Why on Earth Am I the Undercover

"Alright, everyone finished reading? I'll start first."

Zhang Ziming thought for a moment before describing his word.

"This term has been trending online recently."

"That's it?" Liu Bo turned to look at Zhang Ziming.

"That's it. You just need to give a general hint—no need to be too specific, or it’ll be obvious right away."

"Fine, my turn then." Liu Bo pondered for a bit before declaring confidently: "This word is absolutely badass. I’d even consider naming my future kid after it."

The others immediately frowned and stared at him.

Meng Wenzhou suppressed a laugh and said, "Honestly, I think the word suits you better."

Liu Bo nodded smugly at this. "Damn right."

When it was Pan Ning's turn, she thought for a moment and said, "This is just an internet slang term. It didn’t exist before."

"Who said that? This word has been around forever, passed down through the ages. How is it just internet slang?" Liu Bo argued hastily.

Su Yang couldn’t help but laugh. "I think it’s pretty obvious now. Do I even need to say anything?"

Zhang Ziming facepalmed and shook his head at Liu Bo. "Bro, you’re killing me. Have you never played 'Undercover' before? The game is called 'Undercover,' not 'Why Am I the Undercover?' You might as well just announce you’re the undercover outright."

Liu Bo froze, still not catching on. "I’m the undercover?"

"No kidding. Who the hell would name their kid 'Old Man'?"

"'Old Man'? What the—I’m a hero!"

"Just drink up, man. No point explaining—you got busted in the first round." Meng Wenzhou patted Liu Bo’s shoulder and laughed.

"Fine, fine. I’ll own it. Honestly, I was just thirsty and wanted a drink. Heh, did it on purpose." Liu Bo grinned shamelessly as he downed half a bottle of beer.

"Let’s keep going. Can you at least last one full round? I want that tension where no one can figure out who the undercover is for several rounds. Bro, can you do that for me?" Zhang Ziming turned to Liu Bo with a serious expression.

"Relax, I told you—I was just thirsty earlier. Did it on purpose."

"Alright, let’s continue."

After reading the next word, Su Yang’s term this time was: Divorce.

"The loser goes first." Zhang Ziming, acting as the moderator, looked at Liu Bo.

"Fine, I’ll start. This word carries a sad tone—it’s a negative term."

Liu Bo finished and glanced at Meng Wenzhou.

"Yeah, it’s definitely not a good thing. I wouldn’t wish this on myself," Meng Wenzhou added.

Su Yang nodded inwardly after hearing the first two descriptions: 'Okay, I’m probably not the undercover.'

Next was Pan Ning. She thought for a moment and said, "I hope this never happens to anyone."

After her turn, Su Yang spoke up: "This word... well, for older folks, it’s actually pretty common."

"If this happened to me, I’d probably lose my mind," Shen Yixue chimed in after Su Yang.

Su Yang thought to himself: "Really? Going crazy over a divorce?"

Zhang Ziming nodded in agreement. "Same. Just getting this word feels unlucky."

"Alright, my turn’s done. This round’s been normal so far. Time to vote—raise your hand if you’re voting for Fatty."

Zhang Ziming looked around, but no one raised their hand.

"Next, raise your hand if you’re voting for Lao Meng."

Still no hands. The voting went on until Shen Yixue, with no one raising their hand.

"Now, raise your hand if you’re voting for me."

In unison, Liu Bo, Meng Wenzhou, and Su Yang all raised their hands.

"What the—? Are you nuts? Why me?" Zhang Ziming asked, baffled.

"It’s obvious. Right after Yixue spoke, you jumped in but didn’t add anything new. Feels like you’re the undercover—your word must be different, but you caught on and just echoed her," Meng Wenzhou explained.

"Damn it, I’m innocent!"

"Undercover always says they’re innocent."

Zhang Ziming shook his head in frustration. "Fine, whatever." He grabbed his phone and tapped his avatar in the game. A voice announced: "You are not the undercover. Game continues."

"What the—?" Meng Wenzhou froze.

"Told you I’m clean. Alright, keep going."

Liu Bo went next: "If this happens, it’s a truly tragic thing."

Meng Wenzhou nodded. "This term usually applies after marriage."

Su Yang frowned slightly. "Honestly, if you think about it, it’s not that big a deal. Lots of people go through this these days."

"Huh? Often...?" Shen Yixue looked confused.

"Don’t mind him. Just say your piece," Zhang Ziming said, barely holding back laughter.

"If this happens, it usually means there’s a banquet involved."

Su Yang thought to himself: "A banquet? Hah, got the undercover now."

"Time to vote."

No one voted for Liu Bo or Meng Wenzhou. When it was Su Yang’s turn, everyone raised their hands.

Su Yang was stunned. "What the—? I’m not the undercover! It’s so obvious who it is—do you even know how to play?"

"Nope, heh," Meng Wenzhou grinned.

"Raise your hand if you’re voting for Yixue."

Su Yang quickly raised his hand—but he was the only one.

"Come on, it’s clearly Yixue! Divorce doesn’t involve banquets!"

The entire group burst into laughter.

Zhang Ziming sighed. "Lao Su, drink up. You’re the undercover."

"What was your word?"

"Ours was 'widowed.' Ugh, I mean, our word was 'widowed.'"

"Damn. Fine, I’ll take the L." Su Yang grabbed a beer and chugged half the bottle.

Just as they were about to start the third round, Chen Hao, the bar owner, walked over.

"Lao Meng, what’s got you guys so hyped?"

Meng Wenzhou grinned. "Perfect timing. You’re the only one here who might stand a chance against my sister in a drinking contest."

"Oh? Your sister? Is Qianyu back in the country?" Chen Hao took a seat beside Meng Wenzhou.

"Not Qianyu—my cousin."

"You have a cousin? Since when?"

"There’s a lot you don’t know. Let me introduce everyone—this is Chen Hao, my college buddy and the owner of this bar."

"Hey, everyone. How’s the food here treating you?"

"It’s amazing. No wonder this place is packed—who’d expect a bar to serve such killer seafood barbecue?"

"You’re too kind."

Chen Hao had a refined, scholarly air—fair-skinned, average build, standing at 178cm, with slightly curly hair and a pair of sleek gold-rimmed glasses.

His looks were above average, roughly on par with Zhang Ziming.

Chen Hao’s family was well-off too. Though not as wealthy as Meng Wenzhou or Zhang Ziming, he was comfortably financially independent.

After graduating from university, he traveled alone to Lucheng and eventually settled there, opening the bar he now runs. Making money wasn’t his priority—he simply enjoyed the leisurely, carefree lifestyle.

Unexpectedly, his bar in Qinghaiwan became incredibly popular. At first, the entire staff consisted of just him and one waiter, Little Li. But business was so good that he had to hire four more servers.

The group greeted Chen Hao one by one.

Meng Wenzhou picked up a bottle of liquor and said with a smile, “Come on, let’s welcome my old classmate. Everyone, cheers!”