Chapter 326: Irresponsible

Chapter 326: Irresponsible

Qiao Hui was startled as a large face suddenly loomed in front of him.

A martial artist should never be easily ambushed!

In the critical moment when the face in front of him grew larger and larger, Qiao Hui's agility, honed through years of rigorous training in the coldest winters and hottest summers, finally came into play—

—Qiao Hui made his move.

In the nick of time, Qiao Hui accurately pinched Xianjin's lower jaw with one hand, interrupting her spell.

The dim palace lantern cast a soft, amber glow that spilled down.

Xianjin looked like an indignant pufferfish, her cheeks puffed out and her eyes wide with surprise.

Her cheeks were squished into two lumps by Qiao Hui's grip, her mouth pouted, and only her nose could breathe smoothly, her eyes flickering with visible confusion, her lips forming a pout.

Qiao Hui's gaze fell on Xianjin's pink, plump lips. His throat tightened slightly. "What are you trying to do?"

Xianjin answered honestly, "I was going to kiss you."

Qiao Hui felt a momentary skip in his chest. "Why would you do that?"

Her mind buzzed, as if a thousand bees were swarming inside her head, causing a temporary halt in her usually precise central nervous system. "Why? No reason, I just want to kiss you."

Qiao Hui glanced at the significantly diminished Gujing wine, then at the young woman whose cheeks were adorably deformed under his grip, his eyes gradually darkening, his voice carrying a hint of seduction and more anticipation. "‘I’ who?"

"Buzz buzz buzz—"

"Buzz buzz buzz—"

All Xianjin could see was Qiao Hui's fresh, tempting mouth opening and closing, opening and closing.

Lost in thought, Xianjin stared blankly, her brain sluggishly pondering what the "buzz buzz" sound represented, as Qiao Hui expertly controlled the pressure on her head, neither too light nor too heavy.

Annoyed, Xianjin swatted away Qiao Hui's hand that was restraining her, pouted, and countered by grabbing Qiao Hui's head, her determined and unstoppable force pressing her lips to his.

It was time to show the determination and perseverance of the Eight Pieces of Brocade practitioner, the beautiful vase, the business powerhouse, and the president of the Xuancheng Paper Industry Chamber of Commerce!

You're going to kiss me today, whether you like it or not!

As a drunk, although Xianjin had lost some of her hearing, speech, reading, and writing abilities, it was clear that the lost buffs were all stacked onto raw strength and determination.

In just a moment, Xianjin cleverly broke through Qiao Hui's professional defense, kissing his lips in a tricky posture.

Xianjin widened her eyes as much as she could.

Taken by surprise, Qiao Hui instinctively grabbed the back of her head, preventing them both from falling.

The moist sensation on his lips was intoxicating.

Xianjin's unique, crisp wine-scented breath formed a tight, dense net that enveloped everything.

Qiao Hui took a deep breath, and in that breath, countless thoughts raced through his mind: Is she drunk? Will she remember when she wakes up? Will she acknowledge it when she wakes up? Is it because of love? Or just because the wine clouded her senses? Does she know it's him? If the person drinking with her tonight wasn't him, but someone else...

Qiao Hui finally closed his eyes, cutting off all the complicated thoughts.

This wasn't really a kiss, or at least, not one that could be fully appreciated in the moment.

It could only be called an awkward and tentative touch of two pairs of lips.

In the touch, there was a cold, tingling sensation and the faint scent of alcohol.

After what seemed like an eternity, Xianjin slowly let go, with a serious expression as she gazed at Qiao Hui. She then gradually tilted her head, relaxed her back, and leaned over with half-lidded eyes until she finally rested against the side table behind her—until she finally lost consciousness.

Qiao Hui stared in disbelief.

Just moments ago, she had been full of energy and insisting on a kiss, but now she was like someone who had been drugged…

Xianjin's mouth moved.

Qiao Hui leaned in to listen.

"The wine is quite good..." the big girl slurred.

Qiao Hui's chest vibrated with a low, amused chuckle.

The big girl's mouth continued to move.

More incoherent ramblings.

Qiao Hui shook his head with a smile and reached out to gently support her. Xianjin's speech was muddled, but her next sentence left Qiao Hui frozen in place.

"I know who you are… you… you… are Baoyuan... ya..."

The hand Qiao Hui had gently placed on the table behind Xianjin suddenly stiffened.

In the moonlight, Xianjin's face was peaceful, her breathing slow and steady, her lips slightly parted as she slept soundly.

Qiao Hui's heart raced.

…

The next morning, on the deck just outside the cabin, Qiao Hui suddenly opened his eyes and sat up. He knocked on the nearby screen, but after waiting for a while, there was no response. He squinted and poked his head over to look.

The bed had been meticulously made, and even the mosquito-repellent sachet had been adjusted, revealing the plain satin surface.

Qiao Hui hurriedly walked towards the cabin door, looking around. He still couldn't find Xianjin. The massive fleet floating on the sea had its nearest ship at least 300 feet away.

"Axiang!" Qiao Hui called out.

The mute guard "Axiang," who had been on the mast, slid down the pole.

"Where is Boss He?" Qiao Hui's face darkened.

Axiang slowly signed.

Qiao Hui watched, holding his breath—which only got heavier after.

"...Boss He got up in the middle of the night to get some water. Seeing that it wasn't raining, and noting that Ship Number Yimao was quite close, she asked me to lay a plank and jumped over by herself."

Axiang paused for a moment, then signed another sentence, "She also specifically told me not to wake you."

Qiao Hui's frustration boiled over!

What does this mean!?

Kiss and run!?

She jumped ship and ran off in the middle of the night!

Why did she run?!

Why did she run?!

Is she scared of taking responsibility?!

Or was it all just a dream!?

Qiao Hui felt a little hurt and glanced at Axiang.

Axiang thought for a moment and gestured, "Should I only listen to you, not Boss He?"

Feeling both frustrated and hurt, Qiao Hui shook his head, his voice low, "You should listen to her too."

Qiao Hui slowly raised his gaze to the vast sea and the distant ship.

Xianjin…

What’s going through her mind?

What… exactly is she thinking?

With less than a hundred meters separating them, the two ships were still far apart. Xianjin, who had fled, was snug under a blanket, comfortably enjoying a massage on Hengxi's lap.

Her temples ached gently.

Hengxi’s warm hand rested on her, the gentle pressure making Xianjin sigh in relief.

When Xianjin opened her eyes, she found Hengxi staring at her curiously.

Startled, Xianjin slowly and stiffly closed her eyes again.

"What are you doing?" Hengxi said with a laugh, nudging Xianjin's shoulder.

Xianjin opened her eyes and gave a sheepish grin, "I was afraid you'd ask."

Hengxi hummed, "Since you're afraid of me asking, why don't you tell me yourself? — In the middle of the night, you jumped over from Qiao Hui's ship, reeking of alcohol, looking both anxious and confused. You scared me half to death! I thought a sea demon had come for your life!"

Xianjin scratched her head.

Hengxi frowned, "What really happened?" As if remembering something, she lowered her voice with a startled gasp, "Could it be… that Lord Zhongwu was acting out and hurting you?"