Achillean Game: C01

01: Graduation Party

This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

_{"Hey! Yo! You two finally came back. C'mon, get in here. We're gonna start the game."}
Alongside a gentle June breeze, the season of graduates had arrived, and with it, a new batch of youth had rushed towards their bright future under the blazing sun.

"Hey! Yo! You two finally came back. C'mon, get in here. We're gonna start the game."

_{Chi Shang frowned instantly.}A look of "these idiots" was plastered on Chi Shang's face as he again leaned close to Bai Chen to whisper.

Chi Shang frowned instantly.

_{01: Graduation Party}For the past three years, in their studies, the two have taken turns claiming the top spot in their grade, leaving a huge gap between their scores and the one for third place. In sports, they cleaned house with any competition they entered and claimed all the gold medals. In talent shows, Bai Chen played the piano, while Chi Shang played the violin. So their final collaborative performance during the school festival for the arts was, for many years, regarded as the best classical show.

01: Graduation Party

_{When the others saw this, they had again returned to their previous state, becoming lively, making everything that happened just a moment ago seem like some kind of illusion.}"I'm sure."

When the others saw this, they had again returned to their previous state, becoming lively, making everything that happened just a moment ago seem like some kind of illusion.

_{"Sang Zizhuo seems to have drunk way too much, so let's not take his words seriously, alright? Let's just say I called it quits, and I lost this time around."}
When Chi Shang arrived at the entrance of the Karaoke bar, he was already ten minutes late. Tugging at his collar, he revealed a fair neck while a light frown knitted his beautiful brows together to show his displeasure at the place before him.

"Sang Zizhuo seems to have drunk way too much, so let's not take his words seriously, alright? Let's just say I called it quits, and I lost this time around."

_N/A"Hey! Yo! You two finally came back. C'mon, get in here. We're gonna start the game."

N/A

_{Chi Shang: Does this kid want to die?}
['Lao Chi, where the hell are you? You're the only one missing from room three-oh-two. If you don't get over here, the drinking penalty is going to double!']

Chi Shang: Does this kid want to die?

_{-ge: Brother/Bro, used between friends or as an honorific for a guy older than you. (In this context)[]-Lao: used like Ge but it has more seniority to it, like you're the head.}Chi Shang nodded earnestly in return.

-ge: Brother/Bro, used between friends or as an honorific for a guy older than you. (In this context)[]-Lao: used like Ge but it has more seniority to it, like you're the head.

_{"You should've said that earlier! You walked in here looking so much like the walking dead; I thought your wife had run off on you or something."}Chi Shang grabbed Bai Chen by the collar, his eyes fixed on the guy in his grasp, as he again repeated every single word.

"You should've said that earlier! You walked in here looking so much like the walking dead; I thought your wife had run off on you or something."

_{Sang Zizhuo was still hugging a bottle as he delivered his last words in this life. The students beside him quickly pulled him down from the table, afraid the two older boys, with their growing ire, would end up beating the drunken fellow to kingdom come!}The crowd never expected Sang Zizhuo would be so blissfully drunk he'd do such a shocking thing, and, at that moment, they had forgotten about trying to stop him.

Sang Zizhuo was still hugging a bottle as he delivered his last words in this life. The students beside him quickly pulled him down from the table, afraid the two older boys, with their growing ire, would end up beating the drunken fellow to kingdom come!

_{Chi Shang, who was originally holding in a stomach full of rage-imbued curses for that insane bastard named Sang Zizhuo, upon hearing Bai Chen's words, had grown even more enraged.}
Chi Shang read Sang Zizhuo's message and frowned internally, resigning himself to heading into that bar.

Chi Shang, who was originally holding in a stomach full of rage-imbued curses for that insane bastard named Sang Zizhuo, upon hearing Bai Chen's words, had grown even more enraged.

_{"Why are you hiding away by yourself here while smoking alone?"}Bai Chen didn't reply immediately, only looking at Chi Shang seriously before asking again.

"Why are you hiding away by yourself here while smoking alone?"

_{The boy sitting in the middle to the left was the first to break the awkward silence, pulling Chi Shang to sit beside him.}"Does this game have some sort of hidden function? If you roll five ones and five sixes, does it make people devolve into their primal state?"

The boy sitting in the middle to the left was the first to break the awkward silence, pulling Chi Shang to sit beside him.

_{Chi Shang frowned instantly.}"Lao Chi, the time for you to be punished with Bai-ge has come!"

Chi Shang frowned instantly.

_{-ge: Brother/Bro, used between friends or as an honorific for a guy older than you. (In this context)[]-Lao: used like Ge but it has more seniority to it, like you're the head.}
Like all final-year high school students who had just completed the national college entrance exams, this day was also the day of their graduation parties.

-ge: Brother/Bro, used between friends or as an honorific for a guy older than you. (In this context)[]-Lao: used like Ge but it has more seniority to it, like you're the head.

_{When the others saw this, they had again returned to their previous state, becoming lively, making everything that happened just a moment ago seem like some kind of illusion.}"Lao Chi, the time for you to be punished with Bai-ge has come!"

When the others saw this, they had again returned to their previous state, becoming lively, making everything that happened just a moment ago seem like some kind of illusion.

Sang Zizhuo rested a hand on Chi Shang and looked at him with a face that read: Hey, today is a good-damn day! So if you dare mess this up, I'm gonna get on this floor and roll around like a pissed-off toddler! You hear me!

_{"Why is the one who rolls the highest also being punished?"}The boy sitting in the middle to the left was the first to break the awkward silence, pulling Chi Shang to sit beside him.

"Why is the one who rolls the highest also being punished?"

_{Chi Shang made his way to the balcony of the third floor, pulling out a cіgarette and placing it between his lips. But before he could look for a lighter to ignite it, the faint smell of soap wafted from behind him. A fair arm extended—an arm so well-defined it displayed the signs of its strength. It reached over his right shoulder, and then, with a click, a lighter held within it was lit.}
But, unfortunately for Chi Shang, he had gotten into a fight with his family about his college applications an hour ago, so his current mood was honestly not that great.

Chi Shang made his way to the balcony of the third floor, pulling out a cіgarette and placing it between his lips. But before he could look for a lighter to ignite it, the faint smell of soap wafted from behind him. A fair arm extended—an arm so well-defined it displayed the signs of its strength. It reached over his right shoulder, and then, with a click, a lighter held within it was lit.

_{Sang Zizhuo, who was now drinking with another friend beside him, upon hearing this, scanned the room, his bottle still in hand, seeing no sign of Bai Chen either. So he then said offhandedly:}Bai Chen had been leaning in a way that made half of his body obscured by the shadows. One of his bent legs was pushed open by Chi Shang's knee. Chi Shang then supported himself on the sofa with his left arm while his right leg was positioned between Bai Chen's legs. But because his right hand was still holding onto Bai Chen's collar, Chi Shang had to lean half his body downward, leaving them both seemingly oblivious to the ambiguous nature of the current positioning.

Sang Zizhuo, who was now drinking with another friend beside him, upon hearing this, scanned the room, his bottle still in hand, seeing no sign of Bai Chen either. So he then said offhandedly:

_{"I had a problem with my applications. My mom still won't let me go."}['Lao Chi, where the hell are you? You're the only one missing from room three-oh-two. If you don't get over here, the drinking penalty is going to double!']

"I had a problem with my applications. My mom still won't let me go."

_{Before Bai Chen could respond, Sang Zizhuo’s booming voice interrupted him.}
As a result, Chi Shang's face was so ice-cold when he pushed open the door to room three-oh-two that everyone inside felt the bully-like pressure blow in with him, to the point they had forgotten all about the drinking penalty.

Before Bai Chen could respond, Sang Zizhuo’s booming voice interrupted him.

_{"Is this a graduation party or a farewell party? Are these people planning on never seeing each other again?"}As a result, Chi Shang's face was so ice-cold when he pushed open the door to room three-oh-two that everyone inside felt the bully-like pressure blow in with him, to the point they had forgotten all about the drinking penalty.

