The group set off in high spirits, laughing and chatting as they headed toward a quiet bar near the university. Xia Yinuo regaled Liang Juejun with colorful stories of the band’s past antics, making Liang Juejun laugh frequently. Mai Shining followed closely behind, watching them like a hawk. When Zhang Jikang asked what she was doing, Mai Shining replied that she was "observing the state of the people's... affections."
It was late, and the bar wasn't crowded; the members of Flower Still Sleeps practically had the place to themselves. As the first among them about to get married, Sanmao was egged on by everyone to share his feelings about entering the "Besieged City" of matrimony.
Sanmao cleared his throat and spoke with deep affectation. "Back in the day, I was a literary youth with long, middle-parted hair. I thought I belonged to the wind and the sea. It wasn't until I met Siyuan that I realized I am actually dust and earth. Siyuan is my rose; I am willing to be the soil beneath her feet, exhausting all my nutrients just so she can outshine everything and leave a fragrance for generations to come."
Everyone burst into laughter, making gagging noises at how incredibly cheesy he was being.
Xiaomei asked, "So, 'Man of the Wind,' may I ask why you've started going for the 'middle-aged uncle' look now?"
"This is called the 'refined rogue' look," Sanmao retorted. "You lot don't know how to appreciate it. As long as Siyuan understands, that's all that matters."
The group gagged again. Li Siyuan just clapped and laughed.
Mai Shining suddenly blurted out a random line: "If there is only one thing in this world that can wash away a person's weariness, it is the tears of a lover."
Xia Yinuo whispered to Zhang Jikang, "She’s being possessed by Gu Long again."
Zhang Jikang simply rubbed Mai Shining’s short hair with doting affection.
Looking for something to do, someone soon suggested playing Truth or Dare.
*Here we go again,* Xia Yinuo thought, her head beginning to ache. Whether one chose Truth or Dare, something scandalous was bound to happen. She vividly remembered a time she was forced into a Dare: she had to approach a random passerby and say, "Hey handsome, I'll give you my phone number if you let me take a bite of your ice cream." She only passed if the person agreed. Being a good sport, Xia Yinuo had actually done it, only to be hounded by that "Ice Cream Guy" for two whole months. In the end, she’d had to use Zhang Jikang as a shield to finally escape.
The rules of the game were simple: they started with "Guess the Number." The dealer would write down a secret number and give the group a range. Each person would guess a number, and the dealer would gradually narrow the range based on those guesses. The person who finally guessed the exact number—or was trapped by the narrowing interval—lost. The loser chose Truth or Dare, and the dealer decided the question or the task.
Mai Shining intentionally sat between Xia and Liang. Xia Yinuo shot her a warning look, telling her not to try anything funny, but Mai Shining just flashed a look back that said, *Don't worry, watch me.* Xia Yinuo could only pray silently. Mai Shining enthusiastically served Liang Juejun tea and water while explaining the rules; Liang Juejun, for her part, seemed quite interested.
After a few rounds, Xia Yinuo was successfully trapped by the numbers.
"Come on, come on! Truth or Dare?!" the group shouted, rubbing their hands together.
Xia Yinuo gritted her teeth. "Truth."
The rowdy crowd asked, "Having known him for so many years, have you ever liked Axu?!"
"No," Xia Yinuo answered without a moment's hesitation.
"Wow, that’s so heartless to our Axu! Axu is so great, why don't you like him?"
Xia Yinuo smiled triumphantly. "One question. Answered. Done."
"Wow, we're just letting her off that easily?!"
They say a beginner's luck is always extraordinary, but the wheel of fortune eventually turns. In the previous round, Mai Shining had been grilled about her first kiss; now, as the dealer for this round, she looked ready to pounce.
Mai Shining wrote a number on a slip of paper, and the game began.
Mai Shining: "1 to 80."
Sanmao: "40."
Mai Shining: "1 to 40."
Li Siyuan: "34."
Mai Shining: "1 to 34."
Laodou: "25."
Mai Shining: "25 to 34."
Axu: "30."
Mai Shining: "25 to 30."
Zhang Jikang: "26!"
Mai Shining: "26 to 30."
Xia Yinuo: "28!"
Mai Shining: "28 to 30!"
Liang Juejun: "Uh, it looks like I don't have a choice."
Xia Yinuo stuck out her tongue, looking apologetic.
"Wahahaha! It's you, Senior Liang!" Mai Shining laughed so hard she shook. "Senior Liang, I'll just pick Truth for you. It's very simple, no need to be nervous."
Liang Juejun shrugged, looking ready for whatever came her way.
Mai Shining: "Do you have a boyfriend?"
Liang Juejun: "No."
The answer was crisp and clean. The guys in the group started howling and cheering.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Mai Shining quickly leaned into Liang Juejun's ear and whispered, "What about a girlfriend?" The words were light, but they didn't sound like a joke.
Hearing this, Liang Juejun looked deeply at Mai Shining. Only after a few seconds did she reply, "No."
Mai Shining arched an eyebrow and nodded, not pressing any further.
The others were dissatisfied. "What were you two whispering about?" Xia Yinuo looked at Liang Juejun and Mai Shining with an inquiring gaze, but both acted as if nothing had happened and continued the game.
