Chapter 70: Playing a Game
Chapter 70: Playing a Game
Moments ago
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The moon hung high, casting its silvery glow over the tranquil courtyard where the five Young Masters, each with his unique demeanor, awaited the arrival of Xiang Ling.
Wei Guang stood with serene composure, his gaze steady as if he held the tranquility of a still lake within him. Li Xian observed everything with an intensity that spoke volumes in his quietude, his eyes capturing every nuance of the night.
Xin Cheng, shrouded in mystery, leaned against a pillar, his enigmatic expression betraying nothing of the thoughts swirling beneath the surface. Zhe Yuan, the playful one, grinned mischievously, his eyes dancing with anticipation as he awaited the arrival of their wife.
And then there was Dao Ming, the embodiment of secrecy and playfulness intertwined, his eyes glinted with hidden knowledge as he watched the night sky that had once again captivated his attention.
In the midst of their silent vigil, the door of the main chamber opened and Xiang Ling emerged, ethereal and radiant in a very unexpected attire. A white top left her arms and midriff bare, accentuating the graceful curves of her figure, while a long white skirt flowed like moonlit silk around her legs. A blue, see-through outer robe added an air of mystery to her ensemble, as if she were a celestial being descended from the heavens themselves.
As she approached, the husbands found themselves spellbound by her beauty, illuminated by the soft luminescence of the moon. Each breath seemed to catch in their throats as they beheld her, their hearts quickening with an awe that transcended mere mortal understanding.
Wei Guang’s calm demeanor faltered for a moment, a flicker of emotion passing through his serene facade. Li Xian’s silent reverence deepened, his gaze unwavering even as his heart soared with silent admiration. Xin Cheng’s usual facade cracked ever so slightly, a fleeting glimpse of wonder crossing his inscrutable features.
Zhe Yuan’s playful grin widened into a grin of pure delight, his playful spirit ignited by the sight before him. And Dao Ming, ever the master of secrets, found himself momentarily at a loss for words, his calm facade momentarily forgotten in the face of such radiant beauty.
Together, they stood in silent reverence, united in their admiration for the woman who had captured their souls beneath the glow of the moonlit sky.
"Is everything alright?" Xiang Ling asked when none of the men took their eyes off her even when she was standing right in front of them.
Her question pulled the men out of their trance. They all immediately diverted their attention and looked away from her.
"LingLing, come and sit here with us." Zhe Yuan offered the only empty seat between him and Wei Guang. Xiang Ling nodded her head and settled down on the empty seat. She made sure to flick her hair here and fix her dress there, alluring the men to keep their gazes fixed on her.
"You... aren’t you feeling cold?" Wei Guang asked as he took a sip from the cup sitting in front of him. Just one look at the bottles sitting on the table and it was clear that everyone was enjoying wine.
"Cold?" Xiang Ling asked in confusion even though she knew that he wasn’t exactly referring to her feeling cold. "It was such a hot day and the air is still pretty much warm. Why will I feel hot?"
"Well... I..." Wei Guang seemed at a loss for words. So, he gave up on saying anything at all and gulped down another cup of wine.
Xiang Ling looked around the table and noticed how similar everyone’s expression was. She had to suppress the smile that threatened to spill on her lips. Clearing her throat, she asked, "Can I have some wine too?"
Three men reached out to serve her wine at the same time - Wei Guang, Li Xian, and Zhe Yuan. This time, Xiang Ling had to bite down on her lower lip to keep a straight face. In the end, it was Wei Guang who poured wine for her and placed the cup in front of her.
Xiang Ling picked up the cup and brought it closer to her face. She inhaled the delicious aroma that immediately made her crave a taste. Without wasting any more time, she took a sip and immediately felt her tastebuds rejoicing.
"Mmm..."
The moan slipped past her lips before she could have controlled it. Her eyes immediately flew open and she found all the men looking at her. "I... the wine tastes really good." She said in her defense and immediately took another sip.
The men just cleared their throats and didn’t say anything. Xin Cheng also took his seat around the table and immediately dawned a cup of wine.
"How about we play a game while enjoying the wine and the night?" Zhe Yuan suggested as he tried to change the awkward and silent atmosphere.
"What kind of game?" Xiang Ling asked with interest. She was enjoying the idea of enjoying some time together along with wine more than she was expecting.
Zhe Yuan looked around at the blank faces of the other four men before he spoke to Xiang Ling, "How about you suggest one?"
"Hmm... a game... " Xiang Ling tried to recall the games she knew about and after thinking for a while, she finally found a perfect one for the occasion. "There is one that we can play." She immediately got everyone’s attention.
"Which one?" Zhe Yuan asked excitedly.
"It’s called - Never Have I Ever." Xiang Ling revealed the game that she once watched some other young stars playing in the Celestial Realm. Once she noticed that everyone seemed interested, she quickly explained the rules. "The rules are pretty simple. Every player will hold up their fingers and one will start the game by saying something they have never done. Players who have done what the statement says must put down one finger and must take a drink. The person with all their fingers down first will lose."
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A/N:
According to my research, the game of ’Never Have I Ever’ possibly originated in the 1980s. So, while this game technically shouldn’t exist in this story’s timeline, let’s assume otherwise for the plot’s sake.
Thank you!