"Is this a graduation party or a farewell party? Are these people planning on never seeing each other again?"

_{"Can you stop talking shit already?"}Sang Zizhuo rested a hand on Chi Shang and looked at him with a face that read: Hey, today is a good-damn day! So if you dare mess this up, I'm gonna get on this floor and roll around like a pissed-off toddler! You hear me!

"Can you stop talking shit already?"

_{"Why is the one who rolls the highest also being punished?"}
Chi Shang's eyes swept the room, only to see everyone's eyes focused his way, forcing him to curse under his breath.

"Why is the one who rolls the highest also being punished?"

_{"What the hell do you mean,'regard this as your loss this time around'?"}"Hey, where's that former deskmate of mine?"

"What the hell do you mean,'regard this as your loss this time around'?"

_{"You should've said that earlier! You walked in here looking so much like the walking dead; I thought your wife had run off on you or something."}
Grabbing a beer on the table, he tilted his head and chugged the bottle of Budweiser in a single breath.

"You should've said that earlier! You walked in here looking so much like the walking dead; I thought your wife had run off on you or something."

_{"Does this game have some sort of hidden function? If you roll five ones and five sixes, does it make people devolve into their primal state?"}"You should've said that earlier! You walked in here looking so much like the walking dead; I thought your wife had run off on you or something."

"Does this game have some sort of hidden function? If you roll five ones and five sixes, does it make people devolve into their primal state?"

_{"What the hell do you mean,'regard this as your loss this time around'?"}
"I was late because of traffic. The bottle is for the penalty. You guys can continue."

"What the hell do you mean,'regard this as your loss this time around'?"

_{Chi Shang then looked around to take a proper look at the faces of the ones there, seeming as though he was looking for someone.}The crowd never expected Sang Zizhuo would be so blissfully drunk he'd do such a shocking thing, and, at that moment, they had forgotten about trying to stop him.

Chi Shang then looked around to take a proper look at the faces of the ones there, seeming as though he was looking for someone.

_{"I'm sure."}Chi Shang nodded earnestly in return.

"I'm sure."

_{"Just stay in the city, then. This place is also pretty good."}
The song everyone had chosen still permeated the room, but apart from that, the room was blanketed in dead silence.

"Just stay in the city, then. This place is also pretty good."

_{"{Lao} Chi, the time for you to be punished with Bai{-ge} has come!"}Bai Chen's hazel eyes glimmered under the dim lights of the balcony, a light smile curving his lips while his expression remained gentle, but his fingers, in contrast, were unconsciously kneading the cіgarette between his fingers.

"Lao Chi, the time for you to be punished with Bai-ge has come!"

_{"Because it'll be interesting. Don't sweat it."}
"Hahaha. Chi-ge, you're awesome, man. Freaking awesome!"

"Because it'll be interesting. Don't sweat it."

_{Bai Chen, seeming to think nothing of his currently grabbed collar, just replied helplessly.}Chi Shang then handed the cіgarette to Bai Chen to take a drag, who skilfully took the nicotine stick to his lips.

Bai Chen, seeming to think nothing of his currently grabbed collar, just replied helplessly.

_{Chi Shang then looked around to take a proper look at the faces of the ones there, seeming as though he was looking for someone.}Rubbing his brows, Bai Chen could only plaster on a helpless grin.

Chi Shang then looked around to take a proper look at the faces of the ones there, seeming as though he was looking for someone.

_{Bai Chen had been leaning in a way that made half of his body obscured by the shadows. One of his bent legs was pushed open by Chi Shang's knee.}But, unfortunately for Chi Shang, he had gotten into a fight with his family about his college applications an hour ago, so his current mood was honestly not that great.

Bai Chen had been leaning in a way that made half of his body obscured by the shadows. One of his bent legs was pushed open by Chi Shang's knee. Chi Shang then supported himself on the sofa with his left arm while his right leg was positioned between Bai Chen's legs. But because his right hand was still holding onto Bai Chen's collar, Chi Shang had to lean half his body downward, leaving them both seemingly oblivious to the ambiguous nature of the current positioning.

_{"I had a problem with my applications. My mom still won't let me go."}
The boy sitting in the middle to the left was the first to break the awkward silence, pulling Chi Shang to sit beside him.

"I had a problem with my applications. My mom still won't let me go."

_{When the others saw this, they had again returned to their previous state, becoming lively, making everything that happened just a moment ago seem like some kind of illusion.}The two were dragged by Sang Zizhuo to sit at the table where the rules of the game were explained. Put simply, everyone would get a chance to roll the dice to get the highest and lowest rollers, who would then be punished together.

When the others saw this, they had again returned to their previous state, becoming lively, making everything that happened just a moment ago seem like some kind of illusion.

_{Alongside a gentle June breeze, the season of graduates had arrived, and with it, a new batch of youth had rushed towards their bright future under the blazing sun.}
When the others saw this, they had again returned to their previous state, becoming lively, making everything that happened just a moment ago seem like some kind of illusion.

Alongside a gentle June breeze, the season of graduates had arrived, and with it, a new batch of youth had rushed towards their bright future under the blazing sun.

_{Chi Shang was too lazy to look back at him and lazily took the cіgarette, which was half crushed between Bai Chen's index and middle fingers, to put it out on the bin beside them.}
"Lao Chi, did something happen? What's the matter?"

Chi Shang was too lazy to look back at him and lazily took the cіgarette, which was half crushed between Bai Chen's index and middle fingers, to put it out on the bin beside them.

_{The two were dragged by Sang Zizhuo to sit at the table where the rules of the game were explained. Put simply, everyone would get a chance to roll the dice to get the highest and lowest rollers, who would then be punished together.}"Hey! Yo! You two finally came back. C'mon, get in here. We're gonna start the game."

The two were dragged by Sang Zizhuo to sit at the table where the rules of the game were explained. Put simply, everyone would get a chance to roll the dice to get the highest and lowest rollers, who would then be punished together.

_{"Yes. Why shouldn't we compete? Hasn't the number of matches we've had throughout these past three years been relatively small?"}"It's nothing. I just had a small misunderstanding with my mom."

"Yes. Why shouldn't we compete? Hasn't the number of matches we've had throughout these past three years been relatively small?"

_{When Sang Zizhuo drank too much, he usually got a lot bolder and paid no mind to Chi Shang's darkening face. He was also the one who kicked off the game.}"Are you sure about this?"

When Sang Zizhuo drank too much, he usually got a lot bolder and paid no mind to Chi Shang's darkening face. He was also the one who kicked off the game.

_{"Does this game have some sort of hidden function? If you roll five ones and five sixes, does it make people devolve into their primal state?"}
Sang Zizhuo rested a hand on Chi Shang and looked at him with a face that read: Hey, today is a good-damn day! So if you dare mess this up, I'm gonna get on this floor and roll around like a pissed-off toddler! You hear me!

"Does this game have some sort of hidden function? If you roll five ones and five sixes, does it make people devolve into their primal state?"

_{Chi Shang then handed the cіgarette to Bai Chen to take a drag, who skilfully took the nicotine stick to his lips.}
Raking his fingers through his hair, Chi Shang leaned back into the sofa.

Chi Shang then handed the cіgarette to Bai Chen to take a drag, who skilfully took the nicotine stick to his lips.

_{Chi Shang grabbed Bai Chen by the collar, his eyes fixed on the guy in his grasp, as he again repeated every single word.}The boy sitting in the middle to the left was the first to break the awkward silence, pulling Chi Shang to sit beside him.

Chi Shang grabbed Bai Chen by the collar, his eyes fixed on the guy in his grasp, as he again repeated every single word.

_N/A"I was late because of traffic. The bottle is for the penalty. You guys can continue."

