I Woke Up And My Girlfriend Was Gone - Chapter 33

Chapter 33

A moment later, Shen Qingzi finished her call. She tapped on Zuo Yin’s window, her fair face like a sliver of the bright moon falling into Zuo Yin’s dark gaze.

“Looks like we have to head back to the celebration dinner after all.”

Zuo Yin nodded without asking why. She had no doubts about anywhere Shen Qingzi wanted to take her.

“Don’t drink anything once we get there. Yuqing seems to have gone overboard again,” Shen Qingzi said as she started the car.

“Mhm,” Zuo Yin replied. “You should drink less too.”

She knew that as the guest of honor, Shen Qingzi wouldn’t be able to avoid a few toasts.

Shen Qingzi nodded and smiled. “Don’t worry, Yuqing won’t dare bother me again.”

Zuo Yin gave her a puzzled look, but Shen Qingzi didn’t explain. She simply gave Zuo Yin a clever wink. It was as if countless stars had been scattered into the lonely sea of Zuo Yin’s heart, lighting up her world in an instant. It was achingly beautiful.

They soon arrived at the hotel. Before they even reached the private room, the sound of Sun Yuqing’s boisterous drinking could be heard through the door. The woman was clearly wasted again, dragging everyone into rounds of drinks.

The moment Zuo Yin stepped inside, she was—as expected—spotted by Sun Yuqing. But just as Sun Yuqing was excitedly rushing over with a glass in hand, she caught sight of Shen Qingzi standing beside Zuo Yin. A primal fear from deep within her alcohol-addled brain halted her movements instantly.

“What, aren’t you going to drink with Xiao Yin?” Xu Ji watched Sun Yuqing retreat toward him and used his fan to pull Zuo Yin over, sounding dissatisfied.

“I don’t dare drink with her!” Sun Yuqing’s face was flushed crimson as she shook her head violently.

“That’s strange. Is there actually someone you’re afraid to challenge? Does Xiao Yin have a massive tolerance?” Shen Lai found it amusing and looked at Zuo Yin.

Zuo Yin found it odd as well. “I can only handle one glass.”

“It’s not her,” Sun Yuqing panted, waving a hand while leaning against a chair. She pointed. “It’s her.”

All three followed her finger. Shen Qingzi stood in the center of everyone’s gaze. Her back was perfectly straight as she stood by the wine cabinet, casually selecting a long-necked crystal decanter. A pale gold liquid flowed slowly into a glass—elegant and effortless.

Noticing the attention, Shen Qingzi turned toward them, holding her glass. She curled her lips slightly and raised the glass toward Sun Yuqing, as if asking: “Still want to drink with me?”

Her long, smooth hair cascaded down, reflecting the light of the crystal chandeliers, making her appear exceptionally composed. In that moment, the drunk Sun Yuqing recalled the terror of being “controlled” by Shen Qingzi in the past. Her flushed face turned pale for a second, and she scurried away to find someone else to bother.

“What kind of psychological shadow did you leave on her? She doesn’t even dare mess with your student now,” Xu Ji said, deeply curious.

Shen Qingzi smiled. “I just had one drinking session with her. She probably just thinks drinking with me is exceptionally boring.”

“You… you get less serious as you get older.” Xu Ji clinked his glass against hers. “To think you submitted your work without discussing it with anyone. Bold move.”

Shen Qingzi took a small sip. “But the result was good.”

Xu Ji smiled in relief and pointed at Zuo Yin. “And you, little girl… I thought you’d be the end of your teacher when she pulled your painting from the local exhibition to send it to the National Art Exhibition in Italy. My heart stopped when I heard. Turns out you’re a lucky star.”

Shen Qingzi didn’t let him finish and topped up his drink. “Teacher, let me toast you again.”

…

Xu Ji’s attention was successfully diverted, but the conversation left a mark on Zuo Yin. She watched them with a slight frown. Suddenly, she heard a chuckle beside her. Shen Lai was sitting nearby, watching his daughter with a smile.

Zuo Yin hesitated, then turned to him. “Teacher, I wanted to ask you something.”

“About the award-winning painting?” Shen Lai seemed to see right through her.

Zuo Yin was surprised but nodded.

“You’ve realized that Qingzi withdrawing that painting back then cost her quite a bit of influence, haven’t you?” Shen Lai asked. Zuo Yin felt the guilt she had tried to set down rise up again.

“Chen Yi used some unsavory tactics because of it. Qingzi simply retaliated by reworking the piece and sending it to Italy. Then, the work Chen Yi called the ‘failed attempt of a declining artist’ won the Gold Award,” Shen Lai explained.

“And the rumors were crushed,” Zuo Yin added.

