"Alright, there's a KTV downstairs with decent ratings. I'll order a package," Shao I-qi waved his hand grandly, "We'll sing until the skies darken!"
Gu Jiwen laughed heartily, "It's time to show off my singing!"
"Your singing is terrible, just give it up!"
"This time, I've prepared a German song, guaranteed to drop your jaws!"
Chang Zhiqing glanced at Yang Ruoqian and whispered, "I don't think I've ever heard you sing. How do you sound?"
Yang Ruoqian twitched his lips, replying in an equally soft voice, "Guess why I never sing? Isn't it because I sound too good and fear I'll dazzle everyone? What about you?"
"Don't boast." Chang Zhiqing obviously caught Yang Ruoqian's sarcasm and snorted lightly, "As for me, I'm alright. Decent enough to listen to."
Neither was modest— they rarely sang, had never received formal training, and lacked innate talent. Naturally, their singing wouldn't be top-notch.
Indeed, the web novel scenario where the male lead stuns everyone at a reunion with his singing prowess, overshadowing the wealthy male side character, would never happen to Yang Ruoqian.
How would he get back at Shao I-qi, the main antagonist who caused him a loss of 50 million?
However, before Yang Ruoqian could think of a strategy, Shao I-qi's big mouth started chattering, "What are you two whispering about? Sharing some intimate secret we're not privy to?"
"Shut up! I told you it's not like that!" Yang Ruoqian was instantly irritated by Shao I-qi, especially when he kept spreading rumors.
The group had been close during their college days, and playful banter wasn't taken seriously.
Chang Zhiqing just smiled without saying much.
The group of more than twenty people noisily arrived at the KTV entrance and were led to a large private room by the staff.
"Wow, such a big room? Four pitchers of beer? So many fruit plates and snacks?"
"This package must be expensive, right?"
"Let's split the bill for the singing. It's a reunion; it's not right to make one person foot the entire bill."
"Agreed!"
Shao I-qi casually opened a chilled beer, "Enough with the mood-killers. Let's pick songs! Didn't Gu Jiwen say he has a German song? Let him go first!"
At that moment, the group settled down on the sofas. Naturally, Yang Ruoqian and Chang Zhiqing sat side by side.
Gu Jiwen, seated next to Yang Ruoqian, hummed and grabbed the microphone, "Give me the song selector. Listen closely!"
Yang Ruoqian picked a piece of watermelon from the fruit plate, curious about his old classmate's audacity to sing in German.
Gu Jiwen rose from his seat, took a deep breath, and the screen in the middle of the room lit up, displaying a large title.
"Schnappi"
A children's song rhythm started playing, and the room went silent.
Everyone had the same thought: "What?"
Gu Jiwen inhaled deeply and started singing in sync with the rhythm, "A certain 'pi', dressed so cool~"
"..."
"Cicada 'pi', 'pi' 'pi' 'pi'..."
"'pi' 'pi' 'pi'..."
After his passionate performance, Gu Jiwen put down the microphone, "So, how did I do?"
Yang Ruoqian grabbed the mic and shouted, "If we didn't know better, we'd think some drunk guy ate poison and went crazy! Get back here and stop embarrassing yourself!"
"You're talking nonsense..."
But the protest was in vain. With everyone's agreement, Gu Jiwen was made to step down.
The following songs were standard KTV classics like "Quit Smoking" and "Love Confession Balloon".
Some sang, some chatted, some toasted, and some played dice games.
Gu Jiwen sneered, slammed the dice cup on the table, and shouted, "Five fours!"
"Seven sixes!"
"Open!"
"Yang Ruoqian, you finally lost! Drink a penalty shot!"
Before Yang Ruoqian could respond, Chang Zhiqing nearby swiftly grabbed the glass, her lips moving gracefully, "He has to drive later, I'll drink for him." After saying that, she downed the drink in one go.
Perhaps because she drank too quickly, her ears visibly reddened. Yang Ruoqian paused for a moment.
Wait a minute, there are designated driver services nowadays. I can handle a bit of alcohol, there's no need to block the drink.
But it was clearly Chang Zhiqing's kind gesture. Yang Ruoqian opened his mouth but didn't voice his thoughts.
"Let's continue."
"Six ones!"
"..."
After more than ten rounds, Yang Ruoqian had both wins and losses and had been made to drink quite a bit. Yet, without exception, all were intercepted by Chang Zhiqing.
The girl's eyes gradually went from alert to blurry, but her gaze remained fixed on the table, never wavering.
Soon, Yang Ruoqian lost another round, and Chang Zhiqing, almost instinctively, reached for the drink.
Seeing this, Yang Ruoqian couldn't help but remind her, "Chang Zhiqing, I can have a little."
"Mmm... No. Drinking is bad for your health. You're not allowed."
After saying this, Chang Zhiqing tilted her head back and gulped down another glass. A few drops missed her mouth, trickling down her fair neck and into her clothes.
This must be a sign of her nearing drunkenness...
If this continues, Chang Zhiqing would surely get drunk.
Yang Ruoqian helped Chang Zhiqing to a spot against the wall, gently setting her down. He gave an apologetic smile to the others, "Can't play anymore. I'm afraid something might happen to her if she drinks more."
"It's fine, it's fine."
Shao I-qi put down the dice and whispered to Gu Jiwen, "Look at them, they're practically wrapped up in each other, and they say they're not together."
"What would you, a perennial singleton, know? This is called romantic tension..."
"The school beauty can't handle her liquor, can she?"
Yang Ruoqian bluntly approached and sat down, "You two could be a bit quieter when you're conspiring. How have you been lately?"
The three best friends, naturally, wouldn't be as formal as they were at the dinner table.
Gu Jiwen sighed, "Same old. Earning a salary, occasionally working overtime. Just the life of an employee. How about you two?"
Shao I-qi nonchalantly shrugged, "Still the same as before, living off rent, barely getting by."
"How's your business going?"
Before Yang Ruoqian could reply, someone else approached, patting Shao I-qi on the shoulder, "Rich second generation, it's your turn to sing. Go on!"
Shao I-qi grabbed the microphone, loosening up his shoulders, looking utterly confident, "Let's discuss after I sing."
Saying that, he took a step and jumped to the center of the room.
I know your singing level, don't I...
Yang Ruoqian candidly commented, "Just wait to embarrass yourself."
Being the host and main financial backer, everyone was respectful when Shao I-qi sang. Everyone set aside their activities, waiting for his performance.
Shao I-qi took out his phone, connected it to the song selector via Bluetooth, and said jovially, "The song I'm going to sing hasn't released its music video yet. I'll use my audio and video to play it. Please bear with it."
Yang Ruoqian, expecting a spectacle, crossed his legs, "Very confident. Let's see what surprise you can bring after not seeing you for so many years."