DCISBS chapter 7

These past few days, Lu Nanyang had visibly been in low spirits, while Wen Fei was the complete opposite—so excited that he smiled like a blooming flower every day, going on and on about his ‘dream guy’ at least 800 times a day.

Da Ze was the one with the birthday, but somehow Wen Fei was even more hyped than the birthday boy himself.

“I just knew I still had a chance!” Wen Fei rambled on. “Did you see the way he looked at me that day? He definitely likes me. He totally picked up on what I said about the bar on purpose… Hey, which outfit do you think I should wear this weekend?”

“Why not just go naked?” Lu Nanyang said grumpily. “We’ll wrap you up and deliver you straight to his bed.”

Unexpectedly, Wen Fei actually took the idea seriously. “That could work… But do you think he’ll think I’m too forward?”

Lu Nanyang kicked the leg of his chair from across the room.

“Hey hey hey, what was that for!” Wen Fei wobbled and quickly steadied himself.

“Do you ever think he might just be toying with you?” Lu Nanyang said. “If he’s into you, why hasn’t he added you on WeChat? Maybe he already tore up your love letter and is just stringing you along because he finds your desperation entertaining.”

Wen Fei’s smile vanished instantly. “Lu Nanyang, there you go again. Did you see that happen? Do you have proof?”

“I…”

“If you’ve got no proof, stop making baseless assumptions.” Wen Fei crossed his arms. “I think you’re just jealous I’m about to get out of the single club and you’re still a lone dog.”

Lu Nanyang was speechless and turned to Da Ze beside him, his expression clearly asking: “Am I that kind of person?”

Da Ze patted his shoulder and said kindly, “Don’t worry. Have faith—your romantic luck is just around the corner.”

Lu Nanyang: “…”

Annoyed, Lu Nanyang threw the blanket over his head.

Even if he had five hundred mouths right now, he still wouldn’t be able to explain himself.

And of course it had to be Da Ze’s birthday—he couldn’t skip it as a friend.

What, did he owe that scumbag from a past life or something? That guy stuck to him like a damn leech.

……

Da Ze’s birthday party was scheduled for 8 PM. Lu Nanyang sluggishly got ready, changed outfits three times, and when he finally left the dorm and checked the time, it was still only 7:40.

Accepting his fate, he flagged down a taxi.

He walked through the doors of “Galaxy” right on the dot. The others were already there. Tony spotted him immediately and waved him over. “Over here!”

Da Ze and Jia Rong were playing cards on the pool table. Hearing the shout, Da Ze looked up and grumbled, “What took you so long?”

“I’m not late,” Lu Nanyang said, closing the door behind him. “You guys just got here too early.”

The speakers were blaring with heavy, thumping beats that frayed the nerves. Lu Nanyang scanned the dim bar quickly—and immediately locked eyes with Xie Quan’s piercing stare.

Xie Quan sat in a corner of the bar, clearly well-groomed—his hair neatly styled, looking even more polished than when Lu Nanyang last saw him in the infirmary. He was dressed clean and sharp, not a wrinkle on his clothes, and behind his glasses, his beautiful eyes held a gentle smile. The moment they met gazes, that smile deepened.

Several girls surrounded Xie Quan—some from their class, others from nearby ones. They’d likely all been invited by Da Ze.

Wen Fei was among them too, crowding close to Xie Quan and chattering away.

As Lu Nanyang approached, their conversation gradually became clear.

“…So you’re saying the second half of the year is my lucky time for love? Really?” a girl asked excitedly. “Will I meet the one? Will he be handsome?”

Xie Quan smiled and held up a card from the table for her to see. “The upright Empress. That means not only will you encounter love, but likely more than one prospect. If you take initiative, you’ll definitely succeed. But choosing might become a bit of a headache.”

“Oh no, what a dilemma…” the girl blushed, whispering happily to herself.

“What about me, what about me?” Wen Fei squeezed up next to Xie Quan, eyes full of anticipation. “How’s my love fortune looking?”

Xie Quan chuckled as he shuffled the cards, then held them out to Wen Fei. “Pick one.”

Wen Fei hesitated for a long moment before finally selecting one and handing it to Xie Quan, nervous as hell.

“Hm—” Xie Quan deliberately drew out the sound. “How should I put this…”

“Oh, come on, Dr. Xie, quit teasing!” Wen Fei stomped in place. “What is it?”

Xie Quan turned over the card: the upright Hanged Man. “This card suggests a big gap between you and your crush. Rather than rushing forward, it might be better to pause, observe, and think carefully before deciding to act.”

“Really…” Wen Fei fell into contemplation.

“But—” Xie Quan’s slender fingers spun the tarot card with flair. Then, in the blink of an eye, the card disappeared and was replaced by a vibrant red rose.

The girls gasped in awe as Xie Quan smiled and handed the rose to Wen Fei. “This card also carries the meaning of ‘perseverance leads to success.’ As long as you keep trying, nothing is impossible.”

