41: Becoming restless

Before Lin Chao could react, he was dragged toward the noisy dice table by her without a word.

"Count me in."

Xie Mengya's voice carried a hint of indisputable amusement, but her gaze shot straight toward Zheng Bingqing and Chen Yuzhu.

The smiles on those two women's faces stiffened slightly.

The dice cup flew up and down in the male escort's hand before finally slamming onto the table with a 'thwack'.

"Sisters, open!"

In the first round, Zheng Bingqing went up against Xie Mengya.

"Five sixes!" Xie Mengya called out a number lazily without even looking.

Zheng Bingqing hesitated for a moment, and the male escort accompanying her whispered a few words in her ear.

"I don't believe you! Open!"

The dice cup was lifted—no more, no less, exactly five sixes.

Zheng Bingqing's expression instantly turned somewhat ugly.

"Sister Bingqing, it's your turn to drink this glass," Xie Mengya said with a beaming smile as she picked up the glass.

"I..."

Before Zheng Bingqing could finish, the male escort beside her immediately stood up heroically.

"Sister Bingqing, I'll drink for you!"

With that, he tilted his head back and downed a glass of foreign liquor.

After finishing, he even pointedly raised the empty glass and shook it toward Lin Chao.

Lin Chao's expression remained unchanged, merely giving a faint nod.

In the following rounds, it was as if Xie Mengya had opened a third eye.

Her target was clear, with almost every shot landing on Zheng Bingqing and Chen Yuzhu.

The two women lost much more than they won, and the smiles on their faces became increasingly forced.

The Male Escorts accompanying them, however, were each more valiant than the last.

One glass after another, they drained them dry without any hesitation.

They even took the initiative to pull Lin Chao into clinking glasses; instead of cooling down, the atmosphere in the room was heightened by them.

The drinking session continued until nearly midnight.

Everyone was somewhat tipsy, and someone finally suggested calling it a night.

Xie Mengya had also drunk quite a bit, an alluring flush blooming on her cheeks.

The club was very thoughtful, immediately arranging for a waiter to act as a designated driver.

Only the dim ambient lights were on inside the car.

Lin Chao and Xie Mengya sat side by side.

The car drove out smoothly, leaving the noise of the club entrance behind them.

Xie Mengya's body suddenly went soft, her head naturally leaning onto Lin Chao's shoulder.

A scent mixed with red wine and perfume instantly enveloped Lin Chao.

"How was it?" She closed her eyes, her voice slightly slurred. "Seeing Zheng Bingqing and Chen Yuzhu drink like that tonight, are you happy?"

A wave of warmth flowed through Lin Chao's heart.

He knew that everything Xie Mengya did tonight was to stand up for him.

He reached out and gently grasped her hand that was resting on her lap.

Her hand was very soft, carrying a hint of post-drinking warmth.

"Thank you, Sister Mengya."

Xie Mengya seemed to chuckle, a soft hum coming from her throat.

She didn't open her eyes, but the fingertips of the hand he was holding suddenly grew restless.

Her index finger slowly traced circles in his palm, one after another.

That sensation was like a feather, teasing Lin Chao's heart until it itched.

"You are the person I brought."

Her lips were almost pressed against his ear.

Warm breath brushed against his earlobe.

"Them bullying you is the same as slapping my face, isn't it?"

Lin Chao's body instantly stiffened slightly.

The scene from the restroom earlier that day uncontrollably resurfaced in his mind.

His Adam's apple bobbed uncontrollably.

However, the effects of the alcohol had long since faded.

He took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the impulse surging in his heart.

The car soon reached the old residential area where Lin Chao lived.

"We're here."

Xie Mengya sat up and rubbed her eyes, seemingly having sobered up a bit.

"Remember to move tomorrow. I've sent you the address."

Lin Chao gave an "mm" but didn't get out of the car immediately.

He turned his head to look at Xie Mengya, whose cheeks were flushed and eyes were shimmering in the dim light.

As if possessed, he spoke.

"Sister Mengya..."

His voice carried a hint of raspiness that he hadn't even noticed himself.

"Do you want to... come up and sit for a while?"

"I'll make you a cup of tea so you can rest."

Xie Mengya was slightly startled.

She looked at Lin Chao; in those clear eyes of his, a small flame was currently burning.

A few seconds later, she suddenly laughed.

In that smile was a bit of understanding and a bit of playfulness.

She gently shook her head.

"Not today."

Her voice was as soft as a feather.

"Wait a bit longer."

The flame in Lin Chao's heart instantly dimmed, replaced by an indescribable sense of disappointment.

However, he still quickly adjusted his emotions and nodded.

"Okay."

He pushed open the car door and got out.

"Then, Sister Mengya, get home safely."

Xie Mengya waved at him, and the black Bentley silently slid into the night.

Lin Chao stood in place until the taillights disappeared around the street corner before turning to walk into the stairwell.

The voice-activated light in the stairwell lit up in response, then abruptly went out when he stopped walking.

Darkness swallowed him once again.

Lin Chao gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"Wait a bit longer."

These four words circled in his mind like a curse.

He naturally understood what Xie Mengya meant.

That woman was still Zheng Guangzhi's legal wife... Meanwhile, in the back seat of the smoothly moving car.

Xie Mengya had already sat up straight, her face showing not even a hint of intoxication.

Under the brilliant neon lights outside the window, her eyes were as cold and clear as water.

"Take me back to Genting Villa."

She gave a faint instruction to the waiter driving in the front seat.

"Certainly, President Xie."

Silence returned to the car.

Xie Mengya leaned against the leather seat, her fingertips unconsciously tapping her knee.

So morally upright as to never cheat during a marriage?

Heh, she was no chaste martyr.

It just wasn't the time yet.

Before she completely separated herself from that scumbag Zheng Guangzhi, she absolutely could not leave any leverage for him to grasp.

Not even a tiny bit.

Lin Chao returned to his rented room of less than twenty square meters.

After taking a cold shower, he finally felt completely sober.

Lying on the creaking single bed, the scene in the restroom from earlier today uncontrollably surfaced before his eyes again.

The alluring scent of her perfume, the burning touch of her skin, the breath she exhaled like orchids against his ear... For a moment, his heart felt hot.

In his lower abdomen, a surge of wicked fire flared up.

Lin Chao turned over, a bitter smile hooking the corner of his mouth.

This couldn't be called living off a woman.

He told himself in his heart.

When feelings are deep and both parties are willing, how can it be called living off a woman?

Yes, that's it.

The night passed in silence.