“So, are you going to do it?” Shen Yannan asked, handing a grilled sausage to Jiang Wei. Lu Zisheng was sitting on a bench not far away, resting and glancing over at them every now and then.
Five minutes ago.
After Jiang Wei walked away from the bench, he hadn't gone far before he spotted Shen Yannan waiting in line for grilled sausages. He was inexplicably pulled over to stand under the sunshade with him.
Shen Yannan was truly an expert at reading people. In the span of just a few steps, he had already picked up on the slight abnormality in Jiang Wei’s expression.
“So, did something upsetting happen?” Shen Yannan asked casually.
Jiang Wei thought about it and decided to lay everything out. In many ways, Shen Yannan was the perfect person to confide in. Jiang Wei’s mind was currently a jumbled mess, and he really needed someone to help him make a decision. It only took two or three minutes to explain the situation; after all, it wasn't complicated, and telling it wasn't nearly as awkward as it had been to hear it.
“I feel like... my brain is telling me I don't want to do it.” Jiang Wei actually gave the matter some serious thought before taking a bite of the sausage, only to be caught off guard by how hot it was.
Shen Yannan let out an unceremonious laugh.
“If you don’t want to, then just don’t do it. Isn't it that simple?”
Jiang Wei frowned, eventually shaking his head slowly.
“What?” Shen Yannan didn't follow his train of thought.
“I was thinking... is it bad to unilaterally sabotage someone’s romantic prospects?”
Shen Yannan: “...”
He had never doubted his friend’s intelligence as much as he did at this moment.
“Let’s look at it from another angle,” Shen Yannan clicked his tongue, expressing his disapproval. “Can you accept the sight of her being with Tang Zihe every day? Eating together, studying together, going home together, maybe even...”
This time, Jiang Wei didn't hesitate. He made a "stop" gesture and then shook his head rapidly and firmly. “If you put it that way, then I definitely don't want to help her.”
Shen Yannan snapped his fingers, as if to say, *See? Problem solved. What was there to agonize over?*
“Besides, she might not be exactly what you imagine,” Shen Yannan added, giving a meaningful wink and a smile. “The drop tower ride should be over by now. You’d better get back, or Tang Zihe is going to come looking for you.”
“How do you know they’re on the drop tower?” Jiang Wei asked, puzzled.
“Just a guess. There’s nothing else over there except the drop tower and some kiddie rides.” Shen Yannan waved him off and started walking back toward Lu Zisheng. “See ya.”
***
“What did you find out that made you so happy?” Lu Zisheng tucked his phone back into his pocket as he watched Shen Yannan walk over, munching on his sausage.
“Something interesting,” Shen Yannan said with a smile.
“And you’re going to meddle?” Lu Zisheng had a look of total realization.
“Don’t say it out loud if you already know.” Shen Yannan pouted slightly and pulled out his phone to send a few messages. “What about you? You’ve been in contact with people all day. Did you run into some trouble?”
“Not really,” Lu Zisheng pursed his lips, deciding to tell the truth. “I found him.”
“Him?” Shen Yannan was stunned for a moment before it clicked. His brow furrowed, and his expression became as disgusted as if he had just swallowed a blowfly alive. “Lu Zisheng, are you just bored out of your mind? Why are you getting involved in this?”
“You’re involved with me, so this matter naturally involves me too.” Lu Zisheng patted the seat beside him. “Don’t worry, I’m just providing some technical support for this.”
“Don’t be angry~”
“I’m not angry,” Shen Yannan said, adjusting his expression. Though his brow was still furrowed, he seemed to have calmed down significantly. He sighed. “ I’m just worried. This isn't exactly a 'good' thing. What if things go wrong and you get dragged down with me?”
“Then I’ll just happen to be there to pull you out.” Lu Zisheng took Shen Yannan’s free hand. While he was certainly doing this to help his boyfriend, there was also a degree of personal interest involved—if there was anyone in the world besides Shen Yannan who wanted to tear that person to pieces, it was him.
So, he couldn't just stand by. It was just that whenever he had brought it up before, Shen Yannan had refused to let him get involved. This was the only way he could join in.
Since things had already reached this point, Shen Yannan didn't want to dwell on it anymore. “So, he really did get out?”
Lu Zisheng pulled his phone out again, opened a photo in his gallery, and held it up. “The real deal.”
The photo seemed to have been taken near a school. There were many people around wearing the same uniform. In the center of the photo was a boy who looked about their age. Only his profile was visible; he had a buzz cut and looked unremarkable in the crowd, yet he was someone who had committed many atrocious, disgusting acts.
“He really is out,” Shen Yannan said, his expression darkening as he handed the phone back. “I guess being rich enough really does let you do whatever you want.”
“Rich enough?” Lu Zisheng recalled the files he had read on the person and felt that Shen Yannan might have a misunderstanding of the concept of "enough." “The person who got him out just has a bit of money. If someone could push through all that pressure and send him back in—now *that* would be truly rich.”
In fact, being rich alone probably wouldn't be enough to pull that off.
Shen Yannan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Looking at the smile on the face of the person beside him, he seemed to understand something.
It looked like the "after-sales guarantee" for this matter was quite reliable.
