Breaking Up Was a Choice I Planned All Along - Chapter 28

Compared to the chaotic morning, the evening competition proceeded smoothly.

Meng Ce didn’t deceive me; his singing was indeed impressive, and he secured second place in the competition.

Moreover, thanks to his naturally gifted looks, he was proudly voted as the “Most Popular Campus Singer.”

As for Chen Manman, her performance was more style than substance, and the judges criticized it harshly. She didn’t even make it to the top ten.

Our department has an unwritten rule: after the competition, everyone goes out for a group dinner. The usual routine is a barbecue stall followed by a karaoke session.

I was about to leave the student union, so it wasn’t really appropriate for me to join. But Li Wei pulled me along, saying it was a farewell of sorts. The other friends also persuaded me persistently.

Having worked with these friends for two years, I felt reluctant to leave. So, in the end, I agreed half-heartedly.

Meng Ce was waiting beside me and straightforwardly asked Li Wei if he could come along.

Eventually, things got muddled, and it turned into me bringing Meng Ce, Zhou Jingnan bringing Chen Manman, along with the department members, to the food street’s barbecue stall.

At a large round table, Li Wei sat on my left, Meng Ce on my right, and opposite me was Zhou Jingnan. On Zhou Jingnan’s left was Chen Manman, and on his right was Ying Tiantian.

It was quite amusing.

The first half of the dinner could be summarized as contestant number one, Chen Manman, showcasing her social skills and subtly hinting at her close relationship with Zhou Jingnan, while contestant number two, Ying Tiantian, demonstrated her skill in making Chen Manman uncomfortable out of spite.

Meng Ce and I quietly watched the lively interactions between the two, occasionally exchanging notes on the impressive tactics displayed during their exchanges.

Throughout the process, aside from intentionally ignoring Zhou Jingnan’s frequent glances, it was quite enjoyable.

In the latter half of the dinner, people kept coming over to drink and chat with me. Initially, I held back, saying I wouldn’t drink tonight, but soon found myself clinking glasses with Li Wei.

Once you start drinking, there’s no turning back.

When Zhou Jingnan approached me with a glass, my face was already flushed, though my mind remained clear.

I averted my gaze, pretending not to see him, and dragged Meng Ce to the restroom opposite the barbecue stall.

Half an hour later, everyone moved to the karaoke venue to continue the fun.

The private room was noisy, and the lights were dazzling. I seized an opportunity to slip out to the lobby.

Soon, Meng Ce followed me out.

He sat beside me, pressing the back of his hand to my forehead, “Are you okay?”

The alcohol was kicking in, and although my mind felt muddled like paste, I was acutely aware that tonight was my last event with the department. The sadness in my heart was fermenting, reaching its peak at this moment.

“Meng Ce, I’m no longer part of the student union, can’t organize events anymore…”

“In the future, my interactions with them will become less and less, eventually just exchanging greetings.”

He looked at me, his helplessness filled with warmth, “Pianpian, any relationship can be maintained as long as one party is willing to take the initiative.”

He said, “It’s okay, I’m here with you.”

Fueled by the alcohol, I was particularly bold. On impulse, I asked him, “Meng Ce, do you like me?”