ISWMQ – Chapter 107

In the car, Rong Guang was idly scrolling through her phone without any particular purpose.

Before the performance had even ended, the pre-promotion for NO.1’s Farewell Stage had already been trending several times, and always in the top spots.

At first, Rong Guang worried that because they were relatively obscure, it would lead to the awkward situation of having only single-digit comments despite being at the top of the trending list. But she hadn’t expected that with a quick refresh, the number of comments would multiply several times over.

As she read those comments, without even realizing it, the smile on her face never faded.

There was no better feeling than having a performance, which she had prepared for so long with anticipation and trepidation, finally be recognized by the public.

NO.1’s performance was broadcast live on satellite TV and online, and both the popularity and the response were exceptionally good. The most talked-about topic was this very performance, with many people lamenting that they couldn’t be there in person.

When Chu Feiliang got in, this was the sight that greeted her.

Perhaps it was because the snowy scenery was too beautiful and the night too intoxicating, but the wine bottle Chu Feiliang was carrying seemed to grow heavier, losing the ease and casualness from just a moment ago.

Christmas carols were still playing everywhere outside the car window. Even though it was past midnight, the Christmas atmosphere hadn’t dissipated. On the streets outside, you could still occasionally see young couples walking in twos and threes, with several days of festive afterglow before and after the holiday waiting for them to celebrate.

“Sister.” Seeing Chu Feiliang get in, Rong Guang put down her phone. Her eyes, shining brightly, were fixed on Chu Feiliang, unblinking and incredibly focused.

Chu Feiliang walked over, holding up her dress.

The path here inevitably passed through an outdoor area. She had forgotten to bring a coat when she came out, wearing only a couture summer gown with nothing to block the wind. In just a short while, her body was chilled through, and her fingers, pressed by the two wine bottles, had turned white and stiff.

Her nose was filled with a familiar and reassuring scent. In a daze, Chu Feiliang felt as if this scent had transported her back to scenes from her childhood.

The warm yellow lights and the cozy kitchen as midnight approached.

A family, some busy, some playing, living a simple yet very happy life.

Rong Guang noticed the hem of Chu Feiliang’s dress almost instantly.

It was snowing outside, and her dress swayed, trailing on the ground. Even though she was holding it up, it was inevitably stained with dirt.

It looked rather unsightly… Rong Guang wrinkled her nose slightly. She pulled a few wet wipes from the pack on the table and was about to squat down, but after a moment’s thought, she took off her own coat first.

Then she draped it over Chu Feiliang.

The coat was too warm; her skin was too cold.

When these two extreme temperatures collided, Chu Feiliang couldn’t help but shiver, nearly losing her grip and dropping the wine bottle.

She let out a soft breath, steadied the bottle, and touched her own skin, which was still cold. Looking at Rong Guang, she asked, “You gave me your coat. Aren’t you cold?”

“I’m not cold.” Rong Guang’s eyes curved into a smile. Squatting on the ground, she looked up at Chu Feiliang while tidying the hem of her dress with one hand. “The car has heating. Here, feel my hand, it’s warm.”

Chu Feiliang reached out and squeezed Rong Guang’s hand. It was indeed warm.

Then, as she pulled her hand back, she lifted the sleeve of Rong Guang’s coat, sniffed it lightly, and said, “It smells so good.”

Rong Guang’s face flushed. She nodded and said, “I… I used the perfume you gave me before again today.”

Chu Feiliang had smelled it long ago.

So she had said it on purpose.

Her lips curved. Chu Feiliang smiled at Rong Guang and said, “Let’s skip the banquet tonight, shall we?”

Hearing the question in Chu Feiliang’s voice, Rong Guang looked up and asked, “Is something wrong?”

“Let’s go back to my place for dinner.” Chu Feiliang closed her eyes, lightly tapping her eyelid with the back of her finger. She sighed softly and said, “I’m a little tired. If we don’t head back, the plans I made for today will be ruined. Once my vacation ends, who knows when we’ll see each other again.”

Rong Guang immediately grew tense upon hearing this.

