It seemed the two of them had only drank one jug of wine, but because the drink had been aged long enough, its aftertaste must not to be underestimated.

Liu Duo stared at the man beside her, whose face and eyes had become dreamy after tasting some wine. Gosh, Ye Liu may be an abominable rival, but look at him now! He's actually quite submissive!

They got downstairs, and Liu Duo was about to open up her umbrella, when Ye Liu took her by the hand, "Little Duo, let me hold it for you."

The aftertaste had taken its toll, but he was apparently still sober.

With the umbrella opened, they were about to leave, when Qin Fang suddenly emerged, "Sister Duo, wait. The boss has arranged a horse and carriage to get you home."

Liu Duo gladly nodded, "Oh, he must have gone to great trouble to do that. Do thank him for me."

It was already about two o'clock in the afternoon, so Wang Tuozi had long returned to the village with his ox-cart.

"Don't mention it," Qin Fang said with a broad grin.

Shortly after, a coachman and his horse arrived at the shop's entrance.

They ended their conversation and both Liu Duo and Ye Liu got into the carriage.

The inside of the carriage was large enough to sit two people with some space to spare. There was ice at each corner, and the soft couch was made of high-class fabric.

It was cooling when they sat on it.

"Liuzi, get some rest. I'll wake you when we get home," she said to Ye Liu, whose face was getting redder by the minute.

The effects of the alcohol had caught up really quickly.

The horse carriage wobbled along the way, and Ye Liu felt a little dizzy.

He lowered his head and leaned against her shoulder with his arms in a loop around her waist, "Alright, I'm just going to rest a while. I don't feel so good."

With that, the pair of charming eyes slowly closed.

This left Liu Duo in an awkward position.

Wouldn't it be better to lie on the couch? Obviously, the length and width of the couch was designed so that the passenger could take a short break, if they were to bend their knees ever so slightly.

Now there was a human-sized heater right beside her, and no amount of ice could keep her chilled!

But she didn't push him away, for she knew he was under the effects of alcohol.

After a while, the man who had his eyes closed and should be casually asleep reached out and took hold of her waist.

Before she could react, he tugged her into his embrace, "Little Duo, I'm feeling rather hot and unbearable."

When Liu Duo realized what had happened, she was already sitting on his lap with his hands wrapped around her waist.

She shifted on the spot but it was no use. "Then why are you hugging me? Let me go, and lie still. Wait for the effects to subside and you'll feel better."

"But I want you here. You are soft, and you smell so nice. I love holding you," he said with his eyes shut and his head resting close to her heart. "Bouncy too."

Her lips twitched. This idiot was back to take advantage of her again!

She hit him on the head and reprimanded him, "Liuzi, you scoundrel! Let go of me, you shameless jerk!"

Ye Liu merely looked at her, his eyes squinting, and said, "Little Duo, I'm so thirsty. It'd be nice to have some milk."

Milk?

That was odd, even coming from him. Liu Duo was left stunned.

And then she put two and two together and blushed once more. She pinched him by the ears, "Liuzi, you shameless fool, let go of me this instant!"

Ye Liu chuckled at the sight of an enraged Liu Duo. He freed his ears and took her hand into his.

"Little Duo, you're overreacting. How am I shameless? Do tell."