He Jingjing curved her eyes, the smile within them not quite clear.
Chu Shiyu and Xu Junyue exchanged a look.
"Let me tell you, I think our Tong Yang..." Xu Junyue began enthusiastically, wanting to say something, when a sharp microphone feedback from the stage interrupted her.
Chu Shiyu patted her shoulder and said, "Looks like it's about to start. We'll talk outside."
"Oh, alright then."
He Jingjing watched the two of them, her smile turning meaningful, then said to Xu Junyue, "You and Tong Yang are so close. Even though we've known each other longer, I'm almost a bit jealous."
"What are you talking about," Xu Junyue blinked at her. "We're all friends. Don't say things that might hurt feelings."
"My mistake, I won't mention it again."
"Welcome everyone to the recording of 'Me and My Friends'. The show is about to begin. Please remain quiet, silence your phones, and refrain from using electronic devices to record video. Thank you for your cooperation."
Immediately, the audience fell silent.
This kind of environment was extremely conducive to drowsiness. Combined with Tong Yang's lack of interest in the show, she was already feeling sleepy before the recording even officially began.
Suddenly, a cheerful melody erupted in the studio, and backup dancers in flamboyant costumes quickly ran to the center of the stage.
Probably the hosts' opening dance.
Tong Yang watched lazily and let out a yawn.
After the dance ended, several hosts introduced themselves, followed by the guests' entrance.
The guest entrance was a song-and-dance performance. The male guests wore uniformly dark-toned black suits. Zhou Jingyun's head of white hair stood out prominently in the crowd. His stage presence was decent, not timid—it seemed his usual strict self-discipline paid off.
As the music stopped, he lifted his chin towards their direction, carrying a somewhat provocative air.
Xu Junyue raised her hand and gave him an internationally friendly gesture.
The music started again, becoming much softer.
A girl suspended on wires, dressed in ethereal, fairy-like garments, floated from above the audience seats onto the stage.
She landed in the center of the stage, glancing back at everyone with a smile. It was Ji Jiaen herself.
Backup dancers surrounding the stage gathered around her, helping her unbuckle the wire harness. They took hold of her sleeves and gave a sharp tug—the period costume instantly split in two, revealing a playful white miniskirt hidden underneath. The music also turned cheerful once more.
Tong Yang straightened up, her expression becoming serious. Different from the photos she'd seen, Ji Jiaen in person was much more attractive, her features vivid and lively. Upon closer look, she bore a slight resemblance to Zhou Jingyun.
"Hello everyone, I'm Ji Jiaen. It's my first time meeting you all, please be kind."
"Wow!!!"
"Ji Jiaen!!!"
Applause thundered through the venue, ringing against the ceiling. Tong Yang frowned at the noise. She really wasn't suited for places like this.
Most variety show formats were similar: divide the regular cast and the guests into two teams, compete through games to win, and ultimately receive a reward.
This episode only had Ji Jiaen as the female guest. The hosts and other male guests, openly and subtly, were all buttering her up. Well, her career was currently at its peak, after all.
Perhaps because Tong Yang rarely engaged with this kind of entertainment, she remained unenthusiastic throughout, right until the recording ended.
Her only takeaway was that she had wasted two precious hours.
As the show let out, the audience lingered, reluctant to leave. After all, people like Tong Yang, who viewed time as precious as life itself, were in the minority, and she simply didn't enjoy this type of entertainment.
They didn't leave immediately after the show. Instead, they waited by the staff entrance for Zhou Jingyun to come out.
A few minutes later, Zhou Jingyun, sweat dripping and makeup still on, hurried over to them.
"Sorry for the wait, Tong Yang. Come with me inside."
Tong Yang nodded. "Alright."
Chu Shiyu handed her the photo from Jin Qi and said, "We'll wait for you outside."
"Mm."
Tong Yang and Zhou Jingyun walked into the staff passage together. Staff members hurried back and forth, not seeming any more relaxed just because the recording had ended.
"So, how was it?" Zhou Jingyun asked.
Tong Yang said, "Do you want the truth?"
Zhou Jingyun put on a serious face. "No. I think nothing good ever comes out of your mouth."
"Get lost." Tong Yang shot him a glare.
"Alright, seriously though, how was my performance? It was my variety show debut. Those guys will either just praise me or trash me, not objective at all."
