The Necklace

"Excellent, the first step of the plan is complete."

After Bai Zhi and Lin Xiaoyi entered the Projection Hall, Xia Wen peeked out from the stairwell furtively, pressed her earpiece against her ear, and began to speak in a low voice.

"Xiao Yi, once you're inside, remember to find your spot. I'll be in a few minutes."

As a qualified wingman, Xia Wen may have no experience with dating, but she can still talk about it theoretically. If the world were a Game, she would be a qualified galgame Player.

Isn't it just about Walkthrough someone over? At most, it's just about finding ways to increase their favorability through your words and actions.

She made a point of arriving at the cinema half an hour early and thoroughly explored its layout. The Projection Hall was located on the Third Floor, and there was a clear view down from the stairwell.

As Bai Zhi stepped onto the stairs, she, who had been waiting at the top of the stairs, immediately instructed Lin Xiaoyi to begin the first step of the plan. Taking advantage of the other party's extreme aversion to sweets, they fought a brilliant battle in front of the vending machine.

Xia Wen was certain that in just that short time, the other party's favorability rating had increased by at least five points, which was a very good start.

To be honest, because of Bai Zhi's previous bad reputation, Xia Wen was a little worried that Bai Zhi would stand them up, so she specially made a second plan... She was really worried about her best friend.

"Speaking of which, could that woman I bumped into earlier have been a viewer at the last movie...?"

Xia Wen glanced towards the restroom and frowned slightly.

--About half an hour has passed since the Middle-aged Woman hurriedly entered the restroom.

Whether it was intuition or simply her overthinking, she vaguely sensed an unpleasant aura emanating from the Middle-aged Woman she had bumped into earlier.

To describe it more vividly... it's like seeing a cockroach run past you? Subconsciously, it creates a strange sense of unease.

"I hope it's just my imagination, since everyone else seems to be feeling normal... Speaking of which, our luck can't be that bad, right? We just bumped into each other a few days ago..."

Xia Wen pressed his forehead with his hand and suddenly felt a headache.

Although it was just some vague guesses, she didn't take any chances. No matter what happened, she always made the worst-case scenario plan in her mind beforehand.

"Oh well, if the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up..."

He muttered something under his breath, pulled down his hood, Xia Wen walked towards the Projection Hall.

Although her curiosity led her to want to check out the restroom, she understood the principle that "if you don't do stupid things, you won't die."

Besides, what if the other person just had a stomachache and diarrhea, and stayed in the toilet a little too long?

--As Xia Wen's figure disappeared around the corner, a pair of eyes that had been staring at that direction slowly withdrew their gaze from under the crack of the toilet door.

Since it wasn't a holiday or a prime time for movies, the film they watched wasn't a big production, but rather a newly released low-budget horror film.

Scientific research suggests that going to the movies together on a date, especially watching Horror Movie in Movie Theater, can effectively enhance the relationship between men and women and quickly warm up their feelings for each other.

After all, how many couples who go to the Movie Theater are truly focused on the film itself? She's gone to great lengths... no, she's schemed and plotted for her best friend's marriage.

Although it wasn't a weekend screening, about half the people in the Projection Hall were scattered around. Xia Wen's three tickets were located near the front aisle, and the seating arrangement was roughly like this: [Xia Wen | Aisle Lin Xiaoyi Bai Zhi].

"I thought you wouldn't accept my invitation."

Seeing that Bai Zhi, who was sitting next to her, hadn't said a word for five minutes after they sat down, Lin Xiaoyi had no choice but to take the initiative and start a conversation to avoid an awkward silence.

The other person had been frowning ever since they came in and sat down, and it was unclear what they were thinking about.

"Hmm, why? If someone else is inviting you to a movie, most people would probably be happy to accept, right?"

Coming to his senses, Bai Zhi turned around and glanced at the Campus Belle sitting next to him.

"Because you clearly belong to the minority."

Lin Xiaoyi nodded firmly.

"Really? I personally think I'm quite popular..."

Bai Zhi reached up and touched his chin, looking thoughtful.

"But rather than taking me to the movies, I'd much rather you treat me to dinner. I've always felt that spending money to go to the Movie Theater is a rather extravagant thing to do."

"Well..."

"To be honest, there were some things I didn't expect."

Turning back to look at the Big Screen in front of him, Bai Zhi began to speak.

"I thought it would be your roommate who would invite me to the movies, but I didn't expect it to be you."

The movie starts at 9:30, so there are about fifteen minutes to go before it begins.

"... Why her?"

After hearing Bai Zhi's words, Lin Xiaoyi's expression stiffened slightly.

"Hmm... I guess we'll have more in common."

After thinking for a moment, Bai Zhi replied.

"I at least have some interaction with her, but I don't recall having much interaction with you... not counting the time I relentlessly pursued you, I apologized for that."

So you're still angry about that time?

Lin Xiaoyi suddenly asked this question.

"Get angry? Why should I get angry? Back then, I was just a piece of trash. I'm not the type to hold grudges."

Shrugging, Bai Zhi pulled a pure silver Necklace from his pocket.

"Although there are still some things I don't understand, just to be on the safe side, let's be a little safe... Would you like to wear this?"

"A Necklace? Why all of a sudden...?"

Looking at the obviously valuable Necklace in front of her, Lin Xiaoyi paused for a moment, then began to stammer.

"Because I want to confirm something."

Bai Zhi placed the Necklace in the other person's hand, his expression noncommittal.

"Something quite important."