Chapter 18 Drunken Kiss “I won’t repeat the same mistake twice.”

Chapter 18: The Intoxicated Kiss

The same mistake won't be made twice.

"What are you doing here?" Yue Rongrong asked, surprised.

Wei Hui raised the oil-paper-wrapped medicine in his hand. "My mother isn't feeling well, so I came to get some medicine."

"Is Mrs. Wei alright?" Yue Rongrong asked with concern.

"She's fine, tough as nails!" Wei Hui laughed heartily, then asked, "Why are you here?"

Yue Rongrong smiled helplessly. "Waiting out the rain."

Wei Hui's eyes lit up. "You're stranded by the rain and happened to run into me, Rongrong. Wouldn't you call this fate?"

His playful yet sincere words drifted, neither too loud nor too soft, into the ears of Shen Jichen and his companions. Everyone in Shen Jichen's group turned to look at him, his face as cold as ice, the bone-handled umbrella in his hand visibly straining, almost twisting out of shape.

Yue Rongrong finally let out a laugh and stepped under his umbrella. Wei Hui immediately tilted it to shield her from even a single drop of rain, and the two walked away side by side.

Shen Jichen’s expression was terrifying. The umbrella in his hand slammed into the wall of Qingyang Lou with a loud "bang," shattering to pieces. The bewildered bystanders fell into a hushed silence. Only Han Zixian and the other two understood, their expressions darkening. In the blink of an eye, Shen Jichen had walked into the rain, heading in the opposite direction.

"Piao Yao!"

"Marquis!"

The group was horrified, hastily opening their umbrellas as they chased after him.

**

Back at Cloud Brocade Manor, Yue Rongrong’s briefly lifted spirits grew heavy again. She slowed her steps, afraid of running into Zhen Xi and unsure how to face her. But instead of Zhen Xi, she encountered a displeased Zhong Yu.

"What’s going on?" Yue Rongrong asked.

Zhong Yu said, "Zhen Xi has been bewitched! She’s been getting close to Young Master Luo lately, completely ignoring Li Suian. I thought, since that’s the case, she should make things clear with Li Suian so he doesn’t keep coming to see her, asking after her and caring for her. Isn’t she just stringing him along? But she said she didn’t know how to bring up their years of feelings. When I pressed her, she asked if I was jealous that she had someone who dotes on and loves her!"

Yue Rongrong was speechless. "Where is she?"

"Young Master Luo came to pick her up just now. I don’t know where they went."

Yue Rongrong noticed the bracelet on Zhong Yu’s wrist was missing and understood immediately. "So you took off the bracelet she gave you in a fit of anger?"

"Who cares about that thing? She treats it like a treasure. Rongrong, you should take yours off too!" Zhong Yu was truly furious. "Now all she cares about is that Young Master Luo, dreaming of marrying into a wealthy family, without a thought for the bond we’ve shared since childhood." Zhong Yu was straightforward and hated fickleness more than anything, which explained her anger.

Yue Rongrong pondered. "If you take yours off and I take mine off, wouldn’t it seem like we’re ganging up on her? She’d be even angrier. She’s young and sometimes speaks without thinking. Be patient with her. Have you forgotten what the monk at Wanfo Temple said? ‘Clear the six roots of perception.’" She closed her eyes, pressed her palms together, and mimicked chanting "Amitabha," then peeked at Zhong Yu with one eye.

Zhong Yu was amused by her playful antics. She took a deep breath, thought for a moment, and sighed in compromise. "Fine."

Yue Rongrong said, "Maybe it’s better not to clarify things with Li Suian right now, especially since the imperial exams are coming up."

Zhong Yu smiled bitterly. "Li Suian is well-mannered, handsome, and thorough in his courtesy. He grew up with her, and their bond is deeper than most. He’s given her his heart and soul. How can she just discard him like that..." Yue Rongrong fell silent. Zhong Yu tugged at her and said, "Do you think Young Master Luo is sincere? If he is, and she can marry into a wealthy family, I’d be happy for her."

Yue Rongrong felt a sense of loss. After the rain stopped, she went out to buy some pastries. The sky was overcast, with no sunset in sight. She bought some snacks that Mrs. Wei usually liked from the pastry shop and planned to visit her, hoping to share a home-cooked meal.

When she first arrived in the capital, she had encountered two kind benefactors: Auntie Ming from Jinxiu Lou and Mrs. Wei.

In the evening, the long street was even quieter after the rain. Some vendors were setting up their stalls again, and scattered pedestrians hurried by. Yue Rongrong tightened her collar and turned into a narrow alley.

The light dimmed instantly. Suddenly, a dark figure flashed by. She gasped as a heavy force pressed down on her, and cold lips sealed all sound. Her eyes widened in shock as her lips were pried open. The pungent aroma of wine filled her nostrils, and she fought through her dizziness to regain a shred of clarity, trying to push Shen Jichen away. But he immediately pinned her wrists against the wall. She tried to evade his assault, but Shen Jichen anticipated her move, gripping the back of her head with wild, domineering force.

Ragged breathing echoed between them. Yue Rongrong struggled not to succumb, suppressing her voice to mock him. "Marquis, have you mistaken me for someone again?"

The movement on her lips paused. Shen Jichen didn’t look at her, slowly shifting away. His hot breath brushed her neck, and she stiffened, not daring to move.

A low, heavy laugh resonated from his throat, heavy and bitter. His chest heaved with the force of his laughter, low and unending. Yue Rongrong’s heart ached, and she pressed her lips together tightly.

Shen Jichen’s voice was cold and resentful. "Yue Rongrong, you are truly heartless."

Yue Rongrong’s gaze darkened. "Likewise."

Shen Jichen’s pupils contracted. He looked down at her, his brow furrowing deeper, his face growing paler by the moment. The pain in his chest felt like it was tearing him apart. He truly hated her...

Gradually, his eyes turned cold and resolute, his voice heavy. "Yue Rongrong, I won’t make the same mistake twice."

What mistake? Yue Rongrong was bewildered.

But Shen Jichen said no more. He thought, letting Qu Lieshan take her away due to a moment of carelessness—such a mistake only needed to happen once.

"Rongrong?"

A surprised, questioning voice came from the side. Yue Rongrong hurriedly pushed Shen Jichen away and turned to look. Mrs. Wei was eyeing Shen Jichen with astonishment, her eyes lit up with awe. "Your friend?"

"No!" Yue Rongrong denied quickly. "He was asking for directions."

Shen Jichen leaned against the wall, his face slightly pale, and glanced at her with a cold laugh.

Mrs. Wei drew out a long "Ohhh," then walked straight toward Shen Jichen, frowning. "Oh! Been drinking? Come, come, come to my humble home. I’ll make you a bowl of sobering soup."

Yue Rongrong hurriedly stepped between them. "No need, Mrs. Wei. He’ll be leaving soon. His household isn’t short of people to make soup and medicine."

Mrs. Wei sounded puzzled. "You said you didn’t know him, so how do you know his household isn’t short of help?"

Yue Rongrong swallowed. "Just look at his imposing presence and fine clothes. He’s clearly noble..."

Before she could finish, Shen Jichen’s deep, mellow voice came from behind. "I’d be grateful for your help."

Mrs. Wei was delighted again. "No trouble at all! What a pleasant voice... truly a young master from a great family, so polite. Come, come with me. My place is right up ahead! There aren’t many people there, just my rascal of a son."

Yue Rongrong was too stunned to speak. She watched helplessly as Shen Jichen brushed past her and followed Mrs. Wei. She didn’t even have time to stop him and quickly followed behind.