Chapter 71

A delicate little red box appeared in Hua Xin's hands. She gently opened the box, revealing a black bracelet with a round, hollow jade stone in the middle. While its appearance was quite ordinary, it held a great meaning! The other red bracelet was similar. The girl carefully examined the details of the two bracelets, then slowly breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, there were no flaws such as loose threads or dull jade. Comparing them to her slender wrist, Hua Xin quickly put the bracelets back into the box, afraid of causing any damage. These were gifts she had chosen a couple of days ago while searching on QDD for "gifts for brothers and sisters-in-law." They were two Peace Buckle Bracelet. Although the name mentioned something like Hetian Jade, she didn't expect to buy such expensive-sounding Hetian Jade for seventy-seven yuan. Although there were cheaper options, only 23.58 yuan... but more expensive ones are always of better quality, right? "Hehe..." the girl smiled happily, got up, and put the box in her bag. Xia Yan had always treated her to meals and driven her to and from school, sometimes even buying her treats, and... that really delicious birthday cake. Since they were friends, she couldn't always rely on Xia Yan's kindness; she had to reciprocate to maintain their lifelong friendship! Even if this bracelet cost her almost two months' worth of food money. One hundred and fifty-four yuan?? Normally, spending money like this would be incredibly painful for Hua Xin, and she would never spend money like that. But... that included the twenty yuan she earned from "playing" with Lao Shui!! So, she only paid one hundred and thirty-four yuan. The girl gently put her schoolbag away. This time, however, she didn't feel the pinch of spending so much money. Even though this gift was worlds apart from the gifts that rich and beautiful girls like Liu Ruoyun and Lin Qingyu could give Xia Yan, it was still a gift from Hua Xin. She believed Xia Yan would like it. After all... they were good friends! The girl hoped that Xia Yan and his girlfriend could live a long and happy life together, which is why she bought two safety buckle bracelets. She just hoped he wouldn't end up like her. 69. I know you're a girl, Miss Hua Xin? 3k2 8 PM, Medium Large Extra Large Coffee Shop. It was supposed to be the peak weekend time, the busiest day, but the shop was nearly empty, with only a few people quietly going about their business. The waiter at the counter was also slacking off, sitting on a stool, idly scrolling through his phone. It's hard to imagine why this coffee shop hasn't gone out of business in such a sparsely populated place (angry?)! The girl thought to herself, somewhat annoyed. Hua Xin's backpack was in the corner. She leaned back on the sofa, her head down, her eyes fixed on the large or medium cup of black tea in front of her... what kind of latte was this? "I said, Lao Xia ..." "You did this on purpose?" Hua Xin looked at Xia Yan sitting opposite her with unfriendly eyes, dead memories suddenly attacking her brain. The Turing test for the large and medium cups was still vivid in her mind. "Of course not..." "Today's mission will definitely make you happy, don't worry, there won't be any more mix-ups like the medium or large cup." "I understand." Xia Yan said mysteriously, taking a small sip of his bitter coffee with a smile in his eyes. He liked the bitter taste. It reminded him of those lonely days. "?" The girl tilted her head, somewhat confused. What did he understand? Happy? What did that mean? No talking to strangers today? "Sir, your coffee." "Okay, thank you." Xia Yan smiled and took the coffee from the waiter, then looked out the window as if searching for someone. After seeing a familiar figure, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and he looked away. "Why did you order another coffee?" Hua Xin asked suspiciously. Xia Yan just smiled mysteriously and didn't explain. Instead, he continued to instruct her, "Don't be nervous later. Just chat with me as usual, or chat with Mu Feng Xiang Guan." "I believe that when you're facing someone you like, you can suppress that persistent fear." He looked at Hua Xin with a relieved expression, who was silently preparing herself for the next exchange (she was so confused by the riddle that she didn't know what to say). (Who do I like??) (Xia Yan, does he know I like Violet??) (Could he be the Emperor of the 2D?? Can he materialize 2D beauties to fulfill my unfulfilled wishes??) (I'm not afraid at all, I'm not afraid at all!! Xia Yan, you'll always be my best brother??!!) (But how do I chat with Violet? My Japanese is limited to anime...) (Red bean paste, private, Marseille? Does "Iku Iku Yamete" count?) (Uh, forget it... Hurry up!!... Hurry up and come to my side...?) (My wife... My wife!!!) The girl was extremely excited, even though this idea was infinitely close to the probability of the Trisolarans escaping the star system in three days, discovering the M78 Nebula, and then fighting Ultraman and detonating the Milky Way. "I seem to be a little late?" "You won't blame me, will you?" A slightly familiar female voice interrupted the girl who was lost in thought. (...) (No, are you kidding me??) (Xia Yan, you dog.) Hua Xin stiffly raised her head, and after seeing who it was, her previous joy vanished instantly, replaced by a chill that slowly rose in her heart. She saw Lin Qingyu, wearing a simple floral dress, smiling at her. Although her aura remained aloof and refined, the hunter's gaze on her eyes made the girl involuntarily swallow hard. (What's going on?...) "Oh, we just arrived too." "Senior, your coffee... I didn't know what you liked, so I just ordered a latte." "Thank you, I can drink anything." Lin Qingyu said softly to Xia Yan, a flash of possessiveness in her eyes, quickly replaced by a strong sense of victory. Xia Yan had contacted her via WeChat a week earlier. Lin Qingyu was initially surprised by the request, but she quickly realized what was happening. Being able to be alone with Hua Xin... and have plenty of time to chat... wasn't this exactly the opportunity she'd been waiting for since she was absolutely certain of success last time? Helping Xia Yan boost her favorability while also completing her plan... Lin Qingyu's lips involuntarily curled up, and her gaze towards the girl became even more intrigued. "I'll just sit over there for a while, you two can chat as you like." "Just call me if you need anything." Xia Yan said with a light laugh, then gave the slightly sweaty girl an encouraging look. She quickly returned the look. Hua Xin: 'What do you mean??' (Eye contact.) Xia Yan: 'Don't worry, you just focus on attacking, I'll handle the rest.' "?" Then Xia Yan, holding his coffee, sat down in a corner some distance away, looking somewhat wistful. I really didn't expect... that...