Love Assault - Chapter 30

Freezing rain fell outside, while inside, the heat surged in waves.

Jian Dan swayed unsteadily, barely able to stand. Her face was as pale as paper, and the shouts of the crowd echoed in her mind like muffled voices underwater. Her dazed eyes, tinged with a hint of malice, stared fixedly at Chen Mo, whose expression remained calm, even slightly flushed. Chen Mo crossed her arms and gazed at the empty glasses on the table. More?

A surge of anger rushed to Jian Dan’s head. She slammed her hand on the table. Yes! The force of the blow made her stumble back into her chair, her legs giving way. She gripped the armrests, trying to stand again.

Chen Mo walked around the table to Jian Dan’s side, placing a hand on her shoulder. She sighed softly. You’ve had enough. No more. She waved to the waiter, signaling them to clear the table. The onlookers, realizing the show was over, gradually dispersed back to their seats.

Jian Dan, still dazed and confused, stubbornly struggled against Chen Mo, but she couldn’t pry Chen Mo’s hand off her shoulder. Frustrated, she kicked the massive table, but since it was bolted to the floor, the table didn’t budge. Instead, her chair tipped backward. Chen Mo swiftly caught the chair, but Jian Dan had already slid off and landed on the floor, her hands and feet braced against the panel beneath the table. She covered her face with one hand, her expression hidden in the shadows.

Chen Mo lowered her gaze and crouched down beside Jian Dan, discerning her barely audible, pain-filled murmur amidst the noise Why?

Gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind Jian Dan’s ear, Chen Mo watched the small stage ahead as the crowd slowly filtered out of the bar. A woman at the center of the stage played a soothing melody on the piano, bathed in soft blue light. The surroundings gradually quieted. I’m sorry, Chen Mo said softly. I thought this was the only way to make you listen.

Jian Dan, still covering her face, let out a muffled grunt, slurring her words through the alcohol Talk… I… don’t…

Chen Mo ignored her, continuing to speak as if to herself, yet also for Jian Dan’s ears I admit it. I loved Xue Wen. She paused. I loved Xue Wen, not A-Fi. I didn’t know about your story, and I’m just as confused as you are.

Jian Dan merely sneered, saying nothing. Her humming and grunting formed an incoherent tune. Hearing Chen Mo’s words, she suddenly burst into laughter. You loved her… ha ha… She grabbed Chen Mo by the collar, glaring at her. Did she love you back?

Chen Mo’s gaze flickered, her expression complex. But Jian Dan’s eyes held only bitterness and despair. She forced a wry smile. No. She never loved me.

Jian Dan froze, her grip on Chen Mo’s collar loosening. She stared at her with an utterly bewildered expression. Chen Mo shook her head and repeated, She never loved me. She pulled the pendant from her pocket and toyed with it in her hand. She never took this off. She… Chen Mo frowned slightly. On her deathbed, she… she gave this to me, asking me to… to give it to someone.

Jian Dan, dazed and half-asleep from the alcohol, chuckled at Chen Mo’s words. It was unclear whether she had truly understood, but her hand, resting on her knee, twitched slightly. Give… it back…

Chen Mo stared at the pendant in her hand, clenching and releasing it repeatedly. Finally, she smiled with resignation and placed the pendant in Jian Dan’s palm. Here. She stood up to leave.

Clutching the pendant, Jian Dan suddenly murmured, She…

Chen Mo stopped, turning back to face Jian Dan. She waited quietly for her to continue.

Did she… say anything else? Jian Dan asked.

Chen Mo paused, her gaze softening remarkably. Leaning down slightly, she braced herself against the table with one hand, her long black hair cascading like a waterfall. She told me to tell that person… to live well.

Then she turned and left.

Jian Dan huddled beneath the table, clutching her head in her hands, her face contorted in anguish, tears streaming down her cheeks.

After six years, Chen Mo had finally proven that her tear ducts were still intact. Her eyes burned with pain, hot tears welling up in her sockets, only to be forcibly suppressed. She lifted her head and took a deep breath before pushing open the door and stepping outside.

Rain had begun to fall outside, and a cold wind, carrying droplets of rain, lashed against her face. The streets were noticeably emptier now. Under the flickering red and yellow streetlights, the wet pavement gleamed, reflecting the light as Lin Che stood there with an umbrella. Chen Mo stared blankly as Lin Che slowly walked toward her, that familiar faint smile returning to his pale eyes.

For the first time, she felt a sudden, inexplicable dizziness. The bottles of baijiu must be taking effect. She inhaled sharply, feeling her mind clear slightly, and rasped, Let’s go back.

Lin Che didn’t move, his left hand tucked in his pocket. He murmured, Chen Mo, you’ve let me see another side of you tonight.

