OS - 7

The table was piled high with snacks and drinks. Zhou Yu’s card lay near the edge of the table, and when Cheng Wanyue stood up, she accidentally knocked it off. However, she didn’t notice.

Everyone else’s attention was focused on the specially-made concoction in front of Cheng Yanqing. Someone even shouted to add another spoonful of chili sauce.

“If we’re doing this, let’s go all out—add more!”

“Wow, you’re so cruel.”

“I just ate Oreos soaked in soy sauce earlier—I’m still feeling nauseous.”

“Are you chickening out? Fill it up!”

Zhou Yu had just bent down to pick up the card, but Cheng Yuzhou was faster. He picked it up and casually placed it in front of him.

She turned her head slightly, but he didn’t even glance at her.

Cheng Wanyue was thoroughly enjoying herself. “Who wants to flip a punishment card?”

“I’ll do it.” The boy closest to the two punishment cards randomly flipped one over. “Dare.”

“The usual rules apply—nothing too disgusting, and no repeats from earlier rounds.”

“So, whoever draws the card has to select someone from their left or right to join them in watching half an hour of Saw highlights in the dark. No lights allowed, no closing your eyes. If neither of you screams, you pass.”

“Aren’t you setting them up for failure? The unlucky person will definitely get revenge—they’ll scream within the first minute.”

“That’s why choosing who matters.”

“I think it’s fine—it’s way more interesting than princess carries or staring contests for thirty seconds.” Cheng Wanyue herself couldn’t handle horror movies, not even suspense films. “Alright, now everyone can look at their cards. Any bets on who it might be?”

Anyone could place a bet. Guessing correctly earned one free pass from punishment, while guessing wrong meant drinking half a cup of the concoction.

Qin Yun raised her hand. “I bet it’s Zhou Yu. She hasn’t said a word this round, and she’s sitting next to Wanyue—she probably saw the bottom card beforehand.”

Because of Qin Yun’s reasoning, everyone’s eyes turned to Zhou Yu.

Someone shook their head. “I don’t think so.”

Cheng Yanqing encouraged her to guess boldly. “It’s fine—if you’re wrong, I’ll drink it for you.”

“Alright, let’s check Ah Yu’s card first.” Cheng Wanyue sat down. “Ah Yu, show us. If it’s you, I’ll watch the horror movie with you.”

People around them laughed. “You? You’ll scream before you even enter the room.”

“Pfft, don’t underestimate the power of sisterhood.” Cheng Wanyue flipped over the card in front of Zhou Yu. It showed the three of hearts—her card was the six of spades. “Oops, wrong guess.”

Qin Yun stretched her neck to see—it really was incorrect.

“Cheng Yanqing, karma’s coming for you.”

Cheng Yanqing shrugged indifferently. “No fear here.”

Qin Yun was studying vocal music and needed to protect her voice. She rarely drank cold water, always keeping a thermos on her desk. She gave Cheng Yanqing an apologetic look as he attempted to drink the concoction with flair. But after bringing it to his nose, he nearly gagged. The boys teased him, asking if he couldn’t handle it. He downed it in two gulps and rushed to the bathroom, with Qin Yun following behind.

Cheng Wanyue, his younger sister, only cared about who had drawn the card.

Everyone except Yan Ci flipped their cards one by one. In the end, they discovered it was Cheng Yuzhou.

“Tsk tsk, brotherly love,” Cheng Wanyue suggested. “Pick Yan Ci—he won’t make a sound. Guaranteed win.”

But Yan Ci refused flatly, his tone cold. “I’m not participating.”

Some people defended Yan Ci, speaking on his behalf. “Watching two guys together would be boring. Pick Zhou Yu.”

“Exactly. Opposite genders make things easier. Wanyue, you have to be fair—you can’t favor your brother. Pick the most classic scene.”

Cheng Wanyue gave Cheng Yuzhou a helpless look, as if to say, “I can’t help you.”

Only Zhou Yu knew that Cheng Yuzhou had swapped cards with her.

That entire concoction should’ve been hers.

The other person was Yan Ci, who wasn’t participating. By helping Cheng Yuzhou out, she wouldn’t raise suspicions.

“Pick me.”

Cheng Yuzhou turned his head, their eyes meeting.

“Alright, then I’ll watch with you.”

There was a computer in his room. Everyone selected the clips together, and after the timer started, the lights were turned off and the door closed. Someone outside occasionally made strange noises on purpose.

Cheng Yuzhou sat calmly on the sofa. Although he had rinsed his mouth, the spicy taste lingered, and his throat felt uncomfortable.

A bottle of mineral water appeared in front of him. He accepted it, unscrewed the cap, and drank half of it.

Zhou Yu strictly followed the game rules, staring unblinkingly at the computer screen.

“Do you usually watch this kind of movie?”

“No.” She rarely watched movies at all.

“Scared?”

“I don’t know—I’ve never seen one. I’ll try my best not to scream.” She quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

Clearly, she wasn’t relaxed. As the scenes grew bloodier, her entire body tensed up.

Cheng Yuzhou got up and turned off the computer.

Only five minutes had passed, but Cheng Wanyue, listening at the door, doubted her ears. Cheng Yuzhou had already seen the series.

“Who screamed?”

“Probably your big brother.”

Cheng Yuzhou walked out first, calm as ever. “Too scary—I can’t handle it. I forfeit.”

“Well done—that’s more like my brother.” Cheng Wanyue favored Zhou Yu, knowing her home was far and she might get scared on the way back. “Alright, this round is over. No cheating. Remember to buy me five ice creams.”

They moved on to the next round.

Everyone’s cards were different from hers, leaving only Yan Ci. Someone next to him flipped his card—it matched.

Yan Ci maintained his attitude, refusing to participate.

He couldn’t handle spicy food—the concoction had a layer of red oil floating on top. Just as Cheng Yanqing was about to say, “Forget it,” Zhou Yu picked up the cup and drank it. Within two minutes, her cheeks and neck turned bright red, her eyes watered, and sweat formed on her forehead.

From start to finish, Yan Ci acted like an outsider. He didn’t feel grateful, nor did he need to. No one told Zhou Yu to drink it for him, but somehow, everyone assumed she would—and she did without hesitation.

When Cheng Yuzhou returned from the bathroom, he saw her gasping with her mouth open, her pink tongue peeking out between her overly red lips, then quickly retreating.

There were thirty minutes left until midnight. The previous round had been the last, and since Yan Ci was drawn again, they removed the truth-or-dare option. All he had to do was call Qing Hang. Yan Ci wouldn’t make the call, so Zhou Yu took Cheng Wanyue’s phone and dialed Qing Hang’s landline.

The weather was hot, so they couldn’t work much during the day. Qing Hang’s grandfather sorted recyclables late into the night.

“Hello, Grandpa. I’m looking for Qing Hang. Is he asleep?”

“He’s awake. Wait a moment—I’ll call him over.”

Cheng Wanyue asked Zhou Yu to put the call on speaker. After waiting about three minutes, a cool male voice came through.

“Qing Hang, did you forget something today?”

“There’s something going on at home—I can’t come.”

Cheng Wanyue chuckled sarcastically. “Do you need my dad to call you before it counts?”

“I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

She hung up, satisfied, and waited for Cheng Yanqing to distribute slices of his cake to everyone. Then she checked the time.

“I had a great time today. Thank you all. It’s late—go home safely.”

“Bye.”

Everyone left in groups. Zhou Yu also prepared to head home. Her stomach hurt—probably from drinking that concoction with chili oil. Liu Fen came to pick her up and was already waiting at the intersection.