Chapter 156: Forced Promotion

Seeing Liu Ling'er refuse to let go of her wine glass even in her drunken state, he sighed—she was not only drunk, but already babbling incoherently.

Baili Xian could watch no longer. He snatched the glass from her hand. Caught off guard, Liu Ling'er was surprised by his sudden move. She glared at him in annoyance and began to rain down blows with her small, pink fists. If his subordinates were to witness this, their jaws would surely hit the floor; how could their master be bullied so easily by a woman? Of course, despite her intoxication, she used no internal energy, merely patting him repeatedly. If she had used her cultivation, Baili Xian would have suffered internal injuries had he not been on guard.

To Baili Xian, these blows were painless, especially when accompanied by her pouting, "You bad person! You villain!" These words, paired with her ruby-red lips, stained even more alluring by the wine, created a unique and intoxicating temptation. They say that fighting is a form of affection, and flirting is a necessity of love. The summer night was already growing warm, but perhaps it was the alcohol or just the atmosphere—Baili Xian felt an extraordinary heat rising within him.

As the crimson light bathed Liu Ling'er’s flushed face, she looked like a ripe apple, waiting to be picked. Baili Xian’s long eyelashes fluttered. Subconsciously, he leaned down and pecked her cheek. The kiss was fleeting, like a dragonfly skimming the water. Liu Ling'er paused, confused by the sudden cool sensation on her skin, but it vanished before she could savor it. She pouted, her unfocused eyes wandering as she muttered, "I want more!"

Her charming, naive expression made Baili Xian’s eyes light up. A beauty’s invitation could not be ignored. He leaned down again, kissing her other cheek, lingering a moment longer this time. Only then did Liu Ling'er realize that kissing made her feel better. Seeking more comfort, she cupped his face, studying it intently as if researching some profound mystery.

Baili Xian watched her with dark, amused eyes. Whatever the case, he certainly wasn't the one losing out. After a long moment of "study," Liu Ling'er slid her hands around his neck, leaned forward, and sealed her lips against his.

She tasted him like a delicacy, her movements clumsy. She gave his lips a quick lick with the tip of her tongue, then recoiled as if shocked by electricity. Baili Xian was stunned by her forceful kiss, momentarily forgetting how to react. Finding the experience sweet, Liu Ling'er teased his lips again with her tongue, giggling at the novelty of it all.

Baili Xian felt a vein throb in his forehead. *Are you playing with me? How can you laugh so brazenly during such a sacred act? Why do I feel like I'm the one being teased?* Never had he been bullied like this, and he refused to let it stand. A sharp, fox-like glint flashed in his eyes, deepening with intent. Liu Ling'er, still giggling, had no idea what she was about to face.

Baili Xian pulled her onto his lap and whispered into her ear, "Do you want more?"

Blinking her hazy eyes, Liu Ling'er didn't grasp the situation, but her body reacted instinctively, leaning in to kiss him again. Baili Xian’s heart leaped with triumph; he had been waiting for her to take the bait. He had intended to stop after a brief kiss, but he seized her firmly—the fish had taken the hook, and he wasn't about to let it swim away.

His cool lips bit down on her red ones. Soon, Liu Ling'er found herself breathless, gasping like someone drowning. When she parted her lips, his tongue slipped inside. Between a man and a woman, such instincts are often learned without a teacher; when the moment arrives, it comes naturally.

Their breathing grew heavy. Liu Ling'er’s tongue was ensnared by his, and under his masterful advance, her defenses crumbled. The air grew thick with ambiguity. By the time they broke apart, both were panting heavily; Baili Xian’s deep kiss had nearly left her breathless. He felt a sudden surge of embarrassment, for he was already visibly aroused, his body silently protesting. Looking at the gasping Liu Ling'er, his dark eyes burned with intense desire.

Suddenly, Liu Ling'er shifted, straddling his lap and wrapping her legs around his waist. She inadvertently pressed against his most sensitive spot, causing Baili Xian to hiss in pain. When she was wild, she was truly unstoppable! The chair creaked in protest; if they kept this up, it would surely collapse.

He hastily picked her up, but she clung to him like a koala. He hadn't realized she could be so heavy. As he reached the bed to lay her down, she sensed his movement and pulled him down with her, flipping over to pin him beneath her.

"Villain," she muttered, "letting you bite me—see if I don't crush you!" She sat above him like a queen, radiating a domineering aura. If there had been candles or a whip involved, Baili Xian would have had nowhere to cry. He tensed, feeling the situation slipping from his control. *Heavens, surely you don't mean for me to be the one forced?*

Under the influence of the alcohol, Liu Ling'er felt dizzy yet strangely energized, an restless heat consuming her. Finding her clothes restrictive, she began to fumble with them, but her drunken fingers made her clumsy. She couldn't undo a single fastener, a sight that amused Baili Xian to no end. Realizing that if he didn't intervene, she would be struggling until morning, he decided that, as a man who prides himself on helping others, he would "kindly" assist her in undressing.