Bai Yuyue had somehow already left. When Zhou Jingze called her, Xu Sui reflexively walked over. Qin Jing was thick-skinned—as soon as she moved, he followed.

Zhou Jingze’s expression was indescribably cold as he lifted his eyelids to glance at Qin Jing: “Something the matter?”

“Nah, Sheng Nanzhou invited me to your celebration dinner. Since we happened to meet, I’ll just go with you guys.” Qin Jing reached out to hook his shoulder.

Zhou Jingze brushed off his arm and nodded: “Fine, you go ahead and hail a cab for us.”

“…” Qin Jing.

Zhou-ye was still the master. In front of the girl, Qin Jing had to be diligent. As he ran ahead, he secretly flipped Zhou Jingze the middle finger, indicating he had to admit defeat.

Zhou Jingze caught his gesture while taking out mint tablets from his pocket and made a soft snorting sound: “Idiot.”

“What?” Xu Sui looked up at him.

Zhou Jingze turned to look at her, shaking the mint tablets in his hand, deflecting: “Want some?”

“Yes.”

Xu Sui held out her fair palm. Zhou Jingze leaned over, his shadow falling down, his faint basil scent reaching her. Her breathing hitched as green mint candies clinked into her palm.

Zhou Jingze tucked the box back in his pocket and nodded toward where Qin Jing had gone:

“Stay away from that guy. He’s not good news.”

As a friend, Qin Jing was decent enough, but his romantic history was terrible—two-timing, accompanying girlfriends to abortion clinics, nothing was beneath him.

Xu Sui suddenly looked up: “What about you?”

Zhou Jingze froze, casually chewing his mint candy, then smiled ambiguously:

“Of course, I’m not a good person either.”

As they got in the car, Zhou Jingze seemed to remember something, his voice slightly hoarse: “Forgot to mention—your performance tonight was excellent.”

The three finally took a taxi to Red Crane Club. Zhou Jingze opened the car door, stretched out his long leg, and got out sideways. The door slammed shut behind him with a “bang.”

A waiter in a standard red bow tie came forward to greet them. Zhou Jingze casually gave the private room number. The waiter led them over, and when Zhou Jingze pushed open the door, more than ten people of various ages were sitting inside.

Seeing the few of them, Sheng Nanzhou immediately cursed: “You guys are way too slow. Did you secretly elope or something?”

Everyone burst into laughter. Though it was a common joke, Xu Sui stood there feeling somewhat nervous and unnatural.

Zhou Jingze was completely unaffected, leisurely walking over. While Sheng Nanzhou was laughing smugly, he directly kicked the chair leg.

The chair tilted backward from the impact. Sheng Nanzhou swayed back like a roly-poly toy, and just as he was about to fall, he shouted: “Zhou-ye! Dad, Dad, I was wrong!”

Zhou Jingze curved his lips and only then let him off, pushing the chair back upright. Amid everyone’s laughter and cursing, Hu Qianxi waved from the other side of the dining table:

“Baby, come over here. I saved you a seat.”

Not long after Xu Sui sat down, Qin Jing also took a seat. He sat beside her, showing great concern—pouring her water, worrying whether she could reach the dishes, being extremely attentive.

Xu Sui remained polite but distant, quietly saying thank you throughout. Zhou Jingze sat across from them, quite far away. When listening to others talk, Xu Sui would pretend to casually glance over.

His jacket was draped over his chair. He wore a black sweater, lounging lazily, holding a beer bottle, listening casually to others’ conversation. When someone made a crude joke, he lifted his eyelids and smiled unrestrainedly.

After initially giving her brief advice to stay away from Qin Jing, Zhou Jingze said nothing more. He sat there, not sparing her any more attention.

Xu Sui withdrew her gaze and quietly ate with her head down.

After eating, the group gathered their things and was led by waiters to the VIP room on Red Crane’s top floor. Xu Sui was with Hu Qianxi, but halfway through, her phone rang. She slowed down and walked to the end of the corridor to answer.

Her mother called to wish her happy birthday again, specifically asking: “Did you go out for something good to eat today?”

“Yes, with my roommates,” Xu Sui replied, remembering something: “There were many people.”

