Drunken Truths

*Gulp, gulp.* A jar of strong wine was drained by Ya Fei. Her beautiful face was extremely flushed, exceptionally delicate and moving, her cheeks so rosy they looked as if they could bleed.

"Previously, the clan leader came to find me. Guess what he said to me? He asked me how I felt about you, and I said you were very good."

Hearing these words from Ya Fei, Zhou Chen instantly felt that something was not quite right. "You... what do you mean by this?"

"He asked me if I had that kind of feeling for you. I didn't know how to answer, because your appearance in the clan presented a new choice. It is between you and Mu Zhan. Who do you think I would choose?"

As soon as her voice fell, Ya Fei shifted her body toward Zhou Chen, the distance between them so close that he could even smell the faint fragrance of wine.

Ya Fei tilted her head slightly, looking at Zhou Chen with deep affection, her beautiful eyes wide open. Her black hair clung randomly to her gorgeous face, completely releasing her allure toward men.

Yet, as Zhou Chen looked at this stunning beauty, he detected a faint trace of sorrow that ordinary people would find hard to notice.

"With the disgust you just showed toward Mu Zhan, you naturally wouldn't choose him, Ya Fei. The person you chose is me, correct?"

Ya Fei pursed her ruby-like lips, nodding with a hint of shyness.

At this moment, Zhou Chen finally knew why Ya Fei had brought out so much strong wine at once. She was intentionally getting herself drunk, using the alcohol to speak her true feelings and find the courage to open her mouth.

"Ya Fei, you are drunk."

Seeing Zhou Chen trying to pull away, the dazed Ya Fei wrapped her hands around Zhou Chen's large hand, gripping it tightly, and then pressed it against her chest. "Will you choose me?"

Feeling the rising and falling heartbeat beneath his palm, Zhou Chen's speech faltered slightly. "This kind of thing requires mutual affection. Choosing me just to escape Mu Zhan will not bring you happiness in the end. You are drunk; I can pretend I never heard today's words."

"What if I say I like you?"

Zhou Chen's body instantly stiffened. "You... you..."

"In truth, Ya Fei already liked you back in Wutan City. You are different from other men. There is a clarity in your eyes that they do not possess, and I could not help myself. So, Zhou Chen, are you willing to accept me?" At this moment, Ya Fei hugged Zhou Chen tightly, brook no argument.

"Wutan City... It seems that fellow Liu Xi was fanning the flames."

Ya Fei raised her head, looking at Zhou Chen's jaw with shyness, and licked her lips with a hint of longing. "Now, I wish something had happened between us back then."

"..."

Being hugged tightly, Zhou Chen's chest instantly felt tight, his breathing somewhat obstructed. With the beauty clinging to him, her flawless face pressed against his chest, two lines of hot, crystal-clear tears slid down.

"Zhou Chen, let Ya Fei follow you. I will be your concubine. I will give you all the glory and wealth I possess, including my body and my heart."

Zhou Chen sighed helplessly, his finger wiping away the tears from the corners of Ya Fei's eyes. He then pried her arms away and squatted down to look at her.

"Ya Fei, you are drunk. I do not know if you are speaking nonsense under the influence of alcohol or if these are your true drunken feelings. But let me tell you, a path is never given by others; a path can be forged by oneself.

Why must you act according to your clan leader's instructions? You can rely on your own strength to walk a third path that belongs to you."

"A third path?" Her long, beautiful fox eyes flashed with an unusual light. Clearly, Ya Fei was intrigued.

"If you do not want your family to control your life's happiness, then you must become strong enough—strong enough to control the family.

Nalan Yanran dared to defy her family's interests to annul the engagement with the Xiao family, and to this day, she remains perfectly safe. That is because her fist is hard enough, her cultivation talent surpasses ordinary people, and her strength is appreciated by the Yunlan Sect."

"How... how can I achieve that?"

"The Mitel Clan established itself through commerce. For you to become an elder at your age proves that your talent is not lacking.

In this world, one does not necessarily need powerful martial strength to become an expert. Many who do not win through force can still gain everyone's respect and command others just the same.

The path is beneath your feet; walk it boldly. If there is no pathfinder, then you must be the first!"

Ya Fei did not reply, staring blankly at Zhou Chen. Her powder-white hands silently clenched into fists. A seed of ambition was buried in her heart, gradually taking root and sprouting, though she knew not when it would grow into a towering tree.

The tip of her nose felt a bit sour. In an instant, a spirited emotion emerged in the depths of her eyes as she stared blankly at Zhou Chen, her heart trembling.

For a moment, neither spoke. After the heavy silence lingered for a while, Ya Fei suddenly grabbed her wine cup and drained it painfully. "Then I shall be the first!"

Zhou Chen stood up, heartily pouring a full cup of strong wine, raising it to toast Ya Fei. "Good! Then I wish you to hold your destiny in your own hands!"

Looking at Zhou Chen, Ya Fei revealed an exceptionally gentle smile. She suddenly pulled Zhou Chen toward her. For an instant, Zhou Chen was a bit dazed, staring blankly at Ya Fei.

"Ya Fei, what are you trying to do?"

Ya Fei's face was completely flushed, seemingly releasing a faint heat. "Zhou Chen, my words are serious. I like you."

As soon as her voice fell, Ya Fei reached out to hug Zhou Chen, brook no argument. Zhou Chen felt as if he had been struck by electricity. He quickly grabbed her hands, somewhat at a loss.

Zhou Chen gathered his wits and hurriedly maintained his distance from Ya Fei. "What... what are you doing?"

"Zhou Chen, you already know my feelings. I not only want to control my destiny, but I also want to capture you. Zhou Chen, you had better be prepared."

At this point, Zhou Chen was also a bit tipsy. He threw his head back and laughed aloud. "To capture me, we must see if you have the capability."

"Come, drink! Tonight, we shall not return until we are drunk. Ya Fei will accompany you."

...

The night grew deep. The two leaned on each other, their swaying figures walking down the quiet, dim street. After a long while, they finally returned to the Mitel Grand Hall, heading to the second floor, which was so silent that one could hear a pin drop.

"Ya Fei, go back. I... I am going to bathe." Zhou Chen, his face flushed red, repeatedly waved his hand at Ya Fei.

With that, Zhou Chen stepped up the stairs toward the higher floor. Watching Zhou Chen sway, Ya Fei wanted to step forward, but her stomach suddenly churned. Covering her red lips with her jade hand, she hurriedly entered her own room.

Only the sound of Zhou Chen's footsteps echoed in the empty corridor. Zhou Chen felt his head throbbing, his consciousness somewhat blurred along the way.

At the final bend of the corridor, a large room still had its lights on, with white steam constantly billowing out. The closer he got, the more Zhou Chen felt the diffusing wave of heat.

Relying on his hazy memory, Zhou Chen knew that location was an open bath. Shaking his head, Zhou Chen's swaying steps brought him to the main door, and he gently opened a crack.

As the door cracked open, the heat from the large bath constantly rose, washing over his face. He sniffed lightly, a floral scent lingering at the tip of his nose. Amidst the white steam of the large bath, a graceful figure was faintly discernible.