*
KTV room.
Colored disco ball spun overhead. Zeng Keqin sat in the corner, a glass of watermelon juice barely touched in front of her, her face tense throughout.
Jiang Shiyu sat at the other end of the sofa, being dragged by Ke Rui to sing an old song together.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Wang Chunyue picked up the microphone. "Since we're out to have fun, let's play a game to warm up!"
"What game?"
"A simple one—Truth or Dare! Who's in?"
"I'm in!"
Liu Ying was the first to raise her hand.
Zeng Keqin lowered her head, poking at the watermelon in the fruit plate with a toothpick, not saying a word.
Seeing this, Liu Ying grabbed her arm. "Qinqin's in too!"
Zeng Keqin struggled to free her hand. "I don't know how to play."
"It's easy. I'll teach you."
Liu Ying placed an empty beer bottle in the middle. "Whoever the bottle points to has to choose Truth or Dare!"
Wang Chunyue volunteered. "I'll go first!"
She rolled up her sleeves, pinched the bottle body, and gave it a strong spin. The beer bottle wobbled and finally stopped.
The mouth of the bottle pointed perfectly at Zeng Keqin, who was eating watermelon across from her.
"You got it first!"
Zeng Keqin looked confused. "I didn't say I wanted to play..."
Liu Ying winked. "First round doesn't count. Next."
"Since she's a newbie, we'll let it slide." Wang Chunyue waved her hand generously. "Xiaoyu, your turn."
Fang Yu reached out and spun the bottle. The mouth pointed at Ke Rui.
"Truth or Dare?"
"Truth."
Fang Yu thought for a moment. "Tell us your most embarrassing secret."
Ke Rui's face instantly turned red.
As if he had made a huge decision, he said with a look of facing death, "I was rejected when I confessed in sixth grade."
The room was silent for a second, then erupted in deafening laughter.
Ke Rui's face went crimson. "Stop laughing! Next!"
After a few rounds, Wang Chunyue was asked about "having a crush on the gym teacher in high school," and Liu Ying had to say to a passerby, "I really like you."
Zeng Keqin gradually loosened up a bit.
This time, the bottle pointed at Jiang Shiyu, who had hardly said a word throughout.
"Oh, finally Brother Jiang's turn!"
Ke Rui shouted excitedly, "Truth or Dare?"
"Truth."
Wang Chunyue's eyes sparkled. "Jiang Shen, how many relationships have you had?"
Everyone pricked up their ears.
Jiang Shiyu's expression remained indifferent. "None."
"Liar!"
Liu Ying was the first to disbelieve. "With a face like yours, you're telling me you've never been in a relationship?"
"I haven't, and that's that."
Jiang Shiyu's expression still didn't change, though a flicker of impatience crossed his brow.
Ke Rui raised his hand. "I can vouch for him. Since I've known Brother Jiang, I've never seen him get close to any girl."
The game continued.
The bottle spun a few more times and landed on Zeng Keqin again.
This time, there was no newbie protection. Ke Rui asked, "Junior Zeng, when was your first kiss?"
The colored lights in the room happened to turn red, casting a blush-like hue on Zeng Keqin's face.
She dropped her eyes, her lashes trembling, her voice soft as a mosquito's hum. "My first kiss... is still here."
As soon as she said it,
Ke Rui let out an "Ow!" and grinned from ear to ear.