The Sweetest Marriage (2)

Ch. 316: A Cup of Seeking Drunkenness

A family of four spent the New Year's holiday at a hot spring hotel, thoroughly enjoying the comfortable hot springs and beautiful scenery. They all seemed reluctant to leave.

Over the next two days, Xie Chunsheng didn't show up, and Chen Yunlan didn't encounter him either. Surprisingly, Chen Yunlan felt relieved. It wasn't that he cared much about Xie Chunsheng; it was Xie Chunsheng's overpowering presence that made it hard for Chen Yunlan to catch his breath when facing him. When they finally left the hot spring hotel and returned home in the evening, the winter night in the capital city stretched long. As dusk fell, the night enveloped the world. The vibrant city lights began to illuminate the bustling city; the night in the capital was just beginning.

Chen Yunlan didn't go home with Wei Chen and Chen Li, instead driving to a bar. During his time in China, he used to be a regular at this bar, a time when he indulged the most.

However, today he didn't come to indulge. He just inexplicably felt like having a drink. He didn't know what emotions he was experiencing, only feeling a tightness in his chest, an urgent need for alcohol to numb the chaotic emotions.

The bar was already open, and the bartender behind the counter was the same as before. He remembered Chen Yunlan and, seeing him sit at the bar, raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Mr. Chen, long time no see. The usual?"

"Do you still remember what I like?" Chen Yunlan looked up at the bartender, somewhat astonished. It had been about five years since he last visited this bar, yet the bartender remembered his taste.

The bartender smiled. "Just a skill of the trade." With that, he started mixing a drink for Chen Yunlan.

Chen Yunlan leaned on his chin, watching the bartender's deft movements, not knowing what he was thinking. There was a vacant look in his fox-like eyes.

"Mr. Chen, here you go." The bartender pushed the finished drink toward Chen Yunlan. The colorful lights in the bar swayed recklessly, making it impossible to determine the color of the drink.

Chen Yunlan picked up the glass, and the strong smell of alcohol rushed into his nostrils, momentarily dazing him. His mind went blank, not sure what he was recalling. He didn't drink it; instead, he placed the glass back on the table.

"Not to your liking, Mr. Chen?" the bartender asked.

Shaking his head, Chen Yunlan replied, "Give me something lighter." He had a strong desire for a drink before coming, but the moment the alcohol reached his nose, he lost all interest.

The bartender glanced at Chen Yunlan for a moment before smiling, saying, "Alright." With that, he turned and poured a glass of orange juice for Chen Yunlan, pushing it in front of him again. "Since you don't want to drink alcohol, have some juice. There's no rule that says you must drink at a bar."

Chen Yunlan glanced at the indistinct color of the orange juice under the colorful lights and finally said, "Okay."

Feeling like he was going mad, Chen Yunlan had traveled all this way to the bar and ended up not drinking. He spent nearly half an hour sipping on the glass of orange juice.

Later, as his gaze fell upon the colorful dance floor, Chen Yunlan inexplicably felt a wave of boredom. He quickly settled the bill and left the bar.

"Take care, Mr. Chen," the bartender bid farewell, watching Chen Yunlan leave. He had a premonition that it might be a long time before he saw Mr. Chen again, or perhaps he would never see him here again because Mr. Chen's demeanor never quite blended in here, even during that period.

Mr. Chen always seemed like a transient, devoid of emotions, observing everything with a cold eye.

During that time, he indulged himself quite recklessly, accepting everything that came his way. Yet, even in this state, Mr. Chen didn't consider it pleasure. It could even be described as a form of punishment.