Chapter 127: Disdain
The living room was bathed in warm light, casting a gentle glow over the entire space.
An Tong arrived at the living room unhurriedly, standing beneath the staircase as she gazed at the man reclining on the sofa with his eyes closed, resting. A faint smile curved her lips as she approached.
She sat down sideways, noticing Rong Shen’s furrowed brows, and leaned in slightly, “Are you tired? Or feeling unwell?”
The man lifted his arm, draping it over her shoulder, and gave a low, muffled “Hmm.”
What did that mean?
An Tong frowned, and before she could react, her shoulders sagged as the man pulled her tightly into his embrace.
The sudden closeness allowed her to catch the lingering scent of alcohol on him.
Earlier, when they spoke upstairs, the distance was just right, and all she could smell was the freshness of her own shower. But now, nestled in his arms, the smell of alcohol was unmistakable.
She craned her neck to sniff closer—strong and pungent.
Not unpleasant, but certainly not pleasant.
“You drank? Is your head hurting?” An Tong straightened and tried to pull away.
Sensing her move, the man tightened his hold instead. “You smell it?”
She looked at his sharply defined profile, then took his arm and said, “You lie down first. I’ll make you some honey tea.”
She had made him lemon honey tea before and intended to repeat the gesture. But just as she stood up, her wrist was caught.
Whether it was the effect of the alcohol or something about him, the man was clingy—he pulled her back, and with the momentum, she ended up sitting on his lap.
At that moment, An Tong felt a flush rise through her.
She was wearing only a robe, which had been tied tightly at the waist, but the sudden movement loosened the sash and opened the neckline slightly.
Though nothing was revealed, the faint glimpse was enough to stir the imagination.
Flustered, she hurried to adjust the collar of her robe, only to find the man’s eyes open, dark and deep with a flicker of fire within.
Dim, profound, and burning with focused intensity.
She smoothed the front of her robe and teased, “Let go quickly, I’m going to the kitchen.”
Sitting sideways, her slender, fair calves were exposed to the air, exuding a soft fragrance.
Rong Shen circled one arm around her, while his other hand slid down to grasp her delicate leg. “It’s chilly. Go put on some sleepwear.”
“No, I’m not cold,” An Tong struggled gently. “Let me go make some tea.”
“No need. I’m not drunk.”
He bent down to softly suck her neck, then grabbed a black wool coat from the sofa and draped it over her legs.
The room wasn’t cold; the central air conditioning was set comfortably, but it wasn’t warm enough to walk around barefoot comfortably.
An Tong leaned quietly into his embrace, her eyes carefully studying his expression.
Usually, drunk people insist they’re not drunk.
She remained silent, sitting with him a while longer, then tentatively pressed her fingers to his temples.
He looked exhausted tonight, especially after drinking.
She gently massaged his temples, easing his fatigue as she softly asked, “Do you want to go to the bedroom and lie down?”
Rong Shen’s eyes opened, deep and unfathomable.
Without showing it, he tightened his hold on An Tong, pressing her more firmly against his chest. “What were you busy with just now?”
“Nothing much,” she said, pausing her movements and stretching her joints. “Since school starts after the New Year, I was just looking up some course materials in advance.”
A faint, subtle smile lifted the corner of Rong Shen’s lips. Gazing at her pure, gentle face, a thought long buried stirred restlessly within him.
He never claimed to be a gentleman, and in front of the woman he liked, no man could remain one.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as his heated palm moved to the back of her head, as if to kiss her.
Yet, as the distance between their lips closed, An Tong’s brows knitted more deeply.
Just as their lips were about to meet, the man narrowed his eyes with an enigmatic look, his husky voice tinged with a sly smile. “Why that expression?”
“Nothing,” she replied, brushing her finger beneath her nose. “The smell of alcohol is a bit strong…”
No matter how eager Rong Shen was, hearing this broke his momentum.
Clearly, he had been rejected.
He sighed deeply, pressing her head against his chest and naturally shifting the topic. “For the New Year, do you want to go back to Hong Kong or stay in Zhanzhou?”
Listening to the steady beat of his heart against her ear, An Tong remained silent for a long while. Time stretched quietly, but she said nothing.
Rong Shen frowned, about to lift her chin when the clear, crisp voice of the girl broke the silence. “Anywhere is fine. I’ll go wherever you go.”
The unspoken meaning was clear: wherever he was for the New Year, so would she be.
His heart warmed as he lowered his head to press against her cheek. “Is there anywhere special you want to go?”
“No,” An Tong absentmindedly fidgeted with the buttons of her shirt. “I’ve spent past years alone at home. It’s been a long time since I went anywhere, and I don’t really know where to go.”
Living alone for so long, the desire to explore faded.
Especially since she’d long struggled with mental illness, avoiding contact with the outside world, almost forgetting what it felt like to look forward to the New Year.
Rong Shen gazed down at her serene face, his strong arms tightening around her. “If you don’t have a preference, then let’s spend the New Year in Zhanzhou for now. If you want to go back to Hong Kong halfway through, we can leave anytime.”
An Tong agreed silently and urged him to go upstairs, shower, and sleep.
He curved his lips, bending down to kiss her cheek. “Alright, let’s go upstairs.”
Without waiting for her to rise, he lifted her in his arms and headed for the stairs.
An Tong wanted to say something but fell silent, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.
After all, he had been drinking, and it wouldn’t do if he slipped and fell.
Her subtle gesture did not escape his keen perception.
With a smile in his eyes, he climbed steadily but stopped at the last step.
An Tong grew nervous, clutching his shoulders tightly. “Can’t go any further?”
Rong Shen teased softly, “What, afraid I’ll drop you?”
“No,” she glanced at the long staircase. “I’m… worried you’ll be tired.”
He remained still, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on her face.
Perhaps even An Tong hadn’t realized how much better her mental state had been lately.
Her words and actions no longer felt dull or lifeless.
She was brighter, more open, and her happiness showed plainly.
With him, she was no longer restrained or guarded, but freely herself.
Rong Shen chuckled quietly at her feigned ease. “It’s just a short way. Not enough to tire me.”
An Tong fell silent but held onto his shoulders just as firmly.
(The End of This Chapter)