the group slowly settled again around the table.
Yun Hu wandered around occasionally sniffing someone's clothes before moving on with great importance.
For a moment the room was peaceful.
Then—
Juri suddenly grabbed an empty bottle from the table.
He lifted it dramatically.
"Let's play Truth or Dare."
Before anyone could object—
He spun the bottle.
The glass rolled across the table with a clack clack clack sound.
Everyone watched it turn.
And turn.
And finally—
It stopped.
Right in front of Xiao Yushen.
Zhou Kai slapped the table. "Nice."
Xiao blinked slowly.
"You didn't even ask if we agreed to play."
Juri shrugged innocently. "Too late."
"Truth or dare?" Zhou Kai asked.
Xiao leaned back slightly.
"Truth."
Zhou Kai immediately leaned forward like a hunter who had been waiting for prey.
"Then answer this."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Why are you so gloomy these days?"
Xiao blinked.
Then he laughed lightly.
"Is that what you want to ask?"
"Yeah."
Xiao rubbed the back of his neck casually.
"Just thinking about some life matters."
Simple.
Too simple.
Zhou Kai and Xu Jin both froze slightly.
🚨 ALARM
Inside their heads:
Life matters?
Thinking deeply these days?
Is he planning something?
Both of them had the same terrifying thought at the exact same time.
Is he thinking about confessing to Chen?
Xu Jin's eyes narrowed.
Zhou Kai's posture stiffened.
Xiao, meanwhile, simply sipped his drink calmly as if nothing was happening.
"Alright," Juri said cheerfully. "Next!"
He spun the bottle again.
It spun fast.
Slower.
Slower.
Then stopped.
Right in front of Xu Jin.
Zhou Kai immediately grinned like a villain.
"Truth or dare?"
Xu Jin sighed.
"…Dare."
Zhou Kai pointed immediately.
"Me. I'll give the dare."
"You have to go to Grandma Liang and ask her what time it is."
Silence.
Xu Jin's face instantly turned pale.
😨
"…What?"
"Go ask the time."
Xu Jin looked toward the door.
Grandma Liang was currently in the living room with her mahjong friends.
And earlier—
She was in beast mode.
"No she's in beast mode right now," Xu Jin said immediately. "Give something else."
Zhou Kai folded his arms. "Dare is dare."
Juri nodded seriously. "Rules are rules."
Xiao hid a smile behind his cup.
Xu Jin looked toward Chen desperately.
"Brother Chen…"
Chen blinked. "Hm?"What did you say just now?"
Xu Jin immediately waved his hands in panic.
"No nothing! Nothing at all! I'll go!"
He stood up like a man marching toward execution.
The others watched with great interest.
The door opened.
Xu Jin disappeared outside.
Silence.
Ten seconds.
Twenty seconds.
Then—
SMACK
A loud sound echoed from the living room.
Everyone flinched.
Two seconds later—
Xu Jin returned.
With a red mark on his head.
He sat down calmly.
"…Done."
Zhou Kai lost it.
Juri laughed so hard he almost fell off his chair.
Even Xiao chuckled.
Chen looked at him amusingly "Why did she hit you?"
Xu Jin rubbed his forehead. "…I asked what time it was."
"That's all?"
"…She said there's a clock on the wall."
Juri wiped tears from his eyes.
"Worth it."
"Next turn!" Juri said happily.
He spun the bottle again.
It rotated slowly.
Everyone leaned closer.
Then—
It stopped.
Right in front of Chen.
Xu Jin straightened immediately.Zhou Kai sat forward.Xiao's eyes lifted slightly. All ready to speak.
Before anyone could speak—
Juri raised his hand.
"I'll ask."
Zhou Kai glanced at him.
Juri looked straight at Chen.
"Professor," he said.
Chen blinked.
"Do you have someone you like?"
The room froze.
"…Now or in the past."
Zhou Kai nearly choked.
"Hey—!"
He elbowed Juri hard.
Xu Jin's eyes widened.
Xiao's fingers tightened slightly on his glass.
All three of them suddenly became extremely focused.
Even Yun Hu stopped playing with the ribbon toy.
Chen looked surprised by the question.
He leaned back slightly.
Thinking.
Everyone leaned closer unconsciously.
Then Chen spoke calmly.
"Yeah."
Three hearts dropped at the same time.
"Who doesn't have someone they like?" Chen continued naturally. "I had someone too."
Zhou Kai's smile disappeared.
Xu Jin's expression stiffened.
Xiao lowered his gaze quietly.
Juri, however—
Perked up instantly.
"Who is it girl or a boy?"
His tone sounded curious.
But inside—
His real intention was different.
If Zhou Kai hears this…
Maybe he'll finally give up on Chen.
The room waited.
Silence stretched.
Then Chen smiled lightly.
"The question was already answered."
He reached for the bottle.
"Next turn."
And spun it.
Leaving four people sitting there with unresolved thoughts.
And four completely different emotions.
Because none of them expected—
That Chen actually had someone he liked before.
And none of them knew who it was.