Chapter 46 How Much Did You Drink Tonight

"You're drunk!" Tang Pei gently steadied her by the shoulders. "Don't join the rest of the activities. I'll have someone take you home."

"What else is there afterwards?"

"What else could there be at a dinner banquet?" Tang Pei replied lightly. In their social circle, the waltz was indispensable—a kind of etiquette among the upper class. From his words, Lily understood. "I can't leave first."

"Why not?"

"It would be rude," she replied. In truth, someone in that group was deliberately watching her. If she left early, it would give others reason to call her cold and arrogant.

"Or are you waiting for Mr. Mo? Come on, he won't be coming tonight. His charity banquet won't end until at least half past ten." As Tang Pei turned her around, looking surprised, he saw a man in the distance down the corridor, his gaze fixed on them.

"Mr. Mo?" Tang Pei called out, caught off guard.

Lily narrowed her eyes, noticing the man's tall figure. On closer look, there was a chill in his eyes, a distance that kept everyone away. Mo Zhicheng said nothing, simply watching them. Tang Pei let Lily rest against the railing and hurried forward. "Mr. Mo, what brings you here?"

After a long pause, Mo Zhicheng lowered his head, brushed his sleeve, and spoke in a quiet voice. "I came to check on the celebration dinner." Bowing slightly, his gaze fell on the woman behind Tang Pei's shoulder.

"And your event, Mr. Mo?" Tang Pei quickly asked, "Do you need me to arrange anything?"

Mo Zhicheng withdrew his gaze. "No, I just wanted to have a look around." He raised his brow, nodding toward Lily, and asked, "Are you very close to her?"

Tang Pei was momentarily taken aback, then realized what Mo Zhicheng was asking. Following his gaze, he replied, "You mean Lily Ye? She ranked first in this round of management trainee evaluations."

"I hope she didn't get in through your back door," Mo Zhicheng remarked blandly, his face betraying no emotion.

Tang Pei hesitated, and Mo Zhicheng gave a faint smile. "You seem very close. What is your relationship?"

Though the words carried a smile, Tang Pei felt awkward. "No, it's not—"

He faltered, and in that brief silence, Mo Zhicheng narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, then turned to look toward the exhibition center in the distance. "I'll go check on the banquet."

Once Mo Zhicheng left, Tang Pei replayed his words in his mind.

—You seem very close. What is your relationship?

Tang Pei frowned and glanced at Lily. He approached, only to find that if she’d been six-tenths drunk a moment ago, she was now nearly eight-tenths gone. Lily hadn’t realized what had just happened. "Was that Mr. Mo just now?"

Tang Pei nodded. "Yes."

"Then I'll head inside," she said. Now, more than ever, she could not afford to leave early. As Lily brushed past him, Tang Pei, worried she might stumble, supported her. "Are you sure you’re alright?"

"I'm fine!" she waved him off, shaking her head.

On the dance floor, Mo Zhicheng's presence made the banquet shine even brighter. He held a glass of champagne, pouring himself half a glass. Amidst the fragrance of perfume and starlight, he created a scene all his own. Glancing toward the entrance where Tang Pei was helping Lily in, he drew back his gaze and sipped quietly.

Lily’s head throbbed, the aftereffects of the wine intensifying. After thanking Tang Pei, she found a random corner to sit, grabbed a glass of lemon water from the table, and gulped it down. Still, her mouth was dry, and a stifling heat lingered.

The ball began to the strains of elegant light music. Chopin’s nocturne drifted gently through the air. Propping her chin in her hand, Lily gazed listlessly ahead. So, it truly was a social dance.

Sleepiness overtook her drunkenness. Resting her head on the table, she drifted between waking and dreaming. Suddenly, a strong force pulled her upright. Before she could process what was happening, she was swept onto the dance floor. Startled, she looked up at once. An arm tightened around her waist, and she drew in a sharp breath. "Mr. Mo!"

"How much have you had to drink?"

Mo Zhicheng bent close to her ear, his words a low murmur meant for her alone, his breath stirring the hair at her temple.