SM Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Tit for Tat “Tan has enabled friend verification, and you still haven’t…”

Compared to the lively chat on this side, the finger-guessing game on the other side was obviously much more heated, but Zhu Shihao and Tan Zhi Xu had little interest in either.

Wei Wang arrived late and saw Tan Zhi Xu holding court in a shura field, with one beauty on each side, enough to make any man envious.

They all knew about Su Yuewei’s past quarrels with Tan Zhi Xu because of Zhu Shihao, so this wasn’t just a matter of envy.

He could only sit down next to Su Yuewei, silently pulling out his phone.

Wei Wang: [What’s going on? This seating arrangement?]

Ran Cai glanced at Su Yuewei and curled her lips in disdain.

Ran Cai: [If you had come earlier, this wouldn’t have happened.]

Wei Wang felt wronged, how could he be blamed for this?

Not everyone present was familiar with Tan Zhi Xu, as Li Chennan was the host for the night, but more or less everyone knew of him. They knew that he was a genuine, promising young second-generation rich kid, so it was hard not to be mindful of him, and their words and actions were inexplicably restrained.

After everyone played for a while, they started playing a game.

It was a simple game that even elementary school students could play at KFC.

Following a clockwise direction, the person to the left would randomly ask a question, and the person being asked had to answer with something irrelevant; answering the question or pausing would count as a loss.

The loser would have to choose between truth or dare, and refusing to answer or act would mean drinking three bottles of beer.

Yes, three bottles, not three glasses. It was clear that the purpose of the game’s punishment was very straightforward.

Wei Wang instinctively glanced at the three people next to him.

In this order, Su Yuewei would ask the question, Tan Zhi Xu would answer, Tan Zhi Xu would ask the question, and Zhu Shihao would answer.

Unbelievable.

It was fortunate that it was “answer with something irrelevant” and not “answer truthfully,” otherwise, he couldn’t imagine what Su Yuewei would ask.

However, losing meant truth or dare.

Looking at Tan Zhi Xu’s calm expression, Wei Wang couldn’t help but sigh, as expected of his Xu-ge, so steady.

The first two rounds were fairly peaceful, with everyone being cautious and focused. From the third round onward, people started setting traps, such as “Do you like guys?”

The man being asked had delicate features and answered without thinking, “Bullshit, I’m straight as an arrow!”

The crowd laughed and accused the questioner of being “too much,” knowing full well that he had been confessed to and forcibly kissed by a roommate, and had since developed a deep aversion.

Then it was their turn again.

Su Yuewei brazenly stared at the man on her left: “Do you have someone you like?”

This question was too simple; it didn’t seem like she was seriously playing the game, but rather using it to express something.

Zhu Shihao’s hand, which was hanging down by the table, trembled almost imperceptibly, and then curled up.

The people at the table were quiet, afraid to speak but all eavesdropping intently, afraid of missing anything.

Almost as soon as she finished speaking, the aloof man opened his mouth: “I hate people who talk too much.”

He didn’t even look at the disappointment that surfaced on Su Yuewei’s face, nor did he care about anyone else’s reaction, but simply looked calmly at the person next to him: “It’s my turn.”

Zhu Shihao’s mind was still buzzing, not fully recovered from Su Yuewei’s bold and direct question. Her scattered thoughts ordinarily wouldn’t have allowed her to quickly process the question, but the phrase “son of a bitch” was like a keyword, firmly tied to a certain event, and instinct alone was enough to understand what he was talking about.

She had kept it a secret for so many years, and under her self-defense mechanism, she replied almost reflexively:

“No.”

Only when cheers and exclamations erupted around her did Zhu Shihao wake up.

Knitting her brows, she looked at him: “You did it on purpose.”

Ran Cai was extremely curious and asked in a low voice, “What, what? I’ve never heard of this!”

Zhu Shihao couldn’t be bothered with her. She saw the person beside her nodding slowly, casually acknowledging it with an “Mm.”

During the few seconds of silence, she had figured out his purpose, it was just a repeat of what had happened before.

“You wouldn’t let me choose dare.”

Even if she chose it, it would be something she wouldn’t do.

Looking at him, Zhu Shihao asked: “So, you still want to ask that question?”

He didn’t answer, nor did he deny it, his meaning was obvious.

