Chapter 120: Out Drinking Instead of Coming Home This Late at Night?

To be so obsessed with someone you cannot have—in the end, the only person you harm is yourself.

Shi Runrun waited until midnight, but Xiao Xuezheng did not return. He rarely acted this way; the only other time had been on the anniversary of Chi Zaozao’s death. That single night of him not coming home had resulted in such a profound misunderstanding between them. Because of that, his absence tonight filled Shi Runrun with a dark, ominous premonition.

Tossing and turning in bed, she finally threw on a robe and climbed out. Gazing into the deep night outside the window, she reached for her phone to call him, but the line only offered a cold notification that his phone was switched off. Shi Runrun frowned. Why would he turn off his phone while visiting the hospital in the middle of the night?

Unable to shake her unease, she immediately pushed open the bedroom door and headed downstairs. Hearing the commotion, Sister Li emerged, also draped in her nightclothes. Seeing her descending the stairs, she couldn't help but ask, "Young Mistress, it is so late—why aren't you resting?"

"I can't reach Xiao Xuezheng, and he hasn't come home yet," Shi Runrun replied. "I'm worried about him. I want to go out and look for him."

After what happened last time, how could Sister Li possibly let her go out alone? She hurried to wake the family driver to accompany her.

"Young Mistress, the Young Master went to the Old Master’s hospital. Perhaps there has been a change in the Old Master’s condition, and he is keeping watch there," Sister Li suggested as she helped Shi Runrun into her coat and walked her toward the door.

Shi Runrun nodded, climbed into the car, and headed for the hospital. However, halfway there, the phone in her pocket rang. It was the bartender from a downtown club.

"Is this Mrs. Xiao? Your husband is drunk at our establishment. Could you please come and collect him?"

A bar? He wasn't at the hospital; he was out drinking? Shi Runrun’s brow furrowed tightly. She told the caller she would be there, hung up, and instructed the driver to turn around and head for the downtown bar. She couldn't understand why he would go drinking tonight. When he left earlier, he had been perfectly fine—had something happened?

She knew that he rarely touched alcohol; when he did, it meant his mood was dark. Soon, the car pulled up in front of the bar. Accompanied by Sister Li, Shi Runrun stepped inside. The night was in full swing. Deafening music thumped through the air, and mesmerizing, colorful lights swept across a scene of decadent indulgence.

Shi Runrun scanned the room and finally spotted Xiao Xuezheng at a central booth. He was leaning back lazily, one hand propping up his chin, the other gripping a wine glass. His eyes were half-closed and hazy, hovering in a state between sleep and wakefulness. From her angle, she could see his sharp, sculpted profile and the broadness of his shoulders, his back muscles outlined beneath the fabric of his shirt.

She could understand him being in a bad mood, but he didn't need to hide here to drink away his sorrows. He could have come home and told her! With a pout of annoyance, she walked over. Reaching him, she grabbed his arm and tried to pull him up. He was dead weight in his intoxication, and it took all her strength to heave him to his feet.

Sensing her presence and catching the familiar scent of her perfume, Xiao Xuezheng blinked his hazy eyes. Seeing her, his lips curled into a smirk as he raised an eyebrow. "Wife, you've come."

Seeing him so carefree and dissolute, Shi Runrun gave his arm a sharp tug, her face cold. "So you still remember I’m your wife! Staying out all night to drink! Come home with me!"

Though she spoke with anger, her voice carried a delicate, spoiled tone that made the man’s heart melt instantly. His smile deepened. He leaned his entire weight against her, bowing his head to rest on her shoulder. His thin lips brushed against her cheek, nuzzling softly as he murmured, "Wife... my wife..."

Shi Runrun felt a tickle on her skin and a flutter in her heart. Her face flushed crimson, and she pushed at him, feigning indignation. "Stop acting like a drunkard!"

They were in public, after all. There were so many people around, not to mention Sister Li standing right there. Indeed, she could already see Sister Li nearby, covering her mouth and giggling at them. Xiao Xuezheng watched her bashful expression, his amusement growing. His hazy, dark eyes shone with an intense, burning gaze. It was as if he could never get enough of looking at her.

Helpless, Shi Runrun tried to support him, but lacking the strength, she cast a pleading look at Sister Li. Sister Li hurried over to help, and together they hoisted the drunken man toward the exit. The car was parked nearby, which was fortunate; otherwise, hauling a man of his size would have been an impossible task.

They settled him into the back seat. Shi Runrun instructed Sister Li to sit in the front passenger seat while she climbed into the back, ordering the driver to head home. Along the way, Xiao Xuezheng leaned against her, his posture and expression remaining elegant even in his stupor. He pressed close, nuzzling into her as he drifted into a steady, rhythmic sleep. Feeling the weight of his head on her shoulder, she endured the ache without moving, wanting to keep him comfortable until they arrived home.

Half an hour later, the car pulled into the villa courtyard. Sister Li stepped out first to turn on the lights and prepare some hangover soup. Shi Runrun opened the rear door and patted the man who was sleeping soundly against her.

"Xiao Xuezheng, wake up. We're home. Get out of the car!"

The man only mumbled a few unintelligible sounds, showing no sign of waking. Sighing, Shi Runrun closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and gave his handsome face a few sharp—though carefully controlled—slaps.

A moment later, his eyes fluttered open, his dark pupils tinged with red.

"Wake up! Get out!"

Shi Runrun stepped out first and reached for his arm to help him. However, just as she thought he would follow her inside, she felt her wrist being seized by a powerful hand. Before she could react, a massive force pulled her in. She was swept into a broad, warm embrace, and his thin lips descended, capturing hers in a sudden, lingering kiss.