N/A

_{The two were dragged by Sang Zizhuo to sit at the table where the rules of the game were explained. Put simply, everyone would get a chance to roll the dice to get the highest and lowest rollers, who would then be punished together.}Like all final-year high school students who had just completed the national college entrance exams, this day was also the day of their graduation parties.

Sang Zizhuo, who was now drinking with another friend beside him, upon hearing this, scanned the room, his bottle still in hand, seeing no sign of Bai Chen either. So he then said offhandedly:

_{"Because it'll be interesting. Don't sweat it."}Alongside a gentle June breeze, the season of graduates had arrived, and with it, a new batch of youth had rushed towards their bright future under the blazing sun.

"Because it'll be interesting. Don't sweat it."

_{"Hey, where's that former deskmate of mine?"}Rubbing his brows, Bai Chen could only plaster on a helpless grin.

"Hey, where's that former deskmate of mine?"

_{"Sang Zizhuo seems to have drunk way too much, so let's not take his words seriously, alright? Let's just say I called it quits, and I lost this time around."}A look of "these idiots" was plastered on Chi Shang's face as he again leaned close to Bai Chen to whisper.

"Sang Zizhuo seems to have drunk way too much, so let's not take his words seriously, alright? Let's just say I called it quits, and I lost this time around."

_{"Are you sure about this?"}
Sang Zizhuo let out a long sigh, then patted his chest.

"Are you sure about this?"

_{Sang Zizhuo was still hugging a bottle as he delivered his last words in this life. The students beside him quickly pulled him down from the table, afraid the two older boys, with their growing ire, would end up beating the drunken fellow to kingdom come!}
"You should've said that earlier! You walked in here looking so much like the walking dead; I thought your wife had run off on you or something."

_{Raking his fingers through his hair, Chi Shang leaned back into the sofa.}Alongside a gentle June breeze, the season of graduates had arrived, and with it, a new batch of youth had rushed towards their bright future under the blazing sun.

Raking his fingers through his hair, Chi Shang leaned back into the sofa.

_{"Hey, where's that former deskmate of mine?"}Raking his fingers through his hair, Chi Shang leaned back into the sofa.

"Hey, where's that former deskmate of mine?"

_{As a result, Chi Shang's face was so ice-cold when he pushed open the door to room three-oh-two that everyone inside felt the bully-like pressure blow in with him, to the point they had forgotten all about the drinking penalty.}
"Can you stop talking shit already?"

As a result, Chi Shang's face was so ice-cold when he pushed open the door to room three-oh-two that everyone inside felt the bully-like pressure blow in with him, to the point they had forgotten all about the drinking penalty.

_{The boy sitting in the middle to the left was the first to break the awkward silence, pulling Chi Shang to sit beside him.}"For one month... the two of you... have to pretend to be gay! Oh, wait, scratch that—you'll do it for a week! Just one week! And whoever is the first to mention anything about calling it quits will be the one declared the loser!"

The boy sitting in the middle to the left was the first to break the awkward silence, pulling Chi Shang to sit beside him.

_{"Let's head back."}"Can you stop talking shit already?"

"Let's head back."

_{A look of "these idiots" was plastered on Chi Shang's face as he again leaned close to Bai Chen to whisper.}Rubbing his brows, Bai Chen could only plaster on a helpless grin.

A look of "these idiots" was plastered on Chi Shang's face as he again leaned close to Bai Chen to whisper.

_{Chi Shang drew the lighter-held hand closer to his lips, lighting his cіgarette. He loved taking a long drag upon its first lighting, followed by his slow exhalation of smoke rings, which were currently expelled as Bai Chen spoke.}
Chi Shang then looked around to take a proper look at the faces of the ones there, seeming as though he was looking for someone.

Chi Shang drew the lighter-held hand closer to his lips, lighting his cіgarette. He loved taking a long drag upon its first lighting, followed by his slow exhalation of smoke rings, which were currently expelled as Bai Chen spoke.

_{Bai Chen didn't reply immediately, only looking at Chi Shang seriously before asking again.}"Can you stop talking shit already?"

Bai Chen didn't reply immediately, only looking at Chi Shang seriously before asking again.

_{"What's wrong? You two aren't chickens, are you?! If not, why won't you do it?!"}
"Hey, where's that former deskmate of mine?"

"What's wrong? You two aren't chickens, are you?! If not, why won't you do it?!"

_{Sang Zizhuo rested a hand on Chi Shang and looked at him with a face that read: Hey, today is a good-damn day! So if you dare mess this up, I'm gonna get on this floor and roll around like a pissed-off toddler! You hear me!}"You should've said that earlier! You walked in here looking so much like the walking dead; I thought your wife had run off on you or something."

_{Sang Zizhuo, who was now drinking with another friend beside him, upon hearing this, scanned the room, his bottle still in hand, seeing no sign of Bai Chen either. So he then said offhandedly:}"Does this game have some sort of hidden function? If you roll five ones and five sixes, does it make people devolve into their primal state?"

Sang Zizhuo, who was now drinking with another friend beside him, upon hearing this, scanned the room, his bottle still in hand, seeing no sign of Bai Chen either. So he then said offhandedly:

_{"Does this game have some sort of hidden function? If you roll five ones and five sixes, does it make people devolve into their primal state?"}In the first few rounds, Chi Shang managed to keep his good luck going throughout the rounds. He kept rolling numbers between the highest and lowest while getting to watch the high and low rolling lucky bastards forced to accept very strange punishments.

"Does this game have some sort of hidden function? If you roll five ones and five sixes, does it make people devolve into their primal state?"

_{The crowd never expected Sang Zizhuo would be so blissfully drunk he'd do such a shocking thing, and, at that moment, they had forgotten about trying to stop him.}
Sang Zizhuo, who was now drinking with another friend beside him, upon hearing this, scanned the room, his bottle still in hand, seeing no sign of Bai Chen either. So he then said offhandedly:

The crowd never expected Sang Zizhuo would be so blissfully drunk he'd do such a shocking thing, and, at that moment, they had forgotten about trying to stop him.

_{Chi Shang's already soured mood grew even more agitated at the unexpected answer. He couldn't understand why he had needed to ask about that deskmate of his. Perhaps it was just due to the two having spent the year sitting together, and he had just gotten used to having that guy beside him.}"It seems so. If I got chosen to perform a punishment like this, I'd probably never want to meet these people again."

Chi Shang's already soured mood grew even more agitated at the unexpected answer. He couldn't understand why he had needed to ask about that deskmate of his. Perhaps it was just due to the two having spent the year sitting together, and he had just gotten used to having that guy beside him.

_{"Do you want us to compete with a bet like this, too?"}Sang Zizhuo, on the other hand, was having a blast playing drinking games with the other guys around him, all drinking until they were tipsy. Chi Shang then pulled Sang Zizhuo aside for a second, excusing himself, before getting up and leaving the room.

"Do you want us to compete with a bet like this, too?"

_{"Does this game have some sort of hidden function? If you roll five ones and five sixes, does it make people devolve into their primal state?"}N/A

"Does this game have some sort of hidden function? If you roll five ones and five sixes, does it make people devolve into their primal state?"

_{"Let's head back."}
Chi Shang's already soured mood grew even more agitated at the unexpected answer. He couldn't understand why he had needed to ask about that deskmate of his. Perhaps it was just due to the two having spent the year sitting together, and he had just gotten used to having that guy beside him.

"Let's head back."

_{-ge: Brother/Bro, used between friends or as an honorific for a guy older than you. (In this context)[]-Lao: used like Ge but it has more seniority to it, like you're the head.}But, unfortunately for Chi Shang, he had gotten into a fight with his family about his college applications an hour ago, so his current mood was honestly not that great.

-ge: Brother/Bro, used between friends or as an honorific for a guy older than you. (In this context)[]-Lao: used like Ge but it has more seniority to it, like you're the head.