Tong Yang said, "Mediocre."
"Subjective or objective?"
"Subjective."
"Then be objective, please!"
Tong Yang thought for a moment and said, "Objectively speaking, your performance was pretty good, better than the other male guests..."
"Holy crap! Shut up!" Zhou Jingyun nervously glanced around. "Sis, that's offensive talk!"
"Idiot," Tong Yang said, exasperated. "Didn't you tell me to be objective?"
"My bad, my bad! But if even someone as unsentimental as you says that, then my performance must have been decent. I wonder if any agencies will sign me after this debut."
Tong Yang said with a half-smile, "If you can survive past midnight on the 24th, which is tonight, you might just officially debut."
Zhou Jingyun said, "What kind of talk is that? Surviving tonight is a piece of cake for me."
"Not necessarily." Tong Yang patted his shoulder sympathetically.
Zhou Jingyun's face stiffened as he scrutinized Tong Yang's expression. "No way..."
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
"No..."
Tong Yang held up five fingers. "This much."
"Five million?!" Zhou Jingyun shook his head in shock. "No way, I can't come up with five million!"
Tong Yang looked puzzled. "Do I really seem that mercenary?"
"You really have no self-awareness, do you?"
"Then five million it is."
"No, Tong Yang, you misunderstood. I meant you do have self-awareness. Of course you're not that kind of mercenary person."
Tong Yang snorted coldly. "Five hundred thousand."
"Deal!"
"So, what's up? What am I going to run into this time?"
Tong Yang said, "Not sure. Take me to see Ji Jiaen first. We'll talk after we come out."
Zhou Jingyun stopped walking, looked left and right. No one was around. He lowered his voice and asked, "Ji Jiaen isn't in danger too, is she?"
"Mm."
"Hiss... I'm just puzzled. You don't seem like the type to chase celebrities."
Tong Yang glanced at him and said, "Don't worry. You'll definitely die before her."
Zhou Jingyun: "..."
That did not reassure him in the slightest.
They stopped outside a dressing room door.
Zhou Jingyun knocked. "Sister Jiaen, we're here."
A few seconds later, the dressing room door opened.
"Please come in." An assistant opened the door and stepped aside to make way.
"Zhou Jingyun! You jerk! I told you to come later!" A girl's clear, bright voice rang out.
Then, a high-heeled shoe came flying straight at his head.
Tong Yang caught it swiftly mid-air and looked up to see a girl in a miniskirt lounging casually on the sofa.
"Hey there, little sister," Ji Jiaen said, a lollipop in her mouth, looking completely unfazed.
Even Tong Yang hadn't expected her private persona to be so different from her on-screen image.
"Sister Jiaen, you are a public figure after all. Could you pay a little attention to your image?"
"My workday is over! Why bother with image now? Should I be like you? Carrying such heavy idol baggage even before your debut—isn't that exhausting?"
Ji Jiaen completely disregarded her image; her personality was rather feisty.
"Jingyun, come in. I'll close the door," the manager said helplessly.
Tong Yang walked in first, placing her high heels beside the sofa.
"Make yourself at home, don't stand on ceremony," Ji Jiaen said, sprawled out like a salted fish. Her makeup and hairstyle were still a mess, a far cry from the pure, ethereal image she projected on screen.
"Please sign this," Tong Yang handed her a photo.
"Oh, let me see."
Ji Jiaen took the photo and clicked her tongue in disapproval. "This one is way too photoshopped. Not good."
"Sister Jiaen, could you leave a little bit of the celebrity filter for people? Even though she's not your fan."
Ji Jiaen's drowsy eyes instantly widened. "Not my fan? You're not going to sell the signed photo on the second-hand market, are you?"
Tong Yang said, "No..."
"I'll sign a few more for you, list them at a higher price! I saw someone selling my signed photo for 500 bucks before! Five hundred! What's my status? Is my personal autograph only worth five hundred? Pisses me off!" Ji Jiaen grumbled through gritted teeth.
Tong Yang paused. "Then sign a few more, please."
Might as well sell them for money later. No point refusing free stuff.
"Wait! Let me find a few I think look good!"
"Thank you."
Zhou Jingyun glanced at the busy Ji Jiaen and sighed. "Don't mind her. She's been like this since she was a kid."
"Mind what?" Tong Yang's expression was utterly sincere. "Your cousin is a good person."
