking a long time to raise his arm.
In the end, Wen Yifan grew impatient and directly lifted his right arm to place it on her shoulder.
Whether it was Wen Yifan’s imagination or not, Sang Yan’s body seemed to stiffen slightly. Subsequently, contrary to her expectations, no boulder-like weight pressed down on her.
She unconsciously glanced at his face a few times.
They walked a short distance.
Suddenly, Wen Yifan felt Sang Yan’s body tremble slightly as if he couldn’t hold back anymore, and he let out a low laugh. She looked up, her gaze fixed on the dimple at the corner of his lips, then moving up to meet his eyes.
He laughed to himself, his shallow breath faintly brushing against her neck.
He looked like he was in a drunken frenzy, and Wen Yifan asked bewilderedly, “What are you laughing at?”
Sang Yan was still laughing: “Nothing.”
“…” She looked at him strangely, continuing to support him forward.
As they approached the bus stop, Sang Yan suddenly called out to her: “Wen Shuangjiang.”
Wen Yifan: “Hm?”
“Let me tell you something.”
“What?”
“I remembered wrong earlier.” Sang Yan tugged at the corner of his mouth, dragging out his words, returning to his usual infuriating demeanor, “What I drank tonight was just cola.”
…
Before she knew it, the car had already arrived at the gates of Nan University.
Perhaps having rested in the car for a while, Mu Chengyun now looked much more sober. He got out of the car, smiled, and didn’t suggest Sang Yan accompany him inside. He simply said goodbye to them.
Wen Yifan waved at him, then glanced around the entrance of Nanwu University.
Turning her head, she inadvertently met Sang Yan’s gaze.
She immediately averted her eyes.
Another silent journey ensued.
During this time, Sang Yan only spoke once to ask: “Is he your colleague?”
“A new intern,” Wen Yifan said, “Seems like he’s a junior you know?”
Sang Yan replied indifferently: “I suppose so.”
The car drove into the underground parking lot of the residential complex.
It wasn’t until Wen Yifan’s feet touched the ground that she truly felt the strong aftereffects of the alcohol she had drunk. She felt a sense of floating as if the world was swaying.
Sang Yan got out of the car a few seconds after her, currently using the car keys to lock the vehicle. Then, noticing Wen Yifan’s condition, he casually asked, “What’s wrong?”
Hearing his voice, Wen Yifan inexplicably thought of how Mu Chengyun’s neck had turned red from being choked earlier. She instinctively raised her hand, pressing down on the hood of her sweatshirt: “Nothing…”
“…”
Sang Yan found her behavior strange but didn’t notice anything amiss in her expression. After staring at her for a few seconds, he looked away and walked towards the elevator.
Wen Yifan followed behind him, walking slowly.
He had been in the elevator for quite some time before she finally entered, moving to the back and leaning against the elevator wall.
Upon reaching the sixteenth floor.
Seeing the elevator doors open, Wen Yifan prepared to walk out. But having stood for so long, her feet felt oddly weak and somewhat soft.
At the same time, Sang Yan turned his head, seemingly wanting to say something to her. Before he could utter a word, Wen Yifan’s body leaned forward, feeling as if everything was out of control. She reflexively grabbed his arm with one hand and clutched his tie with the other.
Her face collided with his chest.
In an instant, all her senses were overwhelmed by the pervasive sandalwood scent emanating from him.
Sang Yan’s body inclined accordingly.
She instinctively looked up, her nose bumping into his chin, then retreated a step.
At this moment, the elevator doors closed.
The scene seemed to freeze.
Sang Yan was the first to react.
He straightened up, reached out to straighten the tie she had pulled askew, and calmly pressed the door open button. Then, he turned his head, giving her a meaningful look: “What’s your excuse this time?”
Wen Yifan explained: “Sorry, I’m a bit unsteady on my feet.”
“When I asked you earlier,” Sang Yan said thoughtfully, “Didn’t you say you were steady?”
“…”
Three seconds of silence passed.
In the quiet elevator, Sang Yan suddenly called out to her: “Wen Yifan.”
Wen Yifan looked up a beat late: “Huh?”
Sang Yan looked her up and down, raising an eyebrow: “Are you trying to pursue me?”
“…” Wen Yifan’s mind was foggy, and for a moment she didn’t quite process what he said, “What?”
“If that’s your intention, you should be more straightforward. Who knows—” Sang Yan bent down slightly, meeting her gaze. He dragged out his words, pausing for two seconds before slowly adding, “I might consider it.”