_{"You should've said that earlier! You walked in here looking so much like the walking dead; I thought your wife had run off on you or something."}When Chi Shang arrived at the entrance of the Karaoke bar, he was already ten minutes late. Tugging at his collar, he revealed a fair neck while a light frown knitted his beautiful brows together to show his displeasure at the place before him.

"You should've said that earlier! You walked in here looking so much like the walking dead; I thought your wife had run off on you or something."

_{Chi Shang's eyes swept the room, only to see everyone's eyes focused his way, forcing him to curse under his breath.}
Sang Zizhuo, on the other hand, was having a blast playing drinking games with the other guys around him, all drinking until they were tipsy. Chi Shang then pulled Sang Zizhuo aside for a second, excusing himself, before getting up and leaving the room.

Chi Shang's eyes swept the room, only to see everyone's eyes focused his way, forcing him to curse under his breath.

_{Alongside a gentle June breeze, the season of graduates had arrived, and with it, a new batch of youth had rushed towards their bright future under the blazing sun.}"Is this a graduation party or a farewell party? Are these people planning on never seeing each other again?"

Alongside a gentle June breeze, the season of graduates had arrived, and with it, a new batch of youth had rushed towards their bright future under the blazing sun.

_{Chi Shang grabbed Bai Chen by the collar, his eyes fixed on the guy in his grasp, as he again repeated every single word.}
Chi Shang made his way to the balcony of the third floor, pulling out a cіgarette and placing it between his lips. But before he could look for a lighter to ignite it, the faint smell of soap wafted from behind him. A fair arm extended—an arm so well-defined it displayed the signs of its strength. It reached over his right shoulder, and then, with a click, a lighter held within it was lit.

Chi Shang grabbed Bai Chen by the collar, his eyes fixed on the guy in his grasp, as he again repeated every single word.

_{"Oh, he must've gone to the bathroom."}
Chi Shang drew the lighter-held hand closer to his lips, lighting his cіgarette. He loved taking a long drag upon its first lighting, followed by his slow exhalation of smoke rings, which were currently expelled as Bai Chen spoke.

"Oh, he must've gone to the bathroom."

_{A look of "these idiots" was plastered on Chi Shang's face as he again leaned close to Bai Chen to whisper.}In the first few rounds, Chi Shang managed to keep his good luck going throughout the rounds. He kept rolling numbers between the highest and lowest while getting to watch the high and low rolling lucky bastards forced to accept very strange punishments.

A look of "these idiots" was plastered on Chi Shang's face as he again leaned close to Bai Chen to whisper.

_{The boy sitting in the middle to the left was the first to break the awkward silence, pulling Chi Shang to sit beside him.}
"Why are you hiding away by yourself here while smoking alone?"

The boy sitting in the middle to the left was the first to break the awkward silence, pulling Chi Shang to sit beside him.

_{Grabbing a beer on the table, he tilted his head and chugged the bottle of Budweiser in a single breath.}
Chi Shang then handed the cіgarette to Bai Chen to take a drag, who skilfully took the nicotine stick to his lips.

Grabbing a beer on the table, he tilted his head and chugged the bottle of Budweiser in a single breath.

_{"Why are you hiding away by yourself here while smoking alone?"}-ge: Brother/Bro, used between friends or as an honorific for a guy older than you. (In this context)[]-Lao: used like Ge but it has more seniority to it, like you're the head.

"Why are you hiding away by yourself here while smoking alone?"

_{"It's nothing. I just had a small misunderstanding with my mom."}Before Bai Chen could respond, Sang Zizhuo’s booming voice interrupted him.

"It's nothing. I just had a small misunderstanding with my mom."

_{Bai Chen: {???}}The boy sitting in the middle to the left was the first to break the awkward silence, pulling Chi Shang to sit beside him.

Bai Chen: ???

_{Chi Shang leaned close to Bai Chen's ear as they watched a "lucky" couple perform the song "If You Want to Get Married, The Groom Won't Be Me" and couldn't help but say in mocking:}
"I had a problem with my applications. My mom still won't let me go."

Chi Shang leaned close to Bai Chen's ear as they watched a "lucky" couple perform the song "If You Want to Get Married, The Groom Won't Be Me" and couldn't help but say in mocking:

_{Sang Zizhuo rested a hand on Chi Shang and looked at him with a face that read: Hey, today is a good-damn day! So if you dare mess this up, I'm gonna get on this floor and roll around like a pissed-off toddler! You hear me!}Sang Zizhuo was still hugging a bottle as he delivered his last words in this life. The students beside him quickly pulled him down from the table, afraid the two older boys, with their growing ire, would end up beating the drunken fellow to kingdom come!

_{Bai Chen, seeming to think nothing of his currently grabbed collar, just replied helplessly.}"Let's head back."

Bai Chen, seeming to think nothing of his currently grabbed collar, just replied helplessly.

_{Sang Zizhuo let out a long sigh, then patted his chest.}
Bai Chen's hazel eyes glimmered under the dim lights of the balcony, a light smile curving his lips while his expression remained gentle, but his fingers, in contrast, were unconsciously kneading the cіgarette between his fingers.

Sang Zizhuo let out a long sigh, then patted his chest.

_{"I'm sure."}
"Just stay in the city, then. This place is also pretty good."

"I'm sure."

_{Sang Zizhuo picked up the microphone and stood shakily on the table, the "who cares, I'll just die tomorrow" excited expression on his face showing how little fυcks he currently gave.}A look of "these idiots" was plastered on Chi Shang's face as he again leaned close to Bai Chen to whisper.

Sang Zizhuo picked up the microphone and stood shakily on the table, the "who cares, I'll just die tomorrow" excited expression on his face showing how little fυcks he currently gave.

_{Rubbing his brows, Bai Chen could only plaster on a helpless grin.}"I was late because of traffic. The bottle is for the penalty. You guys can continue."

Rubbing his brows, Bai Chen could only plaster on a helpless grin.

_{"Yes. Why shouldn't we compete? Hasn't the number of matches we've had throughout these past three years been relatively small?"}
Chi Shang was too lazy to look back at him and lazily took the cіgarette, which was half crushed between Bai Chen's index and middle fingers, to put it out on the bin beside them.

"Yes. Why shouldn't we compete? Hasn't the number of matches we've had throughout these past three years been relatively small?"

_{"{Hahaha.} Chi-{ge}, you're awesome, man. Freaking awesome!"}The two were dragged by Sang Zizhuo to sit at the table where the rules of the game were explained. Put simply, everyone would get a chance to roll the dice to get the highest and lowest rollers, who would then be punished together.

"Hahaha. Chi-ge, you're awesome, man. Freaking awesome!"

_{Sang Zizhuo picked up the microphone and stood shakily on the table, the "who cares, I'll just die tomorrow" excited expression on his face showing how little fυcks he currently gave.}"I was late because of traffic. The bottle is for the penalty. You guys can continue."

Sang Zizhuo picked up the microphone and stood shakily on the table, the "who cares, I'll just die tomorrow" excited expression on his face showing how little fυcks he currently gave.

_{When Chi Shang rolled five ones and Bai Chen rolled five sixes, the crowd was silent for a few seconds before they erupted into deafening cheers.}
"Let's head back."

When Chi Shang rolled five ones and Bai Chen rolled five sixes, the crowd was silent for a few seconds before they erupted into deafening cheers.

_{Bai Chen didn't reply immediately, only looking at Chi Shang seriously before asking again.}Alongside a gentle June breeze, the season of graduates had arrived, and with it, a new batch of youth had rushed towards their bright future under the blazing sun.

Bai Chen didn't reply immediately, only looking at Chi Shang seriously before asking again.

_{Rubbing his brows, Bai Chen could only plaster on a helpless grin.}
Looking at the slender figure of Chi Shang walking in front of him, Bai Chen's expression calmed, with him wondering what on earth he was thinking.

Rubbing his brows, Bai Chen could only plaster on a helpless grin.

