The evening sky glowed with shades of orange as Wáng Lěi prepared for the night. He looked into the mirror, adjusting his hair with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The thought of going out with Chen Yu—and now Mei Lin—had him feeling both thrilled and anxious.

He quickly threw on a comfortable shirt and jeans, glancing around his small apartment. It had been a long time since he’d gone out to have fun. Most nights, he found himself sketching characters or lost in storylines instead of socializing. But tonight felt different.

As he finished getting ready, his phone buzzed again. It was a message from Mei Lin.

Mei Lin: “I’ll meet you at the café! Don’t be late or I’ll start without you!”

Wáng Lěi couldn’t help but smile. Her playful spirit always made him feel at ease. He grabbed his sketchbook and wallet, then headed out the door.

The café was buzzing with energy. Friends chatted, laughter echoed, and the sweet scent of coffee filled the air. Wáng Lěi spotted Chen Yu at a corner table, waving. Mei Lin was already there, talking to a group of her friends.

“Wáng Lěi! Get over here!” Chen Yu shouted, gesturing for him to join.

“Hey! Sorry I’m late!” Wáng Lěi said, sliding into the empty seat across from his friends.

“Perfect timing! We were just talking about what crazy stuff we should do tonight,” Chen Yu said, a grin spreading across his face.

“Like what?” Wáng Lěi asked, raising an eyebrow.

“ Karaoke!” Chen Yu exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “We can sing our hearts out! How does that sound?”

Wáng Lěi hesitated. He loved music but wasn’t so sure about singing in front of everyone. “I’m not a great singer, you know that,” he said, shrugging.

“But it’ll be fun! You never know until you try!” Chen Yu insisted, and Wáng Lěi could see the enthusiasm in his eyes.

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Mei Lin chimed in, “Yeah, Wáng Lěi! Everyone will be cheering for you! Just think of it as a performance for your characters!”

Feeling a mix of pressure and encouragement, he replied, “Alright, let’s do it!”

After finishing their drinks, the group headed to a nearby karaoke bar. Neon lights flickered above, and the sound of music engulfed them as they entered. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with laughter and excitement.

“Let the fun begin!” Chen Yu declared as they approached a private room. They piled in, and the rest of the group began choosing songs.

Wáng Lěi took a seat in the corner, trying to calm his nerves. Mei Lin sat down next to him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You ready to show off your talent?” she teased, him playfully.

“Only if you promise to help me out!” he replied, laughing.

“Deal!” she said, pulling out her phone to check the song list. “Let’s find something we can duet!”

Songs played, laughter filled the air, and one by one, everyone took their turn at the mic. When Chen Yu got up to sing an energetic pop song, the entire room erupted in applause.

Finally, it was Wáng Lěi’s turn. As he stepped up to the mic. He glanced at Mei Lin, who smiled, and he felt a surge of confidence.

With a deep breath, he picked a song—something upbeat that wouldn’t expose his lack of vocal talent too much. As the music started, he shuffled awkwardly, feeling out of place. But looking out at the cheering friends made him feel a bit more at ease.

As he sang, he caught Mei Lin’s eye. She was dancing and smiling, encouraging him with her energy. To his surprise, as he let himself get lost in the music, the initial nerves began to fade. It felt liberating.

When he finished, the room erupted into applause, their cheers fueling his confidence.

“See? You did great!” Mei Lin said, beaming at him when he finished. “And you kept the tone nice and fun!”

“Thanks! I guess it wasn’t too bad,” he admitted.

“Now it’s my turn!” Mei Lin announced, hopping up. She sang her heart out, her voice beautiful and strong. Wáng Lěi couldn’t help but admire her talent and how effortlessly she entertained everyone.

As the night continued, Wáng Lěi began to forget about his worries. Singing, laughter, and even a little dancing created an unforgettable evening. Surrounded by friends and joy, Wáng Lěi started to realize that there was more to life than just deadlines and comic pages.

Eventually, they all collapsed on the couch, laughing and reminiscing about their favorite moments of the night.

“Tonight was amazing! We should do this more often!” Chen Yu declared, leaning back with a satisfied smile.

“Absolutely! Nothing like singing your heart out with friends,” Mei Lin added, glancing at Wáng Lěi, her eyes full of warmth.

As he sat among them, Wáng Lěi felt a sense of belonging he hadn’t experienced in a long time. Maybe there was more to explore in life and creativity—perhaps even in friendship.

With a smile on his face, Wáng Lěi leaned back, allowing himself to enjoy the moment, hoping that this night would be the start of many more adventures to come.