21. It Was All the Trouble Brought by Drinking

“What about me?” Amy bounced into the ancestral house, her steps light. “This place isn’t bad at all, just a bit old.”

Hearing her voice, Ye Feng poked his head out from the kitchen and was dumbfounded at the sight of Amy. He stared blankly. “I’m speechless, Xiao Mi, what brings you here?”

Amy cocked her head and sighed, “Ah, no choice. My house caught fire, you see. My parents are both away, and poor little me, all alone, could only come to take refuge with you, my dear elder.”

Ye Feng tilted his mouth. “Cut it out. With so many rooms in your house, it would take days to burn them all down. I saw you this afternoon and you were just fine. It’s only been a few hours and your house is already burned to the ground? Who are you trying to fool? Out with it—why are you here at this hour?”

“You have no sense of humor. I had a fight with my dad and stormed out to clear my head. I heard your ancestral house was nearby, so I came over to check it out.” As she spoke, Amy started taking off her layers. It was several degrees below zero outside, so she was dressed warmly, but inside the house the heater was on high, so she shrugged off her coat and walked straight to where Luo Ming had been lying earlier.

By then, Ye Feng had come out of the kitchen. Amy looked at him, surprised to see him wearing an apron. “My goodness, you can cook?”

“What’s so strange about that? I haven’t been a rich young master for years. I have to learn to fend for myself,” Ye Feng replied matter-of-factly.

“It’s just a surprise, that’s all. There aren’t many men who can cook these days.” Amy grinned at him.

Ye Feng shook his head with a smile and went back to the kitchen to continue cooking. Another little glutton had arrived, so he’d better prepare a couple more dishes.

With Ye Feng in the kitchen, Amy and Luo Ming started chatting, and soon the aroma of food wafted out.

“That smells amazing…” Amy, drawn by the scent, got up and headed to the kitchen, curious to see what Ye Feng was making that could smell so good.

As she entered, Ye Feng was busy frying eggs. She watched him and offered, “Ye Feng, let me help you?”

“No need. Go wait in the living room—it’ll be ready soon.” Ye Feng, keeping an eye on the tomatoes in the basket, added, “There are only three tomatoes. You can have one, but don’t touch the other two. I need those for the stir-fry.”

Ye Feng was well aware of Amy’s track record—she always ended up sneaking all the washed tomatoes, leaving none for cooking.

Laughing, Amy grabbed a tomato and popped it in her mouth. “I’m not going to the living room. TV’s boring and Luo Ming isn’t any fun either. When did you learn to cook? It smells fantastic!”

“Nobody taught me, I taught myself. If you’re that bored, help me carry the finished dishes to the table. Dinner’s almost ready.”

“All right, my mouth is watering just watching you.” Amy, the little glutton, carried the dishes out.

Seeing Amy bring two plates into the dining room, Luo Ming got up to help. He’d eaten Ye Feng’s cooking before—it was better than some so-called master chefs.

After Amy had made a few trips, setting out the dishes and utensils, Ye Feng brought out the last two dishes. “Sit down, both of you. What are you standing for? It’s been a while since I cooked up a feast, so just make do with what I’ve got.”

Luo Ming opened a beer he’d bought at the supermarket and poured it into a glass, glancing at Amy. “Didn’t know you’d be coming, so I didn’t get any juice or wine. Want a drink?”

“Of course! I’m not just going to watch you two drink, am I?”

Once all three were seated, Ye Feng raised his glass. “Come on, let’s have a toast.”

“A toast to what?” Amy asked, puzzled. It was the first time she’d heard of toasting without a reason.

“To… to…” Ye Feng actually didn’t know himself. These two were probably his best friends. “Why does there always have to be a reason? Just for fun! Drink if you want!”

“To Ye Feng’s cooking, then,” Luo Ming said, rescuing him from his awkwardness.

After downing their drinks, Ye Feng urged them to eat.

Luo Ming, having had Ye Feng’s food before, savored it with a look of reminiscence. But for Amy, who’d never tasted his cooking, one bite was all it took—she nearly bit her tongue in surprise.

“How is it this good? It’s better than the famous international chef at my house! What ingredients do you use?” Amy was amazed.

“Just regular stuff. Maybe you’re just hungry.” Ye Feng felt a bit smug but didn’t show it.

“How do you make it?” Amy was full of curiosity.

“It’s just the usual way. Eat up, quit asking so many questions.” Ye Feng couldn’t really explain—he’d used a seasoning from the future called “Umami Essence,” made from common spices ground and blended in a certain ratio. It was nothing special in the future, but it hadn’t even been invented yet.

Seeing Ye Feng ignore her, Amy had to shift topics.

The three of them ate and drank, laughing and chatting, the atmosphere lively. Luo Ming had bought several cases of beer, figuring he’d be back often and might as well stock up. Unknowingly, they polished off more than two cases—about twenty-six bottles in total.

