Love Assault - Chapter 35

Lin Che remained blissfully unaware of Chen Mo’s secret plans, spending the entire day buzzing with excitement about their evening rendezvous.

Nine o’clock that night.

Lin Che emerged from the restaurant reeking of alcohol. Despite her attempts to avoid drinking, her eagerness to see Chen Mo had led her to indulge more than she intended. Fortunately, her tolerance kept her conscious, but arriving at the police station with such a strong odor seemed inappropriate.

But…

But…

However…

Chen Mo returned home to pack, then lugged a large suitcase back to her police dormitory. By the time Lin Che’s call came through, it was already 930 PM.

So it really is a late-night snack.

Chen Mo hung up and went downstairs. As soon as she got into the car, she was hit by the overwhelming smell of alcohol. Lin Che, wearing light makeup and a dark striped coat over a plain white shirt, leaned against the steering wheel, her head tilted. The collar and cuffs of her shirt were delicately embroidered with silver thread in a unique floral pattern, adding a touch of feminine playfulness to her otherwise androgynous style. She smiled at Chen Mo. Sorry, I wanted to come earlier, but I tried to drink as little as possible. As she spoke, she reached out and grabbed Chen Mo’s arm. I’ve missed you so much.

Chen Mo knew all too well that business socializing in the corporate world was often fueled by alcohol. Seeing Lin Che’s condition, she suspected he had drunk quite a bit. She decided not to argue with him, simply saying, You can reschedule for another day. Or have a driver bring you. Dingsheng can’t possibly not have a driver.

Reschedule? Lin Che straightened up and shook his head. No way. We agreed on today, and it has to be today. I don’t want a driver either. I just want to spend some time alone with you.

Then I’ll drive, Chen Mo said, eager to end the conversation with the drunk. She pushed open the door to get out, but Lin Che grabbed her arm and yanked her back into the car with surprising force. Before she could react, he pulled her into a warm embrace. Chen Mo froze for a few seconds, stunned, before pushing him away. Her expression turned stern as she said, General Manager Lin, you’ve had too much to drink. You should go home early tonight.

Lin Che chuckled, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. Relax, it’s just a welcome-back hug. You drive. With that, he stepped out of the car.

The two switched places, and Chen Mo drove the car out of the police station. I’ll take you home, she said.

Home? Lin Che looked at Chen Mo thoughtfully. To my home?

I’m taking you home, Chen Mo repeated. You should go back to sleep in your condition.

Have you eaten?

I ate too much at noon, so I’m not hungry tonight. I’ll skip dinner, Chen Mo said casually, gripping the steering wheel. She glanced at the upcoming intersection and asked, Where do you live?

Lin Che shook his head. I’m not going home.

Chen Mo had no choice but to pull over. The dim yellow streetlight filtered through the window, illuminating Lin Che’s face, flushed from the alcohol. He leaned against the window, squinting at her.

Chen Mo suspected Lin Che wasn’t truly drunk, or at least not as drunk as he pretended to be. Beneath his seemingly hazy gaze, she sensed a cunning intelligence. She reclined her seat and turned to face him, saying nothing.

Lin Che spoke first. Why are you living at the police station? Why don’t you go home?

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow slightly. I want to sell my house and buy a new one. I haven’t found a buyer yet, so I’m staying at the police station temporarily.

Sell it? Lin Che suddenly sat up straight, staring at Chen Mo in shock. Why would you sell it when you’re living there just fine?

Chen Mo gave Lin Che a playful look. You’re really good at pretending to be drunk.

I’m not pretending… Lin Che leaned forward, his breath reeking of alcohol as if he’d just been pulled from a wine vat. I’m genuinely a bit dizzy. But since you insisted on driving, I figured I’d take the easy way out. He chuckled. Since you have nowhere to stay, don’t stay at the police station. Your room at Dingsheng is still reserved for you. Shall we head back to the company?

Given Lin Che’s usual cautious nature, if he hadn’t been drunk, he would have carefully considered whether Chen Mo would accept before making such an offer, to avoid rejection.

True to Chen Mo’s usual style, if she hadn’t had a burning question she needed to clarify with Lin Che, she might have simply gotten out of the car and let him drive himself home.

But Lin Che was genuinely tipsy, and Chen Mo did have something she needed to ask.

Chen Mo didn’t reply, turning the steering wheel toward Dingsheng. Lin Che felt uneasy Chen Mo had never agreed to his requests so readily before. The dozen glasses of red wine had a potent aftereffect. He’d managed to stay alert while driving, fueled by anticipation, but now, slumped in his seat, waves of dizziness washed over him. He regretted not having declined that damned social engagement tonight, rather than making a fool of himself in front of Chen Mo.

When they finally reached their familiar room, Lin Che staggered through the door and rushed to the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind him. He emptied his stomach completely.

