The entire team erupted into chaos, with cheers and teasing filling the air. Su Xiaoxi's drunken haze instantly faded, replaced by panic as she glanced at Lin Yi, who was shooting a warning glare at Xiao Zhang, the one who had made the suggestion.
"I—I'll choose truth instead!" Su Xiaoxi hastily amended.
"Fine~" Xiao Zhang drawled. "Then be honest—do you think Lin Yi is handsome?"
Su Xiaoxi felt all the blood in her body rush to her cheeks. Under the influence of alcohol and the expectant gazes of her colleagues, the words spilled out before she could stop them:
"Yes! Super handsome! Especially when he frowns, and when he smiles—even though he rarely does, it's so nice when he does!"
The moment the words left her mouth, the team exploded into shrieks and whistles. Only then did Su Xiaoxi realize what she had just admitted, and she wished she could vanish into the ground. Too embarrassed to look at Lin Yi's reaction, she grabbed her glass and downed the rest of her drink in one gulp.
"I knew it!" Xiao Lin slammed the table triumphantly. "The most obvious crush in the whole company!"
"I do not!" Su Xiaoxi protested weakly, only inviting more teasing.
When she finally mustered the courage to sneak a glance at Lin Yi, his expression remained as unreadable as ever—but the knuckles gripping his water glass had turned white.
The team-building event lasted until ten at night, by which point Su Xiaoxi had downed four cocktails and was thoroughly tipsy. Lin Yi appeared just in time, rescuing her from the crowd under the pretext of "taking her home."
The night breeze hit her, making her head spin even more. She stumbled slightly, only to be steadied by Lin Yi's firm grip.
"You can't handle alcohol, yet you drank so much," he chided quietly, adjusting his hold to make her more comfortable.
"I was happy…" Su Xiaoxi giggled. "And you were there, so I felt safe…"
Lin Yi didn't reply, simply half-supporting, half-carrying her toward the parking lot. Leaning against him, Su Xiaoxi caught the faint scent of his aftershave mixed with the familiar aroma of sandalwood—comforting and warm.
"Lin Yi…" She suddenly looked up at him, her bleary eyes meeting his. "Did I embarrass myself today?"
His Adam's apple bobbed slightly. "…No."
"Then… do you think I'm annoying? Always clinging to you…"
"No."
"Do you like the lunches I make for you?"
"…Yes."
Su Xiaoxi smiled contentedly and rested her head against his shoulder. "Good…"