"Mr. Hou, isn't this a foul?"
"Going after such a young girl, you really have no conscience."
"In order not to let the female employees have any illusions, our Mr. Hou has gone all out."
The people around were still jeering, but Hou Ranxi ignored them and just looked at Chai icen.
Chai icen had always known that Hou Ranxi's eyes were very attractive. She had also heard Zhou Rui talk about how gentle Hou Ranxi's eyes were when looking at her.
But she had never paid special attention before.
This ti, with such a close eye contact for a full 30 seconds, it was the first ti she looked directly into Hou Ranxi's eyes.
Bright stars, or dazzling lights, didn't seem adequate to describe those eyes.
There was affection in his eyes.
His gaze was full of tenderness.
Chai icen felt as if she was shattered, her body lted away, staring blankly at the man in front of her, no longer a complete person.
It seed like sothing was slowly letting go inside her.
Fortunately, the 30 seconds passed quickly, and Hou Ranxi let go of Chai icen. He turned sideways to block Chai icen and said, "Alright, I'm done. You guys go drink."
After sending the people away, Hou Ranxi turned back to stand beside Chai icen, and reached out to pinch Chai icen's slightly reddened earlobe, "Ah, I had no choice but to go along with their teasing. You're not angry, are you?"
"It's not that serious." Chai icen murmured vaguely.
"See anything you like?"
"Uh...these two..." Chai icen randomly pointed at two.
"Okay." Hou Ranxi looked at them and morized them.
After Hou Ranxi left, Chai icen leaned in to check the prices of these two wines.
"Hundreds of thousands each, holy crap." Chai icen was so shocked that she swore. Would Hou Ranxi think she was asking for too much?
But she soon felt at ease.
Hou Ranxi could easily afford this amount.
She felt her face was still a little hot. She went into the bathroom and found her cheeks were really red beyond words.
It must be because she had been single for too long. Even just looking at Hou Ranxi made her blush furiously.
She stood in there cooling off for a good while before coming out. When she ca out, she saw this group getting even more crazy.
But she soon noticed sothing wrong and hurried over.
It seed Peng Shuyue had drank a little too much. She went over to Hou Ranxi to tease him, insisting that Hou Ranxi eat laoganma chili mixed with lobster.
Hou Ranxi explicitly refused, but Peng Shuyue actually scooped up a spoonful and forcibly fed it to Hou Ranxi, covering his mouth so he couldn't spit it out.
Chai icen walked over to push Peng Shuyue away and went to Hou Ranxi's side, saying "Spit into my hand."
Hou Ranxi hesitated for a mont, then spat into a small plate she held out.
Chai icen grabbed a bottle of water from the side, twisted it open and handed it to Hou Ranxi. Hou Ranxi took it and rinsed his mouth, still seeming a bit uncomfortable with tears in his eyes.
After being pushed away, Peng Shuyue finally regained so sobriety and asked, "What's going on?"
She was still clutching her shoulder. Chai icen had really pushed her hard and it hurt a lot.
"He has a pepper allergy." Chai icen replied.
She kept staring at Hou Ranxi, and didn't feel better until she saw him drink another bottle of water. He was still so uncomfortable that he didn't want to talk.
She brought so tissue to help wipe the sweat from his forehead and asked, "Feeling better?"
Hou Ranxi nodded slightly.
"I thought he just didn't like spicy food well, didn't expect it was an allergy." Peng Shuyue imdiately panicked.
"It really is rare to have an allergic constitution, but randomly feeding them things could actually cost their lives." Chai icen was so angry she wished she could slap Peng Shuyue. She wanted to drag Hou Ranxi away right now.
But these were all Hou Ranxi's colleagues. They probably didn't have malicious intent, and were all coming to apologize to Hou Ranxi now.
Chai icen was still very angry. Seeing Hou Ranxi's discomfort made her heart ache.
Hou Ranxi felt a little better and finally said with a smile, "It's fine. Don't do this next ti, or else I'll deduct from your year-end bonuses."
Only after hearing Hou Ranxi say this did these people finally relax.
After these people gradually left and stopped teasing Hou Ranxi, Hou Ranxi reached out and pulled Chai icen to his side, having her stand in front of him.
He leaned back in his chair, looking up at Chai icen and said softly, "Okay, don't be angry anymore."
"You're just too honest, letting them bully you like this. Look at you, so boss you are."
In Chai icen's eyes, Hou Ranxi was just an honest, loyal little brother, the world's biggest dummy who was afraid of Hou Ranxi being taken advantage of because he was too kind.
"We're all peers, so there's no restraints. We're all friends." Hou Ranxi spoke for his colleagues.
"With your temperant, you'll be bullied to death sooner or later. Being too nice is no good either."
"Okay, I'll change."
"I've been telling you this for so many years, but I've never seen you change."
"It's fine. If soone bullies , you can step in." Hou Ranxi pinched Chai icen's palm.
