Chapter 86

Next, it was Anxin's turn. She couldn't sing well and didn't know how to dance, but the audience still gave her a warm atmosphere. Then Nianqing took the mic, and Shao Fangjie and the others clapped briskly, their expressions serious.

Goodness, Nianqing's high notes were indeed impressive. The audience stopped being rowdy, and this performance truly deserved careful appreciation. The girls from the music college were indeed multi-talented, but the theme of the night wasn't a singing competition; the focus was still on having fun.

While they were singing in chorus, Qi Qingnuo's phone on the table lit up. She went out for a minute and then returned to Yang Jingxing, saying, "I'm going to pick up He Peiyuan; she has a lot of stuff... about half an hour."

Yang Jingxing asked, "Shall I go with you?"

Qi Qingnuo hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

The two went downstairs and were lucky enough to catch a taxi right away. Qi Qingnuo checked the time: "We can still play for another hour when we get back. If it's not enough, we can extend it."

Yang Jingxing smiled, "If you want to dance, it's worth extending."

Qi Qingnuo swayed a bit, "I'll get He Peiyuan to give you a great performance later."

Yang Jingxing said, "She must be tired."

Qi Qingnuo said, "Her nickname is 'Fierce Three Strings'; she won't be tired even if she performs in three venues in a day."

Next, Yang Jingxing learned that He Peiyuan had a father who was chronically ill, so her family situation wasn't good.

It wasn't far, and they arrived at the entrance of the mall where He Peiyuan was working after about ten minutes. He Peiyuan had three boxes; the large one probably contained speakers, and the two smaller ones were an electric three-stringed instrument and an electric pipa, plus a hulusi.

He Peiyuan was still wearing a Santa hat and hadn't taken off her makeup. Seeing Yang Jingxing, she welcomed him, "It's good that you're here."

Yang Jingxing picked up the large box, which probably weighed about 30 to 40 pounds. He Peiyuan stuffed some candies into his pocket, saying, "Leftover small gifts."

The three of them went out, and He Peiyuan turned to Yang Jingxing, saying, "Don't carry it; you can drag it."

Yang Jingxing looked ahead with surprise and called out loudly, "What a coincidence!"

Tao Meng was standing by the entrance, next to a man about her height, probably around twenty years old. Tao Meng was wearing different clothes than when she met Yang Jingxing in the morning; her pants and shoes were relatively formal. The man next to her had a neat hairstyle and tidy attire, which offset his somewhat uneven face, and he wore black-rimmed glasses.

Tao Meng looked at Yang Jingxing, then at Qi Qingnuo and He Peiyuan, and didn't move. Qi Qingnuo nodded and smiled at Tao Meng and then went out, standing on the steps about three to four meters from the entrance. He Peiyuan quickly followed, without even greeting Tao Meng.

Yang Jingxing walked up to Tao Meng with one hand holding the box and nodded at the man, "Hello."

The man looked at Tao Meng, who finally shifted her gaze to Yang Jingxing's face, "Aren't you going to sing?"

Her voice was flat, neither like an ordinary friend who had just met nor like an old acquaintance.

Yang Jingxing said, "They're still singing over there. He Peiyuan just finished her shift, and we came to pick her up. We're leaving now, bye."

The man finally nodded at Yang Jingxing and glanced back at Qi Qingnuo and He Peiyuan. They were looking at the traffic lights or the tall Christmas tree in the square.

Yang Jingxing went down the stairs and called to Qi Qingnuo, "Let's go."

Qi Qingnuo skipped down two steps at a time and jumped. He Peiyuan looked back at Tao Meng and quickly followed.

When they reached the roadside, Yang Jingxing raised his hand to hail a taxi, put the large box in the trunk, and then sat in the front passenger seat. Qi Qingnuo and He Peiyuan got into the back seat. He Peiyuan hesitated when closing the door and whispered mysteriously, "She's here."

