Chapter 14
Originally I was in a private room, but unfortunately more and more people kept coming later. One of my close girlfriends from back then doesnât like crowded places, so she pulled me and a few others to sit in the public area. After not seeing each other for so many years, things felt a bit awkward with old friends, but that girlfriend of mine is still very lively and outgoing. With just a few sentences, she got the atmosphere going, and everyone started clamoring to play Truth or Dare.
This game has been popular for years. I originally thought it had gone out of fashion by now, but who would have thought that after all these years, this bunch of idiots was still obsessed with it. As we played, it often hit peopleâs emotional soft spots. When it came time for Truth, someone asked: when were you the happiest?
Several of them started talking about their college days, and what they said made everyoneâs eyes turn red. Just as I was about to get emotional myself, I never expected that I would be the one who got picked. I froze for a moment and immediately said I chose Truth. Who would have known that everyone objected: âThere have already been five Truths in a row. Besides, you havenât come to a class reunion in yearsâ you have to take a punishment. Choose Dare.â
This suggestion was met with overwhelming support. Helpless under all the shouting, I could only nod. My girlfriend gave me a sly look, then glanced at Tang Li, who was sitting on the other side, and said, âGo kiss Tang Li!â As soon as she said that, everyone started jeering again, shouting, âKiss! Kiss!â
At that moment I turned to look at Tang Li and realized he didnât show any particularly obvious reactionâhe just kept his gaze fixed on me. I suddenly felt my face burn hot, so I turned away and immediately refused: âThat wonât do! IâIâm married!â
âMarried?â Everyone froze at once. My girlfriends also looked at me in confusion. âWhen did you get married? How come none of us knew?â
âNot long ago⌠it hasnât been very long.â
âYou little brat, you donât treat us like friends at all!â The girls seemed a bit angry. âSomething as big as getting married, did you ever discuss it with me? Four years of college friendshipâare you just throwing it away like that?â
âDonât be mad~ I just didnât have time to tell you. Some things went wrong with my marriage too, it wasnât very smooth. Iâll explain it to you slowly when we get back.â I sat down next to her and wrapped my arm around hers. Only then did she calm down a bit.
I could feel Tang Liâs gaze lingering on me, but I didnât dare meet his eyes at all. I was afraid of seeing somethingâor perhaps afraid of seeing nothing. Fortunately, someone stepped in to smooth things over, shouting, âDonât make things hard for Meng Yanshuang. Just give him a hug. A hug between friends isnât too much, right?â
As he spoke, he turned to look at me. I nodded, then turned to look at Tang Li again. Tang Li didnât show any resistance, so I stepped up in front of him and gently put my arms around him for a brief hug. He didnât hug me back, and he didnât move. I let go quickly and didnât dare look at his face.
âMeng Yanshuang!â
A sharp female voice screamed my name. I froze, turned around, and saw a face I didnât recognizeâthough thinking carefully, it seemed like I might have seen her somewhere before. She walked straight up and pointed at my nose, launching into curses: âYou slutty woman! Yu Jin must have been blind to fall for you!â
I was stunned by the sudden, baseless scolding. My girlfriend stood up immediately and didnât back down at all: âWho the fuck are you calling a slut? Why donât you take a look at yourself in the mirror?â
It wasnât surprising my friend said that. The woman in front of us was nothing more than a delinquent-type girl. She wore huge hoop earrings, had oddly permed hair, patchy tattoos all over her body, and a short-sleeved top that almost exposed half her upper body. Compared to her, my clothing was practically conservative.
The girl ground her teeth, stomped her foot, and said, âJust you waitâIâm calling Yu Jin right now!â Without giving me a chance to explain, she dialed the number, saying that I was out here seducing men and being all over them.
