She sat still with a pout on her lips and turned to him. Her eyes were slightly glazed over as her eyes roamed over his features. She even protested when he asked her to scoot over and make space for him.

"Get out," she demanded.

"This is my car," he informed her before pushing her away and sliding in. The designated driver watched in amusement as Mo Qingchen leaned over her body and strapped her into place. He even rolled down the windows so that she could get some fresh air.

"If I weren't feeling merciful, I would chuck you out of my car," he warned. She snorted in response.

"Pretending to be a good man, are you?" she slurred.

"Yes. But why are you pretending to be a duck?" he asked and flicked her pouty lips. Her eyes widened comically, stunned by the action. The humiliation she would feel when she woke up the next morning was yet to set in.

"A duck?" she whisper-yelled. "I am a swan. Do you dare compare me to a duck? I don't even like to eat duck meat!" She sounded more offended than she ought to be.

"What does the taste of duck have to do with you? Did I say I was eating you for dinner?" He countered.

"After playing with my buttons this morning and trying to seduce me, you're acting saintly!" she accused. "I can see it in your eyes that you want to eat me and ensure that even the bones are not left." She huffed as she turned away from him.

Mo Qiangchen was at a loss for words. He looked at the designated driver to find the man watching their interaction, thoroughly entertained. He wanted to remain silent but Qian Meng wouldn't stop talking.

"I bet you like duck meat. That's why you made the reference," she grumbled.

Mo Qingchen took in a cleansing breath. He wasn't going to meet this man ever again, so he might as well speak his heart out.

"I do enjoy eating duck. But if you insist that you are a swan, I have nothing to say. Maybe, just like in the story of the ugly duckling."

Qian Meng squinted. "I am not ugly. I might be treated poorly by my family and other people... even my marriage is not in a good place, but don't compare me..."

"You used to be ugly," he claimed loudly. The man driving choked.

'Sir, are you really out of your mind?'

"But now I can't say the same. You might have been born to a family of ducks and considered yourself insufficient. You might have tried to compensate for what you thought was your wrong and gave everything to them, but in the end, you are not a duck. You are a swan. You will be happy when you go back where you belong and see yourself in the right light." He'd spoken a long and philosophical sentence that made her ponder.

"Finding where I belong. Seeing myself in the right light..." she mulled over it for a while before she came to the conclusion. "At least, the ugly duckling had a mother who loved him. And he was ungrateful."

She slowly drifted off to sleep.

"Well, you are a little ungrateful brat too. You never keep your promises." She thought she heard him say. In her state of muddle-headedness, she didn't ponder on it for too long.

- - - - -

"Sir, we've arrived," said the driver. Mo Qingchen looked up and nodded. He hummed as he watched Yun Qian Meng turn her face to the side and scratch her nose. She frowned, probably hurting herself with her own nail and he had to chuckle.

He was quite a bit buzzed himself, but talking to her had taken off the edge. Watching her sleep so peacefully, he didn't have the heart to wake her up. He opened his side of the door and walked over to the other side.

Before he could open the door, the driver spoke up. "Sir, I can't wait for long. Can you make it fast?" Mo Qingchen grimaced in response. He fished out his wallet from his pocket and picked out the money to give the driver.

"Here. I'll book another driver," he said calmly. The man looked at Mo Qingchen with slight confusion before nodding in understanding.

'This man plans on staying for a long time. I'd protest but he did tip well.' The driver could only shrug and get out of the car. He turned back as he was walking away, watching as Mo Qingchen opened the door and leaned in.

He grabbed her hands, latching them around his neck before sliding his hand under her leg and pulling her out. Holding her bridal style, he pulled her out and turned away. He extended his foot out, reaching for the door, and then kicked it closed.

He winced slightly but instinctively looked down towards Yun Qian Meng's face to ensure that she was not startled awake.

The woman in question simply grunted and buried her head into his chest.

Mo Qingchen could feel a smile play at the corner of his lips as he wiped her face audaciously into his t-shirt. This woman really knew how to rile people up. Furthermore, she was adept at it even when inebriated.

He walked into the lobby confidently. He didn't pay attention to the people who turned to stare. Some members of the staff barrelled forward to greet him.

"Mr Mo," they greeted. Their eyes wandered to the woman in his arms and the speculations began to form without further prompting. Mo Qingchen glared at them,

"I want Miss Yun's room number, please. And a keycard, if you will." He could extend his hand as he was holding onto her, but the staff would know well enough to accompany him to her room.