The person before her still had a nonchalant look, as if he had only asked the question casually, and didn’t show much concern. His expression was indifferent.

Asking so many times, even with the implication of “forcing” her, Tan Zhi Xu was obviously not as unconcerned as he seemed. On the contrary, based on what she knew of him, he already cared a lot.

However, Zhu Shihao still didn’t quite understand why he had to dwell on that high school crush. Would a normal person care so much about a ten-year-old love letter? Curious about who his friend’s first love was?

The reason he had given couldn’t convince her to open up and tell him the answer.

The two were inexplicably deadlocked on this question: one wanted to know too much, and the other refused to say anything.

Zhu Shihao was silent for a moment, then raised her head and looked straight at him, speaking calmly, uttering each word clearly.

“I’ll take the penalty.”

Tan Zhi Xu’s eyes darkened, and he watched as she picked up the bottle and finished one glass, then poured another.

When she went to grab the second bottle, he pressed down on her hand, his eyes now completely cold.

“I’ll drink it for her.”

He drained the other two bottles, drinking straight from them.

For the rest of the game, he didn’t look at her again, nor did he say another word. Even the questions he asked later were casual, such as “Did you eat rice today?” “Did you eat noodles today?” It was extremely perfunctory, but everyone could see his low spirits, and no one dared to say anything. They only dared to glance at the two of them from time to time, pretending to be nonchalant.

For a moment, the ex-girlfriend who wanted to get back together was ignored.

Zhu Shihao safely got through the rest of the game.

After the party ended, she called a driver, and Tan Zhi Xu drove her home, reminding her to lock the door from the inside as he always had.

However, this had been a long time ago. He used to stay with her, pour her water, and dry her hair.

At the bar, she had comforted herself, thinking there was no need to worry about him asking again. Now, she couldn’t care less about that; she only felt wronged.

Seeing that he was about to leave, Zhu Shihao immediately grabbed the corner of his shirt.

“Let go.” He didn’t turn his head, only looked down at her fair hand.

She pursed her lips and didn’t say anything, nor did she let go.

Tan Zhi Xu rubbed his brow, feeling tired: “Rest well, can we talk tomorrow?”

The person behind him still didn’t say anything.

Feeling suppressed and helpless, he turned around: “You…”

He saw her pouting, her eyes red and tearful.

“Zhi Xu, don’t be upset.”

It wasn’t just “not upset.” He was the one who should be angry, but he couldn’t even bring himself to say two harsh words to her.

Holding her arms, Tan Zhi Xu was uncharacteristically tired. His eyelids drooped slightly, showing his helplessness.

“You don’t have to tell me, but Shihao, at least give me time to process my upset feelings.”

Zhu Shihao was still pouting, not speaking, not nodding, not shaking her head, only looking at him, her tear-stained eyes red.

He sighed inwardly.

Tan Zhi Xu gently stroked the back of her head, feeling distressed and annoyed, but still trying his best to suppress it, pretending to be calm as he comforted her.

“Don’t worry, get a good night’s sleep, don’t think about anything. What do you want to eat tomorrow? I’ll pick you up, okay?”

“You stay here.”

For the first time, Tan Zhi Xu rejected her.

Letting go of her hands, he gently took her hand off his shirt, taking a small step back: “Give me some time to adjust, okay?”

Zhu Shihao stubbornly tried to hold back her tears, but couldn’t, and quickly raised her hand to wipe them away.

“Do you want to end it?”

End what? They both knew clearly.

Tan Zhi Xu’s eyes deepened, and he took a step towards her, his voice also deepening: “No, Zhu Shihao, it’s not that easy to end things between us.”

How could he just say “end it” like that? Impossible. He didn’t want to, and she shouldn’t even think about it.

No matter what, the uneasiness in her heart lessened a little.

“Zhi Xu, I want the private chef’s congee and crystal shrimp dumplings for breakfast tomorrow.”

She unilaterally changed “tomorrow” to “tomorrow morning.”

Tan Zhi Xu gently “Mm”ed: “Okay, I’ll bring it to you.”

He walked towards the door, and Zhu Shihao followed closely, standing outside with him, her red lips pursed, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, her eyes still carrying some trepidation and grievance.

