A social phobic can also fall in love.

“You already gave it to me,” Qi Xing said, “This is mine.”

“You told me to return it,” Yan Tingmo sniffled, insisting, “So I don’t want to give it anymore. Give it back to me.”

Qi Xing was helpless, continuing to comfort him.

But Yan Tingmo wasn’t having any of it. No matter how he tried, Yan Tingmo kept saying he didn’t want to give the gift and wanted it back.

“Mo Mo,” Qi Xing leaned back slightly, both hands resting on his shoulders, his tone soft, “Let’s not cry, okay? The others will worry if they see you like this.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Tingmo stopped crying, nodding intermittently.

“Then…” Qi Xing’s gaze shifted to the watch, “The gift is still…?”

Before he could finish, the phone on the table suddenly rang—it was Ming Cheng and the others calling to hurry them up.

Qi Xing looked at Yan Tingmo, then at the phone, unsure whether to continue comforting him or answer the call.

Yan Tingmo sniffled lightly, “You can answer it.”

“Alright,” Qi Xing said, “But promise me you won’t be mad anymore.”

Yan Tingmo turned his head away, not responding. Qi Xing had no choice but to answer the phone.

“Hello?”

“Where are you?” Ming Cheng asked, “We’re just waiting for you two.”

Qi Xing glanced at Yan Tingmo, then lied, “Just crossing the street, we’ll be there soon.”

“Okay,” Ming Cheng said, “Then I’ll hang up.”

After that, he immediately ended the call.

“Mo Mo, I was wrong, please forgive me,” he said sincerely. “I promise I won’t make the same mistake again!”

Yan Tingmo didn’t want to make Ming Cheng and the others wait too long. He weakly nodded, signaling that he wasn’t mad anymore.

Qi Xing sighed in relief, quickly taking out the watch and putting it on. He deliberately waved it in front of him, “I really like it, thank you, Mo Mo.”

Yan Tingmo lowered his head and murmured a soft “mm,” his eyelashes trembling.

“Let’s go,” Qi Xing said, “Ming Cheng and the others are waiting for us.”

Another soft “mm” from Yan Tingmo, quietly obedient.

The KTV Qi Xing had booked wasn’t far from the restaurant, but if it weren’t for Xing Yi and the others insisting on singing loudly, he wouldn’t have brought Yan Tingmo here, wasting their time alone together.

Around 8 p.m., he opened the private room door, and Xing Yi greeted them with a sarcastic tone, “Oh, look who it is. A little master with such a big entrance, making me wait so long.”

Knowing he was joking, Qi Xing walked over and teased him back, “Shut up. I see, when I’m not around, you didn’t miss any drinks.”

“Hmph,” Xing Yi crossed his arms on the couch, “Three drinks, not a drop left.”

“Are you crazy?” Qi Xing kicked him lightly, “Move over, make some space.”

Xing Yi sneered but moved aside.

When Qi Xing turned to let Yan Tingmo sit next to him, he suddenly realized that he had already moved and was sitting between Ming Cheng and Zhao Li.

Yan Tingmo didn’t look as awkward as he expected; instead, he was smiling warmly and engaged in the conversation.

“How did you and Qi Xing meet?” Zhao Li asked, “Isn’t he annoying?”

Yan Tingmo obediently replied, “We met at the library. He’s not annoying.”

“How did he pursue you?” Zhao Li asked eagerly, “Did he send you love breakfasts, write love letters, or give you roses?”

Yan Tingmo found it strange; why would Qi Xing give him those things? He wasn’t a girl.

He glanced at Qi Xing, lowered his head, and softly replied, “No.”

“What?” Zhao Li shouted loudly, “What did you say!”

“Lower your voice,” Liang Xiao appeared out of nowhere, covering Zhao Li’s mouth and pulling him away.

“Let go of me!” Zhao Li’s muffled voice came through his fingers, “Liang Xiao, if you dare cover my mouth, you’re dead!”

Liang Xiao wasn’t afraid, directly dragging him to another sofa.

Yan Tingmo blinked in confusion, clearly bewildered. Ming Cheng, however, was used to this and shrugged, “Don’t mind them, those two are a couple.”

“Ah…?” Yan Tingmo’s eyes widened, “A couple?”

“Yeah,” Ming Cheng smiled, “They’re a couple. Didn’t you notice?”

Yan Tingmo froze for a moment, thinking to himself, how could I have noticed? I can’t just assume two guys are a couple when I see them together.

“No,” Yan Tingmo answered honestly.

“Not surprising,” Ming Cheng rested his chin in his hand and raised his eyebrows, “You’re too obedient. Just be careful, don’t let Qi Xing bully you.”

Yan Tingmo tilted his head, not understanding why he would say that.

Qi Xing was so good, how could he bully him?

“Stop trying to stir things up,” Qi Xing sat down next to him, his arm draping possessively around his shoulder, “How I treat Mo Mo, he would know, right?”

Then, he whispered in Yan Tingmo’s ear, “Right, Mo Mo? I’m telling the truth, right?”

Yan Tingmo’s ears tingled, and a flush slowly spread across his cheeks and ears.

“I really can’t stand you,” Ming Cheng rolled his eyes, not wanting to engage.

Several of the guys started singing karaoke. With the loud music and blasting songs, Yan Tingmo’s eardrums began to ache.

After Zhao Li finished singing an upbeat song, it was Xing Yi’s turn to start a DJ rock track.

After hearing it for a while, Yan Tingmo gradually became numb to it.

“Qi Xing, pick a song. What are you hiding over here for?” Zhao Li, having finished his own, urged others to pick a song.

