Jiang Yuekai's brotherly tone made Lin Jingchu both amused and speechless.
The math competition proceeded smoothly, with Lin Jingchu securing the championship. This was almost a foregone conclusion, as even though his opponent was a genius from Kyoto University, Lin Jingchu was still a cut above.
With his college entrance examination scores, Lin Jingchu could have chosen any school. At that time, almost all the top universities in the country had contacted him. He ultimately chose Nanjiang University, for reasons that were self-evident.
After Lin Jingchu took first place, the club members held a gathering to celebrate his victory. After dinner, they went to a KTV to sing and play truth or dare.
Although Lin Jingchu wasn't particularly interested in the games they played together, he couldn't opt out. The game involved rolling dice, with the person rolling the highest number getting to make a request, while the person rolling the lowest had to choose between truth or dare.
Despite being an old game, this format always managed to unearth some explosive news, which was why it remained popular after all these years.
When someone suggested this game, Xu Yiran knew her opportunity had arrived. The question that had been bothering her for days would likely be answered today.
She knew her club members too well and how they would play. If Lin Jingchu rolled the lowest number and chose "truth," someone would inevitably ask him about his romantic life, as this group was genuinely gossipy.
After the rules were clarified, everyone started rolling the dice. Lin Jingchu was safe for a few rounds before finally losing. The person who rolled the highest number was the same classmate who had teased him and Xu Yiran on the high-speed train earlier.
This classmate was known for his gossip and, having finally seized this opportunity, was afraid his question wouldn't be sensational enough.
After much deliberation, he asked, "Brother Chu, do you have someone you like right now?"
As soon as these words were spoken, almost everyone looked at Xu Yiran. They were close, and most people thought they were a good match, both in appearance and academic performance.
"Yes," Lin Jingchu answered crisply. As soon as he finished speaking, there was a chorus of cheers. The classmate then asked, "Is she here right now?"
This was as direct as asking if it was Xu Yiran. Truth or dare usually allowed only one question, but Lin Jingchu still answered, "No."
Hearing his reply, Xu Yiran tightly gripped her cup.
Lin Jingchu's luck wasn't great that day; he kept rolling the lowest numbers for several rounds. Once everyone knew he had someone he liked, they started egging him on. This time, Lin Jingchu chose dare, and the other person said, "Brother Chu, turn on the speakerphone and confess to the person you like!"
This was bound to be a dramatic moment, and everyone echoed the sentiment, except for Xu Yiran, who remained silent.
Lin Jingchu took out his phone and hesitated. After his last conversation with Lin Mei and Xing Zheng, he had been contemplating when to discuss this matter with Jiang Yuekai. This opportunity... seemed quite suitable.
He could gauge Jiang Yuekai's reaction. If she wasn't willing, he could always explain that it was part of the dare.
Under everyone's urging, Lin Jingchu dialed Jiang Yuekai's number and turned on the speakerphone. The private room instantly fell silent. Everyone was curious about the girl Lin Jingchu liked. What kind of person could capture this aloof and unattainable bloom?
"Hi, are you done with your competition?" a girl's voice could be heard when the call was connected. Her voice was clear and lively, suggesting she was an upbeat person.
Lin Jingchu replied, "Mm, I'm done."
Jiang Yuekai said, "You must have gotten first place again. You always get first place. I don't even want to ask anymore, it's boring."
This sounded like a playful, almost娇嗔 (jiāo chēn - coquettish/chiding) remark, as if she were affectionately teasing her boyfriend.
Upon hearing this, Xu Yiran's face paled slightly. She looked at Lin Jingchu, who was smiling gently, a smile she had never seen him direct at anyone else.
Not only Xu Yiran, but everyone present was stunned. Someone mouthed a reminder to Lin Jingchu, "Don't forget the dare!"
Lin Jingchu hadn't forgotten. He hesitated for a moment, then his tone suddenly became serious. "Actually, there's something I want to tell you."
"Why so serious?" Jiang Yuekai's heart suddenly leaped. Lin Jingchu rarely spoke to her like this. "It's a bit scary."
"Yes, because it's a very serious topic," Lin Jingchu asked her, "Are you ready?"
Jiang Yuekai replied, "If you don't say it soon, you'll scare me to death."
After a few seconds of silence, Lin Jingchu spoke, "I like you."
As he finished speaking, his heart rate quickened, and the hand holding the phone began to sweat, though his expression remained calm.
Not only Lin Jingchu, but everyone around them held their breath, eagerly awaiting the response from the other end.
There was a few seconds of silence from Jiang Yuekai on the phone, and then she said, "Me too."
Lin Jingchu's heart tightened. At the same time, someone couldn't help but let out a cheer.
But the next moment, they heard Jiang Yuekai say, "I like myself too."
The crowd was speechless. They had expected a mutual confession, but the script had suddenly changed.
Within seconds, Lin Jingchu's emotions felt like a roller coaster. His knuckles were turning white as he gripped the phone.
He couldn't speak, but Jiang Yuekai on the other end started to laugh. "I bet you're playing truth or dare, right? They made you find a person of the opposite sex in your contacts and call them to say 'I like you,' didn't they!"
Jiang Yuekai had felt something was off when Lin Jingchu's tone became so serious earlier. Her mind worked quickly, and she immediately thought of a possibility. He had won first place in the competition again, so he must be celebrating with his club members. Truth or dare was a must-play game at gatherings.
Lin Jingchu smiled helplessly. "Yeah, you're so smart."
"Of course, I've seen this kind of trick countless times. It won't fool me," Jiang Yuekai said without modesty. "Alright, you guys have fun. I need to go memorize some words."
Lin Jingchu replied, "Mm, I'll bring you some food this weekend."
After Lin Jingchu hung up, everyone looked at him with subtle expressions. The dare required him to call the person he liked and confess. This meant that the girl who answered the phone was indeed the one Lin Jingchu liked.
However, she didn't seem to have any feelings for Lin Jingchu. From her tone, she treated him like a brother.
Had Lin Jingchu been indirectly rejected? That was a bit of a shock.
They hadn't expected someone as outstanding as Lin Jingchu to be rejected. How beautiful must that girl be?
After hearing the phone call, Xu Yiran's confidence returned somewhat. Clearly, that girl didn't like Lin Jingchu; he was just one-sidedly infatuated.
No one could sustain unrequited affection for very long. If Lin Jingchu couldn't win over that girl, he would eventually see her good qualities.
With this thought, Xu Yiran let out a sigh of relief, and her mood finally improved a little.
Even so, she was still very curious about what the girl Lin Jingchu liked was like.