Chapter 632: Keep Your Distance, Stay Away From Me

After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere at the dinner table remained boisterous.

The three little ones were incredibly happy today, and Cai Xiaotang and Gu Ruohan hit it off immediately; they chatted and drank, and as they got into the swing of things, they would burst into laughter from time to time.

Li Xiao listened silently from the side, unusually quiet, only occasionally frowning slightly as if pondering something.

Chen Nian?

That female celebrity who had been in the spotlight recently?

Did they have so much gossip about her?

It was one thing for Cai Xiaotang to be a fan, but how did a grown man like Gu Ruohan know about these things?

Li Xiao listened as the two chatted animatedly about celebrity gossip, silently took a sip of wine, and suppressed the bitterness in his heart.

Not long after, he heard the two change the subject again.

Game equipment?

Cai Xiaotang was still playing games?

Right... Jiang Baobao was the boss of the Team, and since the two of them were so close, it was normal for her to play games...

But shouldn't Gu Ruohan be very busy as a Doctor?

How did he have time to play games too?

Li Xiao complained silently in his heart, suddenly feeling that the person surnamed Gu was an eyesore in every way.

The two chatted excitedly, clinked their glasses again, and downed a mouthful of wine.

Cai Xiaotang's cheeks were flushed; she was clearly a bit drunk.

"Stop drinking, you'll get drunk if you keep going."

Seeing her about to pour more wine, Li Xiao hurriedly tried to stop her, completely unaware that his concern was written all over his face, and he shot another glare at Gu Ruohan.

Gu Ruohan felt a chill down his back instantly; this time he finally received the signal and hurriedly advised as well: "Right, Xiao Tang, you've had a bit too much today. Let's just keep chatting and skip the wine..."

"It's fine, I can still drink!"

Cai Xiaotang had a fire in her heart, and hearing Li Xiao show concern for her only made it harder to suppress.

She directly ignored the somewhat worried gaze of the person beside her and, saying this, poured another glass of wine.

Since he had someone he liked, he shouldn't come and provoke her!

She didn't care for his concern at all!

Thinking this, Cai Xiaotang simply poured a large glass!

Seeing this, Li Xiao had no choice but to say nothing more.

Finally, the dinner came to an end.

Thinking of the even busier wedding tomorrow, everyone planned to go back and rest early.

Gu Ruohan was fine, but Cai Xiaotang swayed when she stood up.

"Careful..."

Li Xiao instinctively wanted to support her.

But Cai Xiaotang steadied herself and avoided his movement without a trace.

"I'm fine, I'm going to the restroom first."

She dropped this sentence and walked toward the door alone.

Li Xiao's gaze instinctively followed her, with the words "worried" practically written on his face.

"Li Xiao."

Jiang Baobao suddenly spoke, pulling back Li Xiao's attention.

"You and Xiao Tang... are you two okay?"

Jiang Baobao asked again.

Li Xiao was startled; he stared at Jiang Baobao for two seconds, confirmed that she really seemed to know nothing, and then replied casually: "It's nothing."

"That's good. Xiao Tang seems to have been in a bad mood these past few days, and I can't get the reason out of her. Why don't we leave first, and you can take her back to your place in a while? It'll be fine if we meet up again tomorrow morning. She's had some wine and must be uncomfortable, so I'll leave her in your care."

Jiang Baobao wanted to create an opportunity for the two of them.

Li Xiao paused upon hearing this and had to agree: "Alright, then you guys go ahead, I'll stay here and wait for her."

After saying a few more simple words, Jiang Baobao left with the three little ones and Li Beijue.

Gu Ruohan naturally wouldn't stay here to be a third wheel.

By the time Cai Xiaotang returned, only Li Xiao was left in the private room.

"Eh? Where did they go..."

Her eyes were a bit unfocused, but fortunately, she was still somewhat clear-headed.

"They went back first. Beijue and the others are holding their wedding tomorrow, and the villa must be very busy. There might not be anyone there to take care of you at this hour, so you're coming with me."

As Li Xiao spoke, he stood up and walked outside.

Cai Xiaotang didn't speak; seeing him leave, she immediately followed him instinctively, though her brain was still digesting his words bit by bit.

"I... am going with you?"

She whispered the last few words, slowly sorting out the logic of what he had just said, and raised no objections.

Must... go back to Li Xiao's place.

Because she was drunk... and couldn't trouble Baobao.

Right... couldn't trouble Baobao.

Cai Xiaotang repeated this sentence in her head, her eyes fixed on the back of the person in front of her, but she didn't notice the threshold at her feet and was suddenly tripped!

"Ah!"

She let out a short cry and bumped headlong into Li Xiao's back.

"Bang!" came a sound.

Li Xiao's footsteps paused, and he turned around helplessly.

Immediately, he saw Cai Xiaotang rubbing her forehead with a pained expression.

"Why is your back so hard..."

She muttered a complaint and continued walking forward.

A smile couldn't help but appear at the corners of Li Xiao's lips, and he suddenly felt a strong urge to reach out and pinch her cheek.

His fingers, hanging at his side, twitched, but in the end, he did nothing.

He hesitated for a moment, fearing that "someone" might have another "accident," so he simply wanted to grab her hand.

But before he could touch her—"Let's go."

Whether intentional or not, Cai Xiaotang happened to avoid his movement and took the initiative to walk ahead.

Li Xiao's outstretched hand stiffened, and he hurriedly followed.

The two of them got into the car, one after the other.

As soon as she touched the seat, Cai Xiaotang closed her eyes, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

With the cold wind outside blowing on her, most of her drunkenness had faded, and at this moment, a chatterbox in her mind was incessantly nagging.

How did she end up getting in the car so easily?

What kind of relationship did the two of them have now?

Nominally husband and wife, but in reality?

Good friends?

Or... not even friends?

Having deliberately cut off contact with Li Xiao for several days, Cai Xiaotang suddenly discovered that from the moment she saw him today, it felt as if there was a little rabbit jumping around incessantly inside her heart.

Tsk... she was being too pathetic!

Cai Xiaotang frowned and bit her lower lip.

"What's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"

Li Xiao had been keeping an eye on Cai Xiaotang out of the corner of his eye; seeing her expression was off, he hurriedly asked.

"It's nothing, just a little sleepy."

Cai Xiaotang replied indifferently, and after speaking, she suddenly felt a sense of relief.

Very good.

This would do!

Since he could pretend that nothing had happened, then she could too!

Everyone was an adult; it was just a failed confession, so she still had to maintain the last bit of dignity!

Even though this guy was indeed very annoying!

Cai Xiaotang's mind was in a mess and she was holding back anger, yet she still maintained a shred of rationality and said, "Sorry for the trouble today, thank you."

Her attitude was polite yet distant, a complete change from the lively and feisty way she had been in front of Li Xiao before.

Li Xiao's eyes flickered for a moment, and he mimicked her tone to reply: "You're welcome."

After speaking, a look of self-mockery suddenly appeared on his face.

What was he unhappy about?

Wasn't this the result he wanted?