Chapter 855: Chongran

Sky Ridge Elegant Residence, rooftop night wind.

At the end of December, even in Yuhang City, the weather had grown very cold.

Li Luo and the three girls all wore thick down jackets, huddled around the barbecue grill for warmth, exhaling white breaths as they grilled meat.

Xu Youyu eagerly pulled out pre-mixed cocktails from the nearby freezer, placing one cup each on the outdoor island counter.

"Are you going to drink too, sister?" Yan Zhusheng asked curiously, watching Xu Youyu set out four cocktails, "Be careful you don't end up like last time."

Hearing this, Ying Chanxi, who had been about to politely decline, straightened her chest in defiance, slightly annoyed: "Like anyone can't drink? Last time was just an accident."

As she spoke, Ying Chanxi recalled the video stored on her phone—so mortifying it made her cheeks flush.

Whether from embarrassment or the heat of the barbecue grill, she couldn't tell.

"A little won't hurt," Xu Youyu grinned. "Drinking in winter warms you up. Just have a little less, Xi Xi."

The three girls chatted among themselves while Li Luo grabbed a handful of grilled pork tenderloin and handed it to the island counter: "Eat first—the lamb skewers and grilled buns are almost ready."

"Where's my potato slice?" Xu Youyu called out from the side.

"Almost there, don't rush, you won't starve."

Li Luo worked busily at the barbecue grill while Ying Chanxi assisted him.

With nothing else to do, Yan Zhusheng went downstairs to fetch an iPad, opened the live stream of Qianjiang University's New Year's Eve gala, placed it on the island counter, and turned the volume up full.

The time was nearing midnight as the gala's final performance before the New Year began.

Qianjiang University's choir took the stage to perform "Lights of China," celebrating the arrival of another year.

When the song ended, the two hosts stepped forward, joined by all present faculty and students, as well as viewers tuning in online, to welcome the New Year.

Li Luo raised his glass at the right moment, gesturing to the three girls.

The four of them laughed, raising their glasses and clinking them midair in celebration.

"Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year~"

After the simple celebration, Li Luo returned to grilling.

Yan Zhusheng opened her phone, logged into her major Douyin account, and checked the response to the video Ying Chanxi had sent her.

The video was seven or eight minutes long—a rare breath of fresh air on Douyin right now.

Upon entering, viewers saw a brief host introduction, then as mist rose and faded, the five-member band officially appeared.

【What is this? Why post this on New Year's Eve?】

Comments scrolled across the screen.

【Dude, read the title—it's Qianjiang University's New Year's Gala!】

【So jealous—does getting into Qianjiang mean you get to see Zhusheng's live performance?】

【Wait, something's off—why is Zhusheng the guitarist?】

【Holy shit—is Chongran the lead singer?】

【What the hell?】

【New song from "Unknown People"?】

【Seems like it's also from a new drama—Chongran really doesn't hold back, singing a new song right at the university's New Year's gala?】

【This is kinda good—the lyrics are really nice】

Yan Zhusheng watched the comments, then scrolled through the comment section; every time someone praised Li Luo's singing, she liked it with her main account.

Very quickly, sharp-eyed fans noticed.

【I'm dying—Zhusheng only likes comments praising Li Luo's singing. Just tried posting "Chongran sings so well," and got an instant like (laughing-crying. jpg)】

【This might be Chongran's first time as lead singer on a big stage—before, he only ever duetted with Zhusheng or sang once in Qing's livestream】

【Chongran is just too talented—I can't even envy him】

【So sweet! So sweet! Is Zhusheng a husband-protecting maniac?】

【Zhusheng says nothing, just keeps liking】

Watching Yan Zhusheng's video performance and seeing her still liking comments, Ying Chanxi sighed: "If you're going to like, use your small account—it's too obvious with your main one."

When a Douyin creator likes a comment, a notification appears below it—very noticeable.

"What's wrong with me liking something?" Yan Zhusheng asked, puzzled.

"Look at what you're liking," Ying Chanxi snapped. "Right now, plenty of viewers already suspect your relationship with Li Luo."

"And you're making it this obvious—aren't you just handing them proof?"

"Can't you be a little more discreet? What if it's discovered later?"

Yan Zhusheng blinked innocently: "Then I'll just have to reluctantly admit it."

"We agreed not to expose it," Ying Chanxi warned, narrowing her eyes.

"I won't expose it myself, but if it's found anyway, what can I do?" Yan Zhusheng reasoned seriously. "Besides, even if it's found, it's not a big deal."

"Think about it, sister—I'll first admit I'm dating Li Luo, then quickly marry him and have a baby."

"After a while, we'll announce our relationship broke down and divorce."

"Then you or Senior can marry Li Luo again."

"For example, let Senior marry him first—they're both famous Online Novel writers; after the official announcement, they marry and have a baby."

"After another while, Senior announces her breakup and divorce with Li Luo, and then you marry him."

"That way, if anyone ever sees me with Li Luo again, I can just say he's here to see the kid."

"After all, even if divorced, Li Luo is still my child's father."

"A father caring for his child—that's only natural."

After hearing Yan Zhusheng's logical analysis, Ying Chanxi clenched her fists—despite herself, she found the plan strangely reasonable.

At least the practicality is pretty strong.

But then she thought again and realized her mistake, immediately pouting and demanding, "Then why am I the last one? Can't I go first?"

"That's fine too." Yan Zhusheng blinked her eyes, then kindly reminded, "But if you do that, Sister, you'll have to divorce Li Luo first."

"This…" Ying Chanxi, upon hearing this, hesitated again.

Fortunately, Li Luo promptly interrupted the two, shoving a grilled sausage into each of their mouths: "Enough, enough. You've talked about this so many times already—aren't you tired of it? Just eat first."

The four of them sat on the rooftop, chatting and eating barbecue while watching Qianjiang University's New Year's Eve gala.

By the time the New Year's Eve gala officially ended around one in the morning, Li Luo and the others were already full.

After confirming the barbecue grill was extinguished, Li Luo led the three girls downstairs back to the master bedroom.