Jiang Xia and Yang Jie had been best friends since middle school, their bond so strong that they could talk about anything, from the beauties around them to the world's structure and even the cosmos.
There were times when Jiang Xia was short on cash, and Yang Jie never hesitated to help, often covering the cost for Jiang Xia to stay overnight at internet cafes.
Jiang Xia didn't think he had the power to save the world, rescuing whoever he wanted or protecting whoever he wished. But now that he was faced with this situation, he wanted to do everything he could to protect his best friend.
"He's my friend, let him go," Jiang Xia said calmly, looking at the plump Lolita.
The plump Lolita sneered dismissively and shook off Jiang Xia's hand. "He's your friend, not mine."
Jiang Xia remained composed, speaking peacefully, "We didn't know each other before, but now we do. Give me some face, consider it making a friend. Who knows, we might be able to help each other in the future."
The plump Lolita shook her head with a smile. "If he were your family, I might give you some face. But he's just your friend, and I can't do that. If everyone came to me saying someone was their friend and asked me to let them go, wouldn't I starve to death?"
She paused for a moment, then continued, "Unless... you introduce me to a better man, one I can definitely meet!"
"Alright, as long as you let my friend go, I'll recommend a handsome guy to you. He's 1.8 meters tall, sunny, and handsome, loves playing basketball, and has many girls chasing him at our school. He'll definitely suit your taste," Jiang Xia said with a slight smile, planning to recommend Wang Fei to her.
"Let me see a photo first!" The plump Lolita glanced at Li Sitong. She hadn't intended to give this face, but she vaguely felt this woman was strong.
Being alone now, there was no need to make enemies with these two of her kind over that guy named Yang Jie.
If it came to a fight, one against two, she didn't think she would win.
Jiang Xia took out his phone, opened Wang Fei's social media, and showed her his photo.
"How about it? Looks much better than my friend, right?"
Looking at the photo of Wang Fei holding a basketball with a bright smile, the plump Lolita's eyes flashed, and she nodded slightly.
"Yes, he's quite nice, definitely looks better than your friend."
The plump Lolita continued, "To be honest, your friend doesn't look that great. After seeing him, I finally understood the risks of online dating."
When she said this, Jiang Xia and Li Sitong both struggled not to laugh.
So, not only did Yang Jie not fancy her, but she also didn't fancy Yang Jie?
"Unlock your phone, I'll add you as a friend, and I'll introduce him to you. If he asks who recommended him, just say Zhang Li. Oh, and his name is Wang Fei, you can call him Ah Fei."
The plump Lolita displayed the QR code on her phone and asked, "Is the person in the photo your enemy?"
"Yes, we have some personal grudges, so I'd appreciate it if you could teach him a lesson. He's easy to meet up with, often driven by his desires, so you might even get him out tonight."
Beside him, Li Sitong raised her head, already imagining the bewildered expressions when the two met and sensed each other's kind.
"Alright, I've added you, please accept," Jiang Xia said.
"I'll accept it later. I'll give you this face tonight, but I have to go now. When your friend comes back, tell him I had something come up at home."
A few minutes after the plump Lolita left, Yang Jie returned.
Learning that she had left, Yang Jie breathed a sigh of relief and invited Jiang Xia for a late-night snack before the movie ended.
But Li Sitong refused, saying, "Don't interrupt my time with Jiang Xia!"
She then warned Yang Jie that if he dared to spread the news about her relationship with Jiang Xia, she would reveal his failed online dating story!
The gossip was too juicy not to share, and Yang Jie felt quite uncomfortable keeping it to himself.
But he was more afraid of Li Sitong revealing the "online dating incident" that could ruin his reputation, so he had to agree.
"Xia..." Yang Jie placed a hand on Jiang Xia's shoulder, thought for a moment, and said in a deep voice, "Take care of yourself!"
...
By the time the movie ended, it was close to eleven, and Li Sitong still hadn't let Jiang Xia go home.
The two of them went for a walk in the nearby Green Mountain Park.
It was the time of year when winter was approaching, and the cold wind blew through the air. Apart from them, the entire memorial park was deserted.
They walked up the steps, deeper into the park, surrounded by dense woods.
Jiang Xia didn't know what kind of trees they were, but in this weather, their leaves were still green and lush.
"Alright, Mom, you rest first. I'll pick you up at the airport tomorrow."
After finishing the call and learning that his mother was still safe, Jiang Xia finally felt relieved.
"It seems you really care about your family," Li Sitong said.
"Who wouldn't?"
"So if I and your mom fell into the water at the same time, who would you save?"
Jiang Xia looked sharply at Li Sitong. "Why do you women always like to ask this question?"
"Answer quickly!"
"Well... the law says if I don't save my mom, it's illegal!"
"After saving her, would you jump in to die with me?" Li Sitong blinked her bright eyes, smiling playfully.
Jiang Xia was about to answer when the pleasant ringtone of a phone suddenly interrupted. It was Li Sitong's phone.
She took out her phone and looked at the contact name.
Li Sitong hesitated for a moment before answering the call. A few seconds later, her expression tensed, and she hurriedly said a couple of "I'll be right there" before hanging up.
Without waiting for Jiang Xia to ask what was going on, she hurriedly left.
"I have something to do, I need to go back first. You go home by yourself. I was planning to take you hunting tonight, but it looks like it'll have to wait until tomorrow!"
Watching Li Sitong disappear into the distance in the blink of an eye, Jiang Xia paused: What the hell! Leaving me here alone?!
In this place, in this environment, Jiang Xia didn't dare to be alone, so he quickly decided to follow Li Sitong's steps and leave.
But after taking just a few steps, he felt something was off!
Vaguely, there was a kind of presence approaching!
Jiang Xia's brow furrowed: Is there danger?
He first slowed his pace, confirmed it was a kind of presence, and then quickly decided to run.
Regardless of whether it was a passing kind or something else, leaving here as soon as possible was the safest option.
After running a short distance, Jiang Xia slowed down again, hearing a faint whistle mixed with the chilly autumn wind?
Listening carefully, it was indeed a whistle, coming from the woods nearby, and—there was another kind of presence!
The familiar whistle made Jiang Xia feel uneasy. He moved again, intending to leave this dangerous place as quickly as possible.
But after only a few steps, someone emerged from the woods ahead, blocking his path.
The crisp whistle was coming from Wang Fei's mouth.
He was whistling a tune he often played at school, hands in his pockets.
The whistle stopped abruptly, and he looked at Jiang Xia with a smile.
"Sorry, Jiang Xia, but this time you can't escape!"
Jiang Xia took half a step back, sensing a slight movement behind him. He turned to look.
His retreat was also blocked by another "kind"!