19: Chapter 19 Getting Drunk

These words gently poked the softest spot in Su Wanqing's heart.

She had lived for thirty years, always living according to the expectations of others.

Her work had to be top-notch, her behavior elegant, and even her relationships were framed by her age as mandatory KPIs that had to be completed.

No one had ever seriously told her that she was worth waiting for, much less that she didn't need to settle for anyone.

The tipsiness gradually welled up, stripping away all of her hard outer shells.

"You don't have to stay with me."

She spoke in a low voice, a faint trace of vulnerability hidden within, yet she still maintained the unique restraint and aloofness of a mature woman.

"Go play with your classmates, don't worry about me."

"I'm not leaving."

Jiang Chen's tone was firm, each word carrying weight. "I'm not comfortable leaving you when you've drunk this much alone."

Those few words gently struck Su Wanqing's heart, making it tremble violently.

She never lacked hypocritical greetings or people approaching her with an agenda, but it had been far, far too long since she had heard such a pure, selfless "I'm not comfortable leaving you."

Her vision gradually blurred, and emboldened by the alcohol, she leaned slightly toward him.

The movement was light, tentative, and carried the exhaustion of being stretched to the limit—like a rose finally willing to bow its head slightly.

Jiang Chen's body stiffened slightly, then slowly relaxed. He didn't take the initiative to cross the line, but simply stayed steady in place, giving her a full sense of security.

The voices in the lounge bar were lazy, and low jazz music wound through the warm yellow light.

The distance between the two of them slowly shifted from polite aloofness to a subtle yet restrained closeness.

The faint woody scent on her body mixed with the aroma of wine, and the clean, fresh youthful aura on him silently intertwined in the air, weaving into a gentle ambiguity.

"Jiang Chen..."

She suddenly called his name softly. Her voice was several shades softer than usual, yet it still carried the laziness of a mature woman without any affectation.

"I'm here."

"Tell me, is it really that hard in this life to meet someone who understands you?"

The corners of her eyes were slightly red, carrying an unmasked sincerity brought on by the alcohol.

"Sometimes I really think about just marrying anyone to get it over with. At least my ears would be quiet, and I wouldn't have to be criticized by my family over and over again."

She took a soft breath, her voice slightly hoarse. "But I'm not willing to settle."

Jiang Chen looked at her quietly.

The light fell on her tipsy cheeks, soft and radiant, beautiful enough to make his heart race out of control.

His voice was very soft, yet incredibly certain.

"You will meet them! The right person at the right time."

He paused, his gaze intensely serious. "The prerequisite is that you must first believe that you are worth it."

Su Wanqing's breath hitched slightly.

She looked into his eyes so close at hand—bright, focused, and unflinching—clearly reflecting her own image.

At this moment, for the first time, she truly felt that she was indeed worthy of being cherished.

Alcohol and emotions blended into the night; all identities, concerns, and boundaries were gently melted away.

Jiang Chen slowly approached, his movements slow and light, leaving her room to retreat at every inch.

It wasn't until their noses almost touched and their warm breaths intertwined that he asked in a low voice.

"Teacher Su, can I hold you?"

Su Wanqing didn't speak; she simply closed her eyes gently and gave a slight nod.

He reached out and gently pulled her into his arms. The embrace was steady and warm, like a harbor where she could temporarily dock.

She buried her face in his chest, and the emotions she had kept tight for countless days and nights finally burst through the dam. Silent tears soaked his shirt as her fingers lightly gripped the hem of his clothes.

There was no crossing of lines, no impulsiveness—only two lonely, tired people finding solace in each other in the deep of the night.

Not far away, Wang Hao watched with pupils dilated in shock, his wine glass frozen in mid-air, his mouth hanging open for a long time.

That was Teacher Su, who was usually cold and indifferent with an overwhelming aura!

She actually let down all her defenses in Jiang Chen's arms?!

What on earth was going on? Was my brain not connected to the internet?

He covered his mouth tightly and shrunk into the corner of the booth, not daring to make a sound.

After a long while, Su Wanqing slowly raised her head. Her cheeks were flushed with wine and her eyes bore traces of tears, yet she still looked cool and radiant, only with an added softness from letting down her guard.

