Chapter 5: Strategies for the Chase

Faced with his roommates' gossip, Killian remained silent.

He stared quietly at the breakfast before him for a few seconds. After a moment, his thin lips curved into an interested smirk.

Was this her idea of "making amends"?

"Cough, cough!"

After leaving the classroom, Tara lightly patted her racing heart.

Too embarrassing,

she thought.

But at least Killian was somewhat decent; he hadn't told her to get lost on the spot.

Then again, it was possible she had just "gotten lost" fast enough that he didn't have time to say it.

Regardless, taking the first step was progress.

"Tara, a new hotpot place just opened on Gold Street. It's supposed to be amazing! Let’s the four of us go together later, okay?"

After delivering the breakfast, Tara spent some time painting in the studio before returning to her dorm.

The moment she stepped inside, Josie rushed over to invite her for hotpot.

Setting aside the fact that eating hotpot in midsummer was a bold choice, Tara thought of her "Campus King Mission" and shook her head without hesitation.

"No, I have to go deliver lunch to Killian later."

Tara had never pursued anyone before, nor had she ever deliberately tried to please someone like this.

Delivering meals was the only way she could currently think of to gain Killian's favor.

"What? Who did you say you're bringing lunch to?" Cassie, who was busy doing her nails, suddenly snapped her head around.

Tara paused.

Realizing she had let it slip, she decided to be honest. "Killian."

She added seriously, "I'm going to pursue Killian."

At these words, even Daisy, who was silently devouring a chicken leg, stopped moving. She frowned almost imperceptibly. "The Campus King?"

Tara nodded.

Consequently, Room 105—except for Josie, who already knew—erupted into chaos.

"Holy crap! You finally came to your senses!"

Cassie stepped forward, her half-finished nails splayed out as she pinched Tara’s cheeks.

"Exactly! Why waste your days being miserable over a scumbag like Parker, right?"

Tara frowned, her speech slurred by the pinching. "When was I ever miselable over him?"

"Stop acting!"

Cassie wore a look of profound insight.

"You’ve been listless for days, pale as a ghost, looking like you were about to drop dead. You really thought I couldn't tell?"

Tara’s expression was complicated. "No, that was because..."

"Mmhmm? Because of what?"

Tara had the truth stuck in her throat with no way to speak it, so she simply went silent.

Cassie let out a snort.

"Fine, as long as you've moved on. There are plenty of fish in the sea; why waste time on a rotten cucumber like Parker?"

She let go and patted Tara’s shoulder comfortingly. "Spoken like a true daughter of mine. Your taste has improved—Killian is definitely top-tier!"

Tara: "..."

She grumpily brushed Cassie’s hand away. "Who's your daughter? How shameless!"

As the two teased each other, they failed to notice that Daisy had gone completely silent, even tossing away her favorite chicken leg.

"But your method of chasing him is way too old-fashioned!"

Upon learning that Tara had already sent Killian breakfast that morning, Cassie couldn't help but critique her.

"Breakfast, then lunch..." She laughed mercilessly. "People who know might think you're chasing him; people who don't might think you're raising a pig."

Tara: "..."

She felt dejected but couldn't argue.

"Alright, alright."

Josie walked up with a smile and hooked her arm around Cassie’s neck.

"Stop teasing her. You’ve dated a lot and have plenty of experience. Hurry up and give her some tips—how can we help Tara win Killian over?"

"Well now..." Cassie flipped her French waves with effortless charm, her red lips curving upward. "Simple. There's an opportunity tonight."

Night fell, and the city lights shone brightly.

Outside the "Abyss" KTV entrance.

Tara stepped out of a taxi in exaggerated black ribbon stilettos, reaching down uncomfortably to tug at her hemline.

"Cassie, maybe I shouldn't go."

Cassie frowned. "Why? You don't want to chase Killian anymore?"

"I do," Tara’s cheeks flushed slightly. "But this dress is so short. I... I'm not used to it."

"What's short about it? It's perfectly normal!"

Cassie rolled her eyes in exasperation. "I’m telling you, you usually dress way too conservatively."

She leaned in, gently catching Tara’s small chin, and narrowed her eyes with dominance. "Now, look me in the eye. Be confident, OK?"

"If I had your gorgeous face, this porcelain skin, that tiny waist, and those long legs, I’d have found a billionaire to sponsor me long ago!"

After her lecture, she firmly grabbed Tara’s wrist and led her inside.

"Come on, we’re already here. Don't let the trip go to waste."

She glanced back with an encouraging look. "Believe me—in that outfit tonight, you’re going to stun Killian into a stupor!"

Tara thought she was being way too dramatic.

As she was thinking that, a sudden sharp, burning sensation hit her throat.

Tara couldn't help it; she burst into a violent coughing fit, her eyes turning red in an instant.

...

Inside a massive private room, neon lights flashed as dynamic background music thundered through the air.

On the sofa, Parker slapped down a winning hand and laughed triumphantly at Killian.

"Hahaha! Killian, you lost again!"

He unceremoniously grabbed a bottle of high-proof whiskey and slammed it down in front of Killian. "No backing out. Drink up!"

Killian let out a faint scoff. He threw down his cards and picked up the whiskey. With a casual flick of his long fingers, he popped the cap.

It was a simple movement, but coming from him, it carried a strange mix of stoic and wild charm.

Josie sat on the opposite sofa, watching him unblinkingly, her heart racing and her cheeks slightly pink.

"Nice! Killian is a man of his word!"

Seeing Killian tilt his head back to down the alcohol without hesitation, Parker clapped and let out a supporting whistle.

"Cough, cough."

Amidst the deafening noise, a soft, delicate coughing sound suddenly rang out. Despite the high decibels, it was strangely arresting.

Hearing the sound, everyone in the room froze for a moment. It suddenly grew quiet as they turned their eyes toward the door.

A moment later, the door opened, and a graceful figure stepped slowly into the room.

The girl’s raven hair cascaded like a waterfall, her small face as exquisite as a painting. She wore a short, black gauzy dress that traced her delicate curves, showcasing her flawless beauty to the extreme.

She looked as though she had just been crying; the edges of her eyes were tinged pink like flower petals soaked in rouge. Her almond eyes shimmered with light as they landed on Killian.

"Holy... who is that?"

Someone let out a muffled curse of surprise.

Gasps and whispers filled the air without restraint.

In the shifting light and shadows, Killian set down his drink. He lazily raised his eyes and met Tara’s gaze directly.