Zhou Jingyun: "..."
"Anyone who helps you make money is a good person, right?"
Tong Yang asked, puzzled, "Isn't that how it is?"
"Here! For you!" Ji Jiaen handed her a stack of pre-signed photos. "Remember to list them at a higher price!"
Tong Yang took the stack of signed photos, fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Thank you. Have you considered other factors for why your signed photos sell for such a low price?"
Ji Jiaen looked at her, confused. "What factors?"
Zhou Jingyun said, "Well, the signature is a bit... ugly."
"Get out! Is it the first day you've known my handwriting is bad? These are the results of my signature practice!"
As long as they could be sold for money, Tong Yang didn't mind.
"Thank you, I'll take them."
"You're welcome, you're welcome."
Ji Jiaen flopped back onto her seat like a salted fish. "Zhou Jingyun said you wanted to talk to me. What about?"
Tong Yang said, "Can they step out for a moment?"
Ji Jiaen waved her hand at Zhou Jingyun and the others. "You guys go out first. I'll chat with little sister alone."
"Alright."
"We'll be next door."
After the others left the room, the spacious lounge was left with just the two of them.
The door closed with a soft thud. Ji Jiaen craned her neck to look, then quickly fished out two packs of spicy strips from between the sofa cushions, handing one to Tong Yang.
"Keep it a secret, okay? They don't let me eat these."
Tong Yang was silent for a moment, then took it. "Okay."
"Wow! So fragrant! So spicy! The ultimate delicacy!"
"What's so good about being a celebrity anyway? You have to maintain your persona, manage your figure, control your expressions... a whole bunch of nonsense. I don't know why that kid Zhou Jingyun is so obsessed with the entertainment industry."
Tong Yang found this amusing and asked, "Then why are you in it?"
"To make money! Once I've earned enough and won all the awards, I'll definitely announce my retirement at my peak and become a legend in the entertainment industry!"
Tong Yang nodded. "Not a bad idea."
"Why don't you join me? With a face like yours, I'm sure you could make a big splash in the industry!"
Tong Yang said, "Let's talk about that later. No time for it now."
Ji Jiaen's mouth was shiny from the oil. She stared at Tong Yang for a few seconds and suddenly said, "Actually, I know who you are."
Tong Yang looked surprised. "You know me?"
"Ah, your friend was on the hot search list."
"You have time to be on your phone? I heard you guys are so busy you don't even have time to touch the ground, no time to go online?"
Ji Jiaen said, "What are you thinking? No matter how busy we are, there's always time to go online. And it's not as crazy busy as fans imagine."
"Do you have any secrets to getting such good grades?"
"Yes."
"What? What?"
"Study hard."
Ji Jiaen rolled her eyes, swinging one leg in the air. "I find the effect... average."
"Are you dating? Was the boy sitting next to you in the audience your boyfriend? Those sleazy guys backstage wanted their assistants to contact you and your friend right after they came off stage."
"No, he's not."
After a pause, Tong Yang asked, puzzled, "Why would they want to contact us?"
Ji Jiaen shrugged. "Probably thought you were a fan of one of them. That kind of thing is pretty common in the industry. They call it 'fulfilling a fan's fantasy,' getting close to their idol. But it takes two to tango; we can't really interfere."
"But these guys toss people aside once they're bored. They're no good. Tell your friend not to fall for it. Never be fooled by a pretty face."
Tong Yang wasn't worried about the others. Chu Shiyu wasn't that foolish, and as for Xu Junyue, that person never came out on the losing end.
"Ah! We're getting way off topic!" Ji Jiaen sat up straight. "So, what did you want to see me about?"
Tong Yang pondered for a moment. She did want to meet Ji Jiaen, but hadn't expected it to go so smoothly. She hesitated briefly, unsure how to tell her.
There was still over a year before she would be killed by the parallel world.
"I want to discuss a deal with you. It concerns your life."
Ji Jiaen was dumbfounded. "You want to buy my life?"
"No..."
"Someone wants to buy my life? For how much? Let me see if it's worth it."
Tong Yang said, "All I can tell you is that within the next two years, you will definitely die."
Ji Jiaen was stunned for a second, then lowered her voice. "I knew you didn't seem ordinary. Are you the disciple of some master? I went to get my fortune told recently, and the master said I'd face a major calamity in 2026. If I get through it, great wealth and honor await. If not, I'm gone."
