Chapter Sixty-Three: Falling for Her

Li Mohan watched as Chu Bing raised her glass, her face sincere, without a hint of hesitation. He lifted his own cup and downed it in one gulp.

Then Chu Bing poured another glass of wine.

“This one is to wish the young master great success and may all your wishes come true in the future.”

Li Mohan paused, gazed deeply at Chu Bing, and once again drank it all in one go.

Chu Bing poured yet another glass.

Her intentions were all too obvious—she wanted to get Li Mohan drunk.

Li Mohan watched the young girl rack her brains for reasons and couldn’t help but curl his lips into a smile. He was curious to see just what this little girl was up to.

So, he drank another cup.

Until the entire pot of wine was emptied into Li Mohan’s stomach, his gaze finally turned hazy.

Seeing this, Chu Bing waved her hand in front of him and asked cautiously, “Young master, are you drunk? Let me help you to rest.”

She was about to reach out and support Li Mohan, seizing the chance to test if he was truly drunk.

But before she could touch him, the man across from her pulled her over directly. Li Mohan’s hands gripped her waist as he lifted her up and set her on the table.

The scene was a little awkward.

Chu Bing sat on the table like a child, her legs dangling, while Li Mohan stood before her, staring intently.

Well, there was no need to test further—he was truly drunk.

If he weren’t, Li Mohan would never do such a thing.

“Li Mohan?” Chu Bing glanced toward the door. Old Zhao was nowhere to be seen, who knew where he’d gone. Now that Li Mohan was drunk, this was the best possible chance.

She lowered her voice, her eyes fixed on Li Mohan. “Where is Li Haoran now?”

A trace of confusion flickered in Li Mohan’s cold eyes. He didn’t speak, only stared at Chu Bing.

For a moment, Chu Bing couldn’t help suspecting he wasn’t drunk after all.

But Li Mohan soon shattered her doubts.

He reached out and touched Chu Bing’s face.

The warm sensation left them both a little stiff. Chu Bing didn’t dare move a muscle. What was Li Mohan trying to do?

His fingers trailed from her cheek to her rosy lips, his gaze deep and unfathomable. “Do you like Third Brother?”

Huh?

Chu Bing blinked. “No, I don’t.”

When had she ever liked Li Haoran?

If not for the sake of completing her mission, she wouldn’t care about him at all!

Upon hearing her answer, Li Mohan’s face broke into a smile.

It was as if an icy mountain had thawed—smiles warmed the corners of his eyes and brows.

Chu Bing was momentarily stunned, then shifted her gaze uncomfortably. She pressed on, “Where did Li Haoran go, exactly?”

Li Mohan frowned slightly, leaning closer to Chu Bing, his voice low. “Don’t mention him.”

They were so close that Chu Bing could smell the faint sandalwood fragrance on him.

Instinctively, she leaned back, trying to evade him, but Li Mohan suddenly grabbed her waist, forcing her to face him.

“Hongsleeve, you—”

Before he could finish, the door opened and Old Zhao stood on the threshold, his face dark.

“Hongsleeve! As I suspected, you’re seducing the young master behind my back!”

I’m not, I swear I’m not, I’ve been wronged!

Chu Bing waved her hands in denial, then pushed off the table and jumped down.

Old Zhao strode over to Li Mohan, and upon seeing he was merely drunk, let out a sigh of relief.

Yet his gaze toward Chu Bing remained full of suspicion.

Chu Bing raised both hands in surrender, her face innocent. “I only wanted to thank the young master for looking after me these days, so I made a table of good food and wanted to have a few drinks with him. Who would have thought the young master can’t hold his liquor and got drunk so quickly?”

“Nonsense!” Old Zhao helped Li Mohan to sit, glaring at Chu Bing. “Our young master never drinks. If you hadn’t tempted him, how could he have…”

Never drinks?

But just now, Li Mohan hadn’t hesitated at all...

Chu Bing looked at Li Mohan, who rested in Old Zhao’s arms. His eyes were closed from dizziness, his delicate features tinged with weakness, like a nobleman just stepped from an old painting.

“Hongsleeve, I don’t know what your intentions are for staying by our young master’s side, but it’s clear he’s taken a liking to you. If you have any conscience, don’t do anything to hurt him.”

Old Zhao bit his lip, his gaze icy as it fell on Chu Bing.

He’d served Li Mohan since childhood, watching the boy grow up—closer than a father.

Li Mohan was indifferent to emotions, never getting close to anyone, yet with Hongsleeve, he had repeatedly made exceptions!

Chu Bing was momentarily taken aback, her gaze falling upon Li Mohan.

Li Mohan had been very kind to her.

Ever since she arrived, whenever Old Zhao made things difficult, it was Li Mohan who shielded her. Many times, Chu Bing had left herself exposed, thinking for sure she’d be suspected, but Li Mohan always pretended not to notice.

He trusted her.

Now, hearing Old Zhao’s words, realization dawned—Li Mohan liked her!

It all made sense now, why he’d never doubted her!

Chu Bing pressed her lips together, looking at Li Mohan with a complicated expression.

She had always been someone who couldn’t stand being pressured or coerced—if Li Mohan had treated her coldly, she’d feel nothing. But knowing now that he liked her, a strange heaviness settled in her heart.

She couldn’t help but feel guilty toward him.

Old Zhao’s voice was cold. “Hongsleeve, our young master has been dependent on others since childhood, you can imagine the bitterness he’s endured. It hasn’t been easy for him to become who he is today. If you’re not sincere, I advise you to leave him as soon as possible. If the young master is hurt, even if it costs me my life, I will never let you go.”

Old Zhao spoke earnestly, pouring his heart out to Chu Bing.

Chu Bing fell silent.

The system, worried she might waver, quickly reminded her, “Host, remember the mission!”

If she failed, her life would be forfeit!

Chu Bing’s gaze instantly steeled. Not only did she have no particular feelings for Li Mohan, but given the dangers surrounding her, she simply couldn’t afford to like anyone.

She pressed her lips together, masking her emotions, and looked at Old Zhao with feigned excitement. “Uncle Zhao, I don’t understand what you’re saying. I’m just an ordinary maid, I’d never harm the young master! If you’re worried, I’ll just keep my distance from him from now on!”

Old Zhao glared at Chu Bing, disappointment flashing in his eyes.

He’d hoped she might be moved by his words, but she showed not a trace of emotion.

Clearly, she was a heartless woman.

Whether the young master’s affection for her was a blessing or a curse, he truly didn’t know.

Chu Bing cast one last glance at Li Mohan, then turned and left, her figure resolute.

In this ancient world rife with intrigue and treachery, her only goal was to complete her mission and survive!