Chen Mo stood in the living room, gazing around. A memory flashed through her mind the morning after their drunken night. Lin Che had been sitting in the very chair she was now leaning against, legs crossed, saying, Don’t worry, you were drunk, but I wasn’t. We didn’t take that final step.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Lin Che was the type to go crazy if he skipped a shower for even a day. Chen Mo smiled, but then, for some reason, she remembered the burning intensity in Lin Che’s eyes as he’d looked at her on the drive home. Her cheeks flushed. She felt like she’d boarded a pirate ship—and jumped on willingly.

But the information Guo Haitao had revealed to her today was too overwhelming, too difficult for her to process alone. She needed to get to the bottom of it. If Lin Che had acted this way solely to help her overcome her deep-seated emotional wounds from a past relationship, the price he was paying seemed far too steep. On the other hand, if he was simply using this situation to retaliate against Eighth Master, it didn’t quite align with Jian Dan’s character.

She had to get to the truth.

Why are you standing there? Lin Che emerged from the bathroom, his hair still damp and wrapped in a bathrobe. His complexion had mostly returned to normal, and the effects of the alcohol had diminished considerably, though he still looked visibly exhausted.

Chen Mo poured him a glass of warm water and handed it to him. Drink this first. You really should drink less alcohol. It’s not good for you.

Lin Che nodded, his lips pursed as he gazed at Chen Mo. He walked to the table and sat down. Let’s have some late-night snacks. He picked up his phone and tapped the screen. Tell them to prepare something light.

I’m not hungry, Chen Mo said, settling into the chair opposite him. I wanted to ask you something.

Lin Che waved her off, pressing his temple with one hand. If you’re not hungry, just keep me company while I eat. I barely ate anything tonight, and I threw it all up earlier. I’m starving now.

Chen Mo could tell from Lin Che’s expression that he had truly drunk too much this time. His face, which had been slightly flushed from the bath, was now gradually paling. Without further protest, she nodded. Alright, I’ll have some rice porridge sent over. Don’t bother with anything else.

Lin Che hung up the phone, closed his eyes slightly, and took a deep breath. Thank you.

For what?

For still caring about me, Lin Che replied softly, his voice light and weak. He pinched the bridge of his nose and asked, You said you had something to ask me. What is it?

Director Guo told me that the police found Lu Yunsheng’s batch of drugs. A mysterious informant provided the tip.

Lin Che’s eyes snapped open, staring at Chen Mo in disbelief. His hand froze halfway down from his forehead, clenching into a fist as he lightly tapped his temple.

Chen Mo gave him a strange look. You didn’t know?

Lin Che forced a bitter smile. Should I have?

Chen Mo’s gaze deepened. If not you, then who? Could it be Jian Dan?

Lin Che gazed thoughtfully out the window, his brow furrowed in concentration. He gritted his teeth. I don’t know. But if Xiao Bai did this, it seems she’s trying to avenge A-Fi by using this shipment to mock Eighth Master. But this isn’t her style. With her fiery temper and decisive actions, she’d most likely have burned the goods herself. She hates the police—why would she ask for their help? It doesn’t make sense.

Chen Mo pondered this, her expression unreadable. The hot porridge had already been placed on the table, the rising steam blurring Lin Che’s features. Haven’t you been with Jian Dan lately?

Lin Che, who was ladling porridge into his bowl, chuckled wryly. She’s gone missing. He added, That’s just how she is—appearing and disappearing without a trace. Sometimes she shows up out of nowhere, other times she leaves without a word. We’re all used to it by now.

Chen Mo cradled the slightly hot bowl in her hands, her voice low and thoughtful. If it wasn’t Jian Dan, then who could it be?

Lin Che gently blew on each spoonful of congee before eating, saying nothing. After it had cooled slightly, she took a bite and nodded. Hmm, not bad. It’s quite good. She glanced up at Chen Mo and pointed to her bowl. Have some. It’s really tasty. Skipping meals isn’t good for you, even if it’s a bit late. She chuckled sheepishly. It’s all my fault. I’ll definitely decline social engagements next time. I didn’t plan things properly this time. Sorry…

Chen Mo, who had been staring down at her bowl, slowly looked up at Lin Che. Will this put you in danger? Is there anything I can do to help?

Lin Che hummed with amusement, the spoon still in her mouth. Don’t worry. There’s nothing the Jian Family and we can’t handle. Eighth Master owes the Jian Family a debt, and A-Fi was one of our own. He’ll bear full responsibility for her death. We’re already being merciful by not causing him trouble—he wouldn’t dare provoke us. As for Xiao Bai, she has a fiery temper, but she’s still a rational person. I trust she won’t act impulsively. Her eyes suddenly lit up as she removed the spoon from her mouth and reached out to grasp Chen Mo’s hand. Chen Mo? Are you worried about me?