Hard to Escape

Chapter 9

I didn't see Yin Li after that. Originally, I had planned to wake up early the next day to check up on him, but when I went to look for him I was met with an empty bed. Strangely, I felt a little disappointed. But I stifled these feelings and the end, I didn't take the initiative to contact Yin Li.

To my surprise, Wei Yan called me several times. He was currently translating a recipe that incorporated imported foods from France and asked me about a few unusual terms. But unexpectedly, this handful of calls would later give me a huge headache.

I don't know what rumor Wei Yan's girlfriend, Su Lin Lin, had caught wind of, but when Monday rolled around she and her whole posse of friends sought me out. Su Lin Lin laughed as she said, "Yan Xiao, today's my birthday. I'm inviting the whole class out to celebrate, and I especially wanted to thank you for helping my Wei Yan out yesterday. That's just how he is; his French is spotty here and there. If it weren't for you, he probably would've been too busy today to remember my birthday gift." As she spoke, she feigned an air of nonchalance to glance down at the Hermès bag in her hand. Then she shyly lifted her head, and with a modest look on her face she smiled embarrassedly at me.

"Happy Birthday! It's a pity I didn't know, I didn't prepare anything for you today."

Su Lin Lin smiled magnanimously. "It's no big deal. Just your presence is enough. Besides, helping out Wei Yan is the same as helping me out. That's the best birthday gift I could ask for."

Once she left, Wu Mei, who had been next to me the whole time, tugged on my sleeve. "Be careful. She's definitely got something planned to trip you up with tonight. Su Lin Lin's jealousy is legendary. Last semester, Liu Lan Lan and Wei Yan were collaborating on a short skit for French class and rehearsed together. There were a couple of times where Lan Lan bought food for Wei Yan and, as a result, Su Lin Lin used her family connections to toss out Lan Lan's spot in a year-long exchange program to France."

Even though Su Lin Lin's conduct earlier clearly looked as if she was staking her claim on Wei Yan, anyone with a brain could tell that there was also a little provocation. But I didn't really care. After all, what on earth could she trip me up with?

But that evening, contrary to my expectations, Su Lin Lin didn't bring out Wei Yan. In fact, she didn't invite a single male classmate. She said only that it was to be a "girls' party" and invited all the female students in the class. Her family's chauffeurs drove a fleet of cars to ferry everyone to a fancy clubhouse. Upon seeing the name of the clubhouse, everyone started whispering.

"Oh my gosh it's Palace! I thought only people working in finance and trade could enter? They even have a membership system where you're only invited if your annual income is high enough."

"What does Su Lin Lin's family do? Can we really enter?"

Su Lin Lin seemed to have already anticipated our doubt. She just confidently smiled. Tonight, she wore an evening gown studded with gems and rhinestones, looking refined and gorgeous. After exchanging a few words with the attendant at the door, she brought everyone in with her. As the group walked in, some girls were already sighing in admiration at the hallway's interior design. And those walking around the main lounge all wore worshipful expressions as they stared at the high society around them.

After passing through two hallways and making a turn, the lighting grew dimmer. This place was set up like a bar. In the shadowy room, Su Lin Lin turned around and revealed a smile. "Tonight we aren't doing the truths in truth or dare, we're jumping directly to the dares. Everyone, party your heart out!"1

1不醉不归 is an idiom that translates literally to "to not go home until drunk" ...Yeah it shouldn't be too hard to guess its meaning.

Her smile seemed to turn sinister under the dim lights and my hairs stood on end. I prayed that I wouldn't fall into her clutches.