_{Like all final-year high school students who had just completed the national college entrance exams, this day was also the day of their graduation parties.}
"Hey! Yo! You two finally came back. C'mon, get in here. We're gonna start the game."

Like all final-year high school students who had just completed the national college entrance exams, this day was also the day of their graduation parties.

_{"For one month... the two of you... have to pretend to be gay! Oh, wait, scratch that—you'll do it for a week! Just one week! And whoever is the first to mention anything about calling it quits will be the one declared the loser!"}
The two were dragged by Sang Zizhuo to sit at the table where the rules of the game were explained. Put simply, everyone would get a chance to roll the dice to get the highest and lowest rollers, who would then be punished together.

"For one month... the two of you... have to pretend to be gay! Oh, wait, scratch that—you'll do it for a week! Just one week! And whoever is the first to mention anything about calling it quits will be the one declared the loser!"

_{Bai Chen's hazel eyes glimmered under the dim lights of the balcony, a light smile curving his lips while his expression remained gentle, but his fingers, in contrast, were unconsciously kneading the cіgarette between his fingers.}
Chi Shang frowned instantly.

Bai Chen's hazel eyes glimmered under the dim lights of the balcony, a light smile curving his lips while his expression remained gentle, but his fingers, in contrast, were unconsciously kneading the cіgarette between his fingers.

_{Bai Chen had been leaning in a way that made half of his body obscured by the shadows. One of his bent legs was pushed open by Chi Shang's knee.}"You should've said that earlier! You walked in here looking so much like the walking dead; I thought your wife had run off on you or something."

_{And fortune was indeed such a marvellous thing because, as soon as these two were done making fun of their fellow players, the scales of fate tilted towards them, which it crowned as the next "lucky" couple.}Three years held nothing but competition between them, and both refused to give in. So, as long as the chance to compete presented itself, although it was not appropriate to say so, Bai Chen's words did indeed ignite Chi Shang's long-neglected desire to win or lose.

And fortune was indeed such a marvellous thing because, as soon as these two were done making fun of their fellow players, the scales of fate tilted towards them, which it crowned as the next "lucky" couple.

_{"Sang Zizhuo seems to have drunk way too much, so let's not take his words seriously, alright? Let's just say I called it quits, and I lost this time around."}"Hahaha. Chi-ge, you're awesome, man. Freaking awesome!"

"Sang Zizhuo seems to have drunk way too much, so let's not take his words seriously, alright? Let's just say I called it quits, and I lost this time around."

_{Bai Chen: ???}
"Why is the one who rolls the highest also being punished?"

Bai Chen: ???

_{Bai Chen, seeming to think nothing of his currently grabbed collar, just replied helplessly.}
"Because it'll be interesting. Don't sweat it."

Bai Chen, seeming to think nothing of his currently grabbed collar, just replied helplessly.

_{"Hey! Yo! You two finally came back. C'mon, get in here. We're gonna start the game."}"I had a problem with my applications. My mom still won't let me go."

"Hey! Yo! You two finally came back. C'mon, get in here. We're gonna start the game."

_{Bai Chen had been leaning in a way that made half of his body obscured by the shadows. One of his bent legs was pushed open by Chi Shang's knee.}
When Sang Zizhuo drank too much, he usually got a lot bolder and paid no mind to Chi Shang's darkening face. He was also the one who kicked off the game.

_{"Why are you hiding away by yourself here while smoking alone?"}Sang Zizhuo rested a hand on Chi Shang and looked at him with a face that read: Hey, today is a good-damn day! So if you dare mess this up, I'm gonna get on this floor and roll around like a pissed-off toddler! You hear me!

"Why are you hiding away by yourself here while smoking alone?"

_{"Let's head back."}Chi Shang made his way to the balcony of the third floor, pulling out a cіgarette and placing it between his lips. But before he could look for a lighter to ignite it, the faint smell of soap wafted from behind him. A fair arm extended—an arm so well-defined it displayed the signs of its strength. It reached over his right shoulder, and then, with a click, a lighter held within it was lit.

"Let's head back."

_{"It seems so. If I got chosen to perform a punishment like this, I'd probably never want to meet these people again."}
In the first few rounds, Chi Shang managed to keep his good luck going throughout the rounds. He kept rolling numbers between the highest and lowest while getting to watch the high and low rolling lucky bastards forced to accept very strange punishments.

"It seems so. If I got chosen to perform a punishment like this, I'd probably never want to meet these people again."

_{"Oh, he must've gone to the bathroom."}"What the hell do you mean,'regard this as your loss this time around'?"

"Oh, he must've gone to the bathroom."

_{"Hey! Yo! You two finally came back. C'mon, get in here. We're gonna start the game."}Chi Shang read Sang Zizhuo's message and frowned internally, resigning himself to heading into that bar.

"Hey! Yo! You two finally came back. C'mon, get in here. We're gonna start the game."

_N/A
Chi Shang leaned close to Bai Chen's ear as they watched a "lucky" couple perform the song "If You Want to Get Married, The Groom Won't Be Me" and couldn't help but say in mocking:

N/A

_{Chi Shang made his way to the balcony of the third floor, pulling out a cіgarette and placing it between his lips. But before he could look for a lighter to ignite it, the faint smell of soap wafted from behind him. A fair arm extended—an arm so well-defined it displayed the signs of its strength. It reached over his right shoulder, and then, with a click, a lighter held within it was lit.}Sang Zizhuo rested a hand on Chi Shang and looked at him with a face that read: Hey, today is a good-damn day! So if you dare mess this up, I'm gonna get on this floor and roll around like a pissed-off toddler! You hear me!

_{Raking his fingers through his hair, Chi Shang leaned back into the sofa.}
"Is this a graduation party or a farewell party? Are these people planning on never seeing each other again?"

Raking his fingers through his hair, Chi Shang leaned back into the sofa.

_{"Oh, he must've gone to the bathroom."}Like all final-year high school students who had just completed the national college entrance exams, this day was also the day of their graduation parties.

"Oh, he must've gone to the bathroom."

_{When Sang Zizhuo drank too much, he usually got a lot bolder and paid no mind to Chi Shang's darkening face. He was also the one who kicked off the game.}Chi Shang then handed the cіgarette to Bai Chen to take a drag, who skilfully took the nicotine stick to his lips.

When Sang Zizhuo drank too much, he usually got a lot bolder and paid no mind to Chi Shang's darkening face. He was also the one who kicked off the game.

_{Before Bai Chen could respond, Sang Zizhuo’s booming voice interrupted him.}"Because it'll be interesting. Don't sweat it."

Before Bai Chen could respond, Sang Zizhuo’s booming voice interrupted him.

_{Sang Zizhuo, on the other hand, was having a blast playing drinking games with the other guys around him, all drinking until they were tipsy. Chi Shang then pulled Sang Zizhuo aside for a second, excusing himself, before getting up and leaving the room.}
Bai Chen also nodded seriously.

Sang Zizhuo, on the other hand, was having a blast playing drinking games with the other guys around him, all drinking until they were tipsy. Chi Shang then pulled Sang Zizhuo aside for a second, excusing himself, before getting up and leaving the room.

_{Sang Zizhuo picked up the microphone and stood shakily on the table, the "who cares, I'll just die tomorrow" excited expression on his face showing how little fυcks he currently gave.}
"It seems so. If I got chosen to perform a punishment like this, I'd probably never want to meet these people again."

Sang Zizhuo picked up the microphone and stood shakily on the table, the "who cares, I'll just die tomorrow" excited expression on his face showing how little fυcks he currently gave.

_{"It's nothing. I just had a small misunderstanding with my mom."}Alongside a gentle June breeze, the season of graduates had arrived, and with it, a new batch of youth had rushed towards their bright future under the blazing sun.

"It's nothing. I just had a small misunderstanding with my mom."

_{Rubbing his brows, Bai Chen could only plaster on a helpless grin.}"Does this game have some sort of hidden function? If you roll five ones and five sixes, does it make people devolve into their primal state?"

