Without a word, everyone poured him three cups of wine.
He swallowed them with a smile.
The game continued, with some choosing truth and others daring.
Tian Tian, holding onto a sliver of hope, thought: If it was her turn, she would choose a dare.
As it turned out, the dares were also quite exaggerated.
The first person who refused to answer an emotional question was assigned the dare of kissing the guy to their left for three seconds.
The second girl refused to answer an emotional question and chose a dare, which was to post on her Moments, confessing to the first contact on her list, without being able to block other friends.
Tian Tian was stunned.
How could such a group of high-caliber young people play such a low-brow game?
Chen Dongyang subtly squeezed her hand under the table, signaling her to relax.
As if sensing it, the next second, the bottle's mouth pointed at Tian Tian.
Everyone seemed to be anticipating this moment, cheering and egging them on.
Tian Tian hesitated and chose truth.
As fate would have it, the question she drew was: When was your first kiss?
She had never kissed anyone before, so she quipped, "The moment I was born."
Everyone said, "With your parents, siblings don't count. First love, first love! If you don't tell the truth, we'll make you drink."
Tian Tian steeled herself. So be it if she had to drink.
Chen Dongyang proactively took the wine for her.
"Her foot is injured, and she's still on medication, so she can't drink. I'll drink for her this round."
The others were unwilling. "This way, the game isn't fun for you two."
Chen Dongyang said, "Then let's exclude her from playing. If it lands on her later, it counts as my turn. I promise not to break any game rules."
Hearing him say that, everyone stopped complaining.
The game continued, and unexpectedly, the next turn landed on Chen Dongyang.
He chose truth, and the question he drew was similar to the previous ones: How many relationships have you had in total?
Chen Dongyang took out a pack of cheap cigarettes from his pocket, like the other men present, put one in his mouth, lit it, took a puff, and then spoke.
"I forgot, I can't keep count."
Everyone responded with knowing looks and burst into laughter.
"Our Brother Chen really knows how to play. It's good to be handsome. I say, you've dated so many girlfriends, doesn't Tian Tian get upset? Tian Tian, you're so beautiful, why are you willing to settle for a player? You have a big heart."
Tian Tian was surprised that Chen Dongyang was so adept at playing.
He usually seemed so honest; she even doubted if his words were true.
However, since no one else doubted him, she couldn't say anything.
Perhaps others wanted to hear their story, or perhaps it was just a coincidence.
The next round spun to Tian Tian again.
She didn't want to answer truth and chose a dare, where others designated that she and Chen Dongyang kiss publicly for 30 seconds.
Uh, although this was an embarrassing thing to do, everyone was playing so openly, and she had chosen it herself, so it was hard to refuse.
Tian Tian prepared herself, but Chen Dongyang refused.
"I'll drink for him. Tian Tian is shy."
"Tch, you're no fun. Who wants to see you drink?"
Chen Dongyang raised an eyebrow, adopting a stance that the game rules were as they were, and they could accept it or not.
Everyone could only grumble, "Six cups, double the penalty for him."
As they played on, time reached 12 o'clock.
Thinking they had to work the next day, someone suggested they break up.
The crowd dispersed in small groups.
Tian Tian wasn't sleepy at all; she felt that she had only begun to understand Chen Dongyang a little today. He seemed like a man with many stories.
Her mind was now filled with exploring his past.
Chen Dongyang also saw through Tian Tian's thoughts.
After everyone had left, he asked her, "Are you sleepy?"
Tian Tian said, "What if I say I'm not sleepy?"
"Then let's play a bit longer."
"What do you want to play?"
"Let me treat you to a late-night snack. You didn't eat much tonight, so you must be hungry."
Tian Tian didn't refuse Chen Dongyang. As they walked to the door, she noticed that it had started to drizzle.
She said, "Let's forget it. It's so late, and it's raining."
Chen Dongyang took off his jacket and draped it over her head. "It's okay. If you don't eat this meal, I don't think you'll sleep well tonight."
Tian Tian gave him a slightly shy glare, and the two got into the car.
"But you've been drinking..."
"It's fine, we'll just drive around nearby, and I'll go slowly."
Chen Dongyang searched for a nearby restaurant. While navigating there, he spoke to Tian Tian.
"Ask me anything you want. I'll tell you everything."
Tian Tian felt she didn't have the standing to ask. "Who says I have questions for you?"
"You don't? Alright then."
Chen Dongyang, who understood her thoughts perfectly, watched as Tian Tian remained silent for a few seconds. Not wanting to fall into his trap, she finally spoke.
"When we played truth or dare today, were you telling the truth?"
"Of course, I abide by the game rules."
"You've had countless girlfriends? How could you be so promiscuous?"
Chen Dongyang shrugged. "How to put it? Young and reckless, didn't know any better."
Tian Tian turned her face to the window, displeased.
Chen Dongyang glanced at her and chuckled. "Are you angry?"
Tian Tian said insincerely, "What's there for me to be angry about?"
"Alright. Stop being so awkward. If you want to know, I can tell you about my past."
Tian Tian indeed wanted to know, and his past had nothing to do with her, so she had no right to be angry. She turned her face back.
"Then tell me."
"Where should I start?"
Tian Tian thought for a moment. "What exactly was your relationship with Hui Hui?"
"If I say that if it weren't for an accident, there would have been no relationship at all, would you believe me?"
"What accident?"
Chen Dongyang pulled out another cigarette. "Can I smoke one?"
"Didn't you quit smoking?"
"I can't help it. To listen to my story, you either need alcohol or cigarettes."
He lit up and began to speak slowly.
"From the age of 12, my mother took me to live in the United States. At that time, my father had a large business in Jincheng, and our family was very well-off. My mother and I lived happily."
"But it was only happy for me. Because my father had other women in China, my mother couldn't stand it."
"Within two years of us going there, my father went bankrupt. He also went to prison due to some issues. My mother and I lost our financial support and had to fend for ourselves."
"Fortunately, my mother was a smart person. While we were still relatively well-off, she made some investments, which were just enough to maintain our lives."
"I had never suffered hardship growing up. Back then, I didn't understand her and couldn't cope with the frugal life. I always argued with her, went out to play, and met many international students. Those years were wild."
Tian Tian asked, "Like going to nightclubs every day?"
"Pretty much. I attended parties almost every day and changed female companions daily."
"As you know, those who could study in such places came from good families. Although I had no money, the women did."