Chapter Eleven: Yi Yunxue Gets Drunk

“Uncle Wei, you flatter me,” Chen Jiang said, his face flushing red.

For someone like Tang Xiaxia, a semi-professional in the entertainment circle, such praise was one thing. But coming from Uncle Wei, a renowned music producer in the industry, even Chen Jiang’s thick skin found it a bit embarrassing.

“Let’s start recording,” Tang Xiaxia reminded.

Yi Yunxue stepped into the recording studio as Uncle Wei adjusted the equipment. He was the overall supervisor for this session. The other staff were ready as well.

...

It took over two hours to record the version Chen Jiang was most satisfied with.

By the time they finished, it was already half past three.

Uncle Wei stayed behind to work overtime on the music’s post-production, while Chen Jiang and the others left first.

“Why don’t you all come to my place for dinner tonight? Thanks for coming with me to record today,” Yi Yunxue suggested.

“Great! It’s been a while since I’ve had your cooking, Sister Yunxue!” Tang Xiaxia was the first to agree.

“Is Sister Yunxue’s cooking really that good?” Chen Jiang asked curiously.

“Sister Yunxue is a master chef!” Tang Xiaxia said proudly.

Sister Li smiled from the side. “Yunxue is indeed quite good at cooking.”

“Her father started out running a restaurant, so she grew up around it. Naturally, her cooking skills aren’t bad,” she explained.

Yi Yunxue’s face lit up with pride. “Right! Even if I stop being an artist in the future, I can still be a chef. At least I won’t starve!”

The group got into Sister Li’s car.

After arriving at the residential complex, Chen Jiang went home briefly, while Tang Xiaxia and Sister Li accompanied Yi Yunxue to buy groceries.

By six in the evening, they were at Yi Yunxue’s house.

The three sat at the dining table, waiting for Yi Yunxue to serve the dishes.

“Here comes the steamed sea bass.”

“Mapo tofu.”

“Chicken stewed with mushrooms.”

“Cold cucumber salad, braised river prawns, and finally crucian carp soup!”

Looking at the beautifully presented dishes, Chen Jiang swallowed hard.

It seemed no different from the high-end restaurants he had dined at before…

The only difference was probably the names—the restaurant dishes had fancier titles.

“Try it,” Yi Yunxue said, her bright eyes full of anticipation.

Chen Jiang picked up a piece of fish and took a bite, then gave a thumbs-up. “Really delicious. Impressive!”

“I told you, Sister Yunxue is a master chef!” Tang Xiaxia said as she ate the chicken.

...

“By the way, do you want some beer? I just bought a few bottles at the supermarket,” Tang Xiaxia suddenly remembered and pulled out several bottles.

“You guys go ahead. I have to drive later, so I won’t drink,” Sister Li waved her hand.

Yi Yunxue hesitated but eventually nodded.

“Okay then, I’ll have some too,” Chen Jiang said. Seeing both women were drinking, he naturally agreed.

It’s just beer, not hard liquor.

If it had been hard liquor, he might have hesitated.

“Toasting!” The three clinked their beer bottles together.

Sister Li smiled warmly as she ate, watching the scene.

It had been a long time since they enjoyed such a relaxed atmosphere.

After a whirlwind meal, not a scrap of food was left on the table.

Tang Xiaxia, sitting in her chair, unabashedly rubbed her rounded belly.

“Burp! Sister Yunxue’s cooking is just too good!”

If her fans saw this, they’d probably be shocked.

Chen Jiang saw this and recalled Yi Yunxue’s private personality.

Indeed, it was only in private that one could see a star’s true self.

Sister Li glanced at the time and said to Tang Xiaxia, “Miss Tang, it’s getting late. I’ll take you home.”

“Okay. And Sister Li, I’ve told you many times, there’s no need to be so formal. Just call me Xiaxia like Sister Yunxue does,” Tang Xiaxia corrected.

“Sorry, habit of the job. I’ll remember next time,” Sister Li smiled helplessly.

“Sister Yunxue, we’ll be heading off now,” Tang Xiaxia said to Yi Yunxue.

“Alright, be careful on the road,” Yi Yunxue said, her face slightly flushed as she tried to keep up her composure.

“Drive safely,” Chen Jiang added.

After they left, Chen Jiang turned to Yi Yunxue. “Let me clear the table.”

He looked up at her and saw her staring at him with a dazed expression, her cheeks flushed. This was completely unlike her usual self.

Her delicate expression, paired with her naturally stunning face, stirred a protective instinct in him.

“Little Orange…” she suddenly called out.

“Meow~”

At that moment, a certain orange cat locked in the living room's iron cage, afraid of disturbing the diners, let out a puzzled meow.

Noticing Yi Yunxue’s unusual state, Chen Jiang quickly stepped forward to check on her.

As he approached, Yi Yunxue suddenly stood up and wrapped her arms around Chen Jiang’s neck.

Before he could react, his face pressed against something soft, and a sweet fragrance filled his nose.

His eyes widened in surprise, his mind going blank.

Mumbling indistinctly, Yi Yunxue said, “Little Orange, Mommy wants a hug… Huh? Little Orange, you’ve gotten... chubbier again?”

Chen Jiang hurriedly pulled away and steadied her.

...

“Is she drunk?” he asked, puzzled.

They hadn’t drunk much—less than one bottle—and yet she was like this.

Helping her back into her chair, he then called Tang Xiaxia on WeChat.

“Hey, have you left the complex yet?”

“Not yet, just got in the car. What’s up?” Tang Xiaxia replied, confused.

“You might want to come back. Yi Yunxue is drunk,” Chen Jiang said helplessly.

“Drunk? She was fine when we left, even said goodbye to us,” Tang Xiaxia was stunned.

“I don’t know either. Just come back quickly. It’s inconvenient for me alone,” Chen Jiang urged.

“Okay, we’ll be back right away,” Tang Xiaxia said and hung up.

Soon, the doorbell rang.

Chen Jiang hurried to open it.

Tang Xiaxia and Sister Li had just entered the dining room when they saw Yi Yunxue slumped in her chair, her face red like a small tomato.

The two women quickly helped her back to her room.

Chen Jiang finally breathed a sigh of relief and went to clean up the table.

After he finished washing the dishes and wiping the table, the two women came out of the room.

“Sister Yunxue vomited everywhere just now. Luckily, not on us,” Tang Xiaxia said with relief.

“We changed her clothes, and she’s asleep now.”

“Has she always been this bad with alcohol?” Chen Jiang asked, puzzled.

“I don’t know. I’ve eaten with her many times, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen her drink,” Tang Xiaxia replied.

“Neither have I,” Sister Li added. “If it weren’t for today, we wouldn’t have known her tolerance was this low.”

“Since she’s asleep, I’ll head home now,” Chen Jiang said.

“Sister Li, you go on ahead. I’ll stay and look after Sister Yunxue. I’ll call the driver to pick me up later,” Tang Xiaxia told Sister Li.

Sister Li nodded. “Alright, thanks for taking care of her.”

...

Back home, Chen Jiang couldn’t help but recall that scene again.

He took a deep breath, trying hard not to dwell on it.

He intended to focus and type a few words on his computer.

But his mind grew restless again.

Images of Yi Yunxue’s earlier state kept flashing through his mind.

“No, I need to take a shower and cool down first.”