Chapter 078: Truth or Dare After Drinking
Ye Fuli scaled the wall and entered the Ye family courtyard.
In a few quick moves, she scaled the second-floor railing and leapt lightly onto the balcony.
Ye Zhen sat at her desk, still studying advanced mathematics.
She sensed someone behind her but pretended not to notice, continuing to work on her problems.
Ye Fuli sat down at the head of her bed, staring blankly at the plush doll resting there.
She didn't disturb Ye Zhen as she studied diligently.
Ye Zhen, who had braced herself for interruption, stared restlessly at the words on the page, unable to absorb a single character.
After a long, tense standoff, Ye Zhen set down her pen and turned to look at her.
"Ye Fuli."
"Hmm."
Ye Fuli lifted the wine bottle in her hand and said, "Today… the supermarket had a sale, so I bought a few extra bottles."
It was all fruit wine, so the alcohol content wouldn't be too high.
Still, she remembered Ye Zhen wasn't much of a drinker either—probably two bottles would knock her out.
Ye Zhen stared at the fruit wines in her bag while silently asking the system in her mind: "Damn system! If you can clear out the sedatives, you should be able to handle alcohol too, right?"
[Sure thing, (*￣rǒ￣)]
Reassured by the affirmative response, Ye Zhen relaxed.
Tonight's performance could begin.
The optional quest's completion was within reach!
With that thought, Ye Zhen took two steps forward and crouched down beside Ye Fuli's feet.
Ye Fuli paused slightly, "What are you doing?"
The little girl crouched beside her reached out, placed her hand on Ye Fuli's leg, and began massaging it with just the right amount of pressure.
"Ye Fuli, you work so hard delivering takeout to me every day, don't you?"
Hearing this, Ye Fuli's heart skipped a beat.
She pretended not to care, clearing her throat lightly. "I didn't come here to deliver food on purpose. You don't need to worry about it."
But…
It had been so long since she'd enjoyed Ye Zhen's massage.
Ye Fuli reached out, instinctively wanting to touch her head, but cautiously pulled her hand back.
Ye Fuli, who rarely blushed, felt waves of heat wash over her face.
She felt her toes curl slightly against the tips of her shoes, trying to ease the restlessness within her.
"Ye Fuli, would you like to come live at the Ye residence? Not just rushing over late at night and leaving in a hurry like this, but staying for the long term."
Ye Zhen looked up at her, feigning casualness as she made the request.
She had already arranged with Ye Dad to prepare a place for Ye Fuli to stay, but whether Ye Fuli would come depended entirely on her.
This was the first step in bringing Ye Fuli home.
Ye Zhen's gaze was too innocent, seemingly devoid of any ulterior motives.
Yet Ye Fuli found it hard to believe that someone who barely passed exams could suddenly get into a top university on graduation day.
Likewise, Ye Fuli found it hard to believe that this invitation was sincere.
Doubt or no doubt.
Just as she had planned upon arriving, she would accept Ye Zhen's invitation if it came.
Her justification was that no matter what underhanded schemes Ye Zhen might have, she could easily outmaneuver and turn the tables on her.
This, she told herself, was merely a game…
A way to pass the stagnant hours of her life.
"I can agree to it, Ye Zhen."
Ye Fuli leaned in, her icy fingers gently tracing Ye Zhen's cheek before cupping her pale, delicate face.
"But what role should I play?"
Ye Zhen licked her dry lips, lifting the corners of her mouth into a smile. "Family?"
At that moment, Ye Fuli's fingertip brushed against the corner of her mouth.
The atmosphere grew too intimate, making it difficult for either of them to continue the charade.
Ye Zhen flushed and turned her head away hastily. "If you don't like the role of family, then let's change it."
"What should we change it to?"
"How about… classmates?"
"I don't like being your classmate."
"Then… a servant?"
"I don't need you as my servant either."
This time, Ye Fuli cupped both her hands around Ye Zhen's face, even leaning in to press her forehead against Ye Zhen's.
This gesture made poor Ye Zhen's heart pound so hard she nearly couldn't keep her expression straight.
Who could resist such an approach from a cool, aloof older woman?
No, hold it together. Don't let your guard down. Keep your heart as still as dead water!
A moment of silence passed.
Ye Fuli offered an answer: "My bed is too big. Sleeping alone feels too empty. Maybe renting out half of it would be better."
Even she found this excuse flimsy, her voice noticeably weakening as she spoke.
"Then you can be the one renting half my bed."
Hearing this, Ye Zhen's face flushed crimson at a visible pace.
She quickly lowered her head and gave a few nervous chuckles.
"Ye Fuli, you're so funny."
Was she being asked to be a sleeping companion again?
But this time, why did it feel different?
An illusion, it must be an illusion!
Ye Fuli stared at the faint flush on her ears, pursing her lips thoughtfully.
