"...Mm." Lin Ruijiao slowly nodded, not putting down the wine glass in her hand, her eyes filled with contemplation.
"Do you two want to drink?" Ye Ruihuan looked toward Assistant Li and Jing Jing.
Both shook their heads in unison. In this kind of situation, something was bound to happen, so it was better not to drink alcohol.
Assistant Li exchanged a meaningful glance with Jing Jing, and the two tactfully left the area, giving them space to be alone.
When Lin Ruijiao looked up, she met those gentle eyes again. She took another small sip of wine, letting the rich flavor flood her mouth and dilute her thoughts. At this moment, she didn't know what to say. Their relationship had reached an awkward zero point, especially after everything that had happened. Moreover, Ye Ruihuan's confession had been rejected by her, so trying to please her now might cause unnecessary misunderstandings.
Lin Ruijiao wrestled with her thoughts briefly, then finally decided to stay quiet and remain still.
Ye Ruihuan's gaze occasionally lingered on her—that sensual and alluring aura, that incredibly gentle smile, eyes brimming with deep, unresolvable affection. Lin Ruijiao didn't dare meet her gaze directly, quickly averting her eyes and dodging.
These small movements made Ye Ruihuan's smile even brighter. From these details, didn't it mean that Jiaojiao wasn't completely rejecting her, that she still cared about her a little bit? And she wasn't showing that previous disgust either.
After watching Lin Ruijiao for a long time, most of Ye Ruihuan's anxiety finally disappeared.
The black dress made her skin appear even more snow-white, every exposed inch of skin utterly seductive. Her elegant makeup made her look radiant and graceful, refined and beautiful. Now completely relaxed, she was glowing with an enchanting light. That renewed confidence made her even more charming, yet without a trace of arrogance, making her more comfortable to look at and irresistibly drawing people closer to interact with this captivating beauty.
Without realizing it, Lin Ruijiao had finished all the wine in her glass, but she still seemed lost in thought, as if weighed down by heavy concerns.
Ye Ruihuan discreetly refilled her glass and added some to her own. "Jiaojiao, drink a little more," Ye Ruihuan persuaded. "Don't let it go to waste."
Lin Ruijiao looked at the full glass, struggling for a moment, weighing the pros and cons of drinking versus not drinking. She indeed hadn't had alcohol in a long time, had been working hard recently, and had no upcoming work. A little drink should be fine. In this situation, Ye Ruihuan probably wouldn't do anything to her. After thinking it over, Lin Ruijiao couldn't resist the temptation and slowly reached for the glass.
The wine was truly fragrant, smooth going down her throat. Lin Ruijiao sipped it bit by bit, and before long, more than half the glass was empty. Her face now bore a rosy blush, her round eyes misty and unfocused—she had clearly reached her limit.
Lin Ruijiao continued drinking small sips uncontrollably. The temperature around her seemed to rise, making her feel hot, and the scenery before her began to sway with double vision. Dimly, Lin Ruijiao realized something was wrong—she had accidentally drunk a bit too much again.
She set the glass down with exaggerated care, summoning a smile that felt unsteady. "Ruihuan, I should go..." The words emerged soft and slurred, carrying an unintentionally sultry quality.
Ye Ruihuan was beside her instantly, one arm encircling her waist while the other provided support.
The sudden warmth against her skin made Lin Ruijiao tense. In her compromised state, even gentle assistance felt overwhelming. She tried to push away, to create distance, but her coordination betrayed her. She swayed dangerously.
Ye Ruihuan caught her with quick reflexes, looking at the little rabbit in her arms—flushed cheeks, dewy eyes, pink lips moist and tender. She couldn't help but swallow, finding the little rabbit before her almost impossible to resist.
"...Alright, alright, stand up straight..." Ye Ruihuan helped steady her, her voice as gentle as possible, full of indulgence and love.
But Lin Ruijiao still couldn't stand steady, swaying left and right as she walked. Ye Ruihuan could only hold her tightly, gripping her soft waist firmly, not daring to relax—she was barely supporting her weight.
Lin Ruijiao was still unsteady, wobbling all over the place. Who would have thought that after drinking so little, she'd be drunk as a puddle of mud? Ye Ruihuan was utterly helpless. The little rabbit was still like this.
Lin Ruijiao kept walking forward, but her head kept turning to look at her. When their eyes met, Lin Ruijiao's face was completely flushed, her eyes misty, pink lips pouted, wine-scented and dreamy, utterly enchanting.
Ye Ruihuan could no longer hold back and kissed her. Their lips pressed together, soft and sweet, making Ye Ruihuan intoxicated as well.
Before Ye Ruihuan could pull away, Lin Ruijiao pressed her lips together—seemingly in resistance, yet also in response.
