Chapter 114: Making You Like Me

The situation was somewhat awkward now.

Starry sky, nightfall, and a handsome man.

If these three elements were placed in any other context, Chu Bing felt she would easily lose herself and wouldn’t mind embarking on a sweet romance.

But the man before her was Li Yuxi.

She could only force herself to wear a touched expression.

The atmosphere was just right; the two of them gazed at each other with deep affection.

Suddenly, Li Yuxi cautiously leaned closer to Chu Bing.

He... was he really about to kiss her?

Chu Bing was startled and wanted to retreat, but her heel touched the tree trunk behind her, and she suddenly realized—they were high above the ground.

Just as Li Yuxi’s lips were about to meet hers, Chu Bing quickly patted his shoulder and said, “Li Yuxi, I’ve realized you’re actually quite a nice person. How about we go out for a big drink tonight? No returning until we’re drunk?”

She twisted her neck stiffly, forcing a somewhat awkward smile.

Li Yuxi looked at her with a faint, unreadable smile. Just as Chu Bing’s sweaty palms betrayed her nervousness, the man finally nodded in agreement.

Relieved, Chu Bing let out a breath.

Li Yuxi wrapped one arm around her waist and gently floated down from the tree with her.

Once Chu Bing’s feet touched the ground, her heart finally settled—there’s nothing like feeling solid earth beneath your feet!

“I heard there’s a tavern in town that brews some excellent wine. Shall we go try it?” Chu Bing bounced lightly in place, then turned to find Li Yuxi quietly watching her from under the tree.

Suddenly a little shy, she hurried over with a bright smile and asked.

The moonlight bathed her face, making her smile even more radiant and pure.

Li Yuxi felt a sudden flutter in his chest and nodded without hesitation.

Under the cloak of night, the two arrived at the bustling tavern.

Li Yuxi entered with the grace of moonlight, drawing all eyes upon him.

Even the tavern owner, who was busy tallying accounts, couldn’t help but look up.

“Waiter! Bring me your finest and strongest wine—bring it all!” Chu Bing slammed her hand on the table and declared loudly.

Li Yuxi sensed the gazes around them and a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes.

He looked at the shabby, disorderly tavern with contempt and said, “If you want to drink, I have plenty where I am. Why come here?”

Seeing his reluctance to sit, Chu Bing knew he found the place dirty and cramped.

She smiled stiffly and firmly pushed him into a chair. “Drinking has to be where there are people—it’s all about the atmosphere!”

As the waiter carried a wine jar over, the tavern owner stopped him.

“Leave it to me; I’ll serve them myself.”

She flipped her hair flirtatiously, her eyes full of charm, exuding an unmistakable allure.

The waiter scratched his head and hurried off to tend other customers.

The owner placed two jars of wine on the table, her peach-blossom eyes shimmering with passion as she fixed her gaze on Li Yuxi.

“Sir, these two jars of wine are on me.”

Chu Bing noticed she only used the singular “you.”

Her eyes scanned the owner, then shifted back to Li Yuxi.

Well, looking good definitely has its perks—going out for a drink and running into a flirtation!

Li Yuxi looked up at the owner with a hint of disgust in his expression.

“Scram.”

The owner’s face changed. “What do you mean? If not for your looks…”

“Pfft.”

Chu Bing couldn’t help but cover her mouth, laughing.

Her eyes curved like crescent moons, her laugh clear and crisp.

Li Yuxi’s anger immediately cooled.

“What are you laughing at?” The owner twisted her face, mistaking Chu Bing’s amusement for mockery.

Running this tavern for over ten years, she had seen all kinds of people and developed a feisty temperament.

Today, she’d taken a liking to someone and hoped for a fleeting romance.

If she wasn’t noticed, it would be one thing—but being laughed at by a servant girl was another.

Pointing at Chu Bing, she gritted her teeth and snapped, “I’m done serving you! Get out of my tavern!”

“What? Why are you like this? Refusing business?” Chu Bing was dumbfounded.

What was this—a baseless grievance?

The owner ignored her and summoned the bodyguards.

“Throw these two out!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Two guards immediately moved forward to grab Chu Bing’s arm, but before their hands could touch her, a pair of chopsticks shot straight at them, piercing their palms!

“Ah!”

The two burly men turned pale with pain, clutching their hands and howling.

The owner was startled and stepped back repeatedly, finally realizing she’d stirred up trouble.

She leaned against the table, looking utterly ridiculous.

The drinking patrons around them saw this and quickly dispersed, leaving more than half the tavern empty.

Seeing the two injured guards, Chu Bing felt guilty and sighed as she stood.

“Forget it, let’s go.”

Li Yuxi caught the disappointment in her brow and shot a dark glance at the owner.

“Are you still going to do business with us?”

“Yes! Yes!” The owner nodded hastily, trembling as she personally poured them drinks.

Chu Bing couldn’t bring herself to drink.

She looked bitterly at the wine in her bowl, then glanced up at Li Yuxi.

“Let’s just go back.”

Li Yuxi immediately saw the issue and said to the owner, “Bring us ten jars of wine.”

The owner scrambled to order the waiter, nearly tripping over her skirt and falling.

Startled, Chu Bing whispered to Li Yuxi, “Where are we taking all this wine?”

His expression softened as he faced her.

“I know a place that’s perfect for drinking.”

The waiter tied the ten jars together with a rope.

Li Yuxi lifted them with one hand, taking Chu Bing’s hand with the other as they left.

Chu Bing followed closely.

At the door, she glanced back at the once-flirtatious owner, now sitting on the ground looking ten years older—utterly disheveled.

Somewhat pitiful.

“Where are we going?”

Li Yuxi led Chu Bing deep into the forest.

The deeper they went, the more she worried about encountering wild animals.

“We’re here.”

He stopped in front of a large tree, set the jars down, and leaned against the trunk.

Chu Bing hesitated a moment before sitting beside him.

The night breeze brushed past, and she couldn’t help but inhale deeply.

“Feels good, doesn’t it? I found this place by accident. Spending some time here, all worries just fade away.”

Li Yuxi picked up a jar and tossed it to Chu Bing.

She caught it eagerly and looked curiously at the man beside her.

“What worries do you have?”

“Many,” Li Yuxi scoffed, tilting his head back and gulping down the wine.

Some spilled down his chin, soaking his collar, making him look exceptionally alluring.

Chu Bing averted her gaze awkwardly, about to open her jar when she heard his low voice.

“For example, lately I’ve been troubled by how to make you like me.”