Redemption from the Abyss: The School Beauty Insists on Pulling Me Out of the Mire

As night deepened, the barbecue grill on the terrace had been extinguished, leaving only a few camping lights emitting a warm yellow glow.

The table was covered with empty cans of soda, several bottles of low-alcohol fruit wine, and an empty glass beer bottle.

"Eating without playing is so boring!"

Lu Wen placed the empty beer bottle in the middle of the table, his eyes gleaming with excitement:

"Come on, let's play Truth or Dare! Nobody can back down! Whoever gets the bottle tip spinning is the winner!"

The group exchanged glances.

This game may be a bit cliché, but on a mountaintop on a summer night, it's definitely the best way to boost hormones.

"Come on." Xie Wang leaned back lazily in his chair, one hand resting on the back of Su Qinghe's chair, his posture relaxed. "I also want to see how many secrets you're hiding."

Lu Wen spun around forcefully.

The glass bottle spun rapidly on the table, making a "gurgling" sound. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the bottle's opening.

Slowly, the bottle came to a stop.

The bottle opening points directly at—the deer.

"Ah! How is it me!" Lin Lu cried out in pain.

"Truth or Dare?" Lu Wen asked with a mischievous grin.

"Truth or dare! I choose truth or dare!" Lin Lu quickly raised her hand, afraid that Lu Wen would make her run naked.

Lu Wen stroked his chin and posed an extremely gossipy question:

"Ms. Lin, who is currently pinned to the top of your WeChat chat list? Would you dare to show it to us?"

Lin Lu's face instantly turned bright red.

After hesitating for a while, amidst the clamor of the crowd, she resolutely took out her phone and lit up the screen.

There's only one pinned post, with the caption: "[Stupid Lu Wen]".

"Oh~~~~"

The entire audience erupted in cheers.

Lu Wen himself was taken aback for a moment, then his ears turned suspiciously red. He coughed and waved his hand, feigning composure.

"Ahem! You pass! Next round, next round!"

The bottle was spun again.

This time, it slowly came to a stop in front of Xie Wang.

The entire room fell silent instantly. Everyone held their breath, eager to challenge this big shot.

"Truth or dare." Xie Wang raised an eyebrow and chose directly without even waiting for anyone to ask.

"Let me ask! Let me ask!"

Shen Hao, unaware of the danger, boldly asked loudly:

"Brother Wang! Please describe your ideal type! It must be specific! You can't say 'I don't know'!"

All eyes—including Su Qinghe's—were focused on Xie Wang.

Su Qinghe tightened his grip on the water glass slightly, pretending to admire the scenery, but his ears perked up.

Xie Wang chuckled and took a sip of the fruit wine in front of him.

He didn't look at anyone else, but turned his head, his gaze falling directly and unrestrainedly on Su Qinghe, and slowly began to speak:

"My ideal type..."

"He doesn't need to be too tall, just up to my chin is fine."

"She usually seems aloof, but she's actually very soft-hearted."

"She looks charming when she wears glasses and does math problems."

"Most importantly..." Xie Wang's smile deepened, "She can keep me in check, and she dares to sign her name in the parent section."

"Wow--!!!"

Lin Lu and Lu Wen let out a screeching sound like groundhogs and frantically slammed their fists on the table.

Su Qinghe's face instantly flushed. She lowered her head, took a sip of water to hide the smile on her lips, and stomped hard on Xie Wang's foot under the table.

Xie Wang remained unfazed, and even went further, grabbing her hand under the table.

The game continued, and the atmosphere grew increasingly lively.

Perhaps it was fate's arrangement, or perhaps Lu Wen had secretly tampered with things.

The third time, the bottle stopped steadily in front of Shen Hao.

Shen Hao's heart clenched.

"Truth or Dare!" Lu Wen didn't even give him a chance to choose truth, making the decision immediately. "Shen Hao is a real man, he'll definitely choose truth or dare, right?"

Shen Hao was caught in a dilemma and could only nod reluctantly, "...Okay! Dare it!"

Lu Wen and Lin Lu exchanged a glance and revealed a mischievous smile.

Lin Lu cleared her throat and pointed at Shen Hao, saying:

"So, what's the content of your adventure?"

"Now, immediately, right now, look at your favorite person of the opposite sex present and say three sweet nothings that only the two of you understand! It has to be passionate! Maintain eye contact for ten seconds!"

"boom--"

Shen Hao's mind went blank.

He subconsciously looked at Xu You beside him.

Xu You was stunned. The skewers in her hand stopped in mid-air, and her cheeks quickly flushed red. She looked at him, somewhat at a loss.

Normally, Shen Hao would probably just laugh it off.

But tonight is different; he harbors a secret from the entire summer.

But is it appropriate to say it in such a lighthearted, playful setting, with everyone watching?

Wouldn't that seem too frivolous? Wouldn't Xu You feel like it's just a game punishment?

Shen Hao remained frozen in his seat, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

He couldn't say it.

But he didn't want to just make a perfunctory eye contact.

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat tense and awkward.

Xu You lowered her head, her fingers twisted together, seemingly waiting, yet also seemingly afraid.

Just as Shen Hao was about to suffocate, and Xu You was about to want to escape because of embarrassment—

"Holy crap!"

Lu Wen, who had been staring at his watch, suddenly slapped his thigh and let out an exaggerated scream, breaking the deadlock.

Everyone was startled and looked at Lu Wen.

Lu Wen pointed to his watch, his face showing a look of utter alarm.

"What time is it?! It's already 8:10! Why are we still playing this stupid game?!"

"Shen Hao! We'll make up for this dare later!"

He stood up and started ushering people in like a tour guide:

"Quickly! Stop sitting! Get up!"

"I just received a message from the housekeeper: 'that thing' has appeared in the back mountain! If we don't go now, we won't see it again!"

"What is it?" Xu You looked up blankly, her earlier embarrassment replaced by curiosity.

"Great stuff! Only available tonight!"

Lu Wenchong gave Xie Wang a wink.

Xie Wang understood immediately and pulled Su Qinghe to his feet:

"Let's go. It would be a shame to miss the grand finale arranged by Young Master Lu."

After saying that, he walked past Shen Hao, who was still in a daze, pressed hard on his shoulder, and whispered:

"What are you standing there for? This stage was set up for you."

Whether you can turn a dare into a truth depends on you.

Shen Hao was startled.

He watched Xu You's retreating figure as Lin Lu led him toward the back of the mountain, took a deep breath, grabbed the ice water on the table, and drank it all in one gulp.

This time, it's not a game.

They're serious.

"Walk!"

Shen Hao's eyes sharpened, and he strode after him.