"What about things I don't know about that you've endured?" Chai icen still didn't feel better. On the contrary, she started to criticize and educate Hou Ranxi.
"Uh..."
Seeing Hou Ranxi's manner, Chai icen couldn't help sighing, "This is where Zhou Rui is better than you. He would never suffer the slightest grievance. You two are too extre. Neither of you lets rest easy. In the future, you need to have a stronger attitude and more domineering aura."
"Alright, I'm going to buy wine. Let's head back after."
"Okay."
Chai icen packed up their things and Hou Ranxi went to say bye to his colleagues.
As the two of them walked out of the hotel, Peng Shuyue chased after them, "Mr. Hou! I...I really didn't an it. Should I go to the hospital with you?"
Hou Ranxi declined again, "It's fine. Go back and continue having fun."
"Let send you back."
Hou Ranxi rejected again, "I have soone to take care of . It's fine."
Peng Shuyue looked at Hou Ranxi hesitantly, wanting to say sothing but holding back.
Hou Ranxi hesitated for a mont, then told Chai icen to go first.
Chai icen knew they were going to talk privately, so she went far away but still tried to eavesdrop.
Peng Shuyue seed to have heard sothing, dejectedly nodding her head. Then she forced a smile to say bye to Hou Ranxi.
After catching up with Chai icen, Hou Ranxi simply said, "I rejected her."
"Why?"
"For you."
"Ha?"
"You told to have a stronger attitude and be more domineering. So I domineeringly rejected her."
"Who told you about that!" Chai icen was so angry. She looked back and shook her head again, "Although she went a bit overboard earlier, that young lady is decent overall."
"Don't like her." Hou Ranxi said.
"You're too picky."
"Yes, that's right. Except for the one I like, no one else will do."
Back at the hotel, Chai icen took out a bunch of snacks, and also went to the kitchen to prepare so side dishes herself.
She sat at the dining table with her legs folded, peeling peanuts while calling Hou Ranxi over, "Co over and drink a couple with big sis."
Hou Ranxi changed into a set of clean clothes and sat across from Chai icen, leaning on his hand looking at her, "I wonder if I should even let you drink."
"What's wrong with it? I'm in my thirties. What's wrong with drinking a little? Others don't know but don't you know?"
"But your current body is only sixteen years old. Don't you think it might not be too good?"
"It's fine. I know my limits." Chai icen continued peeling peanuts.
"I've never seen anyone eat peanuts while drinking whiskey and red wine."
"I was thinking of cutting up so cucumbers too, but there weren't any in the fridge." Chai icen took a sip of wine and imdiately enjoyed it. "This tastes pretty good."
"You should still drink less." Hou Ranxi leaned back in his chair and picked up his phone to take a look.
"Aren't you going to drink with a little?"
"I already drank so earlier. My head still hurts. If I get drunk, who will take care of you?"
"Who needs you to take care of ? I don't need anyone's pity."
Chai icen drank two more glasses of whiskey and was starting to have trouble sitting upright.
Her body had reverted back to sixteen years old, so her alcohol tolerance had also regressed.
She only started being able to hold her liquor later on. Her initial tolerance really wasn't great.
Happy from the alcohol, Chai icen stood up to dance for Hou Ranxi to see.
This ti she was dancing the school dance she had learned, different from the square dancing. The energy was stronger and the moves were more bold.
She didn't have any accompanint, just humming the beat herself as she danced energetically and naturally.
Hou Ranxi smiled and watched her dance, even applauding for Chai icen.
In 7th grade, he had seen Chai icen perform on stage at school. She was the lead dancer among the girls, and also danced the best.
She was beautiful and confident. She looked so gorgeous it was unreal. At that ti he was completely captivated.
Now she had reverted back to her original appearance, making Hou Ranxi unable to help being extra gentle.
Seeing her like this, he couldn't help but reminisce about the past.
What if...he had confessed to her before she graduated middle school? What would that have been like?
Chai icen ca back to the table and this ti sat down next to Hou Ranxi. She picked up her wine glass and drank another sip.
Now that she was smaller, she could curl up in the chair with her clothes hanging loosely on her body.
After placing the empty glass back on the table, Chai icen suddenly started crying, "It wasn't easy for us to know each other for so many years. I watched you grow up..."
Hou Ranxi sighed. He knew Chai icen was starting again.
"Back then you were only this tall..." Chai icen gestured to show the height.
Hou Ranxi could only nod along, "Yeah, I was a late bloor."
"Your sister and I were the best of friends. I knew early on she was boy crazy. I didn't expect her to actually...! But it's fine. If she doesn't want you, I want you. I'm your sister now! From now on I'll take care of you. I've got your back! In my life I Chai icen don't have many talents, but the people I care about, the people who treat well, I protect them!"
"Okay, you're the best." Hou Ranxi perfunctorily agreed.