Her mother sat on the living room sofa covered with a blanket, repeatedly reminding her: “I checked Beijing’s weather forecast—it’s getting cold again these days. Your hands and feet get cold, and you’re afraid of the cold. Remember to wear more, and carry a hand warmer when you go out.”

Xu Sui held the phone listening to her mother’s care. She glanced at the trees outside the window and smiled: “I know, Mom. Don’t worry, I dressed very warmly today.”

After hanging up, she took the elevator to the VIP room on the top floor. Upon entering the private room, it was noisy—some were gaming, others were singing karaoke.

She found that everyone there was unfamiliar. Zhou Jingze, Qin Jing, and the others weren’t there, neither was Hu Qianxi.

Only Sheng Nanzhou sat sprawled on the sofa with his long legs spread, “displeased” written all over him. Xu Sui walked over and sat beside him: “Where’s Xixi?”

Sheng Nanzhou snorted coldly: “Don’t know what wild man appeared out of nowhere and lured her away.”

“Huh?” Xu Sui was instinctively surprised.

Ten minutes later, Hu Qianxi burst in energetically. Xu Sui had never seen her face so red. Hu Qianxi plopped down between them, constantly fanning herself with her face: “Damn, it’s so hot. Is there ice water?”

“You should drink warm water in this weather. I’ll pour you some.” Xu Sui leaned forward to pour a cup and handed it to her, asking: “Where did you go? Why so hot?”

Hu Qianxi held the cup and gulped down several mouthfuls, catching her breath, her eyes sparkling: “Sui Sui, I just met someone who made my heart flutter at first sight. Let me tell you…”

When Xu Sui was on the phone earlier, Hu Qianxi had gone upstairs first but didn’t enter the private room right away. Seeing a vending machine convenience store at the corner, she went in to buy a Sprite.

After paying, Hu Qianxi liked to shake drinks before opening them to hear the bubbles make a “pop” sound. She walked down the corridor, looking down at her phone while opening the drink.

Too focused on her messages, she accidentally bumped into a solid chest. At the same time, having shaken the drink too long, when she opened the bottle, “pop”—the cap shot out, and carbonated water sprayed all over the other person’s white shirt.

“Sorry, sorry,” Hu Qianxi quickly apologized.

Looking up hurriedly, she met a pair of narrow, dark eyes. The man was pale, wearing a waiter’s uniform, back straight, red bow tie properly tied, yet with a temperament cold as pine.

At that moment, Hu Qianxi’s heart beat like drums.

The green bottle cap that flew off happened to hit his face, leaving a clear coin-sized red mark on his stern face, somehow looking a bit comical.

Hu Qianxi couldn’t help but laugh. Lu Wenbai shot her a cold glare. Hu Qianxi realized she was wrong, her eyes sparkling: “Really sorry. How about I compensate you for a shirt?”

No one paid attention to her. Hu Qianxi asked cheekily again: “What’s your name?”

Lu Wenbai looked at her, radiating icy coldness, his crimson lips uttering one word:

“Scram.”

…

“Then what?” Xu Sui wanted to know what happened next.

Hu Qianxi replied: “Then I left. Sticking around would just be annoying.”

“But—I know his name. It’s on his name tag.” Hu Qianxi showed no signs of frustration, smiling boldly: “He can’t escape, hahaha.”

As Hu Qianxi vividly described her encounter with Lu Wenbai, she completely failed to notice Sheng Nanzhou’s eyes gradually dimming beside them.

Zhou Jingze encountered Qin Jing in the restroom. After washing his hands and pulling out a paper towel, they happened to meet and decided to smoke two cigarettes in the corridor’s drafty spot.

Zhou Jingze threw the used paper towel in the trash. He took out a cigarette from the pack, habitually tapped it against the box, then put it between his lips.

As he lowered his head, Qin Jing pressed his lighter, cupping the flame and offering it. Zhou Jingze leaned forward sideways, the cigarette lit, white smoke exhaling from his thin lips.

Qin Jing also lit a cigarette and spoke casually: “That girl Xu Sui is quite interesting. I was attentive to her all evening during dinner. She looks well-behaved and pure, but those dark eyes—so clear yet cold. Ah, girls like this are hard to win over.”

