Chapter 131: I like you... I like you very much.

"Since Chengyi is here, let’s go and get something to eat," Luo Hongtao said, setting aside his work.

"It’s alright, Dad. Please finish what you’re doing; we’re in no hurry," Song Chengyi replied, feeling truly apologetic. He didn't want to be the reason someone else’s work was delayed.

"Exactly, exactly! You keep busy, Dad. I’ll take Song Chengyi for a walk around," she said. Without waiting for Luo Hongtao to respond, she dragged Song Chengyi out of the office.

Luo Hongtao could only sigh helplessly and sit back down.

Once outside the office, the two didn't really have anywhere to wander, as Luo Xia was not at all familiar with the building. When Secretary Li stepped out, she happened to run into them standing in the hallway.

Luo Xia asked if the person had been sent back to school, and Song Chengyi nodded in confirmation.

"Xiaxia, why are you out here?" Secretary Li asked as she approached.

"My parents are working, so I came out," Luo Xia replied, noticing Secretary Li casting a curious glance at the man beside her.

"Ah, I forgot to introduce you. This is Song Chengyi." Luo Xia kept the introduction brief.

"Did you get yourself a boyfriend, Xiaxia?" Secretary Li asked with a knowing smile.

"Um... haha," Luo Xia chuckled, effectively acknowledging it.

"Youth is a wonderful thing," Secretary Li sighed. She glanced at the pair once more before heading off to attend to her own business.

Before long, it was time to clock out, and the streetlights outside had already flickered to life. Song Chengyi started the car and drove them away. Sitting in the passenger seat, Luo Xia turned to look at her parents.

"Where are we going to eat?"

"You two choose," Yu Wenjing replied.

They ended up at a nearby restaurant and were shown into a private room. For a moment, the atmosphere in the room felt slightly awkward. Even Luo Xia didn't quite know how to break the silence.

When the food arrived, Luo Hongtao actually ordered some alcohol. Seeing him pour a drink for Song Chengyi, Luo Xia felt uneasy.

"Dad, he doesn't drink."

To her surprise, her father, who was usually gentle and soft-spoken with her, snapped, "How can a man not drink?"

Luo Xia wanted to protest, but Song Chengyi stopped her. He picked up the glass and downed it in one go. Only then did Luo Hongtao’s stern expression soften slightly.

The entire meal was nerve-wracking for Luo Xia. Even though Yu Wenjing tried to intervene several times, Luo Hongtao kept pouring drinks for Song Chengyi. Eventually, even Song Chengyi reached his limit.

Luo Hongtao, feeling the effects of the alcohol himself, slurred, "Kid, your tolerance isn't very good, is it? Come on, keep drinking."

"Stop it! Look at what you've done to Chengyi. That’s enough!" Yu Wenjing had reached her limit. "Xiaxia, help him to the car." She went to support Luo Hongtao, but he dodged her. "I don't need your help, I'm not drunk!"

Yu Wenjing grumbled as she guided him out. Song Chengyi had clearly had too much, but he remained conscious. When Luo Xia helped him, he made sure not to lean his full weight on her. Luo Xia paid the bill and helped him into the car. In the end, it was Yu Wenjing who drove them back.

Upon arriving at the Song residence, they honked the horn a few times, and the family came out to greet them. Song Zeming ran over, and together with Luo Xia, they helped him upstairs.

Yu Wenjing apologized, saying, "Chengyi and old Luo both drank too much, so I'll be taking him home now."

Zhou Yun replied, "Of course, of course. You go ahead."

By then, Song Chengyi was sleeping soundly. Yu Wenjing handed a cup of honey water to Luo Xia. "It’s fine. Let him drink some honey water, and he’ll be better after a night’s sleep."

Luo Xia nodded, and everyone dispersed. Looking at the peacefully sleeping Song Chengyi, Luo Xia sighed. He wasn't a drinker to begin with, and her father had forced so much on him. She carried the honey water to his side and helped him take a few sips.

Suddenly, Song Chengyi’s eyes snapped open. He rushed to the bathroom, and the sound of retching followed. Luo Xia brought water for him to rinse his mouth. It took a long time for him to recover, his face deathly pale. Having been drunk herself, she knew exactly how awful he must be feeling.

Song Chengyi walked back to the bedroom weakly and sat on the floor by the bed, leaning his back against it and tilting his head up. Luo Xia crouched beside him, her heart aching. "Do you still feel sick?"

He sat on the floor, one arm draped lazily to the side, the other resting on his knee. Hearing her voice, he looked up at her and shook his head. "I don't feel sick anymore."

Luo Xia felt a pang of heartache, her eyes turning red.

"Be good, go pour me a glass of water," Song Chengyi said with a smile. Watching her run off to fetch the water, he felt his gaze grow deeper. He took the water and finished it in two gulps.

"Do you want to take a shower or go to sleep? Maybe you should just sleep," Luo Xia said, trying to help him up.