Of course, Ye Feng and Luo Ming drank most of it. Amy, after four bottles, was already quite tipsy. Soon after, Luo Ming also passed out, and Ye Feng was left only barely conscious, his mind fuzzy with drink.

Summoning his last reserves of willpower, Ye Feng managed to haul Luo Ming onto the sofa—he was too heavy to carry upstairs. After covering him with a blanket, Ye Feng turned to deal with Amy. No way was he going to let a girl sleep in the living room. Luckily, Amy was slim and light, so it wasn’t too much effort to carry her upstairs and into the guest room.

But as soon as they entered, Amy tipped her head back and, holding onto Ye Feng, vomited all over him. Losing her balance, her hair in disarray, she collapsed onto the floor.

Looking at Amy sprawled on the ground, then at himself—now covered in her vomit—Ye Feng was at a loss for words. He managed to get her to the bathroom, washed her face, and made her drink some water. She seemed much better afterward.

He finally got Amy settled in bed, took off her high heels, covered her with a quilt, and went to the bathroom himself. He stripped out of his filthy clothes and sank into the bathtub. Maybe it was the hot water, maybe the aftereffects of the alcohol, but his mind grew hazy, his eyelids drooping, his body heavy as lead. He tried to brush the wet hair from his forehead but found his hands unresponsive, his brain slow. After soaking for over half an hour, Ye Feng, barely clinging to consciousness, worried he might drown if he fell asleep in the tub, struggled to stand, and staggered out of the bathroom, collapsing onto a bed in a daze.

He didn’t know how long he slept before he suddenly felt something warm wrap around him, soft and fragrant. His mind was already clouded by sleep and alcohol, and he only felt supremely comfortable. He turned over, hugging the source of warmth tightly. Sensing something between them, he instinctively brushed it aside and pressed himself against the warmth, which slowly responded, enveloping him…

When Amy was awakened by the blinding sunlight, her head throbbed terribly—a hangover, she knew, but paid it no mind. She tried to get up but a sharp pain shot through her body. The pain brought clarity, and suddenly she realized she wasn’t in her own bedroom but a strange room, lying naked beside a man, equally unclothed. He seemed to be dreaming, a faint smile on his lips.

Amy was stunned. She glanced down at her aching body, seeing the red swelling and, on the stark white sheets, many tiny spots of blood.

Her mind went blank. She finally understood what had happened—she’d lost her virginity to Ye Feng! But that couldn’t be right. Amy frowned, trying hard to recall the events of the night before.

She’d argued with her father over him agreeing to set her up with a notorious playboy, stormed off alone to Ye Feng’s place… then Ye Feng cooked… the three of them ate… then she blacked out… and then…

She didn’t know what to say—she felt angry, sad, conflicted, and, somewhere deep down, a little happy. The chastity she’d guarded for over a decade was gone, and to Ye Feng of all people. She couldn’t help but resent him. Glancing at Ye Feng, still smiling in his sleep, Amy was furious. She grabbed his arm and twisted it hard.

Ye Feng was dreaming of being led into paradise by angels when a sharp pain shot through his arm. He opened his eyes, only to be blinded by sunlight and quickly shut them again, but he already knew—so it hadn’t been a dream after all.

He rubbed his aching arm—still painful.

No, wasn’t it a dream? Ye Feng suddenly sobered up. Sitting up, he saw a beautiful woman sitting naked beside him, her hands clutching the quilt to her chest, her fair skin making his heart race.

Looking up, he saw it was Amy. He rubbed his head—hadn’t he put her in the guest room next door? How did she end up beside him? This must be a dream. He closed his eyes, rubbed them, and opened them again—only to see the same scene, Amy glaring at him furiously. At that moment, he understood everything. Four words flashed through his mind.

Drunk and lost control!

“It… it wasn’t a dream?” Ye Feng stammered. He looked utterly foolish. The blood stains on the sheets made it clear Amy had been a virgin. A sudden sense of guilt washed over him. Was this… considered assault? Seeing her expression, Ye Feng was at a complete loss, his face full of remorse.

“A dream?” Amy was torn between laughter and tears. She’d always had some affection for Ye Feng, but every girl dreams of her first time being special. Now it had happened like this, without rhyme or reason, and she couldn’t help but be angry. She glared at Ye Feng. “After taking advantage of me, you call it a dream?”

“No… it wasn’t a dream. It’s my fault, I’ll take responsibility!” Ye Feng raised his head to look at her. Honestly, he didn’t know how to handle this. With such a good friend, and now this barrier between them, how could he face her?

“Who asked you to take responsibility? Do you know what you’ve done? This is a crime—you could be sentenced to death!” Amy, on the verge of a breakdown, yelled at him through her tears.

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