CITM - 61

Tao, the editor-in-chief, was a professional who cherished traditional Chinese aesthetics while also embracing modern trends. That evening, the commemorative event was held at the Wenhua Grand Hotel, with many prominent figures from the cultural world in attendance.

On the day Ye Yun went to meet Editor Tao, she wore a modified cheongsam of her own design. The garment featured an ink-wash pattern in shades of emerald green, overlaid with a transparent gauze layer that swayed gracefully as she walked. Her ethereal beauty left a lasting impression on Editor Tao.

It was unclear whether Professor Chen and his wife had already paved the way for Ye Yun or if she simply clicked with Editor Tao. Not long after their introduction, Tao invited Ye Yun to sit at her table.

For the rest of the night, Ye Yun stayed close by Tao’s side. Whenever others came to offer drinks, Tao generously introduced Ye Yun to influential figures whose names Ye Yun had only heard before.

This visit proved fruitful for Ye Yun, opening up new social circles—though it also meant consuming quite a bit of alcohol.

Midway through the event, Ye Yun excused herself to use the restroom. Just as she stepped out of the main hall, Xiao Fu followed her and asked, “Boss Ye, are you drunk?”

Ye Yun smiled faintly, her brows carrying a hint of mischief. “There aren’t many occasions where I willingly get drunk. If I do end up intoxicated, you’ll have to find a way to remind me not to lose my composure.”

Xiao Fu, earnest and straightforward, was racking his brain to figure out how they could leave gracefully when the door to a private room nearby was pushed open by a waiter. Ye Yun glanced inside and saw a man seated across the room. He wore a neatly pressed dark shirt and was speaking to someone beside him. Sensing her presence at the doorway, Bai Wenfu turned his gaze toward her. His lingering smile deepened the moment he recognized Ye Yun.

Their eyes met for just a fleeting second before the door closed again, cutting off their line of sight. Xiao Fu asked hesitantly, “Boss Ye, what’s wrong?”

Ye Yun chuckled softly. “Nothing. I just ran into someone I know.”

When she returned to the main hall, Ye Yun seized the opportunity to speak privately with Editor Tao. They agreed on a date for her to visit Tao’s office in a few days. As the event drew to a close, Ye Yun had reached her limit with drinking but managed to maintain a sliver of clarity to bid farewell to Tao and the others.

As soon as she stepped out of the hall, however, her steps began to falter. The corridor lights swirled before her eyes, and she called out weakly, “Xiao Fu.”

Xiao Fu raised his arm to steady her, but halfway through the motion, his hand was stopped by Lu Zi’s stern grip. Without support, Ye Yun stumbled backward, only to feel a firm hand tighten around her waist. She collapsed limply against Bai Wenfu. Before she could scold Xiao Fu, she looked up into a pair of narrow, familiar eyes. Her guard instantly melted away, and her voice softened like water. “Wenfu.”

His breath hitched slightly as he replied, “It’s me.”

Ye Yun’s face lit up with joy. Tilting her delicate neck upward, she beamed. “I have good news to share with you.”

With that, she tugged Bai Wenfu toward the back entrance. Xiao Fu hurriedly blocked their path, his expression tense. “Boss Ye, I think you’re drunk.”

One of Xiao Fu’s responsibilities was ensuring Ye Yun’s safety—a point repeatedly emphasized by Boss Ma and Factory Director Zhou.

Xiao Fu adhered strictly to this principle, but tonight was different. Never before had Boss Ye voluntarily pulled another man along. Convinced she was intoxicated, he intended to take her home immediately.

But Ye Yun reassured him. “You don’t need to worry about me being with him. He’s—”

She paused, suddenly unsure how to explain her relationship with Bai Wenfu. Even Bai Wenfu raised an eyebrow, waiting curiously for her to continue. But instead of elaborating, she lowered her head, feigning drunkenness.

Bai Wenfu interjected on her behalf. “You go back inside and keep watch. We’ll talk for a bit.”

Still uneasy, Xiao Fu hesitated until Lu Zi placed a firm hand on his shoulder, applying slight pressure. Ignoring him completely, Bai Wenfu led Ye Yun outside.

The atmosphere here was far quieter than the bustling front hall. Moonlight bathed the area, casting its glow over a small lake surrounded by tranquil silence. Ye Yun and Bai Wenfu sat on marble steps. Her cheeks were flushed and rosy from the alcohol, her gaze hazy yet alluring.

No sooner had they settled down than she began talking nonstop. “Thanks to your advice the other day, telling me not to risk burning bridges. Turns out, it really paid off.”

Bai Wenfu prompted her gently. “What benefit?”

“I got the chance to meet Editor Tao,” she explained excitedly. “An opportunity I’ve waited a long time for. At tonight’s anniversary celebration, I not only sat next to her, but she also introduced me to valuable connections. Most importantly…”

She turned to face him, feigning mystery as a tipsy grin danced on her lips, utterly captivating.

“Do you want to know?” she teased, her voice alternating between soft and playful.

He smiled indulgently. “Go ahead.”

She leaned closer. “Then let me lean on you—I can’t sit still anymore.”

