The breeze swept over the forest, stirring layer upon layer of waves.
In this secluded afternoon, everything around them was quiet.
Yet on a relatively gentle grassy slope somewhere, four figures sat facing each other in pairs, and a stifling, heavy atmosphere hung between them.
"Uh... I don't think I really need to be involved..."
Apparently unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere any longer, Xia Wen looked at the three people sitting solemnly before her. After a moment of hesitation, she timidly raised her hand.
"Um... may I leave first?"
"You may."
Mu Qiansè glanced at Xia Wen and nodded.
"Since someone is willing to withdraw voluntarily, we couldn't be more pleased."
Xia Wen: "..."
After a brief silence, Xia Wen gritted her teeth under the dangerous gaze of her own bestie across from her and silently sat back down.
"...What do you all think?"
After a long while, Lin Xiaoyi was the first to speak.
—Unlike before, her eyes were filled with determination.
"Let me make this clear first: I absolutely will not withdraw."
"Are you kidding? Do you think anyone here would voluntarily withdraw?"
Resting her chin on one hand propped against her knee, Fireworks of Romance cast Mu Qiansè a glance and gave a soft snort.
"Also, I don't think a certain cheating cat should be allowed into a meeting like this."
Although Cook was the last person anyone should offend, just thinking of certain established facts made her inexplicably unhappy... especially after learning that the other party had recorded the scene of her Havoc in Heaven last night.
"That's because you didn't know how to seize the opportunity."
Her face reddened slightly as Mu Qiansè spoke.
"Besides, strictly speaking, I was the first one here. You all came later. First come, first served."
Fireworks of Romance: