Before Mu Chen could speak, Qiao Xixi exploded, "Han Yan, did a dog bite you?! What kind of madness is this?"
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He knew very well that she was crazy about Mu Chen and dared to badmouth him in front of her! Was he looking for death?!
Meeting Qiao Xixi's murderous gaze, Han Yan let out a low, ambiguous laugh. "Yes, a dog bit me. Your single-dog self bit me, and I'm really fired up."
Qiao Xixi: "?" Qiao Xixi: "You actually called me a dog?!"
Han Yan: "..."
Qiao Xixi didn't understand the meaning behind Han Yan's words, but others did. Several of them looked at the other party involved in the incident – Mu Chen.
"What?" The boy finally looked up from his phone, his expression faint. "Isn't it tiring standing here?"
He was speechless, then glanced at Han Yan, his dark eyes as calm as ever. "Which room?" he asked, his tone casual, as if he wasn't the one being targeted.
Qiao Xixi felt a pang of disappointment, then happiness that he wasn't angry. Han Yan raised an eyebrow and stood up, asking Qiao Xixi, "Old spot?"
-
Second floor, private room.
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The room was large and decorated in a retro style. A round redwood table sat by the window, capable of seating over a dozen people. Han Yan personally led them upstairs, holding a Werewolf card game. "There are ten of you, why not add three more and play a standard twelve-player game?" One person would be the moderator, not participating in the game.
Qiao Xixi knew he was good at Werewolf and had originally wanted to invite Mu Chen to play. But after the unpleasantness downstairs, she was about to refuse. To her surprise, Mu Chen nodded. "Sure." Qiao Xixi promptly shut up.
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Han Yan raised an eyebrow and immediately called two more people from another room. Thirteen people took their seats, and refreshments were quickly served. kuAiδugg "The moderator role will rotate. Any objections?" Han Yan asked. Everyone agreed.
The moderator for the first round was Han Yan's friend. Judging by his fluency, he was clearly an experienced player. Wen Tingxue hadn't played many board games, and had only just learned the rules. To her surprise, she was a werewolf from the start. She thought werewolves were bound to lose, but the four werewolves survived until the end and won decisively.
Everyone was quite surprised. Since Wen Tingxue was a newcomer and looked deceptively innocent, it was natural for everyone not to suspect her. But the other three werewolves – Han Yan, Chi Zerui, and Xie Jinyi – were experts. They controlled the pace of the game throughout, and everyone believed they were on the good guys' side. Only at the very end did they realize they were full of tricks.
"Again!" Han Yan's other friend, unconvinced, threw down his card. He had played Werewolf for so long and hadn't noticed those two little brats were werewolves; he had truly been caught off guard. Chi Zerui raised an eyebrow. "Come on."
Wen Tingxue couldn't remember how many more rounds they played.
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She only remembered that Chi Zerui and Xie Jinyi were exceptionally good at Werewolf, followed by Han Yan. However, he intentionally targeted Mu Chen at times, revealing himself directly. As for his true skill, no one knew. The only certainty was that these three had first-class lying abilities, and almost no one could escape their deception.
Besides them, there was Yu Wenli. He wasn't good at playing werewolves, but was excellent at other roles. As long as he got a "god" role, the chances of the good guys winning would double.
-
"Impressive. I was sweating it out in the exam hall, and you guys are having a grand old time here." Que You arrived after finishing his exams, and Han Yan had people prepare food, saying he wanted to treat Qiao Qiao's friends well.
Amidst the joking, a shout suddenly came from downstairs. Everyone instinctively looked towards the window. "Help! Quick, help!" "A child fell into the water, does anyone know how to swim?" "That cyclist is so inconsiderate, didn't he see a child by the bank?!"
The shouts reached upstairs. Song Jiamiao instinctively stood up. Then, he saw a figure leap into the river. The little girl, bobbing and sinking, was caught, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Just as they were about to disperse, Que You's eyes widened. "Holy crap! Look at that person, isn't that Shang Ziqian?"
He pointed at the rescuer who was lifting the little girl ashore. Everyone looked closely and saw it was indeed Shang Ziqian, dripping wet, being pulled onto the bank.
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The atmosphere quieted for a moment, everyone seemingly surprised.
-
Unable to resist Han Yan's enthusiasm, they had lunch in the private room. Perhaps the game had brought them closer, but despite having known each other for a short time, they chatted happily at the dinner table. Chi Zerui even invited everyone to watch his competition. "No rush, it's still over a month away. Come if you can, I'll get you tickets." He swirled his orange juice, speaking casually, but his gaze intentionally swept across Wen Tingxue's face. Only after she promised to go did he smile and drink his orange juice.
-
After the college entrance exams, the atmosphere in Class One became visibly tense. Even the usually relaxed chemistry teacher began using break times. While the students complained endlessly, they also realized that senior year was fast approaching.
Wen Tingxue and Yu Wenli, as arts students, faced even greater academic pressure. Especially Wen Tingxue. Ever since her target university was confirmed not long ago, Yu Wenli had personally invited his aunt to tutor Wen Tingxue intensively. Yu Wenli's aunt was a professor at an art academy and was currently at home for her pregnancy. If Yu Wenli hadn't asked, she wouldn't have been willing to take on any more students. Therefore, Wen Tingxue dared not let this kindness go to waste. She studied diligently, while also having to manage her regular studies. Her daily schedule was almost fully packed. Even if Yu Wenli wanted to talk to her, she didn't have time for lengthy conversations. As a result, they were both busy with their own affairs, and hadn't had a real conversation in a long time. Lin Ling and Fu Shilin thought they had broken up and were too scared to ask for days.