Wen Fei’s face turned beet red as he accepted the rose, stammering, “Dr. Xie, thank you, I…”

Just then, the flirty atmosphere was cut short by a cold voice.

“Telling fortunes?” Lu Nanyang said. “Mind doing one for me?”

The mood in the room instantly froze. Xie Quan’s hand paused for only a second or two before he looked up, wearing the same gentle smile as before.

“Technically, it’s called divination,” Xie Quan said. “But of course, I can. What do you want to ask?”

Lu Nanyang stared at Xie Quan and the cards in his hand, slowly crossing his arms. “I recently met someone. He seems perfect in every way—gentle, charming, handsome. Everyone thinks he’s amazing. But unfortunately, I’ve seen firsthand just what a scumbag he really is. To me, he’s nothing more than a well-disguised piece of trash.”

“……” Xie Quan didn’t say anything. His fingers, pale and slender, clearly showed faint blue veins as he shuffled the cards.

“I want you to help me with a reading.” Lu Nanyang slightly lifted his chin, looking down at Xie Quan. “What kind of person is he really, and what kind of attitude should I have toward him?”

A girl nearby asked curiously, “Lu-ge, you know someone like that?”

“Yeah.” Lu Nanyang shrugged and kicked at an empty chair with his foot. “Met him right here while drinking. That day—”

Smack—Xie Quan suddenly tossed the shuffled tarot deck onto the table. The cards landed right in front of Lu Nanyang without missing a beat.

“Pick one.” Xie Quan smiled.

Lu Nanyang curled his lips into a smirk without saying another word, then flicked the card on the far left with his finger.

Xie Quan drew that card, and the smile on his face froze instantly.

“What card is it?” the girl asked, curious.

Xie Quan’s lips moved, but before he could say anything, Da Ze’s voice called out from not far away.

“Hey! What are you guys all crowded around over there for? Whose birthday is it again?”

“Ugh, what are you rushing for? The cake’s not even out yet!” Wen Fei shouted back.

“It’s coming now, isn’t it?” Jia Rong knocked on the table. “Come on, come on. We finally got together—what’s the point if everyone’s off doing their own thing?”

“Alright, alright, we’re coming!”

Xie Quan slipped the card back into the deck and spread them out on the table again before following Wen Fei and the girls over.

Lu Nanyang stayed at the back of the group on purpose. As he passed the table, he stealthily pulled out the card Xie Quan had drawn and flipped it over for a glance.

It was The Devil, reversed.

Lu Nanyang let out a quiet scoff through his nose.

….

Not long after, a staff member pushed in a small cart. A few of the guys shouted and helped place the cake in the center of the table.

The cake looked exquisite, covered in chocolate and fruits—you could tell it wasn’t cheap.

“Da Ze! Come light the candles!”

“Make a wish!”

Wen Fei took the lead and began singing the birthday song. Amid the off-key chorus, Da Ze made a wish and blew out the candles.

Jia Rong, hyping things up, popped open a beer bottle with a pop, frothy foam spilling over like champagne. “Da Ze, happy birthday!”

“Happy birthday!”

“Thanks, thanks.” Da Ze scratched his head shyly. “Thank you all for coming, especially Lu-ge—he booked the place.”

Lu Nanyang smiled and raised his glass. “Still owe you a meal. Happy birthday.”

“Cut the cake! Cut the cake!” Wen Fei squeezed through the crowd with a plastic knife, lifting his hand toward Xie Quan. “Oh right, let me introduce—this is the one I’ve been talking about—”

“We know. Your dream guy,” Jia Rong cut in.

Someone in the crowd let out a couple of wolf whistles. Wen Fei blushed and flailed his arms in embarrassment. “What nonsense! Uh, this is Xie Quan—he’s from the medical department. We met at the cafeteria and then…”

Xie Quan picked up an empty glass, smiling as he poured himself some liquor and took a sip. “Xiao Fei handed me a love letter at the first cafeteria.”

The whistles got even louder, with people cheering and teasing. Wen Fei’s face turned beet red as he tried to explain, but couldn’t get a coherent word out.

Lu Nanyang stood coldly in the farthest corner, holding his glass, eyes locked on Xie Quan through the crowd.

Xie Quan’s pinky lightly tapped the rim of the glass, lazily toying with it. Whether intentional or not, he leaned closer to Wen Fei—so close their arms nearly touched.

Wen Fei looked like he was floating on air, clearly Da Zed by that one soft “Xiao Fei” from earlier.

As if sensing Lu Nanyang’s stare, Xie Quan raised his head from across the room. His glasses caught the club’s chaotic lights, and he gave Lu Nanyang a daring smile as he gently placed his hand on Wen Fei’s shoulder.

Their eyes locked. The tension crackled in the air like sparks flying.

Lu Nanyang clenched his thumb tighter against the glass. In the dim light, no one noticed the fine crack forming on its surface.

Perfect.

He had originally planned to let it go, but now Xie Quan had come poking the bear?

Xie Quan. You’re dead.