Soon, the barbecue was served.
Clara and Ethan started drinking while enjoying the barbecue.
Ethan ate very little.
Having grown up with meals prepared by top chefs, he found the taste of barbecue far from delicious. It was too strong for his liking, yet surprisingly, he didn’t dislike it as much as he thought he would. Despite eating only a little, he felt that sharing barbecue and drinks with Clara was quite enjoyable.
Clara also ordered some crayfish, which soon arrived.
She began peeling the crayfish with plastic gloves.
Ethan watched Clara peel one and learned how to do it himself.
He put on plastic gloves and started peeling crayfish.
After peeling one, he placed it in Clara’s bowl.
Clara blinked, looking at Ethan.
Was Ethan helping her peel crayfish?
She had seen many online posts about boyfriends peeling crayfish for their girlfriends and had always envied that kind of care and affection, not just the act itself. She never imagined Ethan would peel crayfish for her. He didn’t seem like the type to do such things.
Yet here he was, peeling crayfish for her without being asked.
Clara blushed and glanced at Ethan, who was focused on peeling crayfish, feeling a sweet warmth inside.
Ethan continued peeling crayfish for Clara without eating any himself.
Though the bowl of crayfish looked large, the peeled meat was quite little.
Ethan finished peeling the crayfish, and Clara finished eating them.
Clara was genuinely happy.
She poured herself a drink and raised her glass to Ethan, saying, “I… toast to you.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow and asked, “Toast to what?”
Clara replied, “Wishing you success in your career and a bright future.”
Ethan asked, “Anything else?”
Clara continued, “Wishing you happiness every day.”
Ethan nodded and asked again, “Anything else?”
Was there more to say?
It was just a drink; why did it require so many words?
Earlier when he toasted her, he didn’t say much-just “Cheers.”
Why did she have to say so much now?
Ethan asked, “Out of words?”
Clara’s face turned red with embarrassment.
Ethan said, “Then let’s drink.”
He tilted his head back and finished his drink in one go.
Clara breathed a sigh of relief; Ethan finally let her off the hook.
She also tilted her head back and finished her drink.
After finishing her drink, she planned to continue eating barbecue. But Ethan poured her another drink and then poured one for himself, raising his glass to Clara.
She reluctantly picked up her glass.
“Wishing you…” Ethan said, “Harmony in marriage.”
Clara paused, her face turning even redder.
What did Ethan mean by that?
Wishing her harmony in marriage?
Weren’t they married?
Wasn’t he wishing them both?
He should have said, “Wishing us harmony in marriage and love till old age.”
Ethan finished his drink in one go again.
Clara was forced to do the same.
Then Ethan poured Clara another drink.
Clara suspected Ethan wanted to get her drunk.
But she had no evidence.
Why would Ethan want to get her drunk?
Other men might get women drunk with ulterior motives, but they were married. Even if Ethan didn’t get her drunk, being intimate with her was perfectly natural.
“I… can’t drink anymore,” Clara said with a flushed face. She knew her limits; two more drinks would definitely make her drunk.
“Afraid of getting drunk?” Ethan asked.
Clara nodded with a red face.
Ethan said casually, “It’s okay… I’ll take you home if you’re drunk.”
Though she could go home, what if she embarrassed herself while drunk?
She still wanted to maintain some dignity in front of Ethan. Besides, getting drunk might be troublesome for him. What if he got angry?
“Come on… Cheers,” Ethan raised his glass directly to Clara.
Clara didn’t want to drink but couldn’t refuse Ethan’s gesture. She had to drink despite herself.
And so it went… one drink after another until Clara felt dizzy.
Seeing Clara already dizzy, Ethan stopped pouring drinks for her.
Any more would make her truly drunk.
Being drunk like a dead fish wasn’t fun; being just dizzy was more enjoyable, like last time.
Ethan paid the bill and left the barbecue restaurant with a dizzy Clara in his arms.
Clara didn’t act out when drunk; she was relatively quiet.
She quietly leaned against Ethan’s chest.
Ethan held Clara’s shoulder and gently caressed her face… Her skin was smooth and tender, very pleasant to touch. Because of the alcohol, it felt warm…
At home, Ethan carried Clara into the bedroom.
He laid her on the bed and kissed her…
There was a scent of alcohol… but Ethan found it pleasant. She seemed like fine wine now, exuding an alluring fragrance that captivated him… making him obsessed with this scent.
Clara was hazy and couldn’t quite grasp what Ethan was doing; she just instinctively responded to him…
Holding Clara close… indeed, when she was drunk, she was especially adorable.
Making one want to… love fiercely.
Clara opened her eyes groggily, staring at the ceiling. She blinked and rubbed her temples; they hurt a bit. Trying to sit up, she found her body even more sore than her head.
What did she do last night to feel so sore?
Clara thought for a moment… then remembered.
Last night she went out with Ethan for barbecue and beer.
Then she got drunk… She wasn’t too clear about what happened afterward but had some hazy memories.
And then… she felt shy and blushed.
Groaning inwardly, she grabbed the blanket and covered her head… She really couldn’t face anyone now.
Especially Ethan; he was too wicked.
How could he take advantage of her unclear consciousness when she was drunk?
He took advantage…
Really… She was wrong.
She previously thought Ethan wouldn’t intentionally get her drunk.
Because ordinary men might get women drunk with ulterior motives-to sleep with them.
But she and Ethan were married; sleeping together was natural. He didn’t need to get her drunk for that.
But now…
Really, she was wrong.
She was too naive.
Last night, Ethan really did intentionally get her drunk.
Intentionally made her drunk.
Hmph… After getting her drunk, then doing that thing…
And then… being especially bold and excessive.
Ugh!
Scumbag!
Clara cursed Ethan from head to toe under the blanket before cautiously peeking out… Not seeing Ethan around, Clara quietly sighed in relief.
Thankfully she didn’t see Ethan… Otherwise, thinking about last night’s events, she really wouldn’t know how to face him now.
She felt embarrassed.
Though truly it should be Ethan feeling embarrassed for taking advantage of her situation, he had thick skin; he surely wouldn’t feel embarrassed.
Only someone like herself with thin skin would feel shy and awkward.
Ah…
The world has changed indeed.
Those who should feel embarrassed don’t feel it at all.
Those who shouldn’t feel shy end up feeling shy and awkward instead.
Clara calmed herself down and checked the time on her phone…
It was already eleven in the morning.
So late already.
She slept until now.
What about Ethan?
He must have gone to work by now.
Clara got out of bed… then went to wash up before heading downstairs for lunch.
After lunch, Clara returned to her room thinking she’d spend the afternoon resting at home.