Chapter 50: Upon Sobering Up, She Found Herself in a Hotel

Cold...

A broad, thick coat was draped over her, still holding traces of warmth. She hugged herself, but was forcibly pulled to her feet. She slowly opened her eyes, and before her was a dazzling array of neon lights. Someone was setting off fireworks in the square—trees bursting with light, silver blossoms adorning the ink-black night sky. It was beautiful. She gazed, entranced, not knowing what she had said, though it felt like she’d spoken at length.

She was cold, always pressed close to the source of warmth behind her. She clung tightly, half-awake, half-asleep, her vision filled with vibrant colors.

Mo Zhicheng looked down at her; her eyes were half-lidded, fixed on something in the distance. “Have you seen enough?”

She lifted her head dazedly, cupping the man’s cheeks in her hands. “Shh—” She giggled softly. “Don’t make a fuss! Director Tang, Brother Tang. The fireworks are so beautiful, such a splendid night, not to be missed…”

She withdrew her gaze, peering once more at the far-off horizon. “How lovely… Only clever people watch others’ fireworks.”

When she was little, she’d loved fireworks but couldn’t afford them. Just as now, she would look up and comfort herself, telling herself that foolish people set off fireworks for others to see, but clever people simply watched and waited. “Am I clever? Hehe… I’m clever, I’m the clever lily of the valley. Do you know lily of the valley? White, very beautiful. But you don’t know—the love of the lily of the valley is especially hard to come by. Not good, not good, not auspicious!”

She murmured, “Why am I named Lily of the Valley? Why?” She cradled his face, asking over and over, “Why? Tell me, why aren’t you saying anything?”

Mo Zhicheng threw off her arms brusquely. “Look closely—do you know who I am?”

Unsteady on her feet, she stumbled and landed hard on the ground. “Ouch—” she muttered, frowning, struggling to stand, her delicate frame unable to support her. She swayed and tottered toward the man. “Are you angry? Why are you angry?” She grabbed his arm, waving it incessantly, pestering, “Why?”

***

When Lily Lan woke again, her head felt as though it would split apart. She rubbed her hair distractedly, opened her weary eyes. Sunlight gleamed on the crystal chandelier. Still disoriented, she tilted her head to look: luxurious curtains, an elegant floor lamp, a white wool carpet, an ornate European chaise lounge. She rubbed her eyes—where was she?

“Ah—” she cried out, sitting bolt upright, bewildered as she surveyed the room. Where was this? Why was she here? Questions flooded her mind. She frowned, her head throbbing. Forcing herself to recall, she remembered the celebration dinner last night, drinking heavily, chatting with Tang Pei on the terrace, and then… Then Mo Zhicheng arrived. He took her to dance. Did she say something she shouldn’t have? Did Tang Pei step in to save her? The memory snapped—nothing but a blank.

“What happened afterward?” she muttered to herself, frowning. Frustrated, she rubbed her face, then suddenly remembered something. She quickly looked down—only her underwear remained. Where were her clothes? Her gaze darted around; her clothes lay scattered on the carpet. Mouth agape, she threw off the covers, grabbed a white bath towel to wrap around her half-naked body, and hurriedly looked around, only then realizing—she was in a hotel.

Stunned, Lily covered her mouth. Why was she in a hotel?