Chapter 11 The Rehearsal Begins

The cool night breeze carried with it the faint scent of autumn leaves, mingling with the sharp tang of alcohol wafting from the bar's entrance. My heart pounded as I stood there, clutching the hem of my dress. Lin Xi, ever the confident mastermind, had her arms crossed, her face alight with mischief as she surveyed the scene like a general preparing for battle.

"Alright, Lili," she said, her voice a mixture of authority and exasperation. "You've got one shot at this. Don't mess it up. Remember, he's not the type to come to places like this for no reason. If he shows up, it's because of you. So, make it count."

I swallowed hard, my nerves jangling. "But what if he doesn't catch me? What if I just… fall on the ground and embarrass myself?"

Lin Xi rolled her eyes so dramatically I thought they might get stuck. "If Shen Jibai doesn't catch you, I'll personally buy you a lifetime supply of wine to drown your sorrows. But trust me, he will. That man has reflexes like a cat and the moral compass of a knight. He'll catch you. And when he does, you'll know where you stand."

I nodded, though my confidence was hanging by a thread. Shen Jibai wasn't just any man. He was an enigma. The kind of person who could make you feel insignificant with a single glance, yet somehow manage to draw you in like a moth to a flame. His stoic demeanor, his perfectly pressed suits, his quiet but commanding presence — it was all so maddeningly attractive. And maddeningly unattainable.

As I stood there rehearsing my "drunk" act in my head, a sleek black car pulled up to the curb. My breath hitched as the driver's door opened, and out stepped Shen Jibai. Even in the dim light of the streetlamps, he looked impeccable. His tailored coat hugged his broad shoulders, and his neatly styled hair glinted in the light. He exuded an air of effortless elegance that made my heart skip a beat.

Lin Xi nudged me sharply. "Showtime," she whispered, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

I took a deep breath, letting the cool air steady me. Then, channeling every ounce of courage I had, I stumbled forward, swaying unsteadily on my heels. My head lolled to the side, and I let out a soft, incoherent mumble, as if I were truly inebriated. Shen Jibai's sharp gaze locked onto me immediately, his expression unreadable.

"Shen Jibai…" I slurred, pretending to lose my balance. My knees buckled, and I let myself fall forward, trusting Lin Xi's gamble with my dignity.

In a heartbeat, he was there. His arms wrapped around me with a firmness that sent a jolt through my entire body. His scent — clean, crisp, with a hint of something woodsy — enveloped me, and for a moment, I forgot to breathe. He was so close, his warmth radiating through the thin fabric of my dress.

"Are you drunk?" he asked, his voice low and steady, with a hint of disapproval.

I blinked up at him, feigning confusion. "I… I don't feel so good," I murmured, leaning into his chest. My heart was racing so fast I was sure he could feel it through his coat.

He sighed, a sound that was equal parts exasperation and resignation. "Why are you here, causing trouble?" he muttered, more to himself than to me. Then, without another word, he scooped me up in his arms as if I weighed nothing at all. My cheeks burned, and I was suddenly very aware of how close we were.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Lin Xi giving me a triumphant thumbs-up, her grin so wide it was a wonder her face didn't split in two. I wanted to glare at her, but I couldn't tear my gaze away from Shen Jibai's face. His jaw was set, his eyes focused straight ahead, but there was a softness in his expression that made my chest ache.

He carried me to his car, gently setting me down in the passenger seat. As he buckled my seatbelt, his fingers brushed against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. I bit my lip, trying to suppress the fluttering in my stomach.

"You're lucky I came," he said, his tone stern but not unkind. "Next time, don't call me for something like this."

I opened my mouth to protest, but the words caught in my throat. Instead, I nodded meekly, not trusting myself to say anything coherent.

The drive back to the house was quiet, the tension in the air palpable. I stole glances at him, marveling at how composed he seemed, even in the face of my ridiculous antics. My mind raced with questions. Did he suspect I wasn't really drunk? Did he care? And most importantly, why had he come at all?

When we arrived, he helped me out of the car, his hand steadying me as I pretended to wobble. As we reached the front door, I hesitated, turning to look at him.

"Shen Jibai," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you."

He looked at me then, really looked at me, his dark eyes searching mine. For a moment, I thought I saw something flicker in his gaze — something warm, something vulnerable. But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by his usual stoic mask.

"Go inside and get some rest," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "And stay out of trouble."

I nodded, stepping inside and closing the door behind me. As I leaned against the door, my heart still racing, I couldn't help but smile. Lin Xi's plan had worked, though not in the way I'd expected. Shen Jibai had caught me — not just physically, but in every sense of the word. And for the first time in days, I felt a glimmer of hope.