Rubbing his brows, Bai Chen could only plaster on a helpless grin.

_{"It's nothing. I just had a small misunderstanding with my mom."}
And fortune was indeed such a marvellous thing because, as soon as these two were done making fun of their fellow players, the scales of fate tilted towards them, which it crowned as the next "lucky" couple.

"It's nothing. I just had a small misunderstanding with my mom."

_{The crowd never expected Sang Zizhuo would be so blissfully drunk he'd do such a shocking thing, and, at that moment, they had forgotten about trying to stop him.}Bai Chen's hazel eyes glimmered under the dim lights of the balcony, a light smile curving his lips while his expression remained gentle, but his fingers, in contrast, were unconsciously kneading the cіgarette between his fingers.

The crowd never expected Sang Zizhuo would be so blissfully drunk he'd do such a shocking thing, and, at that moment, they had forgotten about trying to stop him.

_{Alongside a gentle June breeze, the season of graduates had arrived, and with it, a new batch of youth had rushed towards their bright future under the blazing sun.}When Chi Shang arrived at the entrance of the Karaoke bar, he was already ten minutes late. Tugging at his collar, he revealed a fair neck while a light frown knitted his beautiful brows together to show his displeasure at the place before him.

Alongside a gentle June breeze, the season of graduates had arrived, and with it, a new batch of youth had rushed towards their bright future under the blazing sun.

_{And fortune was indeed such a marvellous thing because, as soon as these two were done making fun of their fellow players, the scales of fate tilted towards them, which it crowned as the next "lucky" couple.}Sang Zizhuo picked up the microphone and stood shakily on the table, the "who cares, I'll just die tomorrow" excited expression on his face showing how little fυcks he currently gave.

_{"Lao Chi, did something happen? What's the matter?"}
When Chi Shang rolled five ones and Bai Chen rolled five sixes, the crowd was silent for a few seconds before they erupted into deafening cheers.

"Lao Chi, did something happen? What's the matter?"

_{And fortune was indeed such a marvellous thing because, as soon as these two were done making fun of their fellow players, the scales of fate tilted towards them, which it crowned as the next "lucky" couple.}Chi Shang made his way to the balcony of the third floor, pulling out a cіgarette and placing it between his lips. But before he could look for a lighter to ignite it, the faint smell of soap wafted from behind him. A fair arm extended—an arm so well-defined it displayed the signs of its strength. It reached over his right shoulder, and then, with a click, a lighter held within it was lit.

_{Bai Chen didn't reply immediately, only looking at Chi Shang seriously before asking again.}Chi Shang's already soured mood grew even more agitated at the unexpected answer. He couldn't understand why he had needed to ask about that deskmate of his. Perhaps it was just due to the two having spent the year sitting together, and he had just gotten used to having that guy beside him.

Bai Chen didn't reply immediately, only looking at Chi Shang seriously before asking again.

_{"Yes. Why shouldn't we compete? Hasn't the number of matches we've had throughout these past three years been relatively small?"}Chi Shang nodded earnestly in return.

"Yes. Why shouldn't we compete? Hasn't the number of matches we've had throughout these past three years been relatively small?"

_{"What the hell do you mean,'regard this as your loss this time around'?"}
A look of "these idiots" was plastered on Chi Shang's face as he again leaned close to Bai Chen to whisper.

"What the hell do you mean,'regard this as your loss this time around'?"

_{"Is this a graduation party or a farewell party? Are these people planning on never seeing each other again?"}Chi Shang, who was originally holding in a stomach full of rage-imbued curses for that insane bastard named Sang Zizhuo, upon hearing Bai Chen's words, had grown even more enraged.

"Is this a graduation party or a farewell party? Are these people planning on never seeing each other again?"

_{A look of "these idiots" was plastered on Chi Shang's face as he again leaned close to Bai Chen to whisper.}Chi Shang then looked around to take a proper look at the faces of the ones there, seeming as though he was looking for someone.

A look of "these idiots" was plastered on Chi Shang's face as he again leaned close to Bai Chen to whisper.

_{"Why are you hiding away by yourself here while smoking alone?"}
"Does this game have some sort of hidden function? If you roll five ones and five sixes, does it make people devolve into their primal state?"

"Why are you hiding away by yourself here while smoking alone?"

_{Bai Chen also nodded seriously.}
Before Bai Chen could respond, Sang Zizhuo’s booming voice interrupted him.

Bai Chen also nodded seriously.

_{Chi Shang then looked around to take a proper look at the faces of the ones there, seeming as though he was looking for someone.}
"Lao Chi, the time for you to be punished with Bai-ge has come!"

Chi Shang then looked around to take a proper look at the faces of the ones there, seeming as though he was looking for someone.

_{"Hey, where's that former deskmate of mine?"}Bai Chen's hazel eyes glimmered under the dim lights of the balcony, a light smile curving his lips while his expression remained gentle, but his fingers, in contrast, were unconsciously kneading the cіgarette between his fingers.

"Hey, where's that former deskmate of mine?"

_{A look of "these idiots" was plastered on Chi Shang's face as he again leaned close to Bai Chen to whisper.}
Sang Zizhuo picked up the microphone and stood shakily on the table, the "who cares, I'll just die tomorrow" excited expression on his face showing how little fυcks he currently gave.

A look of "these idiots" was plastered on Chi Shang's face as he again leaned close to Bai Chen to whisper.

_{"Are you sure about this?"}01: Graduation Party

"Are you sure about this?"

_{Sang Zizhuo let out a long sigh, then patted his chest.}"Let's head back."

Sang Zizhuo let out a long sigh, then patted his chest.

_{The boy sitting in the middle to the left was the first to break the awkward silence, pulling Chi Shang to sit beside him.}"Hey, where's that former deskmate of mine?"

The boy sitting in the middle to the left was the first to break the awkward silence, pulling Chi Shang to sit beside him.

_{"Lao Chi, the time for you to be punished with Bai-ge has come!"}
"For one month... the two of you... have to pretend to be gay! Oh, wait, scratch that—you'll do it for a week! Just one week! And whoever is the first to mention anything about calling it quits will be the one declared the loser!"

"Lao Chi, the time for you to be punished with Bai-ge has come!"

_{"Do you want us to compete with a bet like this, too?"}
Chi Shang: Does this kid want to die?

"Do you want us to compete with a bet like this, too?"

_{"I had a problem with my applications. My mom still won't let me go."}When Chi Shang rolled five ones and Bai Chen rolled five sixes, the crowd was silent for a few seconds before they erupted into deafening cheers.

"I had a problem with my applications. My mom still won't let me go."

_{"Is this a graduation party or a farewell party? Are these people planning on never seeing each other again?"}Bai Chen didn't reply immediately, only looking at Chi Shang seriously before asking again.

"Is this a graduation party or a farewell party? Are these people planning on never seeing each other again?"

_{When the others saw this, they had again returned to their previous state, becoming lively, making everything that happened just a moment ago seem like some kind of illusion.}
Bai Chen: ???

When the others saw this, they had again returned to their previous state, becoming lively, making everything that happened just a moment ago seem like some kind of illusion.

_{Rubbing his brows, Bai Chen could only plaster on a helpless grin.}"I'm sure."

Rubbing his brows, Bai Chen could only plaster on a helpless grin.

_{Chi Shang frowned instantly.}
The crowd never expected Sang Zizhuo would be so blissfully drunk he'd do such a shocking thing, and, at that moment, they had forgotten about trying to stop him.

Chi Shang frowned instantly.

_{Chi Shang read Sang Zizhuo's message and frowned internally, resigning himself to heading into that bar.}
"What's wrong? You two aren't chickens, are you?! If not, why won't you do it?!"

Chi Shang read Sang Zizhuo's message and frowned internally, resigning himself to heading into that bar.

_N/A"Hey! Yo! You two finally came back. C'mon, get in here. We're gonna start the game."

