“Bro, did Sister Li Zi still not reply to your message?”
On the high-speed train, sensing the heavy, oppressive aura radiating from the man beside him, Liu Yan quietly shifted further into his seat and asked with utmost caution.
“Heh.”
Li Ziting closed his phone screen for the eleventh time. A cold sneer escaped through his gritted teeth.
Li Zi was currently in the middle of her exam month. She had just finished an exam yesterday afternoon when she was mysteriously dragged off to a KTV party by Yu Tianwu.
She only had enough time to send Li Ziting a single message: *“I’m done with my exam. Tianwu is dragging me to a party.”*
Then she had entered the room and lost any opportunity to check her messages.
Once inside, she realized her other two roommates, Xie Bing and Hua Yi, were also sitting there with looks of utter helplessness.
“Hello, everyone! This is the legendary, most mysterious Alpha of the Psychology Department—Li Zi!”
Yu Tianwu made a grand entrance, spinning in a circle with her arms spread wide, pointing toward Li Zi.
Li Zi: “?”
*What on earth?*
She had no impression of most of the people sitting on the sofas; she likely didn't know any of them. Furthermore, what was this "most mysterious Alpha" business?
“Hello, Junior Li. We’ve heard so much about you.”
A girl sitting near the door stood up and took the initiative to shake her hand.
“Back when the semester started, during our orientation, Tianwu kept saying her roommates were all world-class beauties. we kept telling her to bring the real people for us to see, but she insisted on keeping it a mystery.”
Hearing this, Yu Tianwu made a face at her roommates.
“She finally gave in today and brought you all here. I hope we haven't offended you.”
“Oh, let me introduce myself. I’m Li Cheng, a sophomore in the Finance Department and the Vice President of the Student Union.”
The girl explained the situation with poise.
Xie Bing and Hua Yi, who had already heard this explanation once, covered their faces in resignation when Li Zi shot them a questioning look.
“It’s fine. It’s just that I might not have much time to socialize today; I still have to prepare for my next exam,” Li Zi said, taking the opportunity to sit down.
“Your next subject isn't for another week~”
Yu Tianwu had already picked up a wine glass. Hearing Li Zi’s excuse, she added a leisurely remark.
“You really do care about us, don't you? You even know our exam schedule,” Hua Yi rolled her eyes and grumbled.
Under the playful gazes of the crowd, Li Zi found it difficult to decline any further.
The way things developed next became somewhat uncontrollable.
Someone ordered several more bottles of foreign liquor, and the crowd grew rowdy as they started drinking heavily. Yu Tianwu was a quintessential "mic-hogger"; she would frequently get up to belt out a song between drinks. She knew everything from tragic love ballads and viral internet hits to classic rock, and she sang them with professional flair.
“La la la! This is Black Cat Detective! La la la...”
She selected another song with a bizarre vibe and was finally booed off the stage by the crowd who couldn't take it anymore.
Li Zi had also downed several glasses. Since she didn't drink often, she felt a bit lightheaded.
At that moment, Xie Bing was pushed toward the song selection machine. She chose a song called *Passing Rain*.
It was an obscure song that most people didn't seem to know.
It was also Li Zi’s first time hearing it. She held her glass, took a small sip, and looked at the person holding the microphone.
Xie Bing, who was usually quiet and taciturn, underwent a change in expression the moment she sang the first line:
*“The sky just let out a few bouts of rain,*
*I see there aren't many people on the street.*
*What are you doing right now?*
*Are you still thinking of me?*
*Did happiness ever come to visit the two of us?*
*Neither of us wanted to be the one in the wrong,*
*So only one of us was left behind...*
*Spring, summer, autumn, winter,*
*How many people will leave?*
*Spring, summer, autumn, winter,*
*How many people will stay?*
*Rumor has it there’s someone else by your side,*
*Are the two of you very happy?*
*I heard you mentioned me to him,*
*Do you still worry for me too?*
*Did happiness ever come...”*
Xie Bing sang with great restraint. The lyrics were somewhat depressing, yet one could detect a strange sense of longing in her eyes.
The others started teasing her, asking if she had some unforgettable ex-lover, but she shook her head with a smile.
“I’ve been single since birth.”
No one believed her, and they swarmed around her, pestering her for a story.
Listening to the lyrics, Li Zi sighed inwardly. She lowered her head and took another sip of wine.
“If you can’t drink, don't force yourself.”
A gentle voice suddenly came from beside her. Li Zi turned her head and saw a rather cute Omega boy.
“You know me?” Li Zi asked.
“Ah, you might not have noticed me, but our two classes have always had public lectures together. I’m in the German Department. You can call me...”
Before he could finish, Li Zi’s phone suddenly rang.
She gave the boy an apologetic look and picked up her phone. It was a call from Li Ziting.
The room was far too noisy, so she stepped outside with just her phone. The moment she stepped out, she realized it had started snowing at some point. Unfortunately, her coat was still inside.
*Forget it, I won't go back for it.*
“Hello?” she answered the call.
“Why aren't you replying to my messages?”
The tone on the other end was very aggressive.
“I’m at a KTV. It’s loud, so I didn't notice. Sorry,” Li Zi said helplessly.
“You actually went to a KTV?!”
Li Ziting was shocked. In the past, Li Zi was almost entirely insulated from such entertainment venues.
Besides, KTVs were such chaotic places... No.
“How much longer are you going to be? I’ll come pick you up. Where is the shop?”
“You’re in Zhannan City? Also, this is my first time coming out to play, why are you trying to manage me already?” Li Zi teased, drawing out her words with a smile.
“...Stop talking nonsense. Hurry up and send me the address.”
“Alright! My dear wife.”
Perhaps she really was a bit drunk; the teasing title slipped right out of her mouth.
There was silence on the other end of the line, likely stunned into a daze by the address.
Li Zi wasn't in a hurry either. She held the phone, leisurely waiting for his reaction.
***
