The manager had only left to handle some aftermath. When he returned, the situation had completely changed, and he was so shocked he nearly lost his composure: “Why did he still drink the alcohol?!”
The butler’s feelings were complicated: “The conditions… were too tempting.”
Duan Ming was confused: “What??”
The full effect of the alcohol hadn’t hit Liang Xiao yet. He sat quite composed on President Huo’s lap with his back straight, carefully balancing the glass on his head before letting out a hiccup.
…
Unable to explain on the spot, the butler pulled Duan Ming along to inform the organizers about Mr. Liang and President Huo’s early departure.
Such an incident at what should have been a pleasant cocktail party left Jiang Pingchao embarrassed. Chi Che had handled it calmly but returned backstage to berate the team responsible for screening guests until they were in tears.
Hearing from Duan Ming that they needed to leave early, Chi Che did his best to suppress his anger and prepared to personally escort them out, but the butler stopped him in time: “No need to trouble yourselves. We can leave on our own.”
Chi Che frowned deeply: “It was our fault. We’ll take full responsibility.”
“None of us expected this,” the butler said considerately. “Everyone’s attention was on Long Tao—no one anticipated this issue. Neither President Huo nor Mr. Liang intend to hold anyone accountable.”
The butler looked up and glanced subtly at Jiang Pingchao before explaining in a low voice: “It’s… simply inconvenient.”
Chi Che suddenly realized what he meant. His face heated up, and he quickly stopped himself from saying more.
The butler had made his point and didn’t elaborate further.
Chi Che had understood enough. Red-faced, he didn’t insist and instead had his team open a green channel to ensure everyone safely left the cocktail party.
—
In the car, Mr. Liang was no longer in a stable condition.
The manager had been quickly pulled into the car behind them by the swift-acting butler. Huo Lan held Liang Xiao but was almost afraid to touch him: “Sit properly, let’s go back—”
Liang Xiao tugged at his sleeve: “qaq.”
Huo Lan: “…”
Huo Lan closed his mouth, carefully picked Liang Xiao up, and gently placed him back on his lap.
Having heard about Liang Xiao’s tendency to cry when drunk, Huo Lan was worried he might become upset. He pulled Liang Xiao against his chest and gently patted his back: “I’m here.”
After searching in vain for a safety harness, Liang Xiao settled for the next best thing, wrapping his arms and legs tightly around Huo Lan. Feeling secure now, he buried his face in Huo Lan’s neck.
Huo Lan tightened his embrace and kissed Liang Xiao’s temple.
Liang Xiao’s body, not yet fully recovered, was usually cool to the touch. Now, wrapped in the warmth of alcohol, he was unusually warm. He nestled against Huo Lan’s neck in a daze, his breath flowing through the formal collar into the neck of the shirt.
Huo Lan closed his eyes, trying to calm his pheromones, and gently shook him: “Liang Xiao.”
Liang Xiao’s eyes had reddened slightly with moisture glistening in them. He raised his head and gave Huo Lan a dazed, wide smile.
“…” Huo Lan felt as if his chest had been pierced through.
Unable to bear calling him again, Huo Lan tightened his embrace, protectively cradling Liang Xiao closer.
Planning ahead, President Huo had contacted the butler and prepared an inhibitor for himself.
…
By the time they reached the villa, Mr. Liang had essentially melted into a puddle.
President Huo expended considerable effort to convince Mr. Liang that the plane had landed. He personally unbuckled Mr. Liang’s seatbelt and, reciting bilingual prompts like a flight attendant, coaxed him out of the car.
Liang Xiao asked skeptically: “Are we home?”
“We’re home,” Huo Lan said, helping him stand steady. He took off his coat and wrapped it tightly around Liang Xiao. “We’re at our front door now.”
Liang Xiao thought carefully, connecting this to the concept of President Huo’s private plane. Having completed the logic in his mind, he nodded.
Huo Lan patted his head: “Are you cold?”
Liang Xiao wasn’t cold, but he didn’t want to return the coat. He firmly clutched the thick garment, shaking his head then nodding.
Huo Lan pressed his lips together slightly and kissed Liang Xiao’s forehead.
“We’re going back to the villa.”
Huo Lan held Liang Xiao against himself and patiently explained: “This is the door, these are the steps… that is not a stone lion.”
When drunk, Liang Xiao’s safety awareness was several levels higher than usual. Huo Lan had generally adapted to this on the way back, having already lifted the gazing-into-the-distance Mr. Liang down from a sculpture.
Holding him and gently patting his back, Huo Lan opened the door with one hand: “There are many people in the villa. It’s very safe.”
The butler had returned early and had already informed everyone that President Huo and Mr. Liang would be returning.
When Huo Lan pushed open the door, not just the servants but even the bodyguards were strictly averting their eyes, crouching inside without daring to come out.
