The Three-Tiered Cake and KTV Revelry

It didn’t take Ling Qianwu long to emerge, her hands carefully cradling a magnificent three-tiered cake, adorned in shades of blue and white. Housed within a transparent box, every intricate detail of the cake’s design and decoration was perfectly visible.

The base layer of the cake was frosted with a delicate light blue cream, reminiscent of a clear, azure sky. Around its perimeter, sculpted waves of aquamarine cream formed a picturesque ocean scene.

White draperies, crafted from cream, cascaded gracefully from the light blue sky, resembling the pristine skirt of a young maiden.

Above this, the second tier was impeccably white, evoking the ethereal beauty of a fantastical paradise. On this heavenly surface, two layers of chocolate cake were meticulously depicted.

Beside the miniature cakes lay exquisitely wrapped gift boxes. Higher still, the top tier, a creamy off-white, was similarly adorned with the same ‘drapery’ motif as the base.

Atop the uppermost layer, blue candles were artfully shaped into the number ’18’. Observing its exquisite craftsmanship, it was clear this cake was far from inexpensive.

Indeed, it appeared significantly pricier than the single-tiered cake Lin Yiting had purchased. Swapping a cheap item for a good one would naturally delight Lin Yiting.

However, she wasn’t the protagonist today, so she couldn’t make choices on Lin Yi’s behalf.

“How do you feel about this, Xiaoxu?”

“Isn’t this a bit too extravagant?”

As Lin Yi gazed at the cake in Ling Qianwu’s hands, his lifelong commitment to thriftiness brought a pang of slight discomfort. Even though she wasn’t paying, he couldn’t help but wonder if such a lavish item was wasteful when used for him.

“Oh, you’re just playing coy after getting such a good deal. It’s free, so why not take it?”

Lin Yiting patted Lin Yi’s shoulder, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. It almost seemed as if she had planned this all along.

Lin Yi shook his head, dismissing the thought. His sister was usually so reasonable; how could she possibly trick someone? Of course, Lin Yi conveniently excluded himself from that assessment. Had he been involved, Lin Yiting’s cunning might have been far more apparent.

Once Ling Qianwu solemnly handed the cake to Lin Yiting, she had no intention of lingering. She had come out to practice driving, but instead of improving her skills, she’d ended up spending several hundred yuan.

If she couldn’t explain this clearly to her family, she would certainly face a difficult time.

“Qianwu, aren’t you coming with us to KTV?”

Qin Ruoxue, ever the good friend, tried to coax her into staying, reluctant to part with her bestie.

“No, no, another time! I really need to get home.”

With that, Ling Qianwu picked up her bicycle, ready to depart.

Qin Ruoxue swiftly moved, blocking Ling Qianwu’s path. She held Ling Qianwu with one hand and stabilized the bicycle with the other.

“Just come for a little while, it won’t take long! Besides, after spending so much on such a huge cake, don’t you want to eat some?”

At Qin Ruoxue’s words, Ling Qianwu’s gaze involuntarily drifted to the three-tiered cake. It proved that a foodie’s best friend also possessed a touch of foodie tendencies.

No sooner had Qin Ruoxue finished speaking than Ling Qianwu made up her mind.

“Alright, let’s go.”

****

In front of the bustling commercial building, a group of people stood before the elevator doors. The numbers on the screen continuously changed, and after a considerable wait, the elevator doors finally slid open.

The KTV Qin Ruoxue had booked was on the fifth floor of the building. The other floors were occupied by shops selling clothes, jewelry, and similar items.

In addition to these common stalls, a fried chicken restaurant occupied the ground floor. With people constantly coming and going, its business was likely thriving.

The group stepped into the elevator, and within the enclosed space, they slowly ascended. Before long, they arrived at the fifth floor.

Qin Ruoxue had reserved a small private room, not having anticipated that an additional person would join them midway. However, upgrading to a medium-sized room now seemed rather uneconomical, so she decided against it.

After inquiring about their room number at the front desk, the group, led by Qin Ruoxue, quickly reached their KTV room. Her palm brushed along the wall beside the door, and with a soft click, the pitch-black room was instantly illuminated by a dazzling light.

The room’s interior was minimalist, with the most striking feature being the massive sofa that spanned the entire space. Next to it, on the glass coffee table, were small gaming items like dice and spinning wheels, typically used for drinking games.

However, this group was unlikely to use them, as few among them drank alcohol. The wall behind the sofa was made of sound-insulating material, adorned with various decorations that lent it a unique charm.

Opposite the sofa were two screens: one large, one small. The smaller screen rested on a table in the corner, while the larger one was mounted on the wall.

The smaller screen was, of course, for selecting songs. When they wanted to change a song, they could type in the title. It also offered a karaoke mode, with options for original vocals or instrumental backing.

Beyond these features, the room boasted its own restroom and a separate soundproofed area. This isolated space was comprised of a thick sound-insulating door, grey glass, and soundproof walls.

Inside, a small screen was provided for viewing, along with wooden tables and chairs. Though not large, the room was fully equipped, ample enough for six people to enjoy themselves.

Qin Ruoxue stepped into the room, picking up a microphone from the sofa. She attempted to turn it on, but no sound emerged. Evidently, Qin Ruoxue was unfamiliar with such establishments, her movements betraying a lack of experience.

Seeing this, Lin Yiting placed the two cake boxes on the table. She then turned on the large screen, activated the karaoke machine, and after a quick adjustment, picked up a microphone and exhaled softly.

The loudspeaker quickly echoed behind her, and after confirming everything was working, Lin Yiting settled comfortably on the sofa, crossing her legs. Qin Ruoxue scratched her head, having failed to grasp the controls earlier. Fortunately, both microphones were now functional.

The people standing by the door, with the exception of Lin Yi, wore expressions of novelty. Li Yan and Ling Qianwu, having never been to such a place, were undoubtedly filled with curiosity.

Even Xu Wei, though she had visited before, found herself brimming with delight, as her visits were infrequent. Lin Yi, on the other hand, was quite accustomed to such venues.

He still remembered how, after graduation, his classmates had pooled their money to rent two large private rooms. Everyone sang wherever they pleased, creating a lively atmosphere.

Not only his classmates but also their homeroom teacher and some subject teachers had joined. That occasion remained, in Lin Yi’s memory, the most boisterous gathering he had ever experienced.

From then on, some classmates went to university, while others who didn’t went out to find work. Such a vibrant scene never recurred.

As his thoughts drifted back from memory, the large screen opposite the sofa had already begun playing a song. Lin Yi vaguely recognized the tune; it was likely one Lin Yiting used to listen to.

However, it wasn’t a style Lin Yi particularly enjoyed, so he hadn’t committed it to memory. Li Yan, upon hearing the melody, excitedly began to dance.

He snatched the microphone without a word, pressed it to his lips, and began to wail. While he might have heard the song before, he somehow managed to transform a tender love song into a lament, a dirge of sorrow.

Lin Yi found himself unable to bear it any longer, instinctively covering his ears, his face etched with clear disdain. Fortunately, this situation didn’t last long, as a celestial voice instantly elevated the entire song’s melody.

Lin Yiting emerged from the soundproof booth, microphone in hand. It seemed the setting itself had an effect, as her singing sounded far better than before.

Lin Yi, seated on the sofa, finally exhaled in relief. He now understood the profound feeling that must have inspired a certain great poet to write, ‘like hearing celestial music, my ears suddenly cleared.’