"Lady Tu saw that you and I were acquainted and had some history, so she took it upon herself to play matchmaker. She even suggested that I boldly pursue you, to snatch you away, lest a fine lady like you fall into the hands of the King of Hell, a fresh flower stuck in cow dung."
Feng Yun:...
Lady Tu had not met Pei Jue.
But Pei Jueâs notorious reputation spread far and wide, with sayings like "eight feet tall, feed on raw meat and drink blood" easily leading people to imagine him as a crude brute or wild man.
"Lady Tu really has good intentions though."
Itâs just uncertain what Pei Jue would think if he knew.
Thinking of the letter from Pei Jue, Feng Yunâs mood slightly darkened, and she picked up the cup of wine Chunyu Yan had poured and downed it in one gulp.
Chunyu Yanâs gaze shifted slightly.
He could tell Feng Yun was not in a good mood.
But he didnât ask, and refilled her cup once more.
Feng Yun stared at the night sky, not looking at him, her voice distant.
"Donât think that getting me drunk will give you an opportunity, my alcohol tolerance..."
She abruptly thought of that night when, drunk, she couldnât distinguish north from south, shook her head, and smiled with a lift of the corners of her lips.
"I canât hold my liquor, I become belligerent when drunk, and I hit people."
Chunyu Yan hummed languidly, "I donât mind being hit, just donât take liberties with me."
Feng Yun replied indifferently, "Do I seem like someone whoâs desperate? Donât worry."
Before her words could finish, Chunyu Yan suddenly leaped up and sat down beside her, "I am."
Feng Yun:...
She glared silently at Chunyu Yan.
The Princely Heir that night wore a stone-blue robe overlaid with a silvery white cape, looking refined and elegant as if blending seamlessly with the moonlight. Feng Yun had to admit, as he drew close, that she could even see the flawless whiteness of the skin beyond his mask...
Then, she noticed his lips again...
They were enviably beautiful. The lip lines were faint, the color attractive. She had thought he had applied some lipstick, but upon closer inspection, it was natural attractiveness.
She felt a touch of sentimentality and took another sip.
Chunyu Yanâs eyes sparkled momentarily, his voice warm as he asked:
"Worried about Pei Wangzhi?"
Feng Yun was startled, "Arenât you the one who wanted my company? If you have any troubles, spill them out. I might just be kind enough to comfort you with a few words."
Chunyu Yan, "Denying it? Not denying it. Is it that youâre unsure of your own feelings?"
Feng Yun turned a cold eye on him, as if about to get angry, "My affairs are none of your business."
Chunyu Yan said, "To start a business partnership, the first requirement is to be frank and sincere. Otherwise, there will surely be problems in the future."
Feng Yun actually agreed with this.
But with Chunyu Yan...
With this man whom she bullied in all kinds of ways in her past life, leading to her utterly tarnished reputation, she couldnât bring herself to be frank and sincere.
"Sure." She verbally agreed.
It was just words, after all; they didnât kill anyone. She would go with the flow.
"Iâm thinking, what kind of girl are you, really..." Chunyu Yan took a leisurely sip, gazing at Feng Yunâs profile, as if trying to coax her to reveal her innermost thoughts.
"With Pei Wangzhi, you wouldnât lack food or clothes, yet why go out and earn a living with Yunchuan Graphite? Itâs not easy for a woman to be so publicly active in the world of commerce."
Feng Yun laughed briefly, without answering.
Chunyu Yan lazily shook his head.
"Canât see through Qingqingâs intentions."
Feng Yun, "Then stop trying."
She then spoke again obscurely, "Even if the Princely Heir looks harder, youâll never understand."
Chunyu Yan silently drank, his eyelids drooping, remaining quiet for a long while without a response.
Feng Yun didnât ask him.
Who doesnât have troubles?
As long as the little fortune boy was willing to let her take over the Yunchuan Graphite business, Feng Yun wouldnât mind keeping him company, drinking together, and sharing their sorrows.
However...
She never expected that Chunyu Yan would really dare to get drunk.
Glass after glass, soon he had poured a whole jar of wine into his stomach.
Then, with drunken eyes, he tugged at Feng Yunâs sleeve and smiled sinisterly.
"Feng Twelve, youâre really cruel."
Feng Yun saw a moist layer of mist in his eyes and knew that the fellow had drunk too much and was getting emotional, which was quite amusing.
"Princely Heir, watch your words. Donât lose your manners, lest others see and think I have bullied you."
"Alright." Chunyu Yan gripped her hand and placed it over his heart, thumping hard twice.
"Tell me, when will you come to bully me again?"
"..."
Feng Yun moved the wine jar a bit further away and patted his shoulder.
"Quit embarrassing yourself. Youâve had enough to drink; letâs go down."
"No." Chunyu Yan looked at her, his eyes bloodshot, "Itâs not even an hour yet. Didnât we agree? Tonight, stay with me for an hour... A merchantâs word is their bond, if youâre not trustworthy, who would dare do business with you?"
He wasnât actually drunk, was he?
He was quite aware of what he was saying.
Feng Yun watched him staggering, and helplessly patted his hand.
"Then, Princely Heir, sit up straight."
Chunyu Yan let her go and sat up properly.
Fearing he would fall, Feng Yun pointed at the wooden pillar behind him.
"Sit back there, leaning against the pillar."
Chunyu Yan followed her instruction once more.
Feng Yun, concerned about his drunken appearance, thought for a moment and then leaned over, drawing out Chunyu Yanâs belt again to tie him to the pillar.
"To prevent the Princely Heir from falling, I had no choice, please forgive me. I will untie you in a bit."
She explained her actions with care, yet Chunyu Yan showed no sign of resistance, just staring straight at her without moving.
After Feng Yun had finished tying him up, he pulled her hand towards his lips and gently pressed a kiss.
"Indeed very soft..."
Feng Yun quickly withdrew her hand.
"Behave yourself, donât pretend to be crazy because youâre drunk,"
Chunyu Yan chuckled lowly.
His smile suggested he had gained a great advantage. He gently licked his lips with the tip of his tongue, forming a beautiful curve, the look in his eyes as if he was savoring the lovely touch from just a moment ago.
"Feng Twelve."
Feng Yun settled herself, "Speak."
The drunken Chunyu Yan, without his usual irksome demeanor, looked as if his eyes were submerged in a river of stars, soft and warm. When he looked at someone intently, it really seemed as if feelings were melting into that gaze.
Beautiful people have the natural advantage of making others reluctant to harm them...
"Feng Twelve, will you come to tease me often from now on, please?"
Feng Yun: ...
She had never heard such a request in her life.
"Madman," she said.