Shen Ke Qin was inconsolable. It took Song Qi Nian quite some time to coax her into revealing that Jian Mu Bai was resigning.
Song Qi Nian could understand Jian Mu Bai's decision to leave. After all, people always seek better opportunities.
"Did you confess to him then?"
"Confess?"
Shen Ke Qin hiccuped drunkenly, "Why would I confess to him? I don't like him at all. He just leaves without any warning, not giving me any time to prepare, *sob sob*... He's a big scoundrel, a bastard! I never want to see him again."
It was clear Shen Ke Qin was speaking against her heart, and she continued to pour alcohol into her mouth.
A few men, seeing two beautiful women drinking, immediately approached them. "It's no fun drinking alone, ladies. How about we join you?"
Shen Ke Qin shook her head and scoffed mockingly, "You guys are too ugly. I won't drink with ugly freaks."
This blatant personal attack angered the men, and as they moved to confront Shen Ke Qin, Song Qi Nian spoke coldly, "She's the sister of Shen Chi Yan, the president of Ding Sheng Group. Let's see who dares to touch her."
Everyone in Jing Hua City knew Shen Chi Yan's name. They all knew it was better to offend a petty person than to offend the Fifth Master Shen.
After exchanging glances, the men slunk away.
Shen Ke Qin insisted on continuing to drink. Song Qi Nian knew this couldn't go on, so she took out her phone and called Jian Mu Bai.
"Young Madam..."
"Qin Qin is drunk. Please come to Tiandi Bar to pick her up."
Jian Mu Bai paused for a few seconds. "My apologies, Young Madam. I've already resigned. Could you please trouble yourself to send Miss Qin Qin home?"
Song Qi Nian's brows furrowed tightly. What did Jian Mu Bai mean by this?
He had protected Qin Qin for ten years, and now he was being so heartless?
"I heard Qin Qin say you resigned today, right?"
"Yes!"
"There's still an hour and a half until the end of today. That's enough time for you to take Qin Qin home. Mr. Jian, one should see things through to the end."
Song Qi Nian hung up after speaking. Not long after, Jian Mu Bai, dressed in casual black attire, arrived at the bar. At this point, Shen Ke Qin was so drunk she didn't recognize her own mother.
Song Qi Nian directly handed Shen Ke Qin over to Jian Mu Bai. "I have something to attend to. I'll leave Qin Qin in your care, Mr. Jian."
Shen Ke Qin was like a boneless shrimp, unable to stand steadily. When Song Qi Nian released her, she nearly fell to the ground but was quickly caught by Jian Mu Bai.
Leaning into Jian Mu Bai's embrace, Shen Ke Qin mumbled, "Drink... I'll never talk to that bastard Jian again..."
Song Qi Nian left as abruptly as she had arrived, seemingly unconcerned about Shen Ke Qin's well-being.
Jian Mu Bai looked at the girl in his arms and sighed softly. He then picked her up in a princess carry and left the bar.
Outside the bar, Song Qi Nian watched Jian Mu Bai carry Shen Ke Qin to his car. She whispered, "Qin Qin, this is all I can do for you now."
From here on, it was up to them.
Shen Ke Qin rarely drank, and certainly not this much. As soon as she got into the car, she started whimpering uncomfortably.
Jian Mu Bai leaned over to fasten her seatbelt. As he moved closer, Shen Ke Qin suddenly grabbed his hand and slowly opened her hazy eyes.
The moment their eyes met, Jian Mu Bai's breath hitched, and he immediately looked away.
The next second, his handsome face was turned back towards her by her small hand.
They were so close that Jian Mu Bai could smell Shen Ke Qin's breath, tinged with alcohol, making his head feel momentarily lost. But he quickly regained his composure.
"Miss Qin Qin, I'll help you..."
Before he could finish speaking, soft lips pressed firmly against his.
Jian Mu Bai clenched his fist tightly, his heart pounding in his chest as if it were about to give out.
He pressed down on Shen Ke Qin's shoulders, instinctively trying to push her away. But then, as if thinking of something, his eyes darkened. He cupped her neck and kissed her back deeply.
Kissing, for a man, was something learned without a teacher.
He used his tongue to pry open her lips and finally tasted the sweetness he had longed for.
Shen Ke Qin was truly drunk. Faced with this fierce onslaught, she instinctively sensed danger and tried to pull away.
Jian Mu Bai didn't give her the chance. He coaxed her with his low, pleasant voice, "Qin Qin, open your mouth."
Over the past ten years, Shen Ke Qin had spent more time with Jian Mu Bai than with her own family.
Hearing the familiar voice, she gasped softly, "Jian Mu Bai?"
"Mm, it's me..."
*Slap...*
A sharp slap landed squarely on Jian Mu Bai's handsome face. Jian Mu Bai hadn't even reacted before the girl who had just been kissing him changed her expression.
Or was it that she mistook him for someone else?
"Bastard! Weren't you leaving? Why are you still appearing in front of me? I never want to see you again!"
As Shen Ke Qin spoke, tears streamed down her face.
Jian Mu Bai couldn't stand seeing Shen Ke Qin cry. His heart ached, and he didn't know what to do.
She was so pure and kind, deserving of all the best things in the world, not tears shed because of him.
He struggled for a long while, but couldn't resist pulling her into his embrace. Perhaps, this was the only chance he would ever have to hold her.
If she ever learned the truth, she might even want to kill him.
"Alright, don't cry anymore. It's all my fault. I'm sorry..."
Shen Ke Qin cried and hit Jian Mu Bai several times. Jian Mu Bai endured her outburst, holding her tightly.
"Ten years! We've been together for ten years, and you just resign like that, without even considering me a friend."
Shen Ke Qin cried with such grievance. If she were sober, she would never have shown such a vulnerable side.
Now, with her reason clouded by alcohol, she only wanted to vent the unhappiness in her heart.
"I hate you... I hate you the most..."
"Mm!"
Jian Mu Bai responded with bitterness, "It's right that you hate me. I'm a bad guy, a scoundrel, someone who has failed you."
Hearing Jian Mu Bai scold himself, Shen Ke Qin defended him, "Don't underestimate yourself. You're not that bad. At most, you're just a little worse than the Lord of the Moon Worship Cult."
Jian Mu Bai let out a laugh. If only he could, he wished Shen Ke Qin would live her life safely and happily forever.
Just as he was about to speak, his phone suddenly rang.
The caller ID on the screen seemed to remind him of something. His expression turned grim, and he released Shen Ke Qin. After fastening her seatbelt, he started the car.
Damn it, what had he just done?
Why had he kissed Shen Ke Qin? Why had he held her?
Didn't he know clearly that they were destined not to be together? Why was he giving himself such false hope?
If Shen Ke Qin remembered him kissing her when she woke up, what explanation would he give?
When Jian Mu Bai arrived at Shen Ke Qin's home, Lin Zhu Yin was already waiting at the door.
Jian Mu Bai handed Shen Ke Qin over to Lin Zhu Yin. After Lin Zhu Yin supported Shen Ke Qin, she looked at Jian Mu Bai faintly, "You... have you fallen in love with Qin Qin?"