Truth or Dare

The two of them returned to the private room carrying trays.

As soon as they entered, Xie Yuling's melodious singing voice greeted them.

Fang Jun was sitting at the karaoke machine selecting songs, while the others were either chatting or snacking—everyone had something to keep themselves busy.

At that moment, Mai Chuwen glanced around and asked, "Should we play something?"

Fang Jun, always eager for fun, immediately perked up.

"Yes! Let's play! What should we do? Liar's Dice? Or maybe Lucky Dice?"

But Mai Chuwen shook her head. "There are quite a few of us. How about Truth or Dare?"

Lin Mo recognized it as an old classic.

"Sure, sure. We've only known each other for a little over a month—might as well get to know each other better."

Fang Jun, ever the entertainer, had no objections.

Since there was no bottle to spin, they settled on using dice instead. Each person got two dice and a dice cup.

The one with the lowest roll would have to choose between Truth or Dare.

If they picked Truth, the person with the highest roll would ask the question.

If they chose Dare, the highest roller would assign the challenge.

Of course, refusing either meant downing a glass of carbonated drink as punishment.

Even Xie Yuling, who had been singing, and Chu Miaomiao, who had been quietly minding her own business, were dragged into the game.

No one was allowed to escape unscathed.

There were enough dice and cups to go around, and An Yuexin brought back a tray filled with assorted sodas—cola, lemon-lime, and orange-flavored fizzy drinks.

All carbonated, ensuring the punishment was properly felt.

Soon, the first round of Truth or Dare began.

Everyone shook their dice cups haphazardly before revealing their rolls.

Lin Mo didn’t cheat—he rolled a six and a four.

Not the highest, but definitely not the lowest either.

The unlucky one this time was An Yuexin, who rolled a measly two.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo happened to have the highest roll and grinned at An Yuexin with interest.

"Well? Truth or Dare?"

"Truth!" An Yuexin declared boldly, as if he had nothing to hide.

Lin Mo smirked. "How many years have you liked Mai Chuwen?"

The room fell silent for a split second before erupting into a chorus of "Whoooa!"

Mai Chuwen immediately lowered her head, too embarrassed to look at An Yuexin.

Clearly, though, she was just as curious about the answer.

The two had already gotten together, but there was still a hint of shyness between them.

An Yuexin covered his face but refused to back down and take the drink. Instead, he pointed accusingly at Lin Mo.

Fang Jun raised his hand. "I think I know!"

"Shut up, I’ll say it myself!" An Yuexin cut him off.

"Back in seventh grade, during the school sports day, I saw her helping a girl clean a wound. That’s when I started noticing her."

Hearing this, Mai Chuwen froze, then remembered—during the sports day, a classmate had fallen while running. Since her mother was a nurse, Mai Chuwen had some basic first-aid knowledge and stepped in to help.

She looked up at An Yuexin, surprised. Had he really been watching her for that long?

An Yuexin, now blushing, lowered his head again.

The others, meanwhile, were thoroughly enjoying the moment.

"Alright! I answered. Let’s go again! No way I’ll lose every round."

Everyone shook their dice once more.

Lin Mo discreetly checked his roll—a four and a five. Safe.

This time, the lowest roll belonged to Jiang Yunlu.

And the highest? Chu Miaomiao.

Jiang Yunlu chose Truth without hesitation.

But Chu Miaomiao hesitated, unsure what to ask. After a moment, she timidly ventured, "Who’s your favorite author?"

"Alexandre Dumas," Jiang Yunlu answered seriously.

The response, however, failed to excite the group.

So, they moved on to the next round.

This time, it was Xie Yuling’s turn.

She fidgeted nervously—despite rolling a six, she still ended up with the lowest score.

Unsure what to do, she instinctively looked toward Lin Mo.

But the one asking the question was Jiang Yunlu, who had rolled a twelve.

"Truth or Dare?"

Xie Yuling hesitated before finally choosing Truth.

Jiang Yunlu opened her mouth, but the question she had prepared got stuck in her throat.

She had intended to ask why Xie Yuling always waited for Lin Mo after school or how she truly felt about him.

But those questions wouldn’t push Xie Yuling further away from Lin Mo—nor would they bring Jiang Yunlu any closer to him.

So she hesitated, trying to think of something else.

Just then, the door suddenly swung open.

With the music already turned off, the sound was unmistakable.

Everyone turned to look.

A man who looked somewhat rough around the edges stood there, an apologetic expression on his face as his gaze swept over the group—lingering particularly on the girls.

His eyes noticeably brightened when they landed on Chu Miaomiao, Jiang Yunlu, and Xie Yuling.

But he quickly masked his reaction.

"Sorry to bother you," he said. "I’m from the next room. I lost a dare and need to invite one of the ladies here to come say hello. Just for a second—would anyone be willing to help me out?"

The man was decently handsome, wearing a blue button-up that hinted at a toned physique underneath.

He stood around six feet tall.

Beneath his apologetic demeanor was an air of confidence.

Just a bunch of students—how hard could it be to charm one of them?

Xie Yuling was the first to look away.

Coming to the KTV was already pushing her limits—going to a stranger’s room was out of the question.

Chu Miaomiao, ever the introvert, quietly nibbled on a piece of cucumber.

Jiang Yunlu straightened up and took a sip from her cup without a word.

Mai Chuwen? Not a chance.

The silence was deafening.

Fang Jun couldn’t help but snicker.

The man’s smile stiffened, but he stubbornly remained in the doorway, as if refusing to leave until someone acknowledged him.

Seeing that no one was inclined to respond, Lin Mo finally stood up.

"Sorry, but our friends aren’t interested in your invitation. You can leave now."

The politest rejection possible.

But the man’s apologetic expression instantly vanished. He shot Lin Mo a sidelong glance.

"Who are you? Do you speak for all of them?"

The atmosphere in the room shifted.

Fang Jun, never one to back down, slammed his hands on the table and stood.

"What, you needed them to say it to your face? You could’ve just left when no one answered. Face is given, but shame is earned!"

Fang Jun had just activated his taunt skill.

The man’s expression darkened, and he took a step forward as if to throw a punch.

But Lin Mo simply stepped in his path.

The man was only slightly taller, but when their shoulders collided, he winced in pain.