Chapter 62 Have they found the child's father? ...
“…Xiao Zhi, Xiao Zhi!”
The shouts from behind snapped Wen Zhi out of her daze.
In an instant, deafening music and noise filled his ears again. His hearing returned to normal, but the hallucinations before his eyes had not yet disappeared.
How could Song Juelan possibly be here?
Is... really not something wrong with his eyes?
"Senior Wen, you've finally arrived!" After a moment of silence as people appeared at the door, someone immediately came over warmly, their face beaming with smiles. "We've been waiting for you for so long! Come in and have a seat!"
This person was a sophomore who frequented these kinds of activities. He had hung out with Wen Zhi and her friends a few times before, and he greeted them very familiarly.
The others also reacted, and they all stood up. Some came over to say hello, and some gave up their seats, their eyes fixed on Wen Zhi with amazement.
Wen Zhi's mind was still blank; she hadn't recovered from the shock just now. She was half-pushed and half-pulled by the crowd into the dimly lit private room.
As he got closer and closer to the tall figure in the middle of the sofa, his feet seemed glued to the floor, too heavy to lift, and his calves felt weak. He dared not take another step forward.
However, the others didn't notice his resistance at all, and enthusiastically surrounded him, leading him to the center of the sofa, the empty seat next to Song Juelan.
Everyone naturally assumed that these two prominent figures should sit in the best seats, making it easier for others who wanted to strike up a conversation to use their skills.
Sitting in the middle of the sofa, Song Juelan lowered his head slightly, his thick black eyelashes concealing the emotions in his eyes, as if automatically isolating him from the surrounding sounds. His profile was cold and hard, and he casually toyed with a glass in his hand.
Wen Zhi broke out in a cold sweat, dawdling and refusing to sit down, even contemplating turning around and running away. The others, thinking he was just being polite, pushed him even more enthusiastically towards the seat.
Someone must have used too much force, because he was pushed and stumbled, falling into the soft sofa and bumping into Song Juelan's strong arm beside him.
Almost reflexively, Wen Zhi sat up straight as quickly as possible, her heart pounding in her chest as if it were about to burst out of her chest cavity.
"Senior Wen, this is Song Juelan, a freshman in the Business School this year." Chang Wan, the sophomore acquaintance, introduced him with a smile. "He's been so popular on campus lately, you must have heard of him, right?"
Wen Zhi's mind went completely blank, as if there was a lump of half-melted cheese being stirred inside.
A freshman?
Is Song Juelan a student at their school?
"Brother Song, this is Senior Wen we just mentioned." The introduction of Wen Zhi was relatively simple, obviously the people in the private room had already discussed it before Wen Zhi arrived.
Only then did Song Juelan, who had been keeping his eyes down, finally notice him. He slowly raised his dark eyes and looked intently at Song Juelan's bewildered face.
A distorted buzzing sound filled the surroundings, Wen Zhi's hands and feet lost their warmth, and her breathing felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand.
Song Juelan heard the person call him Senior Wen.
So... Song Juelan already knows?
He never imagined that he would be caught off guard and have his true identity exposed in front of Song Juelan.
Moreover, judging from Song Juelan's indifferent demeanor, he seemed to be more than just angry.
After staring into those unfathomable black eyes for a moment, his lips moved, but he still didn't dare to call out Song Juelan's name, afraid that Song Juelan would pretend not to know him like before.
Song Juelan withdrew his gaze expressionlessly, his hands on his lap silently clenching into fists.
The other people in the private room didn't notice the subtle atmosphere between the two.
They each found a place to sit down, some poured drinks, some clinked glasses, and the atmosphere quickly became lively again.
Knowing that Wen Zhi didn't drink alcohol, Chang Wan took the initiative to pick up the juice pitcher, poured him a glass of juice, and presented it to him attentively.
Wen Zhi stiffly raised her hand and took the glass of juice: "...Thank you."
He lowered his head, took a few sips of the cool, sweet juice, and finally calmed down to accept the absurd reality before him.
The truth is, before he could tell Song Juelan the truth, Song Juelan ended up in the same school as him by some twist of fate, and they even bumped into each other at a party.
The word "unlucky" simply cannot describe his misfortune.
