The Only Choice - 40

In the end, Guan Yuanbai drank six more glasses because of the three rounds Zhou Fanfan lost.

Now she was hesitant to keep playing, afraid that if she lost again, Song Li would dream up some new way to torment them.

"Maybe I should stop... My luck is just terrible..."

Guan Yuanbai didn't quite catch it and leaned closer to her side. "Hmm? What did you say?"

He was closer now. There was still a respectable distance, but Zhou Fanfan felt his breath might as well be right beside her ear.

She flinched slightly and turned her head, meeting his gaze.

The emotion in his eyes felt like a warm fire—not scalding, but slowly simmering, heating something up.

She quickly averted her eyes, her heart giving a strange, unsteady thump.

She had a vague feeling... his gaze was a little off, but she couldn't pinpoint exactly how.

Was it the alcohol?

"Why'd you stop?"

"Nothing... I just think if I keep playing, I'll keep losing."

Guan Yuanbai chuckled softly. "It's fine. I'll drink if you lose."

"Yeah, his alcohol tolerance is pretty good," Guan Xi chimed in with a laugh. "Fanfan, don't worry about him."

Amid the crowd's encouragement, Zhou Fanfan had no choice but to play a few more rounds.

Perhaps she was getting the hang of it; this time she didn't lose constantly. In one round, she even won with a multiplier, costing Song Li and Qi Chengyan a pile of chips. If converted to drinks, that would be at least five glasses each.

"Tch, how come we're the only ones getting caught in the trap this round? How is Guan Xi unscathed? Fanfan, are you just going easy on her?" Song Li complained.

Zhou Fanfan, energized by her win, retorted, "I am not! You two were just playing poorly this round."

"..."

Guan Yuanbai couldn't help but laugh, his eyes brimming with unmistakable pride.

Song Li found it sickeningly sweet and turned his aim on Guan Xi. "Then, maybe someone was peeking at my cards?"

Guan Xi glared at him. "Who are you accusing? My darling here has more class than that."

Jiang Suizhou, sitting beside her, curled his lips into a faint smile and took a sip of water. "Just take the loss. You talk too much."

"Exactly!" Guan Xi said, leaning against Jiang Suizhou. He understood and fed her a sip of water.

Their tacit understanding was seamless; they understood each other without a single word being exchanged.

Zhou Fanfan watched them with a curious glance, but everyone else seemed completely immune to the couple's affectionate display, taking it entirely in stride.

Zhou Fanfan played two more rounds before getting up to let someone else take her spot.

Guan Yuanbai stood up with her, and they both went to sit on a sofa outside the main gaming area.

The movie had ended. Someone had picked up a microphone to sing, while others were playing dice games nearby.

"Are you drunk?" Zhou Fanfan asked, looking at Guan Yuanbai with concern. After all, he'd drunk all those glasses because of her losses.

The alcohol tonight was quite strong. Guan Yuanbai admitted honestly, "A little."

Zhou Fanfan eyed him skeptically. "Just a little?"

Leaning back against the sofa, he gave her a faint, lazy smile. "Do you think I'm completely wasted?"

"You look... not great."

He pressed his fingers to his temples. "Still lucid. Don't worry."

She wasn't entirely convinced because he'd seemed a bit unsteady on his feet when they walked out. Probably feeling the effects now.

But since no one else was leaving yet, she didn't ask if he wanted to go home.

They sat for about ten more minutes before Guan Xi and Jiang Suizhou emerged from the inner room.

It seemed Guan Xi had won; she was chattering excitedly to Jiang Suizhou, who listened with a calm expression, clearly giving her his full attention.

"I just won a project from Song Li for you! How are you going to thank me?"

As they got closer, their conversation became clear.

Jiang Suizhou had his arm around her shoulders. "How would you like me to thank you?"

Guan Xi: "I'll have to think about it carefully. Ordinary things won't impress me."

"Just material things? I thought you might want some sort of promise from me."

Guan Xi gave him a look of mock disdain. "Who wants your empty promises? I want something tangible, something you can get for me right away."

A hint of a smile touched Jiang Suizhou's eyes. "Fine. Anything you want. But when have I ever given you an empty promise?"

"Only because I'm smart enough to call you out on them every time!"

After delivering this proud retort, Guan Xi noticed Zhou Fanfan watching them and waved. "Fanfan, we're heading out first. See you next time."

Zhou Fanfan nodded. "Okay, next time."

