at time was to make calls, send messages, and take pictures with low pixel resolution. They could only play games on computers or buy game consoles. He had just bought the latest console and couldn't...It was Lu Kuò, whom I hadn't seen in ages. He strode over, tossed the car keys onto the bar, grabbed a glass and downed it in one gulp, muttering to himself.

"What kind of place did I pick There isn't even a parking attendant, and I spent half an hour looking for a spot."

After scolding him, she turned around.

"Hey, look! It's our beautiful Wen Dai here too."

With him around, the atmosphere would never be low. He could always find something to chat about, which is also why Zhuo Yu'an had him come.

Wenjian and I have known each other for many years, we get along well. When I just returned to the country, we even had a meal together. Seeing him, I moved over to make room for him.

Wang Yan knows Lu Kuo, though they are not close friends, Lu Kuo's affability knows no bounds. After a few drinks, he started playing board games, the atmosphere instantly shifted from the previous tension to a lively one. The conflict and unpleasantness just moments ago vanished in an instant.

All those present, Zhuo Yu'an, Wen Jian, and Wang Yan, were all exceptionally intelligent with photographic memories. Lu Kuò, a complete academic underachiever, was no match for them. He soon began to whimper and cry in despair.

"Aren't you guys being a little too much Is tonight all about making me look bad"

"Zuo Yu'an, don't be so distant! I'm your childhood friend, we've played together since we were kids. You have to help me in this round."

"Alright, I'll help you out."

After that, Zhuo Yu'an and Lu Kuo formed an alliance, defeating Wang Yan and Wen Jian in consecutive matches.

Lu Kuo had another grievance.

“You have no compassion for women, how dare you surround and attack a girl”

Zuo Yu'an spread out his cards, unable to play anymore. Because of Lu Kuo, this pig teammate, he was penalized many cups of alcohol in a row. Already having drunk quite a bit, after the additional penalties, he was truly somewhat drunk.

It was getting late, so he called a ride-hailing service for each of them to go home.

Zuo Yu'an was in the car, and the driver asked him for his address. He thought hard about the name of his usual hotel, but what came out of his mouth was Shu Tinglan's home address.

He had a few drinks, his head was actually clear, but his actions were out of control. The designated driver was very responsible and drove him all the way to Shu Tinglan's doorstep, pressing the doorbell repeatedly until someone opened the door.

The moment Shu Tinglan opened the door, Zhu Yu'an suddenly woke up and looked at her intently.

The chauffeur pushed him toward Shu Tinglan.

"Take care of yourself, you had quite a bit to drink."

Task complete, he ran like the wind.

Shutinglan frowned at Zhu Yu'an, she was seeing him drunk for the first time. He reeked of alcohol, his face flushed red, but he remained composed and stood straight before her doorstep, solemnly apologizing.

"Excuse me."

Then he turned and walked away, blankly.

Shu Tinglan was speechless. If she let him go out like this, what if something happened Who would be responsible She had no choice but to pull him back into her house. Sleeping on the sofa was better than sleeping on the streets, at least.

Zuo Yu'an laughed and plopped down on the sofa in her house.

"Tinglan, I'm not drunk." Looking at him, he clearly seemed to have had too much, but his voice was steady and calm, as if nothing had changed. He didn't seem drunk at all.

He reached out and grabbed Shu Tinglan's hand, clutching it tightly. Shu Tinglan tried to pull away but couldn't break free:

What are you doing

She slumped beside the sofa, their eyes locked in a close gaze.

"Shu Tinglan, don't accept Zhou Ming, don't fall in love."

His tone was close to begging, at the end of his rope. He wasn't drunk; his mind was as clear as mountain stream water at this moment. How could he just stand there and watch her fall into the arms of another man

"Tinglan, wait for me a little longer."

This is everything he's wanted to say these past few days. Hearing Zhou Ming chase after her at the company during the day, no one knows how unsettled his heart is.

Shu Tinglan wanted to push him away, but she couldn't. She let him hold her, the smell of alcohol blending with his usual scent, surprisingly not unpleasant at all.

She suddenly felt very sad, her nose a little sour. On the issue of Zhuo Yu'an, she had never had the courage to face it and had been running away all along.

At this moment, she suddenly thought, maybe she should wait. Wait until her mother was discharged from the hospital, wait until she could stand on her own in her work, wait until she became stronger inside... Maybe then, she could give herself another chance, and perhaps, give Zhuo Yunan another chance as well.

She couldn't deceive herself; her feelings for Zhuo Yuyan went beyond mere liking, even if she hadn't shown it.

After a while, Zhu Yu'an's rhythmic breathing came. Holding her, he actually fell asleep. Shu Tinglan gently took his hand away, helped him take off his socks, and unbuttoned the cuffs and collar of his shirt. Looking at him sleeping peacefully, she returned to her own bedroom.

Zhuo Yu'an woke up in the middle of the night, thirsty. In an instant, he realized he was in Shu Tinglan's home. Memories flooded back, and his heart warmed. At least Shu Tinglan wasn't completely ignoring him.

I woke up but couldn't fall back asleep. The lingering smell of alcohol made me feel sick. I tiptoed to the bathroom in the living room and took a quick shower, then lay back on the sofa, straining my ears to listen to any sounds from the master bedroom.

Shu Tinglan wasn't asleep. She was still working at her desk. She had heard his movements in the living room from the start, but she didn't go out because there was nothing to say, and she didn't want to be alone with him late at night.

Separated by a door, each awake.

Zhuo Yu'an got up very early the next day and left, afraid that seeing Shu Tinglan would make him reluctant to leave.

Shu Tinglan recently stays up late every day and only sleeps two or three hours, often arriving at work right on time.

I overslept today. And on the subway, I suddenly received a call from the hospital.

“Ms. Shu, please come to the hospital.”

The doctor's voice was very serious.

Shu Tinglan's heart skipped a beat whenever she heard the doctor's voice, and now that tone made her hands tremble. She didn't dare ask any more questions and hurriedly changed to the subway to rush to the hospital.

Zhuo Yu'an and Wen Jian had a morning product development meeting, and they also had a meeting with manufacturers in the afternoon, so they just ate something casually with Wen Jian in the employee restaurant at noon.

After finishing their meal and preparing to leave side by side, they hadn't even reached the exit of the employee canteen when they saw Shu Tinglan striding towards Wen Jian. This was unlike any Shu Tinglan they had ever seen before; his whole body was tense, his eyes burning with anger as he fixedly stared at Wen Jian approaching.

"Wen Jian, what did you say to my mother"

"Are you still human"

Shu Tinglan was filled with grief and anger, taking large strides toward Wen Jian. She reached out her hand to slap him, not out of impulse, but this slap had been brewing for many years. Today, she had reached her limit.

In that moment, she was hysterical, completely oblivious to the other people in the employee cafeteria. Her eyes held only hatred for Wen Jian.

With a smack, she saw stars.

However, she not only failed to hit Wen Jian, but her own face instead felt a searing pain. That crisp slap came from her own cheek.

Wen Jian took the lead and hit her.

And the hand she had just raised was now tightly grasped by Zhuo Yu'an's wrist.

As the pain in her face intensified, so did the pain in her wrist. She slowly came to her senses and looked at Zhu Yu'an beside her.

So he took her hand, letting Wen Jian hit him

He grasped her hand, letting Wen Jian slap him..Ting Lan ran slower and slower, feeling like she was suffocating. The sound of the wind in her ears and the cheers of classmates along the track began to blur, turning into a buzzing hum. Only one vo...