C44 You Can Indulge Yourself after Drinking too Much!

"No worries, he's older. Just try not to provoke him in the future."

Shen Geyao meant it. From now on, it was best to avoid crossing paths with Liang Chenyu. Ideally, she'd never see him again.

"My uncle doesn't stay at the family home much. He has his own place, so you probably won't run into him often."

Liang Xinghao noticed her silence and assumed she was still scared.

As they walked into the room, Shen Geyao casually remarked, "It's just a year. It'll pass quickly."

The mention of "a year" seemed to unsettle Liang Xinghao for some reason. He followed her in and shut the door behind him.

Hearing the door close, Shen Geyao thought Liang Xinghao had left. She went to the closet, took out a nightgown, and placed it on the chair. She reached back to unzip her dress.

She had once been a core member of a ballet team, though her family later pressured her to quit. Still, her flexibility remained exceptional.

The man behind her couldn't help but stare at her gradually exposed back.

"I thought you might need some help," he said, his voice a bit husky.

Shen Geyao was so startled by his voice that she nearly cried out. She spun around to find him sitting in a chair, tugging at his collar, as if he were in his own room.

"Why are you still here?" Shen Geyao hurriedly clutched her slipping dress, surprised to see Liang Xinghao still in the room. She thought he had left to continue drinking.

"I had a few more drinks and started feeling a bit off," Xinghao replied, loosening a few buttons at his collar as if it would help him breathe easier.

Geyao felt unsure of what to do. Being alone in a room with him wasn't exactly appropriate, but technically, she was still his girlfriend.

"Would you like me to make you some tea?" she offered, recalling that tea could help sober someone up.

"Sure," Xinghao replied softly, closing his eyes. The image of her bare back lingered in his mind, making him wonder if his lack of female companionship had made him more susceptible to such beauty. Maybe it was just the alcohol talking; he hadn't felt this way before.

Geyao discreetly zipped up the back of her dress, relieved, and moved to the side table to make tea. Suddenly, she sensed a presence behind her.

She instinctively turned, but before she could fully face him, Xinghao wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"What are you doing?" Geyao exclaimed, trying to break free.

"Just wanted to see what it feels like," Xinghao's voice was hoarse as he held her close, resting his head on her shoulder, not moving further.

He was holding back, and Shen Geyao could immediately sense the change in his demeanor. But he was nothing like Liang Chenyu. If Chenyu wanted something, he'd act on it right away, never holding back. At least Xinghao was trying to restrain himself!

Shen Geyao was genuinely anxious, having heard that some men couldn't handle resistance when holding someone close. Too much resistance might even provoke their wild side.

"Young Master Hao," she addressed him, hoping to remind him of their relationship. "I'm not really your girlfriend. I know I shouldn't say this here, and I promised I wouldn't, but you can't forget."

In her mind, Shen Geyao cursed the word "man" a thousand times over. Are all men the same, always thinking about those kinds of things at the drop of a hat? Liang Xinghao clearly had no feelings for her, yet after a few drinks, he suddenly wanted to "try it out"? Try what, exactly? Is this something you can just casually experiment with?

Liang Xinghao still held her, not letting go. "I haven't forgotten," he said, his voice growing deeper and huskier because of the soft warmth in his arms. "But maybe it could become real."

"Young Master Hao, I don't have those thoughts, and I hope you won't entertain them either," Shen Geyao said, feigning calmness, her voice cold.

Liang Xinghao's lost sense gradually returned. He took in her scent one last time, then withdrew his arms and released her.

"Pour me a cup of tea to sober up," he said, rubbing his temples before sitting back down in the chair. He never thought he'd lose control like this after drinking. He usually had little interest in women. In the past, some women even tried to please him by undressing and climbing into his bed. But watching them flaunt themselves in front of him only filled him with disgust.

Tonight, however, the sight of her bare back stirred something unexpected in him. This impulse caught even Xinghao by surprise.

Watching Xinghao sit and close his eyes to rest, Geyao let out a deep sigh of relief. He was different from that brute, Chenyu. At least Xinghao was restrained and reserved. He wouldn't force himself on her if she wasn't willing. Just this alone made Geyao feel that Xinghao was far better than that demon, Chenyu. No matter how handsome Chenyu was, a demon is still a demon, and no amount of good looks could change that.

She poured a cup of hot tea and brought it to Xinghao. "Have some," she offered. He had just drunk too much, and once he sobered up, everything would be fine. Xinghao took the cup and lifted it to drink.

Shen Geyao quickly warned, "Careful, it's hot."

But it was too late; he had already burned himself, drinking it all in one go, leaving his lips a bright red. Shen Geyao frowned, unable to hold back a complaint, "I told you it was hot."

After a moment, realizing it was partly her fault, she quietly added, "Sorry, I didn't get the temperature right. Your lips..."

"It's nothing, just a minor thing," Liang Xinghao said, setting his glass down and getting ready to leave.

Shen Geyao, of course, didn't try to stop him. Inviting a man to stay late at night might send the wrong message.

Liang Xinghao returned to the main hall of the party. As Liang Zixu poured him a drink, his eyes fell on Xinghao's lips.

With a slight smile, he teased, "No wonder you took so long to come back. Got a little cozy, did you?"

His lips were clearly red and swollen, suggesting things had gotten pretty intense. Everyone's eyes instinctively went to Liang Xinghao's lips, noticing the obvious redness.

Second Master laughed heartily, "Our Xinghao usually knows his limits. Looks like he really had a bit too much tonight."

Laughter filled the room as everyone continued to clink glasses.

Later, Liang Chenyu glanced at Liang Xinghao's swollen lips, staying silent, his expression dark.

Drank too much, did he? And let loose because of it? That girl sure has some nerve, daring to do that right under his nose!

"Uncle, have another one," Zixu said, pouring him a drink.

Chenyu's eyes were cold and his face was grim as he took the glass, raised it, and downed it in one go.