He wasn’t the type to hide his feelings; the emotions in his eyes clearly conveyed that he felt more than just friendship.
While he was singing, Sang Cai touched her neck, avoiding his gaze as she lowered her head to take a sip of her drink.
Qin Xiuxian’s eyes dimmed a bit, but he finished the song and sat back down, asking Sang Cai, “Don’t you like this song?”
Sang Cai replied, “It’s okay, haha, let’s move on to the next round.”
“Um, alright then.”
Qin Xiuxian spun the bottle, stopping in front of Chi Xingyu this time.
Chi Xingyu calmly reached out and drew a card; upon seeing the card’s content, his face turned extremely unpleasant.
The card read, “Dare – Please princess carry the person to your left.”
And sitting to Chi Xingyu’s left was Zhong Yi.
Zhong Yi quickly stepped away, saying, “Don’t carry me! I refuse! I’m not someone you can just pick up!”
Chi Xingyu: “…”
He found it disgusting.
Without saying a word, he filled his glass and drank it all in one go.
The others were about to exclaim about his drinking ability when they saw him turn away, pressing a fist to his lips and coughing a few times, his originally fair neck slowly reddening to the tips of his ears.
Zhong Yi laughed, saying, “So you can’t drink, huh? Don’t say we’re bullying you; next time, you can just drink half a glass.”
Clearly, for Chi Xingyu, who had just turned eighteen and had little experience with alcohol, downing a full glass was no simple task.
His throat felt warm, but he maintained a straight face, “Don’t worry; at least until you pass out, I’m fine.”
The comments flooded in:
– — Chi Shen’s internal monologue: I can’t embarrass myself in front of Si Bao.
– — Hahaha, it would be even better if he weren’t blushing while saying that.
– — Chi Xingyu used to only have a stoic or cold smile during esports, and sometimes I thought it was impressive but also too mature for his age, not quite real. Now he feels real.
– — Don’t be fooled by Chi Xingyu’s sour face; he’s just a brat who’s barely eighteen, sharp-tongued but blushes like this when drinking—it’s too cute.
…
Since they could substitute drunkenness for truth, during several rounds of truth or dare, everyone chose easier answers, using alcohol to brush past the more challenging questions.
The alcohol on the table was more than halfway gone.
Even Tong Sui had drunk a couple more glasses; his tolerance wasn’t great, and he was now drowsily leaning back with his eyes closed. If he didn’t occasionally lift his gaze, he might genuinely have fallen asleep.
The production team that initially aimed to capture more exciting moments had to end the game for now; they feared that if they kept playing, there wouldn’t be many sober people left when it came time to write the letters later.
Besides, they had enough footage for the evening.
Director Sun Tao remarked, “After the voting ends, we can compile the first episode; remember to include that kissing segment in the teaser.”
The editor replied, “Got it.”
The production team called people one by one to go write letters for interviews.
Tong Sui sat outside for a while, feeling better after the strong waves of intoxication passed, so he stood up and walked outside.
As he stood, he felt his feet were soft, as if walking on cotton, and the scene in front of him began to overlap.
But he felt okay; he could still walk.
So, Tong Sui stumbled slowly from the terrace and accidentally collided with Chi Xingyu, who was returning from an interview, blocking the hallway.
Chi Xingyu stared at Tong Sui’s flushed cheeks and reached out, nudging him aside to create some distance.
Tong Sui tilted his head.
Chi Xingyu asked, “Are you drunk?”
Tong Sui didn’t respond, his wet eyes gazing at him, then suddenly a sweet smile spread across his face, a pure silly grin, “Nope.”
Chi Xingyu: “…”
Any other person would look foolish with such a smile.
But Tong Sui’s smile was beautiful.
Chi Xingyu grabbed his sleeve, saying, “Come on, let’s go wash your face in my room to sober up; you don’t want to fall from the third floor later.”
“I really, really am not drunk,” Tong Sui insisted, gripping his fingers, “Let go; I can walk, see? I’m steady.”
“Steady my ass.”
Chi Xingyu realized arguing with someone who couldn’t recognize their drunkenness was pointless; he directly wrapped an arm around Tong Sui’s waist, half-dragging and half-carrying him into the room.
The room’s small skylight let in moonlight, illuminating the gray bedsheets and becoming the only light source, barely outlining the objects nearby.
This room cleared from a storage space felt cramped even for Chi Xingyu alone, and it left little room for two people to stand inside.
Tong Sui leaned against him, like a pure white lamb lost in a fog.
Chi Xingyu had never taken care of anyone before, let alone someone who was drunk. He recalled those who would make a scene after drinking, crying and throwing tantrums, but Tong Sui was entirely different.
He became quieter when drunk, and with the faint moonlight, Chi Xingyu saw the pretty white face adorned with a sweet smile as if it cost nothing.
Taking a few deep breaths, Chi Xingyu pressed Tong Sui down on his bed.
Surprisingly, Tong Sui obediently sat up straight.
So obedient, huh.
Chi Xingyu leaned closer, a mischievous smile curling on his lips, “Do you know my name?”
Tong Sui nodded, “Chi Shen.”
Chi Xingyu feigned seriousness, saying, “Call me ‘brother,’ or I’ll bully you.”
Although Chi Xingyu was younger, he exuded a sense of adult-like intimidation with both his build and demeanor. His eyes were narrow and long, often presenting an aloofness when he wasn’t smiling, making him seem unapproachable.
When Chi Xingyu first debuted as a professional player, he created quite a sensation; even in the entertainment industry, his looks were outstanding, let alone in the esports scene. When a camera panned by, it would often linger on him for a few more seconds.