Han Xi smirked, "Alright, I’ll make it up to you tomorrow night."
She deliberately lengthened her tone, yet her lips carried a sweet smile.
When Han Xi came out of the bedroom, Chu Ci had already skillfully prepared dinner: pasta, side dishes, red wine... it was simply the perfect combination.
Manman sat at the dining table, gently swirling the red wine in her glass, the shimmering red traces clinging to the transparent inner wall, leaving a delicate crimson crystal.
"Isn’t Lu Jinghan going to let you go?" Manman took a sip of wine, raised her eyebrows, and smiled.
Han Xi awkwardly cleared her throat, pretending to be calm as she pulled out a chair to sit down, "There’s no such thing."
Chu Ci took the wine from the table, poured some into Han Xi’s and her own glasses, then picked up her glass and downed it in one gulp, "If I could meet a man as devoted as Lu Jinghan, my life would be complete."
"You will meet him, maybe that Gu Beichen is the one."
Manman quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, that Gu Beichen is a rare find, you shouldn’t waste it."
Chu Ci picked up the wine again and poured herself another glass, her clear eyes holding a bewildered light, "Maybe, but I lack that overwhelming passion for him, there’s only respect or perhaps the kind of harmony between guests."
Manman put down her fork and asked with a slight frown, "Are you not planning to give it a try with Gu Beichen?"
Chu Ci drank all the wine in her glass in one gulp, her lips stained with red wine lifted into a perfect curve.
"I don’t want to force myself; if I can’t love with all my heart, then I might as well not start. Love should be something that brings joy and comfort, not like a shackle that binds us."
This was a decision that Chu Ci had deliberated all afternoon on.
She felt that mutual respect was not as fulfilling as passionate love.
Han Xi didn’t try to persuade her anymore, she respected Chu Ci’s decision. After all, they’re all adults and can tell what’s suitable for themselves.
However, Manman grumbled in defense of Gu Beichen, saying if she missed this chance, she’d regret it if Gu Beichen got taken by another woman.
In the end, the three of them drank quite a bit, and they fell asleep haphazardly on the bed.
The next day, Han Xi was awakened by the incessant ringing of the doorbell. She massaged her slightly aching head, got up from the bed, and unsteadily walked out to open the door.
As soon as she opened the door, she saw Shi Yu standing there, drenched, chain-smoking. Before Han Xi could react, Shi Yu had already stubbed out his cigarette and barged in.
Han Xi cautiously peeked outside, relieved to find the reporters were gone. If they were caught on camera, it would be hard to explain.
At some point, it started raining outside, and a chilly breeze made Han Xi shiver.
Shi Yu’s low voice was filled with anger, his eyes bloodshot.
"Don’t shout, Chu Ci and Manman are still sleeping." Han Xi said impatiently.
In the bedroom, Chu Ci sat up when she heard the noise, casually grabbing a jacket to drape over her shoulders before getting out of bed.
Manman lazily turned over, continuing her dream-time tea session with Zhou Gong. Waking up early was never her strong suit; unless the sky was falling, nothing could stop her from staying in bed.
Chu Ci came out of the bedroom, closing the door behind her as she headed towards the living room.
"Why aren’t you cuddled up in bed with your beloved at this early hour? Why come here?"