Chapter 36.2

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Qiao Ziman suddenly recalled the image of Chi Yin drunk last time. So clingy.
No way. Chi Yin still hadn’t changed her room. If Jiang Zaozao takes advantage of that, it would be a disaster!

Qiao Ziman swiftly turned to the doctor. “Can I drink alcohol in my condition?”

The doctor waved his hand dismissively. “I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Not recommending it just means there’s room for negotiation, Qiao Ziman thought to herself. “Thank you, doctor.”

She grabbed Ji Yun and took off.

Ji Yun was completely puzzled. What was going on? Just a moment ago, Qiao Ziman had been all delicate and weak when Chi Yin had tempted her to come in. Now the atmosphere had shifted so quickly! What a shock!

Qiao Ziman urged her, “What are you staring at? If we don’t hurry, my wound will heal!”

The two made their way to the outdoor barbecue area. Qiao Ziman immediately spotted Chi Yin in the middle of the crowd. Just then, Chi Yin looked over at her. Their eyes met.

Qiao Ziman suddenly slowed her pace, starting to limp. Seeing this, Chi Yin hurried over to support her.

Ji Yun was astonished, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. Wow, she’s using tactics now. Look at her rapid progress!

Chi Yin’s side was occupied by Jiang Zaozao and a vice president, so Qiao Ziman could only sit opposite them. As soon as she sat down, her colleagues began pouring her drinks.

“Qiao Jie, where have you been? We haven’t seen you all evening.”

“Have a drink!”

Qiao Ziman remembered the doctor’s advice and waved her hand. “Not today.”

Just then, Jiang Zaozao placed a skewer of grilled lamb in front of Chi Yin. The meat was sizzling with oil, coated in a layer of chili powder. Chi Yin politely nodded and accepted the skewer, placing it on her plate. “Thank you.”

Qiao Ziman abruptly grabbed the beer in front of her and clinked glasses with the colleague on her left. “Cheers!”

She downed the icy beer in one gulp and shot a fierce glare at Chi Yin. You can’t even finish these; why did you accept them? Little flower, don’t you know how to refuse?

Jiang Zaozao then handed over a skewer of chicken wings. “Sister, will you drink with me?”

Qiao Ziman poured herself another cup, downed it, and banged the glass on the table. “Cheers! Instead of drinking with that sister, you should drink with me, your real sister!”

Seeing this, the people around them began to cheer.

Qiao Ziman started to dominate the drinking game at the table. After a few rounds of drinks, the crowd began to disperse.

A tipsy Qiao Ziman was supported by Chi Yin as they made their way to the room. Once on the second floor, Qiao Ziman suddenly opened her bright eyes and exchanged a knowing glance with Ji Yun.

Ji Yun understood. Got it, let’s take her away.

In a swift motion, Ji Yun pulled Jiang Zaozao over and dragged her toward room 204.

Jiang Zaozao woke up then. “Hey, what are you doing?”

Ji Yun smirked. “Your sis didn’t drink enough. Keep drinking with me!”

Jiang Zaozao protested, “If you want to drink, just drink. Stop pulling me, hey, hey, hey!”

Ji Yun shoved Jiang Zaozao into the room. Behind her, Qiao Ziman sneakily gave Ji Yun a thumbs-up.

Ji Yun sighed. In the end, I’m the one who bears it all.

Once inside the room, Chi Yin called the front desk to order some hangover soup. Then she squatted down to check Qiao Ziman’s injured foot. “Is anything bothering you?”

After an exhausting day, Qiao Ziman was feeling a bit sleepy. She lightly tapped Chi Yin’s knee with her toe. “No. Let’s shower and go to bed.”

She got up and headed toward the bathroom. “You don’t mind if I switch rooms with Jiang Zaozao, right?”

Before Chi Yin could respond, Qiao Ziman continued, “I want to sleep with you.”

Chi Yin’s fingers, resting by her side, twitched slightly. “Okay.”

Qiao Ziman’s figure swayed slightly, her steps unsteady. Chi Yin asked with concern, “Can you bathe by yourself?”

Qiao Ziman paused, tilting her head thoughtfully. “Are you going to help me?”

“!!!” Chi Yin froze, so shocked that she couldn’t respond for a long time.

Qiao Ziman added casually, “I helped you last time. Now it’s your turn to help me—then we’re even.”

So what seemed like initiative was actually built on give and take. But it didn’t matter. As long as she was willing to come closer, even if it was slow, that was okay.

Chi Yin swallowed hard and stood up as well. “Alright.”

In the bathroom, steam swirled around them, clouding the air and clinging to the walls. Piece by piece, the clothes on the figure in front of her fell away, revealing smooth, pale skin. Chi Yin’s heart began to pound uncontrollably, unsure where her gaze should land. Calm down. Just focus.

She squatted down and carefully wrapped layers of plastic wrap around Qiao Ziman’s injured foot. Desperate to ease the tension, she searched for a topic. “I heard from Jiang Zaozao that you had something work-related to discuss with me?”

Jiang Zaozao again… Just when I had finally stopped thinking about her.

Qiao Ziman smiled faintly. “Yep,” she said smoothly, and you even kicked her out!

Chi Yin, oblivious to her inner thoughts, asked, “What is it?”

“Oh, it’s about Master White Fox,” Qiao Ziman began. “Didn’t you tell me to understand this circle? Well, I looked into it, but I didn’t quite get it, so I thought I’d ask you.”

“Go ahead, ask.”

Qiao Ziman leaned slightly closer, her tone deceptively casual. “The master gently teased the flower’s stamen, until that delicate bloom released its sweet nectar. The master lowered their head to taste it, and the flower trembled lightly. I got to Chapter 20, but I didn’t understand what it meant.”

Chi Yin: “!!!”

When she looked up, her eyes inadvertently landed on the spot Qiao Ziman had just described, and instantly, her ears turned bright red. She shot to her feet, nearly knocking over the stool. “I—I don’t know!”

Qiao Ziman’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “See? I knew you wouldn’t get it. You’re such a little innocent.”

Chi Yin pointed at herself incredulously. “Me? Innocent?”

Qiao Ziman turned around slowly, her gaze deliberately falling to Chi Yin’s lips. “Why didn’t you refuse Jiang Zaozao’s offer for BBQ?”

Her voice softened, growing almost tender. “From now on, if you don’t like something, learn to say no, okay, little innocent? What if someone takes advantage of how pure you are and tricks you?”

Before Chi Yin could respond, Qiao Ziman leaned in and kissed her. “This is your punishment.”

The urgent kiss, combined with the overwhelming visual sensation before her, left Chi Yin’s mind blank. What just happened? She was losing control. Hastily, she blurted, “I need to step out for a moment,” and rushed out the door in a panic.

Watching Chi Yin’s flustered retreat, Qiao Ziman smiled with satisfaction. So, who said I wouldn’t dare to kiss her back?

***

Author’s Note:

Curious… Chi Yin, are you really that weak?