Chapter Seventy-Six: That Young Lady Seems a Good Match for You

Wen Yichen's voice still carried a hint of hoarseness, his breath warm as it grazed Jiang Muwen's neck, causing a shiver to run through her. After he spoke, the arm wrapped around her tightened just a little more.

“But…” Jiang Muwen, her back turned to Wen Yichen, felt her cheeks growing warm.

“It’s so dark outside…” Before Jiang Muwen could finish, Wen Yichen interrupted her, “You’re afraid of the dark. You can’t go home alone…”

He must have been truly drunk, even his words sounding a bit slurred. His breath, warm and heady with the scent of alcohol, brushed against her neck; he seemed so close that Jiang Muwen thought he might press his lips to her skin at any moment.

The next second, his hand began to move restlessly. Sensing Wen Yichen’s fidgeting, Jiang Muwen’s body tensed instinctively. She raised her hand, ready to stop him—his fingers were tugging at her coat.

“Wen Yichen…” Jiang Muwen’s heart raced. Could he possibly…

“You’ll catch a cold if you sleep with your coat on…” His voice, soft and childish, drifted into her ear, leaving Jiang Muwen both exasperated and amused.

In truth, he liked her very much; even when he was drunk, she was all he thought about. Yet, she had never seemed to notice his feelings, or perhaps she had always mistaken them for the natural affection between childhood friends.

“Then take off your own coat…” Wen Yichen murmured, releasing her so she could remove it herself.

As soon as Jiang Muwen shrugged off her coat, she felt a strong arm snake around her waist. He pulled her back into his embrace.

The faint scent of alcohol lingered in the air, invading Jiang Muwen’s senses. He said nothing; the silence was broken only by the powerful thudding of her own heart, as if it might leap from her chest.

Jiang Muwen took a deep breath, telling herself over and over that it was nothing—this wasn’t the first time they’d slept together. When they were children, they used to nap on the same bed, even sleep together at night.

Tonight, she told herself, would be just like back then—two children sharing a bed, nothing more.

With that thought, Jiang Muwen closed her eyes. The night stretched endlessly on; listening to the steady, even rhythm of his breath behind her, she found herself unable to sleep.

Wen Yichen’s embrace was a bit too tight for comfort. She shifted slightly, trying to find a better position, but his grip only tightened, as if he feared letting go would cause her to slip away.

She didn’t know how much time had passed before she finally drifted off…

Wen Yichen slept in a haze all night. The first rays of morning sunlight slipped lazily through the curtains, but the two in the bedroom slept on, oblivious.

A sudden dull thud roused Wen Yichen from his dreams, followed by a jolt of pain—he had rolled off the bed and hit the floor.

He had no idea how he’d managed to end up like this, tumbling from the bed in his sleep.

Startled awake, a throbbing ache bloomed in his head, no doubt the price of too much drink the night before.

He instinctively rubbed his head, then got up off the floor. About to climb back into bed for a bit more sleep, he stopped short in surprise—Jiang Muwen was still there, fast asleep.

He felt a rush of heat to his face as he looked at her, unable to tear his gaze away, staring until he was lost in thought.

Wen Yichen tried to piece together his memories, but eventually gave up—he couldn’t remember a thing. All he recalled was being drunk, clinging to Jiang Muwen, grinning like a fool. Nothing else…

He wasn't even sure if he’d said anything odd to her, or done anything strange. But seeing that she was still fully dressed, he breathed a sigh of relief—at least he hadn’t done anything too out of line.

Watching Jiang Muwen sleep so soundly, Wen Yichen didn’t have the heart to wake her. He’d been so drunk the night before, she’d probably had a tough time looking after him.

With that thought, he quietly adjusted her blanket with a gentle hand, slipped on his slippers, and left the bedroom without a sound.

It was already past eight. Perfect—he could go downstairs to buy breakfast, and by the time he returned, Jiang Muwen would probably be awake.

The early spring breeze carried a hint of warmth, brushing softly against his cheeks, lifting the fringe from the young man’s forehead.

Soon, he found himself at his usual breakfast stall. The pancake vendor recognized him at once, breaking into a smile that deepened the lines at the corners of his eyes. “Here for breakfast?”

Wen Yichen tucked his hands into his pockets and nodded.

“The usual?” The vendor cracked an egg with practiced ease.

“Yes, and another one—just like mine, but no cilantro, no scallions, extra sweet chili sauce.”

That was Jiang Muwen’s preference. Wen Yichen ordered it as smoothly as if ordering for himself. He couldn’t even remember when he’d started memorizing her favorite toppings so well.

He was a regular at this stand, and the vendor knew his typical order by heart. But this combination was a first.

As he worked, the vendor chatted idly, “Not bringing one for your mom today?”

“She’s on a business trip,” Wen Yichen replied, watching the pancake sizzle as the breeze ruffled his hair and made his head ache a little.

“Then who’s this one for?” the vendor asked casually, then after a pause, a knowing smile crept onto his face. “Ah… for your girlfriend, is it?”

At that, Wen Yichen’s cheeks flushed, his heart gave a heavy thump, and a soft, shy smile appeared on his clean-cut face. “Mm.”

With that admission, the vendor looked up, amusement and a hint of surprise in his eyes—who would have thought that this quiet, unassuming youngster actually had a girlfriend?

Fishing through his memories, the vendor asked with a grin, “Is it that little girl who always walks with you?”

He meant Jiang Muwen, of course. The two of them always went to and from school together, and their families often dined out together as well. The vendor had seen them often enough to recognize them.

Hearing this, Wen Yichen’s ears burned, and he replied with a gentle “Mm.”

Seeing the boy’s shyness, the vendor smiled warmly. “That’s great, really… She seems a perfect match for you.”