It started with a dumb game.

Chongyun had dared Xingqiu to sing the chorus of some cheesy opera performance in public. Yanfei had to confess her weirdest crush from a book. Then, inevitably, someone turned to Hu Tao with a smirk and said, “Your turn.”

She looked right at you.

—“Dare,” she declared, eyes narrowing mischievously. “Give me your best one.”

Someone snickered.

—“Kiss the person to your left.”

You were to her left.

There was a pause. Not dramatic, not long. But enough.

She leaned in, quick and teasing, barely brushing your cheek with her lips.

—“Technical kiss,” she grinned. “Challenge complete.”

The game went on—more dares, more laughter—but something had shifted.

Later, when it was just the two of you walking back down the quiet path from Wangshu Inn, she nudged your arm.

—“Truth or dare?”