Chapter 39: Helping You Solve It

After drinking the drugged wine, Ning Nan left, pale-faced and utterly humiliated.

The waiter who had delivered the wine on Ning Nan’s behalf was fired on the spot by the boss. The mood among You Chong, Zhou Xuan, and the others was thoroughly dampened, and none of them felt like staying any longer.

They left the bar, and since it was assumed that You Chong would head back to Chengnan Community, Lin Hexi leisurely followed at the end of the group.

As expected, You Chong had a different destination from the others and hadn’t driven to the bar.

Zhou Xuan asked him, “Do you want to ride with me?”

You Chong didn’t answer immediately but instead turned to glance at Lin Hexi, who was trailing behind them. “How many empty seats do you have?”

Given that Lin Hexi had switched out You Chong’s drink earlier, Zhou Xuan’s initial dislike and disdain toward him had eased somewhat. He just shrugged slightly and said, “One.”

After thinking for a moment, You Chong said to him, “You go ahead.”

Zhou Xuan’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re going to walk with him?”

You Chong lifted his eyelids and looked at him. “Is there a problem?”

There really was a problem, and Zhou Xuan gave him a strange look.

But then, thinking it over, Zhou Xuan realized that Lin Hexi had actually helped them with the situation involving Ning Nan today. On closer inspection, there wasn’t really any major issue. He clicked his tongue lightly but ultimately decided not to say anything more and turned to retrieve his car from the roadside.

You Chong remained standing where he was, watching as Zhou Xuan and the others drove away. Only after they had left did he turn back to Lin Hexi and say, “Let’s go.”

Lin Hexi cheerfully lifted his foot and followed.

As Lin Hexi approached, You Chong’s gaze casually swept over his face and then stopped. “Why is your face so red?”

Lin Hexi was slightly taken aback, instinctively raising his hand to touch his face.

The warmth from his fingertips made Lin Hexi pause. After thinking about it, he concluded that it was likely the heat and lack of ventilation in the crowded bar that had caused his face to flush.

He was about to give a casual explanation, but when his eyes met You Chong’s probing gaze, he suddenly stopped himself. In the end, he just shook his head vaguely and said, “It’s nothing.”

As expected, You Chong didn’t press further and continued walking forward, stepping into the warm yellow circles of light cast by the street lamps.

Watching You Chong walk away, his back getting further and further from him, Lin Hexi stood still for a couple of seconds before finally moving his feet, albeit a bit delayed.

After only a few steps, he suddenly crouched down, burying his face in the crook of his arm, and in a soft, muffled voice, he called out You Chong’s name.

The sound was so faint, like a cat’s meow, that it reminded You Chong of the small stray kitten Lin Hexi had once fed.

A second later, he realized it was Lin Hexi’s voice, and he couldn’t help but stop and turn around.

Seeing Lin Hexi crouched on the ground, head bowed and unmoving, You Chong frowned and walked over, stopping in front of him. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

The person crouching on the ground remained silent for a long time.

You Chong leaned down, grabbing his elbow to help him up, but quickly noticed that Lin Hexi’s arm was limp, as if he had no strength.

Frowning even more, You Chong let go of his elbow, crouched down in front of him, and reached out to lift his bowed head.

You Chong cupped Lin Hexi’s head in his palm, revealing a face flushed deep red with unfocused eyes.

It was even more apparent now than it had been outside the bar a few minutes earlier.

You Chong lifted the back of his hand to feel Lin Hexi’s face, sensing a slight heat radiating into his skin.

It was almost like the reaction one would have after drinking spiked alcohol, but he was certain that Lin Hexi hadn’t consumed that glass of wine.

A strange, unplaceable feeling settled in You Chong’s heart as he held Lin Hexi’s face in his hands, not letting go. “Where do you feel uncomfortable?”

It seemed like You Chong’s question brought Lin Hexi back to his senses. His gaze slowly focused on You Chong’s face, and in a weak voice, he said, “It seems like the drug is taking effect.”

You Chong’s mind was clear as he looked at Lin Hexi’s face and stated with certainty, “You didn’t drink that glass of wine.”