……
…
The bottles of wine she'd brought were effortlessly opened by Ye Fuli and lined up in a row.
Here it comes!
The moment Ye Zhen had been anticipating had arrived!
"You go first, Ye Zhen."
Ye Zhen picked up a bottle of green apple-flavored fruit wine, holding it aloft to signal to Ye Fuli.
Ye Fuli casually grabbed a bottle and clinked it against the one held aloft.
Both women were unfazed, decisively chugging straight from the bottle in one go.
After one bottle, they stared at each other for a long moment, assessing that neither was about to collapse. Then, in perfect sync, they raised their second bottles.
Gulp, gulp—
The second bottle was finished.
A faint flush spread across Ye Zhen's cheeks, and she let out a tiny, quiet burp.
As for Ye Fuli, she remained completely unfazed.
Seeing her sitting up straight, Ye Zhen also smoothed her skirt and straightened her back.
With the system by her side, helping her cheat, she wouldn't get drunk no matter how much she drank. She might as well treat it like juice.
Today, she would definitely bring Feng Aotian down!
"Ye Zhen, don't force yourself if you can't handle it." Ye Fuli picked up the third bottle of wine and swirled it.
"No pressure, heh heh heh, no pressure…"
Ye Zhen followed suit, grabbing the third bottle and gulping it down in big swigs.
The third bottle was finished.
The two women sized each other up once more.
Ye Fuli furrowed her brow slightly. "Has your tolerance for alcohol really improved this much?"
Ye Zhen wiped the alcohol from the corner of her mouth and belched again.
"It's fine. It's just fruit wine. I won't get drunk. I won't get drunk!"
Though she couldn't get drunk, she had to act slightly tipsy.
Otherwise, Feng Aotian would grow suspicious and refuse to drink anymore.
Ye Fuli watched her flushed cheeks and unsteady swaying, narrowing her eyes as she leaned closer. "Can you handle another round?"
"Sure!"
Ye Zhen raised her hand, her face innocent and dazed, mimicking a primary schooler's tone as she hummed twice.
"Keep going! Keep going!"
Then she whispered to the system: "Dog System, did you airdrop that crate of Four Rock cocktails? Where is it?"
[Eep~~ Host, you're naughty! It's in the cabinet.]
Receiving confirmation, Ye Zhen's lips curved into a faint smile.
She got up, barefoot, walked over to the wardrobe, opened the cabinet door, and pulled out that legendary case of Four Rock cocktails—each can equivalent to 4.7 shots of vodka.
"I've got some good stuff here. Let's keep drinking—no stopping till we're tipsy!"
Ye Fuli rested her chin in her hand, staring at the cocktail Ye Zhen handed her.
FOUR LOKO.
Thanks to He Ying introducing her to the scene, she recognized this drink—famous for its notorious reputation, leaving you sober one second and blacked out the next.
Ye Zhen was really going all out tonight. Was she determined to get her completely wasted?
"Cheers."
Ye Fuli didn't mind playing along.
After clinking glasses, they downed another round in one gulp.
After finishing the bottle, Ye Fuli remained sober, but she decided it was time to call it a night.
Taking a deep breath, she massaged her temples and feigned drunkenness, leaning back as if about to collapse.
Ye Zhen promptly caught her.
"Ye Fuli, can you still drink?"
"I feel a bit dizzy," Ye Fuli murmured dazedly, her feverish forehead resting on Ye Zhen's shoulder. "Ye Zhen, isn't this wine supposed to be fruit wine…"
"It is fruit wine, yes."
Ye Zhen quickly pulled out her phone and pressed the record button.
She didn't do it openly, but Ye Fuli wasn't drunk at all and naturally saw it.
Ye Zhen smiled faintly. "Ye Fuli, may I ask you a few questions?"
Was she finally revealing her true intentions?
Ye Fuli suppressed the chill in her eyes and responded in a drowsy voice, "Hmm, what do you want to ask?"
Now that she had the chance to ask, Ye Zhen hesitated.
She stroked her chin, pondering for a long moment.
Suddenly, an idea struck her.
"If I were a man—six feet tall, charming, handsome as can be—and we spent more time together, do you think you could fall for me?"
"No chance."
Ye Fuli answered promptly.
"You're cowardly, afraid of trouble, clinging to life and fearing death. All you know how to do is spend money and throw tantrums. You're full of tricks yet so transparent—how could I possibly like a man like you?"
Ye Zhen let out a soft "tsk" and was about to ask another question when Ye Fuli grabbed her collar and pinned her to the carpet.
Even a slight buzz could make someone do bold things.
Ye Fuli covered her eyes with one hand.
Then she leaned in…
Hesitated for a moment.
Her lips brushed against Ye Zhen's cheek.
"If you were a man, you'd have no chance. But as you are now… I think… this is the answer."