Office.
The English teacher got straight to the point. "There's an English speech competition in the city with considerable prestige. Who is willing to go?" Tong Jiayi was the first to sign up. Yu Wenli was not interested and directly refused. Wen Tingxue was swamped with work and had no energy to participate in a speech, let alone an English one.
"I suggest you try it."
The English teacher spoke before Wen Tingxue could politely decline. Wen Tingxue looked up, puzzled. The teacher said, "Xiao Xue, your spoken English is your Achilles' heel. You've always avoided speaking competitions, and that's not good. Pressure breeds motivation, and I truly hope you can challenge yourself."
Wen Tingxue's heart was touched, and she smiled a little awkwardly. She then glanced at Yu Wenli, seeking his opinion. He knew best whether her spoken English was good or not. The English teacher noticed her action and smiled, "It's almost time for dinner. Take your time to discuss, and give me your answer before the end of evening study." The others chuckled knowingly, their gazes filled with ambiguity.
Wen Tingxue blushed with embarrassment, while Yu Wenli nodded calmly.
-
As they left the office and were discussing where to eat, Wen Tingxue received a message from her cousin – [At the school gate, treating you to a meal]. Since getting a phone, her cousin had quickly added her on WeChat. They had been in sporadic contact, and her cousin had mentioned returning to Jiangcheng a week ago. She just hadn't expected it to be so soon.
"Um..."
As Wen Tingxue looked up, preparing her words, Yu Wenli happened to look down. "Do you mind having dinner with my cousin?" he asked.
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"Ah?" Yu Wenli thought she was unwilling and immediately said, "Then I'll have her go back first."
"No, no, no—" Wen Tingxue quickly stopped his typing fingers. "I don't mind, it's just... such a coincidence..."
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow. "My cousin is also back today, right at the school gate."
The young girl observed his expression, afraid he would be unhappy about her eating with her cousin. Yu Wenli paused for a moment. He remembered that Uncle Wen and Aunt Yu had both said the little girl used to be very attached to her cousin.
"Then that's perfect," the young man said nonchalantly. "Let's have dinner together, my treat."
Wen Tingxue: "..." Is that appropriate?
-
By the time they reached the school gate, Wen Tingxue had already drafted over a dozen ways to politely refuse. She just didn't dare to say them, fearing Yu Wenli would overthink it, her cousin would be uncomfortable, and his cousin would have opinions about her. After much deliberation, she realized... it was all unnecessary.
Because her cousin and his cousin knew each other.
They stood side-by-side under the tree at the entrance of the First Middle School. Their striking looks and unique demeanor drew many admiring glances. They were chatting enthusiastically, completely oblivious to the onlookers. They also didn't notice Yu Wenli and Wen Tingxue approaching.
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It wasn't until Yu Wenli casually called out, "Sis."
"Ah!" Yu Zhisong turned around. Her gentle low ponytail made her look exceptionally ladylike. Her gaze towards Wen Tingxue was particularly warm. "You must be Xiao Xue, whom this rascal has been talking about nonstop? You're so beautiful." Yu Zhisong extended her hand. "I'm his cousin, Yu Zhisong."
Wen Tingxue wanted to say, "Hello, Sister," but as their hands clasped, her mind went blank, and she blurted out, "Hello, Cousin." Yu Zhisong paused for a moment. Wen Tingxue quickly corrected herself, blushing. "No, no, Sister, hello, hello."
"It's okay," Yu Zhisong said with a smile. "You'll have to change your address eventually anyway. Here, a meeting gift. I hope you like it." She handed over the paper bag in her hand. Wen Tingxue recognized the brand; their bags were very expensive.
"No..." Before she could finish refusing, Yu Wenli reached out and took it. "Thanks."
Wen Tingxue: "..." Wen Tingxue: "Thank you, Sister."
"You're welcome, my dear." Yu Zhisong then turned to the handsome, scholarly young man beside her wearing glasses and smiled, "Senior Song, my little brother and sister-in-law are here, so I'll be going. Let's catch up again next time."
Young man: "..." Young man: "She's my cousin."
Yu Zhisong felt so embarrassed she wanted to hit the wall. She had actually said in front of the person's cousin, "You'll have to change your address eventually anyway." Damn it. Social death.
"Hello, Cousin." Before Wen Tingxue could introduce them, Yu Wenli extended his hand first. Their eyes met, sparks flying.
"Young Master Yu, you're calling him that a bit too soon," Song Ruining was elegantly refined, and his smile was gentle. However, the pressure emanating from his eyes was not to be underestimated. "You two aren't certain yet."
Yu Wenli also smiled. "It's the same sooner or later. Yi Yi is the future wife I've chosen." Song Ruining adjusted his half-rimmed glasses, his scholarly aura instantly amplified. "You'd better not bully her, or I absolutely won't let you off."
Yu Wenli: "Of course." Song Ruining then shook his hand.
Too busy in the third dimension, another chapter will be available in the morning.