Huayu97: Starting with Wu Song Fighting the Tiger

Shen Qing's cheeks were still burning hot, and even her ears were flushed red. She didn't dare to look Liu Xiang in the eye.

"Don't be nervous, I'll go open the door. Don't say anything out of the ordinary." Liu Xiang said to her in a low voice, her voice tinged with urgency. She then smoothed a stray hair behind her ear before turning and walking quickly toward the door. When she reached the door, she took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound calm and even. "Ms. Su, I'm here. I'll be right there."

The door opened, and Su Wanyi staggered in, wearing a dark green silk suit. The smooth, soft fabric made her skin appear even whiter. Her hair was loosely tied back, adorned with a jade hairpin, and a few stray strands fell beside her cheeks, adding a touch of languor. Her face was flushed from drinking, her eyes were somewhat hazy, and her steps were unsteady; she had to lean against the doorframe to maintain her balance.

Upon seeing Liu Xiang, he forced a smile and said in a slurred tone, "Liu Xiang, I've been looking for you for ages. Turns out you're in your room... I need to talk to you about something."

Before she could finish speaking, her gaze swept past Liu Xiang and landed on Shen Qing by the balcony. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, then she seemed to understand something and laughed out loud. With a touch of drunken awkwardness, she said softly, "Qingqing? What are you doing here? I thought you went back to your room to sleep."

When Shen Qing saw her godmother, her face turned even redder. She wished she could disappear into the ground. She stammered and couldn't speak, so she could only stand there, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the blanket. "Godmother, I... I came to chat with Brother Liu Xiang. I was feeling really bored at the banquet."

Su Wanyi didn't care about her panic and blushing. She just waved her hand and staggered over to Shen Qing.

She reached out and hugged Shen Qing tightly, resting her head gently on her shoulder, her body reeking of alcohol and even a faint scent of perfume.

Su Wanyi's tone was aggrieved and somewhat tired, "What are you talking about, my good daughter? You're so clever to know to find Liu Xiang, but you didn't come to find your godmother. I walked around the corridor several times by myself, and I felt more and more dizzy. I just wanted to find someone to talk to."

Shen Qing felt a sense of relief as Su Wanyi hugged her tightly, but also a mix of amusement and exasperation. She gently patted Su Wanyi's back and coaxed her softly, "Godmother, you've had too much to drink. Shall I help you back to your room to sleep?"

"If you're not going back, you'll sleep here." Su Wanyi shook her head, hugging her tightly and rubbing her cheek against her shoulder, acting like a spoiled child.

At this moment, Shen Qing felt somewhat helpless.

"I don't want to go back to my room. It's no fun sleeping alone. It's lively here, and Qingqing is keeping me company. I'll sleep here." As she spoke, she looked up at Liu Xiang, her eyes filled with a drunken sincerity. "Liu Xiang, I've had too much to drink today. Can I bother you for one night? I really can't walk anymore, and my head is spinning."

Liu Xiang stood aside, watching the mother and daughter embracing, and smiled awkwardly. Su Wanyi was quite drunk, her eyes were somewhat unfocused, and she was clearly beyond help. Shen Qing was also intoxicated and not very strong to begin with, so she couldn't help her back to her room at all. He stepped forward and spoke in a particularly gentle tone, without the slightest reluctance.

Liu Xiang compromised and said, "Miss Su, what are you saying? I certainly won't disturb you. You and Shen Qing can sleep in the bed. The bed in the room is big enough. I'll sleep on the sofa."

Shen Qing turned to look at him, her eyes filled with deep apology. She gently tugged at his sleeve with her fingertips. "Brother Liu Xiang, I'm so sorry. It's all my godmother's fault for drinking too much and causing you trouble."

"It's nothing, just a small favor, don't worry about it." Liu Xiang waved his hand, his tone still gentle, without the slightest impatience, and turned to start tidying up. He first went to the bedside, smoothed out the white sheets, then pulled back the blankets, patted the pillows, and arranged them neatly. He then took a clean, thin blanket from the closet in the room, walked to the sofa in the living room, and carefully spread it out.

Shen Qing helped Su Wanyi slowly to the bedside, and with great effort, finally managed to get her to lie down. As soon as Su Wanyi's eyes touched the pillow, she squinted, but still held onto Shen Qing's hand, mumbling, "Qingqing, don't go, sleep with me..."

Shen Qing had no choice but to lie down on the bed, cover her godmother with the blanket, and gently pat her back like she was comforting a child. Su Wanyi immediately turned over, hugged her arm tightly, rested her head on her shoulder, and her breathing quickly became even. She was obviously extremely sleepy, but her lips were still slightly pursed, showing a hint of fatigue that was not easily detected. She fell into a deep sleep in the blink of an eye.

Just before falling asleep, Su Wanyi didn't seem completely drunk. She mumbled bitter words in a soft voice, tinged with grievance and hardship: "Qingqing, godmother is so tired... Running this jewelry store is so difficult... It's full of interpersonal relationships and calculations, and you can't afford to make a single mistake... I'm afraid I won't be able to hold on any longer..."

Shen Qing paused, gently patting Su Wanyi's back, her eyes slightly reddening, but she didn't make a sound, only hugging her godmother tighter. She knew how difficult it was for her godmother to start a business; a woman struggling in Hong Kong's business world to support a jewelry store, the hardships she endured were probably only known to herself.

Liu Xiang tidied the sofa and walked over just in time to hear Su Wanyi's mutterings. He paused, a hint of sympathy flashing in his eyes. He tiptoed over, tucked the blankets around the two people on the bed, and made sure the blankets were secure and no air could get in before turning around and gently turning off the main light in the room, leaving only a small bedside nightlight with a soft, warm glow.

The light spills into the room, casting a gentle glow that is not glaring yet still allows people to see clearly.

He didn't look at the two people on the bed any longer, afraid of disturbing their rest. He simply tiptoed to the sofa, pulled the thin blanket over himself, and lay down. The sofa wasn't wide, much narrower than the bed, making it a bit cramped and difficult to turn over, but he didn't care about that.

The scene on the balcony replayed in his mind again and again: Shen Qing's soft body pressed against his warm chest, her faint fragrance, and the thrill of their skin touching as they embraced tightly—it was all etched into his memory. He turned to the side, his gaze falling on the slender figure on the bed. In the dim light, Shen Qing's profile was captivating, her long eyelashes gently drooping to the corners of her eyes like small fans.

The sea breeze outside the window continued to blow gently, and the cruise ship sailed smoothly on the sea. The room was quiet, with only Su Wanyi's soft snoring and Shen Qing's shallow breathing gradually intertwining to form the gentlest melody of the night.

Liu Xiang gently closed her eyes, feeling that the night was exceptionally long, while the flutter in her heart grew brighter and clearer, like the stars on the sea.

Shen Qing lay on the bed, her eyes closed but unable to fall asleep. Her cheeks were still burning, her heart was pounding, and Liu Xiang's embrace still held warmth. The muscles on his body and those unintentional touches were all rippling through her heart, growing quietly in the long night, unnoticed by anyone.