The party lasted until late at night.
As the flas of the bonfire gradually waned and the rich whiskey and chilled beer reached their bottom, the guests' enthusiasm slowly retreated with the cold.
Guests began to bid farewell to Old George in groups, disappearing on the paths back to their respective cabins with the satisfying aroma of alcohol and grilled at.
"George, thanks for your hospitality! This is the best party I've ever attended!"
"Lin! Next ti there's sothing good, rember to invite us!"
Stan and Cody, along with others, prepared to leave with arms linked, not forgetting to give Lin Yu'an a hearty pat on the shoulder before they left.
Soon, only Lin Yu'an, Old George, and Emily who was preparing to stand up, were left by the bonfire.
Emily stood up, but her body swayed slightly.
She raised her hand to her forehead, her face flushed with a hue induced by alcohol that was just right.
She walked to Old George and spoke with a hint of lazy hoarseness: "George, thank you for the lamb and whiskey. I had a great ti tonight, but... I seem to have drunk a bit too much, my head is spinning."
Old George glanced at Emily, then at Lin Yu'an who hadn't drunk much, revealing a aningful smile on his wrinkled old face.
He cleared his throat and said in a tone that brooked no argunt: "Oh, that won't do! We absolutely can't let Wiseman's only, and also the most beautiful veterinarian risk driving drunk! That's too dangerous!"
He turned his gaze directly towards Lin Yu'an.
"Lin, you're not drunk, right?"
"Yes, George." Lin Yu'an replied reluctantly, already anticipating what was about to happen.
"Then it's settled! You will take Emily ho! You must ensure she's safely delivered to her doorstep! That's an order!"
He winked at Lin Yu'an: "I'll handle the cleanup here alone, young man, go on, don't keep our lady waiting too long."
Then he added quietly: "Kid, no matter what happens, you're not allowed to break the law, understand."
Emily's face still bore that slight intoxication and helplessness from her "drunkenness," but deep in her downcast eyes, a hint of a successful plan flashed.
She looked at Lin Yu'an and said in a gentle, needing help tone: "Then... I'll trouble you, Lin."
Under Old George's all-knowing smile and Emily's "perfectly tid" request, Lin Yu'an found himself with no reason to refuse.
"Okay, no problem." He nodded, accepting the car keys Emily handed over.
"Drive slowly on the way!" Old George reminded them loudly behind them, his voice filled with joyful laughter.
Lin Yu'an got into the driver's seat of Emily's Subaru Outback.
Inside the car still lingered that faint perfu scent from her, mixed with the scent of leather, forming a unique, feminine ambiance.
Emily sat in the passenger seat, and as soon as she got in, she leaned back on the seat, closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly in the dim light, as if she had truly drunk herself to sleep.
Lin Yu'an started the car and smoothly drove away from Old George's cabin.
The car drove along the quiet forest path, only the sound of tires crunching over the gravel road could be heard.
Neither spoke, making the atmosphere sowhat delicate.
Just as the car reached Emily's cabin door, the woman who appeared to be unconscious from drunkenness suddenly opened her eyes.
Her gaze was clear and bright, with not a trace of drunkenness.
She leaned toward Lin Yu'an, a playful smile appearing at her lips, and whispered in his ear: "Hero Herman, aren't you coming up to check on Bitcoin's rise?"
The warm breath brushed past his earlobe, carrying a faint fragrance and sweet aroma of alcohol, like a gentle feather, stirring Lin Yu'an's heartstrings.
He didn't answer imdiately, but turned his head, eting Emily's beautiful blue eyes in the night.
The dim light inside the car outlined her pronounced features and slightly upturned lips, her gaze holding both cunning probing and a deeper level of invitation.
"I thought you were drunk." Lin Yu'an's voice was calm, betraying little emotion.
"In Alaska, if a woman wants to make herself appear drunk, she must have her reasons."
Emily didn't flinch, instead leaned closer, the distance between them so close they could feel each other's breaths.
She reached out her slender fingers, gently tracing his strong jawline, the cold touch giving Lin Yu'an an inner heat.
Her voice dropped lower, carrying a husky allure: "Like perhaps she wants to see if, underneath that tough exterior, the beast has truly retracted his fangs."
Lin Yu'an's fingers slightly tightened around the steering wheel.
He understood the implications in Emily's words, and knew what she ant by "Bitcoin's rise."
Since that bloody incident, their relationship had transcended beyond that of ordinary neighbors.
They were accomplices, allies bound by a dark secret.
Lin Yu'an was silent for a mont, then unbuckled his seatbelt, emitting a crisp "click" sound.
This simple action sounded particularly loud in the silent cabin, like an unspoken response.
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