012 Who Can Be Young Without Being Crazy?

——Those things I thought I'd buried long ago resurfaced in my heart, bringing an inexplicable pang. It's like sending letters to old friends; by the time they reach the destination, the people are gone, and the place lies desolate.

The night cast its alluring spell, unfurling a magnificent panorama. Darkness draped a velvety, inky curtain across the horizon, while countless stars twinkled with a phosphorescent glow, weaving a celestial tapestry.

The West Lake was cloaked in a night of understated luxury, its silhouette hazy and utterly enchanting.

In the 309 VIP luxury private room of "Fengwu Jiutian" by the lake, the sound of clinking glasses filled the air.

"Everyone, eat something before you drink. Otherwise, your stomachs will protest later," Tian Rao snatched the goblet from Gao Hong's hand. "Lao Gao, can I take it easy? I... I'm on my period."

"Sure, but let me check first," Gao Hong said, reaching out to lift Tian Rao's skirt.

"Are you out of your mind? How crude!" Tian Rao quickly clamped her legs together and pressed her hand on her skirt.

"Haha... haha..." Gao Hong roared with laughter. "Your little quirks haven't changed a bit."

Tian Rao blushed and shot her a fierce glare. Not content with just that, she started tickling Gao Hong, making her shriek with laughter.

The atmosphere was electric. Ming Xichen remained mostly silent, only occasionally clinking glasses with Zhang Rui and taking a small sip.

In a crowd, Ming Xichen always kept her words to a minimum. She just sat there quietly, watching them fool around and listening to their chatter, as if at a loss for what to say.

"Ladies, are you done eating? Then, let's raise our glasses and toast - " Gao Hong raised her hand, signaling everyone to stand up. "To my eternal youth and everlasting beauty!" she declared with a flourish.

The others didn't even take a sip. They put down their glasses and were ready to pounce on her.

But Miss Gao remained unfazed. She raised her little finger daintily and pretended to be shy. "Oops, I misspoke. Come on, let's toast to our youth, our looks, and our friendship. I'll lead the way." Then she tossed back the entire glass in one gulp.

"Okay, cheers, cheers!" The glasses clinked, and the other three girls followed suit.

Wine can be a chameleon. Sometimes it's a raging fire, setting hearts ablaze; sometimes it's a wellspring of emotion, stirring up a maelstrom of feelings; and sometimes it's a double - edged sword. A little can be a tonic, but too much can be a curse.

At that moment, the wine was like a wildfire, igniting the girls' excitement.

Wine truly is a magical elixir. Look at these girls; their cheeks were flushed, their eyes were full of allure, and their tongues were loosened.

"I heard A Kang is back?" Tian Rao twirled her long, wavy hair, feigning nonchalance.

The once - warm atmosphere instantly chilled, as if a bucket of ice - cold water had been dumped on a roaring fire. After a hiss, an eerie silence descended.

Gao Hong subconsciously glanced at Ming Xichen, who remained expressionless. Then she looked at Tian Rao, who wasn't looking at her. Tian Rao's eyes were fixed on Chenchen's face, as if waiting for an answer. Although she thought she knew the answer, it seemed only Chenchen's words could confirm it.

Gao Hong had the highest alcohol tolerance. She seemed drunk but was actually the most lucid. She glanced between the two of them, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"I saw him yesterday," Ming Xichen gave Tian Rao the answer she craved. The alcohol had softened her eyes, erasing some of their former coldness.

"Really? I thought... heh..." Tian Rao purred, suddenly radiating an irresistible charm. Gao Hong stared at her in disbelief, and the mischief at the corner of her mouth deepened.

Ming Xichen leaned back on the sofa, twirling the glass in her hand. The liquid inside resembled blood. She tilted her head back and poured the red liquid down her throat, a single gulp sending it coursing into her stomach.

"Shall we call him over? We're all old classmates. It'll be more fun," Tian Rao looked at Chenchen with dreamy eyes, brimming with anticipation.

Ming Xichen refilled her glass and said nothing.

"Come on, it's just us girls. What's the point of having boys around? Look at us, all disheveled from drinking," Zhang Rui, who had been quiet for a long time, suddenly piped up.

"Yeah, yeah," Gao Hong chimed in to defuse the tension.

Seeing that Chenchen remained unmoved, Tian Rao's eyes flickered. She calmly said, "I was just joking. Come on, let's keep drinking and singing."

"Right, singing. Um... who..." Gao Hong looked around and then remembered that she'd sent the waiter away so they could relax. "You, help me pick a song." Gao Hong half - leaned on Chenchen, slung her arm around her shoulder, and pouted playfully.

"Okay, choose the one I like." Ming Xichen selected Su Youpeng's "Cherish".

Gao Hong still leaned on Chenchen. She smiled, raised the microphone, and sang the most beautiful song: "Moored at yesterday's wharf, so many dreams are piled up, overlapping and mottled. After the sunset in the evening, I'm with the bright moon, waiting for loneliness. Sometimes, it's hard for the young and crazy to resist the evening wind..."

The melody was haunting, tinged with a touch of loneliness. Chenchen looked at Gao Hong. Her voice was like a rich tapestry, capable of piercing through the years.

"Who says youth can't make mistakes? I'd rather shed hot tears than bow my head. Cherish what we once had and the hands we once held. Cherish this youth dream, cherish the time we spent together. Who can be young without being crazy and venture alone? Even if the moon has its waxing and waning, even if people have their joys and sorrows, who can not hoist the sail of dreams? Cherish the tears shed for me, cherish the years for you. Who can be unmoved by this precious time? There are still clouds to fly tomorrow. I'll let the sky accompany me in the pursuit. Having no regrets is also a kind of beauty in life..."

As the booming sound from the speakers filled her ears, Ming Xichen felt a lump form in her throat. Every time she heard this song, it tugged at her heartstrings, yet she couldn't resist listening. The lyrics were a perfect ode to their youthful years.

Zhang Rui was a bit tipsy but still relatively clear - headed. She clapped her hands enthusiastically. "Lao Gao, how can you sing so well? I never heard you this good at school reunions or charity shows."

Gao Hong put down the microphone, picked up the glass, and took a sip. "It's all the practice over the years. My job involves a lot of eating and singing." She looked at Chenchen. "What? Did I sing so well that you're on the verge of tears?"

"Yeah, you were amazing. I might even hire you for my place," Chenchen said, half - joking, half - serious.

"I'll think about it," Gao Hong giggled and slumped against Chenchen.

Just as they were having a great time, there was a knock on the door. Then a waiter pushed the door open and bowed politely. "Sorry to interrupt." Then he turned to Chenchen. "Ms. Ming, there's a call for you at the bar. It's from Assistant Leng."

"Okay, I'll go right away." Ming Xichen picked up the phone on the table, only to find it dead. She stood up and said to the others, "You guys keep having fun. I'll be back soon."

The waiter opened the door again, and Ming Xichen stepped out.