5: Chapter 5 Taking care of the drunk landlady

Cao Kun quickly stepped forward, reaching out to gently steady Bai Muyou's swaying arm.

"Sister Bai, you've had too much to drink? Do you still recognize me?"

Hearing the voice, Bai Muyou turned her head somewhat sluggishly, her eyes slightly reddened, clearly having just cried.

Seeing it was Cao Kun, she managed to force a smile and waved her hand, "It's... it's Xiao Cao! What are you doing here?"

Seeing that she still recognized him, Cao Kun breathed a sigh of relief.

"I was hanging out around here. Why did you drink so much? Where's my... your husband?"

"Ugh, don't mention that scumbag to me. The thought of him makes me sick."

Bai Muyou's tone suddenly turned cold.

"Looks like a marital dispute,"

Cao Kun thought to himself.

He immediately changed the subject.

"Sister Bai, you've had too much. It's really unsafe for you to be alone. Let me take you back."

"I'm fine... just feeling a bit stuffy inside. Just taking a walk, getting some air. You don't need to worry about me. I'll... I'll go back myself in a bit."

Her voice carried the softness of drunkenness and a barely perceptible sob. Though she was putting on a brave face, Cao Kun could see right through the fragile facade of her forced smile.

Every family has its own troubles; it's just that adults are used to hiding their vulnerabilities, especially unwilling to show them in front of outsiders.

Cao Kun nodded understandingly.

He had originally intended to respect her wishes, just quietly following behind to ensure she got home safely.

Just as he was about to take a step back.

[Ding! New task issued: Take care of the drunken landlady and ensure she does not feel empty tonight.]

[Task reward: One aito m9.]

"Holy crap!"

Cao Kun's heart jolted, almost exclaiming out loud.

The system is too considerate!

Knowing he just lost his little e-scooter, it directly gives him something far superior.

After the initial surprise, Cao Kun began to ponder the task.

"Ensure she does not feel empty?"

The task description was a bit ambiguous.

But the most important thing right now was to first ensure her safety and be able to stay.

Judging by Bai Muyou's current state, she definitely didn't want to lose face in front of Cao Kun and wouldn't want him to escort her.

Cao Kun thought for a moment and decided he could only insist on taking her back.

Based on his understanding of Bai Muyou, she had a good temperament and probably wouldn't refuse outright.

He immediately abandoned his previous gentleness, adopting an unyielding, resolute attitude. He stepped forward and directly took hold of Bai Muyou's arm to support her.

"No, Sister Bai, look, you can barely stand steadily. It's absolutely not okay for you to be alone so late. I must take you back. No arguments."

Cao Kun's tone was firm as he simultaneously raised his hand to hail a passing taxi.

Bai Muyou seemed momentarily stunned by his sudden assertiveness.

Looking up at Cao Kun's profile, which appeared particularly resolute under the streetlight, her lips moved slightly, but she ultimately didn't refuse again. She allowed Cao Kun to half-support, half-carry her into the back seat of the taxi.

After giving the address for the Jinyuhuafu Residential Complex, the car drove off smoothly.

Inside the cramped space of the taxi, the smell of alcohol mixed with the faint scent of perfume from Bai Muyou permeated the air.

Perhaps due to the car's motion, Bai Muyou's face grew increasingly pale. Her brows were tightly furrowed, and one hand was pressed tightly over her mouth as she struggled against the discomfort.

Cao Kun had been secretly observing her.

If he noticed anything seriously wrong, he would promptly ask the driver to stop.

Over ten minutes later.

The car came to an abrupt stop at the entrance to the Residential Complex.

"We're here..." the driver had just finished saying.

"Ugh—!"

Bai Muyou could no longer hold back. She suddenly turned sideways, not fully making it to the window, and a stream of vomit mixed with alcohol splattered directly onto Cao Kun's pants and the outer side of his thigh.

An intense, sour, and rancid smell of alcohol instantly filled the car.

Cao Kun drew in a sharp breath.

Looking down, he saw it was mostly liquid, not too much solid waste, which made him feel a bit better.

He immediately pulled out tissues to hastily wipe himself, then quickly supported Bai Muyou, who was almost collapsing, half-carrying, half-supporting her out of the car and over to a tree by the sidewalk.

"Ugh... cough..."

Bent over, Bai Muyou retched violently a few more times, tears welling up in her eyes from the choking. She looked utterly miserable.

Cao Kun stood beside her, one hand steadying her swaying body, the other gently patting her back.

At that moment, the taxi driver got out with a frown to check the back seat, his expression not looking good.

Cao Kun quickly said, "Sir, could you do me a favor? Please go buy two bottles of mineral water from the convenience store over there. I'll pay you an extra hundred yuan for car cleaning, okay?"

