The popular music pulsed with its unique rhythmic beat in the dimly lit venue, where shadows of people swayed and tangled in the dance floor, their bodies rubbing against each other as beads of sweat streamed down, mingling with the air to create an overwhelming stench.
But no one cared, because this was the graduation ball—an exclusive opportunity for the fourth-year students to unleash their energy and vitality for the last time. After the graduation ball, no one knew which direction they would head in, but one thing was certain: there would never be another chance like this for wild singing and dancing after graduation. In the real world, social norms would confine them, leaving no room for the carefree spirit of student life. So everyone poured their all into the dance, eager to create their own farewell memories.
Du Hengyu maintained his stance with a wine glass in hand and his other arm crossed over his chest, coldly observing the writhing figures on the dance floor.
Why had he agreed to that jerk Ziping's invitation to come suffer here?
Du Hengyu squinted and accurately spotted the culprit, Ziping, wriggling like a caterpillar on the dance floor.
"Stop bothering me, get lost!" A heated argument broke out not far from where he stood.
But it was none of his business; he just wanted to inform that jerk Ziping and then head home.
As Du Hengyu took a few steps, he suddenly felt a tight grip on his left arm.
"It's better to date me than him! You pervert!" A stranger, with a bright female voice, had latched onto his arm.
Du Hengyu frowned. The girls nowadays were too open; they would say anything.
"Stop making a scene!" a boy with a fierce expression, still bearing a hint of childishness, replied, clearly a fresh graduate about to enter society.
"Come with me!"
"No!" The girl tightened her grip on Du Hengyu. Suddenly, she leaned in and whispered, "Sir, save me." Tears welled up in her eyes, glistening and impossible to ignore.
"How?" Du Hengyu asked, momentarily stunned. When did he become so kind-hearted, getting involved in someone else's business? But once the words were out, he had to help.
"Just pretend to be my boyfriend," she said, tiptoeing closer to his ear.
Yet another old trick. How had it been years since he entered the workforce, and college students still relied on the same methods to solve their relationship issues?
Before he could give his permission, the girl boldly declared to the boy, "Stop bothering me! My boyfriend will settle this with you!" She tugged at Du Hengyu's shirt, signaling him to cooperate.
Du Hengyu glanced at the girl beside him and then at the boy.
"What do you have against my girlfriend?" he said in a cold, detached tone that revealed no emotions yet sent a chill down the spine.
"Who do you think you are to claim she's your girlfriend?" The boy raised his chin defiantly. "How can you prove it?!"
Prove it?! Damn! He was just looking for trouble, bringing this on himself.
Du Hengyu cast a low glance at the pretty girl next to him; she was merely somewhat attractive—what was so special about her that warranted that kid's relentless pursuit?
"How can you prove it?!" The boy seemed to sense their deceit and grew more arrogant.
"This is proof—" As he finished speaking, Du Hengyu raised the girl's chin and leaned down to kiss her without warning.
After all, given how she spoke, she likely wasn't some refined lady, so kissing her didn't feel like a sacrifice.
As Du Hengyu pulled back, the girl slumped against him. He wrapped an arm around her waist and took a sip from his glass, swishing the drink in his mouth before spitting it back into the cup, as if rinsing his mouth.
The boy stared wide-eyed at this scene before leaving, dejected.
"He's gone," Du Hengyu set the glass on a nearby table and patted the girl. "You can leave now."
The girl didn't respond.
"Hey?"
Du Hengyu curiously lifted the girl's face, realizing her complexion was unusually flushed, completely different from before.
Drunk?! Was it the taste of alcohol in his mouth that had her inebriated?!
Damn it! What trouble had he gotten himself into?
"Hmm…" The girl sighed contentedly, the softness of her body making her comfortable, her eyes barely opening. A figure suddenly came into view.
"You… are the one from the dance party…" She recognized the man in front of her. "Where is this…?"
"A hotel," Du Hengyu replied tersely. "You're drunk."
"Drunk?" She paused, her mind clouded. "I didn't drink, how could I be—" Mid-sentence, she squinted as if recalling something and chuckled to herself, "Oh, I remember! You kissed me, right? You had alcohol on your lips, so I—heh—"
She clearly wasn't sober yet. Du Hengyu frowned as he watched the strange girl giggle absentmindedly.
"Ha—" The girl suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck, "Your kiss… feels nice… like fire…"
Unruly—this was Du Hengyu's only assessment of her.
He instinctively grabbed her hands, intending to pull her away, but to his surprise, she tightened her embrace.
"Don't! Don't leave me too!" The girl cried out frantically, tears streaming down her face. "I don't want to be alone, please…"
"What are you doing—" Before he could finish, the girl pressed his head down, her lips meeting his.
"I like your taste," she said, breaking the kiss and looking at him like a child wanting candy. "Your taste is so good…" She leaned in to kiss him again.
"Do you know what you're doing?" Du Hengyu pushed her away, his voice hoarse with anger and desire. Damn! This kind of girl could stir his desire?!
"Stay with me…" The girl's voice was pitiful. "Even if just for one night, please…"
"You—" What was happening in society today? Were sexual attitudes really this open?
"Please… I don't want to be alone… at least not right now…" As she begged, she pressed her lips against his again.
"You'll regret this." He suppressed his desires to remind her, but her answer was to continue kissing him.
Du Hengyu was just a normal man; for him, sex was merely a release, requiring no guilt. But this girl—reckless and shameless, was she really worth his effort?
But her tears—even if they were fake—managed to touch his heart; fine, he was too lazy to engage in a tug-of-war with his desires at this moment.
Instinctively, he pushed her hands away and skillfully embraced her, one hand starting to unbutton her blouse.
"Too late for regrets," he said, flipping from passive to active.
"I won't regret it…" The girl responded eagerly; but her reply made him instinctively question, and before he could figure out the answer, it was too late!?