Chapter 26: Success or Failure in Sneaking into Bed Tonight

The moon spilled hazily over the earth, casting a dreamlike, blurred glow upon the people below.

Yu Zhi had consumed some alcohol tonight, and her consciousness felt heavy and dim. The flickering candlelight danced in the depths of her eyes, while the sound of Xia Shuang urging everyone to play a game drifted into her ears.

Had someone left halfway through?

"Zhizhi, I never imagined your tolerance for alcohol was so poor. You’ve only had... less than one glass?" Shi Hailing teased, casting doubt on Yu Zhi’s capacity, as she looked like someone who could hold her liquor well.

Yu Zhi rested her chin on one hand, her voice softening slightly. "Sister Ling~ if the wine doesn't intoxicate the person, the person intoxicates themselves. Surely you understand that logic?"

"Then tell me, who among those present makes you intoxicate yourself?"

As soon as the words left her lips, Shi Hailing regretted them. She knew the relationships between the men present and Yu Zhi were delicate, yet she had said it anyway—it felt like she had dug a pit for her. She watched Yu Zhi nervously.

"Handsome men and beautiful women naturally have the ability to make one intoxicated. Sister Ling~ I like you very much, after all~"

Shi Hailing pushed her gently. For someone who was neither drunk nor sober, a casual gesture was enough to make others fall for her.

Yu Zhi’s chestnut-colored hair curled slightly on her shoulders. Even the wind seemed gentle, refusing to leave her looking disheveled.

"I can't bear the weight of your affection. If anyone outside heard an 'I like you' from Sister Yu, they would be so happy they’d cry an entire Pacific Ocean."

That was an exaggeration, but this face of Yu Zhi’s brought her more than just haters.

"Yu Zhi! Sister Ling! Come on, we’re just waiting for you two!"

Away from the live-streaming cameras, the personalities of the guests seemed to have shifted quite a bit. Shi Hailing pulled Yu Zhi along to join the conversation.

Xia Shuang declared, "I’ll state this first! No one is allowed to quit halfway or refuse to follow the rules, otherwise..."

"Otherwise, tomorrow's points will be split equally among the others!" Bai Fuyuan added.

With their own hidden agendas, the group began the first round of Truth or Dare. While the game wasn't novel, the catalyst of alcohol kept their spirits high.

The empty beer bottle spun on the floor, emitting a sharp, grating sound.

"Whoa—"

The mouth of the bottle pointed directly at Shen Jiayu. Except for Xia Shuang, the eyes of everyone else darted back and forth between him and Yu Zhi.

"The person asking the question this round is—Bai Fuyuan!"

The two who were always at odds suddenly felt as though they were locked in a fight to the death under the prodding of the others.

Bai Fuyuan narrowed his eyes, striking directly at Shen Jiayu’s sore spot. "Tell us the person you have felt most sorry for up until now..."

***

The others didn't think much of the question, and the air was filled with disappointment at Bai Fuyuan’s lack of tact. With such a good opportunity, was he really going to play it like this?

Shen Jiayu’s expression shifted. Bai Fuyuan actually dared to bring up the past. He gritted his teeth and spat out, "Yu Zhi..."

"Why is it Sister Yu?" Gu Qing acted as the group’s mouthpiece.

"You can only ask one question."

Sensing the atmosphere had turned unusual, Zhou Su stepped in to relieve the tension for Shen Jiayu. "Continue, continue! I can’t wait to ask my honey some intimate questions!!!"

The stagnant atmosphere began to flow again. After a few more turns, Zhou Su successfully fulfilled his wish.

He asked excitedly, "Zhibao, have you regretted breaking up with me?"

Yu Zhi: ??? This kid definitely had the potential to be a psychopath.

"Get lost. No. If you aren't going to ask proper questions, let’s just call it a night."

The fact that Zhou Su was Yu Zhi’s ex had stolen all the limelight belonging to Shen Jiayu and Yu Zhi the moment he joined the show.

Netizens digging through his history could only find the emo posts he had made on StarBlog early on. How could that satisfy the gossip-hungry public?

Every person who had ever been associated with them had been called upon by netizens, hoping someone would come forward with a scoop. However, given the current standing of Zhou Su and Yu Zhi in the industry, no one dared to touch the third rail of these two.

...

As the game continued, the charcoal fire gradually dimmed.

After Yu Zhi felt a bit more sober, she excused herself to return to her room. Just as she reached out to push the door open, she suddenly felt the presence of someone breathing by the entrance.

The figure standing at the door seemed tense, but her sluggish brain hindered her ability to think clearly.

Her arm was suddenly yanked, and as Yu Zhi turned, she was pulled into a tight embrace. "Zhizhi, you’re back so late~"

The damp, hot breath against her neck made her itch. Yu Zhi moved instinctively, only to be held even more tightly.

A passionate kiss landed on her neck, making Yu Zhi’s heart race.

"Li Ze."

"I’m here!"

Li Ze picked Yu Zhi up and tossed her onto the bed, leaning in close. His wandering fingertips set fire to her skin as he kissed her with a posture of complete submission.

He moved from her brow down, gently licking the tip of her nose, her lips, and nibbling on her collarbone...

Yu Zhi was utterly bewildered, wrapping her arms around Li Ze and responding involuntarily, until suddenly, a low growl—

***

"Hiss—"

Li Ze knelt up, his right thumb stroking the corner of his mouth as he flashed a wicked smile. "Zhizhi, do you not like it when I do that? Shall I try a different way to serve you?"

Yu Zhi propped up her upper body with her elbows, resting her ankles against his neck, and tilted her head. "Do you want to die?"

A muffled, low chuckle rumbled in Li Ze's throat. "If I wanted to, what would you do?"

"Get lost!"

In the unlit room, only the moonlight filtering through the half-open window provided a faint glow.

Li Ze’s usually stiff and restrained clothing was now a mess. With her keen eyesight, Yu Zhi could see the popped buttons on his shirt reflecting the shattered light.

She had been so busy observing Li Ze that she forgot she herself looked even more alluring.

Yu Zhi straightened her leg, gave Li Ze a kick, and got up to sit by the window.

"Sneaking into my room in the middle of the night?" Her voice, roughened by alcohol, carried a seductive lilt.

Li Ze returned to a serious demeanor. "Wasn't it Sister Yu who invited me? I've been waiting here for such a long, long time—"

Yu Zhi’s alcohol-clouded brain finally remembered that she had teased him earlier that afternoon just to get him to shut up.

She didn't know what to say for a moment. She had been certain Li Ze wouldn't do anything out of line, which was why she had acted that way. Who knew he would be burning like this now?

It had been too long; she could no longer interact with these people using the mindset of a normal person. One after another, they were either neurotics or psychopaths!

"Your technique is poor; I don't like it."

The seductive expression on Li Ze’s face stiffened. No one could stand hearing the person they liked tell them their technique was poor.

"Sister Yu, you haven't even tried it yet. How can you slander me like this?"

"The experience was bad before; it didn't pass. You can leave now."

As long as she could get Li Ze to leave, she would say anything. She rubbed her brow with her fingertips, spewing nonsense, hoping Li Ze couldn't stand her verbal barbs and would just turn and leave.

Li Ze tugged at the tie he had specifically worn to ambush Yu Zhi, tossed his internal script aside, and got off the bed to kneel by Yu Zhi’s side.

He knelt on one knee and rubbed his forehead against her leg. "Zhizhi~ won't you be a little tender with me?"

Yu Zhi’s leg trembled. The role of a seductive fox spirit, played by someone so cold and restrained, was more than three times as alluring.