A live stream that dramatically transformed a depressed schoolgirl shocked netizens across the count

The dishes and chopsticks were washed, the stove fire was extinguished, but the lingering smoke in the yard hadn't dissipated.

Bai Weiwei carried a copper kettle out of the main room, stacked some rough pottery cups in her arms, and squatted down next to the charcoal stove in the corner of the courtyard.

The charcoal was thoroughly burned, and the ash was enveloped in a dark red glow.

She grabbed a few grains of roasted rice, broke off half a walnut kernel, and threw them into the copper kettle, added water, and placed it on the stove.

The aroma of rice, carried by the steam, wafted up the courtyard wall and towards the stone table.

"The tea needs to brew for a while." Bai Weiwei brushed the charcoal ash from her palm, turned around, and pulled out a deck of cards from behind the door of the main room. "Since we're just killing time anyway, how about a game?"

Su Niannian slumped in the rattan chair, her slippers dangling from the back of her feet and dangling a couple of times.

"What trick are you going to pull this time?"

Bai Weiwei pulled a deck of cards out of her pocket. The cards were so old that the edges were frayed, and most of the colors on the back of the cards had faded.

"These were left by my grandma." Bai Weiwei flipped the cards over on the stone table. "Red cards answer questions, black cards are challenges. Questions and challenges are given by the previous person, and each person has one right to refuse."

Ye Xingyu dragged over a wooden chair and first straightened the lantern that had been knocked askew by the table.

What happens after you've used up your one-time refusal right?

"You have to accept whatever you draw next."

Bai Weiwei shuffled the cards, which flew through her hands. "Don't worry, I won't make the questions too difficult."

"Is it too much for you to ask me a question?" Su Niannian sat up from the wicker chair. "Last time you asked me where my first kiss was, I almost shoved roasted tea up your nose."

Bai Weiwei shuffled the cards with a loud clatter.

"You answered 'by the stove' yourself; I didn't force you."

"Shut up!"

The courtyard erupted in laughter.

The live-streaming ball, suspended next to the bougainvillea, saw its online viewership surge from 120,000 to over 140,000.

The screen was filled with comments, even half of the lantern was covered.

[A post-dinner honesty talk? I'm not sleeping tonight, whoever quits the live stream is a dog!]

[Give Lang Ge a boost! Don't ask him silly questions like whether he likes sunny or rainy days!]

[Xiao Qingci is sitting right next to him; this card game is bound to have some big developments!]

The kitchen door curtain was lifted, and Chen Lang walked out with a dry towel draped over his arm. Water droplets dripped down the back of his hand and onto the muddy ground.

He glanced at the cards on the table, raising an eyebrow.

"A grand adventure?"

"It's the roasted tea version," Bai Weiwei said, gesturing for him to sit down. "Want to play a round?"

Chen Lang walked over and sat down next to Shen Qingci, stretching out his long legs and taking up half of the aisle.

"Let's see."

Shen Qingci looked at the old deck of cards on the table, her fingers unconsciously twirling the sandalwood beads on her wrist.

Bai Weiwei turned to the side. "Qingci, if you think it's too noisy, just listen from the side."

Shen Qingci thought for two seconds, then said, "I'll play."

Gu Qingshang also sat down.

She changed into a pair of cloth shoes, her silk sleeves were still rolled up, and there was a red stain on her wrist from stirring the soup.

Count me in.

Six people gathered around the stone table.

The copper kettle on the clay stove, with its lid on, let steam rise straight up, filling the entire courtyard with the aroma of roasted rice mixed with the rich scent of walnut oil.

Bai Weiwei arranged the cards neatly and placed them in the center of the table.

I'll set an example.

She removed the top sheet and flipped it over.

Seven of Hearts.

"Red card, answer the question." Su Niannian leaned forward, gripping the armrest of the rattan chair. "Awei, what are you most afraid of?"

Bai Weiwei turned her head to look at the firelight in the clay stove, "I'm afraid my grandmother's tea-roasting recipe will not be passed down."

"What kind of question is this? It's too bland." Su Niannian leaned back in her chair.

"The rules don't say you have to dig up dirt on someone." Bai Weiwei placed the seven of hearts face down in the discard pile. "Your turn. Read it."

Su Niannian reached out and swept her hand across the deck of cards, picking out one.

Jack of Spades.

"Black, a challenge." Bai Weiwei narrowed her eyes. "Pour a cup of tea for the person you admire most in the room."

Su Niannian paused for a moment while holding the playing cards, then got up and walked to the charcoal stove.

The water in the copper kettle has boiled.

