What to Do if I Am Noticed by the Straight Guy Next Door?

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Jin Fei asked, “Have you ever been to a social party?”

Su Bin replied, “No.”

Jin Fei was curious, “If you’ve never been, why do you dislike them so much?”

Su Bin didn’t know why either. Perhaps in his subconscious, it was just a place where lonely and single people gathered. As someone who had a girlfriend before, Su Bin felt particularly disdainful towards social parties.

However, time changes everything. Su Bin never expected that he would one day become a lonely soul as well.

“Hey, are you interested in going with me?” Jin Fei suddenly suggested. “There’s a masquerade party in our circle next weekend. Who knows, you might find a new spark there!”

A second spring… Su Bin was at a loss for words.

“I don’t want to go…” Su Bin couldn’t muster any enthusiasm.

“Jin Fei’s suggestion is good,” Yang Chengzhe appeared out of nowhere and leaned against the doorway with his arms crossed. “Su Bin, if you keep looking as down as you did a few days ago, I’m going to take you to see a psychologist— a licensed one, not someone like Jin Fei who hasn’t graduated yet… Honestly, I think it would be good for you to go out with Jin Fei. It doesn’t necessarily have to be about finding a ‘second spring.’ Just interacting with different people might be beneficial for you.”

The environment in Country B was generally peaceful and lonely, with a slow pace of life. If Su Bin only went to class, walked the dog, and went home, he would have too much free time.

With Su Bin’s single-minded personality and a childhood lacking parental love, he was prone to depression when he started overthinking. That’s why Yang Chengzhe was particularly concerned about him.

“How about this? I haven’t been to a social party in a while either. Why don’t we go together?” Yang Chengzhe suggested.

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Su Bin was initially resistant, but after hearing Yang Chengzhe’s words, he was moved. After all, he trusted Yang Chengzhe a lot. If Chengzhe was there, Su Bin felt like it would be much better: “Um, alright…”

Jin Fei glared at him and said, “You look so unwilling, making it seem like Brother Cheng is forcing you to become a gigolo…”

Su Bin: “…”

In truth, over the past few days, Su Bin felt grateful from the bottom of his heart for his roommates. They had been with him, comforting him since the moment he got dumped. Without them, he might have already fallen apart by now.

He had to force himself not to think about Chen Xiatian’s matters as much as possible. Thankfully, there was a vast distance between them now. Otherwise, with Su Bin’s personality, once he became sentimental, no one would be able to stop him from wanting to see Chen Xiatian.

But now, with one on one side of the Earth and the other on the other side, Chen Xiatian not answering his calls meant that she had completely disappeared from Su Bin’s world.

Since the breakup, Su Bin hadn’t dared to visit the campus social network. He was afraid of running into classmates and friends who knew about them. He also feared seeing photos from their university, a place where many memories with Chen Xiatian were made. He didn’t want to be overwhelmed by emotions triggered by those memories.

Two more days passed, and it seemed like Su Bin was gradually getting better. At least he didn’t cry like a dog in the middle of the night anymore. But he still felt hurt and listless, with his emotions wandering at the bottom of the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon.

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A “masquerade party,” from its literal meaning, referred to attending a party with a “false face.” In other words, it involved disguising oneself and trying not to let others recognize their true identity, thus initiating a series of romantic, mysterious, and passionate social interactions.

Typically, masquerade parties were most common during Halloween, but that holiday had already passed a month ago.

Su Bin still remembered that day when Jin Fei dressed provocatively, wearing a gold-dusted suit and a golden mask covering half of his face. He was shining from head to toe, as if he wanted the word “gold” engraved on his forehead.

But when he returned, his mask was broken, he had lipstick marks on his chin, and claw marks all over his face.

No need to explain the lipstick marks, but the claw marks were apparently from a woman dressed as a zombie who used coal powder to blacken her fingers and play pranks on men she fancied. Jin Fei had become an unfortunate victim.

But let’s not dwell on the past. The upcoming “masquerade party” was an opportunity for lonely men and women to relive the excitement of the eve of Halloween. They privately organized a small-scale event with the same significance.

“Brother Cheng, do you have a mask? I’m thinking of buying one online. Do you want to join me?” Su Bin asked. Seeing Yang Chengzhe wearing glasses, he wondered how he would wear a mask. Did he need to wear contact lenses as well?

Unexpectedly, Yang Chengzhe replied, “I won’t buy a mask because I already have one.”

Su Bin didn’t understand. “Huh? Have you been to a masquerade party before?”

Yang Chengzhe grinned and pushed up his glasses. “This is my mask right here.”

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Su Bin: “…”

OAO Is that even allowed?

Jin Fei said, “Ah, Biscuit, you don’t need to be so particular. The important thing is not the costume, but the romantic encounters~ Romantic encounters!”

Su Bin: “…”

Jin Fei continued, “By the way, I invited Xiao Jie to join us. You can discuss what to wear with him.”

“Wow, you invited Xiao Jie too!” Su Bin suddenly felt a warm family atmosphere, as if they were all going out together. Finally, he had some enthusiasm. “Will Allen come?” he asked.

Jin Fei replied, “Allen? I don’t think he’ll attend this kind of party…”

Su Bin agreed. With Allen’s appearance, wouldn’t he be immediately surrounded if he appeared at a social gathering?

“But I’m not sure,” Jin Fei added. “You have a better relationship with him, so you can invite him and see… I’ve never invited him before. Inviting him might steal the spotlight from me, the older brother!”

