Drunkenness always happened when one was least aware of it.
Ning Ran didnât know from which glass onwards that she started feeling light in the head.
That feeling of light-headedness felt nice. It was exhilarating, relaxing, and unrestrained.
She was talking more and more loudly, and laughing more and more presumptuously.
Although Nan Chen was a little drunk, he remained upright in his seat as he looked at the increasingly wanton woman before him.
Was this the result he wanted? Not knowing the answer, he gulped down another glass of sake.
Why did I come here? Why did I eat with her? And why did I drink?
He didnât drink any alcohol for work during the important social event tonight, but he was drinking white wine now with the woman he hated so much.
âYouâre actually a nice person, Sir Chen,â Ning Ran said abruptly with a smile.
Nan Chen remained silent.
âYouâre responsible. When we were in the jungle, you didnât eat and had left the food for me and the children⦠I always remember it. In fact, my life is not as important as yours. Iâm just a blade of grass. If Iâm gone, I bet no one will remember me after a few days. But youâre different. Youâre responsible for the family business. If anything happens to you, the entire Flower City or even the entire economy of China will be affected. So, I think itâs amazing that youâre willing to save food for us.â Ning Ran rambled on and on about many things.
Nan Chenâs heart softened a little.
How are you a blade of grass? How are you as cheap as you say you are? How could you be forgotten in two days if youâre gone?
Where do I find this one and only orange blossom fragrance if youâre gone?
âBut you also have a bad side,â Ning Ran spoke in a thick voice, not caring if Nan Chen answered or not.
Nan Chen cocked an eyebrow and looked at Ning Ran.
âYouâre too proud. Although you have the power, thereâs no need to be arrogant. The world is diverse.
Everyone has his own way of life, his own personalityââ Ning Ran halted and burped.
Nan Chen knitted his brows tightly together. Is this woman going to throw up again?
He couldnât let her throw up again this time. She had made a scene the last time she was drunk, and it was too much trouble.
Nan Chen stood up and took away that bottle of wine in front of her, but he didnât say a word.
Ning Ran grinned, âAre you afraid that Iâll trouble you when Iâm drunk? Hahaha.â
Nan Chen paid no heed to her words.
âJust get right to the topic.â
Ning Ran tried hard to concentrate, but it was a little too difficult.
The effect of the alcohol made her feel dizzy, and she began to see a split image of Poker Face in front of her.
However, she was still conscious, and she knew what she had to say.
The only downside was that she really wanted to talk. She had many pent-up emotions in her heart, and she couldnât help but wanting to talk.
Nan Chen looked at Ning Ran, indicating her to continue.
âHow about I drink a little more? Otherwise, I canât talk about some things.â
Ning Ran was about to get another bottle of wine when Nan Chen stretched his hand to stop her. He couldnât let her drink anymore, as it would be too taxing to deal with her drunken behavior.
Ning Ran could only give up. Tch, how controlling. Itâs not like Iâm a drunkard or something.
âWhere did I stop just now?â Ning Ran looked at Nan Chen with blurry eyes.
Nan Chen didnât reply. He wasnât obliged to remind this woman that she had been raving about him.
âAh, I remember now. We were talking about what happened in the jungle. Food supplies were limited.
Instead of eating it yourself, you saved them for me and the childrenâ¦â
Nan Chen froze. Is she going to repeat that again?
Fine, say what you want. You can even say it a hundred times.
Thereupon, Ning Ran repeated what she had just said, but the main idea that Nan Chen was responsible remained unchanged.
Nan Chen felt that it was better to be praised than to be taunted by her.
âLetâs go. Itâs not getting any earlier.â Ning Ran stood up.
Her footsteps were a little unsteady, but she managed to find her equilibrium.
Nan Chen gestured her to sit down and then asked the boss for a bowl of soup, which should have a sobering effect.
The soup was warm, and it tasted a little sweet.
Feeling thirsty and overwhelmed from the booze, Ning Ran finished drinking it in a flash and wanted more.
Nan Chen could only order her another bowl.
âDonât you have anything to tell me? You said youâve got a story to tell,â Nan Chen asked Ning Ran.
Analyzing from her current state, she should be almost drunk, and the probability of saying the truth before one gets drunk was higher.
âStory? Mm, I have.â Ning Ran had forgotten what she said before drinking.
âWhat do you want to hear?â
Nan Chen froze again. He had heard of people choosing a song, but not a story.
âAnything,â Nan Chen replied casually.
âMm, but what do you want to hear? I have too many stories to tell,â Ning Ran said proudly.
âOkay, then tell me, why do you need ten million all of a sudden?â
It didnât mean that Nan Chen didnât want to know if he didnât ask.
He didnât ask because he was worried what he would hear was a lie, as Ning Ran had the natural tendency to come up with an excuse.
He asked that now because he thought Ning Ran wouldnât be able to tell lies in this state.
The probability of her telling lies was lower and he could have a chance to hear the truth.
âItâs because of my mother,â Ning Ran answered.
Nan Chen sat unspeaking. Didnât your mother pass away a long time ago, and it was your fault that she died? Do you think I wouldnât know that?
âMy mother dying with a grudge is the pain of my life. But that woman stashed away my motherâs belongings and whatâs even more hateful, she changed my motherâs ashes and kept her from resting in peaceâ¦â
Alcohol could amplify a personâs joy, but also their grievances and sorrows.
Ning Ran, who had still been in a stable mood, suddenly choked up when she talked about her mother.
Then tears started pouring out, and they were unstoppable.
She couldnât suppress those pent up sorrows she had been suppressing as her strong heart became fragile under the influence of alcohol.
Nan Chen watched her quietly and came to a realization that she would always be close to falling apart every time she mentioned her mother.
She had cried so loudly on the highway the last time she was drunk, lamenting for her mother and her lost home.
Just what kind of deep sorrow is hidden in this womanâs heart?
Is it really because sheâs guilty of killing her mother, and thatâs why she would collapse when she brings up something from the past?
âDonât cry.â Nan Chenâs comfort was so plain that it could be ignored.
He really didnât know how to comfort people, because he felt that the suffering in this world could only be borne by oneself.
Othersâ comfort was useless because the pain would gradually fade over time.
But miraculously, when he said the words âdonât cryâ, Ning Ran really stopped.
âTissue,â Ning Ran said.
Nan Chen compliantly handed the tissue over to let her wipe her tears.
âThat old witch threatened me with my motherâs belongings, asking for ten million and if I donât give her that money, she will pour dogâs blood on my motherâs ashes so that she cannot rest in peace down there.â
Ning Ranâs expression was very clear, and the hatred in her tone was palpable.
Harking back to what she said before this, Nan Chen felt that what he heard this time should be the truth.
âWhy didnât you report this to the police?â Nan Chen asked. âThis is extortion.â
âThey are very cunning and they will know if I report the matter to the police. Besides, the police will not file a case for this because I have no evidence.â
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