Time slipped by without him noticing. Afternoon slowly turned into evening, and evening quietly became night. Outside, the city lit up, and downstairs the bar finally came alive.
Music blasted through the speakers, people laughed, shouted, danced, kissed, pressed close to each other, and the place turned wild in seconds.
But his room stayed dim and quiet.
Empty bottles started piling up on the table. The soft light barely touched his face, leaving most of his features hidden in shadow as he drank, again and again, pretending it helped when it didn't.
His gaze grew darker, unfocused, and hazy from alcohol, yet that image wouldn't leave him. Tang Xiyu's frail figure wrapped in bandages resting her head against someone else's chest.
That soft smile...
That dependence...
His chest burned with something unpleasant.
Frustration.
Irritation.
Jealousy.
