23: Chapter 23 Truth or Dare

"It's nothing, just a joke. Come on, Stinky Girl, drink some water." Jiang Che quickly changed the subject, then poured a glass of water for Jiang Ning and pushed it toward her.

Jiang Ning didn't reply, just stared straight at him.

"Hmm?"

"What did you call me..." Jiang Ning said in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"Stinky Girl."

"Hmph."

Jiang Ning's soft huff made Jiang Che pause, remembering the conversation in the supermarket a few days ago. Jiang Che cleared his throat and whispered again, "Ningning?"

This time, under the curious gazes of the others, a slight flush appeared on Jiang Ning's cheeks. She gave a soft "Mm" and picked up the tea, taking a sip quite obediently.

Luo Yao looked at her with smiling eyes, then said to Jiang Che, "Brother Jiang, your sister is really cute."

"Her?" Jiang Che intended to retort, but after just one word, he saw Jiang Ning immediately frown and stare straight at him. His survival instinct kicked in, and he quickly changed his tune: "She's always been cute."

Jiang Ning was slightly stunned, then her eyes filled with shyness. She glared at him, a look that lacked any bite and was instead quite adorable.

"Come on, it's been a while since we all ate together. Happy weekend!" Seeing that everyone had poured their drinks, Jiang Che and Yang Fei each filled a glass with beer and raised them.

"Happy weekend!"

Seeing the lively atmosphere, Jiang Ning's gaze swept over the faces of the beautiful An Ran and Luo Yao sitting nearby, and then she raised her glass as well.

Since joining the company, this was the second department dinner, the first being on the very first night, so Luo Yao was very happy.

Jiang Ning, however, noticed that this Sister Yaoyao's gaze would linger on Jiang Che's face from time to time.

And every time Luo Yao looked at him, Jiang Ning couldn't help but look at Jiang Che as well.

Before long, Jiang Che noticed something off about Jiang Ning.

"Is there something on my face?" When the girl looked at him again, Jiang Che raised his hand and touched his cheek.

Caught in the act, Jiang Ning hurriedly shook her head, then lowered her head and muttered, "It's not like I'm the only one looking."

"What did you say?" The girl's voice was too soft; Jiang Che hadn't heard her at all.

"Hm? Did I say anything?" Jiang Ning asked with a blank expression, denying it.

"..." Jiang Che was speechless. Then, he said helplessly, "These people aren't outsiders; they're all good friends. Don't be restrained, just eat more."

The two were whispering to each other, not noticing that An Ran had been watching them both for a while. Every time Luo Yao looked toward Jiang Che, Jiang Ning would follow suit, and all of this was seen by An Ran.

After a few rounds of drinks, Yang Fei suddenly felt playful and looked at the group, saying, "Just me and Jiang Che drinking is too boring. How about we all play a game?"

Jiang Ning's eyes showed a hint of curiosity, while Luo Yao's eyes lit up. "Sure! What are we playing?"

"Truth or Dare. The winner designates the loser, and the loser chooses their punishment or drinks. For you girls, you can drink beverages, but it'll be three cups instead of one. How about that?"

Hearing this, Jiang Che and An Ran didn't commit, but Jiang Ning suddenly became interested.

"Let's play that!"

Seeing her speak up, the others were a bit surprised. Jiang Che then said, "Stinky Girl, why are you joining in?"

"I'm sitting at the table too, I want to play." Jiang Ning said reproachfully.

Seeing this, Yang Fei said with a grin, "Jiang Che, you're the host today, and your sister is the guest of honor, so let's listen to her and play this."

After hearing this, An Ran and Luo Yao also nodded in agreement.

Seeing everyone supporting her, Jiang Ning immediately huffed, lifted her chin, and looked very pleased with herself.

Since everyone had spoken, Jiang Che couldn't really refuse. Besides... maybe he could use this opportunity to indirectly ask the Stinky Girl about who she had that couple's set meal with. Thinking of this, Jiang Che looked at the Stinky Girl. "It's settled then. Once the game is chosen, no backing out. Otherwise, it's three cups for one."

"Three cups it is, no problem!"

"Aren't you afraid of having to run to the bathroom after drinking too much?" Jiang Che teased. The three girls drinking beverages all blushed and collectively "spit" at him in unison.

"You're the guest of honor today, so you go first." Yang Fei placed an empty beer bottle on the table and spun it in front of Jiang Ning. "You spin it first. Whoever it points to, you can make them choose. After the person who is chosen completes the punishment, they pick the next person."

Jiang Ning looked around, then nervously picked up the bottle, placed it on the table, and gave it a hard spin.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on the bottle, while Jiang Ning... her eyes were locked onto it, and she kept chanting in her heart, "Jiang Che... Jiang Che, Jiang Che."

Soon, after a few seconds, the bottle gradually slowed down and finally stopped, pointing in one direction.

Everyone looked at each other, and Jiang Ning, looking at the bottle pointing straight at her, was also a bit stunned.

"How... how does this count?" Jiang Ning asked weakly.

"Spun it to yourself? That's some great luck. I'll ask this round." Jiang Che immediately seized the opportunity.

"No!" Jiang Ning said, getting anxious immediately upon hearing that.

"Trying to welch on it, Stinky Girl?" Jiang Che said, raising an eyebrow.

"It's not that..." Jiang Ning hesitated for a moment, then said slowly, "We're family, if you ask, there's a suspicion of you going easy on me. So, let one of the three of them ask; that's the only way it's fair."

Hearing this, Jiang Che was stunned. Damn, Stinky Girl, you've learned to be cunning! She knew Yang Fei was a guy and likely wouldn't give her a hard time right off the bat, and as for An Ran and Luo Yao, they doted on her so much that they naturally wouldn't make things difficult for her either.

Before he could even speak, Yang Fei, as the 'initiator,' chimed in, "Jiang Che, your sister makes sense. To prevent you from favoring her, then... Yaoyao, why don't you ask?"

Jiang Che looked at Jiang Ning. Sure enough, hearing Yang Fei's words, a flash of joy appeared in the girl's eyes.

Damn, Stinky Girl, you escaped this round...

Luo Yao glanced at the cute Jiang Ning, then asked seriously, "Student Jiang Ning, do you choose Truth or Dare?"

"Dare!" Jiang Ning blurted out without even thinking.

Not only Luo Yao, but even Yang Fei and An Ran were slightly taken aback. In this kind of game, wasn't it usually the case that people were afraid of embarrassing punishments and chose Truth instead?

Only Jiang Che saw through the girl's intentions. Even if she chose Dare, Luo Yao wouldn't make her do anything too excessive. But if she chose Truth, and Luo Yao asked some embarrassing questions, the Stinky Girl would be in a bind.

Jiang Che narrowed his eyes and looked at Jiang Ning. This girl... why does she feel a bit devious?

And Jiang Ning, seemingly realizing her little scheme had been seen through by her brother, shifted her gaze slightly and huffed, "I made my choice, what are you looking at me for..."