Bai Wenfu extended his arm, allowing her to rest against him. Despite having consumed considerable alcohol, her excitement shone through. “Editor Tao agreed to let me bring materials to discuss further. If everything goes smoothly, I might secure a page in the autumn issue.”

Ye Yun held up one finger, waving it in front of Bai Wenfu’s face. “A full page! Can you imagine?”

Bai Wenfu noticed the watch adorning her wrist as she extended it toward him. He captured her wrist in his palm, his gaze darkening.

Her voice grew languid. “When I close my eyes, I’m still living in Erwei Lane, secretly flipping through fashion magazines in my room. When I open them, my brand is somehow featured on an entire page. Wenfu, am I dreaming?”

A pang of unspoken tenderness struck him. The cold marble beneath them prompted him to lift her onto his lap. She didn’t resist, draping her arms around his neck, her eyes shimmering with intoxicating allure. “If this is a dream, I don’t ever want to wake up…”

Whether she referred to the magazine spread or the man before her became blurred under the influence of alcohol. Her thoughts drifted, slowly succumbing to the haze.

“It’s not a dream,” he murmured into her ear.

The cheongsam’s side collar featured a unique embroidered leaf, fastened with an intricate Chinese button knot. Though cleverly designed, at this moment, all he wanted was to undo it—a thought both inappropriate and persistent.

The smooth gauze slipped beneath his fingers as his palm traced the curve of her slender waist. A strange sensation stirred within Ye Yun, her body reacting more honestly than her mind.

She tilted her head, her lips brushing lightly against his jaw. Hearing his voice, she asked, “Am I bothering you? Should I send you home?”

“No, let’s talk a little longer,” she pouted, nestling deeper into his embrace.

He chuckled softly. “Can you even hear what I’m saying?”

She nodded, her expression endearing. “Yes, I can.”

His gaze softened, his fingers trailing along her warm cheek. “He’s settled down in Suicheng with Mom. These past two years, I’ve only visited during the Spring Festival. In the future, if you don’t wish to see them, we won’t. We’ll stay here…”

Bai Wenfu’s voice trailed off as his gaze dropped. Her soft, fragrant lips grazed his jawline, seeking his mouth.

His eyes softened with indulgence. “Seems like you’re not in the mood for conversation.”

Ye Yun’s gaze was unfocused, clouded by intoxication. Her small, supple tongue sought his, searching for warmth. Her sweet breath mingled with the faint scent of alcohol, igniting something primal within him.

Bai Wenfu cupped the back of her head, taking control. His kiss was both forceful and tender, enveloping her in deep affection. Even in her dazed state, Ye Yun felt her heart melting.

Her hands wandered to his belt, attempting to unfasten his pants. Amidst her hazy thoughts, one desire dominated—to remove his trousers and examine the scar on his leg. It had haunted her for years, appearing frequently in her dreams. Yet, every time she almost uncovered it, distractions would intervene, leaving her yearning unresolved.

Bai Wenfu froze, gripping her wrist. “Not here.”

Ye Yun frowned, stubbornly trying to proceed.

Her restless movements forced him to restrain her. Frustrated, she straightened up in his lap, her voice childishly petulant under the influence of alcohol.

“Why not?”

His brow lifted slightly. “You’re drunk. We’ll talk when you’re sober.”

Drunk people hate nothing more than being told they’re intoxicated. She struggled to stand, glaring at him. “I’m not drunk! I’m perfectly lucid! You must still resent me for leaving you. Every time we meet, you provoke me, making me feel guilty. Is that it?”

Standing before him, hands on her hips, she tried to appear fierce—but resembled nothing more than a flustered kitten, eliciting a chuckle from Bai Wenfu. “Are you feeling guilty?”

She snorted, turning her back to him. Striding down the steps, the fabric of her dress hugged her curves, accentuating her mature allure. Each step painted a poetic scene, resonating with his heartbeat.

Bai Wenfu watched silently as she descended the final step. Ahead lay the impassable lake. With nowhere else to go, he waited for her to turn back to him.

After a few steps, realizing there was no escape, Ye Yun stood silhouetted under the pale moonlight. Slowly, her shoulders shook, and she bent down to remove her high heels. Turning back, she hurled one shoe at him, her voice trembling with anger. “Did you think I enjoyed leaving you?”

Bai Wenfu caught it effortlessly. As she threw the second shoe, tears welled in her eyes. “Did you think I wanted this?”

“Don’t come near me again.”

Barefoot, she strode toward the opposite end. Bai Wenfu, holding her shoes, rose to his feet.

Grabbing her arm, he spun her around, pulling her flush against his chest. His voice dripped with seduction. “How do you want to feel better?”

Wrapping his arms around her waist, he lifted her off the ground. Carrying her over his shoulder, he ascended the steps once more, one hand holding her shoes.

As Bai Wenfu passed by Xiaofu, he told him, “Go back and tell them she’s with me.”

Xiaofu didn’t know what had happened and was anxious to follow, but Luzi blocked his way. “You go back.”

“She’s my boss!”

Luzi expressionlessly told him, “She’s my boss’s wife.”