Unsurprisingly, this was the first time she had seen Yi Zhuo drunk.
She couldn't find the right words to describe him—nothing that fully satisfied her, a mix of praise and criticism.
Yi Zhuo was deeply intoxicated, holding her tightly and refusing to let go no matter what. He was incredibly strong, and Chang Xuyu couldn't push him away.
"Yi Zhuo, let go of me first." Her face grew hot because there were people all around. His employees said nothing, but their eyes practically glued themselves to the couple, hiding smiles that couldn't be contained. Oh, it seemed the boss and boss's wife had a truly special relationship!
"No. If I let you go, you'll disappear," he frowned, holding her like a chick in his grasp.
He wouldn't let her go. Once he did, she would become like the stars in the sky—even if he wanted to, he wouldn't be able to see her often.
In his life, he cherished little, only her.
He had let her go once before. This time, he absolutely couldn't repeat that mistake.
Recalling certain memories, his heart ached as if pierced by countless needles.
"Xuyu, it was my fault back then. Can you not forget me?... I never imagined you'd be in that car accident. If I could, I'd take the injury for you."
The man's voice was muffled as he asked her, rubbing her hair with his large hand and stroking her cheeks with rough fingertips, messing everything up.
Chang Xuyu was somewhat dazed, too preoccupied to care about her disheveled hair.
"What?"
What kind of dreams was he having? Was he so drunk his memories got mixed up, mistaking someone from his past for her?
Did he have someone precious who was in a car accident?
Could it be his long-deceased mother?
"We never knew each other before," she said with a hint of amusement, touching his forehead. It wasn't hot.
He really was too drunk. When had she ever seen him like this?
Looking at the man before her, his handsome face bore a few wounds, like accidental strokes that completed a charcoal portrait, making everything seem more whole—a work of art, a masterpiece.
And the signature of this masterpiece was that he had been impulsive for her.
So she didn't blame him.
Chang Xuyu touched Yi Zhuo's not-so-smooth face, the green stubble on his chin, and the tenderness in his brows and eyes that he reserved only for her, visible only to her.
"Yi Zhuo, can you not care so much about me?"
Otherwise, she really wouldn't be able to let go.
But she was someone with such strong execution.
In the end, with no other choice, Chang Xuyu called her aunt.
Chang Shengnan drove over, first scanning Chang Xuyu from head to toe to confirm not a single hair was out of place before she sighed in relief.
She had come today to settle matters for the young couple. They would talk more later; there was no rush to scold anyone.
Chang Shengnan was both furious at Yi Zhuo and felt sorry for Xuyu, who had never encountered such a situation. She began to regret marrying Xuyu off to Yi Zhuo.
Before, she could protect Xuyu well. Now that she was married, why were these troubles cropping up?
...
Jian Jiayue wasn't seriously injured either, but he insisted on staying in the hospital to highlight his "victim" status.
Still, he was hurt more than Yi Zhuo.
He hadn't expected an artist to have such strength.
He thought everyone was like him—outwardly noble and virtuous.
Who would have thought that after he threw just one punch, not very hard, Yi Zhuo went berserk, shed his jacket, and charged at him? If the police hadn't been called in time, he might have lost his life at Yi Zhuo's hands.
It was utterly crude. No wonder he couldn't get along with Xuyu. How could she ever accept someone with such violent tendencies?
At first, he couldn't understand how a painter could have such brute force.
But he forgot: Yi Zhuo studied sculpture.
The "manual laborer" of the art world—capable of carrying clay and striking stone.
Chang Shengnan came to talk to him. After learning the whole story, she coldly slapped a document in front of him, saying she had ways to ruin his reputation in this circle.
Yi Zhuo was still drunk, so Chang Xuyu first sent him home to rest, then went to the hospital to find her aunt.
The night wind was bone-chilling. She put on an extra coat and, at the last minute, detoured home to grab one for her aunt.
At the hospital, Chang Shengnan was still negotiating with Jian Jiayue.
"Aren't you good at threatening people with their careers and connections? Then I'll make myself clear today: I'll see it through," Chang Shengnan squinted at him, her words icy.
In her youth, she was looked down upon for lacking money and connections. Now, if anyone bullied her niece, she would repay in kind.
"Whether to settle this quietly or ruin your own future, Teacher Jian, think it over."
Jian Jiayue glared at her sinisterly, grinding his molars. But the pain from his cheek wound made him grimace. Frustrated and irritated, his anger fully ignited.
"Fine, then let's destroy each other."
He regretted not investigating Chang Xuyu's background thoroughly enough—he hadn't discovered she had such a supporter.