Chapter 40

The farce on stage didn't last long. After Chi Wanzhao and Kong Xiyan stepped down, quite a few people came to ask for their secret, and even Chen Junshan brought his wife over.

Knowing that Chi Wanzhao disliked noisy, bustling atmospheres, Kong Xiyan sent them away with just a few words.

The two returned to their seats. Second Aunt pulled Kong Xiyan aside and whispered, "Teacher Kong, how did your wife recognize you?"

"Yeah, it was amazing."

"She didn't even touch your hand or speak, and she still knew it was you."

The people around Second Aunt all murmured their questions. Kong Xiyan smiled and thought for a moment. "Maybe it's because she and I smell the same."

That was actually the truth. Ever since signing the contract with Chi Wanzhao, she'd been using that same brand of body wash. Chi Wanzhao had said the other scents bothered Yanyan, so even here in the countryside, she'd brought it along.

Although she was still curious how Chi Wanzhao had actually identified her, there was no other explanation.

She decided to chalk it up to scent.

Chi Wanzhao, sitting beside her, simply lowered her gaze without a word.

Before long, the feast was drawing to a close. The principal walked over with a few teachers, stood before the table, raised her cup, and said, "Teacher Kong."

Kong Xiyan promptly stood. "Principal."

The principal said with a smile, "You came back this time and brought so many things. On behalf of the children, thank you."

The villagers who had been about to disperse gathered around again at the principal's words, whispering to each other.

"Teacher Kong must have spent a lot of money this time."

"Exactly. She even bought a down jacket for my kid."

"I've never worn one of those—it must've cost a fortune."

"Well, Teacher Kong treats the kids well..."

"I'm going to toast her later, for my child."

"Me too..."

The murmurs kept drifting over. Kong Xiyan smiled. "Principal, don't be so polite. This place is like my home, and you're all my family. If I don't treat you well, who else would I treat well?"

"Well said!"

Someone shouted, drawing the children playing with firecrackers over.

Seeing the principal still holding her cup, Kong Xiyan hastily picked up her own—only to find her drink empty. She reached for the rice wine bottle, filled her cup to the brim, and said to the principal, "Then I'll toast you, Principal. Thank you for taking care of me all these three years."

She was about to tilt her head back and drink when her wrist was caught. Chi Wanzhao had stood up at some point. Taking the cup from her hand, she said to the principal, "I'm sorry, her stomach isn't in great shape. Let me drink it on her behalf."

"See how much she dotes on her wife!"

"Teacher Kong's wife is really something."

Kong Xiyan tried to take the cup back from Chi Wanzhao, but a single cold glare from those eyes made her behave.

The principal beamed. "No worries, no worries. If Miss Chi drinks it for her, that works too. You're all family."

With that, she clinked cups with Chi Wanzhao.

After the principal left, Kong Xiyan was swarmed—aunties from one family, uncles from another, all coming to toast her for their children. She didn't take a single sip; Chi Wanzhao blocked them all.

They only stopped when the rice wine on the table ran out.

Worried that Chi Wanzhao might be drunk, Kong Xiyan wanted to help her home first. But Chi Wanzhao looked even calmer than she did—her gaze cool and clear, exactly like usual.

Kong Xiyan almost wondered if she'd drunk all that wine herself.

They stayed until the feast ended before heading back.

Wang Haining had left ahead of them, so only Kong Xiyan and Chi Wanzhao walked side by side on the road.

The moonlight shone brightly on them. In the distance, the Chen family's home was still noisy and clamorous. Kong Xiyan walked beside Chi Wanzhao and tilted her head to ask softly, "CEO Chi, are you okay?"

Chi Wanzhao, who had been walking fine, suddenly turned. "Why did you call me CEO Chi?"

Kong Xiyan looked bewildered. "Huh?"

Chi Wanzhao frowned. "Why didn't you call me Xiaowan?"

Seeing her completely serious expression, Kong Xiyan couldn't tell if she was drunk or not.

Chi Wanzhao didn't wait for her answer, just gave a heavy snort. "Home!"

Kong Xiyan tugged the corner of her mouth. "Okay."

Three minutes later, she took Chi Wanzhao's wrist. "Home is this way."

Chi Wanzhao: "Oh."

At this point, if Kong Xiyan still couldn't tell that Chi Wanzhao was drunk, she'd be an idiot. She never imagined Chi Wanzhao would act like this when drunk.

No shouting, no drama. Her expression and manner were the same as usual, and even the veiled sharpness between her brows remained identical.

It wasn't that she couldn't spot it—it was that Chi Wanzhao hid it too well.

Once she realized Chi Wanzhao was drunk, Kong Xiyan slipped an arm under hers to help her home. But Chi Wanzhao shoved her hand away. "What are you touching me for?"

...

Under the moonlight, Chi Wanzhao's eyes were especially dark and bright. Kong Xiyan finally noticed a slight difference.

There was a hint of goofiness in them.

Not nearly as sharp as usual.

Kong Xiyan pressed her lips together and answered honestly, "I'm taking you home."

Chi Wanzhao gave her a look. "I don't want to go home."

Kong Xiyan asked gently, "Then what do you want to do?"

Chi Wanzhao's gaze was deep, studying Kong Xiyan for a long moment before she suddenly smiled. "Let's go on a date."

