Chapter Twenty-Eight

Everyone had gathered at the entertainment hall of the villa. The last time Chen Siyu visited Wang Tianqi's home, it was here that they held their tea party. Now, recalling it, she found herself longing to return; after all, this was the most luxurious leisure spot, rivaling even amusement parks.

Some began to wonder if this was rather disloyal. While Zhang Yi was recuperating in the hospital, they had started to enjoy themselves here. Zhang Yi truly was unfortunate.

At that moment, Wang Tianqi had already arranged the tables and prepared snacks—her usual custom whenever guests arrived, whether close friends or acquaintances.

Although Wang Tianqi had been spoiled since childhood and carried a hint of the princess syndrome, her parents had always emphasized proper upbringing. Unlike other families who indulged their children to the point of ruination, Wang Tianqi was courteous and polite. She used to dislike Yu Li, but after past experiences, she found Yu Li not so disagreeable.

Once everyone was seated, Wang Tianqi joined them, and the tea party began.

Wang Tianqi smiled, “Now that everyone is here, I won’t be so bored anymore.”

Lin Zimo asked, “Are we just going to sit here, eat, and watch plays?”

“No, no, this tea party is a bit too ordinary. Let’s spice things up.” Wang Tianqi got up and went to the adjoining room. A minute later, she returned with a card box, the words “Truth or Dare” emblazoned across it.

“Let’s play Truth or Dare. That should be far less dull.”

Yuxing Yue said, “That’s actually quite fun; it’s always interesting to play.”

“Then let’s begin.”

The seven participants drew cards in order: Wang Tianqi, Lin Zimo, Yuxing Yue, Xiao Jian, Yu Li, Huang Feifan, and Chen Siyu. Once each had drawn, they revealed their cards.

Yuxing Yue, Huang Feifan, and Xiao Jian drew “Dare” cards; the others received “Truth.” Since Wang Tianqi drew first, everyone could ask her a question to prompt her truth.

The first to ask was Huang Feifan. He said, “Since it's Truth, let me ask you: have you ever encountered anything truly bizarre in your life?”

“At least it’s not a difficult question. Speaking of bizarre things…” Wang Tianqi pondered.

After a moment, she replied, “There have been oddities, but the strangest is someone in our Tianyuan Team.”

“Who is it?” Everyone was eager to know.

“I’ll tell you. The oddball in my life is a member of our Tianyuan Team—Huang Feifan.”

All eyes turned to Huang Feifan, who looked bewildered. He had never considered himself peculiar—why would Wang Tianqi say that?

Wang Tianqi explained, “Huang Feifan’s weird habit is drinking milk with his toes.”

“Ew, that’s disgusting!” Everyone’s gaze toward Huang Feifan changed.

Wang Tianqi wasn’t making it up; before Yuxing Yue rejoined the team, she had seen Huang Feifan alone, drinking milk using the toes of his left foot, with his toes dipped into the milk. Even she found it revolting.

There was no helping it—this was Huang Feifan’s own question. Had Wang Tianqi not spoken, no one else would have known about his peculiar habit. Drinking milk with toes—didn’t it taste odd?

It was a classic case of bringing trouble upon oneself; Huang Feifan had really dug his own grave.

Lin Zimo then said, “Since Tianqi has spoken, and Huang Feifan drew a ‘Dare,’ why not make him drink milk with his toes? I’d like to see it for myself.”

Everyone immediately agreed, except for Huang Feifan, whose face darkened. He was even more reluctant to demonstrate this in front of everyone. Wang Tianqi went downstairs, fetched a box of milk, poured it into a glass, and handed it to Huang Feifan. “It’s time to show us your real skills.”

Huang Feifan smiled wryly, “You’re really forcing my hand. Fine, but after you watch, you’re not allowed to laugh, understood?”

“Don’t worry, we promise not to laugh.” Though their amusement was poorly hidden.

Huang Feifan removed the shoe from his left foot, exposing his entire foot. He grasped the glass with his toes. As everyone watched, Chen Siyu felt a pang of sympathy; his left foot was covered in bruises, the result of two weeks’ intense leg training. Everyone gets injured, though in their own ways.

Yuxing Yue empathized as well, recalling the pain during her own kickboxing days, just like Huang Feifan and Zhang Yi. But after enduring pain, comes the rainbow.

Huang Feifan managed to lift the glass and successfully drank the milk—with his toes not even dipping into it. Afterward, he struck a flawless pose. Everyone applauded in admiration; drinking milk like that truly was bizarre.

