In the dead of night in the capital, by the roadside, a few drunkards staggered along in a line, warbling incoherent tunes. As they passed the car, they curiously looked into it, only to quickly move away once they saw the forbidding look on Ding Long’s face.
Zhou Chenyue had gotten out of the car fifteen minutes earlier. Despite her reluctance to leave her sister Ding Jinshi alone with Ding Long, Ding Long insisted on dropping her off first, unwilling to make two trips. Zhou Chenyue had thought that given their close relationships, Ding Long, however mischievous, wouldn’t dare cross her sister.
Ding Long took out a lighter. The car window was slightly down on his side, causing the flame of the lighter to flicker as he lit his cigarette.
He glanced over at Ding Jinshi in the passenger seat. She was wide awake when getting into the car but seem to have fallen into a deep sleep now, perhaps due to the potent after-effects of the alcohol.
The entrance to Ding Jinshi’s residence was only fifty meters away, but Ding Long didn’t rush to wake her. After finishing his cigarette, he noticed that his companion showed no signs of waking. He then threw out his cigarette butt and leaned closer to her.
His face hovered near Ding Jinshi’s face, close enough to feel her steady breathing. After observing her carefully for a few seconds, he pressed his lips onto hers.
This action woke Ding Jinshi up. She startled upon seeing Ding Long’s face in front of her. Taking a peek, she saw what he was doing, and responded by slapping him across the face and pushing him away.
"Ding Long, no one fits the phrase ’exploiting a vulnerable moment’ more than you! I’m warning you, three strikes and you’re out!" Ding Jinshi forcefully wiped her lips with disdain, her face full of disgust.
"Even if there were three, what could you do to me?" Ding Long sneered, "It’s been many years since I tasted your lips. They still, indeed, taste fine."
"I’m not one of your many flings, Ding Long. Enough with your repulsive attitude! Listen, you are not to touch He Zhilan! Don’t think I don’t know what you are up to!"
"Oh? Is it because her brother is Lan Li’s comrade-in-arms so you feel the need to protect her? You hate Gu En, don’t you? He Zhilan is Gu En’s roommate. Shouldn’t you hate He Zhilan too?" The slap mark on Ding Long’s face didn’t affect him. His nonchalant, rebellious demeanor remained unchanged.
"Yes, because He Zhilan’s brother is Lan Li’s comrade, He Zhilan is someone I, Ding Jinshi, will protect! Ding Long, there are many women in the capital. If you dare to touch any woman under my protection, I will fight you to the death!" She spoke determinedly, without any pretence.
However, her defense of Lan Li mocked by Ding Long, "You hate Lan Li so much, don’t you?"
"Yes, I do hate him, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love him. Just remember this, Ding Long. You should know very well what type of person I, Ding Jinshi, am!" Leaving these harsh words behind, Ding Jinshi opened the car door and stumbled out. Still feeling the effects of the alcohol, she wobbled slightly after a few steps. The alcoholic after-effects were indeed potent, otherwise, she wouldn’t have once again let Ding Long kiss her!