Jiang Chen's fingertips gently wiped away the moisture from the corners of her eyes, his voice turning extremely soft. "I'll take you back."

She didn't get up immediately, but just looked up at him. Her tone carried the lazy coquettishness of a mature woman—not whiny or fake, but exceptionally heart-softening.

"No rush, stay and drink with me for a bit longer."

Her fingertip lightly tapped the tabletop, her gaze hazy with drink.

"I don't want to go back and face an empty house, and I don't want to hear news from home."

"Fine, I'll drink with you."

He raised his hand to call the waiter and ordered more alcohol, then picked up his own glass to accompany her as they drank slowly.

With several glasses of strong liquor down his throat, Jiang Chen, already full of youthful vigor, was now thoroughly tipsy, and his courage grew.

His gaze was no longer restrained, falling directly on her reddened lips and soft cheeks. His ears and neck were flushed a light red, and his body temperature gradually became scalding.

He was no longer just a quiet listener; he leaned in slightly, closer to her, his breath softly brushing against the hair on her forehead.

Taking advantage of the moment Su Wanqing lowered her head to sip her wine, Jiang Chen discreetly pulled out his phone and quickly sent a message to Wang Hao.

[You go back first, don't wait for me. Don't talk about what happened tonight.]

Wang Hao's phone vibrated. Seeing the message, his eyes widened instantly, and he looked up to peek at the two people leaning against each other.

He immediately understood, nodding frantically. He mouthed the word "Understood" and quietly replied: [Don't worry! My lips are sealed!].

Then he grabbed his coat and slipped out of the lounge bar quietly, not forgetting to look back one last time with a face full of shock that said, "I'm witnessing a real romance."

The corner was now completely quiet, leaving only the two of them. The ambiguity grew even thicker.

Su Wanqing clearly felt the burning temperature coming from him. Like a warm fire, it burned the last trace of reason in her heart until it was teetering.

She still maintained her composure, but she could no longer suppress the surging dependence and heartbeat. Her eyes gazed dizzily at his lips so close by, her throat tightening slightly.

They drank for nearly another hour, and the night grew deep.

Su Wanqing's eyes were hazy, and her body felt slightly weak. Her whole person was almost pressed against Jiang Chen, and she could clearly feel the rise and fall of his chest and his burning body temperature.

The alcohol had broken down all her reservations. She looked up, seeing the unmasked attraction in his eyes, and no longer hesitated.

In the moment Jiang Chen was slightly dazed, Su Wanqing took the initiative to raise her head, her cool lips lightly brushing against the corner of his mouth.

The touch was brief, carrying the unique straightforwardness of a mature woman—not coy, not timid.

Jiang Chen's entire body stiffened. Tipsiness and desire instantly rushed to his head, and the courage he had been building up finally exploded at this moment.

Before Su Wanqing could pull back, he reached out to cup the back of her head, leaned down, and kissed her back fiercely.

The kiss carried the heat and recklessness of youth, yet it also hid extreme tenderness and cherish. It was burning and forceful, venting all the care and attraction of the entire night.

Su Wanqing's pupils trembled slightly, then she closed her eyes, frankly reaching out to wrap her arms around his neck, sinking completely into it.

Lips and teeth intertwined, breath burning hot. The surrounding jazz music and voices became a blurred background; the entire world was left with only each other.

An unknown amount of time passed before the two slowly separated, their breathing in disarray.

Su Wanqing's cheeks were crimson, her eyes as seductive as silk, yet she still carried a bit of assertive laziness. Her voice was hoarse: "Take me home."

Jiang Chen's voice was low and raspy: "Okay."

He steadily helped her up. She held his arm tightly, leaning her whole body against his burning frame, her steps slightly swaying but incredibly determined.

No matter how cool the night breeze was, it couldn't disperse the fire that had already started a prairie blaze between them.

Silence followed them all the way, with only their heartbeats and breathing intertwined.

When they reached the apartment building, Su Wanqing didn't say anything extra, directly pulling him by the wrist into the building.

The moment the entrance door closed, Jiang Chen pressed her against the wall again, leaned down, and kissed her.

There was no testing, no hesitation.

With the help of the strong alcohol and hearts full of joy, the two people with burning intentions followed their instincts, naturally embracing and sinking into each other, completely surrendering themselves in this gentle, deep night.