The enormous villa appeared completely empty and quiet.
Huo Lan: “…”
Liang Xiao: “!!”
Liang Xiao slowly turned around as if in a scene-by-scene shot, hanging onto Huo Lan’s arm while sluggishly trying to run outside.
Huo Lan was startled and hastily stopped him: “Liang Xiao.”
Liang Xiao, with keen perception, declared: “This isn’t what President Huo’s villa is like!”
Huo Lan also felt his villa shouldn’t be like this but didn’t know how to explain. He said softly: “Don’t go, I—”
Liang Xiao ran in place for dozens of steps, discovering he couldn’t escape through the villa’s main door. His wariness intensified: “I refuse!”
Huo Lan was taken aback: “What?”
Liang Xiao struggled several times, but being completely drunk and limp, he couldn’t break free from Huo Lan’s arms. He then started feeling his wrist.
He had removed his bracelet, and his watch had been given to Duan Ming at the cocktail party. After fumbling around, he jabbed at his wrist several times and leaned in to mumble a few words.
Seeing Liang Xiao suddenly jabbing at his own wrist, Huo Lan became concerned and used some strength to hold him in his arms: “What’s wrong?”
Liang Xiao didn’t respond. Huo Lan frowned slightly and bent down to listen carefully.
Facing his empty wrist, Liang Xiao was mumbling: “Huo Lan…”
Huo Lan suddenly understood, his heart sharply pained as he stood steady, holding his breath: “I’m here.”
“I’m here,” Huo Lan repeated, his chest feeling as if dozens of knives were stabbing and twisting inside. His voice grew hoarse as he took Liang Xiao’s wrist and pulled it close: “You haven’t been set up by anyone. This isn’t a trap. We’re home…”
It took Liang Xiao a long moment to raise his head, his somewhat unfocused gaze finally settling on Huo Lan’s face.
After a two-second delay, Liang Xiao’s eyes lit up with delighted surprise. He planted a smacking kiss on Huo Lan’s face: “Huo Lan.”
Huo Lan held him protectively, his eyes burning with emotion: “Mmm.”
Liang Xiao stared at him blankly for a few seconds before suddenly coming to a realization. He turned his attention back to himself, frantically searching his pockets.
Not knowing what Liang Xiao was looking for, Huo Lan did his best to help him stand steady: “What do you need? I can have someone bring it—”
After checking his last pocket, Liang Xiao finally found the backup inhibitor patch. Having struggled in vain to tear it open, he hastily shoved it into Huo Lan’s hand: “Quick, put it on me.”
Hearing Liang Xiao suddenly speak with remarkable clarity and fluency, Huo Lan was momentarily stunned but instinctively accepted the patch.
Liang Xiao raised his hand and abruptly covered Huo Lan’s mouth and nose, quickly lowering his voice: “Don’t breathe. Once I put this on, I’ll be fine—you need to leave right away.”
Despite being so drunk he could barely stand, Liang Xiao confirmed the location of the door and unsteadily attempted to push Huo Lan behind him.
Huo Lan felt as if his chest had been shredded by a dozen knives. A faint metallic taste rose in his throat as he forcefully pulled Liang Xiao into his arms: “I’m not leaving.”
Liang Xiao became agitated: “No!”
Unable to bear the pain any longer, Huo Lan tightened his embrace, bent down, and silenced the lecture that Mr. Liang was about to deliver with a kiss.
“I won’t leave again,” Huo Lan said hoarsely, pulling back slightly. “I’m taking you home.”
Liang Xiao had been about to scold him for being sentimental at such a critical moment. Hearing these words, he froze, his mouth open but no sound coming out.
“In the future… remember,” Huo Lan bent down and kissed his wrist. “Remember to call me. If you call, I will definitely come.”
Huo Lan gazed intently at him, his gaze falling into Liang Xiao’s still-dazed eyes: “You must call me.”
Liang Xiao touched the spot on his wrist that had been kissed. After a long moment of bewilderment, his ears turned bright red, and all his wariness suddenly vanished. He lowered his head and broke into a grin.
Huo Lan closed his eyes, concealing the burning emotion in his gaze.
He slipped an arm under Liang Xiao’s knees and lifted him, quickly carrying him upstairs.
—
Having confirmed he was with Huo Lan, Mr. Liang had relaxed so completely by the time he was carried into the bedroom that he had nearly slipped out of Huo Lan’s arms twice.
Huo Lan caught him securely and carefully placed him on the bed. As soon as he straightened up, his sleeve was tugged.
Huo Lan had only intended to get him some water. Following the tug, he returned and bent down, speaking softly: “What do you need?”
Liang Xiao looked plaintive, mumbling: “Ask for consent…”
Huo Lan paused: “What—”
Suddenly understanding, Huo Lan’s ears involuntarily heated up as he closed his hand around Liang Xiao’s.