With Huang Feifan’s dare completed, it was Lin Zimo’s turn. Xiao Jian posed the Truth question: “Zimo, let me ask you—do you have someone you like?”

“Someone I like… hmm…” Lin Zimo hesitated, and the mood heated up.

“Who is it? Is it one of these three guys?” Wang Tianqi gestured toward Yuxing Yue and the others.

Lin Zimo nodded, “Tianqi, you’re half right. Among these three, there is someone I like, but I can’t say who. Does that count as answering?”

Xiao Jian nodded. If Lin Zimo didn’t wish to say, so be it. Meanwhile, Chen Siyu’s expression soured. Hearing Lin Zimo admit to liking one of the three, she wondered if it was Huang Feifan. If Lin Zimo did like him, Chen Siyu felt threatened.

Next up was Yuxing Yue, who had drawn a Dare, so Lin Zimo set the challenge: “Hugo, pick one of the girls here and carry her. Then tell us what you think of her.”

Yuxing Yue laughed, “Picking on someone as skinny as me? But a dare is a dare.”

He scanned the four girls, searching for the easiest to carry. Wang Tianqi was out of the question—her expression was clearly one of disdain. He had already carried Yu Li before, when she was injured, so he was familiar with her. That left Chen Siyu and Lin Zimo.

Yuxing Yue resorted to an old trick, “I’ll let the rooster pick—whoever it points to, I’ll carry.”

It landed on Lin Zimo, who was probably the best choice. He wasn’t familiar enough with Chen Siyu to have much to say about her, but he knew Lin Zimo well and could offer plenty.

“It’s you, Lin Zimo. Please forgive me for what comes next.” Yuxing Yue rubbed his hands, considering how to lift her. Given her build, it should be easy.

He lifted Lin Zimo, princess-style. If he’d simply carried her normally, it would have lacked sincerity. Lin Zimo’s face turned red as a beet, and everyone laughed. No one had ever seen Lin Zimo so shy.

In truth, Lin Zimo was delighted. Had the dare not been suggested, she wouldn’t have experienced such an intimate moment with Yuxing Yue. It was her first time feeling the strength of a man’s chest.

Sweat poured down Yuxing Yue’s face, and someone reminded him, “What’s your evaluation of Lin Zimo?”

“Ah, an evaluation!” Without the prompt, he wouldn’t have known what to say. His mind raced, his arms numb, unable to find the right words, except for the sensation of Lin Zimo’s weight.

He blurted out, “She looks good, but have you gained weight lately?”

Everyone burst out laughing—asking if someone had gotten heavier! Girls hate being asked about their height and weight; Yuxing Yue hadn’t asked for height, but questioned her weight. Lin Zimo’s expression darkened a shade, and she knocked Yuxing Yue’s head a few times. It was true—she had gained weight lately due to all the stress.

“Can you put me down now?” Lin Zimo asked.

“Sorry, I’ll let you down right away.” Yuxing Yue quickly withdrew his arms, causing Lin Zimo to land heavily on the floor. The laughter grew louder.

Lin Zimo rubbed her waist, still half-amused, half-annoyed. “Oh, my poor waist! Don’t you know how to cherish a delicate flower?”

“I don’t think you need cherishing—you’re a tomboy! But I do love your sturdy frame.”

“Hmph, I never expected you to be this kind of Hugo. Now I see you clearly.”

“Who do you think I am? I’ve always been this way. What am I in your eyes?” Yuxing Yue asked.

“Well…” For a moment, Lin Zimo didn’t know how to answer.

“All right, all right. Since Yuxing Yue’s dare is over, it’s Xiao Jian’s turn now. Team doctor, please set the challenge,” Wang Tianqi said.

“Xiao Jian drew a ‘Dare,’ so I’ll make it a tough one.” Yuxing Yue grinned mischievously, sending a chill down Xiao Jian’s spine. He knew Yuxing Yue well—despite his teacherly demeanor, he was a sly old fox at heart.

“Hugo, take it easy,” Xiao Jian pleaded.

Yuxing Yue laughed, “Don’t worry, I won’t make things hard for you. All you have to do is go outside the villa and shout ‘I am an idiot!’ loud enough for us all to hear.”

Xiao Jian’s face immediately darkened. “Hugo, are you sure you’re not just mocking me? The place is so big—how could we possibly hear?”

“That’s right, it’s not fair to Xiao Jian,” Wang Tianqi added.

Yuxing Yue explained, “Let me finish. When you’re outside, call me on the phone, then shout. That way, we’ll definitely hear you.”

“But Hugo, you’re really putting me on the spot—saying I’m an idiot outside? I won’t do it! Can’t I say something else?”