Tong Yang said sincerely, "The master was very accurate. In 2026, you were gone."
Ji Jiaen: "..."
"I thought he was a fraud because he looked so young! And now even you say so... Is the metaphysics circle that competitive now? Calculating so accurately at such a young age?"
A sudden thought struck Tong Yang. She asked, "What was that Taoist priest's name?"
"His surname is Tang, I think it was Tang something-yan?"
"Tang Shuyan?"
"Hey! That's right!"
What a coincidence.
"He really said that?" Tong Yang asked.
"That's right, he also said that I can't get through this calamity on my own, I need help from a noble person, otherwise I'm definitely doomed." Tong Yang narrowed her eyes. She hadn't expected that kid Tang Shuyan to have some real skill, to have actually calculated that. No wonder, how could Bureau 749 let a charlatan become an external contractor? And repeatedly involve him in matters related to parallel worlds? He's probably hiding a lot of things.
Ji Jiaen said, "I'm a firm materialist, I won't easily believe in that supernatural nonsense."
Tong Yang's expression turned serious. "You might not believe it, but I used to be a firm materialist too."
"And now?"
"Now I think I might be the noble person Tang Shuyan mentioned, the one who can help you through your calamity."
Ji Jiaen squinted her eyes. "Are you serious?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
"No."
Ji Jiaen scrunched up her face. "But, it's too hard for a materialist like me to believe such a far-fetched story."
Tong Yang shrugged. "The date of your death is still far off. You have plenty of time to think it over."
Ji Jiaen, half-convinced and half-doubting, asked, "How do I die?"
Tong Yang made a slicing motion across her throat.
Ji Jiaen was silent for a few seconds before asking, "You're willing to help me unconditionally?"
"Of course not."
"What's the condition?"
Tong Yang held up five fingers, letting Ji Jiaen guess.
"Five million?" Ji Jiaen's expression turned to shock. "Although my life is worth that much, isn't that a bit too high!"
Tong Yang said without changing her expression, "The price is negotiable."
Ji Jiaen gritted her teeth. "At most... at most I can give you two million."
"Deal!" Tong Yang agreed immediately.
Ji Jiaen was taken aback. "Th-that was quick?"
Tong Yang said, "Of course. For a pretty young thing like you."
"Ahahaha... well, that's true!"
"But I don't completely believe you yet." Ji Jiaen frowned, troubled. "Do you have any conclusive evidence?"
"Yes."
Ji Jiaen's eyes lit up. "What? Show me, quick."
"No."
"Huh?" Ji Jiaen was stunned. "You have evidence but won't show me, and you still want me to agree to a deal, to spend two million to buy my own life?"
Tong Yang shrugged. "I said, you have many opportunities to consider. I'm not in a hurry, so don't you be either."
"Wow! Little girl, you really... you're such a negotiator, don't you value your life?"
Tong Yang said, "Shall we exchange contact info? You can pay after it's done."
"Really?"
"Why would I lie?"
Ji Jiaen's death case would happen in late May 2026. There was plenty of time.
"Alright then."
"Don't give my private contact info to anyone else, okay? And if you're going to sell it, set the price high!"
Tong Yang chuckled. "Got it."
Things had gone much more smoothly than she imagined. She had already made contact with Ji Jiaen, so that matter wasn't urgent for now. Next, she just needed to resolve Zhou Jingyun's issue early on the 24th and get the five hundred thousand reward. If she saved up a bit more, not even counting the debt from Ye Huai, she could buy an apartment outright in the capital.
After they exchanged contact information, the door to the lounge was knocked on.
"Jiaen, it's getting late. We should pack up and head back."
"Oh! Got it!" Ji Jiaen frantically hid the unfinished spicy strips, and had just returned to the sofa when the door opened.
"What's that smell?"
"Ji Jiaen! Have you been sneaking spicy strips again?"
Ji Jiaen put on an innocent face. "Me? No way!"
"Then why does the room smell of spicy strips?"
Ji Jiaen pointed at Tong Yang across from her and said, "Maybe she's eating them? Look, she's still holding some."
The manager frowned, glancing at Tong Yang.
Tong Yang stood up expressionlessly and said to Ji Jiaen, "I'm heading out first."
