Chapter 12: Drunk on Milk

Chapter 12: Drunk on Milk

After using the restroom, Ying Li exhaled deeply, opening the stall door to find Qi Xie washing his hands.

Water flowed seamlessly between Qi Xie's pale and slender fingers. As he bent down to wash, he caught a glimpse of the opening door in the mirror's reflection. He pumped some hand soap, redundantly washing his already clean hands once more.

In the mirror, Qi Xie's tall figure and his incredibly light eyes met Ying Li's gaze from across the room.

Behind his glasses, a glint flashed in Ying Li's eyes. Remembering his earlier blunder, he approached the adjacent sink, apologizing, "I'm sorry. I didn't know someone was inside. I was in such a rush."

They were both men. Perhaps Qi Xie wouldn't mind? During school, they'd all line up and urinate together, even joking about who could pee the farthest.

But, truthfully, Ying Li found it hard to believe Qi Xie ever participated in such antics. He always seemed so aloof, uninterested in anything. After several days together, Ying Li had barely exchanged a few words with him.

Qi Xie pulled a paper towel to dry his hands, glancing at Ying Li in the mirror with an expressionless face, simply responding with a "Mm."

As Ying Li exited the restroom, he saw Song Jimo leaning against the corridor wall. The overhead light illuminated his features, revealing a tender expression.

"Done already?" Song Jimo teased, glancing past Ying Li, raising an eyebrow, "The captain's here too?"

Qi Xie ignored him and walked away.

Approaching Song Jimo, Ying Li inquired, "Are you here to use the restroom too?"

"Restroom?" Song Jimo let out an unexpected chuckle, "I was waiting to ensure you didn't get lost on your way back."

Ying Li: "There's no need..." Although unfamiliar with this place, he wasn't so lost as to need guidance.

Number's group variety show was about to premiere. Everyone raised their glasses in anticipation of its success, and after some merry eating and drinking, they dispersed.

After the meal, Ying Li's WeChat contact list grew with several new names—all staff from the show.

As they headed out, a light drizzle began. The rain, like silver threads, cleansed the sultry air. Streetlights illuminated one by one as they stepped outside, welcoming them like returning travelers.

The temperature had dropped in the late afternoon. Ying Li, having forgotten his jacket, didn't feel cold indoors but now felt a chilly breeze outside.

Shen Yao was still in short sleeves. His arms, muscles bulging, were tucked into his pockets. Seeing him made Ying Li feel even colder, prompting him to ask, "Aren't you cold?"

"Not at all. I'm quite resistant to cold." In the chilliest winter days, Shen Yao would merely wear a short-sleeved shirt with a down jacket.

A gust carrying the rain swept by. Ying Li shivered, and without a word, Shen Yao sidled closer, shielding him from most of the wind and rain. "The car's warm. Let's get in."

Their car was parked a fair distance away, requiring a short walk.

Just as Ying Li opened his umbrella, Xie Wen Shi swiftly ducked underneath it, moving with the grace of a swift fish.

Shen Yao reached out, puzzled. "Don't you have an umbrella?"

Dodging behind Ying Li, Xie Wen Shi responded playfully, clutching his arm, "I prefer to share with Nanny Bro."

"Doesn't he have a name?" A cold voice, unmistakably Qi Xie's, sounded from behind. Upon turning, they met his deep, dark eyes—cold and piercing like an alpine spring.

Xie Wen Shi retorted playfully, "Isn't calling by name so formal?"

"So, 'Nanny Bro' is more intimate?" Shen Yao mimicked his tone, sounding both clumsy and amusing.

Rolling his eyes, Xie Wen Shi had no interest in bantering further with Shen Yao. He turned to Ying Li, "What would you like me to call you?"

"Huh?" Ying Li was caught off guard by the sudden question. "Just... use my name." Almost everyone he knew called him by his name.

"That won't do. You're older than me. I should call you 'brother'." Xie Wen Shi leaned closer to Ying Li, "From now on, I'll call you Little Li Bro."

Shen Yao clicked his tongue disapprovingly, "Calling him 'Little Li Bro' sounds so chummy. We're all older than you. Why don't you call us 'brother' too?"

Xie Wen Shi replied with a grin, "Of course, Big Yao Bro~."

"No, I've just eaten and feel like throwing up." Shen Yao shuddered, goosebumps littering the floor.

Ying Li chuckled softly, catching a glimpse of Qi Xie walking into the rain with an umbrella, almost merging with the night.

Xie Wen Shi kept playfully nuzzling against Ying Li. Shen Yao sneered, his smile cold. Without an umbrella, he dashed into the rain, soon vanishing from sight.

Sharing one umbrella was a bit tight for two. Xie Wen Shi simply hooked his arm around Ying Li's shoulder. They were of similar height, shoulder to shoulder, a surprisingly pleasing sight.

Just as Shen Yao was about to climb into the car, an icy voice chimed in.

"Sit in front."

Halfway in, Shen Yao paused, "Why?"

Without even looking at him, Qi Xie responded, "You reek."

"Really?" Shen Yao sniffed his clothes, detecting a hint of alcohol, "I didn't drink that much. Just bear with it."

Qi Xie opened his eyes, looking intently at him, stating word by word, "Sit. In. Front."

Shen Yao knew when Qi Xie used that tone, he was not in a good mood. Feeling a chill down his spine under that gaze, he said, "Fine, you're the captain. Your call."

Qi Xie always appeared cold, almost lifelessly so, resembling an inanimate block of wood. From the time of the show's auditions, he maintained this lukewarm demeanor, rarely showing emotion or anger. The only instance of his fury was when a trainee attempted to steal from him, resulting in the thief being beaten to the point of hospitalization. This incident led to the trainee's withdrawal from the competition. The event caused quite a stir, yet it never made headlines.

