The lively atmosphere in the courtyard suddenly carried an odd undertone.
Xu Ling’an lowered her eyes, focusing on eating the small desserts handed over by a classmate beside her, pretending not to notice the glances from around and towards the stage in front of her from time to time.
The night was still young, everyone was having a good time, and she felt it was improper to leave now.
But she had already decided in her mind that the moment someone decided to leave, she would find an excuse to leave as well.
The accompaniment on the stage continued, Lin Chan’s singing voice was a bit tremulous, not from nervousness, but pure excitement.
She knew very well that Han Ye wasn’t interested in her; this opportunity was rare.
But for Xu Ling’an, who gave up the chance to sing with Han Ye on stage, Lin Chan didn’t feel grateful, only complicated.
Why should Xu Ling’an get him so effortlessly when she couldn’t?
The song ended with the crowd applauding enthusiastically.
Xu Ling’an joined the applause, ready to find a more secluded spot, when she saw Lin Chan coming straight towards her after stepping down from the stage.
Moments ago, watching Lin Chan eagerly take the microphone and sing a duet full of love, even though Han Ye wasn’t cooperating much, many people more or less caught on to the situation.
Lin Chan liked Han Ye, but Han Ye wanted to confess to Xu Ling’an; Xu Ling’an had already bluntly stated she didn’t like Han Ye, and Lin Chan and Xu Ling’an were actually good friends.
Isn’t it exciting just thinking about it!
Seeing Han Ye follow behind Lin Chan also heading towards Xu Ling’an, everyone immediately widened their eyes and perked up their ears to pay attention secretly.
What will happen next?
Xu Ling’an looked at the beer Lin Chan handed over and shook her head without taking it, "Sorry, I don’t drink."
"We’re adults now, a little drink is no big deal."
Lin Chan urged again, a hint of challenge in her eyes, "Look, everyone is drinking, and the beer isn’t strong, you won’t get drunk after a few sips. Are you that timid?"
Just as the glass was about to reach her lips, a hand suddenly extended, taking the glass aggressively, "I’ll drink for her."
Under everyone’s gaze, Han Ye downed the glass of beer in one go, frowning at the now somewhat aggressive Lin Chan, and flipped the glass over, "Satisfied?"
Li Fei, mingling in the crowd, whistled loudly.
Who knows if the little bookworm would be touched!
The alcohol Lin Chan had before started taking effect. Seeing Han Ye blatantly stand up for Xu Ling’an, without leaving her any dignity, her eyes couldn’t help but redden, "What’s the point of your gallantry if Xu Ling’an still doesn’t like you?"
Li Fei whistled twice this time.
That was a bold response.
Will the little bookworm be a bit touched this time?
Everyone discreetly glanced at Xu Ling’an.
"Mr. Tang," Xu Ling’an turned to look at the class teacher who rushed over after sensing the tension, "I have some errands early tomorrow morning, so I’m leaving now."
"Don’t rush," the class teacher hurriedly persuaded her, "You haven’t eaten enough yet, no need to be hasty. Han Ye, Lin Chan, the two of you as well, have you forgotten why we are gathered here today? Other matters can wait; today’s task is to eat well, have fun, and later, we need to take a class photo. If you leave, the picture won’t be complete." Saying this, the teacher shielded Xu Ling’an as they headed towards the barbecue grill, "Let’s go, I’ll grill some food for you myself, just tell me what you’d like to eat?"
Lin Chan turned and downed her drink, bitterness streaming tears from her eyes, and a female classmate pulled her aside for comfort.
Han Ye stood there watching as Xu Ling’an was taken away by the teacher, until he was startled by a sudden pat on the shoulder and looked at the approaching Li Fei with a frown.
"Bro, I think you should give it up. You and Lin Chan almost chased the little bookworm away earlier; it was lucky the teacher stepped in."
He was speechless for a moment, then exclaimed, "I always knew you were confident, but I didn’t expect you to be overconfident. Bro, a piece of advice, take care of yourself."
Han Ye glanced at him and walked away by himself.
Thankfully, without this ordeal, the courtyard quickly returned to its lively state.
The mention of a souvenir group photo by the class teacher made many people eager to capture the moment. Everyone, one by one, took out their phones openly and pulled close friends over to take photos against various backgrounds and angles.
Though Xu Ling’an didn’t join the photo frenzy, she was still pulled for group photos the most.
As the only student in the class who had the opportunity to act in a drama crew, once the drama airs, she might become somewhat popular.
By then, those classmates with group photos would have quite the bragging rights!
"Come on, everyone, get full, and I’ll take a big group photo, stand together first."
Soon, the group photo was uploaded to the class chat group.
Many couldn’t wait to post it on their social media.
Lin Chan put together a nine-grid photo, hesitating for a good while before posting it after looking at the only group photo featuring Xu Ling’an’s attractive yet envy-inducing face.
She considered cropping out Xu Ling’an’s face, but with all the classmates as friends, unless she blocked them all, she couldn’t.
After eating and drinking, it was time for some real fun.
Not only was there a karaoke stage in the courtyard, but there were also board games, a pool table, and even a movie room inside. No one wanted to head home so early.
Xu Ling’an was pulled by a few similarly quiet classmates to watch a movie indoors, once again unable to leave.
The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Lin Xuefei, draped in a bathrobe, lay on the bed, waiting for someone to come out while idly browsing through her social media.
As she scrolled, her gaze landed on the address at the bottom left of a set of pictures: "Minghe Courtyard."
Even she had only been to that place twice, and only as an escort; it was one of the top-notch venues in the entire Imperial City.
Checking who posted this album in her social media, she noted: Lin Chan.
She frowned in thought for a while before remembering this person, probably her grandfather’s brother’s son’s daughter, making them second cousins of sorts, with their dads being cousins as well.
This social media friend had likely added her during a New Year’s family gathering when the girl came over.
But, if she remembered right, the girl had just finished her university entrance exams. And given her familial circumstances, how could she possibly have access to Minghe Courtyard?
While thinking about it, her fingers instinctively tapped open the grid of photos on the screen.
"Is this a graduation party? High school graduation parties are this upscale nowadays?" Just as she was about to close the group photo where everyone was grinning happily, the face in the center of the front row suddenly caught her attention.