She placed a cloth under the pot, poured the roasted rice, walnuts, and tea into a rough earthenware cup, and carried it back to the table, placing it in front of Ye Xingyu.

Ye Xingyu looked up and her gaze fell on her face.

Su Niannian pulled out a rattan chair and sat down, swinging her slippers on the back of her feet a couple of times.

"What are you looking at? We've known each other for over a decade, why would I need to choose?"

She crossed her arms and looked down at the fire in the charcoal stove.

"Even when you fall into the mud yourself, you remember to pull others up first. You don't take your grievances out on those around you, and you always fulfill your promises even if it means gritting your teeth."

Su Niannian nudged Ye Xingyu's chair leg with the tip of her shoe.

"This cup of tea is for you."

Ye Xingyu picked up the teacup, her lips touching the rim, but she didn't drink for a long time.

The heat enveloped her eyes and brows, and she lowered her head, her shoulders heaving slightly.

Su Niannian turned her face away and tapped the table with her hand.

"Drink it quickly, or you'll have to pour it all over again if it gets cold. Don't expect me to do it twice."

Ye Xingyu let out a muffled sound, tilted her head back and swallowed a mouthful of hot tea, the ceramic cup obscuring her downturned lips.

The live stream paused for two seconds, and heart-shaped symbols filled the screen.

No wonder Su Niannian cried so loudly when Ye Xingyu fell into the water that day.

[A friendship of over a decade lingered in her heart. No matter how fierce she was usually with words, when faced with a life-or-death situation, she was more nervous than anyone else.]

Looking back at the rescue at Erhai Lake, Su Niannian's crying uncontrollably on the shore now makes perfect sense.

Ye Xingyu put down the empty cup and picked up the second card.

Four of Hearts.

Bai Weiwei posed the question: "What's the one thing you most want to do right now?"

Ye Xingyu held her teacup, paused for a moment, and looked up at the people at the table.

Her gaze swept over Su Niannian and Bai Weiwei, lingering a moment longer on Chen Lang.

Shen Qingci sat down beside Chen Lang, tightening her grip on the rough pottery cup.

The cup pressed against her palm, but she didn't let go. She simply moved the chair half an inch closer to Chen Lang, her knees brushing against his work pants.

Chen Lang leaned back in his chair, looking down and fiddling with the old deck of cards, ignoring the commotion under the table.

The lantern illuminated the steam left from the sour soup pot, and bowls and chopsticks that hadn't been put away were scattered around the table.

"We've already done it," Ye Xingyu said.

Bai Weiwei was stunned: "What?"

Ye Xingyu lowered her eyes and gathered the teacup in her palm.

"To sit down with you and have a meal together."

She paused for a moment, then a smile appeared on her lips.

"that's all."

Shen Qingci loosened his grip on the cup a little, but still didn't move the chair back.

Su Niannian held her cup without saying a word. After a while, she raised her hand and touched the rim of Ye Xingyu's cup.

"Then eat it more often in the future."

Ye Xingyu nodded emphatically, then lowered his head to sip the remaining tea at the bottom of his cup.

Steam rose from the copper kettle on the charcoal stove, and the aroma of roasted rice and walnuts wafted around the edge of the table and into the night.

Gu Qingshang reached out and picked up a card with his index finger.

Red Hearts Ten.

"Boss Gu," Su Niannian chewed on a walnut, her gaze sweeping over Gu Niannian, "what exciting thing do you most want to do right now?"

Gu Qingshang placed the cards face down on the table.

"Ride Chen Lang's Black Knight once."

There was a pause at the table.

Chen Lang turned to look at her. "You want to ride my bike?"

"Hmm." Gu Qingshang sat up straighter, his eyes reflecting the charcoal fire. "Let's drive a lap along the Cangshan Highway, taking the corners, accelerating, and listening to the engine roaring through the wind behind us."

She looked at Chen Lang, speaking a few beats faster than usual.

"I want to experience the thrill of riding a motorcycle."

Su Niannian raised an eyebrow. "When you were researching engines, you didn't say you wanted to risk your life."

"Research and actually getting in the car are two different things." Gu Qingshang picked up his teacup. "I want to know whether, when you twist the accelerator to the floor, you control the car first or are controlled by the speed."

Chen Lang leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms behind his head. "Boss Gu, Black Knight doesn't offer free trials. How much does a test drive cost?"

"I'll stack that pile of firewood in the backyard for you."

"The price was set too low."

"I'll take care of all the bowls tonight and tomorrow morning."

Chen Lang thought for two seconds, "Let me add one more thing. After you find Cheng Shouzhou, treat me to a proper meal."

