Chapter 6: Drinking

Dealing with Lu Mingfei’s aunt was something Bai Ci could never handle.

She always wondered how middle-aged women honed their gift of gab.

When silent, his aunt seemed normal enough, but once she opened her mouth, it was an endless stream of random nonsense.

Bai Ci ate her food in small bites, sitting ramrod straight, chewing silently, terrified of upsetting the two elders.

His aunt hadn’t planned on cooking a proper meal tonight, but when she got home and saw a fancy-dressed girl with a cake, her pride kicked in.

No way she’d look stingy in front of a guest.

She whipped out her best cooking skills, and now five of them sat around the dinner table.

His aunt acted overly concerned about Lu Mingfei, peppering Bai Ci with questions.

“So, what’s your deal with Mingfei? Coming over to celebrate his birthday?”

“Just… regular friends.”

“Where do you live? What do your parents do? Got a boyfriend?”

The rapid-fire questions made Bai Ci’s head spin.

She knew the aunt’s intentions weren’t pure, but what could she say?

She shot Lu Mingfei a pleading look.

Catching her gaze, he swallowed hard.

His aunt scared him more than anyone, but since Bai Ci was here for his birthday, he had to step in. “Aunt, we’re just friends, nothing more.”

“Oh—just friends, huh.”

Her tone carried a weird vibe. “What’s her family situation like?”

“She doesn’t have family.

Lives alone.”

Lu Mingfei glanced at Bai Ci, worried he’d upset her.

His uncle seemed to sense her discomfort and raised his glass. “Come on, it’s Mingfei’s birthday.

Let’s all have a drink.”

“Mm…”

Bai Ci sipped her glass.

The wine tasted awful.

She wouldn’t get drunk, but her face still flushed.

She snuck a glance at the aunt, who was grinning at her.

To the aunt, if Lu Mingfei dated this girl, it’d be perfect.

An orphan with no background probably couldn’t even afford college.

She’d always been outdone by Qiao Weini, but if Lu Mingze’s future wife outshone Lu Mingfei’s, she’d finally have something to brag about.

With that thought, she smiled at Bai Ci. “You’re Bai Ci, right? I’m his aunt.

Just call me Auntie.

Eat up.”

“Thanks, Auntie…”

Bai Ci mumbled.

She kinda wanted to bolt back to the internet café.

But leaving now would be awkward.

Lu Mingfei had already said she had no family, so “parents called me home” wouldn’t work.

Ditching would make his aunt and uncle think she was stuck-up.

Why was grabbing a free meal so complicated?

Fuming, she glared at Lu Mingfei.

His heart skipped, but her glare didn’t help.

He knew his aunt ruled the house.

And he was just stating facts—she didn’t have family.

Seeing no help from him, Bai Ci shifted targets, looking at his uncle.

She raised her glass, downed it, and refilled it.

“Uncle, Auntie, let’s drink.”

Her only plan now was to get them wasted.

Pretend to be drunk?

She’d never been drunk, didn’t know how it felt, or how to fake it.

After half an hour of drinking, she’d knocked his uncle out cold.

His aunt wasn’t faring much better, slouched in her chair, drunk, snoring lightly.

Finally, some peace.

Bai Ci set down her glass, stood unsteadily, and clutched her dizzy head.

She’d overdone it—even she couldn’t handle this much.

“Lu Mingfei, carry me back.”

She kicked his chair.

He jumped up, rushing to steady her.

Bai Ci leaned her full weight onto him.

They were about the same height, but she was much lighter.

She draped herself over his back, and Lu Mingfei felt her warmth, his mind a jumbled mess.

“You reek of booze.”

He blurted it out, then instantly regretted how stupid it sounded.

“Whatever.”

Bai Ci grumbled, tightening her legs and grip. “Your uncle drinks like a fish…”

Lu Mingfei was in agony, feeling trapped, his neck half-strangled.

Thankfully, it only lasted a minute.

Once they left his uncle’s house, she eased up.

“And your cousin… kept staring at my legs.

Creepy.”

Lu Mingfei thought Nono’s taste was spot-on.

That outfit with black stockings?

Explosively gorgeous.

Who wouldn’t stare?

Forget Lu Mingze—he wanted to look longer, maybe even touch.

But while he could feel the stockings now, he had the guts to think it but not act.

Even with her asleep on his back, he didn’t dare move.

She really had no guard up around him…