C23 They Were Caught

Shaang Sizhan's inscrutable gaze swept over Shi Qian's startled face before settling on the red wine in her hand.

After a brief pause, Shi Qian regained her composure and chuckled awkwardly, "Master Zhan, you're still awake?"

With a slight parting of his lips, Shaang Sizhan directed Yan Yi, "Leave us."

"Yes, Master." Yan Yi turned and exited, making sure to close the door behind him.

Shi Qian felt as though she had been caught red-handed, her hand frozen on the bottle opener, unsure whether to proceed or stop.

Shaang Sizhan approached her, glanced at the wine in her hand, and inquired, "Fancy a drink?"

Shi Qian looked up at him tentatively and asked, "May I?" She quickly added, "I'm of age, and I'll be 20 in just a few months."

After a brief silence, Shaang Sizhan finally spoke, "Why the sudden urge to drink?"

Scratching her head, Shi Qian admitted, "Well... I can't sleep and just felt like having some wine."

Shaang Sizhan looked down, his captivating face drawing near as his deep, magnetic voice filled the air, "What's keeping you awake? Are you troubled by something?"

As she gazed into his striking face, Shi Qian's heartbeat inexplicably quickened.

Her mind seemed to lose the capacity for thought, and she murmured, "I don't know..."

At her words, the previously amiable expression on his face turned stern, "Then you're not allowed to drink!"

Shi Qian was speechless.

The boss's mood had shifted too swiftly!

Internally sighing, Shi Qian resigned herself to the fact that she wouldn't be drinking. "Okay, I won't drink then." She placed the partially opened bottle of red wine on the table.

Yet, Shaang Sizhan continued to regard her intently, his dark eyes now tinged with an ominous air...

Shi Qian was bewildered!

She had already decided not to drink, so why was this enigmatic boss still giving her such an intense look?

After a moment's thought, she spoke up softly, "Or... perhaps I could open it for you to enjoy?"

Observing the girl's bewildered expression, Shaang Sizhan pressed his lips together in a thin line.

It appeared that the young lady hadn't grasped his meaning.

Maybe he needed to be more explicit.

Shaang Sizhan grabbed the half-open bottle of wine, uncorked it fully, and fetched two wine glasses from the rack, filling them both.

He took a seat and offered one of the glasses to Shi Qian. "Here, have a drink."

Shi Qian paused, surprised by the offering of red wine. Why was he suddenly asking her to drink again?

Indeed, Master Zhan's thoughts were inscrutable to the average person.

She accepted the wine with a smile, saying, "Sure."

Shaang Sizhan held his own glass and savored a slow sip.

Shi Qian tentatively tasted hers.

"How is it?" inquired Shaang Sizhan.

"The flavor is quite nice—sweet and aromatic," she replied, and then downed the remaining wine in one gulp.

"Take it slow," Shaang Sizhan advised.

Shi Qian smiled and nodded, "Oh, alright."

He took her empty glass, set it on the table, and as he refilled it, he began softly, "Qian, do you remember what I told you last time..."

He was cut off mid-sentence when the girl's delicate frame suddenly collapsed onto him.

Shaang Sizhan was at a loss for words.

He quickly set aside the wine glass and cradled her, calling out, "Qian... Qian..."

With her cheeks flushed and eyes firmly closed, Shi Qian was beyond reach, sound asleep.

Shaang Sizhan hadn't anticipated that she would be felled by a single glass!

He lifted the slumbering girl with a sense of resignation and carried her out.

Yan Yi was still waiting outside and looked on with a flicker of astonishment as Shaang Sizhan emerged with Shi Qian in his arms.

Master Zhan had clearly overestimated Shi Qian's tolerance.

Back in the room, Shaang Sizhan gently removed her outer garment and laid her down on the bed.

She was clad only in a silky slip dress, her luminous skin exposed.

Sitting at the bedside, Shaang Sizhan admired the lovely sight before him, a complex emotion crossing his handsome features.

He intended to stand and leave, yet his gaze involuntarily lingered on the girl's rosy cheeks and soft lips.

His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as Shaang Sizhan suddenly leaned in and planted a kiss.