Tao Meng walked over quickly and stood about two to three meters away, calling out, "Get out?"

Yang Jingxing asked, "What for?"

Tao Meng repeated, "Get out!"

Yang Jingxing said, "We'll talk later; both sides are waiting."

Tao Meng ordered, "Let them go first."

Yang Jingxing smiled, "Go back, it's cold outside." Then he called the driver, "Drive."

"Get out..." Tao Meng insisted.

He Peiyuan couldn't help but turn her head to see if Tao Meng's abnormal voice was shouting or crying.

But the car had already started, and Yang Jingxing waved to Tao Meng.

After the car had driven a few dozen meters, Yang Jingxing turned to He Peiyuan, "Thanks for the hard work." He also took out the candies He Peiyuan had given him and started eating them.

He Peiyuan smiled, "It's okay..." She was checking the rearview mirrors.

Qi Qingnuo looked out the window, ignoring Yang Jingxing.

Yang Jingxing called, "Hey... hey."

Qi Qingnuo turned his gaze, took the candy Yang Jingxing offered, peeled it, and put it in his mouth.

Yang Jingxing asked He Peiyuan, "They say you dance the best?"

He Peiyuan shook her head, "I learned folk dance for a few months, not as sexy as Guo Ling... but it's good."

When they arrived at the KTV, they left their things at the front desk and returned to the private room. As soon as they entered, Wang Rui hugged He Peiyuan and asked, "Why did you change clothes? Where's the sexy Santa suit?"

Yang Jingxing was curious, "You had one?"

Wang Rui gestured, "Shoulderless, thigh-high."

Yang Jingxing teased, "She wore it all afternoon; you can wear it."

Wang Rui tugged at her own sweater, "Come on."

Qi Qingnuo took two bottles of alcohol and said to He Peiyuan, "We've all had a drink with him; it's your turn."

Yang Jingxing maintained his style, "I'll drink, you can do as you please."

Seeing Yang Jingxing drink with his head back, He Peiyuan tried to stop him, "Don't."

Qi Qingnuo said, "We all drank, drink quickly."

Hey, He Peiyuan was also bold and finished a small bottle of beer in half a minute.

Shao Fangjie came over to Yang Jingxing, boasting, "Yuxinting just danced, she was amazing!"

Yuxinting denied, "No!" She took Yang Jingxing's coat, folded it, and put his phone in her small bag.

Nianqing pushed some fruit and nuts toward He Peiyuan, "Have a snack, let's start."

He Peiyuan took a slice of watermelon and bit it slowly while leaning on the sofa. Qi Qingnuo patted Yang Jingxing's thigh, "Come on, let's sing one!"

Qi Qingnuo selected a song, but it wasn't a duet. It was a high-pitched song that most people knew but not everyone could sing. They sang while making exaggerated eye contact. When it came to the high notes, Qi Qingnuo gave up, and Yang Jingxing just shouted, making Yuxinting cover her ears.

After singing a section, Yuxinting brought Yang Jingxing's phone to him. Tao Meng was calling. Yang Jingxing glanced at it and handed the mic to Yuxinting to continue, then went out to answer.

"Hello... hello... can you hear me?" Yang Jingxing's excitement hadn't subsided, and his voice was loud.

"I can hear you," Tao Meng's tone was completely different.

"I thought the signal was bad," Yang Jingxing's voice lowered, "It's ten o'clock, aren't you going home?"

Tao Meng was silent for a moment, "I'm about to go, waiting for my dad; they're still talking."

Yang Jingxing said, "We might be a bit late. Good night and Merry Christmas in advance."

Tao Meng was silent for a while and then asked, "Can you come out?"

Yang Jingxing said, "It's too late, go home early."

"Then I'll come to you!" Tao Meng suddenly made up her mind.

Yang Jingxing still said, "No, it's too late."

Before Yang Jingxing could finish, Tao Meng asked urgently, "Why didn't you ask who that person was?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I don't know everyone you know..."