N/A

_{The song everyone had chosen still permeated the room, but apart from that, the room was blanketed in dead silence.}
Sang Zizhuo was still hugging a bottle as he delivered his last words in this life. The students beside him quickly pulled him down from the table, afraid the two older boys, with their growing ire, would end up beating the drunken fellow to kingdom come!

The song everyone had chosen still permeated the room, but apart from that, the room was blanketed in dead silence.

_{Chi Shang nodded earnestly in return.}
Rubbing his brows, Bai Chen could only plaster on a helpless grin.

Chi Shang nodded earnestly in return.

_{01: Graduation Party}Sang Zizhuo, who was now drinking with another friend beside him, upon hearing this, scanned the room, his bottle still in hand, seeing no sign of Bai Chen either. So he then said offhandedly:

01: Graduation Party

_{The boy sitting in the middle to the left was the first to break the awkward silence, pulling Chi Shang to sit beside him.}N/A

The boy sitting in the middle to the left was the first to break the awkward silence, pulling Chi Shang to sit beside him.

_{"Is this a graduation party or a farewell party? Are these people planning on never seeing each other again?"}
"Sang Zizhuo seems to have drunk way too much, so let's not take his words seriously, alright? Let's just say I called it quits, and I lost this time around."

"Is this a graduation party or a farewell party? Are these people planning on never seeing each other again?"

When the others saw this, they had again returned to their previous state, becoming lively, making everything that happened just a moment ago seem like some kind of illusion.

_{"Oh, he must've gone to the bathroom."}"Why is the one who rolls the highest also being punished?"

"Oh, he must've gone to the bathroom."

_{Chi Shang leaned close to Bai Chen's ear as they watched a "lucky" couple perform the song "If You Want to Get Married, The Groom Won't Be Me" and couldn't help but say in mocking:}When the others saw this, they had again returned to their previous state, becoming lively, making everything that happened just a moment ago seem like some kind of illusion.

Chi Shang leaned close to Bai Chen's ear as they watched a "lucky" couple perform the song "If You Want to Get Married, The Groom Won't Be Me" and couldn't help but say in mocking:

_{And fortune was indeed such a marvellous thing because, as soon as these two were done making fun of their fellow players, the scales of fate tilted towards them, which it crowned as the next "lucky" couple.}
Chi Shang, who was originally holding in a stomach full of rage-imbued curses for that insane bastard named Sang Zizhuo, upon hearing Bai Chen's words, had grown even more enraged.

_{"I was late because of traffic. The bottle is for the penalty. You guys can continue."}"Are you sure about this?"

"I was late because of traffic. The bottle is for the penalty. You guys can continue."

_{"Hey, where's that former deskmate of mine?"}
"What the hell do you mean,'regard this as your loss this time around'?"

"Hey, where's that former deskmate of mine?"

_{For the past three years, in their studies, the two have taken turns claiming the top spot in their grade, leaving a huge gap between their scores and the one for third place. In sports, they cleaned house with any competition they entered and claimed all the gold medals.}Chi Shang made his way to the balcony of the third floor, pulling out a cіgarette and placing it between his lips. But before he could look for a lighter to ignite it, the faint smell of soap wafted from behind him. A fair arm extended—an arm so well-defined it displayed the signs of its strength. It reached over his right shoulder, and then, with a click, a lighter held within it was lit.

For the past three years, in their studies, the two have taken turns claiming the top spot in their grade, leaving a huge gap between their scores and the one for third place. In sports, they cleaned house with any competition they entered and claimed all the gold medals. In talent shows, Bai Chen played the piano, while Chi Shang played the violin. So their final collaborative performance during the school festival for the arts was, for many years, regarded as the best classical show.

_{A look of "these idiots" was plastered on Chi Shang's face as he again leaned close to Bai Chen to whisper.}When Chi Shang arrived at the entrance of the Karaoke bar, he was already ten minutes late. Tugging at his collar, he revealed a fair neck while a light frown knitted his beautiful brows together to show his displeasure at the place before him.

A look of "these idiots" was plastered on Chi Shang's face as he again leaned close to Bai Chen to whisper.

_{"Yes. Why shouldn't we compete? Hasn't the number of matches we've had throughout these past three years been relatively small?"}Rubbing his brows, Bai Chen could only plaster on a helpless grin.

"Yes. Why shouldn't we compete? Hasn't the number of matches we've had throughout these past three years been relatively small?"

_{When Chi Shang arrived at the entrance of the Karaoke bar, he was already ten minutes late. Tugging at his collar, he revealed a fair neck while a light frown knitted his beautiful brows together to show his displeasure at the place before him.}
Chi Shang grabbed Bai Chen by the collar, his eyes fixed on the guy in his grasp, as he again repeated every single word.

When Chi Shang arrived at the entrance of the Karaoke bar, he was already ten minutes late. Tugging at his collar, he revealed a fair neck while a light frown knitted his beautiful brows together to show his displeasure at the place before him.

_{"Is this a graduation party or a farewell party? Are these people planning on never seeing each other again?"}Chi Shang's eyes swept the room, only to see everyone's eyes focused his way, forcing him to curse under his breath.

"Is this a graduation party or a farewell party? Are these people planning on never seeing each other again?"

In the first few rounds, Chi Shang managed to keep his good luck going throughout the rounds. He kept rolling numbers between the highest and lowest while getting to watch the high and low rolling lucky bastards forced to accept very strange punishments.

_{Chi Shang drew the lighter-held hand closer to his lips, lighting his cіgarette. He loved taking a long drag upon its first lighting, followed by his slow exhalation of smoke rings, which were currently expelled as Bai Chen spoke.}['Lao Chi, where the hell are you? You're the only one missing from room three-oh-two. If you don't get over here, the drinking penalty is going to double!']

_{The two were dragged by Sang Zizhuo to sit at the table where the rules of the game were explained. Put simply, everyone would get a chance to roll the dice to get the highest and lowest rollers, who would then be punished together.}
"What the hell do you mean,'regard this as your loss this time around'?"

_{"Just stay in the city, then. This place is also pretty good."}For the past three years, in their studies, the two have taken turns claiming the top spot in their grade, leaving a huge gap between their scores and the one for third place. In sports, they cleaned house with any competition they entered and claimed all the gold medals. In talent shows, Bai Chen played the piano, while Chi Shang played the violin. So their final collaborative performance during the school festival for the arts was, for many years, regarded as the best classical show.

"Just stay in the city, then. This place is also pretty good."

_{"It's nothing. I just had a small misunderstanding with my mom."}"Hey! Yo! You two finally came back. C'mon, get in here. We're gonna start the game."

"It's nothing. I just had a small misunderstanding with my mom."

_{Bai Chen also nodded seriously.}"I had a problem with my applications. My mom still won't let me go."

Bai Chen also nodded seriously.

_{01: Graduation Party}
Bai Chen, seeming to think nothing of his currently grabbed collar, just replied helplessly.

01: Graduation Party

_{"Hey! Yo! You two finally came back. C'mon, get in here. We're gonna start the game."}"For one month... the two of you... have to pretend to be gay! Oh, wait, scratch that—you'll do it for a week! Just one week! And whoever is the first to mention anything about calling it quits will be the one declared the loser!"

"Hey! Yo! You two finally came back. C'mon, get in here. We're gonna start the game."

_{But, unfortunately for Chi Shang, he had gotten into a fight with his family about his college applications an hour ago, so his current mood was honestly not that great.}
For a moment, Chi Shang choked. He originally had no intention of the sort at all! He had just been provoked by Bai Chen's words. But with Bai Chen saying it like this, he couldn't bring himself to refuse—he couldn't.

But, unfortunately for Chi Shang, he had gotten into a fight with his family about his college applications an hour ago, so his current mood was honestly not that great.

