Once Upon A One Night Stand

Perhaps due to the consideration of Zhang Lancheng in a critical situation, Li Han wavered and gazed at Jiang Chujing with his sharp and determined eyes to figure out her real purpose. Her expression rarely changed. Even if there was some tiny change, Li Han failed to interpret it.

"Han, is that too much? I won't bother anyone. I only want to spend some time with her." She continued to plead with him. Actually, it was her tactic to dominate the conversation. He breathed heavily and said. "Okay, but not before you get better."

An outright rejection was not proper, but he couldn't say yes since Zhang Lancheng was not in good health. Therefore, he chose to delay her visit.

She had expected that he would not say yes. This answer satisfied her. "Okay, I will definitely obey the doctor not only for myself but also to see grandma as soon as possible."

He turned to leave the ward without a reply. When the door closed, he was free of the stifling depression. He had never felt so tired to face her before. Actually, he was still too young to realize that things would become totally different when responsibility became a burden.

[...]

Shu Tian had been at home to take care of her father since he came back from the hospital. He had recovered quickly thanks to Ye Lihua's meticulous care. About half a month later, he was strong enough to handle his daily life on his own.

In the fourth week, Shu Tian received a call from Fu Qingtong who had gone abroad to study secretly. Hearing the news of Shu Tian's father, Fu Qingtong rushed back right away.

It was a long journey. Shu Tian was touched and invited her home to have dinner. After that, Shu Tian intended to drive her back and then went to a bar under Fu Qingtong's request. Fu Qingtong said she missed it after a long time of absence.

Knowing that something was on Fu Qingtong's mind, Shu Tian readily agreed.

The bar, called LoriBar, was at the center of the J City, merely open to its members. All drinks were imported, about one thousand dollars per cup. So it was absolutely not a place for ordinary people to have fun.

"One of my friends is the co-founder of the bar, and he gave me a member card. Order whatever you like." Fu Qingtong knew that Shu Tian led a thirsty life and handed the card to the waiter. "Please put all the drinks on my tab."

"Yes, madam."

Shu Tian looked through the menu and ordered a non-alcoholic cocktail. She didn't want to drink too much since she needed to drive the car. Fu Qingtong grumbled about her option, "Miss, are you going to celebrate the return of your long-time-no-see friend only with this? Don't worry. I'll hire a chauffeur for you."

"But..."

"No more but. If your father goes to bed early, you can stay at my home. I live alone, so nothing to fear."

At last, Shu Tian surrendered. Fu Qingtong ordered a cocktail with high alcohol content instead and asked for a bottle. Shu Tian didn't remember the name of the liquor, but the price frightened her. Two glasses jingled. They raised their heads and drank it. Spicy but mellow in the mouth. The liquid ran down their throat and arrived at their stomachs. The aftertaste was sweet.

"You get what you pay for!" Fu Qingtong exclaimed, her eyes falling on the handsome waiter in a black and white uniform at the bar counter. "Look at those bartenders. They are either from top universities or very capable."

"Really? Graduates from top universities should be willing to be bartenders!"

"Why not?" Fu Qingtong snorted. "No one will reject the money. Besides, it is a decent job."

Shu Tian looked at her profile. The soft light from above scattered on her face and blurred her features. Fu Qingtong was shining. Shu Tian curled up the corner of her mouth, only to display some desolation. "Tong, you haven't got it over, right?"

They had never exchanged a word on the accident concerning Ji Chuanyi, but they had understood each other since they had been close friends for too long.

"Does it matter? Whichever my answer is, he never minds it and continues his happy life." Fu Qingtong looked down, picked her glass, and took a sip. "We are adults. No one should be responsible for you except yourself."

Maybe Fu Qingtong said so to comfort herself, but it did make sense.

No one had the right to force anyone else to do something. Only you yourself were responsible for yourself.

"Tong..." Shu Tian paused, afraid of hurting her.

Fu Qingtong waved her hand. "Don't bother yourself. I'm fine. If you really mean it, let's drink more."

She naturally didn't reject her request but gulped the cocktail down glass after glass. One hour later, her head became heavy.

Her phone rang in her pocket. It was from Ye Lihua. They had left home too hasty to give her a note.

Afraid that she was anxious, Shu Tian signaled to Fu Qingtong and hurried out of the bar. Turning into a quiet corner nearby, she answered, "Hello, mom."

"Tian, it's almost midnight. Where are you?"

"I am with Tong. She faces some trouble, so we have a chat together. I'll sleep at her home. Please go to bed soon."

"Why don't you both come back? You can share a bed. Better than disturb her family..."

"It's okay, mom. She lives alone now. Don't worry."

Ye Lihua looked at the clock. "Okay, take care of yourself. It's not safe outside for two girls at late night."

"Yes, I see. Good night, mom." She hung up the phone and was about to return when a few people suddenly appeared in front of her.

Shu Tian found that three boys in their twenties carried a girl who obviously was drunk and staggered.

"Is it okay here? Are you sure there's no surveillance?" A boy with yellow hair asked.

A bolder guy answered. "It's okay. I've already checked it in advance. Don't worry!"

Then two of them began to lay their hands on the girl who wore an unwilling expression and tried to push them away but failed with weak hands. Another boy kept a lookout for them.

Shu Tian looked around. Perhaps due to the alcohol, she didn't think too much about the consequence before she strode forward. "What are you doing?"

They were startled by her voice. The yellow-haired boy swore, "Fuck, where did the woman come from? I'm scared out of my wits!"

The other two boys also turned to look at her. When their eyes fell on her delicate and flawless face, the anger in their tone disappeared. They said teasingly. "Oh, a beauty!"

Someone reached out to touch her chin.

Shu Tian felt disgusted and tilted her head to one side. "Don't touch me when I'm talking to you!"

"Well, the hot-tempered is more interesting than this drunken one!" He let go of the girl in his arms and stepped close to Shu Tian. "Miss, you've drunk a lot too. How about having fun with us?" She shook his hands off and said coldly, "Don't touch me!"

"Oh!" The man smiled and threatened her. "Do you wanna die here?"

His two friends moved forward to grab her shoulder at his wink. The man grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up.

His bold gaze roamed over her until his eyes fell on her bosom, which lured him to put his hands on it to feel the softness.

Shu Tian widened her eyes and shook her body hard to free herself. However, she failed, no matter how hard she tried. She could only thwart him with words. "It's illegal!"

"No one will see it in the dark, and there is no surveillance. I'm not scared at all." The man turned a deaf ear to her words. The hands came to her bosom nearer and nearer... Suddenly, he was stopped by a huge force behind him. "How dare you touch my woman?"