The chance to go to Chu Feiliang’s house, cook with her, and spend an evening alone together was incredibly important to her.

Having lived this life over again, she knew better than anyone what she wanted and cherished the most.

Rong Guang nodded without the slightest hesitation. “Okay, then I won’t go!”

Rong Guang was both happy and expectant, yet also a little afraid that subsequent events would delay their trip to Chu Feiliang’s house. Consequently, she started glancing at the time frequently, hoping no sudden work commitments would arise.

Chu Feiliang watched her pace about like an ant on a hot pan for a while. When she’d had her fill of the sight, she said slowly, “Stop pacing. Let’s go.”

Rong Guang blinked, glanced at her phone again, and asked, “Don’t we need to wait for a notification?”

“What notification?” Chu Feiliang said softly, crossing her arms and leaning closer.

Her crossed arms pushed against her chest, making its curve appear fuller and more prominent. Rong Guang’s gaze froze for a second, completely stunned by the impact.

She rarely got to see… from this close…

Then Rong Guang started stammering nonsense, completely dazed. “Wait… so white…”

So white.

Chu Feiliang’s arms paused. A blush crept onto her face, and she suddenly felt a little ill at ease.

She was wearing high heels, making her a head taller than Rong Guang—she could see the top of Rong Guang’s head, and naturally, from her own vantage point, she could also see where Rong Guang’s gaze was directed.

Her lips tightened slightly, yet she held her pose, not pulling away.

After a moment, Chu Feiliang took a breath and said slowly, “Did you forget you’re one of… mine now? I’ve given the notice, so consider it relayed. Just follow me.”

Rong Guang was left with only the instinct to blink. She had to silently chant “don’t look, don’t look, don’t look” several times before she finally managed to tear her eyes away from Chu Feiliang.

Chu Feiliang glanced with a hint of regret at Rong Guang’s flushed face and watery eyes. “Grab the wine, let’s go,” she said, a touch of regret in her voice.

So, hugging the two wine bottles, Rong Guang took small, quick steps and followed Chu Feiliang out of the vehicle.

The two of them left the venue as if no one else existed. It wasn’t until they were in the next car that Rong Guang remembered to ask, “Sister, your family today…”

Is anyone home?

If everyone was home, then the stage outfit she was wearing would be inappropriate for a visit. It would be a bit rude.

Chu Feiliang paused, gave Rong Guang a meaningful look, and said, “No one’s home tonight.”

Rong Guang finally nodded slowly, not thinking too much about it. She just assumed that Chu Feiliang’s family had gone somewhere far for a social engagement and would probably stay in a nearby hotel, returning the next day.

Her grandmother and Chacha had been given the same arrangement: they would stay in the hotel provided by the organizers tonight and return home tomorrow.

Seeing that Chu Feiliang was about to reverse the car, Rong Guang clutched her bag tightly.

Inside the bag… was something very important.

Whether tonight would be a success all depended on this.

Along the way, Rong Guang and Chu Feiliang discussed what they would do that evening. She worried they would be so busy that they wouldn’t finish cleaning up until the next morning, and she wasn’t sure if she could handle staying up all night.

After a while, their conversation returned to the performance from earlier. A few topics went back and forth, and surprisingly, they seemed to have endless things to talk about.

Rong Guang licked her lips. Even though she was tired from talking the whole way, and her throat was a bit hoarse from three hours of singing and dancing, this feeling… was wonderful.

Since no one was at the Chu Residence that night, the lights were off. Only the glow from the fish tank and a few small decorative lamps provided illumination, making it just possible to vaguely see things inside.

As they walked out of the garage together, Rong Guang smelled the crisp air unique to the night and took a deep breath.

She smiled, relaxed, and looked at Chu Feiliang. “I actually feel much more awake now.”

“Mm, me too.” Chu Feiliang looked at her, dangling the car keys. She took two steps forward and, very naturally and gently, took her hand.

It was just a simple clasping of hands, with no other superfluous movements, yet Rong Guang’s heart was pounding so wildly that her eyes even grew a little red.