To Ye Ruihuan, this action was undoubtedly an invitation. She could no longer restrain herself. A mere taste wasn't nearly enough. She captured the other's lips, caressing them delicately, sucking and licking. The ambiguous atmosphere was completely ignited as she extended her tongue, launching a full assault, drawing in the other's sweetness.
Lin Ruijiao was trapped in her embrace, unable to move, let alone escape this fierce, passionate kiss. The air around them became thin, every molecule ignited and exploding like fireworks bursting into the sky, leaving behind brilliant blooms. The intoxicating atmosphere made them both even more drunk.
The soft touch and sweet fragrance made Ye Ruihuan's heart pound like drums, stimulating her uncontrollable actions.
After a long while, Ye Ruihuan reluctantly stopped, slightly loosening her hold but keeping the other woman firmly in her arms.
Though Lin Ruijiao was drunk and not very clear-headed, she was still conscious enough to know what had happened. She struggled hard to break free from the embrace, raising her hands to pat at the other woman, but couldn't muster any strength—her movements were soft and weak.
Helplessly, Lin Ruijiao could only roll her eyes at her. Her round, dewy eyes made this action look more like flirtatious glances, full of allure. Seeing the little rabbit's adorable appearance, Ye Ruihuan couldn't help but laugh. Finally, she went along with her wishes and helped her upstairs.
Lin Ruijiao unsteadily walked into the bathroom, washed her face, and came out somewhat more alert, though she still swayed when walking, clearly still drunk. The little rabbit really had poor alcohol tolerance.
Ye Ruihuan watched her closely, afraid something might happen to her. But when Lin Ruijiao came out, she walked directly toward her. Though somewhat unsteady, her target was clearly Ye Ruihuan.
Ye Ruihuan quickly stepped forward to catch her, firmly supporting her, but Lin Ruijiao didn't put her hands up—instead placing one hand against her abdomen.
She kept walking forward step by step, forcing Ye Ruihuan to retreat until her back hit the wall. The cold, hard surface made her freeze, her smile faltering, filled with confusion. What was Jiaojiao trying to do?
Lin Ruijiao, face flushed and eyes misty, locked her gaze on Ye Ruihuan.
She glared at her fiercely, as if seeking revenge, or wanting her to experience the grievances and resentment she had endured before. But her dewy eyes softened these emotions, leaving Ye Ruihuan unable to read her intentions.
Lin Ruijiao moved closer and closer until their breaths mingled, their noses almost touching. Ye Ruihuan unconsciously swallowed, her gaze uncontrollably fixed on those delicate lips.
"Ye Ruihuan..." Lin Ruijiao called softly, her sweet, magnetic voice like an angel whispering in her ear. The close air mixed with wine and Lin Ruijiao's unique fragrance was utterly seductive.
Ye Ruihuan froze instinctively, her heart pounding even more violently, almost ready to leap from her chest. Her breathing unconsciously stopped for several seconds. Her eyes, heavy with emotion, held hidden anticipation for some intimate gesture.
She nervously swallowed, but for a long time, the other woman made no move. Looking up, she saw playful amusement in Lin Ruijiao's hazy eyes.
Only then did she understand—the little rabbit was doing this on purpose, seducing her here, waiting to see her make a fool of herself. But she didn't mind at all. The little rabbit wasn't afraid she'd actually do something improper. Ye Ruihuan couldn't help but smile even more brightly.
Ye Ruihuan deliberately loosened her hands, letting them slide down slowly until they rested on the other's waist, feeling that familiar, soft touch again.
"Don't." The command emerged sharper than intended, though Lin Ruijiao's voice remained frustratingly soft. "Hands off."
Ye Ruihuan obeyed with theatrical submission.
"Much better." Satisfaction curved Lin Ruijiao's lips as she braced herself against the wall, rising on her toes to minimize their height difference and meet Ye Ruihuan's eyes with newfound boldness.
She forced Ye Ruihuan's head down with gentle pressure, then traced the elegant line of her face with reverent fingers. Palm to cheek, she began a slow exploration—brushing away loose strands of hair, discovering the sensitive curve of an ear, trailing down the aristocratic slope of her nose to hover over lips painted in rich rose.
"Do you like me?" The question emerged in a voice like silk and honey, seduction incarnate. Lin Ruijiao's smile held wicked promise, wine-bright and dangerous as any siren's call.
The question unlocked something primal in Ye Ruihuan. She nodded without hesitation, unconsciously moistening her lips as every carefully constructed wall crumbled.
Lin Ruijiao's exploration continued its southward journey—fingers ghosting over the elegant column of her throat, tracing the delicate architecture of her collarbone with obvious appreciation.
A sudden laugh escaped Lin Ruijiao's lips. For once, she held the power in this dangerous game they played. After enduring countless moments of helpless desire, she could finally return the favor. Ye Ruihuan had given her this privilege with her confession—and intoxicated, uninhibited, Lin Ruijiao intended to use it.