Huai Xu sat cross-legged on the floor next to Zhou Li, hugging his shins and looking very excited.
Brother Nan was still boisterously singing about storming through Kyushu. When her peripheral vision caught Wu Yuanliang, she showed a helpless expression. She put the microphone on the coffee table, and for a moment, only the spirited instrumental and faint, uncleared human voices remained in the private room.
"So, you came after all."
"Well..." Even after having a few drinks, Wu Yuanliang was still nervous in front of his former leader.
"You're already here, so stop beating around the bush. Just say it, say it!"
Brother Nan's words made Wu Yuanliang steel his resolve. He had probably already realized that the chances of a successful confession were very low, but some things still had to be done.
He stepped forward and, under the watchful eyes of dozens of people both inside and out, plus a Demon, he handed a box to Brother Nan—
"What did you call me?"
"I, I like you, like you very..."
"Okay, okay, I get it already." Brother Nan looked pained and frustrated. He can't even speak properly, and he's confessing! So handsome, yet he has absolutely no confidence!
"I'm a bit nervous." Wu Yuanliang's expression drooped.
"Alright, I'll take it as if you've already said it. Go back and continue with your song. If you really drank too much, skip the all-nighter tonight." Brother Nan paused for a moment, then added, "You're so talented in singing and dancing; you won't lack suitors. You're bound to get into a good university, so don't spend all your thoughts on girls."
"Go back, and take this with you!" Brother Nan frowned at the flowers in the box. What is this stuff?
"It's made of sugar. You can eat it; it's very tasty."
Wu Yuanliang turned and walked a few steps, then, remembering the internet cafe, he turned back and added, "See you at the cafe."
Brother Nan waved him off. "Alright, alright, just don't drag me down."
Saying this, she hesitated, then craned her neck to scan the crowd of onlookers outside the door and shouted, "Any more confessions? Hurry up! Once the games start at the cafe, no more shenanigans allowed!"
The crowd outside erupted, with people shouting one after another—
"Brother Nan, I like you too!"
"Brother Nan, I've liked you for three years!"
"Brother Nan, I've liked you for thirty years!"
"Brother Nan, I want to marry you!"
There were even girls' voices mixed in.
Huai Xu turned to exchange a glance with Zhou Li, his face full of disappointment. This wasn't the scene he had imagined.
Zhou Li also pursed his lips. The confession had also ended quicker than he had imagined.
The door to the private room closed again. The "Hero Song" had finished playing. Brother Nan picked up the microphone, glanced at the lyrics on the screen, and effortlessly continued singing—
"Little sister~~you sit at the bow~~"
After finishing her song, Brother Nan generously left "Barging Through the Docks" for the others and sat down next to Zhou Li.
"Why aren't you singing at all?"
"I don't want to sing," Zhou Li shook his head.
"What?" Brother Nan was puzzled.
"I don't want to sing," Zhou Li raised his voice a bit.
Brother Nan leaned her ear towards Zhou Li. Only after Zhou Li repeated himself again did she hear clearly. Then she said, "You're just too shy to hold the mic, right? But you can sing to yourself. It's so loud in the room, no one will hear you if you sing along. Look at those guys; they're also too shy to use the mic and are just singing by themselves."
Zhou Li glanced at the people Brother Nan was pointing at, then looked down beside him. Huai Xu was sitting on the floor, staring at him unblinkingly, and then suddenly winked.
"I was singing, humming a few lines here and there."
"Okay, okay." Brother Nan nodded continuously. Suddenly, she realized something was amiss. "Hey, why can you hear me when I speak, but I can't hear you when you speak? Are your ears better or something?"
"Never mind, never mind..."
"Yeah, you go on and sing."
"My throat is killing me." As she spoke, Brother Nan got up again and stuffed a few pieces of watermelon into her mouth.
Zhou Li did indeed notice her voice was a bit hoarse.
After finishing the watermelon, Brother Nan moved on, going over to chat for a bit with another, rather shy classmate.
