Tonight was the crucial night; he didn't want anything to spoil his alone-time with Zhou Ying.
Jiang Cheng took out his phone and summoned Wang Sheng on wechat.
Moments later, Wang Sheng pulled up in a rolls-royce. The moment the luxury car appeared at the entrance of the hotpot restaurant, it drew another wave of attention.
"Holy crap! A big shot~~"
"It must be nice to be friends with a big shot. Wonder if he needs any more friends?"
"Bro, that's like talking out your ass. When has a big shot ever lacked friends around him?"
Zhong Chuxi watched the crowd at the door and felt a swell of vanity.
This was the first time she'd ever experienced being the center of attention.
For a second, Zhong Chuxi glanced at Zhou Ying with envy.
The thought vanished quickly; in front of Zhou Ying, she still knew her place.
Jiang Cheng stuffed the three of them into the back seat, then said to Zhong Chuxi, "I invited you to dinner, never expecting you'd end up with this chore. Their places are all close—sorry, but you'll have to give them a ride."
Zhong Chuxi flashed an OK sign. "Thanks to the big shot, it's my first time in a rolls-royce! No trouble at all."
Zhou Zhiyun, rallying his energy, said, "Don't worry, I'll take you home first, then dump these two."
Zhong Chuxi teased, "If you take me home, I'm afraid you'll collapse on the street and I'll have to drag you back." Her tone was playful, but laced with concern.
Seeing her ruin his act, Zhou Zhiyun slurred at Jiang Cheng, "Didn't you drink too? You only called one car?? You can't drive drunk—what about you and sis-in-law??"
Jiang Cheng was struck by a sudden realization.
Right—Fang Yuan wasn't home tonight.
He instantly put on a pained, tipsy look, his straight posture wilting.
Mimicking Zhou Zhiyun, he mumbled, "She… she'll drive. She'll take me home. Don't worry, just go."
"Alright then, sis-in-law… please get my brother home." Zhou Zhiyun seemed relieved, waved weakly, and slumped back with eyes closed.
Suddenly addressed as "sis-in-law," Zhou Ying's face flushed.
She'd heard the title once before when out with Wang Zheng and the others, but back then she and Jiang Cheng weren't official—now it was different.
That single "sis-in-law" flustered her so much she missed Jiang Cheng's deliberate act.
Seeing him appear drunk, Zhou Ying quickly supported him. "You okay? I'll take you home."
Jiang Cheng nodded slowly. "Can't take it. Need to sleep."
"Then get in and lie down."
Zhou Ying noticed nothing, but Zhong Chuxi did; she smirked at Jiang Cheng. "Late night—are you two heading home, or…?"
Zhou Ying blushed and snapped, "What do you think? This is Chengdu."
"Oh? So in Shanghai you wouldn't go home??"
Knowing Zhong Chuxi was teasing, Zhou Ying pouted and urged, "Move it. If you don't, you'll miss your curfew and get scolded by Mom and Dad—don't come crying."
After a few exchanges, Zhou Ying helped Jiang Cheng into the passenger seat of the bentley continental.
Once behind the wheel, she popped a lollipop into her mouth as usual.
Everything ready, she noticed Jiang Cheng had already dozed off.
She nudged his arm and whispered, "Jiang Cheng, which floor is your place on?"
No response—he seemed fast asleep.
After more shaking, still nothing. Zhou Ying frowned. "What's wrong? You seemed fine—how are you this drunk?? Jiang Cheng? Wake up."
No luck; she took his phone. "I'll call your parents, okay?"
The screen asked for a passcode.
She aimed the phone at his face, but he hadn't set up Face ID.
"Why no Face ID? What now? I don't even have Zhou Zhiyun's number. If you don't go home, your folks will worry…"
A proper man would never use something as insecure as Face ID.
If he ever got drunk, anyone beside him could just scan his face—awkward.
Zhou Ying pushed him again. "Jiang Cheng, wake up. Where's your home? Or your passcode?"
Finally a reaction: he grumbled, "Stop… pushing. They don't care. Just find… somewhere to sleep."
Zhou Ying checked the time—just past eight p.m.
After a moment's thought, she started the car toward Wangjiang Residence.
Downstairs, she enlisted the security guard to help carry Jiang Cheng upstairs.
After laying him in the bedroom, she politely saw the guard out.
She kicked off his shoes, then sat panting on the bed.
She checked his phone—no missed calls.
Sitting there, she gave a helpless smile.
Originally she'd meant to let him sober up, then drive him home.
But she'd realized he was faking; the act was good, yet something felt off.
While helping him in, his hand had kept brushing her chest—hardly the move of someone blackout drunk, more like taking advantage.
When her dad came home drunk, he was a dead fish—only slept.
Zhou Ying rolled her eyes and said, "They really ganged up on you—three heroes against one Lü Bu. Drinking like this hurts. Whatever, you won't wake up for ages. I'm sticky; I'll shower first."
She headed for the bathroom, heart pounding. Even knowing he was pretending, she wouldn't expose him.
The water was hot; steam filled the room, almost suffocating.
She took a deep breath, stripped, and stepped under the spray, replaying every moment with Jiang Cheng.
As she expected, the moment the bathroom door shut, Jiang Cheng sat up.
Hearing the shower, he grabbed his phone and texted his dad on wechat: staying out tonight, gaming at the net café with Zhou Zhiyun.
He'd done it plenty during holidays; the excuse was flawless.
He also tipped off Zhou Zhiyun so Mom and Dad wouldn't bump into him and blow the story.
But instead of the usual OK, his dad replied, "Same rule—when you're out, stay safe. I'm not ready to babysit grandkids."
Jiang Cheng smiled helplessly.
Seems nothing gets past the old man.