Night.
Past 11 pm.
The moon illuminated the dark forest. Xu Yan and Dong Xuebing continued to drink in the car.
“Xiao Dong, can you still drink?”
“I am almost at my limits, but I will drink with you if you want.”
“Alright. Let’s move to the backseats.”
“Ok. It’s more spacious. Slow down and watch your head.”
“I will not hit my head. Don’t worry. I am not drunk.”
“You should still be careful.”
They got out of the car and moved to the passenger seats. Dong Xuebing had not drunk much as he worried about Sister Xu and needed to drive them back. He controlled himself and observed her mood.
“Xiao Dong, drink.”
“I think we’ve had enough. How about I drive you back now?”
“What’s the rush? I still have not drunk enough.”
“I said I will drive us back first. You should drink slower or you will…. It’s already past 11 pm. I think you cannot get back to Beijing tonight. How about I book a room for you at the hotel I am staying?”
“No need. I am not going anyway today.”
“Errr…. Alright.”
“You can leave if you are busy. I am here alone.”
“No…. I have nothing on, and I promised to drink with you. How can I go now?”
Sister Xu was slightly drunk, and Dong Xuebing would not let her alone in this secluded place. He took a few sips and chatted with her. He kept glancing at her chest when chatting and felt a fire burning. He started to have naughty thoughts under the influence of alcohol. He controlled his urges and sat upright.
Ten minutes….
Twenty minutes….
The one-liter bottle of Wuliangye was almost finished.
Xu Yan lifted her leg and kicked her shoes off. Her face and forehead were covered in sweat. The alcohol had increased her temperature. “It’s warm when the heater is on and cold when switched off. I am taking off my shoes.”
“Go ahead.”
“Ah…. The alcohol is so strong.”
“Is it too warm? Should I switch off the heater?”
“No. It is winter now.”
Dong Xuebing was feeling warm too. He took off his sweater and unbuttoned the top button.
Ring… ring… ring….
Xu Yan’s phone rang.
Xu Yan took out her phone and turned to Dong Xuebing. “It’s my son. It’s almost midnight. Don’t make any sound.”
“Ok….” Dong Xuebing blushed.
Xu Yan smiled as she answered the phone. “Hello, son.”
Dong Xuebing could hear her son’s voice. “Where are you, Mum?”
Xu Yan glanced at Dong Xuebing. “Where can I be at this hour? I am sleeping at home.”
Dong Xuebing knew Sister Xu lied as she did not want her son to misunderstand, and he pretended not to hear it.
“Oh, I miss you.”
“Haha…. I miss you too. Didn’t we meet this afternoon?”
“Yes, but I still miss you. Err…. I don’t want to live here anymore. They keep making things difficult for me. I want to go to your place.”
“You want to come to Fen Zhou City, Zhaozhao?”
“Yes. Am I not welcome?” Zhaozhao asked.
“Why would I not welcome you? When are you coming? I will fetch you.”
“Don’t worry about me. I am going with a few classmates. We will travel around Fen Zhou City first.”
“Are you sure? I think I should fetch you first and accompany you all around.”
“Ah…. No need. We will feel awkward with you around.”
Xu Yan grumbled. “How can you miss me when you don’t want me around?”
“Ah…. Having fun is not my priority. My purpose for going to Fen Zhou City is to visit you.”
“You brat…. Haha…. Alright. Call me when you reach.”
“Hehe…. Thank you, Mum. Can you call Dad for me? I am not going home today and will stay at my classmate’s house. We will be going to Fen Zhou City tomorrow.”
“Alright. Be careful.”
“I know. I am hanging up.”
“Alright, bye.”
Xu Yan immediately made another call after hanging up. But her tone is different this time. “Hello. It’s me. Yes. My son is visiting me tomorrow and staying over at his classmate’s place tonight. He just called and said he would be coming with his classmates…. I don’t know…. I am calling you to inform you and not to seek your opinion…. That’s it!” She hung up and threw the phone aside.
Dong Xuebing looked at Xu Yan. “Is Zhaozhao coming over tomorrow?”
Xu Yan nodded. “I don’t know what time he is coming.”
“It’s good for them to come too. Ma Yang County in Fen Zhou City is a good place for a holiday. They can visit the mountains. Do you want me to accompany them?”
“They will not like to be accompanied by adults.”
“Huh? I am also quite young, Sister Xu.”
Xu Yan laughed and patted Dong Xuebing’s hand. “That’s right. You are a Deputy Division Chief, and I keep forgetting you are only twenty-five.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “You are young too. You look like you are around thirty years old. Has anyone said that to you?”
Xu Yan laughed and squeezed his hand. “It’s all your credit. You should have seen my ex-husband and that woman’s face this afternoon. They were stunned, and my son almost could not recognize me. After my quarrel, my son asked me how I got young again. He took a few pictures of me to show his friends.”
Xu Yan stroked Dong Xuebing’s hand, making him uncomfortable. “Err…. That’s for sure. I will believe you even if you tell me you are twenty-eight.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“It’s true.”
“Stop sucking up to me. Haha…. Someone from our unit sent roses to my place. I was speechless and found it funny. He is only thirty, and I don’t know how to answer him. No matter how I look, I am in my forties. How can I be with someone so young?”
“Wow…. You are so popular now.”
“No…. that was the only time.”
“Have you considered getting married again?”
“I don’t have plans because of my son now.”
Xu Yan finished the alcohol and shook the bottle before throwing it on the seat. “We finished the bottle. Ah…. I feel much better now.”
Dong Xuebing blinked. “I will send you back now.”
Xu Yan looked at Dong Xuebing. “You had also drunk a lot. It’s dangerous to drink and drive.”
Dong Xuebing thought nothing about it. “I am fine, and we will not get into any accident.”
“No.” Xu Yan rubbed her temples to ease the giddiness. “Let’s rest a while first.”
“Ok.” Dong Xuebing replied and peeked at her chest again.
It was almost midnight.
The forest was quiet.
Suddenly, Xu Yan opened the door and puked.
Dong Xuebing quickly moved closer and patted her back. “Are you ok?”
Xu Yan waved her hand and continued puking. “Urrggggghhh….”
Xu Yan vomited for a while before getting back to a sitting position. Dong Xuebing quickly took out a few pieces of tissue to wipe her mouth and clothes. “Sigh…. I should have stopped you from drinking earlier. You had drunk more than half of that bottle.” He wiped her clothes, and the rest of her vomit was on her chest. He blushed as he wiped her chest gently.
Xu Yan did not mind. “I cannot hold my liquor like before.”
“Here, have some water.” Dong Xuebing passed a bottle of mineral water to her.
“Thank you, Xiao Dong.” Xu Yan rinsed her mouth and drank some water. She looked at her blouse. “My clothes are dirty.”
“The stains are not obvious.”
“It’s wet and feels uncomfortable. I am taking it off.”
“Ah? You are not wearing inside.”
“I know. Never mind if you feel uncomfortable. Haha….”
“It’s not that I am uncomfortable…. I… I am afraid you might be…. Never mind. Go ahead.”
“Then I am taking it off now.” Xu Yan started unbuttoning her buttons until the last two. She moved forward slightly and pulled her blouse over her head. She threw the dirty blouse onto the front passenger seat and only wore her bra. She did not look uncomfortable or embarrassed and continued to chat with Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing could feel his heart racing.
Sister Xu did not treat Dong Xuebing as an outsider.
