Reborn in the 80s: Everyone Falls For Me
Chapter 408 - 407: (2 more updates)

Chapter 408: Chapter 407: (2 more updates)

Jin Ruiyang blinked, "..."

The person she was describing was him, yet it wasn’t.

It was just the façade he was accustomed to wearing.

The inexplicable joy that had risen in his heart vanished in an instant.

The smile on Jin Ruiyang’s face was somewhat strained.

The sudden sense of loss made him feel hollow inside, and it felt very wrong.

Xu Sisi didn’t notice Jin Ruiyang’s emotional shift and continued to praise him.

"Oh right, Brother Ruiyang, you look really good with glasses."

Jin Ruiyang squinted at her as the little girl cupped her face with her hands, making a cute and simple expression.

Jin Ruiyang’s irritation grew stronger suddenly.

But he was very good at hiding his emotions; no matter how irritable he felt inside, he didn’t show it on his face, still looking as gentle as jade.

Keeping his voice as low as possible, Jin Ruiyang said softly, "Xiao Sisi, it’s getting late. I’m heading back."

"Ah, are you going back so soon?" Xu Sisi was a bit reluctant, but still wore a brilliant smile, "Then Brother Ruiyang, take care on your way."

"Mm," Jin Ruiyang replied hastily, ready to leave.

Unbeknownst to Jin Ruiyang, from the moment he had entered the inner hall, Zuo Qing’s gaze had been fixed on him.

All the interactions between him and Xu Sisi were captured in her eyes.

Like poison, they stung her heart and eyes.

She had already turned to leave the banquet hall and headed out into the courtyard.

And grabbed a few bottles of alcohol on the way.

She remembered Xu Niannian once said that alcohol could temporarily make one forget troubles.

That night, she didn’t want to be troubled anymore and just wanted to sleep well.

When Jin Ruiyang stepped out, what he saw was Zuo Qing drunk out of her senses in the courtyard.

Qingqing?

Seeing the pile of wine bottles on the table, Jin Ruiyang frowned and walked over.

As he drew near, he was hit with a strong smell of alcohol.

Sseeing Zuo Qing had drunk so much, Jin Ruiyang grew concerned and went over to support her, "Why did you drink so much?"

Hearing Jin Ruiyang’s voice all of a sudden, Zuo Qing looked at him with an affectionate gaze, "Ruiyang..."

She tried to stand up shakily, unable to control her body due to the alcohol, and wobbled.

Seeing her nearly fall over, Jin Ruiyang quickly steadied her, and Zuo Qing leaned against him.

Is this a dream? If it is a dream, Zuo Qing would rather live in it forever and never wake up.

"I’ll take you back," he said.

Jin Ruiyang saw that Zuo Qing was quite drunk and knew that anything he said at this point would be superfluous.

Seeing her struggle to walk, Jin Ruiyang simply picked her up and headed towards her room.

Zuo Qing was drunk, yet not drunk.

In her hazy consciousness, there was a thread of lucidity.

This lucidity let her know the person holding her was Jin Ruiyang, the man she loved.

What wasn’t clear was whether this was reality or a dream.

Being held by him, Zuo Qing looked at him, infatuated, and rested her head against his shoulder.

"Ruiyang, is that you?" she murmured tenderly, a tear in her eye, "I so wish this isn’t a dream."

Jin Ruiyang’s stride did not stop, his brows furrowing deeper.

After bringing her back to her room and placing her on the bed, Jin Ruiyang stood to leave but was suddenly pulled down by Zuo Qing. Fortunately, he reacted in time, resting his hand on the edge of the bed.

"You’re drunk, Qingqing. Let go."

"I won’t," said Zuo Qing stubbornly. "Do you know how much I don’t want to be sensible and obedient in front of you? Since we’re already in a dream, can’t you just give me a chance to be willful?"

That "can’t you just" was laden with a plea.

Jin Ruiyang sighed, "No."

He firmly clasped her hand, pulling it away from his neck. There was pain in his eyes, but no hesitation.

"Even if you’re drunk, I have to tell you, we’re not possible."

With those words, Jin Ruiyang pulled up the blanket and covered her, "You rest well. Don’t do this kind of foolish thing again, getting wasted for a man who doesn’t love you; it’s not worth it."

After speaking, Jin Ruiyang did not give Zuo Qing the chance to retain him. He stood up and left the room.

Standing at the door, Jin Ruiyang took a deep breath, removed his glasses, and massaged his temples, feeling a headache.

Being liked by a woman who he considered a close acquaintance was really something Jin Ruiyang didn’t know how to properly handle.

To Zuo Qing, he certainly had feelings, but those feelings were completely unrelated to romantic love.

The love she wanted, he couldn’t give.

As Jin Ruiyang frowned, a slightly hesitant voice suddenly rang out.

"Brother Ruiyang, didn’t you leave?"

Jin Ruiyang was startled, quickly lifting his head to look in the direction of the voice.

Xu Sisi stood at the doorway with a fruit platter in hand, her eyes filled with confusion as she looked at him.

At that moment, an inexplicable panic rose in Jin Ruiyang’s heart. He wanted to explain, but suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

There was no need to let everyone know about Zuo Qing’s affection for him.

He also didn’t want to broadcast her drunk state to everyone.

"I had something to discuss with Qingqing."

"Oh," Xu Sisi obediently responded, "then I’m going upstairs."

As Xu Sisi was about to head upstairs with the fruit platter, Jin Ruiyang called out, "Xiao Sisi."

"Hmm?"

Xu Sisi stopped and turned back to him, "What is it, Brother Ruiyang?"

Jin Ruiyang’s gaze flickered, looking into her bright eyes, and after a long moment, he said, "Qingqing and I, we’re just friends."

He didn’t know why he felt the need to explain all of a sudden.

He just didn’t want her to misunderstand.