Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The birthday party officially began.

The lights in the lounge were a kaleidoscope of colors, the music was cranked to its maximum volume, and the glasses were filled with vibrant liquids.

Cheng Yuming and his friends were clearly at home in this environment, their expressions relaxed and at ease.

Someone lit a cigarette. Despite sitting far away, Jiang Tingyu was still caught in the drifting smoke and coughed twice.

The group of wealthy heirs at the table seemed to notice her for the first time, their gazes suddenly becoming curious and scrutinizing.

One of them let out a scoff and teased, “Little Sister-in-law, you didn’t even say hello when you arrived.”

“Young Master Cheng still likes this type, I see.”

“Young Master Cheng, your girlfriend was the last one to arrive for your birthday. Shouldn’t you give this whole table a toast?”

Cheng Yuming arched an eyebrow, his expression somewhat cold-a lingering result of Jiang Tingyu refusing to “give him face” moments ago.

He lazily lit a cigarette of his own. “My baby is throwing a tantrum with me. You guys back off a bit.”

After saying that, he moved past several people to sit beside Jiang Tingyu, whispering something to her. It didn’t take a genius to know he was using sweet talk to coax her.

Su Miao, who had originally been sitting next to Cheng Yuming, stiffened slightly. She quickly adjusted, however, and said with a playful pout, “That’s right! You boorish men should shut up. You’re scaring Sister Tingyu.”

The group of heirs immediately burst into laughter.

They were very close with Su Miao, and their interactions were full of intimacy.

One person even raised their hands in mock surrender. “Little Princess, whatever you say! we’ll shut up, alright?”

Blocked by Cheng Yuming, I couldn’t see Jiang Tingyu’s expression.

The atmosphere was lively; everyone was laughing heartily, clinking glasses, and playing around.

That tiny bit of discord from earlier was like a small droplet falling into a pond, vanishing in an instant.

The drinking games began.

My roommate still remembered what happened last week and said excitedly, “Brother Lu, I definitely have to dig up some juicy gossip from you today.”

Another roommate chimed in, “Brother Lu is usually so pure and beyond reproach. He wouldn’t even give his WeChat to the department belle. What kind of girl does he actually like?”

I let the water glass touch my lips and immediately pulled away.

I looked at my two bantering roommates and recalled the efforts they usually made to maintain harmony in the dorm. I thought to myself that if I really told them… they would definitely regret it.

The first game was Truth or Dare.

The bottle spun and pointed directly at Cheng Yuming.

“Starting with the birthday boy, huh?” He raised an eyebrow. “Truth.”

The room erupted in whistles.

The guy closest to him pulled out a card with a flourish. “When was your most recent sexual encounter?”

All eyes immediately converged on Jiang Tingyu-playful, flippant, excited, and curious.

“Talk about picking a sore spot,” Cheng Yuming cursed with a laugh. “I’ve been ‘vegetarian’ for so long, I don’t even remember.”

“Huh?!”

“No way, Young Master Cheng?”

“What the hell? Hahahahahaha!”

The jeers and cheering rose and fell around the room.

Cheng Yuming remained noncommittal. He lowered his head and stared straight at Jiang Tingyu, his voice sounding quite aggrieved. “Baby, look, they’re all laughing at me.”

“We get it, we get it. Leave early tonight then.”

“Holy crap-”

“Sister-in-law, tell the truth. Did you come here today planning to give him his ‘gift’?”

But Jiang Tingyu remained silent. She didn’t even have much of an expression, sitting as still and quiet as a statue.

Consequently, the expressions on their faces gradually froze, and even Cheng Yuming’s smile slowly vanished.

“Phew!” He exhaled sharply and leaned back irritably. “I’ve answered. Next.”

The bottle spun again and stopped in front of Su Miao.

She shook her arm. “I’ll take a dare. What’s the point of asking a truth? We’re all so close.”

Someone warned her, “Then you’d better be careful. Today’s dares are the extra-spicy version.”

Su Miao smiled radiantly. “So what? I’m not like Sister Tingyu. Sister Tingyu is reserved, but I can take a joke.”

The dare-choose one person of the opposite sex present and invite them to perform five face-to-face push-ups.

Su Miao’s gaze landed on Cheng Yuming for a split second, but it flicked past him and settled on me.

She asked, “Brother Lu, can I invite you?”

Cheng Yuming’s expression darkened further. He unconsciously sat up straight and stared at me without blinking. The hand pouring his drink shook, spilling half a glass of alcohol onto the table.

I didn’t even lift my eyelids. “No.”

Su Miao: “…Why?”

My voice was cold. “Because I can’t take a joke either.”

The surroundings went silent instantly.

The roommate beside me reacted quickly, immediately jumping in, “I can’t do it either, Miaomiao. I have a goddess in my heart.”

The other roommate followed up with a joke, trying to ease the tension. “She wouldn’t invite you anyway. Stop flattering yourself.”

“Why are you begging him?” Cheng Yuming let out a cold laugh. “Come here. I’ll do them with you.”

Face-to-face push-ups.

As the name suggested, the girl would lie beneath the guy, and the guy would support himself over her while doing push-ups.

“Sister Tingyu, do you mind?” The corners of Su Miao’s lips curled up as she immediately looked at Jiang Tingyu. The shimmering smile in her eyes was clearly provocative. “But if Brother Yu doesn’t help me, I’ll have to take a penalty…”

“But don’t worry. Brother Yu and I grew up together. We’ve even seen each other in diapers. If we were going to be together, it would have happened long ago. Now, we’re just like siblings~”

“It’s just a game. Why are you explaining so much to her? It’s not like she’s a poor sport.” Cheng Yuming impatiently tossed his jacket onto the floor. “Lie down here.”

He stood up.

I finally saw Jiang Tingyu.