"Mr. Hou, isn't this a foul?"
"Going after such a young girl, you really have no conscience."
"In order not to let the female employees have any illusions, our Mr. Hou has gone all out."
The people around were still jeering, but Hou Ranxi ignored them and just looked at Chai Meicen.
Chai Meicen had always known that Hou Ranxi's eyes were very attractive. She had also heard Zhou Rui talk about how gentle Hou Ranxi's eyes were when looking at her.
But she had never paid special attention before.
This time, with such a close eye contact for a full 30 seconds, it was the first time she looked directly into Hou Ranxi's eyes.
Bright stars, or dazzling lights, didn't seem adequate to describe those eyes.
There was affection in his eyes.
His gaze was full of tenderness.
Chai Meicen felt as if she was shattered, her body melted away, staring blankly at the man in front of her, no longer a complete person.
It seemed like something was slowly letting go inside her.
Fortunately, the 30 seconds passed quickly, and Hou Ranxi let go of Chai Meicen. He turned sideways to block Chai Meicen and said, "Alright, I'm done. You guys go drink."
After sending the people away, Hou Ranxi turned back to stand beside Chai Meicen, and reached out to pinch Chai Meicen's slightly reddened earlobe, "Ah, I had no choice but to go along with their teasing. You're not angry, are you?"
"It's not that serious." Chai Meicen murmured vaguely.
"See anything you like?"
"Uh...these two..." Chai Meicen randomly pointed at two.
"Okay." Hou Ranxi looked at them and memorized them.
After Hou Ranxi left, Chai Meicen leaned in to check the prices of these two wines.
"Hundreds of thousands each, holy crap." Chai Meicen was so shocked that she swore. Would Hou Ranxi think she was asking for too much?
But she soon felt at ease.
Hou Ranxi could easily afford this amount.
She felt her face was still a little hot. She went into the bathroom and found her cheeks were really red beyond words.
It must be because she had been single for too long. Even just looking at Hou Ranxi made her blush furiously.
She stood in there cooling off for a good while before coming out. When she came out, she saw this group getting even more crazy.
But she soon noticed something wrong and hurried over.
It seemed Peng Shuyue had drank a little too much. She went over to Hou Ranxi to tease him, insisting that Hou Ranxi eat laoganma chili mixed with lobster.
Hou Ranxi explicitly refused, but Peng Shuyue actually scooped up a spoonful and forcibly fed it to Hou Ranxi, covering his mouth so he couldn't spit it out.
Chai Meicen walked over to push Peng Shuyue away and went to Hou Ranxi's side, saying "Spit into my hand."
Hou Ranxi hesitated for a moment, then spat into a small plate she held out.
Chai Meicen grabbed a bottle of water from the side, twisted it open and handed it to Hou Ranxi. Hou Ranxi took it and rinsed his mouth, still seeming a bit uncomfortable with tears in his eyes.
After being pushed away, Peng Shuyue finally regained some sobriety and asked, "What's going on?"
She was still clutching her shoulder. Chai Meicen had really pushed her hard and it hurt a lot.
"He has a pepper allergy." Chai Meicen replied.
She kept staring at Hou Ranxi, and didn't feel better until she saw him drink another bottle of water. He was still so uncomfortable that he didn't want to talk.
She brought some tissue to help wipe the sweat from his forehead and asked, "Feeling better?"
Hou Ranxi nodded slightly.
"I thought he just didn't like spicy food well, didn't expect it was an allergy." Peng Shuyue immediately panicked.
"It really is rare to have an allergic constitution, but randomly feeding them things could actually cost their lives." Chai Meicen was so angry she wished she could slap Peng Shuyue. She wanted to drag Hou Ranxi away right now.
But these were all Hou Ranxi's colleagues. They probably didn't have malicious intent, and were all coming to apologize to Hou Ranxi now.
Chai Meicen was still very angry. Seeing Hou Ranxi's discomfort made her heart ache.
Hou Ranxi felt a little better and finally said with a smile, "It's fine. Don't do this next time, or else I'll deduct from your year-end bonuses."
Only after hearing Hou Ranxi say this did these people finally relax.
After these people gradually left and stopped teasing Hou Ranxi, Hou Ranxi reached out and pulled Chai Meicen to his side, having her stand in front of him.
He leaned back in his chair, looking up at Chai Meicen and said softly, "Okay, don't be angry anymore."
"You're just too honest, letting them bully you like this. Look at you, some boss you are."
In Chai Meicen's eyes, Hou Ranxi was just an honest, loyal little brother, the world's biggest dummy who was afraid of Hou Ranxi being taken advantage of because he was too kind.
"We're all peers, so there's no restraints. We're all friends." Hou Ranxi spoke for his colleagues.
"With your temperament, you'll be bullied to death sooner or later. Being too nice is no good either."
"Okay, I'll change."
"I've been telling you this for so many years, but I've never seen you change."
"It's fine. If someone bullies me, you can step in." Hou Ranxi pinched Chai Meicen's palm.
