Chapter 376: Drunken Indiscretion

At the staff housing compound of the teachers' university-affiliated middle school, Chen Yang had already been waiting for over two hours at Liu Qingqing's door.

They wouldn't answer the phone, reply to messages, or show up.

If a passing neighbor hadn't said Liu Qingqing still lived here and would come back every day, he would have given up.

Of course, Chen Yang's main purpose in coming to see Liu Qingqing this time was still to handle advertising promotion for the Old Hundreds E-commerce Platform.

Most users of the Green Net platform are locals from Dongjiang Province, and some of them have also participated in interactions with the Old Hundreds E-commerce Platform and in charitable events held by the Old Hundreds Company.

Advertising here would be far more effective than on other platforms.

Earlier, Chen Yang had bought a long-term ad slot on Green Net. After he cut off contact with Liu Qingqing, she unilaterally withdrew the ad.

So, to renew the cooperation, he must meet Liu Qingqing face to face and clearly explain its importance.

Of course, Chen Yang came to see Liu Qingqing privately, without first greeting Shen Anna. He worried that if Yexin found out, it would cause unnecessary trouble.

But Liu Qingqing refused to contact him, rendering all the persuasive reasons he had prepared useless.

Seeing that it had already grown dark and Liu Qingqing showed no sign of returning, Chen Yang decided not to wait any longer.

He knew full well that if she was deliberately avoiding him, waiting any length of time would be pointless.

But just as he stepped out of the stairwell, he saw Liu Qingqing slowly walking back, carrying two large bags.

"Qingqing, why won't you answer my phone?"

"Why should I answer your call? Who are you?"

Liu Qingqing gave Chen Yang a cold glance, then brushed past him and headed straight upstairs.

Chen Yang hesitated for a moment, then followed her up.

"Qingqing, are those heavy? Let me help you carry them."

Liu Qingqing didn't refuse; she simply tossed both bags to Chen Yang and continued climbing the stairs.

Chen Yang glanced inside and saw the bags were full of food—snacks, instant noodles, frozen dumplings, and other convenience items. It seemed that after he and Su Mingyue had parted, she had returned to her old lifestyle.

The two walked up the stairs in silence, one behind the other, and finally arrived at Liu Qingqing's door.

Liu Qingqing pulled out her keys, opened the door, went straight to the living room without changing her high heels, and flopped onto the sofa.

Chen Yang took in the room's condition: though it was just as messy as before, overall it was fairly clean. Liu Qingqing isn't a tidy person, so someone else must come by often to clean.

"What are you sneaking around looking at in a girl's boudoir?" Liu Qingqing snorted coldly as Chen Yang entered and began scanning her room.

"Nothing, I just haven't been here in a while and suddenly recalled some pleasant memories." Chen Yang spoke while closing the door, then placed Liu Qingqing's snacks and convenience foods on the coffee table beside the sofa.

Liu Qingqing occupied the entire sofa, so Chen Yang could only stand while speaking.

"There are no pleasant memories of yours here. Get to the point," Liu Qingqing said, her tone still icy.

Upon hearing that, Chen Yang saw no need to beat around the bush and said bluntly: "The Old Hundreds E-commerce Platform is preparing a major online marketing push in the near future to attract more new users. I'd like to buy another long-term ad slot on Green Net."

Liu Qingqing gave Chen Yang a faint look and said, "Shouldn't this be something Manager Shen comes to discuss with me?"

Chen Yang smiled and replied, "Manager Shen has other work to attend to, so it's just as fine for me to talk with you about this."

"Really?" Liu Qingqing swung her long legs off the sofa, sat up slowly, rummaged through the snacks, and told Chen Yang, "I'm hungry—go fix something to eat."

Seeing she was willing to talk, Chen Yang went straight to her fridge, checked it, and found the vegetables and meat fully stocked.

Since he hadn't eaten dinner either, he took out the ingredients, went to the kitchen, and made stir-fried pork with chili, stir-fried cabbage, and braised fish.

While they ate, Liu Qingqing took two cans of beer and two cups from the fridge and asked Chen Yang to join her for a drink.

"I can't hold my liquor, and I still have to drive later—better skip it," Chen Yang said. His tolerance was average, and he refused, worried about losing control after drinking.

"Just one cup is fine—it won't get you drunk, what's there to fear?" Liu Qingqing filled both cups, handed one to Chen Yang, then took a sip from the other.

Chen Yang thought one drink wouldn't be a problem, so he also picked up his cup and took a small sip.

"How are things with your senior sister?"

"Great!"

"If things are going well, why are you still coming to see me? Aren't you afraid she'll misunderstand?"

Chen Yang fell silent. He was just afraid Lin Wei would misunderstand, which is why he'd come to see Liu Qingqing in secret.

"If you don't want to answer, then drink!"

Liu Qingqing sighed, then downed the rest of the beer in her cup.

Chen Yang actually felt guilty toward Liu Qingqing all along, but having chosen Lin Wei, he couldn't turn back. So he could only mask his awkwardness with drink.

After finishing, Liu Qingqing refilled his cup, and they continued drinking in silence.

What was supposed to be just one cup ended up being two cans.

After who knows how long, Chen Yang suddenly felt hot and restless, and even caught a fleeting glimpse of Lin Wei's figure appearing before his eyes.

"Honey, I…"

"Don't talk, kiss me!"

Before Chen Yang could explain, she pressed her lips against his…

A night of spring passion.

When he woke up, it was already daylight.

Chen Yang found himself naked on a bed that was both strange and familiar. He quickly threw off the covers and saw a stain of blood still on the sheets.

Chen Yang vaguely remembered his last conscious moment being intimate with Lin Wei, but the bloodstain on the sheets reminded him that it must have been an illusion.

"Qingqing, what are you up to?"

Chen Yang hastily dressed, stormed into the living room angry to look for Liu Qingqing, but found she wasn't there—only a note left on the coffee table beside the sofa.

"Senior, I've gone to the company. Regarding the ad partnership, have Manager Shen come talk to me!"

"Treat last night as if it never happened. I don't need you to take responsibility."

"Of course, don't be angry that I put something in your drink. If it weren't for the senior sister stealing you away, your body would rightfully be mine."

"Besides, from now on we don't need to keep in touch privately. For work matters, have Manager Shen communicate with me. Goodbye! Never again!"

Chen Yang was completely speechless.

In his previous life, he had already owed Liu Qingqing once. He never expected history to repeat itself.

Moreover, he now not only owes Liu Qingqing a favor, but also betrayed Lin Wei.