Sitting back down, Huo Lan pulled Liang Xiao into his arms and helped him lean steady: “May I…”
At the cocktail party, he had spoken to reassure Liang Xiao that he wouldn’t take advantage of him. Now that the moment had come to actually say it, Huo Lan instinctively found it difficult to articulate.
After being stared at by Mr. Liang’s bubbling, watery eyes for a while, Huo Lan closed his eyes, pressed his lips slightly, and gently kissed Liang Xiao’s ear: “May I… undress Mr. Liang?”
Liang Xiao responded excitedly: “Yes!”
His answer was so loud, and with Huo Lan right next to his ear, it momentarily stunned him: “…”
Watching as Liang Xiao struggled with his own buttons, Huo Lan wasn’t at ease. He took Liang Xiao’s hands and moved them aside: “Let me.”
Liang Xiao obediently made way, lowering his gaze to watch as Huo Lan methodically unfastened each button of his formal suit.
Huo Lan felt behind Liang Xiao’s ear to check his temperature, still concerned: “Are you cold?”
Liang Xiao shook his head vaguely.
Huo Lan helped him remove his jacket and hung it aside. After a moment’s hesitation, he slowly began unbuttoning Liang Xiao’s shirt as well.
Having been forced to maintain proper posture for so long, Liang Xiao was extremely uncomfortable. Once freed, he eagerly rolled around on the bed several times, stretching his stiff muscles.
Huo Lan couldn’t help but smile and reached out to stroke his head.
Released from the constraints of formal attire, Mr. Liang became considerably more animated.
Just gathering Liang Xiao back to his side took significant effort, and Huo Lan had to carefully control him to prevent him from completely melting into a puddle. By the time he had properly put away the formal wear, Huo Lan’s forehead was covered with a light sheen of sweat.
Liang Xiao, flushed and overheated, lay on the bed barely moving.
Huo Lan handed the formal wear to staff members who had finally appeared, instructing them to have it cleaned. He also asked for sobering soup to be prepared. When he turned back, there was no one in the bedroom.
Huo Lan: “…”
Feeling somewhat uneasy, Huo Lan quickly walked toward the balcony before suddenly hearing sounds coming from the bathroom.
Huo Lan hurried over: “Liang Xiao?”
There was a thud from the bathroom, as if something had hit the wall.
Truly worried now, Huo Lan opened the door and immediately saw Liang Xiao banging his head against the wall. Frowning deeply, he reached out to stop him: “What’s wrong?”
Liang Xiao, who had been numbly hitting the wall, realized after several attempts that the texture felt different. Completely dejected, he looked up.
Huo Lan met his gaze, examined him carefully, and gently stroked his forehead: “Are you sober now?”
“I can be sober for a while,” Liang Xiao said, having shocked himself into temporary sobriety. Red-faced, he added: “I don’t want to live anymore…”
Hearing this, Huo Lan’s chest tightened and his expression darkened. He pulled Liang Xiao into his arms, touched the spot where he had bumped his head, and gently blew on it several times.
Liang Xiao, firmly held by the shoulders, noticed the strength in Huo Lan’s arms and felt regretful. He patted Huo Lan’s back soothingly: “I was just kidding.”
Huo Lan closed his eyes and held him as he said softly: “Let me help you wash.”
Liang Xiao was startled: “No need!”
Huo Lan: “…”
Afraid of making Liang Xiao cold, Huo Lan tried his best to suppress his pheromones and pulled back slightly.
Liang Xiao stared at the wispy steam rising above President Huo’s head: “…”
Whenever Liang Xiao got drunk, he would experience periods of temporary sobriety that varied in duration. Once this phase passed, he was likely to get into all sorts of mischief until he completely exhausted himself, collapsed, and slept until the next day.
Huo Lan’s description was so tempting that Liang Xiao couldn’t resist. In that moment of heated impulse, he had downed the alcohol in one gulp, and now he was vaguely aware that this might have been a mistake.
Once the alcohol fully took effect, if Huo Lan happened to be helping him bathe, he might actually force their President Huo to make it snow, building snowmen in the bathtub while taking a hot bath.
The vodka’s aftereffects were much stronger than beer. Liang Xiao’s head was throbbing as he struggled to find his train of thought: “I’m… afraid I’ll misbehave.”
With his head lowered, Liang Xiao confessed, his face hot and red: “I’m afraid I’ll pull you into the bathtub with me, sit on your lap, turn on the shower, and force you to hold my waist…”
Snowflakes suddenly fluttered down from above. Liang Xiao looked up in surprise, but before he could react, Huo Lan had already grabbed an inhibitor and quickly stumbled out of the bathroom.
—
(advanced chapters available on kofi)
