Chapter 148: A Bit Ambiguous

But that was only fragments, flashing too fast to catch.

She steadied herself, lightened her steps and walked over, her face once again wearing a cautious, business‑like smile: "Guest? Are you… are you alright?"

As she got closer, the smell of alcohol became more noticeable.

The scent wasn't strong, but it was distinctive, a coolness with a hint of sweet after‑taste warmth, like wine brewed from plum blossoms blooming in the snow.

Jing Liu set the wine jar down; its silver body stood out strikingly against her pale fingers.

She turned her head toward Bai Hang, the black Eye Mask seeming under the dim yellow light to absorb all illumination.

"No obstacle."

Her voice sounded no different from usual, still cool and steady, but… it seemed a little huskier, as if dampened by the alcohol.

Bai Hang exhaled, but then raised a point—because Jing Liu's fingers holding the jar had joints that were slightly pale, as if she had been gripping harder than usual.

"Then… shall I lead you to a guest room to rest?"

Bai Hang tried to make his tone sound natural, "The beds are all clean; you can rest well tonight."

Jing Liu was silent for a moment; just as Bai Hang thought she would simply nod as before, she suddenly moved.

She placed the jar on the small table beside her, producing a faint "tap" sound.

Then, she stood up.

Her movements remained steady, her posture as straight as a sword, showing no sign of drunkenness.

But when she turned to face Bai Hang and stepped toward her, Bai Hang, for some unknown reason, instinctively stepped back half a step—not out of fear, but some… instinctive reaction.

Jing Liu walked very slowly, step by step, until she stopped less than a foot away from Bai Hang.

This distance was too close.

So close that Bai Hang could clearly smell the alcohol scent on her mixed with her own icy, snow‑like aura, close enough to see the fine weave at the edge of the black Eye Mask, and even feel the subtle movement of her breathing.

Bai Hang's spine stiffened slightly, the smile on her face faltering: "G‑guest?"

Jing Liu said nothing.

She merely tilted her head slightly, the "gaze" covered by black silk seeming to appraise Bai Hang's face inch by inch.

From the smooth forehead to those Round Sunglasses...... (Jing Liu: Tsk)

Then to the upturned nose bridge, finally lingering on the lips.

Time seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

Then, before Bai Hang could react at all, Jing Liu suddenly leaned forward.

It wasn't a hugging posture, more like a leaning.

Her forehead gently rested on Bai Hang's shoulder, a few strands of icy silver hair slipping down, brushing Bai Hang's neck side, eliciting a subtle shiver.

"!"

Bai Hang's whole body went rigid; blood seemed to surge to the top of the head in an instant, cheeks and ears uncontrollably heating up.

She could feel the slightly lower body temperature coming from the other, and that steady yet deep breath.

"G‑guest?"

Her voice trembled a bit, her hand lifted, hovering in mid‑air, unsure whether to push away or… what to do.

Reason String told her she should keep distance immediately, but her body felt as if bound by Stasis Technique, unable to move.

Jing Liu gave no response.

She seemed to mutter something vaguely, the syllables broken, drowned in the faint rustle of fabric and their breathing.

That voice was too soft, too vague, bearing a rare softness tinged with the after‑effects of alcohol?

Bai Hang could not be sure.

That leaning posture lasted only two or three seconds.

Just as Bai Hang's heart seemed about to leap out of her throat, Jing Liu released.

She stepped back one pace, re‑establishing the distance, her posture still upright, as if that momentary closeness had been only Bai Hang's illusion.

Only her slightly turned head, and the few strands of silver hair that slipped from Bai Hang's shoulder and had not fully settled, proved that it was not a delusion.

"..."

Bai Hang opened her mouth, cheeks still hot, her mind a tangled mess.

Jing Liu, however, had returned to her usual bearing, though the slight huskiness in her voice seemed a bit more pronounced: "A bit drunk."

She paused, added, her tone as flat as stating the weather: "Lead the way."

Bai Hang took a full two seconds to recover from that bewildered, embarrassed shock.

"Oh… oh! Alright, alright! This way, please!"

She hurriedly turned, her steps a bit chaotic toward the guest room, not daring to look back.

Jing Liu quietly followed a step behind her.

The sensor lights along the corridor to the guest rooms lit up as they walked.

Bai Hang felt as if two calm, unruffled gazes were scorching her back, the spot on her shoulder where the other's forehead had rested still faintly warm, retaining the other's slightly cool body heat.

Her mind raced wildly:

(Drunk? Jing Liu… can also get drunk?)

(No, that expression just now…)

(What does that mutter… mean?)

She dared not think further.

Arriving at the guest room door, Bai Hang reached out to push it open, stepping aside: "Guest, this is it. Let me know if anything's missing, just call me."

The interior of the guest room matched the system's description, arranged simply and comfortably.

A bed dressed with plain cotton‑linen sheets, a desk, a chair, and a wardrobe.

A crack was left in the window, and the night breeze carried the fresh scent of the garden's plants.

Jing Liu stood at the doorway, not entering immediately.

Her face turned toward the interior of the room, and the black Eye Mask slowly swept over every corner, from the bed to the desk, then to the window.

Bai Hang's heart lifted again.

(Did she discover something?)

However, Jing Liu simply stood quietly for a few seconds, then stepped inside.

Her steps were steady as she walked straight to the window, extended her hand, and let her fingertips lightly brush the window frame.

"Very quiet," she said suddenly.

"Y-yes, this courtyard is secluded, so it's very quiet at night, perfect for rest!" Bai Hang hurriedly replied.

Jing Liu said nothing further.

She turned, walked to the bedside and sat down, her hands naturally resting on her knees, maintaining the same upright posture.

"Then... esteemed guest, you should rest early; I won't disturb you any more."

Bai Hang, as if granted a reprieve, quickly said, preparing to close the door and leave.

"Bai Xing," Jing Liu suddenly called out to her.

Bai Hang paused: "... Yes?"

Jing Liu gazed at her, her voice unusually clear in the silent room: "Tomorrow morning, I will leave."

Bai Hang felt a surge of joy, exhaled: "Ah... alright. You..."

"But,"

Jing Liu cut her off, her tone flat yet carrying an undeniable implication, "I may return again."

Bai Hang: "..."

Jing Liu seemed not to need her reply, already turning her face away, looking again at the night sky beyond the window, dotted with a few sparse stars.

"Close the door,"

"... Yes, you rest well."

Bai Hang replied softly, slowly closing the room door.

The heavy wooden door blocked the view and also the cool scent of wine lingering in the room.

Bai Hang leaned against the cold door panel, silently exhaling.

She raised her hand, brushed her still slightly flushed cheek, then touched the shoulder that Jing Liu's forehead had just pressed against.

There seemed to remain a faint cool sensation there, along with a slurred phrase tinged with wine.

(Will come again...)