A Cold and Aloof Top Student Is Relied Upon - Chapter 54.2

Chapter 54.2: The Game

◎Truth or Dare◎

“Hehe, Auntie, we were just exercising and having a race!”

You Lili’s blatant lie came out instantly, and the others eagerly agreed. The dorm aunt didn’t tease them anymore and shooed them inside. Once they reached the fifth floor, the two still-confused main characters were pushed into dorm 512.

As soon as they entered, Lu Na pulled a picnic blanket from an empty bed and spread it on the floor. Then, You Lili and Huang Tingxi took two takeout bags from their backpacks. Since it was late, they hadn’t ordered much, just some grilled skewers and fried chicken. Besides that, everyone had brought their own snacks.

They poured the remaining unopened cola into disposable cups. Although it wasn’t chilled and the taste was a little less crisp, the rising bubbles still brought a sense of joy.

A small party magically appeared before them. Bai Tan couldn’t help but applaud a few times and gave a sincere thumbs-up. “Impressive!”

“Come sit, come sit!”

The girls were very enthusiastic. Afraid the couple wouldn’t sit together, they had even designated their spots for them.

The two looked at each other and quietly took their seats. Just as they sat down, they heard You Lili deliver an opening speech. “First, for all of us to be together like this is a special kind of fate. So, the first toast is to this friendship.”

“Cheers!”

“Second, today is a good day because our dear student Gu Zhu has returned to school after winning first place in the provincial competition. Let’s all congratulate Gu Zhu on taking the lead and achieving a great victory!”

Hearing her name, Gu Zhu raised her cup, which was now filled again with cola. As they clinked cups, she did the same with each of them, her lips curving into a small smile. “Thank you, everyone!”

“Third, life is all about being happy! For happiness, cheers!”

“Cheers!”

After drinking, they finally sat down to enjoy the food. But after chugging their drinks, someone let out a loud burp, which made everyone burst into laughter.

“Ahem! So, to keep the happiness going, we’re going to play a game!” You Lili finally got to the point.

“What are we playing?” the others immediately chimed in.

“Truth or Dare! Everyone can use this opportunity to speak their minds and let out their emotions. In any case, you must participate, you can’t refuse, and you can’t cheat!”

“There are eight slips of paper here, numbered 1 to 8. The person with the highest number and the person with the lowest number in each round have to take the penalty. Now, the game begins. Please draw a slip.”

After drawing in turn, everyone showed their slip.

Gu Zhu had 8. She glanced at the others, and the person next to her quietly put their slip with a 1 on it next to hers.

How lucky. They were the first pair to receive a penalty.

“You can’t choose the same penalty. One has to be a dare and the other has to be a truth! The truth-teller has to answer one question from each of us, while the dare-taker only has to do one dare.”

Looking up at the irrepressible excitement on their faces, their carefully arranged seating proved this had been premeditated. Bai Tan chuckled and didn’t expose their little trick. Under their piercing stares, she considered her choice. “Then I’ll choose truth.”

The dare fell to Gu Zhu. Neither of them had any objections, so the game began.

You Lili: “Have you ever liked someone?”

Bai Tan: “No, I haven’t.”

Hearing her say that, Gu Zhu, who had tensed up, paused her movement of grabbing a napkin. She lowered her eyes, hiding a momentary pang of bitterness and disappointment.

Qin Tian’ai: “How have you been feeling lately?”

Bai Tan: “Right now, I’m doing well.”

Gu Xiaoxi, Gu Xiaojuan: “What’s the most troubling thing for you right now?”

Bai Tan: “Hmm, there’s something I really want to do, but I’m being stopped by some people for the time being. They’re sweet people, though, so it’s not too troubling.”

Lu Na: “Who was the last person you had a fight with?”

Bai Tan: “Uh, my dad? But that was a long time ago, so I guess that counts.”

The girls exchanged looks. Hmm? Had they guessed wrong? Now only Huang Tingxi and Li Ruoruo hadn’t asked yet.

Huang Tingxi: “Have you really never liked anyone?”

Bai Tan: “Never liked. I’m currently liking someone.”

Hmm? What?

Gu Zhu looked up in surprise and saw Bai Tan smiling at her. Only then did she realize that they had all been played by this person.

“Oh!” Realizing what she meant, the group burst into cheers. “Oh, you’re playing with words! Drink up as a penalty, now!”

Just as Bai Tan picked up her cup, the person next to her immediately filled it, almost to the point of overflowing. She looked at Gu Zhu, who was holding the cola bottle, and was amused by the petty and vengeful side she was showing. Without a moment’s hesitation, she drank the whole thing, then flipped the cup over to show her sincerity.

“Last question, ask away!”

Li Ruoruo: “Ahem, is it unrequited love?”

Bai Tan: “I guess so, since I haven’t confessed yet.”

Infatuation in one’s youth was a completely normal part of growing up. Some of them were also experiencing this unspoken tug-of-war. During this special time, emotions that couldn’t be easily expressed were hidden in a glance across the crowd, in a name that appeared on a turned page, in the fleeting figure one saw while waiting in line, and in the passage of time marked by their footsteps.

Because it was unspoken, the affection felt even heavier. When the young mistress was so candid, they all felt a sense of relief. It’s okay. Youth isn’t over yet. After this year, there’s nothing wrong with talking about the future.

In a silent understanding, they clinked cups again.

With Bai Tan’s penalty completed, it was Gu Zhu’s turn. They hadn’t gotten anything out of Bai Tan, so they had no choice but to bring out their trump card to make sure they got close, regardless of whether they had a fight or not!

Our OTP must not become a tragedy!

If Qin Tian’ai had known what they were thinking, she would probably have wanted to spray them with cola, all for the sake of her sincere and innocent intentions!

After a quick discussion, You Lili finally announced, “We’ll tie you and the person on your left together with a rope. Then, you’ll hold hands and go to every dorm room on this floor, and say, ‘We’ll be good friends forever, please write a blessing for us!’ and then come back!”

Gu Zhu: …

Is it too late for me to run away now?

In the end, Bai Tan led her to complete the daunting task. The girls in 512 watched them go and then waited at the door for their return, their eyes filled with a sense of relief, like doting mothers who had worked hard to see their daughters succeed.

They knocked on door after door. Bai Tan was in charge of announcing the dare, while Gu Zhu held the pen and paper, quietly handing them to the classmates who were winking and laughing.

There were thirteen dorms on one floor. Besides their own, there were eleven others. Even with their fastest speed, by the time they returned, it was already past curfew.

They had to crouch as they snuck down the hallway. The hands bound by the rope were naturally clasped together. When they got back to 512, because it was so late, they didn’t stay long. They said goodbye and went back to 513.

The rope, which was tied with a slip knot, fell to the ground with a gentle pull. After stretching her joints, Gu Zhu went to wash up first under the small night light.

When she came out, she saw Bai Tan still leaning by the light, looking at the notebook filled with many blessings. Although the dare was for one blessing, each dorm had eight students, and some loved to join the fun, so even they didn’t know how many people had written a few words.

“Look, the whole world is blessing us!”

Gu Zhu heard her say this. The light in the room was dim, but it shone on her face, making her eyes as bright as flowers.

She got into bed. The clean bedding smelled of sunshine. She took a deep breath, turned over, and snuggled into Bai Tan as she moved closer.

“Goodnight.”

May this world always be beautiful.

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