Gu Qingshang picked up his teacup and touched it to the rim of his own.

"make a deal."

[Gu Qingshang is going to ride a black motorcycle on the Cangshan Highway? This young lady has a racer hidden in her bones!]

She usually speaks like she's giving a project report, but when she talks about cornering and acceleration, she comes alive!

[Lang Ge's last sentence was the decisive blow. He directly made "finding Cheng Shouzhou" a prerequisite for the deal, maximizing its emotional value.]

It was Chen Lang's turn.

He reached out and drew a card. The movement was casual; after drawing, he flipped it over and slammed it onto the table.

Ace of Hearts.

"The biggest red card," Bai Weiwei leaned forward. "I'll set the question."

She tapped her fingers on the table and thought for a moment.

"Chen Lang, who do you trust the most among these people?"

The number of bullet comments on the virtual screen has doubled dramatically.

[It's here! A battleground of choices!]

If he mentions Shen Qingci, I'll eat my keyboard right now!

Forget it, a seasoned veteran like Brother Lang will definitely dodge the question.

Chen Lang pushed the cards back into the deck.

He glanced around at the people at the table. Bai Weiwei held her teacup and waited, Su Niannian crossed her legs and watched the show, Ye Xingyu sat quietly, Gu Qingshang rested his chin on his hand, and Shen Qingci had his head down.

"Among the people at this table?"

"right."

Chen Lang picked up the teacup, took a sip of warm tea, and then tapped the ceramic cup back onto the table.

"When those four bodyguards pushed open the door this afternoon," he said calmly, "not one of you stepped back."

Bai Weiwei gripped the door latch, Su Niannian held up a spatula, Ye Xingyu pressed against the door frame, and Shen Qingci stood in front of Gu Qingshang.

"So there's no way to answer that question." Chen Lang leaned back in his chair. "If something really happens, none of these people will run away. There's no way to choose."

The courtyard was quiet for a few seconds.

Su Niannian broke the silence first, "Alright, alright, stop being so sentimental, the tea's getting cold."

She got up to get more water, and as she passed behind Chen Lang, she tapped him on the shoulder with the handle of a spatula.

"Remember to call me if you get into a fight next time. My arm is sore from holding the spatula for so long."

Bai Weiwei laughed out loud. Ye Xingyu laughed along with her.

Shen Qingci didn't look up, but her hand, which was turning the prayer beads, stopped.

He didn't name anyone, but that carried a weight a thousand times greater than simply calling out names.

[“None of them will run away if something really happens.” Four girls used spatulas and hoes to block the bodyguards, and Lang Ge saw it all.]

[I stumbled upon a hardcore ensemble cast in a grand adventure game, it's amazing.]

A new round begins.

Shen Qingci reached out and touched the cards.

Three of Hearts.

The right to set the questions fell to Chen Lang.

He turned his head to look at her.

Shen Qingci did not avoid his gaze, meeting his eyes directly. The dim yellow light of the lantern fell on the very faint red beauty mark at the corner of her eye.

"Teacher Shen," Chen Lang said with his usual teasing tone, "do you prefer a lively atmosphere or a quiet one?"

A simple question.

Shen Qingci paused for two seconds before speaking.

"I used to think quiet was nice," she said softly, "because no one would call me in noisy places."

The laughter on the table stopped.

"And now?" Bai Weiwei asked softly.

Shen Qingci looked at the kerosene lamp on the table, the flame dancing inside the glass cover.

"Now I think it's nice to be in a lively atmosphere." She reached out and brushed a fallen bougainvillea leaf from the table. "As long as someone saves me a seat."

Bai Weiwei reached out and pushed the blue and white tie-dyed cloth strip on the table toward Shen Qingci.

"The position has always been there."

Su Niannian returned with the teapot and refilled everyone's cups.

As she passed behind Shen Qingci, she patted Shen Qingci's shoulder with her other hand.

Shen Qingci's shoulders relaxed.

In the next round, Bai Weiwei gathered the cards on the table, shuffled them again, and pushed them in front of everyone.

Ye Xingyu reached out and pulled out a card, then flipped it over.

Nine Hearts

The right to set the questions fell into Su Niannian's hands.

She cracked the walnut kernel in her mouth, her gaze lingering on Ye Xingyu's face for a moment.

"If you could do it all over again, which day would you most like to go back to?"

No one at the table responded, while the croaking of frogs in the distance echoed over the courtyard wall, one call after another.

Ye Xingyu still has the right to refuse to answer once.

She pressed the nine of hearts onto the table, but it didn't work.