"Why did you leave so quickly!" Tao Meng's reactions were getting faster, "Why did you leave when I asked you to get out?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Others were waiting, and it wasn't important..."

"Then what do you think is important?" Tao Meng shouted, "Did you see your own expression at that time!"

Yang Jingxing asked, "What expression?"

"You were mocking me! Mocking me without even asking! How could you let others see me like that..." Tao Meng's voice broke.

Yang Jingxing said, "You misunderstood. I didn't mock anyone, especially not you. That's unfair..."

Tao Meng suddenly asked, "Do you even care?"

Yang Jingxing said, "This has nothing to do with whether I care or not. Don't be angry. Next time, if you ask me to get out, I will."

Tao Meng asked, "Do you think there will be a next time? I'm asking you, will you come out?"

Yang Jingxing said, "It's too late. Let's leave it at that. Go home early and rest well..."

Tao Meng hung up before Yang Jingxing.

Yang Jingxing returned to the room, and Wang Rui pulled him to sing a duet. Wang Rui was quite good at acting, looking at Yang Jingxing affectionately during the emotional parts, making him feel embarrassed.

After singing, Wang Rui held the mic and incited the others, "We have so many beautiful girls here with you. Shouldn't you show some appreciation?"

Shao Fangjie and the others clapped and cheered in support. Yang Jingxing asked nervously, "How?"

Wang Rui wasn't shy, "Of course, make us feel good!"

Yang Jingxing laughed, "A bottle of Yishuwai for each of you?" Yuxinting and Anxin loved that drink.

Nianqing called, "Come on, let's play dice, dare or truth."

Qi Qingnuo laughed, "Isn't that too old-fashioned?"

Nianqing doubted, "This can't excite you?"

Wang Rui supported, "Come on, let's play this!"

Nianqing explained the rules: ten people would sit in a row, numbered from two to eleven. Two dice would be rolled, and the number that came up would be the commander. Then they would roll again, and the number that came up would be the executor.

Yang Jingxing said, "This isn't fair; the probabilities are different."

After a discussion using probability knowledge, they found it was indeed unfair. Nianqing quickly came up with a new plan: divide into two groups of five, taking turns.

Everyone discussed whether it was fair. Nianqing called out, "But you can command anyone to do anything, so it's fair, right?"

Alright, fair! They divided into groups. Yang Jingxing was naturally with Yuxinting, Anxin, Wang Rui, and Qi Qingnuo. The two teams faced each other, all with sinister smiles. Yuxinting was already scared and hid behind Anxin.

Men first, Yang Jingxing shook the dice, and a three came up. Chai Litian clapped and laughed, scanning the "lambs" and started to shake the dice to decide others' fates.

Shao Fangjie and Guo Ling shouted, "One, one, one!" One was Yang Jingxing.

When the dice were revealed, everyone was disappointed. Six, a bust. Wang Rui, without considering the feelings of her teammates, shouted, "No, six is one, still him!"

Everyone agreed. Yang Jingxing called, "Still unfair, why should I have twice the chance?"

Qi Qingnuo comforted, "Well, you also have twice the chance to be the king."

Chai Litian laughed, looking at Yang Jingxing, "Choose."

Yang Jingxing was at a loss, "I'll choose truth."

Chai Litian was stumped, thinking hard. Everyone called for something harsh, and Yuxinting giggled. Chai Litian finally decided, "When was your first love?"

Nianqing protested, "That's too boring, can we have something fresher?" But the others didn't support her, all looking at Yang Jingxing.

Yang Jingxing laughed, "I think it was in junior high, but the other person might disagree."

The girls laughed, and Wang Rui scolded, "I knew it, you must not have been a good student!"

No feeling, everyone urged Chai Litian to shake the dice quickly. Wang Rui, full of mischief, shouted, "Five, five!"