"What about things I don't know about that you've endured?" Chai Meicen still didn't feel better. On the contrary, she started to criticize and educate Hou Ranxi.
"Uh..."
Seeing Hou Ranxi's manner, Chai Meicen couldn't help sighing, "This is where Zhou Rui is better than you. He would never suffer the slightest grievance. You two are too extreme. Neither of you lets me rest easy. In the future, you need to have a stronger attitude and more domineering aura."
"Alright, I'm going to buy wine. Let's head back after."
"Okay."
Chai Meicen packed up their things and Hou Ranxi went to say bye to his colleagues.
As the two of them walked out of the hotel, Peng Shuyue chased after them, "Mr. Hou! I...I really didn't mean it. Should I go to the hospital with you?"
Hou Ranxi declined again, "It's fine. Go back and continue having fun."
"Let me send you back."
Hou Ranxi rejected again, "I have someone to take care of me. It's fine."
Peng Shuyue looked at Hou Ranxi hesitantly, wanting to say something but holding back.
Hou Ranxi hesitated for a moment, then told Chai Meicen to go first.
Chai Meicen knew they were going to talk privately, so she went far away but still tried to eavesdrop.
Peng Shuyue seemed to have heard something, dejectedly nodding her head. Then she forced a smile to say bye to Hou Ranxi.
After catching up with Chai Meicen, Hou Ranxi simply said, "I rejected her."
"Why?"
"For you."
"Ha?"
"You told me to have a stronger attitude and be more domineering. So I domineeringly rejected her."
"Who told you about that!" Chai Meicen was so angry. She looked back and shook her head again, "Although she went a bit overboard earlier, that young lady is decent overall."
"Don't like her." Hou Ranxi said.
"You're too picky."
"Yes, that's right. Except for the one I like, no one else will do."
Back at the hotel, Chai Meicen took out a bunch of snacks, and also went to the kitchen to prepare some side dishes herself.
She sat at the dining table with her legs folded, peeling peanuts while calling Hou Ranxi over, "Come over and drink a couple with big sis."
Hou Ranxi changed into a set of clean clothes and sat across from Chai Meicen, leaning on his hand looking at her, "I wonder if I should even let you drink."
"What's wrong with it? I'm in my thirties. What's wrong with drinking a little? Others don't know but don't you know?"
"But your current body is only sixteen years old. Don't you think it might not be too good?"
"It's fine. I know my limits." Chai Meicen continued peeling peanuts.
"I've never seen anyone eat peanuts while drinking whiskey and red wine."
"I was thinking of cutting up some cucumbers too, but there weren't any in the fridge." Chai Meicen took a sip of wine and immediately enjoyed it. "This tastes pretty good."
"You should still drink less." Hou Ranxi leaned back in his chair and picked up his phone to take a look.
"Aren't you going to drink with me a little?"
"I already drank some earlier. My head still hurts. If I get drunk, who will take care of you?"
"Who needs you to take care of me? I don't need anyone's pity."
Chai Meicen drank two more glasses of whiskey and was starting to have trouble sitting upright.
Her body had reverted back to sixteen years old, so her alcohol tolerance had also regressed.
She only started being able to hold her liquor later on. Her initial tolerance really wasn't great.
Happy from the alcohol, Chai Meicen stood up to dance for Hou Ranxi to see.
This time she was dancing the school dance she had learned, different from the square dancing. The energy was stronger and the moves were more bold.
She didn't have any accompaniment, just humming the beat herself as she danced energetically and naturally.
Hou Ranxi smiled and watched her dance, even applauding for Chai Meicen.
In 7th grade, he had seen Chai Meicen perform on stage at school. She was the lead dancer among the girls, and also danced the best.
She was beautiful and confident. She looked so gorgeous it was unreal. At that time he was completely captivated.
Now she had reverted back to her original appearance, making Hou Ranxi unable to help being extra gentle.
Seeing her like this, he couldn't help but reminisce about the past.
What if...he had confessed to her before she graduated middle school? What would that have been like?
Chai Meicen came back to the table and this time sat down next to Hou Ranxi. She picked up her wine glass and drank another sip.
Now that she was smaller, she could curl up in the chair with her clothes hanging loosely on her body.
After placing the empty glass back on the table, Chai Meicen suddenly started crying, "It wasn't easy for us to know each other for so many years. I watched you grow up..."
Hou Ranxi sighed. He knew Chai Meicen was starting again.
"Back then you were only this tall..." Chai Meicen gestured to show the height.
Hou Ranxi could only nod along, "Yeah, I was a late bloomer."
"Your sister and I were the best of friends. I knew early on she was boy crazy. I didn't expect her to actually...! But it's fine. If she doesn't want you, I want you. I'm your sister now! From now on I'll take care of you. I've got your back! In my life I Chai Meicen don't have many talents, but the people I care about, the people who treat me well, I protect them!"
"Okay, you're the best." Hou Ranxi perfunctorily agreed.
Chai Meicen suddenly turned to look at him, grabbing his collar and asking, "But why won't you call me sister? Do you also think I'm an idiot? You don't acknowledge me?"