This seems... a hundred times worse than him finding an opportunity to confess on his own.
Wen Zhi was in a state of turmoil and lost all interest in having fun. As the most eye-catching person in the entire private room, she quietly lowered her eyes and drank her juice sip by sip.
The deep gray-blue shirt he wore was as serene as the night, making his skin appear even whiter and brighter, and his features as exquisite as a painting. The blue-gray light reflected in his pupils, making his handsome face both captivating and aloof, drawing the eye.
Wen Zhi put down his glass and reached towards the center of the table to take a strawberry from the fruit platter, but then he saw another hand with distinct knuckles reach out and touch his hand, taking the last strawberry before he could.
He was startled by the warmth of the skin he touched and instinctively turned to look at the person beside him.
Song Juelan didn't look at him. With her slender fingers, she pinched the bright red strawberry and slowly put it into her mouth, as if she had just unintentionally snatched the same strawberry from him.
This time, Wen Zhi couldn't even pretend to ignore Song Juelan beside her.
His tall and imposing figure had a very strong presence, and his imposing aura filled every inch of space. At this moment, the two were close together, and he could clearly feel the burning heat emanating from Song Juelan's body.
This was the first time they had met since they became more intimate.
After their intimate contact, their relationship should have progressed further, but in this awkward situation, the atmosphere between them was more like that of strangers.
Wen Zhi picked up the half-empty glass of juice and secretly glanced at the person next to her out of the corner of her eye.
He hadn't seen this person for over half a month, and it seemed like this person had even grown a little taller...?
Then he thought it must be his imagination. Even if Song Juelan was still at the age where he could grow taller, he shouldn't be growing this fast.
Perhaps it was because he hadn't seen Song Juelan for so long that he felt this person was even taller than he remembered, just like the shock Song Juelan had given him when they first met.
Whether it was true or false, this discovery intensified the invisible pressure he felt.
Wen Zhi was filled with regret at this moment, wishing she could go back an hour and stop herself from making the decision to go out.
"Senior Wen, wanna play some games together?" A boy sitting on another sofa leaned over and called out.
Although Wen Zhi had no interest in playing games, she wanted to get rid of her current restless state and immediately wanted to get up: "Okay."
Before he could fully stand up, several people who had been closely watching the commotion immediately crowded around with dice cups, quickly forming a circle around the table in front of him.
In this way, there was no need for him to move at all. He had just lifted his buttocks slightly, and could only reluctantly sit back down.
The dice rattled in the dice cup, making a crisp clinking sound.
A group of people decided to start with a simple game of dice. Their eyes were fixed on the dice cup, and when the hand shaking the dice cup was about to stop, they would excitedly widen their eyes and shout "Big Big Big!"
The dice cup was slowly lifted, revealing the dice inside. All three dice had small numbers facing up.
A chorus of cheers erupted from the crowd, and someone immediately picked up a bottle with a grin and poured wine for the loser, the glasses clinking together with a crisp sound.
After a few rounds, Wen Zhi, who had been absent-minded, was also infected by the enthusiastic atmosphere and gradually became involved in the game. A relaxed smile appeared on her face, and she temporarily forgot who she was with.
When it was his turn to roll the dice, he cupped the black dice cup with his slender fingers and shook it gently a few times. The bracelet on his wrist swayed along with it, and the sapphires set in it reflected a dazzling light.
The dazzling lights swept across his slender fingers and slightly protruding wrist bones, his skin gleaming with a cold, jade-like luster, his lines possessing a fragile beauty.
When that jade-like hand deftly slammed the dice cup onto the table, everyone around unconsciously held their breath, unsure whether they were tense about the outcome or something else entirely.
Wen Zhi lifted a corner of the dice cup, quickly glanced at the numbers inside, raised her eyelids, and looked down at the boy opposite her from under her thick eyelashes.
Just now, only the person opposite him shouted "small," while everyone else shouted "big."
With the idea of ripping off as many people as possible, his long eyelashes curved slightly, his eyes gleaming with a sly light: "Are you sure?"
A moment of silence fell, all eyes fixed on that beautiful face, which appeared somewhat eerie under the light. The person Wen Zhi had asked was completely stunned, having long forgotten what she had just shouted.