They say you shouldn't fear a god-like opponent, but rather a pig-like teammate. However, if your teammate is capable enough, they can provide a divine assist. Mai Shining was secretly delighted because, from Liang Juejun's gaze just now, she knew the woman had fully understood the implication of the question. Liang had been surprised, but not at all repulsed or disgusted. And most importantly, she had answered.
For the rest of the game, the three of them—Mai, Xia, and Liang—were each preoccupied with their own thoughts, playing half-heartedly. Once everyone had their fill of food and drink and the clock struck midnight, it was time to head home. Zhang Jikang was about to offer to drive Xia and Liang back when Mai Shining immediately faked a headache, signaling Xia Yinuo frantically. Xia Yinuo caught the hint and said to Zhang Jikang, "Maimai isn't feeling well, you should take her home first. The Senior and I live close by; it's just a few minutes' walk. No need to drive us." Zhang Jikang had no choice but to tell Xia Yinuo to call him when she got home to let him know she was safe.
After seeing the group off in their cars, only Xia and Liang remained. The sudden silence after the rowdiness was a bit jarring.
Xia Yinuo made small talk. "Living close by really is convenient."
Liang Juejun: "Mhm."
Keeping a distance of about half a meter, the two walked slowly toward the faculty housing area. Xia Yinuo’s phone buzzed with a text. Mai Shining: *She’s either one of us, or even if she isn't, she shouldn't be opposed to it.* Xia Yinuo glanced at it and put the phone back in her pocket.
Liang Juejun spoke up. "Have your experiments been very busy lately?"
"There was a lot to catch up on from before. But I'm probably not as busy as you, right?"
"It's alright. I'll be busy for a while, then it should get better."
"I heard from my junior; he's Chen Diandian's boyfriend."
"I've heard Diandian mention him."
The phone buzzed again, but Xia Yinuo didn't check it.
Liang Juejun reminded her, "Your phone rang."
Xia Yinuo: "It's just Maimai, nothing important."
It was late, and the campus was exceptionally peaceful. However, 1:00 AM was nothing to many energetic young people; one could still see pedestrians in groups of twos and threes—perhaps returning from overtime in the lab, or from some dinner or party. The camphor trees lining the road were tall and lush, soaking in the nocturnal tranquility and tenderness of C University.
The early summer breeze was cool and pleasant, blowing straight into their hearts. Perhaps both of them wished this road could be a little longer.
As they neared Building No. 2, a loud voice pierced the air: "Claire!"
Oh, a "Cheng Yaojin" had appeared out of nowhere. Xia Yinuo wondered if the stars in the sky had been startled awake.
A blonde, blue-eyed girl ran over and pulled Liang Juejun into a hug, a string of English pouring out: "It really is you, Claire! What a coincidence! I just got back from a party, what about you?"
"I went to a friend's band performance, just got back too." Liang Juejun's American accent was perfect. She looked at Xia Yinuo as she finished speaking.
Xia Yinuo stood there, wearing a harmless, innocent smile.
Liang Juejun said to the intruder, "This is my friend, Xia."
Before Liang Juejun could finish, the girl quickly leaned into Liang's ear: "Girlfriend?" The volume was low, but in the dead of night, Xia Yinuo heard it loud and clear.
Liang Juejun shook her head, her expression unreadable.
The girl blinked exaggeratedly and then said "Hello" to Xia Yinuo. Xia Yinuo politely returned the greeting.
Liang Juejun introduced her to Xia Yinuo. "This is May from the International Exchange College. We met during the new teacher orientation. It turns out we live on the same floor. She doesn't know Chinese and is very enthusiastic, so don't be startled by her."
Before Xia Yinuo could say anything, the intruder—no, May—stepped up and said to Xia Yinuo in English, "You can leave your beauty to me; we can head back together. Also, nice to meet you, sweetheart."
Liang Juejun gave a noncommittal smile. Seeing that Xia Yinuo was still standing there, she stepped forward and gave Xia Yinuo a light hug. "I had a great time today. You should get some rest too. Goodnight."
Xia Yinuo told her she was welcome and said goodnight to both Liang Juejun and May. The tall, sturdy May casually linked arms with Liang Juejun and walked toward Entrance 1. Liang Juejun looked back once, and Xia Yinuo waved at her.
Only after their figures disappeared into the elevator did Xia Yinuo walk toward Entrance 2. She took out her phone to check the previous text. As expected, it was from Mai Shining: *Liang Juejun, twenty-eight years old, single, lived abroad for over a decade, no boyfriend and no girlfriend. What kind of place is San Francisco? A place where the rainbow flag flies high. There's a chance.*
She unlocked her door and stepped inside; the house was silent. Xia Yinuo sat on the sofa, feeling a bit tired. She saw LoVo in the large fish tank, eyes closed, curled up among the water plants.
"Hey, LoVo, tell me, why are there so many 'true or false' questions in this world?"
After saying that, Xia Yinuo suddenly burst into laughter. She grabbed her phone and replied to Mai Shining: *To be honest, I don't really care whether she 'is' or not.*
***
