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The next morning, at the Seaside Hotel, Zong Zeyu and Tong Le each occupied a separate room, their doors adjacent to one another. Zong Zeyu woke up early to tidy up. Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, he couldn’t shake off the vivid memories of last night with Tong Le.
Last night, when Tong Le had pushed him onto the floor, the moment his backside hit the ground, he felt as if it had shattered into a thousand pieces—it hurt! He hadn’t even had the chance to settle the score with her before she collapsed onto the dining table, lost in a drunken stupor. It had been a romantic evening that he would never forget. He had carried Tong Le back to the hotel and then left her room. For a fleeting moment, he had felt an urge to stay in her room, but he managed to resist.
Now, looking at his reflection in the mirror, he felt a sense of joy. He had learned about Tong Le’s struggles and realized that her feelings for Ke Jie were no longer there. This time, he was determined to pursue her.
Meanwhile, in Tong Le’s room, she was jolted awake by a barrage of phone calls—first from Ke Jie, then from Zhang Huizhi—one after another, but she ignored them all. With disheveled hair, she stood in front of the bathroom mirror, staring at her disheveled self, unsure of how much she had drunk last night to end up in such a state.
She struggled to recall the events of the previous evening. From when she got into Zong Zeyu’s car to their arrival at the Seaside Hotel, then to the Seaside Restaurant where they drank glass after glass of intoxicating red wine, and finally that inexplicable kiss—beyond that, her memory was blank.
As she brushed her teeth with one hand and leaned against the sink with the other, regret washed over her. She muttered to herself, “Did I kiss him or did he kiss me? How can I not remember anything?” Toothpaste foam dribbled down her chin as she pondered hard but still couldn’t recall.
All she remembered was sharing some of her burdens with Zong Zeyu—about her troubled family and miserable life—before getting drunk and then kissing him. But whether it was she who kissed him or vice versa remained a mystery.
Tong Le quickly brushed her teeth and washed her face before taking a brief hot shower. Wrapped in a bathrobe, she stepped out of the bathroom just as someone knocked on her door.
When she opened it, there stood Zong Zeyu. Her face flushed instantly; instinctively, she tried to close the door again, blocking him out. Her heart raced as waves of embarrassment washed over her.
Outside the door, Zong Zeyu called out, "Breakfast is ready. Are you coming down?"
Tong Le opened the door and stood there, staring at Zong Zeyu in a daze.
Zong Zeyu couldn't help but smile; he found Tong Le adorable. He was still pondering how to explain the kiss from last night, needing a suitable reason that wouldn't affect their relationship.
Just as he was about to speak, Tong Le stammered, "I... I... I drank too much last night."
Zong Zeyu nodded, "Yeah, I know."
Tong Le looked puzzled. "I forced a kiss on you?"
Zong Zeyu paused for a moment, nearly bursting into laughter. He had been thinking about how to explain it, but now, the memory-impaired Tong Le had taken the blame upon herself.
"Well," he said, taking advantage of the situation, "you did kiss me against my will. Do you remember that?"
Tong Le slapped her forehead in frustration. She was nearly in despair; she was a married woman after all. Although Ke Jie had strayed for years, Zong Zeyu was innocent.
She felt like she had tarnished Zong Zeyu's reputation.
"What can I do to make it up to you?" she blurted out.
"Huh?" Zong Zeyu replied.
Tong Le pointed at his lips. "I was rude! I should apologize. I must have scared you last night, right? I didn't mean to kiss you when I was drunk. How embarrassing!"
The more she spoke, the more regretful she became. She couldn't remember much from last night except that they had kissed. Logically speaking, since Zong Zeyu hadn't been drunk, he wouldn't have acted so out of character; therefore, it must have been her who had crossed the line!
Zong Zeyu struggled to hold back his laughter and feigned nonchalance. "Well, it wasn't that shocking. I just didn't expect you to be so bold."
Tong Le's face turned crimson.
Zong Zeyu said, "Why don't you get ready? I'll wait for you downstairs in the restaurant."
Tong Le nodded and then closed the door.
As Zong Zeyu walked toward the elevator, he finally burst into laughter, doubling over with joy.
Passersby cast him strange looks; no one could understand just how happy he felt at that moment!
Ten minutes later, in the hotel restaurant.
The two sat across from each other, with Zong Zeyu having ordered a variety of dishes—many small plates filled with two servings each.
Tong Le glanced at the neighboring tables and noticed that only their food was so unique.
Just as Tong Le was about to ask, Zong Zeyu explained, "I had the kitchen prepare this specially; it's nutritionally balanced. Besides, you're not paying for the room—this hotel is mine."
Tong Le blinked, feeling a bit embarrassed. "You shouldn't have gone to such expense."
As they ate, Zong Zeyu continued, "Are you recalling the fire incident from years ago? From our conversation last night, it seemed like you suddenly remembered."
Tong Le nodded. "Yes, my friend Tian Ling told me about it. I always thought that the person who saved me was Ke Jie. It wasn't until seven years later that I learned it was actually you."
She looked at him gratefully. "Thank you. But why did you save me back then? And why didn't you come looking for me afterward?"
Zong Zeyu couldn't just say that he had rushed into the flames because he was madly in love with her. He felt it wasn't the right time to reveal his feelings. Although the kiss they shared last night had kept him awake all night with thoughts racing through his mind, he knew that matters of the heart couldn't be rushed. He had waited seven years already and wasn't afraid to wait longer. As long as Tong Le's heart no longer belonged to Ke Jie, he was certain that she would eventually be his.
He casually replied, "I saved you because I was afraid you'd be burned to ashes."
Tong Le pressed on, "But after the fire, why didn't you come find me? I thought Ke Jie was my savior all this time."
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