Wen Zhi's fingertips twitched slightly, as if she were about to lift the dice cup, her tone tinged with regret: "I wanted to help you out—"
As if bewitched, the man changed his words without thinking and said, "Big!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Wen Zhi flipped her wrist, completely overturning the dice cup. The sum of the three dice was only four.
Everyone was stunned for a few seconds before bursting into loud laughter and slamming their fists on the table.
Just now, no one bet on the small bet, allowing Wen Zhi to win all by herself.
The boy who changed his tune was also grabbed around the neck by the person next to him, shaken vigorously, and laughed and scolded for being spineless.
Wen Zhi couldn't help but laugh, relaxing her body and leaning back on the sofa, her mood brightening considerably.
Suddenly, a strong arm reached out from the side and wrapped around his waist, its hot palm pressed tightly against his side.
His body trembled slightly, his smile froze on his face, and his excited, feverish mind cooled down. Only then did he suddenly remember that Song Juelan was still sitting next to him.
The private room was dimly lit, and the two were very close, so no one noticed that the arm was tightly wrapped around his waist, and the long, broad hand was even more excessive, gently caressing the soft skin on his side through the fabric.
Song Juelan, however, remained calm and composed, tilting his head slightly as he chatted with someone from the same college next to him.
Wen Zhi stiffened slightly, like a small animal sensing danger, and leaned against the arm behind him, not daring to move, letting the hot hand roam freely and touch him all over.
In the following games, he was somewhat absent-minded and unable to concentrate, and he didn't win many rounds. His juice was soon gone.
A quick-thinking boy saw this and was about to fill the glass for him when a long, slender hand took the glass away, picked up the juice pitcher naturally, slowly filled it, and then put the glass back to Wen Zhi's side.
Wen Zhi blinked her long eyelashes, unsure where to look, and whispered, "Thank you."
Everyone was quite surprised to see this.
Surprisingly, Song Juelan, who seems so aloof, would actually offer to pour juice for others.
Some people, however, recalled the popular online pairings and exchanged excited glances with those around them.
The game on the table continued, and the dice cup was being shaken wildly in someone else's hand again.
Except for Wen Zhi, everyone else who lost had to drink alcohol, which was obviously unfair. So someone started a commotion, urging Wen Zhi, who was only drinking juice, to say one more truthful thing.
Wen Zhi was completely focused on the dangerous person beside her at the moment, and when she heard the words "truth or dare," she suddenly felt a headache coming on.
He was most afraid of telling the truth in front of Song Juelan.
A boy raised his hand first and asked a question that is most common at social events: "Senior Wen, is there anyone you like in this private room?"
As soon as she finished speaking, countless eyes turned to look at her. Even those who hadn't joined the game looked on, excitedly waiting for Wen Zhi's answer.
A piercing gaze, intensely focused, gently fell upon his profile.
Wen Zhi's smooth forehead was beaded with sweat. She didn't know how to answer, but finally gave a vague "hmm".
The surrounding area erupted in an uproar, with eyes gleaming with excitement or gossip. Some people were even so excited that they squeezed in front of him, their faces extremely close.
Wen Zhi was startled by the sudden close interrogation and instinctively hid in front of a familiar person. Only after leaning into that broad embrace did she realize that it was inappropriate and immediately sat up straight.
To prevent the group from pressing him further, he quickly waved to the crowd still jeering at the table: "You guys have fun, I want to take a break."
The person who had just squeezed in front of Wen Zhi was about to say something when he suddenly felt a cold gaze pierce him. He subconsciously turned his head and met Song Juelan's cold black eyes.
A sudden chill ran through him, and a cold shiver ran up his spine. He caught his tongue in his throat and didn't dare to ask any more questions. He slunk back to his seat.
The large private room was still bustling with noise, and every corner was filled with laughter.
Since entering the private room, Wen Zhi had separated from her three roommates. Now, she looked around and searched the crowded room, but she couldn't see those people.
He tried to get up to find them, but Song Juelan's arm was still wrapped around his waist like an iron band, full of threat. If he wanted to leave, he would have to push Song Juelan's hand away.
Wen Zhi gave up the idea in just one second.
