Once inside the elevator, Gu Lili's smile vanished completely as she brusquely shoved the man leaning on her toward Tang Qingli.
Tang Qingli, swift and alert, caught him just in time to prevent Long Yubei from collapsing to the floor.
Long Yubei's eyes fluttered open, and with a faint glimmer of lucidity, he attempted to explain to his wife who remained emotionally distant despite their proximity, "I... I didn't mean to drink, after all, I was driving... but somehow, I ended up drinking too much..."
"Enough with the excuses," Gu Lili scoffed. "Surrounded by a bevy of beautiful female employees, you looked nothing but debonair. We'll settle accounts at home!"
Tang Qingli took the lead, guiding Long Yubei's car ahead, while Gu Lili followed behind in her own vehicle.
On the way back, Long Yubei behaved like a madman, darting from the backseat to the passenger seat without fastening his seatbelt.
With no choice, she pulled over to the roadside and fastened it for him.
At this critical moment, he audaciously reached out to fondle her bosom. She swiftly brushed his hand away. "Behave yourself."
"Who else can touch if not your wife?" he murmured.
She ignored him and resumed driving.
Yet, he could not remain still; resting his head on her shoulder, he continued his playful advances.
Gu Lili inwardly wished she could twist his head off and kick it like a ball, but since she was driving, she resigned herself to his antics.
Arriving at the garage of Qinyuan, she exited the car first, while Tang Qingli assisted Long Yubei upstairs to the bedroom.
"Take him to the bathroom to wash up and brush his teeth before bringing him out."
"Understood," Tang Qingli dutifully played the role of a caretaker, tending to Long Yubei's hygiene.
Once everything was settled, Long Yubei flung off his slippers with his feet, began stripping off his clothes, and soon stood completely nude.
Gu Lili kicked him off the bed with one swift motion. "Tonight, you're sleeping on the carpet."
He sat up, voice soft and coaxing, "Dear wife, may I sleep on the bed with you?"
"No," Gu Lili declared, pulling the covers over herself.
Yet he disregarded her refusal, clambering atop her nonetheless.
Clinging persistently, he nuzzled her face affectionately, like a loyal little wolf.
Gu Lili wasn't truly angry; she simply let him be.
"Are you very drunk?"
"Not really, or else how would I know I'm holding my wife?"
"Mr. Long, you truly live a blessed life. I imagine you should open a harem in our home, changing wives daily to enjoy utmost comfort."
"No, I want no one else, only you." He pressed a gentle kiss to her ruby lips. "My beautiful wife, Lili."
His words, though exasperating, made Gu Lili smile. She covered him with the blanket and reached to extinguish the light.
With him by her side, she fell asleep swiftly, soon drifting into peaceful slumber.
Upon awakening the next morning, Gu Lili opened her eyes to find him propping his head with his arm, gazing at her with profound tenderness.
"Why are you looking at me?"
"Because you're beautiful."
She attempted to sit up, but he gently forbade it. "Sleep a little longer."
"I'm not tired."
"I'm taking the day off."
"Did you wake up late?" she asked.
He shook his head. "No. To make up for coming home late last night, I'm taking a day off to stay with my wife."
"That's unnecessary." She forced herself upright, dressing as she spoke. "If you skip work, the women at your company will be disappointed. Are you so cruel as to let them down?"