Unfortunately, it was a three, and Anxin became the king. Yuxinting was happy for Anxin and helped her move the dice cup. Anxin calmly shook and revealed a two, Nianqing.

Nianqing was excited, "Dare, come on!"

Yuxinting, who had been bullied by Nianqing before, urged Anxin, "Don't go easy on her just because she's a delicate flower."

Everyone laughed, and Guo Ling added, "Oh my, such a heinous and immoral act, so exciting..."

Yuxinting blushed but saw Yang Jingxing laughing and didn't help her. Anxin thought for a moment and said, "Let's do the Sister Pomegranate act, both the spirit and the form."

Nianqing wasn't afraid, "Which part? I forgot."

Yuxinting helped her remember, "The part where she beats Zhou Xingchi into a panda, lying on the ground... she starts by saying, 'I am the stunning and captivating Sister Pomegranate...'"

Yuxinting even demonstrated the expressions and movements, and Nianqing laughed, "Show us once."

Yuxinting backed away, "No!"

After a chorus of recollections, Yang Jingxing was dragged in to play Zhou Xingchi. The two stood in the middle of the private room, and the others focused to watch.

Nianqing punched Yang Jingxing's eyes, "I hit!!!" and added a Bruce Lee move.

Yang Jingxing covered his eyes, "Who hit me?"

Nianqing posed dramatically, "I am the stunning and captivating Sister Pomegranate." She twirled to show off her figure, speaking in a long, coquettish tone.

Yang Jingxing asked, "Why did you hit me?"

...

Yuxinting and the others were already laughing uncontrollably. In the end, Nianqing really lay on the coffee table, "Come on, I'm a bit nervous, hurry up!"

Everyone was laughing so hard, and Wang Rui pounced on Nianqing, rubbing her, and Nianqing called for more force.

The scene ended, and everyone still had smiles on their faces, continuing to the next round. Anxin shook the dice again, and Nianqing got her wish; she became the king.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Nianqing placed the dice with the one on top, covered the cup, and gently rubbed it on the table.

Yang Jingxing stood up, "I'm leaving."

Qi Qingnuo grabbed him, "Sit down!"

Wang Rui said, "If you have complaints, you can voice them, and we'll be fair."

Nianqing revealed the dice, "I'm very fair... one, you! No truth!"

Yang Jingxing was shocked, "Is this fair?"

Nianqing said, "Vote by raising hands."

Under the pressure of the crowd, Yuxinting weakly raised her hand halfway, and it was a unanimous vote!

Yang Jingxing was indignant, "I was planning to treat you next time, forget it."

Nianqing wasn't afraid, "We'll roll another one, and you'll treat us."

Yuxinting was worried for Yang Jingxing, "Then you can keep making him treat you!"

Nianqing silenced the crowd, "Stop, it's affecting my inspiration." Her eyes darted around, and she said, "Choose a girl, hug her for thirty seconds, a passionate hug, and with dialogue!"

Yang Jingxing was overjoyed and grateful, "I was wrong about you, thank you!" He stood up and stepped to Nianqing, putting his hand on her shoulder.

Nianqing quickly added, "Not me!"

Shao Fangjie laughed, "It's you, we're very fair."

Qi Qingnuo also gloated, "What goes around comes around."

Nianqing, of course, couldn't break her own rule, stood up, and let Yang Jingxing hug her shoulders. Nianqing wasn't short, her head almost touching Yang Jingxing's chin, so she tilted her head and leaned on his left shoulder.

"Dialogue, dialogue," Shao Fangjie wouldn't let it go.

Nianqing wasn't shy, "So tall and majestic."

Yang Jingxing asked, "Who are you looking at?"

Nianqing chuckled, "So many people are looking at us."

Yang Jingxing said, "They're looking at the stunning and captivating Sister Pomegranate."

Everyone laughed.

While they were counting down, Yang Jingxing's phone rang again. It was Tao Meng.

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