_{"Can you stop talking shit already?"}
Chi Shang and Bai Chen had been classmates for the past three years—and deskmates for one. Both of them regarded the other as their only true rival in this life, regardless of whether it was in terms of grades or anything else, for that matter.

"Can you stop talking shit already?"

_{"Do you want us to compete with a bet like this, too?"}"Yes. Why shouldn't we compete? Hasn't the number of matches we've had throughout these past three years been relatively small?"

"Do you want us to compete with a bet like this, too?"

_{Three years held nothing but competition between them, and both refused to give in. So, as long as the chance to compete presented itself, although it was not appropriate to say so, Bai Chen's words did indeed ignite Chi Shang's long-neglected desire to win or lose.}
For the past three years, in their studies, the two have taken turns claiming the top spot in their grade, leaving a huge gap between their scores and the one for third place. In sports, they cleaned house with any competition they entered and claimed all the gold medals. In talent shows, Bai Chen played the piano, while Chi Shang played the violin. So their final collaborative performance during the school festival for the arts was, for many years, regarded as the best classical show.

Three years held nothing but competition between them, and both refused to give in. So, as long as the chance to compete presented itself, although it was not appropriate to say so, Bai Chen's words did indeed ignite Chi Shang's long-neglected desire to win or lose.

_{"I was late because of traffic. The bottle is for the penalty. You guys can continue."}
Three years held nothing but competition between them, and both refused to give in. So, as long as the chance to compete presented itself, although it was not appropriate to say so, Bai Chen's words did indeed ignite Chi Shang's long-neglected desire to win or lose.

"I was late because of traffic. The bottle is for the penalty. You guys can continue."

_{"I'm sure."}In the first few rounds, Chi Shang managed to keep his good luck going throughout the rounds. He kept rolling numbers between the highest and lowest while getting to watch the high and low rolling lucky bastards forced to accept very strange punishments.

"I'm sure."

_{The song everyone had chosen still permeated the room, but apart from that, the room was blanketed in dead silence.}The boy sitting in the middle to the left was the first to break the awkward silence, pulling Chi Shang to sit beside him.

The song everyone had chosen still permeated the room, but apart from that, the room was blanketed in dead silence.

_{"For one month... the two of you... have to pretend to be gay! Oh, wait, scratch that—you'll do it for a week! Just one week! And whoever is the first to mention anything about calling it quits will be the one declared the loser!"}Chi Shang was too lazy to look back at him and lazily took the cіgarette, which was half crushed between Bai Chen's index and middle fingers, to put it out on the bin beside them.

_{Bai Chen didn't reply immediately, only looking at Chi Shang seriously before asking again.}
"Yes. Why shouldn't we compete? Hasn't the number of matches we've had throughout these past three years been relatively small?"

Bai Chen didn't reply immediately, only looking at Chi Shang seriously before asking again.

_{Bai Chen: {???}}When Sang Zizhuo drank too much, he usually got a lot bolder and paid no mind to Chi Shang's darkening face. He was also the one who kicked off the game.

Bai Chen: ???

_{"Hahaha. Chi-ge, you're awesome, man. Freaking awesome!"}
Bai Chen didn't reply immediately, only looking at Chi Shang seriously before asking again.

"Hahaha. Chi-ge, you're awesome, man. Freaking awesome!"

_{Looking at the slender figure of Chi Shang walking in front of him, Bai Chen's expression calmed, with him wondering what on earth he was thinking.}Chi Shang grabbed Bai Chen by the collar, his eyes fixed on the guy in his grasp, as he again repeated every single word.

Looking at the slender figure of Chi Shang walking in front of him, Bai Chen's expression calmed, with him wondering what on earth he was thinking.

_{"Alright then, agreed. I hope you don't regret it."}
"Are you sure about this?"

"Alright then, agreed. I hope you don't regret it."

_{"Because it'll be interesting. Don't sweat it."}Sang Zizhuo, on the other hand, was having a blast playing drinking games with the other guys around him, all drinking until they were tipsy. Chi Shang then pulled Sang Zizhuo aside for a second, excusing himself, before getting up and leaving the room.

"Because it'll be interesting. Don't sweat it."

_{['Lao Chi, where the hell are you? You're the only one missing from room three-oh-two. If you don't get over here, the drinking penalty is going to double!']}Sang Zizhuo, who was now drinking with another friend beside him, upon hearing this, scanned the room, his bottle still in hand, seeing no sign of Bai Chen either. So he then said offhandedly:

['Lao Chi, where the hell are you? You're the only one missing from room three-oh-two. If you don't get over here, the drinking penalty is going to double!']

_{"It's nothing. I just had a small misunderstanding with my mom."}"What's wrong? You two aren't chickens, are you?! If not, why won't you do it?!"

"It's nothing. I just had a small misunderstanding with my mom."

_{When Sang Zizhuo drank too much, he usually got a lot bolder and paid no mind to Chi Shang's darkening face. He was also the one who kicked off the game.}
Chi Shang nodded earnestly in return.

When Sang Zizhuo drank too much, he usually got a lot bolder and paid no mind to Chi Shang's darkening face. He was also the one who kicked off the game.

_{Chi Shang and Bai Chen had been classmates for the past three years—and deskmates for one. Both of them regarded the other as their only true rival in this life, regardless of whether it was in terms of grades or anything else, for that matter.}
"I'm sure."

Chi Shang and Bai Chen had been classmates for the past three years—and deskmates for one. Both of them regarded the other as their only true rival in this life, regardless of whether it was in terms of grades or anything else, for that matter.

_{Chi Shang then looked around to take a proper look at the faces of the ones there, seeming as though he was looking for someone.}When the others saw this, they had again returned to their previous state, becoming lively, making everything that happened just a moment ago seem like some kind of illusion.

Chi Shang then looked around to take a proper look at the faces of the ones there, seeming as though he was looking for someone.

_{Grabbing a beer on the table, he tilted his head and chugged the bottle of Budweiser in a single breath.}And fortune was indeed such a marvellous thing because, as soon as these two were done making fun of their fellow players, the scales of fate tilted towards them, which it crowned as the next "lucky" couple.

Grabbing a beer on the table, he tilted his head and chugged the bottle of Budweiser in a single breath.

_{In the first few rounds, Chi Shang managed to keep his good luck going throughout the rounds. He kept rolling numbers between the highest and lowest while getting to watch the high and low rolling lucky bastards forced to accept very strange punishments.}
Bai Chen had been leaning in a way that made half of his body obscured by the shadows. One of his bent legs was pushed open by Chi Shang's knee. Chi Shang then supported himself on the sofa with his left arm while his right leg was positioned between Bai Chen's legs. But because his right hand was still holding onto Bai Chen's collar, Chi Shang had to lean half his body downward, leaving them both seemingly oblivious to the ambiguous nature of the current positioning.

_{Chi Shang's already soured mood grew even more agitated at the unexpected answer. He couldn't understand why he had needed to ask about that deskmate of his. Perhaps it was just due to the two having spent the year sitting together, and he had just gotten used to having that guy beside him.}
"Alright then, agreed. I hope you don't regret it."

_{Bai Chen, seeming to think nothing of his currently grabbed collar, just replied helplessly.}"What the hell do you mean,'regard this as your loss this time around'?"

Bai Chen, seeming to think nothing of his currently grabbed collar, just replied helplessly.

"Is this a graduation party or a farewell party? Are these people planning on never seeing each other again?"

_{Grabbing a beer on the table, he tilted his head and chugged the bottle of Budweiser in a single breath.}"What's wrong? You two aren't chickens, are you?! If not, why won't you do it?!"

Grabbing a beer on the table, he tilted his head and chugged the bottle of Budweiser in a single breath.

Author's Note:

N/A

Notes:

-ge: Brother/Bro, used between friends or as an honorific for a guy older than you. (In this context)

-Lao: used like Ge but it has more seniority to it, like you're the head.

Updated every Friday.

Achillean Game: C01

01: Graduation Party

Author's Note:

Notes:

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