"Bet then,"
Que You refused to believe no one could cure him. "If you don't meet them, I'll dye my hair white."
What a childish game.
But Chi Ze Rui actually played along.
"Alright, five years. How about that?"
"Deal," Que You said slyly. "You're bound to lose. I refuse to believe you won't be tempted by the romantic world of university."
Chi Ze Rui, confident of victory, lit a cigarette. "The person who can move this young master hasn't been born yet."
Que You scoffed, "What's your type?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Wen Ting Xue arrived. Chi Ze Rui's eyes brightened, and he extinguished his cigarette.
"What is it?"
He sat up and asked.
Wen Ting Xue handed him the last small box, her smile sweet.
"A commemorative gift for you all. I hope my brother Rui won't dislike it."
Knowing he always wanted the best, she worried her handmade gifts wouldn't meet his standards.
Chi Ze Rui raised an eyebrow. "How could I?"
He opened the small box.
Inside lay a silver necklace.
It was decorative, and the chain was thicker than usual.
The pendant was star-shaped, bulging as if hiding something.
Chi Ze Rui reached out and touched it, his fingers subtly moving. The star opened.
It was a painting.
A cleverly drawn miniature.
It depicted him dancing.
Chi Ze Rui narrowed his eyes, remembering.
It was his final pose from the arts program selection day.
The painting was quite vivid.
"There's something on the back too," the young girl reminded him.
Chi Ze Rui turned it over and saw another miniature painting.
It was the four of them.
Although it was a sketch, he could tell who was who at a glance.
It was truly uncanny.
She was ingenious, and her hands were even more so.
"Amazing, little sister. Your drawing skills are superb!"
Que You gave it a high rating.
Wen Ting Xue smiled shyly. "I'm glad you like it."
Knowing June 1st was their group's formation anniversary, she had started preparing gifts.
The necklace was made long ago, but the paintings were decided on recently.
Yu Wen Li's was of their first meeting at the high-speed rail station, him crouching to talk to her.
Correspondingly, she was sitting on a suitcase, looking at him.
Xing Jia He's was from the music festival, him slyly watching Xu Ke Xin.
Correspondingly, Xu Ke Xin was slyly watching him.
Mu Chen's was the action of him throwing a basketball on May 5th.
Correspondingly, Qiao Xi Xi fell in love with him at first sight.
Of course, the two hadn't confirmed their relationship yet, and that painting was still in her drawer.
Once Qiao Xi Xi succeeded in her pursuit, she could put the painting in the necklace.
"There's another layer below, for your significant other. This is a couple's necklace."
Wen Ting Xue said with expectant eyes.
Que You froze for a moment. "He just broke up with Hao Luo Er."
"Ah?"
Wen Ting Xue was surprised. "Then..."
Before she could finish speaking, Chi Ze Rui had already picked out another necklace.
The paintings on the back were the same, but the one on the front was of Hao Luo Er in her school uniform, rushing down the stairs.
It was likely the scene at the South Canteen of Middle School Twelve.
"How about I take the painting out first, and wait until you meet someone..."
Halfway through, Wen Ting Xue pursed her lips, looking a little unhappy.
"Why did you break up with Luo Er? What's wrong with her?"
Frankly, she hoped they would stay together.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have made Luo Er the subject of the painting.
Chi Ze Rui put both necklaces back in the box and replied in a flat tone.
"She's very good. I'm not worthy."
Wen Ting Xue: "..."
A playboy's line.
"No need to change it. I won't meet anyone I like, so this is fine."
Chi Ze Rui stood up, put the box in his pocket, then casually slung an arm around Wen Ting Xue's shoulder and walked towards the center.
"Instead of glaring at me, you might as well eat more meat. You haven't just learned that I'm a scumbag today, have you?"
Wen Ting Xue: "...Hmph."
-
June 7th. Que You had his college entrance examination.
Yu Wen Li and the others saw him into the examination hall. Hao Luo Er also rushed over.
Que You raised an eyebrow. "This is the first time I've realized I have such good character."
Hao Luo Er blushed slightly. "Good luck with your exam."
After Que You entered the school, Hao Luo Er, biting her lip, walked over to Chi Ze Rui.
She knew today was the only chance she had to see him.
"I..."
Hao Luo Er fiddled with the hem of her clothes and began to speak with teary eyes.
Unfortunately, as soon as her long-prepared opening line started, Chi Ze Rui frowned in annoyance.
"Please, find someone else to like. There's really no need to cling to me. I'm not worthy."
Hao Luo Er's eyes immediately turned red.
Her nose stung.
"Do you think I want to be this pathetic? But I just like you.
My eyes and heart are only for you. Who do you expect me to like?"
"Rui..." The young girl's eyes welled up as she reached out to hold his hand, but he deliberately avoided it.
Tears rolled down her cheeks. Disregarding her pride and dignity, she cried:
"Please, just look at me. Don't leave me, okay...?"
There were many people at the entrance of the First High School. Chi Ze Rui was forced to be the center of attention, which annoyed him greatly.
Just as he was about to lose his temper, Wen Ting Xue gently grabbed Hao Luo Er's cold wrist and asked softly:
"We're planning to play Werewolf. Do you want to join us?"
Hao Luo Er raised her tear-filled eyes. Wen Ting Xue immediately added, "He's coming too."
"Then I'll go."
After saying that, Hao Luo Er remembered to look at Chi Ze Rui's expression and indeed, it was incredibly foul.
Mu Chen didn't know if Chi Ze Rui's sudden compromise was because of Wen Ting Xue or Yu Wen Li.
After all, they both looked at him at the same time, but he always felt that Ah Rui's feelings for Wen Ting Xue...
"What are you thinking about?"
Qiao Xi Xi asked, munching on a meat bun and tilting her head, her round eyes blinking like a deer.
Mu Chen's mouth twitched in exasperation. "Just eat your bun."
Although he disliked Qiao Xi Xi's pursuit, he couldn't directly drive her away out of consideration for Wen Ting Xue.
He could only wear her down slowly, like using a dull knife to cut a rope.
He believed that eventually, she would give up.
However, even Mu Chen himself hadn't realized that he was starting to get used to Qiao Xi Xi's presence.
He even tacitly allowed her to approach.
-
Qiao Xi Xi had a refined palate and had tasted dishes from all sorts of restaurants in Jiang City.
She was even knowledgeable about the pastry-making skills and soundproofing of various tea houses.
Therefore, the place they chose to play Werewolf was her recommendation.
It wasn't far from school.
Three storefronts, two floors, elegantly decorated.
Behind the counter stood a handsome man in his early twenties.
He had natural phoenix-like eyes that, when narrowed, were captivating.
"Well, well, Miss Qiao. What a rare visit."
"Get lost..."
Qiao Xi Xi instinctively retorted, then remembered Mu Chen was beside her and quickly put on a sweet smile, introducing him:
"Han Yan, the owner of this place. He's a good friend of mine."
"Hello, everyone," the man greeted lazily, leaning against the counter. His amorous phoenix eyes swept over everyone's faces.
Finally, they landed on the indifferent Mu Chen, whom he appraised subtly.
"So you're the male god Qiao Qiao has been chasing for over a month? Hmm, doesn't look like much."
The tone, laced with a half-smile, instantly ignited invisible sparks.
Qiao Xi Xi: "?"
Mu Chen: "...?"