Running away from the Love-Brain

Truth or Dare

Q: Why keep a distance from Cui Muhuo?

A: This is a secret that really can't be told.

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"Why don't you two love Xue Kaichi?"

At this moment, the speakers switched to Joey Yung, the hotpot base was poured into the pot, and the spatula stirred, releasing the aroma of the broth. Cui Xijin noticed Chen Wenran adding two pieces of rock sugar and nearly a pot of boiling water, then covering it, letting the steam rise. She hadn't forgotten to ask about the earlier question.

"I don't." Cui Xijin methodically added small chili peppers, cilantro, sesame oil, and soy sauce to her dipping bowl, sticking to a strict order.

"Me neither." Chi Buyu was busy pouring vinegar.

"Really?" Chen Wenran poured a bottle of soda into the third cup, teasingly saying, "Should I switch the song back?"

"Don't."

"Don't."

They both replied in unison.

Chen Wenran, holding the half-empty soda, was delighted until she caught a glance between the two.

Hmm, very unnatural.

They then simultaneously averted their eyes, each taking a cup she had just poured, not lifting their heads.

These two were acting so strangely now; they must have either been fighting or kissing just moments ago.

While she and Ran Yan exchanged knowing looks, trying to uncover the truth, Cui Xijin lifted her eyelids, "How come I never knew you loved listening to music so much?"

"Do you need music just to swallow hotpot?"

After saying this, she casually scanned the table.

She saw Chi Buyu had already poured half a bowl of vinegar into her dipping bowl, still unsatisfied, and went to get another bowl, slamming it down on the table with great enthusiasm, urging Ran Yan to pour more into it, repeatedly saying, "Add more, add a bit more," until the bowl was filled to the brim with vinegar.

Cui Xijin suspected Chi Buyu had grown up soaking in a vat of vinegar; just watching made her feel like her eyes had already dipped into that half bowl of vinegar.

"You don't understand, what kind of Valentine's Day is it without some music?" Chen Wenran said over the sound of the bubbling hotpot.

Cui Xijin didn't look up, giving a noncommittal "hm."

She hadn't even picked up her chopsticks yet.

She noticed Chi Buyu glancing at her, only to quickly shift her gaze back to the bubbling red broth, her fingers cautiously gripping the soda cup, looking somewhat awkward and sneaky.

Cui Xijin propped her chin up, watching.

Chi Buyu remained silent.

Fine, if she didn't want to talk, Cui Xijin slowly withdrew her gaze.

Just as she picked up her chopsticks to dip into the pot, a fully filled soda cup was slowly pushed over with a finger. With a gentle poke, it moved closer.

"Cui Muhuo." She spoke in a half-hearted Chengdu dialect.

"Do you have a hair tie? I'm afraid of getting my hair greasy."

Why was she being so sneaky just to ask for a hair tie? Cui Xijin looked over, and Chi Buyu blinked at her.

Then she looked down at the soda pushed in front of her. Was she someone who needed to borrow a hair tie to get treated with soda?