Guan Xi glanced at her brother beside Zhou Fanfan, a sly glint in her beautiful eyes. "My brother usually holds his liquor well, but the stuff tonight is pretty strong, and it has a real kick. Fanfan, I'm afraid you'll have to see him home."

Zhou Fanfan quickly agreed. "I will. Don't worry."

Guan Xi: "Great. We're off now. Bye."

"Bye."

"Watching them that intently?"

Zhou Fanfan had been watching the couple leave when the man leaning beside her sat up a little straighter and asked lazily.

She turned back. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah..."

Zhou Fanfan said, "I wasn't staring, I was just curious. I remember they've been together for a long time, but they still seem really good together."

"It has been a long time."

"Are they married?"

Guan Yuanbai said, "They will be soon."

"Oh... that's nice." Zhou Fanfan added, slightly embarrassed, "Because of Xiao Wu, I used to follow Guan Xi's news a bit. I've seen some little gossip about them online; it seemed quite interesting."

"What's interesting?"

"Their relationship seems interesting."

Guan Yuanbai said slowly, "That's rare. I didn't know you found the idea of romance interesting."

Zhou Fanfan grinned. "Well, watching other people be in love can be pretty fun sometimes."

The song ended, and the girl who had been singing went to select another one.

Zhou Fanfan didn't know her, but she thought the girl sang well. She'd enjoyed listening to the last three songs.

But given Guan Yuanbai's current state, it was time to stop enjoying the music.

"Let me take you home," Zhou Fanfan said.

Guan Yuanbai: "You're really sending me back?"

"You're drunk. Of course I am." Zhou Fanfan said, "Should we go in and tell them we're leaving?"

Guan Yuanbai: "It's fine. I'll send a message later."

"Okay."

Zhou Fanfan stood up, looked him over, and tentatively held out a hand. "Should I... help you?"

Guan Yuanbai was indeed feeling dizzy, but he wasn't at the point of being unable to stand. However, looking at Zhou Fanfan's outstretched hand, he paused, then didn't refuse.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it... Oof!" No sooner had the words left her mouth than Guan Yuanbai slung an arm over her shoulders. It was just one arm, but it felt like a ton of weight! She was firmly anchored under his weight.

Guan Yuanbai leaned against her, a smile playing on his lips where she couldn't see it. "Let's go."

"Okay..."

He was practically pouring himself onto her.

With his arm around her like that, it felt as if she was completely nestled against his chest. The fabric of his clothes brushed against her ear and cheek, carrying the warmth of his skin.

Her face started burning again. This position made her incredibly self-conscious...

But she'd promised to see him home. She couldn't just drop him now. Gritting her teeth, she guided him towards where the car was parked.

Some ten minutes later, she finally managed to get him into the passenger seat.

For the entire drive, Zhou Fanfan worried he might feel sick or uncomfortable, but he remained quiet. When she occasionally glanced over, he was just leaning back lazily, his eyes showing only a hint of intoxication.

Good, he's a well-behaved drunk.

Zhou Fanfan breathed a sigh of relief. Half an hour later, she pulled up at his house.

"We're here. Let's get out." Zhou Fanfan walked around to the passenger side.

"Help me again?" His voice was a little hoarse from disuse.

Understanding, Zhou Fanfan quickly reached out to help him, and once again, he leaned heavily against her.

This time, Zhou Fanfan was prepared. She summoned all her strength and managed to get him inside and onto the living room sofa.

"Wait here a moment. I'll get you some water."

Guan Yuanbai: "Mhm."

Zhou Fanfan went to the dining table, poured a glass of water, and brought it to him. He reached out to take it, his fingers accidentally brushing against hers as he grasped the glass.

His warm fingertips seemed to carry a static charge. Zhou Fanfan flinched slightly and pulled her hand back.

Guan Yuanbai, however, didn't seem to notice. He tilted his head back to drink, his Adam's apple bobbing, the lines of his neck smooth.

Zhou Fanfan averted her gaze, speaking awkwardly. "Do you want more...?"

Guan Yuanbai set the glass down and shook his head.

Zhou Fanfan: "It's a good thing we stopped playing. If I'd lost a few more rounds, you'd be completely passed out by now."

"It's fine. I'm just a bit dizzy."

"You should get some rest early."

"Mhm. But I'll need you to help me to my room. Is that okay?"

Getting to his room required going upstairs. Worried he might fall, Zhou Fanfan quickly agreed. "Of course."