***
“Where did you run off to?”
Just as Shen Yannan had predicted, by the time Jiang Wei unhurriedly made his way back to the drop tower, Tang Zihe and the others were already waiting.
“Where were you?” Tang Zihe was holding two drinks, his brow slightly furrowed as he watched Jiang Wei approach.
“Went to the restroom.” Jiang Wei naturally took one of the drinks. It was an iced orange soda, and it tasted quite good. “You guys are finished already? I was planning to record you.”
Xia Shan and the others were up ahead discussing which ride to go on next, while Tang Zihe and Jiang Wei trailed at the back of the group.
“Why would you record something like that?”
“To preserve the sound of your ghostly wailing on the drop tower, of course,” Jiang Wei said with a hint of regret. “And I could have made some emojis out of your faces while I was at it.”
Tang Zihe: “...”
He realized now that he shouldn't have asked.
Seeing Tang Zihe’s face darken, Jiang Wei couldn't help but burst out laughing.
The group spent the better part of the day wandering around the amusement park. They didn't even stop for lunch, managing to experience every ride they wanted to try.
Finally, they gathered at the entrance and decided to grab a quick bite before heading to a KTV to sing. They absolutely couldn't let this hard-won break go to waste.
“Raise your hand if you can go to the KTV tonight. I’ll do a head count,” Xia Shan said. He counted about twenty people. “Alright, I’ll book a large private room.”
“Make sure it’s the kind that serves late-night snacks,” Ding Banfan reminded him in his ear.
“Is it enough if the snacks include desserts, salads, fruit platters, and BBQ?” Lu Zisheng waved his phone. “If that works, I’ll place the order.”
It didn't sound like a cheap place.
Several people who weren't well-acquainted with Lu Zisheng began doing the math in their heads. Even if they split the bill, it probably wouldn't be a small amount.
“It’s fine. As long as you guys don't order ridiculously expensive imported liquor, the room is on me.” As Lu Zisheng spoke, he tapped his phone a few times and successfully placed the order.
Lu Zisheng’s image instantly grew much taller in everyone's minds.
This wasn't just an acquaintance; this was a living saint sent from the heavens!
A chorus of “Thanks, Brother Lu!” rang out. Shen Yannan caught Lu Zisheng’s somewhat helpless gaze and couldn't help but laugh.
***
“Omegas, don't drink alcohol. Just order some juice as a substitute,” Xia Shan said, handing a menu to Tang Wanbai so she could look it over with the other Omegas. “We’re going to get some cocktails.”
“Sure thing. You guys pick; I’m down for anything.” Ding Banfan was the first to agree. He looked around the room and couldn't help but marvel at how nice it was to be rich—compared to this, the place they used to go to couldn't even be called a private room; it was practically a shack.
This time, Shen Yannan and the others didn't even give Xia Shan a chance to decline. They all sat down, leaving Xia Shan standing alone by the small table in the center to study the menu.
In the end, they ordered two bottles of every cocktail flavor, with the option to add more later.
Yang Xiangtong and Fu Cong’an huddled in a corner, discussing which songs would be best to queue up.
Jiang Wei sat next to Tang Zihe, looking exceptionally excited.
Tang Zihe felt the sofa vibrating slightly and couldn't help but ask, “Do you have fleas or something?”
Jiang Wei turned his head. The dim, amber light of the room reflected in his eyes, making them look like they held flickering sparks, shining brilliantly.
“This is my first time participating in an activity like this.” His hands were clenched into slight fists on his thighs, but he didn't mind Tang Zihe’s comment at all. He just said to himself, “I didn't expect it to be this much fun.”
Tang Zihe looked at everyone in the room, each busy with their own task. For a moment, he couldn't quite feel the "fun" atmosphere Jiang Wei mentioned; he just thought it looked very lively.
But the phrase "first time participating" caught his attention.
Who was this? This was Jiang Wei. With a face like that, a silver tongue that could charm anyone, and a boisterous personality that didn't care about appearances, he should have been the center of attention in any group. How could he have never experienced a group outing like this?
*So, where exactly did this guy go for those two years? And what did he go through?*
These two questions surfaced in his mind once again at an inopportune time.
“Hey, there are dice here, and several kinds of board game cards.” A boy opened a drawer under the table and pulled out several boxes, piling them on the table.
“Let me see, let me see!” Tang Wanbai had just finished checking the order with the waiter who followed Xia Shan in, and she ran over excitedly. “Werewolf, UNO, Codenames, Truth or Dare...”
“How about Truth or Dare? It’s the simplest and the most exciting,” Fu Cong’an suggested from the side. She turned her head and happened to lock eyes with Jiang Wei, offering him a kind smile.
For some reason, Jiang Wei frowned slightly after she looked away, but his expression quickly returned to normal as he nodded in agreement.
“Sure, why not.”
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
斩桃花 | Sabotaging romantic prospects | Literally "cutting peach blossoms," meaning to interfere with someone's love life.
真心话大冒险 | Truth or Dare | A classic party game.
狼人杀 | Werewolf | A popular social deduction game.
行动代号 | Codenames | A popular word-association board game.
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