The displeasure on the driver's face was instantly replaced by pleasant surprise. He nodded repeatedly, "Ah, sure thing! Just a moment, please!" With that, he jogged towards the nearby 24-hour convenience store.

Bai Muyou vomited a bit more, seemingly emptying her stomach. She actually seemed a bit more wide awake, but was utterly weak, barely able to stand with Cao Kun's support.

She took the bottle of mineral water Cao Kun handed her, rinsed her mouth with small sips, and drank a little more. Her pale face finally regained a hint of color.

Summoning her strength, Bai Muyou apologized profusely to the driver while using her phone to directly transfer an extra hundred yuan to him as compensation and cleaning fee.

After the taxi drove away, the night breeze blew, and Bai Muyou seemed to become a bit more wide awake.

Looking at the obvious stain on Cao Kun's pant leg, her face immediately flushed with embarrassment and apology.

"Xiao Cao... I'm really, really sorry! I got your clothes like this..."

Her voice was low, filled with chagrin. "Please come upstairs with me first. I have a washing machine at home, and it dries quickly. You can take a shower and deal with your clothes... I'll definitely compensate you for the damage."

Cao Kun had been worried about finding a suitable reason to stay and complete the task. This was practically a godsend.

He immediately nodded compliantly, a look of understanding on his face, "Sister Bai, please don't stand on ceremony. Everyone has their off days. The clothes are fine, just need a wash."

"But it's so late. Would it be inconvenient for me to go up? My bro... he..."

"I said, don't mention him to me,"

Bai Muyou rudely interrupted Cao Kun.

"There's no one else at my place, just me. You can rest assured."

"Then... I'll trouble you. I'll go up to deal with this, and I'll feel better once I see you settled in."

Then, the two walked side by side towards the Residential Complex.

Bai Muyou's home was located on the top floor, a large flat unit over two hundred square meters.

Upon arriving home, Bai Muyou opened the coded lock.

The motion-sensor light in the entryway quietly lit up, revealing a spacious view.

The expansive living room adopted a minimalist modern style, with a color palette dominated by advanced grey and rice white. Beyond the huge floor-to-ceiling windows was a dazzling city nightscape, like a flow painting.

The imported Italian velvet sofa, the custom furniture with fluid lines, the triangle piano standing quietly in the corner, and the clearly expensive abstract artwork on the walls all spoke to the owner's refined taste and substantial wealth.

The air carried a faint scent of aromatherapy, a blend of cedar and a hint of orange blossom, serene and expensive.

Cao Kun was momentarily stunned by the sight.

He hadn't expected the landlady's home to be so wealthy.

"Make yourself at home, Xiao Cao. The place is a bit messy, don't mind it. What would you like to drink? I'll get it for you,"

Bai Muyou offered.

Saying this, she went to the refrigerator, opened the door, and let Cao Kun choose.

Looking at the dazzling array of drinks in the refrigerator, like in a Supermarket, Cao Kun was momentarily at a loss. Finally, he said,

"Mineral water is fine."

Bai Muyou took a bottle of mineral water and handed it to Cao Kun.

"Have some water first. I'll go wash some fruit for you."

"Sister Bai, please don't trouble yourself. Sit down and rest for a while," Cao Kun Take the water, looking around. "Your home is really beautiful."

Bai Muyou forced a weak smile, not responding. She pointed towards the guest bathroom, "The bathroom is over there. There are new towels and a bathrobe in the cabinet. You should go wash up first; it must be too uncomfortable wearing that."

"Later, just leave the clothes you change out of by the door. I'll wash them for you in a bit."

Cao Kun didn't stand on ceremony either. He thanked her and then took the bag containing his newly bought clothes from the mall into the bathroom.

After showering, he changed into the new clothes, wiped his hair in front of the mirror, and walked out.

In the living room, the washing machine emitted a faint whirring sound.

Bai Muyou had already put his dirty clothes in to wash and dry.

She was sitting on the sofa, holding that cup of water, her gaze somewhat vacant as she looked out the window.

Hearing movement, she turned her head.

Freshly showered, Cao Kun's hair was slightly damp, his skin clean. The new clothes fit well, accentuating his young, upright figure. His originally handsome face appeared even more defined after the refresh, his eyes clear.

Bai Muyou's gaze lingered on his face for a few seconds, seemingly slightly dazed for a moment, then somewhat unnaturally shifted away. A faint ripple, perhaps even imperceptible to herself, passed over her face.

"All washed up? The washing machine has a dryer function; your clothes will be ready soon. Sit down, have some fruit, and wait a bit."

Cao Kun sat down on the single armchair diagonally opposite her, picked up a piece of watermelon, and started eating.

Time passed bit by bit. The quiet living room was filled only with the subtle sound of the washing machine working.

He knew that once the clothes were dry, it would probably be time for him to leave.

But he still had no clue about the task. He had to take the initiative.

...