"Okay, okay, be careful on the way! Have Zhou Jingyun see you home."
"Alright."
Tong Yang paused for a moment, then said, "Sister Jiaen, you didn't wipe your mouth clean."
"Damn it..." Ji Jiaen immediately covered her mouth, her gaze shifting guiltily toward the manager.
"Ji! Jia! En!"
"Ahhh! I'm sorry!"
"I won't sneak food ever again!!"
Tong Yang, having discreetly achieved her goal, strode out of the lounge.
Zhou Jingyun was waiting for her in the hallway. He had removed his makeup and changed clothes. He asked, "Did you settle things with Sister Jiaen?"
"Not really. Up to her whether she believes it or not."
"What if she doesn't believe it?"
"Then she dies."
Tong Yang glanced sideways at him. "Or, you could pay for her?"
Zhou Jingyun looked hesitant. "How much?"
Tong Yang held up two fingers. "This much."
"Two hundred thousand?" Zhou Jingyun fell into thought. Two hundred thousand... if he worked hard, he could probably come up with it within a year.
"Two million."
"???"
Zhou Jingyun said gravely, "I think for such matters, it's better for her to find her own solution."
"But, why is Sister Jiaen so expensive?"
Tong Yang said flatly, "She's a big star. Her life is worth more."
"That's true." Although Tong Yang hadn't initially planned to quote such a high price; she had just gone with the flow.
"If I become famous in the future, will you raise your price for me too?"
Tong Yang: "?"
"Do you think you're destined to die several times no matter what?"
Zhou Jingyun tossed his hair flamboyantly. "Isn't that what protagonists do? Go through all sorts of hardships and dangers, grow through adversity, and finally wipe out the villain in one fell swoop?"
"Idiot."
"So how exactly do I die?"
"Falling into water by accident. I'm not sure yet if it's related to the parallel world."
"Falling into water? There is a river near the TV station. I was actually planning to take you all there for a late-night snack to celebrate."
Tong Yang snorted a laugh. "Celebrate your untimely demise, you mean."
"Then let's forget it, we'll go somewhere else. Tong Yang, if I safely get past tomorrow morning, does that mean I'm in the clear?"
Tong Yang said, "Based on my past experience, if it's related to the parallel world, unless you eliminate the root cause, you might dodge it today, but not forever."
Zhou Jingyun furrowed his brows. "Then what should we do?"
"That's why we still have to go to the river tonight. At the very least, we need to determine if it's related to the parallel world. If we postpone it until after my classes start, you won't be so lucky."
"If I get killed by the parallel world, can you loop back to save me?"
Tong Yang gave him a cold look. "I can. Five million."
Zhou Jingyun put on an obedient expression. "Then let's just resolve it tonight."
"You know, I didn't expect Jingjing to come support me." Zhou Jingyun sighed.
"I thought after that incident, she'd never want to see us again."
Speaking of He Jingjing, Tong Yang's gaze grew somewhat distant. She said meaningfully, "Sometimes, the more normal something seems, the more abnormal it is. Figure it out yourself." Tong Yang's relationship with He Jingjing wasn't particularly close or distant. No matter how the other changed or what she did, it didn't affect Tong Yang. As for how others viewed He Jingjing, it had nothing to do with her.
Walking out of the staff entrance, they saw a few people standing under a streetlamp, braving the cold wind.
"You guys finally came out!"
"We were about to barge in and drag you out if you took any longer!"
Chu Shiyu's cheeks were red from the cold as she said, "You finally emerged."
Zhou Jingyun asked in surprise, "Wasn't there a waiting area over there?"
Chu Shiyu frowned. "We were waiting for Jingjing to come back."
"Jingjing?" Zhou Jingyun scanned the crowd but didn't see He Jingjing. "Where did she go?"
Tao Bai explained, "She left with an agent."
"You let her go alone?"
Xu Junyue said, "I told her not to go, but she insisted on meeting her idol and told us to wait here for her. What could I do?"
Hu Shuo looked worried. "She's been gone so long. Did something happen to her?"
"Which way did she go?"
Hu Shuo pointed into the darkness. "That way."
"Did you call her?" Tong Yang asked.
"We did. No one answered. She replied with two texts a few minutes ago, telling us to wait a bit longer and that she's fine."