Zhou Jingze stopped smoking, ash accumulating before he flicked it, scattering on the ground. Zhou Jingze put the cigarette back in his mouth, turned around and dropped a sentence:

“You have no chance.”

The two returned to the private room one after the other. Upon pushing the door open, it was noisy inside—Da Liu was clearly drunk, squatting on the table with a microphone singing.

Seeing Zhou Jingze enter, Da Liu rushed over like a main act star to interact with him. Da Liu hugged Zhou Jingze, his 3D surround sound voice echoing in the room:

“I say hey.”

Da Liu held the microphone up to Zhou Jingze’s face with fawning expression, hoping this audience member would interact with him. Zhou Jingze looked at him expressionlessly, obvious coldness in his eyes.

The air fell silent.

Da Liu awkwardly withdrew his hand and picked up his own cue: “You say hey hey.”

“…How much did he drink?” Zhou Jingze turned to look at Sheng Nanzhou.

Sheng Nanzhou pointed to the bottles lined up on the floor: “He drank this entire case.”

Zhou Jingze pushed Da Liu aside and sat next to Sheng Nanzhou. As soon as he entered, the girls’ eyes stuck to him like automatic adhesive.

Several girls even wanted to sit beside him, but Sheng Nanzhou was in a bad mood tonight. When he was upset, he dragged Zhou Jingze to drink, giving those girls no opportunities.

Except for one girl they knew somewhat well from the English department. She was tall with attractive features, sitting to Zhou Jingze’s left.

Resting her face on her hand, she spoke as if asserting ownership: “Hey, drink less. How will you get back to the dorm later?”

Zhou Jingze held his wine glass, lifted his eyelids, and looked at her with an ambiguous smile. The girl’s heart skipped a beat from his gaze, no longer daring to speak casually. Instead, Sheng Nanzhou waved his hand grandly: “Don’t worry, we won’t get drunk.”

Midway, someone put on an English song. Someone shouted: “Whose song is this! Are you still singing or not!”

Sheng Nanzhou looked up to see it was a gentle English song. He pushed Zhou Jingze’s shoulder: “Hey, go up and sing. It’s your specialty anyway.”

“Yeah, I want to hear it too. It must sound good,” the girl agreed.

Except for Sheng Nanzhou, hardly anyone here had heard Zhou Jingze sing. After hearing this, they all encouraged him to sing.

In the cold weather, Zhou Jingze curled up on the sofa, leisurely using a fork to spear a piece of ice strawberry into his mouth, refusing: “Not singing.”

“Damn, you can’t do it.”

“Maybe Zhou-ye is afraid of singing too badly and scaring us, hahaha.”

A group of boys mocked Zhou Jingze. The girl’s disappointment was obvious. The person in question didn’t care how they laughed at him. After eating a few ice strawberries, he raised an eyebrow: “Quite sweet.”

Xu Sui felt somewhat uncomfortable in this setting, trying not to watch how Zhou Jingze navigated the world of wine and women with ease. She could only look down at her phone. Later, seeing her boredom, Qin Jing brought her a box of Flight Chess to play.

After playing a few rounds and getting into it, Xu Sui focused on throwing dice and studying route maps, her inner irritation gradually dissipating.

Midway, Zhou Jingze’s phone screen on the table lit up. He picked it up and glanced at it, then turned to Sheng Nanzhou:

“I’m leaving. Got another engagement.”

Xu Sui was playing Flight Chess with her back to Zhou Jingze. His voice fell from above her head, tone casual. Xu Sui paused holding the dice, her eyelashes lowering as she zoned out.

“Hurry up and throw, sister,” Qin Jing urged her.

Xu Sui refocused and put her attention back on the board. Amid the surrounding chatter, the dim red lights swaying back and forth, everything about Zhou Jingze seemed to amplify her senses infinitely. She caught a glimpse of Zhou Jingze leaning forward, revealing a section of his defined wrist as he placed his wine glass on the table. When he stood up, his black clothes made soft rustling sounds.

Hu Qianxi stopped him, her tone domineering: “No, you can’t leave!”

