The girl sat there, her face swallowed by shadow. Under the dim, yellowish light, even her lip gloss looked darkened. She took a small sip of the murky drink—its surface gleaming with a faint, alluring sheen.
Su Yu swallowed hard and stepped slowly toward her. She remained still, her narrow eyes hidden beneath strands of hair, as if oblivious to her surroundings… and to his approach.
“Um… Would it be okay to get your contact? I noticed you earlier,” Su Yu said, gritting his teeth and forcing the words out.
Silence. She seemed not to have heard, lowering her head to finish the last drop in her glass.
At this distance, she *had* heard. But Su Yu didn’t press. “Well… sorry to bother you.”
“Lost a game?”
“Huh?”
Su Yu watched as she lifted her head. Light revealed her face—and he froze. Struck by her beauty, yet oddly familiar, as if she’d always looked this way: aloof, distant. Like deep-sea coral breaching the abyss—profound, coldly enchanting.
“Yeah. Lost at Truth or Dare. Sorry to bother you… classmate.”
Su Yu wasn’t sure “classmate” fit. She looked young, student-like, yet fundamentally different. No trace of girlish vibrancy remained—only mature allure.
“You scan mine?”
She flicked the QR code in her palm. In that fleeting glance, the subtle shimmer of her eyeshadow was the only makeup visible.
“Oh—thanks.” Su Yu quickly raised his phone and scanned it.
“Don’t message unless it’s important. Or I’ll delete you.”
She stood abruptly. Only then did Su Yu realize how tall she was—nearly to his nose. She brushed past without a glance, leaving behind the faint, intoxicating scent of alcohol.
Su Yu stared as she vanished into the bar’s dim exit. Her silhouette remained captivating. Black stockings clung tightly to slender, straight legs, drawing hungry gazes from the shadows.
She seemed meant for this place—yet no one wished to see her here. She disappeared into the night, thick with decadence and desire.
…
“You got her contact? That was easy,” Chu Feng murmured, blinking dazedly at Su Yu’s return.
“Dunno… maybe she was just drunk?” Su Yu shrugged. His request still hung unanswered—but at least she hadn’t humiliated him.
“Still impressive! That woman was ice-cold,” Gu Chuan whispered, flashing a thumbs-up.
Su Yu slid beside Luo Xiaoxiao. Empty bottles crowded her table. Drunken flush bloomed beneath heavy makeup, making her look strangely alluring.
“So impressive~ Su the Pure-Hearted? I thought… you couldn’t even talk to girls,” Luo Xiaoxiao slurred, shooting him a bleary glance.
She hadn’t joined the teasing earlier—just drank silently, cheeks puffed with quiet irritation. Watching her, Su Yu felt this mature act didn’t suit her. Like a little girl sneaking into her mom’s closet for heels—trying too hard, ending up awkward.
“You’ve had too much…”
“Why shouldn’t I drink when I lose? I lost so many rounds. They asked…” She slammed her glass down. “Who my crush is! What color underwear I’m wearing! And more—”
Su Yu glanced at Gu Chuan. He just shrugged helplessly.
“You’re drunk. Stop.”
“Why should I listen to *you*?” Her eyes burned with stubborn defiance—then softened into mumbled whispers. “None of you… can control me.”
The mood shifted. Someone swapped Luo Xiaoxiao’s drink for iced tea. Too hazy to notice, she sipped quietly in the corner.
Chu Feng passed out next, sleeping soundly. Lu Siyuan chatted easily with other girls, exchanging contacts.
They waited till Chu Feng woke, then hailed taxis. Only Luo Xiaoxiao and one other girl were from Qingchuan University—they parted at the bar entrance.
“That car with Xiaoxiao needs a guy. Safety first. We fill in?”
“Whatever.”
Gu Chuan snagged the front seat. Su Yu squeezed into the back, wedged beside Luo Xiaoxiao.
She leaned against the other girl’s shoulder, murmuring sleepily.
In the dark car, phone light flickered across Su Yu’s face. No reply from *her*. His message had sunk without a trace.
Only one red dot glowed: He Muqing.
*How’s campus? Dorm life? Met any pretty girls?*
Su Yu smiled faintly, typed a quick reply, told her to rest.
“Did… that woman accept you?”
A head popped close. Luo Xiaoxiao peered at his screen, smudged eyeshadow making her look comically earnest. “This profile… you’re chatting with *her*?”
“No. Probably forgot. Or rejected me.”
“Hehe… Silly. *You* trying to flirt? Pfft.”
Her perfume and alcohol swirled around him. Her voice, broken and slurred, held the clumsy charm of a child learning words.
Su Yu stayed silent, watching neon ribbons streak past the window. Surreal. This was his first night in Qingchuan.
“Bye…”
“Bye.”
Outside, Luo Xiaoxiao was clearer-headed, leaning on her friend. They parted at the gate—boys’ and girls’ dorms far apart.
“How’s Luo Xiaoxiao?” Gu Chuan asked casually.
“Fine…”
“That’s all?”
Su Yu just shrugged. To others, she might spark interest. Not to him.
“Hey, Su Yu.”
“Luo Xiaoxiao? Why are you—”
A tap on his shoulder. He turned. Her flush was gone. For a heartbeat, *he* felt drunk.
“That woman wouldn’t add you? Add me.” She thrust her phone forward. “I’m Luo Xiaoxiao.”
The QR code glowed softly in the dark—like a dream.