Hearing this, Tong Yang's eyes narrowed slightly. "She's an adult, and she left in a clear state of mind. There are surveillance cameras all around here. Let's wait a little longer."
"Yeah, let's wait."
"Sigh." Hu Shuo let out a sigh. "I don't know what's up with Jingjing. I never heard she was into any celebrities before."
Tao Bai said, "Not sure. Maybe she got interested recently. If she's not back soon, we'll go look for her."
Uncertain when He Jingjing would return, and with her not answering calls—only replying via text asking them to wait—they had even asked her to send a voice message to confirm it was really her.
"I'm fine, having a great time chatting with my oppa. I want to talk with him a bit more."
Her voice and tone didn't sound off.
The group had no choice. The TV station staff had already clocked out, and there was nowhere nearby to rest. There was a 24-hour convenience store on the street opposite the main entrance, but unsure of where He Jingjing had gone, they could only stand and wait.
Time ticked by, and it was almost 11:30 PM. The temperature kept dropping.
"Cold?" Tao Bai asked softly. "Maybe you girls should head back first. We'll wait here for her."
Tong Yang shook her head. "It's fine. We haven't celebrated for Zhou Jingyun yet."
Chu Shiyu and Xu Junyue, who knew what might happen tonight, chimed in, "We'll wait together."
"No one's getting away tonight! No one leaves until they're drunk, got it? Watch me drink all of you under the table!"
"Bring it on! Who's scared? Your Brother Hu has never been the one to pass out from drinking!"
Xu Junyue scoffed. "You've never passed out, you just end up vomiting like a dog and refuse to admit it."
"That's nonsense!"
"Don't believe me? Ask them!"
Tong Yang and Zhou Jingyun didn't join their banter. She had never drunk alcohol, so she had no say.
"Boss, for your eighteenth birthday next year, let's have a proper celebration, okay? Then you'll be able to drink!"
Tao Bai said, "We can go to my place. No need to worry about safety."
"That seaside villa of yours is nice. Let's borrow it then, throw our boss a birthday party!"
Chu Shiyu said, "The seaside sounds good. I haven't been in ages."
Tong Yang listened to them chatting away without offering any opinion.
Tong Yang took out her phone to check the time.
Suddenly, she noticed a new, subtle pop-up notification on her screen from an unknown number.
[You all seem to be having a great chat]
Tong Yang hadn't saved this number, and there had been no previous calls or messages from it.
[Jealous?]
Not knowing who it was, Tong Yang casually replied.
At 11:32 PM, Xu Junyue received a message from He Jingjing.
"Jingjing says she's waiting for us at the barbecue stall by Qinghe River," Xu Junyue announced.
"Qinghe River? That's just behind the next street. Why did she go there alone?" Hu Shuo wondered.
Chu Shiyu and a few others who knew the inside story exchanged glances.
Early morning, November 24th... accidental fall into the water... Qinghe River...
The answer was practically screaming at them.
Zhou Jingyun's face turned pale, his expression confused.
Did his accidental fall have something to do with He Jingjing?
Why?
Because of He Jingjing (Sister)'s death?
But... there was nothing any of them could have done at the time.
Seeing his expression, Chu Shiyu knew Tong Yang had already told him about the fall.
"Don't overthink it. Didn't you tell Junyue you wanted to take us to eat by Qinghe River tonight to celebrate? Maybe she just went ahead," Chu Shiyu comforted him.
Xu Junyue pursed her lips, saying nothing.
Tong Yang said, "Let's go."
Regardless of whether Zhou Jingyun's fall was related to He Jingjing, they had to take the risk, find the culprit, and uproot the source to avoid it.
The TV station wasn't far from Qinghe River. A ten-minute walk brought them to a river shrouded in darkness.
A cold wind whipped along the riverbank. The streetlights were bright, but due to the late hour, there were almost no pedestrians on either side.
Zhou Jingyun walked along the bank, glancing at the slowly flowing river. Its color was indistinguishable in the dark, looking like a black curtain, deep and bottomless.
"So cold." Hu Shuo shrank his neck into his shoulders, shivering all over.
Tong Yang was dressed more warmly and didn't feel it much. Xu Junyue, who always prioritized style over comfort, was freezing and kept huddling close to the others.
Chu Shiyu opened her wool coat and wrapped Xu Junyue inside; the two looked like conjoined twins.
