As they headed out to sing karaoke, their classmates gathered at the school gate. Ann Wan waved goodbye without turning back and went home.
“Ann Wan is really tall,” Bai Liu said with admiration, adding, “Just a bit thin, though.”
In reality, saying Ann Wan was tall meant she had long legs, and with her height and proportions, she could easily turn heads with short skirts, stockings, or high heels – even her regular athletic shorts were enough to dazzle many eyes. It was impossible for other girls not to feel envious.
Liu Chang’an understood the implicit meaning behind Bai Liu’s words: Ann Wan was tall but not curvaceous. Bai Liu’s bra size was among the top three in their entire school, while the other two were a bit too plump.
As high school students, they still had some childishness and couldn’t fully grasp Bai Liu’s meaning, so they couldn’t naturally start teasing the girls about their body shapes.
Bai Liu felt a bit hot and unzipped her school uniform, revealing the CK T-shirt underneath. The brand logo on her chest was slightly distorted.
“I think after the college entrance exam, many classmates might not be able to gather again… probably just one gathering before the exam and one after, and most people will be able to make it to at least one of them,” Bai Liu said, thinking out loud while counting the number of people.
At that moment, everyone wasn’t too sentimental about their impending separation, and their emotions were mostly dominated by the relaxation and excitement of the gathering.
“Qian Ning, Lu Yuan, you two go buy some snacks. We’ll wait for you in the private room. Ah, yeah, this set meal can’t be used at night… but the fruit and wine combo is still a pretty good deal. You don’t need to buy fruit, and get less beer,” Bai Liu instructed.
Liu Chang’an nodded silently, not objecting to Bai Liu’s plan.
Qian Ning and Lu Yuan were cousins, with Qian Ning being a bit taller and Lu Yuan slightly shorter but more sturdy. The two brothers were basically Bai Liu’s followers, often taking on tasks for her, such as Qian Ning helping with breakfast and Lu Yuan buying lunch for her at the cafeteria.
“You two go ahead and pay, and we’ll split the bill later,” Bai Liu said with a sweet smile.
The three boys went to the supermarket together. Bai Liu said not to buy fruit, but Qian Ning still bought two lychees, knowing Bai Liu liked them. Lu Yuan didn’t want to be outdone and bought some spicy duck necks, which Bai Liu also enjoyed.
Liu Chang’an bought some snacks that Ann Wan often ate. Although he wasn’t fond of snacks himself, Ann Wan loved them, and he would often share some with her and Gao De Wei.
A man should find a girlfriend who loves snacks – they’re enthusiastic about the sensation of taste and touch.
He habitually picked some peanuts and melon seeds, continuing the centuries-old tradition of enjoying nuts and dried fruits as snacks. Liu Chang’an thought for a moment and grabbed a bottle of Red Star Erguotou.
“No one else drinks this Erguotou except for you,” Qian Ning said suspiciously, eyeing Liu Chang’an. “Are you trying to get Bai Liu drunk?”
Bai Liu could hold her liquor quite well, but it wasn’t like she could handle this strong wine.
“If she gets drunk, it’s not like you won’t send her home,” Liu Chang’an said with a smile.
When he said this, Qian Ning and Lu Yuan both smiled, acknowledging their close relationship with Bai Liu.
“Back in first year, you stared at Bai Liu until you hurt your head… but now it seems like you’ve taken a liking to Ann Wan?” Lu Yuan asked, probing.
“I’m not competing with you guys,” Liu Chang’an replied.
Liu Chang’an’s response satisfied Qian Ning and Lu Yuan, so they paid for the Erguotou along with the other snacks.
Liu Chang’an took the initiative to carry the largest bag of snacks and headed to the KTV private room. When Bai Liu saw Liu Chang’an carrying the most, she wiped his forehead with a tissue, saying, “Look at you, all sweaty – why didn’t you guys help out?”
“It’s nothing, just too hot,” Liu Chang’an said, noticing the envious glint in Qian Ning and Lu Yuan’s eyes.
Another classmate, Zhao Wuqiang, took the opportunity to help, and Liu Chang’an thanked him before seeing Bai Liu give Qian Ning and Lu Yuan a dissatisfied look.
For many girls, using various coy and emotional expressions to manipulate boys seemed to be an innate talent.
