I've recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Name: 'Pokémon But Stardew Valley'
Don't forget to vote for the new Douluo novel in Patreon! Voting ends in 1 day!
----------------------
Dai Chengfeng felt the weight in his arm increase as Liu Erlong's previously upright body seemed to instantly lose its strength, slumping softly to one side.
With quick reflexes, he swiftly tightened his arm around her, catching her light yet trembling body and preventing any awkwardness.
Even through her clothes, he could feel the coolness and stiffness of her body.
Dai Chengfeng looked down at her tightly pressed lips and slightly trembling eyelashes. Her usually fiery eyes were now lowered, concealing all emotions, leaving only a fragile facade of forced calm.
He sighed lightly, unconsciously softening his voice: "Why do you have to do this?"
Liu Erlong didn't respond, not even uttering a single syllable.
She stubbornly turned her head, gazing blankly in the direction where Yu Xiaogang and Tang San had disappeared, though they were long gone.
Seeing Yu Xiaogang transformed into that state shocked her no less than it did Dai Chengfeng. That effeminate and handsome appearance, even with an air of pitiful charm, was like a sharp thorn piercing the softest, most untouched corner of her heart.
Past grievances and entangled emotions, mixed with indescribable shock, absurdity, and even a tinge of self-loathing due to the change, left her mind in turmoil.
Finally, grabbing Dai Chengfeng's arm wasn't just for Yu Xiaogang to see—it was more about decisively cutting off any lingering unrealistic thoughts within herself.
The torment and struggle she endured couldn't be summed up by Dai Chengfeng's simple "why."
Seeing her like this, Dai Chengfeng didn't press further.
He understood her fierceness and knew she might not need verbal comfort right now.
Glancing around the somewhat noisy street, he gently tightened his grip on her.
With an undeniable gentle force, he led her away from the conspicuous place into a relatively quiet alley.
Deep in the alley, the light dimmed, isolating them from the outside noise.
Dai Chengfeng stopped but didn't release his arm, still letting Liu Erlong lean half against him.
He leaned close to her ear: "Come on, don't just stand there."
"I know you're upset. There's no point in forcing yourself."
"Let me take you somewhere. We'll buy the strongest liquor and forget everything today, how about getting drunk?"
This statement was like a key, gently unlocking Liu Erlong's tightly guarded defenses.
She finally reacted; her long lashes fluttered a few times, slowly lifting her eyes to look at Dai Chengfeng.
Her phoenix eyes were no longer blazing with their usual fire but were clouded with complex emotions—pain, confusion, embarrassment from being seen through...
And a touch of reckless abandon.
She still didn't speak, but her tense body relaxed slightly, tacitly agreeing to Dai Chengfeng's proposal.
Yes, getting drunk might help her temporarily forget that familiar yet strange face, those unsettling eyes, and all these tangled feelings.
Seeing her response, Dai Chengfeng said nothing more, guiding her towards the most famous distillery in Tian Dou City.
He bypassed the ornate taverns, heading directly to a time-honored shop renowned for its aged strong liquors.
The distillery was filled with a rich aroma of alcohol, with various jars and vats displayed in a rustic yet solid manner.
Dai Chengfeng was clearly a regular customer, not asking much as he directly told the shopkeeper:
"Two jars of 'Snowfire,' the strongest batch, and a few appetizing side dishes, packed to go."
The shopkeeper acknowledged and efficiently prepared them.
'Snowfire' was a specialty strong liquor of the Tian Dou Empire, extremely potent, feeling like a knife slicing through the throat, with a fierce aftereffect.
Ordinary people would collapse after three to five cups, truly earning its reputation as strong liquor.
Liu Erlong stood silently, watching Dai Chengfeng pay, take the two tightly sealed jars still emitting a sharp alcoholic scent, and receive a paper-wrapped side dish.
Throughout the process, she remained silent, like a soulless statue.
Dai Chengfeng held the food and drink in one hand while naturally supporting Liu Erlong's arm with the other, softly saying:
"Let's go back."
Liu Erlong nodded silently.
They returned home without speaking.
Entering the room, Dai Chengfeng placed the food and drink on the table and opened a jar of Snowfire.
Instantly, an extremely strong, spicy alcoholic aroma spread, filling the entire room.
Dai Chengfeng took two large bowls and poured them full with a clinking sound.
The clear, bright liquid swirled in the bowls, reflecting a biting glow.
He pushed one bowl to Liu Erlong and picked up the other, looking at her and simply saying:
"Drink!"
Liu Erlong stared at the bowl of strong liquor, her eyes firm, as if making some sort of resolution.
Without hesitation, she reached out and lifted the heavy porcelain bowl, tilting her head back and gulping it down like water, finishing the entire bowl of strong liquor that could knock out a strong man!
The strong liquor burned down her throat like a red-hot blade, bringing a searing pain-like stimulation.
Liu Erlong choked slightly, coughing twice. Her pale cheeks immediately flushed with an intense rosy red, spreading all the way to her ears.
But she felt a surge of heat rising from her stomach, quickly spreading to her limbs, the burning sensation seemingly dispelling the cold and rigidity inside her.
She put down the empty bowl, her gaze somewhat hazy as she looked at Dai Chengfeng, even reaching out to grab the wine jar, wanting to pour another bowl.
Dai Chengfeng watched her nearly self-destructive drinking method, his brows furrowing imperceptibly, but ultimately didn't stop her.
He knew that at this moment, Liu Erlong needed this kind of numbing release.
Silently, he picked up the other bowl, also filling it for himself, accompanying her in drinking.
However, Dai Chengfeng drank much slower and more controlled than Liu Erlong.
He mostly kept her company, watching her gulp down bowl after bowl.
For powerful constitution soul masters, strong liquor might not knock them out immediately, but the fierce aftereffects kept accumulating continuously.
After several bowls, Liu Erlong finally began to talk more, or rather, her suppressed emotions found an outlet.
She broke her silence, starting to speak intermittently, her voice hoarse and choked with emotion.
"Why... why has it become like this..."
She stared at the swaying liquid in her bowl, her eyes hollow. "Dai Chengfeng, did you see?"
"Him... Is that still Yu Xiaogang?"
"Not a man anymore... When I look at his face... My heart... my heart actually feels... feels..."
She found it hard to express, the mixture of shock and pity brought on by his drastic change in appearance.
------------------------------------------------------
Join my Patreon to read an exclusive novel – 'Douluo: Rebuilding Hao Tian Sect'
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)