While usually detached, he became monstrous when enraged. Such a person was deemed dangerous, making others wary.

There was a backpack on the passenger seat, belonging to Ying Li. Shen Yao lifted it; it was quite heavy. He couldn't help but smirk, thinking, "The owner smells nice, and so does the bag."

After sending Xie Wen Shi off, Ying Li returned. Just as she was about to open the door, the window rolled down. Shen Yao poked his head out, "You might want to sit at the back. The captain dislikes the smell of alcohol on me, wouldn't want him to be offended."

"Alright," Ying Li said with a smile. Seeing her bag in his arms, she added, "Then hand me my backpack."

Holding it as if it was a treasure, Shen Yao tightened his grip, "I'll hold onto it for you. I guarantee it won't be lost."

As Ying Li moved to the back seat and was about to close the door, a large hand interjected.

Song Ji Mo opened the door, raising an eyebrow, "Moved to the back?"

Ying Li nodded, shifting inside to make space.

Supporting the car door, Song Ji Mo grinned, his face half-shrouded in dim light, "Am I that big? Move any further and you'll be squeezed against the captain."

As the words left his lips, Ying Li accidentally brushed against Qi Xie's leg.

The fabric of summer attire is thin, and the intense warmth of the touch was transmitted through it. The heat startled Ying Li, causing him to quickly withdraw his hand, apologizing, "Sorry about that."

Qi Xie didn't respond or, perhaps more accurately, seemed not to care at all.

Neither Song Ji Mo nor Qi Xie had consumed alcohol. Song Ji Mo exuded a rich, woody fragrance that was gentle and universally appealing. In contrast, Qi Xie's scent resembled snow: cold, distant, and if one got too close, it would melt away, slipping through the gaps between fingers, proving elusive.

"Why so stiff?" Song Ji Mo observed Ying Li and suddenly chuckled, "Relax a bit."

His remark made Ying Li realize his posture had been unnaturally rigid, leading to discomfort. He slouched back in his chair, shifting and spreading his legs. Unbeknownst to him, the hem of their pants brushed and tangled together.

Song Ji Mo lightly tapped his leg, "Did you read the message I sent you yesterday?"

Ying Li had been streaming on his main account the previous night, unaware of the message from Song Ji Mo. He replied, "I haven’t had a chance to see it yet. Can I check it when I get back?"

Song Ji Mo looked at him with a playful smile, "Sure."

At some point, Qi Xie rolled down the car window. The rain outside intensified, and a cool breeze swept in, dispelling the warmth within the vehicle.

Qi Xie seemed to have an affinity for hats, often donning a wide-brimmed baseball cap pulled down low, obscuring his features. Ying Li suspected he might be sleeping. Shen Yao, too, had dozed off in the passenger seat, face buried deep within his backpack.

The rhythmic patter of rain on the car windows was rather soporific. Just as Ying Li considered taking a short nap, Song Ji Mo suddenly inquired, "Is the boy at the school gate today the same one who called you the other night?"

Ying Li: "Yes."

Song Ji Mo gently probed, "Is he from your class?"

Ying Li: "No, he's from the sports department."

"Then how come you share a dorm?" Song Ji Mo raised an eyebrow.

Given others were still asleep in the car, Ying Li whispered, "Our dormitory houses mixed departments. Apart from him, there are two others from the arts and literature departments..."

Song Ji Mo, having studied in Australia, seemed intrigued by college life in China. He continued asking questions, and the two quickly delved into deep conversation.

Before they knew it, they arrived at Bi Shui Bay. As the car parked in the underground garage, the door next to them opened. Qi Xie, pulling the hood of his sweatshirt up, got out quickly, his movements swift like a gust of wind.

Ying Li touched his nose and whispered, "Did we disturb him earlier?"

"That's just how he is," Song Jimo shrugged.

As he dozed in a daze, Shen Yao heard someone calling him.

"Shen Yao, wake up, time to get out."

Groggily opening his eyes, he saw a young boy standing before him. The breeze played with the boy's hair, the oversized T-shirt clinging to his form, revealing an elegantly defined waist, almost ethereal.

The scene before him seemed too beautiful, almost unreal. He reached out, gripping the young boy's wrist. It was cool to the touch, so slender that he could encircle it with a single hand.

Yin Li gently nudged him, "What's the matter?"

Holding his head in pain, Shen Yao said, "The alcohol's hitting me now. I've got a headache."

Supporting himself on the car door, he tried to stand, stumbling almost to the ground. Yin Li swiftly caught him, "Are you okay?"

Shen Yao replied, "I feel so dizzy."

"Let me help you inside," Yin Li said, pulling Shen Yao's arm over his shoulder. "How did you get this drunk?"

Shen Yao leaned heavily onto Ying Li.

Despite his lean appearance, the boy's shoulders were sturdy. As they moved, Shen Yao once again caught the scent emanating from Yin Li. This time, it was strong and clear, filling his nostrils, making him wonder how anyone could smell so good.

"They all chose not to drink, so someone had to."

Tonight's dinner was labeled a gathering, but in reality, it was a networking event. Several top executives from Xing Yue Media were present. Social dinners always involved alcohol, and none of their team could hold their drink – that wouldn't do.

Yin Li assisted him back to the room, noting his state, added, "I'll make you some hangover soup. You'll feel better after drinking it and then resting."

Lying in bed, half-awake, Shen Yao murmured, "Sounds good..."

With a soft click, the bedroom door closed, and Shen Yao opened his eyes, now fully alert.