"I'm Lu Siyuan. Got here a little earlier than you. Guess we'll all be sharing this dorm, huh?"

"Hello, Su Yu."

Su Yu set down his luggage and replied politely. The guy before him was slightly shorter, glasses framing a gentle, scholarly face—handsome, sure… though not *as* handsome as he was.

Qingchuan University wasn’t old, but a key local investment. Campus facilities were fresh and modern. First-year dorms were all standard four-person rooms—definitely better than Jiangnan University from his last life. Still… a faint pang of missing his old roommates surfaced. He wondered who’d taken his place now.

Two of four had arrived. Not long after Su Yu settled in, another dragged a suitcase through the door. Chu Feng had sun-kissed skin, sleeves rolled up to reveal toned arms. Su Yu blinked—*clearly* trained.

Surprisingly, Chu Feng was easygoing. He spoke with a soft hometown accent and shared snacks from back home with Su Yu and the others.

The last arrival was a Qingchuan local—warm, but unnaturally pale, looking fragile. A total contrast to Chu Feng.

"Hey… we just staying holed up here till orientation tomorrow?"

Dusk deepened. The dorm’s mood cooled. New acquaintances could only chat so much before silence settled.

Gu Chuan, pale yet smiling faintly, suggested, "How about… stepping out? First time in Qingchuan for all of you, right?"

"Going out *already*?" Lu Siyuan stammered, caught off guard.

"I’m fine with it," Su Yu called from the balcony. Fifth floor offered a decent view. Below, freshmen bustled with luggage. His heart felt light. This second life held no confusion, no regrets, no future worries—just peace, right here, right now.

"See? Su Yu gets it. Military training might start tomorrow. Go now, or be too wiped later?"

"…Alright, let’s go."

Lu Siyuan fell quiet. Chu Feng just gave a silent nod.

"Where to?" Su Yu asked, stepping back inside.

"Bar? Grab a drink." Gu Chuan grinned. "I know all the spots nearby."

"A bar… too loud?" Su Yu hesitated. He disliked chaotic, noisy places.

"Just a quiet lounge. Sip drinks, unwind—meet friends." Gu Chuan arched a brow, voice teasing. "Classmates from campus. I’ll introduce you."

…

The bar wasn’t far. It had just opened. Gu Chuan’s "friends"? Mostly classmates and girls he’d met before. With their dorm mates and Gu Chuan’s invited group, four guys and four girls filled the space—no longer awkwardly empty.

"Seize your chances later. I’m watching," Gu Chuan murmured at the entrance, eyes lingering especially on Su Yu.

Inside, hushed. Dim lights cast soft shadows, hiding faces—only gleaming, tipsy eyes visible, whispering intimacy. The whole bar hummed with quiet allure.

"Let’s… play something. Just drinking’s dull."

"Truth or Dare? I’ll spin the bottle!" Gu Chuan cheered Luo Xiaoxiao’s idea, gathering everyone in a circle.

Luo Xiaoxiao—Gu Chuan’s invitee—wore a lace camisole showing smooth skin. Flawless makeup, smoky eyes that seemed to steal breaths with a blink. Heads turned. But beneath those glances flickered indulgent desire.

"You’re not much of a talker, huh?" she murmured to Su Yu, who sipped quietly beside her. Eyeshadow lengthened her lashes; her voice dripped natural charm.

"I’m good. You play," Su Yu smiled. Her perfume drifted close—elegant, unplaceable… expensive. And she stood… a little too near.

"Xiaoxiao, bottle’s on you!" a girl giggled, breaking the tension.

"Fine. I’ll ask *you* next time. See how you dodge," Luo Xiaoxiao winked, sat back, and downed her glass in one smooth motion. Rule: drink before choosing.

"Truth. Ask away."

Lu Siyuan—flushed from drinks, chattier than stoic Chu Feng—cleared his throat. "Xiaoxiao… got a boyfriend?"

Teasing murmurs rippled. Not too bold. Luo Xiaoxiao answered calmly: "Gu Chuan knows. I’ve… never dated." She tilted her head, gaze brushing Su Yu’s. When he met her eyes, she didn’t look away—just blinked, unflinching.

"I vouch," Gu Chuan laughed. "In high school, she never even held a boy’s hand."

Gu Chuan flicked the bottle. It spun, slowed. Su Yu’s stomach tightened—a faint unease.

"Your turn, Su Yu. Pick a dare. Truths are boring." Bottle pointed at Su Yu; the other end, Gu Chuan. "I won’t make it hard, promise."

"…Alright. Dare." Su Yu sighed. Didn’t want to kill the vibe.

"Go ask for her contact. Not tough, right?"

"Whose?"

"That girl in the corner. Hers."

"Hm?"

Su Yu followed the gesture. A lone table tucked in shadow. The girl sat sipping wine, detached from the buzz—as if the space belonged to her alone. Yet her presence burned bright.

Light barely touched the corner. He saw only silhouette.

She gathered her long hair into a high bun. Not just allure… a sharp chill. Su Yu gave a wry smile, stood, and walked over.

*Gu Chuan… really putting me on the spot.*

If it failed? Just apologize. He clung to that thought, quiet comfort in his steps.