Teammate D (who had just spread news in the freshman group that Ning Ci was single): Do I look like I can still smile? Haha.
...
Haozi was even more incredulous. The girl he had been chanting about appeared out of nowhere. Was it Buddha's mercy or a big dream? He thought he had ascended to heaven.
-
Cheng Buxi sat quietly in the corner, a spot she chose herself. Her cheeks gradually regained color, no longer as pale as before.
With Ning Ci looking out for her, fruit platters and snacks were piled in front of her.
Contrary to her imagination that there would be many pretty girls surrounding them, there were only two women in the room, and they were sitting far away from Ning Ci.
Both were quite pretty, tall with good figures, but with heavier makeup—the type Xiao Yingying would hang out with.
She subtly noticed that the two women's expressions changed when they saw her. They huddled together and whispered something, but she didn't bother to care. After all, she was an uninvited guest, brought over without notice—anyone would find it presumptuous.
After whispering, the two went to the restroom together, deliberately passing in front of Cheng Buxi. As they passed, they gave her a condescending once-over, but she remained unfazed.
Cheng Buxi had experienced many similar situations growing up. Those women—whether noble or cheap, glamorous or innocent—had done the same in front of her brother. There were countless social butterflies, constantly buzzing around to get noticed, their gazes landing on her face only sharper and more unreadable.
She had grown up among cunning people. The Lu family was a mountain of gold and jade, a bustling household. She had seen all kinds of people and was never one to be intimidated. She calmly ate three cherry tomatoes.
Haozi, emotionally stirred up, was held back by Zheng Liao, who wouldn't let him go bother her—after all, he was drunk. If he scared her off, it would be a disaster. Their Brother Ning was so suave, passing through flowers without a single leaf touching him; when had he ever brought a girl out to play? Ruining this would be a sin!
Cheng Buxi was about to open a bag of crunchy corn snacks to appease her stomach when she heard the person beside her say, "What crappy songs did you order—" in a particularly impatient tone. Her ears perked up.
Someone had shoved a microphone into Ning Ci's hands, insisting he sing a couple of songs. He hadn't wanted to, but then he thought of Cheng Buxi—the girl was sitting there obediently, never having heard him sing.
They say a proper gentleman seeks a fair maiden. Even peacocks know to show off their feathers to court a mate. With such a good opportunity, how could he not perform? Wouldn't it be a waste to let it slip?
Actually, before she arrived, Ning Ci had been sitting in the C position—the middle of the big sofa, right in the center. Even if someone came in first, they wouldn't sit there; it was tacitly reserved for him. He was the undisputed top in this circle. But since Cheng Buxi preferred the corner, he followed her over like a Doberman, leaving that spot empty.
Don't ask. Ask and he'd say he wanted to, and no one could say otherwise.
"Your turn, Brother Ning! Your turn to sing! You promised not to cheat!!"
Ning Ci: ?
"What promise? When did I agree to sing?" He sank into the sofa, looking roguish, dragging out his words.
"I don't care! You have to show us what you've got today!"
"Haven't heard it in ages. We want to hear it, brother~~~"
Who would have thought these fiery youths would turn so meek in front of Ning Ci, like little lambs?
Cheng Buxi's label of him as a "male fox" was now questionable. He wasn't a fox—he was a wolf!
They had already picked a song for him: "Big Sleep" by Sweetheart Queen. Cheng Buxi remembered hearing it a few times; the melody was familiar.
He held the microphone, his sharp, bold eyes filled with affection. He had given in to their cajoling and was about to sing. Everyone around wore eager expressions, ready to film the moment.
Coincidentally, the two women who had gone to the restroom returned. They had touched up their makeup, looking more refined.
As they passed Cheng Buxi, they still glanced down at her with even more obvious hostility. One wore hot pants and a crop top, the other a puff-sleeved long dress. Compared to their dressed-up looks, Cheng Buxi was far more relaxed. So what if she was in loose pajama pants? She was wearing Ning Ci's jacket—that was enough to outshine them.
In the lively, noisy room, some looked around, some kept their eyes fixed, and some...
"Almost forgot how to fall in love / The youth I wasted might still come alive..."
"Those who say they pity me should understand / Of course I'll indulge to the fullest..."
Someone was singing under the spotlight.
Cheng Buxi stared at him, the favored son of heaven. He was always the North Star, surrounded by glory.
His singing was extraordinary. Some were mesmerized—no one expected him to be this good. A slight tremor rippled in her eyes, and she unconsciously swallowed.
It was a deep voice, but not purely a low, husky one; it was almost like showing off.
After all, his natural voice wasn't like this—it was a top-tier youthful sound. But he had deliberately switched to a smoky voice while singing.
He was amazing at basketball, and now he could sing beautifully too. Cheng Buxi's heart began to flutter again.
"Your team's ace can sing?" someone asked from her right.
Cheng Buxi leaned in to eavesdrop.
"Of course! And this song was randomly chosen, didn't it sound good?"
It turned out there were several players from the physical education college in the room. They seemed to get along well privately, but on the court, it was a different story—only one champion throne, and everyone wanted to win. It was a life-or-death struggle.
Cheng Buxi was reminded of how her brother and Professor Shen had been in a similar situation. They competed for first place in exams and races; every contest was intense, like enemies, but off the field, they were childhood friends.
It was... quite touching.
She thought Ning Ci was singing for his buddies, but those who hung out with him privately knew he wouldn't casually bring a girl into the group. His stance was clear—he was telling everyone he had someone in his heart.
But this girl seemed a bit dense, still unaware.
After he finished, Haozi belted out "Tree Rings" and cried through it.
"The most hateful poison of time is having fate but no share..."
"Pity you never cherished / my foolishness..."
A grandiose, short-lived crush that lasted less than eight hours.