Familiar with the drill by now, she took his arm and draped it over her shoulders. "Let's go."

"Okay."

They headed upstairs together. On the stairs, afraid he might lose his balance and fall backward, Zhou Fanfan placed her left hand firmly against the small of his back.

When he genuinely seemed unsteady, she gritted her teeth and wrapped her arm fully around his waist.

He had left his jacket in the car and was only wearing a white dress shirt, the tails tucked into his trousers, outlining a lean, firm waist.

Zhou Fanfan hadn't been thinking much of it initially, but the moment her hand made contact, the sensation was real, warm, and solid, she couldn't help but sneak a glance.

"Where are you touching?"

She swore she had only taken a quick peek, but Guan Yuanbai caught her. She looked up in a fluster, meeting his intoxicated, teasing gaze.

Zhou Fanfan was instantly mortified. "I-I'm not touching anything! I wasn't!"

"Not blaming you. Why are you panicking?" Guan Yuanbai lowered his head, squinting slightly as he looked at her ears. "You're blushing, too."

Zhou Fanfan immediately let go of his waist. "I'm not panicking, and I'm not blushing! Let's go, hurry up."

Her face flushed crimson, she practically dragged him the rest of the way up.

Guan Yuanbai chuckled softly, his head spinning even more. He wasn't sure if it was the alcohol from tonight or the person in his arms. Everything felt swaying and unreal.

Zhou Fanfan had never been upstairs before and didn't know which room was his. Once upstairs, she had to stop. "Which one...?"

"Straight ahead, the one on the right."

"Okay."

Zhou Fanfan led him forward and opened the door.

The motion-activated bedroom light turned on. Zhou Fanfan felt too shy to look around his room. Spotting a large bed not far away, she guided him toward it.

"L-Lie down."

Once by the bed, she helped him settle onto it.

But Guan Yuanbai fell back as if his strings had been cut. Zhou Fanfan's hands were still on him, and with a slight pull, she stumbled forward onto the bed.

"Ah—!"

With a soft thud, Guan Yuanbai landed flat on his back on the mattress.

Zhou Fanfan, in the nick of time, braced her hands on either side of him, preventing herself from crashing directly on top of him.

She let out a sigh of relief. "That was close..."

Muttering to herself, she tried to push herself up. But the moment she sat up, a hand closed around her wrist.

She looked over. It was Guan Yuanbai holding her wrist. His breath carried a faint hint of alcohol as he simply looked at her.

The main lights in the room were off, only the soft, dim, sleep-friendly glow from the side lamps casting hazy shadows. Yet, the way he looked at her was startlingly bright.

For some reason, Zhou Fanfan's heart began to flutter nervously. She swallowed and asked in a low voice, "Are you... feeling unwell somewhere?"

"No."

"Then you..."

Guan Yuanbai: "Are you leaving?"

She paused. "Yes, I was going to head home now."

"It's late," Guan Yuanbai said. "You could stay here."

Her fingers curled slightly. "Huh?"

Guan Yuanbai said softly, "I mean, the room next door is available. If you're tired, you can rest here first."

She pressed her lips together. "I... I'll be fine. It's not a long drive back..."

However, after she said this, Guan Yuanbai still didn't let go of her wrist.

Zhou Fanfan looked down at where he held her, then back into his eyes. "What... what are you doing?"

Guan Yuanbai's eyelids felt heavy, his mind unexpectedly chaotic.

Guan Xi was right; this alcohol had a delayed effect, especially now, with Zhou Fanfan right beside him. The alcohol seemed to be hitting its peak.

He suddenly, really, didn't want her to leave.

"Don't feel like letting go. What then?" He sighed, a hint of reckless abandon in his despondent tone.

Zhou Fanfan was completely stunned. "What...?"

Guan Yuanbai slowly sat up on the bed, bringing his gaze level with hers.

Originally, he had planned to take it slow, like warming a frog in water.

But it was too agonizing.

He suddenly didn't want to warm it slowly anymore. He wanted to add a roaring fire and bring it to a boil immediately.

He felt his feelings could no longer be hidden. More than that, he didn't want to hide them anymore.

"Zhou Fanfan, didn't you say today... that watching other people fall in love seems pretty fun?"

Zhou Fanfan was utterly bewildered, not understanding what he meant, and just stared at him blankly.

Guan Yuanbai's voice was gentle. "Actually, I think... experiencing it for myself probably wouldn't be boring either... Would you like to try it with me?”

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