As soon as the private room door was pushed open, Zhang Fan expected to hear heart-wrenching wails like 'Love to the Death' or 'Do You Love Me?', but to his surprise, the people inside were quietly listening to music and chatting. Was this how one behaved at a karaoke?
"Qingqing, you're here. Who is this handsome guy?" A long-legged woman in a short red skirt approached, looking at Zhang Fan and saying, "He looks a bit familiar."
'Of course he's familiar, we're from the same school,' Zhang Fan thought to himself. However, in his past life, he was a diligent student who rarely hung around outside the classroom, so the long-legged, short-skirted woman only felt a sense of vague familiarity.
Zhang Fan knew this woman in the sexy short red skirt and long legs. Her name was Ling Yanxue, and she was quite famous at Donghai Seventh Middle School, largely due to her incredibly long and straight legs. She stood at a height of 1.75 meters, and even standing before Zhang Fan, he felt a certain pressure. After all, he was only about 1.78 meters tall, just slightly taller than her when she wore flats. However, what saddened the admirers of Donghai Seventh Middle School most was that these magnificent legs were already spoken for, reportedly belonging to a rich second-generation heir from Donghai City.
"This is my cousin, Zhang Fan. He also studies at Donghai Seventh Middle School," Zhao Qingqing quickly introduced.
"Zhang Fan..." Ling Yanxue murmured, nodding thoughtfully. Then she added, "Come in quickly. We'll hang out here for a while, and there's a party later."
"Okay." Zhao Qingqing looked around the room. She only recognized a few people. Nevertheless, she smiled and greeted them, then found a seat by the edge.
Zhang Fan was less particular, directly sitting next to Zhao Qingqing without acknowledging anyone. The handsome men and beautiful women in the room merely glanced at Zhang Fan. Seeing that his entire outfit was worth no more than a few hundred yuan, they immediately lost interest in interacting with him.
Chen Yuze and Gao Duyang exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. They didn't take Zhang Fan seriously; given their status, they wouldn't have initiated a greeting.
As soon as the two sat down, people began to go up and pick songs, starting to sing. Finally, it felt like a proper karaoke session. After a while, everyone got into the mood. Two couples started showing off their affection by singing love songs, causing the remaining singletons to howl.
"Today I'm going to marry you" - this song suddenly appeared on the large LCD screen.
"Is someone planning to propose today? Why else would they pick this song?" said a heavily made-up woman holding the microphone.
Everyone shook their heads.
"Since no one's singing it, should I skip it?"
After a moment, with no reaction, she prepared to change the song.
"Don't rush, I happen to like this song quite a bit," Gao Duyang said lazily, finally getting up. "I'll sing the male part. Does anyone here know the female part?"
Most of the girls shook their heads, indicating they didn't know how to sing it. Gao Duyang looked disappointed.
"I remember Zhao Qingqing knows this song, why doesn't she sing it?" the heavily made-up woman suddenly suggested.
Everyone looked over. Gao Duyang's face lit up with joy. "Qingqing, you sing the female part!" he exclaimed, extending the microphone to her.
Zhao Qingqing hesitated, not taking the microphone. This song was usually sung by couples or those playing romantic games, and given her nature, she would never sing it with Gao Duyang. Gao Duyang's arm remained suspended in mid-air, looking rather awkward.
"Qingqing, just sing one song. You haven't sung anything since you got here. I remember you sing very well," Ling Yanxue chimed in, seeing the situation. "It's Yanxue's birthday today, you can't refuse such a small favor."
"That's right, Qingqing. If you refuse, it'll really dampen everyone's spirits," the heavily made-up woman added. The other people in the room were also urging her on.
Zhang Fan watched them, a troupe of Oscar-worthy actors putting on a show, and he couldn't help but scoff inwardly.
...
The urging from everyone made Zhao Qingqing feel conflicted. Since Ling Yanxue, the birthday girl, had spoken, refusing would indeed be a party pooper. But singing a love song with Gao Duyang, especially in front of Zhang Fan, made it even harder for her to open her mouth.
Facing Gao Duyang's eager gaze and the expectant looks of the others, Zhao Qingqing slowly raised her hand...
"I know this song too. How about I sing the female part?" Zhang Fan snatched the microphone, a wide smile plastered on his face.
Everyone was stunned... The sudden appearance of this unexpected rival left them speechless for a long moment. The boisterous room fell eerily silent, so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Everyone looked at Zhang Fan with peculiar expressions. They could clearly sense Gao Duyang's mood, which was worse than being utterly humiliated. Singing a duet with another man? Gao Duyang wasn't that kind of person. However, his good intentions had been disrupted, and he was certainly unhappy. Wanting to erupt in anger, but mindful of Zhao Qingqing's presence, he forced himself to calm down, picked up a bottle of beer, gulped it down, and stormed out of the room.
"Heh, I won't sing the male part then. This song can be skipped," Zhang Fan said, breaking the silence as the room was too quiet.
The heavily made-up woman, out of habit, prepared to skip the song.
"I'll sing the male part," Ling Yanxue suddenly announced, catching everyone off guard. Zhang Fan was also taken aback.
Ignoring their curious stares, with the accompaniment already playing, Ling Yanxue picked up the microphone and began to sing:
The blooming flowers of spring chase away the winter's sorrow
A romantic aura drifts in on the gentle breeze
Every love song suddenly holds meaning
It is at this moment that I suddenly see you...
Indeed, the somewhat peculiar atmosphere in the room transformed into harmony the moment Ling Yanxue started singing. She was genuinely singing in a male voice, a remarkably good one, full of deep resonance, making it hard to believe it was a woman singing.
Chen Yuze, seeing his girlfriend's stunt, smiled wryly and looked at Zhang Fan. He knew Zhang Fan was about to embarrass himself. Seeing Chen Yuze's expression, the others thought about it and also smiled, looking at Zhang Fan with a playful anticipation. They were eager to hear what Zhang Fan's female voice would sound like.
After Ling Yanxue finished, she pointed at Zhang Fan, indicating it was his turn. Earlier, when Zhang Fan had disrupted Gao Duyang's plan, he had said he would sing the female part. Now was the time for him to deliver.
Zhao Qingqing sat beside Zhang Fan, looking quite nervous. She knew her cousin was naturally tone-deaf. From childhood, he couldn't carry a tune even when singing nursery rhymes, and singing in a female voice now would be even more unbearable. Imagining the scene, Zhao Qingqing regretted attending this birthday celebration.
Zhang Fan shrugged indifferently, cleared his throat lightly, and it was his turn to sing:
The fragrance of spring flowers takes away the winter's chill
The breeze brings unexpected love
The birds' songs bring us closer
It is at this moment that I suddenly fall in love with you...