When Shu Pan returned to the residential area, it was already 8 PM. The dim streetlights illuminated the area, but their floor was devoid of any light.
Shu Pan's brows relaxed, realizing that Gu Shaoting hadn't returned yet. She was alone at home, so she went straight to the bedroom and took a hot bath, which made her feel much more comfortable.
Compared to the chilly outdoors, the warmth inside her home was welcoming. Shu Pan read a book for a while and was about to go to sleep when she suddenly heard a knocking sound at the door. She furrowed her brows in confusion and instinctively got up.
Who could be visiting at this hour? Gu Shaoting had his own key and wouldn't bother knocking.
"Mr. Gu, be careful and don't trip," came the voice of their driver, Wang, from outside the tightly shut door.
"I'm fine. Come on, let's have another drink," Gu Shaoting replied, clearly intoxicated.
Shu Pan opened the door and saw two people standing at the entrance. Wang was supporting Gu Shaoting, who emitted a strong smell of alcohol. His face was flushed, and he leaned on the driver for support.
"Madam, Mr. Gu had a few drinks at a business gathering tonight. Please take care of him," Wang respectfully explained.
"Alright. Thank you. Please help me guide him to the bedroom," Shu Pan requested, making way for them. Wang assisted Gu Shaoting into the room.
After settling Gu Shaoting on the bed, Wang turned to Shu Pan and said, "Madam, I'll take my leave now. If you need anything, feel free to call me anytime."
"Okay, thank you. Take care on your way back," Shu Pan replied, expressing her gratitude.
Once Wang left, Shu Pan walked over to help Gu Shaoting take off his shoes so he could sleep more comfortably. However, he suddenly stood up and stumbled with unsteady steps toward the direction of the bathroom. As he passed by the door, Shu Pan saw him bump into it.
He seemed unfazed by the impact and made no sound. He paused for a moment before entering the bathroom.
The bathroom door remained open, and the sound of flowing water could be heard.
Was Gu Shaoting planning to take a bath?
Concerned about him potentially drowning due to his intoxication, Shu Pan decided to stay near the doorway and keep an eye on the situation. Suddenly, she noticed his clothes scattered on the floor. She tidied them up and blushed at the thought of what was happening inside.
After a while, she heard the sound of the water shut off. Shu Pan trembled in fear and quickly returned to the bedroom.
Gu Shaoting emerged from the room, still in his pajamas. He closed his eyes and lay down on the bed.
He was quiet, not making any snoring sounds. Shu Pan couldn't be sure if he had fallen asleep or not, so she stared at him for a while, observing his movements. Once he remained still, she quietly made her way out.
Just as Shu Pan was about to close the door, she heard a muffled sound coming from the bed behind her—Gu Shaoting's voice.
Shu Pan was startled, thinking that Gu Shaoting had woken up.
She glanced back and realized he was still asleep, but after a while, she heard his voice again.
This time, Gu Shaoting muttered several words in succession. Shu Pan listened attentively and finally distinguished a word from Gu Shaoting's mouth, "Water."
Water?
Did he want water?
As Shu Pan's mind slowly processed the situation, Gu Shaoting repeated his plea twice more: "Water... water..."
He seemed thirsty, and the room was filled with a pungent smell of alcohol.
It seemed like he was about to vomit as his head hung outside the edge of the bed, eyes closed, emitting a suppressed groan.
Shu Pan hesitantly called out to him, "Gu Shaoting?"
Gu Shaoting didn't respond as if he hadn't heard anything.
Unable to bear seeing him in such distress, Shu Pan turned back and approached the bed. Only then did she notice that his complexion had turned pale, in stark contrast to the flushed face he had when he entered.
Seeing him in this vulnerable state, so different from his usual coldness, Shu Pan couldn't ignore it.
"...water..." Gu Shaoting muttered the word again, softly and indistinctly.