"Over here!"
A girl standing on a raised platform to the right of the riverbank waved at them, wearing snow-white gloves.
"Jingjing!"
"Why did you come here alone? We waited for you forever over there! We're freezing!"
He Jingjing's eyes curved into smiles. "I was passing by, so I came ahead."
"Come on up! There's a heater here."
Everyone climbed the steps onto the platform. The vendor there was almost closed for the night, having packed up most of the stall, leaving just one window open with a dim yellow light on.
He Jingjing stood beside a table set with some grilled food and several pitchers of beer.
"The owners are closing up, so I just ordered a bit. If it's not enough, we can grill more ourselves."
"Wow! That smells amazing!"
"The heater... the heater... I'm freezing to death."
He Jingjing ushered everyone to their seats, saying with a smile, "Sorry, I got so caught up chatting with my oppa that I lost track of time. Thanks for waiting so long. My treat tonight."
"Sounds good to me!"
"The wait was worth it!"
After Tong Yang took a seat, Tao Bai naturally sat down beside her.
Zhou Jingyun looked dazed, lost in thought.
"Why aren't you eating? I worked hard grilling these," He Jingjing said with a helpless expression. "You're not afraid I poisoned them, are you?"
He Jingjing's gaze swept over the group, a smile still on her face.
Having experienced the Xili Mall incident, everyone could sense He Jingjing was acting strangely, even if they didn't know the reason.
He Jingjing casually picked up a skewer of grilled vegetables, took a bite, and said, "Relax, no poison."
"I just made you wait a little longer. We're friends, after all. Don't be like that."
"Hey, what are you talking about? I'm just frozen stiff."
"Bang—"
Xu Junyue suddenly slammed a can of beer onto the table.
Her expression was rarely so serious, her hair a mess from the riverside wind, her eyes fixed directly on He Jingjing across from her.
"Old rules. Truth or Dare. Chicken out and you're a coward. Dare to play?" Xu Junyue asked.
Silence fell over the dinner table. Everyone's gaze shifted to He Jingjing in unison.
The expression on He Jingjing's face gradually faded. After a long moment, she said, "Sure."
Chu Shiyu said, "Drinking too much at night isn't safe, especially outdoors. If we're drinking, let's keep it moderate."
"Tong Yang is underage. She'll have a soft drink."
"That's so unfair. We're not much older than her either," He Jingjing said, lowering her eyes.
Tao Bai frowned. "Jingjing, she's still young..."
"I'm not that old either. It's no fun if she doesn't drink."
Tong Yang narrowed her eyes at her, snatched the beer can from Xu Junyue's hand, opened it with one hand, and tipped her head back, pouring it down.
She had never drunk alcohol before. Apart from it being a bit cold and bitter, it was just about tolerable.
"Tong Yang..."
Tong Yang frowned, wiped the corner of her mouth, and crushed the empty can.
"I drank. I won't drink anymore after this."
He Jingjing stared at her, stunned, her breathing light.
"Alright, any objections now?" Xu Junyue asked.
"No."
Although Tong Yang had never drunk before, she wasn't the type to be knocked out by one drink. A bit of cold wind would sober her up.
Two messages popped up on her phone, from Ye Huai.
[Are you home?]
[Sorry, could you reply if you are?]
Tong Yang had told him she was watching the event with Xu Junyue and the others tonight.
Tong Yang took a selfie and sent it back to him.
Ye Huai: [Okay, have fun. Be careful.]
Half a minute later, another message came: [Coming back tonight? It's not convenient to drive if you've been drinking.]
Studying is for Making Money: [Don't know.]
Ye Huai: [Got it arranged?]
[No.]
Ye Huai: [Is it convenient to share the address?]
[Don't you come.]
Ye Huai: [I'll contact a hotel nearby and send a driver over.]
Tong Yang sent him the address by Qing River.
Given how things were going now, who knew what might happen. Better to have someone on standby to clean up the mess.
Ye Huai: [Okay, will be there soon. Let me know when you're done.]
[Fine.]
"Boss, focus on the game, will you!" Xu Junyue said, rolling her eyes.
"Not contacting Ye Huai, are you?"
Tong Yang turned off her phone and shrugged. "What if I am?"
"Oho! Something going on? Your little brother would be heartbroken if he knew."
