Xiu didn't know whether to be sad or happy about the fact that she spoke the biggest truth of her life and yet, people took it as a joke since Nora ended up slapping her head and saying, "Xiu, you're supposed to tell us a secret, not a fantasy story."
"It's not a fantasy story. I'm serious," insisted Xiu with a straight face. "I really am a different soul in a different body."
"Let's assume what you said is indeed true," said Nora and added, "But that means you want us to believe in reincarnation or transmigration. And that's not possible."
"Why not?" asked Xiu. "If I say I'm a time traveler, would you be more inclined to believe that?"
"Yes," answered Dylan as he went on, "Time traveling is scientifically proven in physics. Reincarnation is based on supernatural myths which are not very believable." He took a pause before cautiously adding, "To be honest, you sound crazy right now. Oh, wait for a second, you're already crazy."
Nora jutted in, "Even those myths are only believed by kids now."
Xiu smiled bitterly as she mumbled, "I wish we stayed as kids, at least, magic was believable. Now, even reality seems like a lie to everyone." She shook her head before saying, "Fine. Let's get serious. My other secret is that I have a very cute superpower where I shut myself up and hate everyone. Including myself."
"Silly," Nora pushed Xiu's head with her finger while Xiu laughed it off.
Xiu looked at everyone and smiled to herself as she thought, 'Well, I said it. It's your loss that you didn't believe me at all. It was my responsibility to say it once. At least, I can get some guilt off of my heart now.'
What Xiu failed to notice between Nora and Dylan's antics was Darren's reaction. For a split second, his heart was jolted and if she had said she was Chen Xiu, he really wouldn't have hesitated in believing in her. He couldn't even remember how many times he wished to see a miracle. After all, Xiu had already reminded him of Chen Xiu on several occasions. So much so that even he was getting confused in his mind.
However, all of that was just his own wishful thinking. At least that's how he had to convince himself.
In the next round, Xiu lost and her question was, "Ask another player a question," Xiu rubbed her chin thoughtfully as she glanced at the other three. Apparently, her luck had been quite good in this game.
"Don't look at me. I've already lost too many times," Nora made a cross sign while cowering back.
Then Xiu's eyes lingered on Dylan who said, "You already hate me enough. I'm sure you won't like to add more reasons to your hate list."
Xiu rolled her eyes at him before shifting her gaze toward Darren. "Hi, boyfriend!"
Darren rubbed the tip of his nose as he said, "Hello to you too, girlfriend!"
"What's the craziest pick-up line someone has ever used on you?"
"Ooh, I'd like to hear that too," Nora eagerly looked at Darren.
"I can recall a few," said Darren before adding, "But my personal favorite is... 'Do you have a place to stay? If not, my heart is available 24/7.'" Nora spurted out the drink in her mouth and coughed a couple of times. Darren had expected that reaction. "I have an even more interesting one... Umm... 'Grey is your eyes color, just how can it make my heart flutter? Your looks are making me a sucker, would you like to be my lover?'"
"Oh my goodness!" This time the reaction came from Xiu herself as she stared at Darren with wide eyes.
"Wait, both of you, he's not done yet," said Dylan silencing both Xiu and Nora.
"There is more to that?" asked Xiu and Darren nodded while pressing his lips together to stifle his laughter.
"She had a lot to say that night as she went on and on with, 'Your skin is like milk butter, why are you leaving my heart on a cutter? Just write down your number, don't make me suffer. After making my heart stutter, you can't leave me like any other. You're making me wonder, can't you really be my lover?'" The look on Darren's face was obviously a sign of how much he cherished that memory.
"You remember it word for word?" asked Xiu in an odd tone.
"Why wouldn't he? Both of those pick-up lines were used by the same person within the same night. Daz would never forget that night," said Dylan as he was having the laugh of his life. "Even for someone like him, that was too much."
"Who was such a bold one? You should have just taken her for actually having the courage to say all that." Nora decided to help her best friend as she knew Xiu also wanted to know who she was.
"She was posh and yet utterly sloshed," replied Darren. "Apart from that, she was too innocent for me."
"Innocent? Are you sure? She said so much!" exclaimed Nora as if reminding him.
"Nah, I'm pretty sure she's innocent. If she wasn't drunk, I don't think she'd have even said a word," said Darren knowingly. "Okay, enough of that. It's been so many years. Let's move forward with our game. That little red is definitely not a part of our game."
Xiu's head whipped to his side as she looked at him with a complex look. A distant voice rang in her mind, "Little Red, I hope you remember what you're saying if you forgot this night... I'm so gonna murder you!" Xiu's brows furrowed together as another scene flashed in her mind, "Little Red, Little Red... Sigh. You really know how to create a mess."
In her daze, she stared at Darren unknowingly for a long time. At least, until Nora had to shake her back to the present. "Earth to Xiu!" When Xiu turned to her in confusion, Nora went on, "I know your boyfriend is handsome. Don't rub it in by gawking at him so brazenly."
"Go to hell!" Xiu pushed her away in annoyance but there was a tinge of red shading her cheeks as well.
"Aww, honey, don't worry. I'll definitely be following your footsteps to hell," was Nora's playful reply.