Zhou Jingze found it somewhat amusing, seemingly speaking in a whisper: “Why can’t I?”

“Because… because today is Christmas Eve!” Hu Qianxi thought of this reason after much consideration.

Hu Qianxi’s words reminded everyone in the room. They screamed and grabbed each other’s necks shouting “Where’s my Christmas Eve gift?” Meanwhile, someone put on “Jingle Bells,” making the atmosphere even livelier.

“And also…” Hu Qianxi leaned forward, her voice disappearing in the commotion.

Zhou Jingze’s gaze turned toward a certain direction, then he obediently sat back down on the sofa. Xu Sui, with her back to them, didn’t know what happened. She was playing Flight Chess and successfully reached the island at this moment, her expression briefly happy:

“I won.”

As soon as she finished speaking, “snap”—like a circuit breaker switching off, Xu Sui’s vision went completely dark. The surroundings were unusually quiet, as if people were leaving one by one. Xu Sui didn’t think much about it, but the darkness before her eyes made her feel somewhat anxious and worried.

The last elevator incident when Zhou Jingze’s claustrophobia flared up was still vivid in her memory. She quickly found her phone from the sofa crevice, turned around and turned on the flashlight, calling out gently: “Zhou Jingze?”

She held up the light source looking around when she suddenly met a pair of dark, narrow eyes. He answered lazily:

“I’m here.”

Xu Sui moved next to him, holding up the light, her tone urgent: “Are you okay?”

Zhou Jingze sat there. Looking down, he met a pair of clear eyes full of worry. She held the flashlight, looking a bit silly, yet gently striking something hard in his heart.

“I’m fine,” Zhou Jingze looked at her.

Xu Sui exhaled deeply in relief. Just as she was about to speak again, she heard a sweet, crisp “Ding ding ding!” She turned toward the sound to see Hu Qianxi walking in carrying a cake, a group of people standing beside her singing: “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!”

At the same time, streamers and feathered gold flakes scattered down. Hu Qianxi carried the cake to her, smiling: “Happy birthday, my Sui Sui baby.”

Sheng Nanzhou opened a bottle of champagne. With a “pop,” people around screamed and laughed, wishing her happy birthday. Xu Sui discovered that Hu Qianxi had not only called Liang Shuang but also invited her close classmates.

Xu Sui’s eyes grew warm. She didn’t know what to say for a moment, only repeating: “Xixi, thank you.”

The background music was “Happy Birthday.” Hu Qianxi put candles on the cake. In the candlelight, Xu Sui clasped her hands together, made a wish, then blew out the candles.

Everyone raised their glasses. Young people could find any ridiculous reason to drink. Beer sparkled as glasses clinked:

“To the band’s first place!”

“Celebrating tonight!”

“Happy birthday!”

“Long live Christmas Eve!”

Amid the group’s noisy laughter, a unique, deep, textured voice suddenly emerged. Everyone turned to look. As the voice began, the surroundings miraculously quieted down. Xu Sui was the last to look up.

Zhou Jingze sat on a high stool, back slightly arched, long legs casually planted on the ground. He held a microphone in one hand, singing a Cantonese song, his other hand loosely holding his jacket. His profile was sharply defined, smooth and pleasant tones emerging from his throat.

His voice was somewhat cold yet carried a low, husky sexiness.

After finishing the Cantonese song, everyone first drew in a breath, then screams and applause in the room rose wave after wave. Qin Jing was first to recover: “Holy shit, your voice is absolutely incredible!”

“Awesome, sounds amazing. Zhou Jingze, is there anything you can’t do?”

“How about it? I wasn’t bragging, right? Doesn’t my Zhou-ye sing beautifully?”

After finishing one song, everyone wanted more. Other music played as someone stepped forward to take the microphone, joking: “Zhou-ye, let me request a song too.”

“Go to hell,” Zhou Jingze cursed with a smile as he handed over the microphone.

The lighting in the private room was dim, red lights occasionally sweeping over, creating an ambiguous, languid atmosphere. Xu Sui was completely dazed, watching Zhou Jingze step by step toward her, her heart beating fast, palms already sweating.

Zhou Jingze smiled at her and said: “Happy birthday, Xu Sui. Be happy every day.”