Tong Yang lazily propped her chin on her hand. "Nothing's going on. Just going with the flow."
"Not even a little bit interested?"
Tong Yang said, "He's not bad looking."
"Pfft—what else about him could possibly hook our Tong Yang!"
Tong Yang chuckled. "It's not that serious."
She just found it novel, wanted to see what Ye Huai was up to.
Tao Bai was taken aback. "Ye Huai? Son of Ye Tianlin from White Horse Group?"
"You know him?"
"Doesn't he have a serious heart condition..."
"But he's handsome!"
"And really smart too!"
Tong Yang's expression didn't change. "Let's play the game."
"Come on, come on! Let me land on Tong Yang! I really want to ask what you think of President Ye!"
"Tao Bai? Starting off strong!"
"Drink! Drink! Drink!"
Tao Bai drank a glass of beer and said, "I choose truth."
"Who's asking?"
"I will." He Jingjing raised her hand. "Do you like Tong Yang?"
"Jingjing, you're brutal! Right to the face!"
"No lying! No getting angry! We can all see it!"
Tao Bai sighed helplessly. "Yes."
"Wow!"
"You're so obvious, afraid someone wouldn't know?"
Tong Yang glanced at him and said, "You're too nice. I don't like that."
Tong Yang was blunt.
Tao Bai let out a sigh. "I could tell. I just wanted to hold on a little longer."
"No need. Give up."
"Rare for everyone to get together. Let's be straightforward! We can still be friends later!"
"I was already about to give up." Tao Bai smiled. "I was at the same school as Ye Huai in high school. His grades were excellent. He only dropped out because his condition really couldn't be controlled."
"Alright, alright, next, next."
"Hu Shuo!"
"Drink! Drink! Drink! Truth or Dare!"
"Dare!"
"Good! I'll give you one! Do you still have the contact info for that mixed-race girl you dated last time?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Send her an apology essay over 500 words, and at the end ask if you can split the bill from that day."
Hu Shuo said, "She paid for the meal that day..."
"What? Then you should definitely split it! Quick, quick, send it!"
"Fine."
Under everyone's supervision, he composed a very sincere little essay and proposed splitting the bill from that day.
"Next! Next!"
"Xu Junyue! Finally your turn!"
...
Perhaps because of the familiar game, the atmosphere became very harmonious for a while.
Until the pointer landed on Zhou Jingyun. He chose truth.
He Jingjing's expression was mischievous, with a hint of meaning behind her words. "At this very moment, what is the truest thought in your heart?"
Zhou Jingyun was stunned. His complexion hadn't been good since he sat down, looking preoccupied.
"I was thinking, if Jingjing (Sister) were still here, maybe we wouldn't be like this," Zhou Jingyun said in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, the lively drinking table suddenly fell quiet.
Even the usually boisterous Xu Junyue was uncharacteristically silent.
Actually, they could all feel something was off.
The atmosphere seemed harmonious, yet it felt like there was something separating them, something elusive.
Sometimes, it felt more like forced cheerfulness.
If they were truly that happy, it was as if He Jingjing (Sister) had already been left behind by them, with only them moving forward.
"Everyone still remembers Jingjing (Sister)?" He Jingjing propped her chin on her hand, eyes curved. "I thought you'd all forgotten her by now."
"He Jingjing (Sister). My twin sister."
They had all noticed He Jingjing's unusual behavior for a while now.
This Truth or Dare drinking session was just an excuse Xu Junyue had come up with.
Including Tong Yang, everyone present understood.
He Jingjing was not acting like herself.
Xu Junyue lifted her chin. "Let's continue."
She spun the pointer. It finally stopped right in front of her.
"Truth or Dare."
Xu Junyue downed the beer in her glass. "Dare."
"Good. Whatever I do, you do." He Jingjing said with a faint smile.
Xu Junyue nodded. "No problem."
He Jingjing grabbed the scissors used for cutting the barbecue meat, pressed one hand on the table, and repeated, "Whatever I do, you do."
"Jingjing?"
"He Jingjing! Are you crazy!"
Realizing what she intended to do, everyone's expressions turned grim.
He Jingjing just looked at Xu Junyue and asked, "Dare you?"
Xu Junyue stood up, tucked her hair behind her ear, bent over, pressed her left hand on the table, and picked up another pair of scissors with her right hand.
"Bring it on!"