"Because I love you. I don't want to be your little brother."
"Huh?" Chai Meicen's mind short circuited for a moment.
Hou Ranxi had once reached out and pulled Chai Meicen into his arms. Chai Meicen was caught off guard and just leaned against Hou Ranxi's embrace, not knowing where to put her hands. She just held them up awkwardly.
"Chai Meicen," Hou Ranxi called her name.
"Mm?"
"Don't say you've watched me grow up anymore, okay? Is that why you don't see me as a man? Even when it's just the two of us, you dare to get drunk. Aren't you really not afraid of me at all?"
Chai Meicen was truly stumped by the question.
Because she completely trusted Hou Ranxi.
"I really hope you feel uncomfortable and suggest that we live separately. That way, you'll see me as a man in your heart. Do you know that I've had indecent thoughts about you for a long time?" Hou Ranxi asked again.
"You don't look the type from your face..."
Hou Ranxi was really annoyed by Chai Meicen.
"I'm so scared that he's back. Will you run away with him again, you fool? Have you already forgiven him? If so, I'll really be disappointed in you."
Hou Ranxi buried his face in Chai Meicen's shoulder, hugging her tightly and unwilling to let go, wishing he could meld into her bones.
He was really cowardly, only daring to hug her in situations like this.
He had always been afraid that if he confessed, he wouldn't even be able to remain as Chai Meicen's close friend.
Chai Meicen's heart had died. She was self-destructive to an extent and also had some self-esteem issues. If he confessed, Chai Meicen would definitely reject him.
Chai Meicen would feel that with a child in tow, having gotten fatter and uglier, she was no match for him.
For his own good, she would also let him choose someone better.
What would happen after the rejection?
Avoid him, give him the cold shoulder, make him give up.
He couldn't stand the days when he couldn't be by Chai Meicen's side.
He could only stay by Chai Meicen's side, gradually integrating himself into her life, so that Chai Meicen could accept him.
When he was older too, he would say that he really couldn't find anyone, so why don't we just be together.
How could Chai Meicen reject him then?
He was always deceiving himself, feeling that even if they didn't have a romantic relationship, as long as he accompanied Chai Meicen, it was enough.
But when Yi Qiange returned, he still panicked.
He began to fear that Chai Meicen would have a change of heart. She was afraid that Chai Meicen would soften and forget all those years of pain, only wanting to be with her former crush.
He was so afraid.
He felt like he should do something.
He held her tighter and tighter, unwilling to let go. Perhaps by feeling Chai Meicen's warmth, he could feel that everything was real.
Chai Meicen was still by his side now. She hadn't been snatched away.
"But I..." Chai Meicen hesitated.
"I know what you want to say."
"No, why do you think I would still go with him?" Chai Meicen pushed Hou Ranxi away, asking puzzledly, "Can't he live a few more years if he doesn't show up in front of me? Isn't it good to preserve your life and be alive? Besides, he got married long ago, right?"
Hou Ranxi looked at Chai Meicen and asked her again, "What if he stays single?"
"Impossible, I saw it with my own eyes back then!"
"Sigh." Hou Ranxi let out a sigh, looking at Chai Meicen for a long time. His lips moved but he didn't say anything in the end.
Chai Meicen stared at Hou Ranxi, tilting her head slightly, seeming a little puzzled.
"You like me?" She pointed at herself and asked.
Hou Ranxi nodded like a child who had done something wrong.
"But I don't like you. I've always seen you as a younger brother." Chai Meicen said bluntly.
"I know."
But hearing it from her directly still made his heart ache.
"Then why don't you try pursuing me?" Chai Meicen suddenly asked.
Hou Ranxi instantly raised his head to look at her. His eyes instantly changed.
Ardent, expectant, even a little crazy.
Chai Meicen added again, "How do you know if you don't try? You said it yourself, I'm different from you. If I like someone, I'll pursue them and try my best so there are no regrets."
"Then will you accept me?"
"Not necessarily." Chai Meicen shook her head. "My mind's not clear right now. I can't think it through."
"Can I kiss you now?" Hou Ranxi leaned in closer, his nose almost touching hers.
"No."
"Can I disobey? Be more forceful and domineering... disobedient."
"I guess you'll get beaten up."
"Then... don't beat me to death, okay?"
Author's note: The honest and gentle Hou Ranxi, with benevolent eyebrows and kind eyes.
Hehe.
[Leave a random fifty red envelopes in the comments]
[April 18, 19:28]
Thank you to Qin Ge's sinister smile hand grenade
Thank you Huanxi x4, fairyx2, fiesooooo, This Person Has Gone Offline, Bu's chicken thighs, owl, Brother Jiu protecting you, gentle and refined°, coconut milk cereal, yan°, hahaha, Aries Jianjian, assassin Liugo, is the candle too stupid today, long and thick?, starfire, December, blue, vicious female supporting character, 26988435, stray mermaid fish, stardrift, estrella, landmine without the taste of strawberries