Chai icen suddenly turned to look at him, grabbing his collar and asking, "But why won't you call sister? Do you also think I'm an idiot? You don't acknowledge ?"
"Because I love you. I don't want to be your little brother."
"Huh?" Chai icen's mind short circuited for a mont.
Hou Ranxi had once reached out and pulled Chai icen into his arms. Chai icen was caught off guard and just leaned against Hou Ranxi's embrace, not knowing where to put her hands. She just held them up awkwardly.
"Chai icen," Hou Ranxi called her na.
"Mm?"
"Don't say you've watched grow up anymore, okay? Is that why you don't see as a man? Even when it's just the two of us, you dare to get drunk. Aren't you really not afraid of at all?"
Chai icen was truly stumped by the question.
Because she completely trusted Hou Ranxi.
"I really hope you feel uncomfortable and suggest that we live separately. That way, you'll see as a man in your heart. Do you know that I've had indecent thoughts about you for a long ti?" Hou Ranxi asked again.
"You don't look the type from your face..."
Hou Ranxi was really annoyed by Chai icen.
"I'm so scared that he's back. Will you run away with him again, you fool? Have you already forgiven him? If so, I'll really be disappointed in you."
Hou Ranxi buried his face in Chai icen's shoulder, hugging her tightly and unwilling to let go, wishing he could ld into her bones.
He was really cowardly, only daring to hug her in situations like this.
He had always been afraid that if he confessed, he wouldn't even be able to remain as Chai icen's close friend.
Chai icen's heart had died. She was self-destructive to an extent and also had so self-esteem issues. If he confessed, Chai icen would definitely reject him.
Chai icen would feel that with a child in tow, having gotten fatter and uglier, she was no match for him.
For his own good, she would also let him choose soone better.
What would happen after the rejection?
Avoid him, give him the cold shoulder, make him give up.
He couldn't stand the days when he couldn't be by Chai icen's side.
He could only stay by Chai icen's side, gradually integrating himself into her life, so that Chai icen could accept him.
When he was older too, he would say that he really couldn't find anyone, so why don't we just be together.
How could Chai icen reject him then?
He was always deceiving himself, feeling that even if they didn't have a romantic relationship, as long as he accompanied Chai icen, it was enough.
But when Yi Qiange returned, he still panicked.
He began to fear that Chai icen would have a change of heart. She was afraid that Chai icen would soften and forget all those years of pain, only wanting to be with her forr crush.
He was so afraid.
He felt like he should do sothing.
He held her tighter and tighter, unwilling to let go. Perhaps by feeling Chai icen's warmth, he could feel that everything was real.
Chai icen was still by his side now. She hadn't been snatched away.
"But I..." Chai icen hesitated.
"I know what you want to say."
"No, why do you think I would still go with him?" Chai icen pushed Hou Ranxi away, asking puzzledly, "Can't he live a few more years if he doesn't show up in front of ? Isn't it good to preserve your life and be alive? Besides, he got married long ago, right?"
Hou Ranxi looked at Chai icen and asked her again, "What if he stays single?"
"Impossible, I saw it with my own eyes back then!"
"Sigh." Hou Ranxi let out a sigh, looking at Chai icen for a long ti. His lips moved but he didn't say anything in the end.
Chai icen stared at Hou Ranxi, tilting her head slightly, seeming a little puzzled.
"You like ?" She pointed at herself and asked.
Hou Ranxi nodded like a child who had done sothing wrong.
"But I don't like you. I've always seen you as a younger brother." Chai icen said bluntly.
"I know."
But hearing it from her directly still made his heart ache.
"Then why don't you try pursuing ?" Chai icen suddenly asked.
Hou Ranxi instantly raised his head to look at her. His eyes instantly changed.
Ardent, expectant, even a little crazy.
Chai icen added again, "How do you know if you don't try? You said it yourself, I'm different from you. If I like soone, I'll pursue them and try my best so there are no regrets."
"Then will you accept ?"
"Not necessarily." Chai icen shook her head. "My mind's not clear right now. I can't think it through."
"Can I kiss you now?" Hou Ranxi leaned in closer, his nose almost touching hers.
"No."
"Can I disobey? Be more forceful and domineering... disobedient."
"I guess you'll get beaten up."
"Then... don't beat to death, okay?"
Author's note: The honest and gentle Hou Ranxi, with benevolent eyebrows and kind eyes.
Hehe.
[Leave a random fifty red envelopes in the comnts]
[April 18, 19:28]
Thank you to Qin Ge's sinister smile hand grenade
Thank you Huanxi x4, fairyx2, fiesooooo, This Person Has Gone Offline, Bu's chicken thighs, owl, Brother Jiu protecting you, gentle and refined°, coconut milk cereal, yan°, hahaha, Aries Jianjian, assassin Liugo, is the candle too stupid today, long and thick?, starfire, December, blue, vicious female supporting character, 26988435, stray rmaid fish, stardrift, estrella, landmine without the taste of strawberries
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