The karaoke bar buzzed with energy as Xu Wang, Wang Li, Xinyu, Jian, and Lin Yue celebrated Xu Wang’s new position as treasurer. Laughter and music filled the air, and everyone was in high spirits.

  As Lin Yue finished her song, the screen dispyed her score—an impressive 92. She grinned triumphantly, bowing as the group appuded.

  Jian stretched his arms and smirked. “Alright, Wang Li, it’s your turn.”

  Wang Li shook her head immediately. “Not happening.”

  Xinyu pouted. “Oh, come on! We’ve never heard you sing. Just one song?”

  “I said no.”

  Xu Wang, who had been quietly sipping his drink, looked at her with a slight smile. “Sing, Wang Li. They want to hear you.”

  Wang Li sighed, her resolve crumbling. “Fine. Only because you asked.”

  Xinyu gasped dramatically. “Oh! We have the ultimate weapon now. Wang Li always ignores us, but if we use Xu Wang correctly, we can make her do anything we want!”

  The moment those words left her mouth, Wang Li turned her head and shot Xinyu a chilling stare.

  Xinyu stiffened. “Uh… I was just joking?” she mumbled, eyes darting away.

  With a satisfied nod, Wang Li scrolled through the song list, finally selecting one. As the melody began, she took a deep breath and started singing.

  Her voice was soft yet powerful, carrying a mesmerizing charm. Every note was perfect, her tone delicate yet captivating. Even Xinyu, who had been teasing her moments ago, sat in awe. Jian and Lin Yue exchanged gnces, clearly enchanted by her voice.

  When the song ended, Jian whistled. “Damn, Xu Wang. You’re a lucky guy. Your girlfriend is not only beautiful but also sings like an angel.”

  Lin Yue nodded. “Seriously. You better protect her, or someone might steal her away.”

  Xu Wang smirked. “I’ve known her since childhood. She’s only ever loved one person—me. No one’s stealing her from me.”

  Wang Li turned slightly pink at his words but quickly regained her composure. The group moved on to dinner, chatting and enjoying their meal.

  A Familiar NameAs they ate, Xinyu suddenly brought up a topic that made everyone pause.

  “You guys remember st semester? A boy confessed to Wang Li.”

  Jian raised an eyebrow. “Wait, what? Who?”

  “Li Zhen,” Xinyu said, sipping her drink.

  Lin Yue gasped. “The guy from Css 2B? That’s the css next to ours.”

  Jian leaned forward. “Did he ever confess again?”

  Wang Li shook her head. “No. After that, I never saw him again.”

  Lin Yue turned to Xu Wang. “Don’t you get jealous when other guys talk to her?”

  Xu Wang leaned back and sighed. “Of course, I do. But she’s not my possession. If I had any control, I’d make sure she never talks to any other guy but me.”

  The table went silent for a second before everyone erupted in teasing shouts.

  “Ooooohhh!”

  Jian ughed. “Possessive much?”

  Wang Li smirked and crossed her arms. “Oh? So you think you do have control over me?”

  Xu Wang met her gaze. “I don’t want to control you. I want you to love me.”

  A soft smile appeared on Wang Li’s lips. “I love you more than anything in the entire universe.”

  The moment grew intense as they slowly leaned toward each other, their eyes locked.

  Just as their lips were about to touch—

  COUGH COUGH.

  Xinyu and the others made exaggerated coughing noises, smirking at the couple.

  Both Wang Li and Xu Wang immediately pulled back, blushing.

  Xinyu quickly changed the subject. “Oh! Did you guys hear? A girl named Yao confessed to Xu Wang today.”

  Lin Yue blinked. “Wait, the newbie?”

  Jian chuckled. “Damn, Xu Wang, you’re really popur with the dies.”

  Xu Wang sighed. “It’s not like that. She’s new, so she probably didn’t know I had a girlfriend.”

  With that, they finished their meal and prepared to head home.

  A Chilling CallAs Xu Wang and Wang Li walked toward the train station, the night air was cool and calm. Streetlights illuminated the path, their footsteps echoing slightly.

  Xu Wang gnced at Wang Li. “It’s already te. If you want, you can stay at my pce tonight.”

  Wang Li turned to him, surprised. Then, with a small blush, she muttered, “I… I want to.”

  She hesitated before adding in a teasing tone, “And maybe… we can finish what we left unfinished.”

  Xu Wang’s face turned red. “If you want… then yeah.”

  Wang Li giggled. “Oh? You remember your promise from st semester?”

  Xu Wang nodded. “I remember every promise I make to you.”

  Just then—

  RING! RING!

  Wang Li’s phone buzzed. She answered. “Good evening, Principal.”

  His voice was grave. “Wang Li, there’s been an incident. A student named Yao was found murdered in the girls’ restroom. Her body was discovered just an hour ago.”

  Wang Li’s breath hitched. “…Murdered?”

  “Yes. I need all student council members to come early tomorrow morning for an emergency meeting.”

  “…Understood.” She hung up.

  Xu Wang noticed her expression. “What’s wrong? You look uneasy.”

  Wang Li’s eyes darkened. “You know that girl who confessed to you today?”

  Xu Wang nodded. “Yao?”

  Wang Li took a deep breath. “She’s dead. The principal said she was murdered in the women’s restroom.”

  A heavy silence settled between them.

  Xu Wang’s jaw tightened. “I’ll call Xinyu. The others need to know.”

  Without another word, they quickened their pace toward Xu Wang’s house, the night suddenly feeling much colder than before.

  ( )

  To be continued...