A d-date? This girl really could come up with anything.

It was freezing cold, and even if it were suitable for a date, there was nowhere to go. Seeing Chi Wanzhao about to walk off after her words, Kong Xiyan latched onto her. "Where are you going?"

Chi Wanzhao pondered. "I want to go to the school."

...

The biting wind cut across her face, stinging painfully. Watching Chi Wanzhao walk ahead with such high spirits, Kong Xiyan hugged her coat tighter and bowed her head helplessly.

When people who never make a scene when drunk finally get drunk, they're even worse!

At night, the school was surrounded only by empty houses. The wind rattled the doors with a loud bang. Chi Wanzhao stood at the school gate, holding Kong Xiyan's hand, and stared for a while before saying, "How come it looks like this?"

"It's not supposed to be."

"Did you lead us the wrong way?"

A string of complaints left Kong Xiyan speechless. She pressed her lips and called out, "CEO Chi, can we go back now?"

This wind was freezing her to death. A puff of breath showed frost. She should have known better than to listen to her and come to the school in the first place.

But then she remembered it was her own fault Chi Wanzhao had drunk so much.

Kong Xiyan's heart softened against her will.

Hearing her groan, Chi Wanzhao turned to look at her.

There was no light around, save the full moon just climbing over the treetops, yet it was enough to see the person before her. She took two steps toward Kong Xiyan, calling out as if puzzled, "Xiyan?"

Kong Xiyan's previously exasperated expression shifted.

She'd known Chi Wanzhao for a long time now.

Always, without exception, Chi Wanzhao called her Miss Kong.

The first time hearing a different address from her lips made Kong Xiyan's heart race just a little.

"W-What?"

Under the moonlight, Kong Xiyan's cheeks flushed hot, a warmth the cold wind couldn't chase away.

But Chi Wanzhao only held her hand, smiling like a child. "Nothing. I just wanted to call your name."

Kong Xiyan shook off her hand and walked ahead awkwardly. Chi Wanzhao, having her hand dismissed, showed no sign of irritation, still trailing happily behind her.

In the moonlight, their shadows stretched endlessly long.

"Going back?"

"No."

"It's cold out here."

"Then let me hold you?"

Kong Xiyan looked at Chi Wanzhao's serious face in utter astonishment, then gritted her teeth. "No need."

The two strolled around the elementary school several times. The school at night was very different from during the day—perhaps because the mottled walls and worn-down state weren't visible, but standing before it at night, there was a surprising stateliness.

Chi Wanzhao didn't talk much, but occasionally murmured, "Where's the swing?"

"Did they plow up that flower bed?"

She didn't necessarily wait for Kong Xiyan's answers, seemingly talking to herself. Kong Xiyan finally understood: Chi Wanzhao was imagining this place as somewhere she knew.

Only, the order of the things she mentioned...

They gave her an oddly familiar feeling.

Kong Xiyan shook her head. Chi Wanzhao was drunk, fine, but she was losing her mind too.

By the fifth lap, Kong Xiyan didn't want to move anymore. In front of the school gate was a row of wooden planks, usually used for the kids to play on. Kong Xiyan sat on one plank now, looking up at Chi Wanzhao. "I can't walk anymore."

Chi Wanzhao sat down beside her.

They foolishly braved the cold wind for quite a while.

Kong Xiyan had intended to use Chi Wanzhao's drunkenness to pry some answers out of her, but then she thought about how if Chi Wanzhao remembered any of this tomorrow, it would be too embarrassing.

So she gave up the idea.

The moonlight had grown bright and clear. Having strolled about for so long, it no longer felt as cold as it had at first.

Chi Wanzhao tilted her head back to look at the moon, then suddenly called out, "Xiyan."

Kong Xiyan hummed in response and turned to look at her.

In the moonlight, Chi Wanzhao held her head high, the line of her neck long and elegant. A few strands of hair were lifted by the wind, brushing against her exquisite profile.

"Do you think the moon is beautiful tonight?"

Kong Xiyan imitated her, tilting her head back.

Two or three stars, a half-moon—nothing out of the ordinary.

She kept her head raised and answered honestly, "Is it beautiful?"

Chi Wanzhao leaned in close, her eyes fixed on Kong Xiyan's profile. "Very beautiful."

Kong Xiyan furrowed her delicate brows, sensing the scorching gaze. She slowly lowered her head to meet Chi Wanzhao's eyes. Just as she was about to speak, a fragrance drifted over.

Then warmth pressed against her lips.

Chi Wanzhao bit her lower lip, the tip of her tongue pressing at Kong Xiyan's teeth, eyes closed.

Kong Xiyan's heart pounded wildly, her ears ringing, and her lashes brushed against Chi Wanzhao's face, tickling.

Chi Wanzhao wrapped an arm around Kong Xiyan's waist, the other hand hooking her chin and tilting it up. Kong Xiyan tried to push her away but found her hands weak and limp.

Between their lips lingered the scent of rice wine.

Chi Wanzhao seemed unsatisfied with Kong Xiyan keeping her teeth clenched, so she reached down and pinched her side. Kong Xiyan gasped in pain, and Chi Wanzhao smoothly slipped past her defenses.

As Kong Xiyan was kissed into a daze, she could almost hear Chi Wanzhao's voice asking,

"Is it beautiful?"

Beautiful, so beautiful.