Chapter 86

Chapter 86

See wasn't sure about his host's alcohol tolerance, but the booze from the system shop was so low-proof that he didn't stop Meng Shijiu from finishing it sip by sip.

A moment of inattention.

*Drip—1 point successfully deducted.*

Another blue porcelain bottle materialized in Meng Shijiu’s hand.

See: …

Seems like the blue one tastes better.

Under See’s silent disapproval, Meng Shijiu tacked on unconvincingly, “Last one.”

See sighed.

The hottest stretch of weather had passed. After a recent rain, the temperature had dropped, yet the night breeze still held a hint of summer.

The searchlight from the distant clock tower, white as snow, illuminated a large cluster of purple clematis scrambling up the roof.

This variety of clematis planted by the main house was called “Utopia,” and it looked the part.

As the light swept over, the blade-like purple-and-white petals stood out sharply—their symmetrical veins, dreamlike colors, and a mysterious glow in the dark, like something from a fairy tale.

Its roots remained buried deep in the shadow at the corner of the wall, silently gripping the soil.

The thin light slowly slid onto the silver-haired Alpha’s face.

Illuminating him along with the purple floral cluster behind him.

A blue porcelain bottle pressed against crimson lips, pale fingers resting lightly on its surface, yet the knuckles touching the bottle were slightly indented, carrying an unnameable rawness.

The pomegranate wine tasted first of honey and tartness, the alcohol's heat slowly rising.

After swallowing, a lingering sweetness and astringency remained on the tongue, creeping up and sitting heavily at the back of the throat.

… A faint flush slowly crept across the pale cheeks.

Long, slender eyelashes lowered, struggled heavily for a moment, then sank back limply.

The half-lidded eyes looked drenched, as if from a downpour—damp, yet almost illusory.

When he curled his lip, it held a lazy air.

See watched intently—

The silver-haired Alpha took a sip of wine, narrowed his eyes slightly, a bit of wine accidentally moistening the corner of his mouth…

He didn’t seem to mind, lowered his gaze, took another sip, then dazedly stuck out the tip of his tongue to lick his lips…

His eyes blinked once more…

He stopped drinking, set the bottle down, rested his hand on his bent knee, slowly settled his chin there, staring blankly into space, hard to tell if he was sober or drunk…

He lay down, his hair spilling across the ground…

Gazed at the night sky, licked his lips again…

He turned his head to the side, closed his eyes, and gradually grew still…

—He had fallen asleep.

His eyelashes trembled slightly, his breathing steady, his cheek resting against his hair, pressing out a bit of soft flesh, making his features seem all the more fragile and fine.

See waited ten minutes, until he had fallen into deep sleep, then stood up, ready to carry him back to his room.

He had just lifted the silver-haired Alpha’s shoulder—

A faint sound suddenly came from behind.

A shadow fell on the ground.

—Someone had arrived.

See, who had vowed never to return to Meng Shijiu’s mind: …

*

When Meng Shiyan came up, he first caught a whiff of wine.

As soon as his foot stepped onto the terrace, he saw a solitary figure.

Under the starry night sky, his younger brother—who had sneaked out and seemed to have been drinking—lay asleep on the ground.

A lingering flush still colored his face.

Several empty bottles lay scattered around him.

A scene caught red-handed.

Except the one caught was fast asleep.

Even if he were awake, he’d probably just whine a little and beg for leniency.

Meng Shiyan glanced at the jacket draped over his brother.

It was his brother’s own, yet something felt off.

The older Alpha gently picked up his brother.

The sleeping Alpha’s head obediently drooped with the movement.

The rustling sounds were scattered by the night breeze.

A scent intertwining floral and fruity notes drifted to his senses, followed by a faint trace of wine.

“Brother.”

His voice sounded as if layered with paper—sticky, hoarse, and raspy—ringing in Meng Shiyan’s ear.

Like an insect bite.

The slowly awakening figure in his arms raised an arm, pressed against the tall Alpha’s body, propped himself up to lift his face, and looked at the person holding him.

He was drunk, unable to recognize people clearly, needing to see the face to confirm.

Meng Shijiu: “Brother.”

He complained, “Why aren’t you answering me?”

Meng Shiyan looked down at him. "Mm."

A stiff, awkward sound.

Meng Shijiu stifled a laugh. "Too late."

Meng Shijiu let his arm go slack, found a comfortable position in Meng Shiyan's embrace, and his muffled voice, like cotton, came through the vibration of his ribs: "Too late."

"Minus one point," Meng Shijiu started babbling.

The older Alpha didn't care if he was talking nonsense, asking seriously: "What was my score to begin with?"

Meng Shijiu: "I'm not telling you."

Meng Shijiu hid his face. "Afraid you'll get a big head if I say it."

Meng Shiyan frowned, paused for a few seconds, and finally said: "Try not to drink so much around other people."

Meng Shijiu: "Why?"

Meng Shiyan sighed. "If someone kidnaps you, your big brother won't have his little brother anymore."

Meng Shijiu was silent...

Then what does that make Yue Xuanli?

*

Meng Shijiu drank a glass of honey water under Meng Shiyan's watchful eye.

He was just about to say goodnight when Meng Shiyan cut him off—

Meng Shiyan looked at him with a frown. "How's your stomach? Any better?"

Meng Shijiu nodded.

Meng Shiyan: "There's a new physical exam tomorrow morning; we'll skip the original one. I've already told Uncle Lin."

Meng Shijiu nodded again.

Meng Shiyan: "Off you go."

Meng Shijiu nodded. "Goodnight."

Meng Shiyan didn't speak, just ruffled his hair.

*

Meng Shijiu entered his room and buried himself in the sofa.

After drinking, some sensations were suddenly amplified many times.

It was like dead nerves reawakening, or a long-buried seed returning to the soil to take root and sprout.

He hadn't really paid much attention to what kind of shape Ye Lingxi had left his body in.

Only when he returned had he glanced briefly in the mirror.

Too many places showed signs of overuse.

He had only looked once and then adopted an "out of sight, out of mind" approach.

Only occasionally, when moving, a faint, jolting current would suddenly shoot through his waist, like rusty machinery suddenly connected to power, triggering a spasmodic shudder.

Every time he bent his knee or raised his arm, a hidden, viscous stiffness seemed to seep from the very marrow of his bones.

Those things he thought he could ignore.

His body seemed unwilling to let him forget.

Meng Shijiu listlessly turned over.

Suddenly, a very light knock came from outside the door.

Then it stopped.

But the person outside didn't seem to have left.

They seemed to have sobered up.

Meng Shijiu easily recognized it was Yue Xuanli.