Chapter 80: That Stubbornness
Because they had spent some time on the road, and winter days are so short, by the time the two returned home, it was completely dark, even though it wasn’t that late.
But when they parked the car, Mu Le didn’t want to get out.
It wasn’t until Xiao Yuze kissed her hard several more times that she finally opened her arms and said, “Carry me.”
Seeing Mu Le with that innocent expression, Xiao Yuze could only shake his head with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Carrying her wasn’t difficult. She was light, and Xiao Yuze found it very easy.
The problem was that it was still early night, and there were people around. Carrying her like this was definitely drawing attention.
Xiao Yuze had a thick skin, but he couldn’t completely ignore everyone’s eyes. Neighbors might even see them, though the current neighbors were so strange that some probably didn’t even know each other’s names after years of living next door.
As he hesitated, Mu Le, who had unbuckled her own seatbelt, suddenly jumped onto him and nuzzled happily against him.
“Stop it,” he said.
When Mu Le was drunk like this, Xiao Yuze really didn’t know what to do.
“If you keep this up, I’ll kiss you again.”
Mu Le didn’t even care about the threat. She continued nuzzling against him and mumbled, “No…”
“Fine, fine, I give up. But carrying you like this is tiring, so how about I give you a piggyback ride home instead?” Seeing that arguing wouldn’t help, Xiao Yuze finally said, testing the waters.
Mu Le paused for a moment, then gently nodded.
“Okay.”
Hearing that, Xiao Yuze let out a small sigh of relief. At the same time, he silently decided never to let Mu Le get drunk again.
Sure, being drunk had its cute moments, but it was really exhausting!
The way home wasn’t long. Xiao Yuze carried Mu Le, and the cold night wind lightly lifted their clothes. The dim streetlights stretched their shadows long across the ground.
Mu Le rested her face lightly against his chest, her eyes half-closed, lost in thought.
After walking for a while, she suddenly spoke softly, “Am I… being too stubborn?”
Xiao Yuze slowed his pace slightly, then continued as usual.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he pinched her small hip firmly with his hand.
“Ugh… pervert!”
A moment later, Mu Le’s voice came from behind him, full of mock scorn. But she didn’t resist at all.
Xiao Yuze couldn’t help but smile. “Feeling sober now?”
“Ah… halfway,” Mu Le yawned, her voice still a little sleepy. “Before, the whole world felt all dizzy. Then someone kissed me for so long, and this cold wind blew… my head hurts a bit, and I’m still kind of dizzy…”
“There should be some hangover medicine at home. Take a little later. You’re a girl, so don’t drink so much next time.”
Mu Le’s words didn’t make Xiao Yuze feel embarrassed at all. In fact, when she spoke about drinking less, her tone became a little serious.
Leaning against his back, Mu Le blinked. “Got it, Comrade Xiao Yuze. From now on, I’ll obey the Party’s arrangements and leadership, and listen to the Party’s teachings… Wah, you pinched my butt again!”
“If you keep talking nonsense, it won’t just be your butt next time.”
This ‘threat’ actually worked a little on Mu Le. Finally, she settled down quietly.
After being carried for a while, Mu Le finally seemed to realize what was happening. She lightly struggled and said, “Um… can you put me down? I can walk by myself.”
“It’s fine.” Xiao Yuze replied calmly.
“No, it’s not about being fine… it’s just…” Mu Le paused for a moment, her cheeks turning slightly red. “If someone sees us like this, it might be a little embarrassing.”
“I like it, that’s enough.” Xiao Yuze smiled, showing no intention of putting her down.
After a little struggle, Mu Le became quiet again. She adjusted slightly and rested her chin on his shoulder.
Looking ahead, her gaze was a little dreamy. Then, she whispered softly into Xiao Yuze’s ear, “I know… sometimes I’m really stubborn. But you’ve always been so patient with me.”
“Why are you saying this all of a sudden?” Xiao Yuze kept walking, but his voice grew softer.
“Because I’ve always been afraid… afraid that one day you might suddenly leave me. I used to worry about this a lot because you’re my friend, my brother, and my… lover. I shouldn’t rely on you so much. I know it’s wrong, I know I shouldn’t… but I just like you. What can I do?”
Her voice was very quiet, and even Mu Le herself didn’t really know why she wanted to say these things.
Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was just honesty after drinking.
In the end, she said it because she wanted to. Did it need a reason?
“Idiot.” Xiao Yuze’s response was just one word, with a faint smile in his voice.
Mu Le seemed not to notice his words. She tightened her hand around him, her eyes dreamy, almost as if they could drip water. “And you know… I’m not just a total homebody. I’m lazy and love eating. I don’t like exercise, I have a bad temper, I’m very stubborn, and people don’t even like me… Why, Aze, can you stand all that?”
Who talks about themselves like that? Xiao Yuze, who had just been about to comfort her, was brought back to reality by her relentless self-criticism.
After all, Mu Le was Mu Le, you could never keep up with the leaps in her thoughts.
One moment she’s saying something sentimental, the next she’s insulting herself.
Xiao Yuze sighed, then said tiredly, “Who told you I like you?”
“Huh? Is that a confession?”
“Do you think so?”
“I don’t think so, so… how about saying it again? Wah, Aze, you pervert, you pinched my butt again!”
Xiao Yuze let a few black lines drop onto his forehead at her fussing, but wisely didn’t respond.
Their home wasn’t far from the parking spot, so in the midst of teasing and joking, they unknowingly reached the door.
Mu Le, as stubborn as ever, still refused to get down.
Xiao Yuze, in a good mood, said nothing and simply carried her into the room.
In a nearby little corner, Goldie poked his head out at the noise, looked at them, and then lay back down.
After placing Mu Le on the bed, Xiao Yuze finally exhaled slightly and adjusted his clothes.
Mu Le took the opportunity to roll around on the bed a few times, comfortably squinting her eyes.
Xiao Yuze glanced at her. “Rest well. You’ve been drinking and had cold wind, so if you don’t sleep properly, you might have a headache tomorrow.”
He turned to leave.
But…
“Hm? Again?” Xiao Yuze sensed something and turned slightly, seeing Mu Le on the bed reaching out to grab his shirt.
“Can we… sleep together tonight?”
Her eyes looked a little shy as she looked up at him, making Xiao Yuze raise an eyebrow.
Finally, he gave a slightly strange smile. “Are you… sure?”
“…Hmm, maybe not.”
“No, let’s just decide that.”