Lost in the Otherworld

As Niu Xuan's voice rang out, seven or eight classmates turned their heads, making Gao Yang feel quite uncomfortable. He quickly glanced around and spotted today’s birthday girl, Wan Sisi.

Wan Sisi, surrounded by two close female friends, was seated on a long sofa. On the glass coffee table lay snacks, a fruit platter, drinks, and beer. Nearby was an elegant cart bearing a luxurious, beautifully decorated three-tiered cream cake, clearly expensive.

Today, Wan Sisi had taken special care with her appearance. Her usually simple mid-length hair was now slightly tousled, giving her a touch of playfulness. She wore a Japanese-style polka dot dress with delicate shoulder straps, revealing her fair shoulders and collarbone. Around her slender neck was a black lace choker, making her resemble an endearing, gentle kitten.

This outfit, though typical of the sweet Japanese girl style, was already a bold departure for Wan Sisi. She had only gathered the courage to try it under the encouragement of her two friends.

The result proved successful. Every male classmate who saw her instinctively paused, then offered a few ambiguous compliments.

Wan Sisi smiled shyly, her confidence gradually growing. She was now eagerly anticipating Gao Yang’s arrival, curious to see his reaction when he saw her.

After waiting for a long time, Gao Yang finally arrived. As he entered the room, Wan Sisi's cheeks flushed, her heart pounding wildly. Fortunately, the dim lighting concealed her excitement.

Since they had agreed not to exchange gifts, Gao Yang hadn't bought anything. Instead, he had picked up a matcha cheesecake from a nearby dessert shop on his way. He placed it on the coffee table casually and said, "Xiao Si, happy birthday. I wasn't sure what you liked, so I got you a dessert."

"Thank you," Wan Sisi replied. She wanted to say more, but the bespectacled girl beside her tactfully stood up, “I’ll go pick a song. Gao Yang, feel free to sit anywhere.”

Gao Yang noticed the empty seat next to Wan Sisi and immediately understood the signal: this assist was far too obvious.

He was hesitating whether to comply when Qing Ling's voice called from the corner, “Gao Yang, over here.”

Gao Yang turned to see Qing Ling seated on a double sofa against the wall, her arms crossed, her expression calm. She wore a simple, fitted coffee-colored tracksuit, her high ponytail tied neatly. She was bare-faced, yet her beauty outshone everyone, exuding an aura of an untouchable goddess.

“Oh,” Gao Yang obediently walked over and sat beside her.

Wan Sisi's smile froze on her face before it could fully blossom. She hurriedly tilted her head, brushing her hair aside, pretending to casually chat with others.

Qing Ling had called Gao Yang over for something important, but before she could speak, they were interrupted.

Niu Xuan jeered, “Gao Yang, you’re the only one who’s late. Shouldn’t you show us some gratitude?”

“Exactly!” several boys chimed in.

“Come on, sing us a song!” Niu Xuan extended the microphone toward Gao Yang, a smile on his face, though his eyes betrayed contempt. Niu Xuan knew he wasn’t a great singer, but Gao Yang’s singing was even worse. Today, he was just in a bad mood and wanted to embarrass Gao Yang.

Originally, Niu Xuan bore no ill will toward Gao Yang, but over the past two weeks, the more he looked at him, the more displeased he became.

Li Weiwei’s death had suddenly garnered Niu Xuan a wave of sympathy from his classmates. Almost everyone knew about his childhood bond with Li Weiwei. Back then, Niu Xuan, like everyone else, had felt a bit sorry for him. But who would have thought that after Li Weiwei’s death, Gao Yang would become the ultimate winner in life.

First, there was Qing Ling—the class goddess that no one had dared pursue—who started getting closer to him.

In their first year of high school, Niu Xuan had also taken an interest in Qing Ling, but after a few tentative attempts, he had been thoroughly rejected. Later, rumors spread that she might be into girls, so Niu Xuan tactfully gave up. After all, he wasn’t short of girlfriends and saw no need to lose face over one girl.

But now, the unapproachable Qing Ling was somehow entangled with Gao Yang.

Just a few days ago, some classmates had even seen Gao Yang and Qing Ling holding hands as they entered a subway station together, setting off a frenzy of gossip. The boys privately marveled at Gao Yang's prowess, joking that he was so charming, he could even turn a lesbian straight.

Perhaps it was the goddess’s aura distorting their perception, but where Gao Yang’s looks were once average, he now seemed more handsome by the day. The ordinary air he used to carry had transformed into a subtle aloofness. It was infuriating how he pulled it off, yet the girls seemed to love it.

Today was Wan Sisi's birthday. In the past, Niu Xuan wouldn’t have bothered attending. But recently, Wan Sisi had become more and more attractive in his eyes.

Niu Xuan had just broken up with his previous girlfriend and had never experienced the soft, cute type like Wan Sisi. Suddenly, he found himself intrigued. He had ordered a three-tier cream cake for 999 yuan, along with a bouquet of roses—his intentions as clear as day.

He knew these tactics were cliché, but they worked.

Women are all vain, after all. There’s nothing money can’t solve. If it doesn’t work, it just means you haven't spent enough.

Ten minutes earlier, when the roses arrived, the whole room had erupted in cheers. Niu Xuan thought he had it in the bag, but to his surprise, Wan Sisi firmly refused the gift, looking troubled.

Niu Xuan, always quick on his feet, didn’t insist. He made a few jokes to lighten the mood and moved on. As he sang, he watched Wan Sisi closely. Though she was laughing and chatting with her classmates, she seemed distracted, as if waiting for someone.