She pressed her lips together, carefully controlling her strength as she gently squeezed back.

Chu Feiliang seemed to sense something.

The corner of her mouth, hidden from Rong Guang’s view, lifted inadvertently. Her crisp voice rang out, sounding exceptionally warm in the cold night. “Hold on tight. Don’t get left behind.”

“How could I get left behind…” Rong Guang said, a little embarrassed. “I’m not a child anymore.”

Nevertheless, she did as she was told and tightened her grip on Chu Feiliang’s hand.

“You now…” Chu Feiliang stopped, let go of Rong Guang’s hand, and looked her up and down for a moment. “Oh, you really can’t be considered a child anymore. You’ve grown up, filled out.”

For some reason, Rong Guang’s legs felt a little weak when she heard that.

She bit the inside of her cheek. Looking at Chu Feiliang, she gave a small nod, too shy to lift her head completely. “Mm… I… I’ve developed quite well,” she said softly.

Their clasped hands tightened at almost the exact same moment.

Rong Guang took a couple of breaths of the cold air, suppressing the thoughts running wild in her mind. She barely managed to find her voice again. “Sister, did you buy those two bottles of wine?”

“Sort of. I got them from a friend.” Chu Feiliang opened the gate; there was still a short walk to the main door.

They continued walking hand in hand. After a moment, Chu Feiliang tucked their joined hands into her pocket and gave Rong Guang’s a squeeze.

She changed their grip, intertwining their fingers.

Rong Guang was so excited she felt like she could die.

Her eyes grew hot with emotion. She was afraid that the tenderness of this evening was just an illusion, and she found herself being cautious to a degree that even she found unbelievable.

The only sounds around them were their footsteps on the ground and the occasional, crisp clink of the two wine bottles bumping together.

Chu Feiliang said softly, “I brought two bottles of fruit wine. They’re handmade. The alcohol taste isn’t strong, but my friend said the after-kick is pretty potent. It can get you tipsy.”

Rong Guang looked down at them.

The bottles were of a classical design, tied with red string, not the modern glass bottles that were currently in vogue.

The bottles themselves were rustic and aged, looking very much handmade and artisanal.

She didn’t know much about alcohol, only the general categories like red wine, fruit wine, baijiu, and beer.

But she remembered that Chu Feiliang was very fond of wine.

Chu Feiliang liked the tipsy feeling of being slightly drunk. In her past life, she had said more than once that being in that state helped her get into character better, improved her mood, and made whatever she was doing feel more joyful.

Whatever she was doing would feel more joyful… Rong Guang secretly glanced at the two bottles, feeling a little nervous. She wanted to sneak a sip when Chu Feiliang wasn’t looking.

Chu Feiliang stood at the doorway.

Rong Guang looked up at her, her face a picture of confusion. Worried that her thought about sneaking a drink had been discovered, her gaze was a little guilty. “What’s wrong?” she asked softly.

“It’s nothing, I just suddenly remembered something.” Chu Feiliang looked somewhat troubled.

She looked at Rong Guang and said slowly, “I forgot to ask you… how is your alcohol tolerance?”

Whether her tolerance was good or not… she didn’t really know herself.

Rong Guang’s palms grew sweaty. She gritted her teeth and said, “I… I don’t know either. I haven’t really drunk much, and I’ve never gotten drunk before. It should be… pretty good, right?”

“So, you don’t know yourself?” Chu Feiliang raised an eyebrow.

Rong Guang couldn’t really make any guarantees about that.

…She couldn’t imagine confidently declaring that her tolerance was excellent, only to get drunk and make a fool of herself.

But if she said her tolerance was poor, wouldn’t that be a bit of a mood killer?

So, Rong Guang’s expression became rather pitiful, making her look just like a fluffy little cub.

That look made Chu Feiliang’s heart itch. Suppressing the ticklish feeling, she let out a breath and said, perhaps more to herself, “Forget it. It doesn’t matter if your tolerance is good or not. As long as mine is, that’s all that matters.”

Rong Guang: “?”

Get instant access to all chapters now.