Chapter 19: Want to Go for a Walk?

As wine glasses were raised and lowered, the atmosphere in the S-booth at Shangmei bar became increasingly heated.

The rhythm of the music slowed down slightly, but it still carried a strong sense of groove.

The wine on the table gradually bottomed out, and several people were slightly tipsy, but also became more relaxed due to the catalysis of alcohol.

Wang Zhen was sitting beside Liu Yuting at this time, his face carrying a hint of redness from the alcohol.

The distance between him and Liu Yuting had clearly narrowed a lot, their shoulders almost touching.

Although he hadn't taken the initiative like Li Yan, he had clearly entered the state.

Liu Yuting didn't resist his closeness, even occasionally using her elbow to lightly touch Wang Zhen's arm, laughing and teasing him about his "betraying teammates" behavior in the game just now.

Wang Zhen gradually gained confidence in his heart.

He had been slightly reserved about such occasions originally, but with Li Yan's assists and the push of the atmosphere, he gradually regained his confidence.

He wasn't overly direct, just occasionally interacting with Liu Yuting through low-voiced jokes or casual gestures, appearing neither excessive nor distant.

Liu Yuting had her own calculations in mind.

Although she didn't have a strong liking for Wang Zhen, she could see he wasn't the frivolous type, and plus his family ran a supermarket, he was considered a decent choice.

She didn't resist their contact, and even when Wang Zhen tentatively leaned closer, she would occasionally use small actions to make the atmosphere more natural.

On the other side, Shen Qingyue was leaning completely in Li Yan's arms.

After the kiss and intimate contact just now, her emotions had completely relaxed.

Her face still carried a faint blush, her eyes were slightly blurred, but the corners of her mouth always hung with an imperceptible smile.

She didn't deliberately adjust her posture, but obediently let herself get closer to Li Yan, letting one of his hands hold her waist.

Li Yan sat on the sofa, his posture still unhurried.

His hand rested naturally on Shen Qingyue's waist, without any further action, just gently stroking her waistline.

The movement seemed casual, but carried a kind of reassuring power.

Shen Qingyue didn't resist, but rather seemed to actively melt into his embrace.

The two would occasionally whisper a few words, Shen Qingyue's voice soft, even carrying a hint of coquettishness.

And Li Yan's response was as calm as ever, carrying a hint of mature joking, yet making one feel incomparably reliable.

Xiaomei and Yueyue watched all this, having long made their judgment.

The two were very sensible and didn't rashly disturb the scene where the two were getting better and better.

They consciously picked up the empty wine bottles on the table, using the excuse of calling the waiter to replenish the drinks, and reorganized the fruit platter and glasses, appearing extremely thoughtful.

At this time, there were still people shaking dice on the table, but more were just joining in the fun, and the real focus was no longer on the game.

Wang Zhen's voice would occasionally rise, mixed with Liu Yuting's crisp laughter.

The two were getting closer and closer, even starting to communicate in low voices, as if isolating everyone else outside their small circle.

Shen Qingyue leaned in Li Yan's arms, looking up at him slightly.

Under the lights, her features appeared even more exquisite, and her gaze contained a kind of tenderness that couldn't be concealed.

She bit her lip lightly, seemingly wanting to say something, but as if shy, she delayed opening her mouth.

Li Yan looked at her, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth, his tone still low and gentle: "What's wrong? Drunk?"

Shen Qingyue shook her head, her voice very light: "No, just feel tonight... is quite special."

Her voice carried a hint of probing, but more of an unconscious sense of dependence.

Li Yan didn't say anything more, just tightened his arm slightly, pressing her body tighter into his embrace.

His gaze was calm, but he knew internally that the layout of this night had developed completely according to his expectations.

And all of this before his eyes was just one link in his composed plan.

The atmosphere in the bar remained heated, and the crowd on the dance floor was still swaying to their hearts' content under the lights.

And in this small world of the S-booth, the intertwining of emotions and the heating up of the atmosphere made everyone immerse themselves in their own emotions.

The effect of alcohol and hormones made this night appear particularly moving.

The drinking session was drawing to a close, the wine on the table had almost bottomed out, and the dice cups and wine glasses were placed messily.

Wang Zhen and Liu Yuting were still chatting enthusiastically, occasionally accompanied by soft laughter.

And Shen Qingyue was now leaning completely in Li Yan's arms, her face carrying a faint blush, her eyes mixed with a hint of confusion and tenderness.

Li Yan raised his wrist to check the time; it was almost one o'clock in the morning.

He patted Shen Qingyue's waist lightly, his tone low but gentle: "That's about it, let's rest first, everyone will be more relaxed tomorrow."

Li Yan hadn't played this late for a long time, and he himself felt quite tired.

When he stood up, he naturally supported Shen Qingyue, giving her an imperceptible support.

Shen Qingyue stood up obediently, seemingly still somewhat reluctant to leave him.

Seeing this, Xiaomei and Yueyue timely greeted the waiter to come up and settle the bill.

The bar's checkout procedure was always efficient; before long, the waiter brought the bill and bowed slightly to hand it to Li Yan: "Brother Yan, the total consumption tonight is 36,500 yuan."

Li Yan took the bill, glanced at it, and after confirming it was correct, took a bank card from his wallet and handed it over, signaling: "Calculate 500 for each person as a tip, thank you."

The waiter immediately smiled and nodded repeatedly: "Thank you, Brother Yan, welcome back next time!"

After checking out, the group walked out of Shangmei together.

The night wind carried a slight chill, dispelling the stuffiness of the drinking session.

Wang Zhen and Liu Yuting walked in front, the two looking like they had chatted quite enthusiastically, and the distance between them had narrowed a lot.

"Yuting, did you have fun today?" Wang Zhen asked tentatively, his tone carrying a hint of sincerity.

Liu Yuting smiled, her eyes adding a hint of softness: "Yes, very happy. Thank you for your hospitality, let's meet again if there's a chance."

Her reservation made Wang Zhen somewhat surprised, but at the same time, he felt that tonight might be a good start.

Xiaomei and Yueyue consciously followed at the very back, keeping a certain distance from Li Yan.

They knew clearly that tonight's goal had long been achieved; Shen Qingyue's thoughts toward Li Yan were obvious, and Li Yan had also given the two a satisfying tip.

The others dispersed one after another, leaving only Li Yan and Shen Qingyue.

The street lights were dim and yellow, Shen Qingyue leaned beside Li Yan, her steps appearing somewhat lazy.

Her long hair was gently brushed by the night wind, revealing her exquisite side profile, her eyes carrying a trace of complex emotions.

"How about we go for a walk together?" Li Yan's tone was calm, but his gaze was steady, looking into Shen Qingyue's eyes, as if he could see directly through her thoughts. ===== CHAPTER 20 =====