From Ouyang Xiou’s time to the present, it seemed like everyone would be captivated by their smiles and become infatuated. Qian Ning and Lu Yuan wouldn’t write poems for Bai Liu, but when they sang, they chose love songs, and their gazes during the performance made their intentions clear.
Bai Liu just smiled and chatted with the singers, occasionally glancing at the students who still hadn’t gotten into the mood, effortlessly taking control of the atmosphere.
Liu Chang’an drank the Erguotou, eating peanuts, and ripping open a pack of spicy fish skin, which was quite savory and spicy. The fish meat was tender, and the skin had a nice chew to it, making it a great accompaniment to the wine.
He even sang a Li Zongsheng song, “Ghostly Love,” and his classmates were surprised by Liu Chang’an’s singing skills. The boys’ calm and steady voices unexpectedly brought out the mature, worn-out feelings of the song.
Even Bai Liu was speechless, listening intently before applauding and walking over to Liu Chang’an, saying, “You like Li Zongsheng’s songs? I love the one he sang with Lin Yilian, ‘When Love Has Gone.’ You might be able to teach me that one, maybe you can sing it with me?”
Liu Chang’an nodded, and Bai Liu’s voice, of course, didn’t have the mature, tender feelings of a grown woman, but she was fully immersed in the song, trying her best to convey the emotions. Liu Chang’an supported her, filling in the gaps in her singing, and when she finished, Liu Chang’an sang the song again, adding his own touch.
The applause was more enthusiastic than before, and Bai Liu was beaming, her chest heaving with excitement. She loved singing, and singing with Liu Chang’an was a unique experience, like riding a horse under the scorching sun and suddenly feeling the gentle breeze and the shade of the trees.
“Really didn’t expect you to sing so well. We should’ve called you to sing with us earlier. Next time, we’ll definitely invite you,” Bai Liu said, her face still flushed from excitement.
Liu Chang’an smiled and nodded, and Qian Ning and Lu Yuan had already started drinking silently.
When Liu Chang’an went to the bathroom, Zhao Wuqiang followed him and said, “You sang pretty well.”
“I’ve practiced before.”
“Qian Ning and Lu Yuan usually tease you about your first year, saying it’s because of your charm, but actually, it’s because you got into trouble with Chen Changxiu yesterday, and now everyone’s saying you like Ann Wan. That makes Bai Liu feel like she’s lost face,” Zhao Wuqiang said quietly.
“Why would she feel like she’s lost face?” Liu Chang’an asked, finding girls’ thoughts quite adorable.
“Because she’s always had issues with Ann Wan. Back in first year, they had a falling out during the class rep election, and girls are really petty,” Zhao Wuqiang said with a smile.
“Boys are petty too.”
Zhao Wuqiang looked at Liu Chang’an’s expression and patted his shoulder, saying, “Anyway, don’t get too caught up in it. Bai Liu just wants to one-up Ann Wan. Originally, she thought you liked her, but now that everyone says you like Ann Wan, she feels like she’s lost face. If you start liking Bai Liu again, it’ll give people the impression that you’ll abandon Ann Wan anytime she wants.”
“You like Bai Liu too, right?” Liu Chang’an asked with a smile.
Zhao Wuqiang was taken aback, shaking his head.
Liu Chang’an didn’t say anything else, washed his hands, and returned to the private room. He saw Bai Liu organizing a “last confession” activity, where a boy named Lin Xinhai was confessing to Bai Liu’s friend, Miao Yingying.
It seemed like a pre-planned event, and Miao Yingying was surprised but clearly thrilled, blushing as she accepted Lin Xinhai’s gift. Liu Chang’an applauded along with the other students, and now wasn’t the time to be too sentimental, especially since they were all around 18 or 19 years old.
What followed were confessions from other boys, excluding Qian Ning and Lu Yuan, who each had their own reasons. With the graduation and separation looming, the atmosphere was filled with teenage emotions and passion. Bai Liu listened attentively to each confession, but eventually refused them all, citing the upcoming college entrance exam as a reason.
Finally, Bai Liu looked at Liu Chang’an, her gaze filled with encouragement and anticipation. Liu Chang’an took a sip of Erguotou, walked over to Bai Liu, and stood in front of her.
Bai Liu could smell the strong, bold wine on Liu Chang’an’s breath, and his gentle, deep gaze made her heart skip a beat. She was eager for this moment, even though her response would likely be the same as when she faced the other boys.
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