The school gates were brightly lit, far livelier than the dorm area. People waiting for taxis gathered in twos and threes along the roadside, chatting quietly. No one pushed ahead; when a car arrived, they got in, taking turns by unspoken agreement.
"Hey, Xiaoliang," Zhou Qiang nudged him with an elbow. "How come you've got a part in all this?"
"What part? What the hell does it have to do with me?" Wang Xiaoliang bristled at once.
"Zijin isn't the kind of girl who can handle you playing around, you know that?"
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Wang Xiaoliang's voice suddenly exploded. "Am I crazy? Why would I be interested in her?"
"Hey, you can't put it that way." Huang Xueli spoke leisurely from beside them, a mischievous smile lurking in his words. "Everyone has their own tastes. Besides, after enough gourmet meals, wanting a little home cooking for a change isn't out of the question."
The moment he said that, Zhou Qiang snorted with laughter and waggled his eyebrows at Wang Xiaoliang.
"Get lost!" The comparison made Wang Xiaoliang laugh despite his irritation. "Brother Huang, stop making me sound so bad. I'm being completely wronged here! I really wasn't looking for a change of taste."
"Then tell us. There's no smoke without fire. Why did that Xiao guy go after you, of all people?" Huang Xueli refused to let it go, looking ready to interrogate him until he spilled everything.
Wang Xiaoliang's lips moved, but all he finally muttered was, "I promised I wouldn't say."
Huang Xueli stopped, turned to look at him, and narrowed his eyes. "Could it be... you saw He Runya with another man?"
Zhou Qiang leaned closer too, staring at Wang Xiaoliang. "Is Dahuang right?"
"You... will you guys give me a break!" Huang