Chapter 114: I Will Wait for You

Lin Xi couldn’t tell whether Qin Yu was truly drunk, but as the hostess, she couldn’t just leave him here alone at this time.

“Third Brother.”

She drew a deep breath, bracing herself as if for battle, and walked toward him. “Has Fourth Brother and the others left?”

Bai Xu was always mischievous, and with Cheng Si egging him on, those two together never meant anything good.

Qin Yu lounged back in his chair, a hint of intoxication clouding his gaze. It was unclear if he heard her; he didn’t answer, only stared at her in silence.

As she drew nearer, Lin Xi caught the strong scent of alcohol on him.

She frowned slightly and reached out, “Third Brother, can you walk on your own? Shall I take you home?”

He still said nothing, his dark eyes locked on her, his burning gaze sweeping over every inch of her face.

Fortunately, Lin Xi had experience with this.

Last time at Grandfather’s house, Qin Yu had gotten drunk just like this—saying nothing, simply watching her.

She glanced around; the aunt was still busy in the kitchen, and the eldest aunt hadn’t returned yet.

It seemed she had no choice but to take Qin Yu home herself.

His jacket was still in the living room, so she turned to fetch it.

Suddenly, her wrist was gripped tightly.

Lin Xi turned back, puzzled, “What’s wrong?”

She paused, sensing something, and explained, “I’m just going to get your jacket. The wind’s picking up outside.”

Qin Yu didn’t release her.

Lin Xi realized he’d heard her, and tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened.

After several attempts, she had to give up.

“Are you feeling unwell?” she tried to communicate.

“Mm.”

Finally, Qin Yu responded, his voice so soft as to be almost a whimper.

Lin Xi’s heart softened; with her free hand, she pulled two tissues from the table and gently wiped the sweat from his brow.

“You’re sweating—if you go out now and catch a chill, you’ll definitely come down with something tomorrow.”

“Let’s wait a bit, you rest for now. We’ll leave soon.” She had just set the tissues aside when Qin Yu’s hand slipped to her waist, drawing her closer.

Before she could react, his strong arms wrapped around her, and he leaned his head against her waist.

She was only wearing a thin shirt; through the fabric, his warm breath washed over her skin, tickling lightly.

Lin Xi was about to push him away, but as she looked down, she saw Qin Yu seemed weary, his eyes closed, the tension in his brow slowly easing.

Her hand froze, suspended in midair, not daring to move.

She hesitated for a long moment, then sighed and withdrew her hand quietly.

—

Lin Xi heard the sound of the eldest aunt coming downstairs and finally nudged Qin Yu’s shoulder, calling softly, “It’s late—we should go.”

She had stood there, letting him hold her for nearly fifteen minutes, hardly daring to move.

Anyone passing by might think she was being punished.

Before her aunt appeared, Lin Xi mustered her strength and helped Qin Yu to his feet.

“Is Xiao Qin still here?” The eldest aunt entered the dining room and was startled to find them both standing stiffly.

She assumed Qin Yu wasn’t feeling well and moved to help.

“Third Brother had a bit too much to drink, but he’s much better now. I’ll take him home myself. Aunt, please rest.”

Lin Xi gave her no chance to intervene, steering Qin Yu toward the door. Passing through the living room, she asked the aunt to hand over his jacket and draped it across Qin Yu’s shoulders.

Stepping outside, Lin Xi breathed a sigh of relief.

She glanced at Qin Yu; his gaze was unfocused, as if he hadn’t quite come to his senses.

She slowed her pace, doing her best to support him, silently cursing Bai Xu and Cheng Si.

As if she could believe those two hadn’t planned this.

They’d picked the perfect time to leave, neither early nor late.

Even if Qin Yu was drunk, escorting him home wouldn’t have been any trouble for them—it was right on their way.

Two grown men, utterly shameless.

As she was thinking, Qin Yu stumbled, startling Lin Xi into raising her other hand to steady him. “Careful, careful.”

At this hour, the courtyard’s lamps were dim. Usually, by now, everyone had retired for the night.

Most who lived here now were elders.

People their age, or even younger, rarely appeared here anymore.

The children nowadays mostly lived outside, seemingly uninterested in the old family courtyard. Unlike their generation, who had grown up here and carried some unspoken attachment to the place.

“Lin Xi.”

Just around the corner, Qin Yu called her name.

“What is it?” Lin Xi looked up at his voice.

He was much taller than her, and with his weight leaning on her, she had to crane her neck to meet his eyes.

“You like Bai Xu.”

It wasn’t a question, but a strangely certain statement.

“…No.” Lin Xi replied.

Thinking of the scene earlier, she explained impulsively, “I just lost my balance. There’s nothing between me and Bai Xu. How many times are you going to ask about this?”

“You’re angry.”

“…No,” Lin Xi said, a little exasperated. “But if you keep asking next time, I definitely will be.”

He murmured softly, his words clear despite his drunkenness, “What did Grandpa say to you?”

He seemed drunk, yet not drunk.

Apart from the scent of alcohol and the look in his eyes, he didn’t resemble a typical drunk at all.

“Grandpa Qin found out you were hospitalized. Not from me, of course. He didn’t say much, just asked about you.”

“What did he ask?”

“About your relationship status.”

Qin Yu laughed quietly. “Is that so?”

“Mm.”

In this moment, the tension between them seemed to melt away—no barriers, just a normal conversation between old friends.

“At the birthday banquet this afternoon, they asked when I planned to settle down.”

Lin Xi walked ahead in silence. Then she heard him continue, “I said within a year.”

“Mm.” Lin Xi answered indifferently.

“So, Lin Xi, you have one more year to escape.”

“…,” Lin Xi, suddenly addressed, didn’t quite understand. She paused, staring at him in confusion.

He straightened, slipping free of her support, standing steady before her.

Lin Xi studied him up and down, “Are you drunk or not?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Qin Yu picked up the jacket that had slipped and draped it over his arm with effortless grace.

Lin Xi thought she finally had her answer.

“One year.”

“Lin Xi, only one year left.”

She seemed to grasp his meaning. “You’re not saying…”

“I am.” Qin Yu’s expression was earnest, his eyes burning. His voice, hoarse from drink and tinged with a deep Beijing accent, was strangely compelling: “I’ll wait for you.”

(End of chapter)