Chapter 707: Chapter 90: Still So Honest
"You’re such a chain smoker!" Bai Jie laughed and scolded, but she didn’t mind. Instead, just after he lit his cigarette, she snatched it from his lips, took a deep drag, and returned it to his mouth. As Li Yan looked a bit surprised, she slightly parted her red lips and blew a puff of smoke towards him.
Li Yan shook his head and laughed, "With that look, you seem like a thief blowing smoky tricks in a martial arts drama, or an enchantress in a fantasy series."
"Oh? Really? So, do you hope I’m a thief or an enchantress in your heart?"
Perhaps because of their high school classmate status, Li Yan found her actions amusing and funny, devoid of underlying intentions. He didn’t think he was some irresistible aphrodisiac that Bai Jie genuinely attempted to seduce; it seemed more like a mischievous teasing.
"Whether a thief or an enchantress, I’m neither a beauty nor a scholar, so no male thief will fancy me, nor will any female thief. I’m not like Tang Monk whom eating would confer immortality. Bai Jie, you don’t have to test me; it’s not that you’re not attractive—your charm is undeniable—but we’re classmates. Whether honest or not, I can’t mess around with you. If you’re not going to the restroom, please step out. I can’t handle it this way," Li Yan said as he gestured for her to leave, practically ushering her out, no longer just hinting.
After hearing him, Bai Jie looked down toward his lower body, then burst into laughter, swaying with amusement, "What do you need to handle? Class rep, mind the order of your words! You said it’s not because I’m not attractive, my charm is undeniable, but because we’re classmates, regardless of whether you’re honest or not, you can’t mess around, and then you said you can’t handle it this way? Haha... Are you tempted by my charm, wary of our classmate status, having the intent but lacking the courage, so you have to handle it yourself?"
Li Yan didn’t laugh any longer; rather, he felt a bit annoyed by her continued jokes despite his request, though he refrained from confronting her directly out of respect for their classmate relationship. Instead, he squinted, smoking without a word.
Seeing this, Bai Jie sensibly refrained from saying more and, while adjusting her bra over her clothes in front of the mirror, said, "Alright, I won’t tease you anymore, lest you think I want to devour you. I really need to use the restroom; you go first!" With that said, she opened the door.
"..."
Li Yan broke into a sweat and hurried out to avoid being seen by passing customers or staff sharing a restroom with a female.
Once he’d finished his cigarette outside, Bai Jie came out, and he went back in to relieve himself.
Li Yan quickly finished his business, and when he emerged, he found Bai Jie standing outside the KTV room, not going in. "What’s up? Not feeling well? Want me to take you back first?"
Bai Jie shrugged without a definite answer. Li Yan then opened the door, ready to call He Zhexia so they could all prepare to leave. Inside, the TV was playing songs, yet no one was singing; the pair previously nestled and singing were now lying on the sofa. Though nothing explicit was happening, they were passionately kissing amidst the dim lights.
Sympathetically, Li Yan glanced at Bai Jie, understanding why she hesitated to enter earlier. Apparently, she saw this scene when she opened the door, so tactfully retreated.
This left Li Yan at a loss for words, but it seemed natural given that even back in high school, He Zhexia wasn’t exactly innocent. Now, approaching his thirties with qualities women admired, it wasn’t abnormal to be a bit flirtatious. Though this was a bit much in front of classmates, Bai Jie had left immediately, leaving them undisturbed, so it wasn’t too overboard, right?
Bai Jie had evidently just peeked in upon opening the door and promptly closed it. Now that they both entered, the two involved quickly snapped to attention, sitting up to adjust their clothes. The colorful, flickering lights in the dim setting suitably concealed their embarrassment. Apart from Xiao Wei fixing her attire, bashfully averting her eyes, He Zhexia rather merely smiled and took a sip of his drink.
"Boss He, folks, looks like it’s not lively enough here; let’s call it a night since you seem raring to go," Li Yan chuckled, moving to sit by He Zhexia, while Bai Jie went over to sit beside Xiao Wei.
"Sure, in a bit I’ll take Xiao Wei home, and you help take Bai Jie back!" He Zhexia understandingly chuckled, then shouted, "Come on, come on! Let’s finish the drinks!"
During dinner, Li Yan had paid the bill, and the karaoke was on He Zhexia. Being just a few people, it didn’t cost much, and no one cared.
As they left, Bai Jie and Xiao Wei walked ahead, chatting quietly. Trailing behind, He Zhexia couldn’t help but snicker, "Class rep, you guys just stepped out for... what, just a few minutes? It was barely the time for a smoke. We haven’t even gotten started yet; don’t tell me you couldn’t last?"
Li Yan, speechless, shot him a glance; what kind of talk was this!
"They’re all classmates, don’t joke like that!"
Yet He Zhexia continued to laugh softly, "Fine, it’s no longer school days; we’re not kids. I know what to say and what not to. I know you like Qiao Huanxuan, but Bai Jie is also great. Besides, she probably just wanted a little fun with you tonight, wouldn’t impact her family or affect you two. Just enjoy the night!"