Lin Hexi lowered his eyes, exhaling softly, his tone tinged with a hint of frustration and embarrassment. “Ning Nan applied the drug to the rim of the glass.”

You Chong’s expression turned skeptical. “And the effects are only kicking in now?”

The sound of Lin Hexi’s breathing grew more labored, and he remained silent.

You Chong narrowed his eyes and asked, “Can you still stand?”

“I can’t,” Lin Hexi’s voice became almost inaudible, but his gaze slowly drifted over You Chong’s shoulder.

You Chong asked, “You want me to carry you back?”

Lin Hexi, moving a bit sluggishly, nodded.

You Chong glanced at him and was about to stand up.

But a hand grasped the hem of his clothes, stopping him from getting up. Lin Hexi said with a low tone, “If I hadn’t helped you tonight, you would’ve been the one drugged.”

You Chong paused, lowering his gaze in thought for a moment before asking, with an ambiguous tone, “Do you really want me to carry you?”

Lin Hexi looked utterly exhausted, as if barely holding on.

You Chong raised his eyebrow slightly, then actually turned around, bending down into a half-squat in front of Lin Hexi, and said in a calm voice, “Get on.”

The one hesitating now was Lin Hexi. He hadn’t expected You Chong to agree to carry him, nor had he truly intended for You Chong to do so.

Having never been carried by anyone before, Lin Hexi inexplicably felt a bit embarrassed.

What started as a whimsical attempt to tease You Chong ended up putting him in a difficult spot. Lin Hexi touched the tip of his nose, crouching there for a long time without moving.

With his back to Lin Hexi, You Chong urged, “Hurry up.”

Lin Hexi’s hesitation only deepened.

You Chong didn’t give Lin Hexi any more time to hesitate. He turned back, grabbed Lin Hexi’s hands, and placed them on his shoulders, then reached down to hook Lin Hexi’s legs.

Lin Hexi was momentarily stunned, and instinctively tightened his grip on You Chong’s shoulders without letting go.

His legs lifted off the ground as You Chong hoisted him up, his palms supporting the base of Lin Hexi’s thighs.

A slight tickling sensation spread from where You Chong’s hands rested, causing Lin Hexi to instinctively squeeze his legs together, forgetting that he was still on You Chong’s back.

Feeling the pressure tighten around his waist, You Chong’s movements briefly paused, his tone laced with irritation as he said, “Stop moving around.”

Lin Hexi immediately stopped and stayed still.

Carrying Lin Hexi, You Chong let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief, then paused, puzzled as to why he felt that way.

Without dwelling on it, he resumed his usual tone, “Do you still feel hot?”

Lin Hexi hesitated for a second, knowing that the effects of the drug wouldn’t wear off so easily. Pressed against You Chong’s back, he mumbled, “Hot.”

You Chong’s voice remained indifferent. “Then why does it seem like your face isn’t red anymore?”

Naturally, Lin Hexi wasn’t about to admit that the heat on his face had been deliberately exaggerated. After a brief silence, he sighed deeply and said, “The heat on my face is gone, but my body still feels warm.”

“Is that so?” You Chong’s deep, calm voice sounded close to his ear. “This isn’t going to work.”

Lin Hexi was puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“Typically, the effects of this kind of drug start slow and then accelerate,” You Chong explained as he suddenly changed direction, leaving the streetlights behind and heading into a dark, deserted alley. “We should deal with it here before moving on.”

Lin Hexi froze in shock. “How do you plan to ‘deal with it’?”

You Chong set him down in the dim light at the entrance of the alley, raising his eyebrow silently. “How else? I’ll use my hand to help you.”

He leaned in, his gaze narrowing dangerously. “If you hadn’t helped me tonight, I’d be the one drugged right now.” His voice was firm, “So, since you’re uncomfortable, it’s my responsibility to help you.”

After saying that, You Chong actually pushed Lin Hexi against the wall, reaching down toward him.

Before he could react further, Lin Hexi instinctively clamped his legs together and crouched down against the wall.

You Chong’s hand paused in mid-air, and he stepped back.

Pale moonlight streamed down from above, and Lin Hexi saw You Chong standing in the moonlight, with a slight, teasing smile playing at the corners of his lips.