Qi Xing didn’t feel like singing, lounging lazily on the couch with a smile on his lips, patiently listening to Ming Cheng sing.

“You guys sing,” he said, “Don’t worry about me.”

“No way,” Zhao Li insisted, “You’re the birthday star, how can you not sing?”

After some coaxing, he finally stood up to pick a song.

Yan Tingmo, holding his juice, couldn’t help but follow him with his eyes.

The next song was one Qi Xing picked. He sat on a high stool, one leg crossed, the other foot resting casually on the ground, holding the microphone, and sang a soft, emotional song.

It was a song Yan Tingmo sometimes listened to when bored. After hearing it often, he could even hum along with it.

– Doubtful, waiting for the last leaf to fall

– The bitter love, cultivated with care

– Only to find that others harvest when the time comes

– This time, you truly care

– Watching others talk about love and being tempted

– Asking when the grapes will ripen

– You have to wait, keep waiting

– Even if it’s a failure, you still have to endure…

Qi Xing’s voice was beautiful, with a light, clear tone that had a hint of magnetism, making the song sound even more captivating.

Yan Tingmo hummed softly, gently swaying his head, but when he sang the line “Even if it’s a failure, you still have to endure,” he locked eyes with Qi Xing.

Because of the lighting, he couldn’t see the emotion in his eyes, but all he could see were those deep, dark eyes, like an ocean that he could easily fall into if he wasn’t careful.

His heart raced, and he quickly closed his eyes, as if avoiding it, not daring to hum the song anymore. He just quietly sat on the sofa, picking at his nails.

He didn’t even realize when Qi Xing finished singing until he gently touched his cheek, “Are you drunk? You haven’t even had any alcohol.”

Qi Xing muttered to himself.

When Yan Tingmo didn’t answer, Qi Xing asked again, “Are you sleepy?”

Yan Tingmo nodded lightly, then lowered his head even more, practically wishing to sink into the sofa.

“Wait here for me,” Qi Xing said, standing up and leaving the room.

Once he left, Yan Tingmo secretly peeked up, feeling an inexplicable sense of relief.

Qi Xing returned soon, followed by a waiter carrying a cake box.

“Just put the cake on the table,” Qi Xing said, “Thanks.”

The waiter placed the cake down, and before leaving, closed the door quietly.

“Stop singing,” Qi Xing clapped his hands, “Everyone come over and have some cake.”

“Why so rushed?” Ming Cheng asked knowingly, “Are we eating and leaving right after?”

Qi Xing explained, “Mo Mo is tired.”

Zhao Li was surprised, “It’s not even 10 p.m. and you’re tired?”

Qi Xing proudly said, “Of course, all the top students are like this.”

“I don’t believe it,” Zhao Li muttered, “Why isn’t Liang Xiao the same?”

Qi Xing raised an eyebrow, and Zhao Li continued, “He takes forever to get tired!”

The conversation was not yet finished when Liang Xiao swiftly covered Zhao Li’s mouth again.

Zhao Li was furious and glared at him.

Xing Yi, enjoying the chaos, asked, “How long does it take to… what exactly? Care to elaborate?”

Liang Xiao gave him a casual glance, and Xing Yi boldly met his eyes without fear.

Zhao Li struggled, but Liang Xiao skillfully subdued him.

Ming Cheng, exasperated, explained to the bewildered Yan Tingmo, “Zhao Li doesn’t think before he speaks, says whatever comes to his mind. I hope you don’t take it to heart.”

Yan Tingmo quickly shook his head, signaling that it was fine and that he wasn’t bothered.

Qi Xing was used to his friends’ unpredictable behavior. He cut the cake, served each person a piece, ate a couple of bites, and then announced that he had to leave to go back to school.

“No way!” Xing Yi frowned. “You’re done already?”

“What else?” he suggested, “Want to send me a red envelope?”

“Fat chance,” Xing Yi began ushering him out. “Go, go. You think I’ll give you one?”

Qi Xing didn’t bother responding to such a childish remark. He gave a slight nod to his friends: “I’ll take Yan Tingmo back now, we’ll hang out another time.”

Yan Tingmo quietly said goodbye as well, and Ming Cheng ruffled his hair, smiling. “See you next time.”

“Mm!” Yan Tingmo nodded. “See you.”

Qi Xing led him out, while Ming Cheng, Zhao Li, and the others exchanged glances with Xing Yi in silence. Their relationships weren’t particularly close. Simply put, Xing Yi thought Ming Cheng was fake, while Ming Cheng found him impolite. After both groups had this mutual distaste, Zhao Li and Liang Xiao, who were on good terms with Ming Cheng, started to have a strained relationship with Xing Yi.

Even though Qi Xing had tried to mediate a few times, whenever he wasn’t around, the others would always be at odds.

“What’s up? You wanna fight?” Xing Yi taunted Ming Cheng.

Ming Cheng smiled without changing his expression. “No need, we’re all friends.”

“Friends, my foot,” Xing Yi sneered. “You’re two-faced.”

Ming Cheng took it in stride. “Thanks for the compliment.”

Xing Yi rolled his eyes. “You’re pretty good at climbing the social ladder.”

Ming Cheng didn’t care what he said. But Zhao Li, with his fiery temper, couldn’t tolerate it anymore. He rolled up his sleeves, ready to teach Xing Yi a lesson. Liang Xiao intervened, holding his hand up to stop him, and coolly said to Xing Yi, “We’re leaving now, see you.”

Xing Yi smirked, shrugged, and without saying another word, turned and walked away.