Is that so… Chen Mo chuckled softly, her face finally beginning to pale. She felt a sudden chill, and the dizziness intensified. I feel the same way. It’s like I’m getting to know myself all over again. She laughed at the conflicted, pained look in Lin Che’s eyes, then reached out and patted his shoulder. What’s wrong? When I said I’m getting to know myself again, I meant I need to reassess my alcohol tolerance. Ha ha…

Lin Che could tell that Chen Mo was genuinely drunk this time. No wonder—most people would have passed out after drinking that much baijiu. The fact that Chen Mo could still walk in a straight line without swaying, maintain about 20% of her lucidity, and even giggle at him was nothing short of a miracle. He shifted forward, letting her lean against him. You said you could hold your liquor.

Yeah… Chen Mo mumbled, sounding like a spoiled child. I never said I wouldn’t get drunk.

Lin Che was momentarily stunned.

At that moment, Chen Mo was practically draped in his arms, the heavy scent of alcohol making him feel slightly tipsy himself. He had never seen her like this before—like a child who hadn’t grown up, still clinging and whining. Lin Che’s hand holding the umbrella felt cold, icy cold. Chen Mo mumbled incoherently against his chest. He struggled to lift his left arm and wrap it around her, gently patting her back. Alright, let’s go home.

Throughout the drive, Chen Mo mumbled to herself, her head pressed against the car window. Occasionally, she would bang on the glass and shout to be let out. Even Lin Che, focused as he was, couldn’t help but glance at the restless woman beside him. After finally parking the car, he couldn’t restrain Chen Mo’s sudden burst of strength and had no choice but to let her drag him out to wander around. Like a curious child, Chen Mo sat on the hood of the car, her eyes darting around the underground garage, grinning mischievously. She grabbed Lin Che by the collar and yanked him closer. Why do you like me? she giggled.

Lin Che opened his mouth to speak, but Chen Mo interrupted. Hmm… Is it because I’m rich? Or do you think you’re just so handsome? She laughed, pointing at him. Why won’t you let me go home? What did you bring me here for? …Do you think you’re so charming?

Lin Che stood awkwardly as Chen Mo tugged at his clothes, rocking him back and forth. He knew that drunk people often exhibited strange behavior, but Chen Mo’s antics far exceeded his expectations. It was as if her mind had regressed, shrinking her back to childhood.

The feeling was inexplicably difficult to describe.

Lin Che grabbed Chen Mo’s hand, giggling. Yeah, I just feel so charming right now. But I can’t figure out why, if I’m so charming, I haven’t been able to make you look at me even once.

Chen Mo’s mind was a complete blur. She could barely make out Lin Che’s face in front of her. Acting on impulse, she blurted out, Then your charm isn’t strong enough.

Oh… Lin Che blinked. So… what should I do to get closer to you? To make you think I’m charming? Give me some advice, please?

Chen Mo stumbled out of the car, swaying unsteadily as she shook off Lin Che’s hand. Pointing at him, she stammered, Me…? You… you need advice from me on how to chase women? You… you idiot…

Lin Che stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her with a chuckle. Me, an idiot? Yeah, I’m all out of tricks.

Chen Mo broke free again, swaying unsteadily as she walked to the elevator, opened the door, and hopped inside. Waving at Lin Che, she called out, Bye-bye… before pressing the button for her floor.

Lin Che rushed forward and squeezed into the elevator just as the doors were closing. Chen Mo chuckled, but Lin Che felt a headache coming on. How playful is this girl? Chen Mo kept pressing all the floor buttons until Lin Che grabbed her hand and blocked her from pressing any more. If he hadn’t intervened, Chen Mo would have lit up every floor button blue. With one hand holding Chen Mo, Lin Che struggled to turn around and cancel the selected floors one by one, finally settling on the 65th floor.

Chen Mo tugged at Lin Che’s hand, her voice filled with protest. Sixty-six! Not sixty-five!

Lin Che nodded frantically. Yes, yes, sixty-six! You’re right, you’re right…

The brief elevator ride passed in a flurry of Chen Mo’s insistence on Sixty-six, not sixty-five! and Lin Che’s frantic replies of Yes, yes, yes, you’re right, you’re right!

By the time Lin Che finally managed to guide Chen Mo to the bedside, he felt like he was about to collapse.

The moment Chen Mo’s body touched the bed, she rolled over, adjusted into a comfortable position, and lay still. Lin Che tugged at the corner of his mouth, shook his head, and walked over to take off Chen Mo’s shoes. He pulled the blanket over her, letting out a relieved sigh. Officer Chen, I’ve truly seen it all today. A rollercoaster of fire and ice.