Shen Lai shook his head. “No, it’s that no one dares spread rumors about her anymore. Rumors, once fabricated, exist forever. It’s just that they, like certain people, are bullies who fear the strong.” He stood up and patted Zuo Yin’s shoulder. “Qingzi took you for noodles, didn’t she? She values you highly. Study well with her. Try to win an award at the National Oil Painting Exhibition this year and make us proud. Okay?”

“Mhm.” Zuo Yin nodded.

Her thoughts were a tangled mess. If not for her, Shen Qingzi wouldn’t have been attacked by those old rumors. She could have protected herself.

Why is she so good to me? Why did she accept me as her first student instead of keeping her distance after that night? Why does she buy me so many things without asking for anything in return? Why does she risk offending others just to back me up?

Zuo Yin watched Shen Qingzi standing with Zhou Lin and the others. She took a sip of iced juice, trying to stay clear-headed. Maybe for someone of Shen Qingzi’s status, these were just “small gestures.” Maybe she didn’t care about their one-night stand at all. Maybe she truly just valued her talent.

She tried to convince herself, but images of their time together kept surfacing. Those eyes, shaped like peach blossoms, held an endless tenderness. To Zuo Yin, who grew up in an emotional desert, that tenderness was fatal.

…

When the banquet ended, Zuo Yin hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol. Seeing Zhou Lin supporting a slightly tipsy Shen Qingzi, Zuo Yin walked straight over. “I’ll take her.”

A strange light flashed in Zhou Lin’s eyes. She didn’t let go. “I’ve got it. Qingzi is drunk.”

“There’s no need to trouble you. Teacher specifically told me not to drink so I could drive,” Zuo Yin said cryptically, effectively taking Shen Qingzi from Zhou Lin’s arms.

The night was pitch black, mirroring the depth of Zuo Yin’s eyes. She carefully buckled Shen Qingzi’s seatbelt, her heart thumping wildly. This was the first time she had ever lied to someone. For Shen Qingzi. Or perhaps for her own selfish desires.

“Drive safe,” Xu Ji waved.

“Mhm. We’re heading off then.” Zuo Yin nodded to the group and drove away under Zhou Lin’s watchful gaze.

The city lights blurred past the windows. The scent of alcohol warmed by the car heater combined with the bustling world outside gave Zuo Yin a fleeting sense of belonging—as if this world belonged only to her and Shen Qingzi.

…

Zuo Yin parked at Shen Qingzi’s house and reached over to unbuckle her seatbelt. She took the chance to steal a look at the woman in the passenger seat. Shen Qingzi was a bit drunk; her dark brown eyes were half-lidded, radiating a dizzying charm under the shifting shadows.

“Are we here?” Shen Qingzi asked suddenly, her eyelids fluttering.

Startled, Zuo Yin sat back up quickly. “Yes, we’re home.”

Shen Qingzi rested for a moment as the fog of alcohol cleared slightly. She pushed the door open. “I’m going to get some air.”

Zuo Yin shut off the heater and music, pulled the keys, and stepped out. A familiar scent of tobacco drifted into her nose. She looked across the hood to see Shen Qingzi leaning against the front of the car. She was holding a slender lady’s cigarette between her fingers, her hair blowing in the wind. She looked effortlessly seductive.

“Why are you smoking?” Zuo Yin walked to her side.

Shen Qingzi glanced at her and held the cigarette out. “Want one?”

“I don’t smoke,” Zuo Yin declined firmly.

Shen Qingzi smiled and brought the cigarette back to her lips.

“Little liar.”

A cloud of white smoke escaped her lips as she clearly articulated those two words. Zuo Yin froze, confused.

“Don’t remember?” Shen Qingzi tilted her head. Her unbuttoned collar revealed a expanse of pale skin against her beige down coat. “Since when did my ‘instructions’ become your excuse to take me home?”

A soft hum escaped her nose, carrying the warm scent of wine right into Zuo Yin’s ear.

The girl’s heart shook. She heard everything!

“Then why did Teacher come with me anyway?” Zuo Yin asked, feigning composure.

Shen Qingzi laughed. She wasn’t sure why she had taken Zuo Yin’s hand and followed her either, especially when Zhou Lin had volunteered.

“True. Why did I go with you?” Shen Qingzi reached out and rested her arm on Zuo Yin’s shoulder.

Even without drinking, Zuo Yin felt drunk. She looked into Shen Qingzi’s eyes, which were filled with a lingering tenderness—just like that night in the bar.

Zuo Yin couldn’t help herself. She leaned in closer, feeling the woman’s warm breath. The crimson lips in her vision slowly grew larger.