C43 Drunk

The sounds of gunfire in the city center had quieted down considerably, yet sporadic shots could still be heard from time to time. Yang Chuxia expressed her concern, "How much longer will this riot last?"

Lafite, piloting the aircraft, glanced at her in the rearview mirror and replied, "It could end very soon, or it might last until tomorrow morning." Handing her a bottle of red wine, she added, "Here, take this."

Yang Chuxia, slightly taken aback, realized that Lafite was not inclined to divulge more, likely due to military confidentiality. She decided not to press further and sipped from the bottle of wine.

Lafite landed the aircraft on a secluded street and led Yang Chuxia down an alley to a metal gate, which opened to reveal a quaint courtyard and a two-story house beyond.

Once upstairs, Lafite showed her into a room, saying, "We still have power here. This is my place. Make yourself at home! Feel free to use anything you need. I've got to go back out and check in." She handed Yang Chuxia a phone, smiled, and said, "Stay in touch!" before hurrying off.

Yang Chuxia entered the suite to find it tastefully decorated, with a cozy living room to the left and a corridor that likely led to the bedrooms.

Having thrown her shoes earlier to distract some soldiers and not having had the chance to retrieve them, she was still barefoot and cold. She decided to find a room and indulge in a warm bath.

The first room she entered appeared to be Lafite's bedroom. Yang Chuxia found a brand-new set of pajamas and a towel in the closet before heading to the bathroom for a shower.

Refreshed from the hot shower but ravenous, Yang Chuxia ventured back downstairs. Thankfully, none of the doors were locked.

In the kitchen, she pulled out some eggs, a bunch of greens, and a bag of frozen squid from the refrigerator. The thought of stir-fried pickled vegetables with squid made her mouth water. She eagerly searched the fridge, hoping to find some pickled vegetables.

Lafite wasn't holding out much hope. To her surprise, she stumbled upon a packet of pickled fish seasoning and couldn't help but burst into a silly grin, clutching the packet with delight.

After spending half an hour in the kitchen, she had whipped up a delicious meal. The white rice was perfectly cooked, and she joyfully carried both the dishes and rice to the dining table, ready to dig in with gusto.

It had been a long time since Yang Chuxia had savored a meal she'd cooked herself. She was halfway through a plate of stir-fried eggs with green onions and pickled squid when she suddenly craved beef stir-fried with chili peppers. Without hesitation, she fetched the beef and peppers from the fridge.

As she gazed at the fridge, brimming with ingredients, she pondered the possibility that after tomorrow, she might not know when she'd get the chance to cook her favorite dishes again. Seizing the moment, she decided to take out all the foods she loved, gearing up for a grand culinary adventure.

Before Cliff, Lafite, Sean, and Edi even set foot in the yard, the tantalizing aroma of the dishes wafted through the air.

Upon opening the courtyard door, they were greeted by the sight of Yang Chuxia sitting cross-legged in Lafite's cartoon pajamas, a chair her throne. Her cheeks were rosy with warmth, a glass of red wine in her left hand, while her right hand wielded a fork spearing a juicy piece of beef, which she was about to enjoy. A feast of Chinese dishes lay before her, a symphony of colors, aromas, and flavors.

As the group entered, she let out a satisfied burp, tilted her head, and greeted them with a slurred, "You, you're back!" Her damp eyes shimmered as she gazed at them, causing the hearts of the three men to skip a beat.

Oblivious to their reactions, she clumsily slipped on her slippers and staggered out the dining room door, flinging her arms around Lafite's neck and loudly murmuring, "I love you, I'm so in love with you!"

Edi's face turned a shade darker, while Sean and Cliff looked on in astonishment.

Lafite, patting Yang Chuxia's back, couldn't help but chuckle, "Hey! Hey! Beautiful, you've mistaken me for someone else."

Yang Chuxia, still excited, insisted, "No mistake, you are Lafite! You're the one I love!"

Edi stretched out his arms, pulling her close, and said sternly, "Chuxia, you've had too much to drink."

Nestled in Edi's embrace, Yang Chuxia just giggled, "I'm not drunk!" Then, turning to Lafite, she declared, "Lafite, I'm so in love with you!"

Lafite couldn't contain her amusement as she teased, "What do you love about me?"

"You've got so many dishes in your fridge that I adore. I cooked them all. You should ask Edi for money tomorrow, tell him to reimburse you for the food, hehe! Oh, this red wine isn't great. It should've been white wine for a better taste, but it's just not flavorful enough!" Yang Chuxia's response was off-topic.

The absurdity of her answer had everyone trying to stifle their laughter!

Edi scooped her up and carried her into the dining room.

After a long evening, hunger had set in for everyone. The aroma of the food was irresistible.

They all began to dig into the late-night meal. Yang Chuxia clung to Edi like a koala, refusing to let go.

Edi, left with no other choice, settled her onto his lap. He sipped the half glass of red wine that Sean had poured for him and teased Yang Chuxia, "Why should Lafite ask me for money?"

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Yang Chuxia giggled, "You're wealthier than me! Naturally, you should foot the bill."

Not getting the response he was looking for, Edi's lips tightened as he retorted, "You're the one who used someone else's ingredients, not me."

Yang Chuxia's eyes, wide and glistening, looked at him with a touch of sadness, "But you've devoured me completely. Shouldn't you help me out with the money?"

Cliff and the others nearly choked on their food, laughter escaping despite their attempts to muffle it.

Unfazed, Edi replied, "Just because I've 'eaten you up' doesn't mean I owe you money. Why do you think I should pay?"

Cliff and Lafite looked on with amusement as Edi playfully bantered with Yang Chuxia. Meanwhile, a hint of melancholy flickered through Sean's eyes.

Confused, Yang Chuxia questioned, "Aren't you with me because you consider me your girlfriend? Since I am your girlfriend, you should definitely cover the expenses!"

With a slight smirk, Edi teased, "Oh, so you want to be my girlfriend?"

To his surprise, Yang Chuxia countered, "It's clear you want to be my boyfriend. Why is it suddenly about me wanting to be your girlfriend?"

Cliff and Lafite erupted with laughter at her comeback.

Edi raised an eyebrow, remarking, "Looks like you're not drunk at all! Still sharp as ever! You've just become a lot bolder."

Yang Chuxia patted her chest and declared loudly, "Of course, as the saying goes, 'In wine there's courage, in wine there's...' " Suddenly, she found herself at a loss for words, tilting her head as she pondered with a troubled expression.

Edi, with a straight face, offered, "Isn't it 'In wine there's liquid courage'?"

Her eyes sparkling, Yang Chuxia exclaimed, "Wine emboldens the brave!" No sooner had she finished speaking than her head began to loll, nearly causing her to collide with the table.

Edi quickly extended his hand to protect her head, chiding her with a chuckle, "Watch out! Don't go bumping your head and getting a lump." She nuzzled against his large palm, then nestled her little face into the center of it and promptly fell into a deep slumber.