Song Chengyi stared at her quietly. Luo Xia noticed his cheeks seemed slightly flushed. She reached out to touch them, but he suddenly grabbed her hand. She looked at him in confusion, sensing that his eyes were different than usual.

"Xiaxia... why are you so disobedient?" Song Chengyi’s voice was slightly hoarse.

"I... what did I do?" Caught off guard by his sudden question, Luo Xia was at a loss.

"You shouldn't look at me like that." Looking at her, as if he could no longer hold back, he placed a hand on the back of her neck and leaned in to kiss her.

When the kiss ended, Luo Xia’s face was glowing red.

"Xiaxia, Xiaxia," Song Chengyi called her name, over and over.

"Hmm?" she responded.

"I like you... I like you so much, what should I do?" Song Chengyi rested his forehead against hers.

For a moment, Luo Xia felt as if she had tinnitus. Everything around her fell silent; the only sound left was the echo of Song Chengyi’s words: "I like you."

Song Chengyi liked her. He finally liked her... was it real?

Luo Xia had been waiting for this day, waiting for the day he would fall for her. She had felt subtle changes in his behavior toward her, and she had imagined this outcome countless times. Yet, she dared not believe it. She was afraid it was all a fleeting dream, and that when she woke up, it would all be gone.

"Song... Song Chengyi... are you drunk?" Luo Xia asked, looking at him suspiciously.

Song Chengyi smiled at her. "Yes, drunk. Seeing you... makes me drunk."

Luo Xia was disappointed, instantly realizing that he was just intoxicated. Song Chengyi would never say such things to her otherwise. Suddenly, her mind sharpened. She silently opened her phone.

"Song Chengyi, who did you say you liked just now?"

Song Chengyi blinked, looking completely innocent. That only confirmed to Luo Xia that he was definitely drunk.

"I like you," Song Chengyi said, staring straight at her.

Hearing that, Luo Xia immediately beamed. It didn't matter; even if he was just drunk, she was happy as long as he was indulging her.

"Song Chengyi... we’re already married, why do you always call me by my name?" Luo Xia asked, feigning anger.

Song Chengyi looked at her, confused.

"Call me 'Wife'... please, just once," Luo Xia said, watching him, feeling very nervous.

Song Chengyi continued to stare at her, his brows slightly knit. Luo Xia was afraid that he might have sobered up and would ignore her now, as she felt a bit like a thief caught in the act.

"Wife," Song Chengyi said, breaking into a broad grin.

Luo Xia felt like she was going to cry; this was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

"Husband, I’m so touched," she said shamelessly, cupping his face and planting a kiss on his lips.

Song Chengyi seemed delighted. "I want more."

"Want what?" Luo Xia asked, caught off guard.

"Want a kiss," he said, like a child asking for candy.

Luo Xia was, of course, more than happy to oblige.

In the middle of the night, while the person beside her was sound asleep, Luo Xia stealthily reached for her phone. She put on her headphones, retreated to the bathroom, and listened over and over again to the recording of her coaxing Song Chengyi into saying he liked her and calling her "wife."

Sitting on the toilet lid, she giggled like a fool, completely losing her composure. This was something that would keep Luo Xia happy for a lifetime.

At dawn, Song Chengyi opened his eyes and rubbed his temples. His head was pounding; he remembered getting drunk the night before. Fragments of memory surfaced—drinking with Luo Hongtao, getting drunk, coming home, and then everything went blank.

He turned his head and saw Luo Xia sleeping soundly beside him. He gently lifted her head to pull his numb arm out from under her. Luo Xia stirred uncomfortably, burrowed into his embrace, and mumbled, "Husband." She even smacked her lips a few times.

Song Chengyi frowned at her. Was she having another "sweet dream"? As he thought this, Luo Xia in his arms giggled foolishly, right on cue. Song Chengyi felt three black lines of frustration appear on his forehead.

He had meant to get up, but perhaps due to the lingering effects of the alcohol, he hugged Luo Xia and closed his eyes again.

"Song Chengyi, wake up!"

When he opened his eyes again, Luo Xia was standing by the bed with a sycophantic smile.

Song Chengyi rubbed his eyes and sat up. "What time is it?"

"It’s past ten. Get up and have some porridge; I’ve kept it warm for you," Luo Xia said, still beaming.

Song Chengyi felt like something was off. "Did you take the wrong medicine? Your smile is so ugly," he teased.

Luo Xia’s smile faltered, but she didn't give up and immediately put it back on. "Get up and eat something, okay? I’ll wait for you downstairs."

Seeing her smile made Song Chengyi shiver. He shook his head and walked to the bathroom to wash up. When he went downstairs, he found Luo Xia sitting at the table.

The moment she saw him, she beamed and hurried over. "Drink it quickly, your stomach will feel better afterward."

Song Chengyi drank it in silence. Zhou Yun, who had been watering the flowers outside, came back in with an empty watering can and asked with concern, "Is the hangover gone? Do you still feel unwell?"

Song Chengyi shook his head. "Much better."