The Top Enigma Has Fallen Off His Pedestal Again!

Gu Ling stood outside the door, his eyes sunken, dark circles beneath them, and his face pale. He took a deep breath and knocked softly a few times. After waiting several seconds without hearing a sound from inside, he pounded on the door, his voice hoarse. “Shen Qingzhu! I know you’re in there. Can we talk?” A minute later, Gu Ling suddenly slammed the door open. The pungent smell of alcohol hit him at once. The room was dim, with only a few rays of light struggling through the window to fall across the table. Gu Ling stood frozen for a moment, then hurried over to Shen Qingzhu, who was leaning against the corner. His hair was tousled, his eyes closed, his breathing faint. Gu Ling crouched beside him and gently brushed the stray hair from his face, seemingly waking him.

“Sorry.” Shen Qingzhu looked at Gu Ling through blurred vision. After a long while, he propped his chin on his hand and gazed at him. The shadow of his lashes wavered across his cheeks. The haze in his eyes left his gaze unfocused, yet somehow made it even more burning than when he was sober. Swaying, he staggered to his feet. Gu Ling carefully steadied him, but his words were reproachful. “Why do you keep avoiding me?”

“Leave me alone. It has nothing to do with you!” Shen Qingzhu shoved Gu Ling away. Drunk and unsteady, he nearly crashed into a vase. Gu Ling quickly pulled him into his arms and held him tightly, struggling to keep his emotions in check. “You’re mine. How could this have nothing to do with me? When you’re sober, can we sit down and talk properly?” Shen Qingzhu let his arms fall, trembling. “You’ll regret it.” Gu Ling froze for a moment, then stroked his back. “I won’t. I love you because I love you, not because of anything else”...