“Lock the door.” He bent down to hug her, whispering in her ear, “I’m sorry, Shihao, I won’t ask you again in the future.”

It was as if he was telling her, and also telling himself.

Without waiting for her to react, Tan Zhi Xu stood up, turned, and left, closing the door. Zhu Shihao only had time to see his emotionally suppressed face flash between the door seams.

It was completely different from how he had looked when he was comforting her.

Whether it was the contrarian feelings caused by not getting the answer to his curiosity or the complex relationship between them now, that abortive love letter was like a thorn stuck in Tan Zhi Xu’s throat. Even if it wasn’t fatal, it was uncomfortable enough.

But what could she do? Tell him?

That person is you, you are the son of a bitch you spoke of.

Then what? If the former Tan Zhi Xu didn’t know how to reject her, then how would the current Tan Zhi Xu, with an added layer to their relationship, behave?

Unable to refuse, feeling self-reproachful and guilty, compensating and taking responsibility, all these things would become heavy boulders weighing him down, making it difficult for him to have his own thoughts.

But what Zhu Shihao wanted wasn’t to be accepted.

She forced herself to walk to the sofa and collapsed as if she had lost all her strength, closing her eyes. Her mind was chaotic and tangled, but this problem had no solution at this time.

Zhu Shihao calmed down a bit and got up to return to her room.

She would sleep and see him in the morning.

Tan Zhi Xu didn’t call another driver. Instead, he took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and started walking along the road.

He wasn’t really addicted to smoking, only smoking a couple of puffs occasionally when he was upset. He had basically stopped smoking after being with Zhu Shihao, because he was afraid of making her unhappy, afraid that she would dislike it when he kissed her.

He just bit it dryly, feeling very upset. He wanted to light it, but realized he didn’t even have a lighter.

Spotting a convenience store on the side of the road, he turned in and bought a plastic lighter.

He smiled self-deprecatingly. Now, carrying a cigarette was just a formality. His lighter had been sitting unused for a long time.

The small flame lit the cigarette, a weak light appearing and dimming.

His phone rang again, and he held the cigarette away with one hand and took out his phone with the other. He didn’t have much of an expression on his face, his eyes distant and almost indifferent.

Not in the mood to pay attention, he directly turned off the screen without even looking.

It was already spring, but the night breeze still carried a slight chill, making him gradually calm down. After walking for a while, Tan Zhi Xu stopped by the side of the road, looked at the empty car coming from the left, and waved.

His phone rang repeatedly.

Only after he had showered and looked at his phone did he see that he had more than twenty messages.

Feeling annoyed again, Tan Zhi Xu tossed the towel around his neck onto the chair, feeling that this woman was really annoying, never ending.

He tapped open Wechat, paused, and then tapped the person at the top of his list.

Shihao: [Zhi Xu, remember my breakfast.]

He knew that she was reminding him to find her tomorrow.

“Not completely heartless.”

Tan Zhi Xu muttered to himself, as if self-consoling, and tapped on his phone.

Zhi Xu: [I remember. Go to sleep soon. Don’t stay up late.]

After sending the message, he backed out and saw the red notification mark next to the other person’s name. His expression became cold again, tinged with annoyance.

Just then, his phone rang, and the number next to the red mark became even larger.

Su Yuewei: [Zhi Xu, are you still angry with me?]

Su Yuewei: [I’ve missed you so much these past few years, can we get back together?]

Tan Zhi Xu was expressionless.

He had always thought that the past was the past, not worth paying attention to. After a breakup, he could just treat them as strangers he had once known. This was his civility as an adult, and also his attitude.

However, he realized that some people really didn’t understand.

How could someone say so much nonsense?

Tan Zhi Xu: [You really talk too much, and you’re also annoying.]

This was the first time he replied.

Su Yuewei didn’t care what he replied with. Knowing Tan Zhi Xu’s personality, he couldn’t possibly say anything soft. Recalling what happened at the bar, she only felt that the two of them had finally broken the ice. As long as he was willing to acknowledge her, that was a good thing.

She excitedly typed quickly: “Zhi Xu, you finally replied to me. Are you willing to forgive me?”

She pressed send with excitement.

The next second, a red exclamation point appeared next to the green chat bubble, extremely conspicuous.

“Tan has enabled friend verification, you are not his (her) friend.”