Su Bin: “…”

Indeed, it was in Jin Fei’s self-centered nature…

Although Su Bin thought Allen probably wouldn’t go, when he met him that night, he subconsciously mentioned it. After all, everyone else was going, except for Allen. It didn’t feel right if he didn’t tell him.

To Su Bin’s surprise, Allen didn’t outright refuse. Instead, he looked him up and down and asked, “What are you going to dress up as?”

“Well…” Actually, although Su Bin had agreed to Yang Chengzhe and Jin Fei, he hadn’t really thought about fully immersing himself in the party. He just felt that doing something was better than moping at home. “I don’t know, maybe just wear a mask.”

Allen seemed to have expected Su Bin’s answer and nodded. He asked, “Where and when?”

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“Huh?” Su Bin almost didn’t catch on. Did Allen mean he wanted to go? Su Bin immediately told him the details and added, “Jin Fei will drive us there. We can go together.”

Allen replied, “No need, I may not have the time.”

Su Bin: “…” So, the likelihood of him not going is higher…

After returning to his room, Su Bin chatted with Sun Yujie for a while. Sun Yujie had a lot of suitable clothes, but he was one size smaller than Su Bin, so he couldn’t lend him any.

“You don’t need to dress too formally. I’ve been several times, and everyone is quite casual. Some even dress as clowns in pajamas!” Sun Yujie said.

Hearing that, Su Bin felt relieved.

The weekend came quickly. The day before the party, the mask Su Bin ordered online arrived. However, strangely enough, the next day at noon, he received another large package!

Su Bin had no recollection of ordering anything else substantial, but the recipient was his Chinese name spelled in pinyin.

He carried the package back to his room and opened it, only to be shocked. Inside was a set of white tailcoats and a matching mask!

There was a note attached to the box that read, “Gift for SB. Please wear this gift at the masquerade party. From your roommates.”

Su Bin: “…”

Damn, who sent this!?

Logically speaking, Yang Chengzhe, Jin Fei, and Allen could all claim to be Su Bin’s roommates. Based on their generosity, Su Bin’s first thought was Jin Fei. However… the nickname “SB” made Su Bin think of Yang Chengzhe and Allen because they had seen his post on the cliff, and Allen had teased him about it.

Su Bin hugged the clothes and went to ask them. Just as he went out, he ran into Allen carrying a bag, about to leave…

“Oh, you’re going out?” Su Bin asked.

“I have something to do,” Allen replied briefly and hurriedly left.

Since the party was tonight and Allen had something to do now, it was unlikely he would attend, right? Besides, he had just glanced at the clothes in Su Bin’s hand without saying anything. So, Su Bin immediately crossed Allen off the list of gift-givers.

He hurriedly went downstairs to ask Jin Fei, “Fly, did you buy the clothes for me?”

Jin Fei responded, “Brother, I’m so bored that I bought clothes for you! I’m even worried that I don’t have anything to wear!”

Su Bin flipped him off. With so many clothes, he claimed to have nothing to wear. What a weirdo Jin Fei was!

Since it wasn’t Allen or Jin Fei, it should be Chengzhe who sent the gift… Su Bin thought of Chengzhe’s care and support over the past few days and felt deeply moved. He quickly changed into the clothes.

The white tailcoat was paired with golden buttons, and the collar and cuffs had vertical stripes in gold and blue. It looked somewhat like a high-end school uniform.

The mask was also white, with angel wings at the corners of the eyes and a few feathers attached.

Just as Su Bin finished changing, Yang Chengzhe came out of his room and exclaimed, “Looks great! Handsome! It suits you very well!”

Su Bin naturally interpreted Chengzhe’s words as a post-gift evaluation.

“Brother Cheng, thank you!” Su Bin sincerely expressed his gratitude.

Yang Chengzhe was somewhat taken aback. Su Bin was already handsome, but it was rare to see him so excited when complimented on his looks. However, this was the first time Chengzhe felt a bit of vitality returning to Su Bin since his breakup, so he didn’t say anything.

In the evening, Su Bin set off wearing the outfit.

Jin Fei drove first to pick up Sun Yujie, and then the four of them arrived at the party venue, a large garden villa specifically designed for entertainment for young people.

When Su Bin got out of the car, he could already hear heavy metal rock music coming from inside. Upon entering, he felt a strong dark atmosphere. Under the dim lights, he saw men and women in various eccentric outfits, including both Chinese and foreigners.

It was Su Bin’s first time in such a place, and he felt more timid than excited. He followed closely behind Jin Fei and Yang Chengzhe and walked to a large circular sofa in the middle of the living room.

As soon as they saw Jin Fei, the people sitting there stood up to greet him. Two heavily made-up girls even smiled and approached them directly. Jin Fei flirted with them while introducing Su Bin and the others to everyone. The others welcomed them enthusiastically… It seemed that the social veterans present knew how to create a comfortable atmosphere.

Jin Fei said to Su Bin, “Just have fun and don’t be restrained. If someone asks who you are, just say you’re Jin Boss’s little brother. Everyone here knows Jin Boss…”

Everyone laughed, and at this moment, Su Bin couldn’t help but admire Jin Fei’s ability. He was indeed worthy of being called the Prince of Socializing.

Yang Chengzhe appeared relaxed and quickly started chatting with a stranger next to him after taking a seat.

Sun Yujie’s behavior was also unexpected to Su Bin. As soon as they entered, he seemed like a different person, shedding his usual gentle and soft demeanor. His eyes, visible through the mask, gleamed mischievously as he excitedly searched for suitable people to interact with…

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