As the time gradually approached eleven, Brother Nan selected a few patriotic songs to cultivate some patriotic sentiment. Then, she announced it was almost time, so everyone chose some fitting songs for the occasion—
It seemed they were determined to make everyone cry.
Zhou Li also hummed a few lines, but when Huai Xu cast a curious look his way, he felt too embarrassed to continue singing.
When the time was up, the music stopped.
Brother Nan picked up the microphone and tapped it. "Hey, hey, everyone pack up. Those going home, head home. Those going for the all-nighter at the internet cafe, let's get ready. Those heading home, be careful on your way."
Hearing this, Huai Xu immediately turned his head and stared at Zhou Li, his eyes shining brightly. "Are you going for the all-nighter? The kind at an internet cafe, right?"
Zhou Li shook his head.
Huai Xu paused, then cautiously suggested, "How about you go home and get some good sleep, and I'll go for the all-nighter for you? I can even help you improve your friendships with your classmates."
Zhou Li stared at him.
Huai Xu pursed his lips, a pitiful look gradually appearing on his face. This made Zhou Li very uncomfortable because Huai Xu was currently wearing his face.
"I used to go to internet cafes a lot to watch people play, but I've never played myself..."
"So, what do you say...? Please?"
Huai Xu looked at Zhou Li with puppy-dog eyes.
Zhou Li thought for a long time, then took out his phone and waved it in front of Huai Xu. Huai Xu understood instantly and immediately got up and came to his side.
"You'll get caught," Zhou Li typed.
"No, I won't. I look just like you, and I can mimic your voice. Don't believe me? Listen. COUGH, COUGH, COUGH..." After clearing his throat, Huai Xu's expression also calmed. "Hmm, oh, so that's how it is. I see. Hi, Brother Nan... How was that? Did it sound like me?"
"...It actually does sound quite similar."
"Right? So you agree?"
"Can you use a computer?"
"Then I'll talk to Brother Nan in a bit."
Huai Xu was visibly overjoyed.
Zhou Li continued typing, "Be careful, but don't be too nervous. Apart from Li Nan, no one else knows me well. If you're about to be found out, don't panic; just come straight back."
Huai Xu nodded like a chicken pecking rice.
Zhou Li glanced in Brother Nan's direction and saw Jiang Han sobbing uncontrollably in her arms. He didn't intrude. When Brother Nan got up, still comforting Jiang Han, Zhou Li remained steady and didn't move.
Sure enough, as Brother Nan passed by him, she asked, "So, are you going for the all-nighter?"
Zhou Li nodded. "Going!"
Seeing Brother Nan's surprised expression, Zhou Li put on a hesitant look and said, "It's just that I've never been to an internet cafe, and I rarely use computers..."
"Don't worry, I'll guide you!"
"Thank you, Brother Nan."
"What's there to thank me for!"
"Okay, then I'll wait outside for you guys."
Zhou Li was the first to walk out of Hi-Ledi KTV, heading straight to a quiet alley nearby. Once Huai Xu confirmed the surroundings were safe, Zhou Li handed over his ID card, wallet, and other items to him, and then went home.
Huai Xu walked back to the KTV entrance, his gait strikingly similar to Zhou Li's.
A boy saw him and asked curiously, "Zhou Li, aren't you going home?"
Huai Xu shook his head. "I'm going with you guys for the all-nighter."
The boy was very surprised but also very welcoming.
This boy's name was Zhang Hao, Huai Xu remembered.
He always had a good memory for such things. After more than a month of interaction, he probably knew more classmates by name than Zhou Li himself.
Not long after, Brother Nan and Jiang Han came out.
Following Brother Nan into the internet cafe, Huai Xu waited for a while. At twelve o'clock, he handed over the ID card to register for the all-night session, maintaining his composure throughout. It wasn't until he sat down at a computer that his eyes quietly began to sparkle.
Huai Xu searched the top of the computer desk for the glowing button he remembered from before but couldn't find it. Thankfully, he was sitting next to Brother Nan, who casually reached over and pressed a button on the lower right corner of the monitor for him, saying, "The power button in this internet cafe is on the monitor."
Huai Xu nodded. "I see."