Liang Yueru hadn't moved for several minutes. Her fingers were curled loosely around her glass, but the drink inside had long gone warm.
She watched the group' now whole again, at least in appearance' laugh awkwardly as they returned to their seats.
Somewhere in her heart, a small part of her was relieved. She had seen them miss Lin Zhihao quietly for years, never uttering his name around her so it wouldn't hurt.
She had always been grateful for that. These people had helped her move on. If not for Song Lanying, Zhou Zeyang, and Xu Yichen, she didn't know where she would've ended up.
Though the discomfort of seeing Lin Zhihao again was still there, it was nothing compared to the warmth she felt watching her old friends hug each other like boys again. It almost made her smile.
She thought to herself, "Hey, people do act civilized with their exes. Maybe I'll do the same."
Clearing her throat, she stood up. "I'll get the chilled alcohol," she said casually.
She walked to the kitchen. The cold hum of the fridge welcomed her, and the momentary silence gave her space to breathe.
Her fingers hovered over the bottles as if searching for something else; stillness, maybe.
Song Lanying followed her a moment later.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly, watching her.
"I'm fine," Liang Yueru replied. She opened the fridge and picked out a few bottles. "Don't worry about me. Go keep the birthday boy company."
Song Lanying hesitated, then hugged her for few seconds and said "We will always be there for you" and quietly walked out.
Liang Yueru stayed for few minutes. Her heart, once chaotic and muddled, now felt calmer.
As if something had finally settled.
She picked up the drinks in a tray and walked back out with quiet ease.
The terrace had returned to its earlier rhythm. Lin Zhihao was seated again, his usual quiet presence blending into the room.
Xu Yichen had somehow convinced Zhou Zeyang to sing with him. They were both performing a dramatic duet, clearly enjoying themselves.
Song Lanying was curled up on the couch, laughing with her whole body.
Liang Yueru lifted the tray. "Alcohol's chilled. Come and get it," she called.
Cheers erupted. Bottles were pulled out and glasses clinked. The noise rose again, steady and joyful.
Xu Yichen grabbed a mic, his grin mischievous. He pointed it at her like he was naming his next opponent.
"Yueru! You're next. No running."
She groaned, already regretting returning.
"Someone please remind me why I'm friends with him?"
"Because you'd die of boredom otherwise,"
Song Lanying replied with a laugh.
Liang Yueru stood and took the mic with reluctant acceptance. The music began. It was something old, nostalgic. A song that lived in their memories.
She sang and others danced, except for Lin Zhihao, who's eyes were only stuck at her; which obviously Liang Yueru ignored.
As the night wore on, the atmosphere grew softer. They were all comfortably drunk, the edges of their laughter rounding out into hums and half-spoken jokes.
The terrace glowed under the lights, warmth clinging to everything like a blanket.
Almost past two in the night, Xu Yichen had his eyes closed, singing something gentle and slow.
Song Lanying had drifted off against Zhou Zeyang, their hands intertwined and almost asleep.
Liang Yueru stood up quietly, slipping away into the kitchen for a glass of water.
The dim light cast soft shadows across the counter.
Then she heard footsteps and she turned.
Lin Zhihao stood a few steps away.
He said nothing at first, only looked at her like he was waiting for something to make sense.
"You haven't changed," he said quietly. His voice held something; admiration, maybe. Regret, maybe more.
There was a softness in his eyes and his composure which she hadn't seen since she met him again after many years.
She looked at him but stayed still.
"I didn't know if I could come tonight," he added. "But Zhou Zeyang insisted. Said it was time I should meet everyone."
Liang Yueru gave a short, dry smile. "How convenient. You disappear without a word and get to return because someone else thinks it's time."
He didn't respond.
"I'm going back in," she said, her voice steady.
"See you inside," he replied.
But when Lin Zhihao returned to the terrace later, she was gone.
Her bag on the sofa she was no longer there. Neither were her heels.
He stood still, eyes scanning for her. Then he sighed, a breath that held quiet understanding.
Zhou Zeyang and Song Lanying were already half asleep. Xu Yichen was dozing by the speakers, his song unfinished.
Lin Zhihao moved quietly, helping them settle in. He covered them with light throws, checked the doors, and turned off the last of the music.
Without a word, he stepped out into the night.
The hallway was quiet, and he left as quietly as he had come.