"Brother Song, want to have a drink together?" Chang Wan had been wandering around the private room and had drunk quite a bit of alcohol. He then swayed back to this room and enthusiastically raised his glass to invite Song Juelan.
Amidst the clamor, a deep, magnetic voice, calm and clear, reached Wen Zhi and Chang Wan's ears: "I don't like drinking."
Wen Zhi's fingers, which were holding the glass, paused slightly.
A look of surprise crossed Chang Wan's face. He noticed that Song Juelan said "dislike" instead of "don't want" or "can't".
Could it be that this person has some unpleasant past trauma related to drinking?
Since entering the private room, Song Juelan has indeed not touched a drop of alcohol, and hasn't even glanced at the wine on the table.
Chang Wan didn't dare to continue urging him to drink. He said a few words with a laugh, then turned and left with his wine glass.
As time passed, many people got up from the sofa and left the private room hand in hand.
Wen Zhi's gaze followed the departing figures, feeling a little strange. It seemed like there were a lot of couples tonight, and one person after another was trying to strike up a conversation.
Didn't Lao Ke say that tonight was just a party for everyone to have fun?
About half of the people in the private room had left, making the space feel more spacious. The remaining people were either having a great time or too drunk to move, lying on the sofa like rag dolls.
Wen Zhi picked up the glass on the table and, under the guise of drinking juice, stole a glance at the unmoving man beside her.
He spent the whole night in fear, but Song Juelan did nothing. Apart from his taut arm tightly encircling him, it was as if he really didn't recognize him.
However, this calm before the storm made him even more uncertain.
He suddenly remembered the cold "Heh" that Song Juelan had sent him, and now he understood what had happened.
Song Juelan... seems genuinely angry.
Now that he already knows he is a student at S University, Song Juelan must have already found out everything about Xiao Tang.
He lied to Song Juelan for the entire summer vacation.
Song Juelan even said that he would treat Xiaotang as his own child from now on.
Wen Zhi's calves went weak uncontrollably, and her long eyelashes drooped in panic, concealing the anxiety in her eyes.
Run!
Only these two words remained in his almost blank mind.
Wen Zhi curled her slender white fingers, took a deep breath, raised her long eyelashes, and cautiously glanced at the person next to her with the corner of her eye. She said in a guilty voice, "Um... I'm going to the restroom."
Before Song Juelan could respond, he quickly pushed away the domineering hand around his waist, stood up abruptly, strode into the bathroom of the private room, and swiftly turned around to lock the door.
The noise in the private room was instantly shut out, and finally, there was peace and quiet.
He let out a long breath, walked to the sink, turned on the tap, scooped up some cold water and splashed it on his face, planning to slip away when Song Juelan wasn't looking.
We should at least wait until Song Juelan calms down before we can properly discuss this matter.
Wen Zhi pursed her lips uneasily, stayed in the bathroom for a few minutes, then took a deep breath, grasped the doorknob, and gently pressed it down.
With the private room so chaotic and dimly lit, no one would likely notice this side.
He steeled himself and pushed the door open a crack, before he could even see what was inside the private room—
A long leg forcefully stepped through the crack in the door, blocking his retreat to close it. Then, a large, well-defined hand gripped the edge of the door and, with a slight effort, pulled the door open even wider.
A tall, imposing figure quickly squeezed in, taking up the small space, and then slammed the door shut with a "click."
When Wen Zhi came to her senses, she was trapped between the wall and the other person's hot chest, her nose filled with the familiar yet unsettling scent emanating from him.
He frantically looked up and met those intensely imposing black eyes. The air around him seemed to be sucked out instantly, making his heart skip a beat.
Song Juelan's gaze was as dark as ink, firmly gripping his eyes, as if he were admiring the panic on his face.
Then, the gaze slowly moved down, sweeping across his cheeks as if it were a tangible object, and finally landing on his moist lips, which were still glistening with water after he had just washed his face.
Hot fingers gently pinched his chin, forcing him to raise his head slightly. The calloused fingertips, with a touch of intimacy and danger, lightly but firmly caressed his soft, moist lips, asking in a cold voice:
"Have you found the father of the child?"
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Author's Note: Thanks to Shunshiwei and Nichkhun for the grenades!
Thanks to DeadFish, OrangeScent, and SL for the landmines~
Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution!
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