This entry is suspicious.

In the bedroom.

The silence lasted for a long time.

Ming Shu and Song Ci stared at each other, one serious and earnest, the other bewildered and confused.

After a long while, Song Ci reached out and pinched Ming Shu's cheek, suspecting that the other party had been replaced by the so-called imposter.

"I'm not joking," Ming Shu said seriously.

"That would be even more terrifying!"

The pupils of Song Dynasty porcelain are shaking; could a normal person make such a request? This person is practically inhuman!

"It's you who likes Zhou Ran, not me... I don't understand why you want me to go on a date with him? It's so strange in every sense of the word. Is it NTR? And isn't dating something that couples should do?"

"Okay, then I'll put it another way," Ming Shu said straightforwardly. "I'd like to invite you to go shopping with him, see a movie, buy some clothes, and help me understand his preferences better."

Why don't you go by yourself?

"I have too many suitors. Although I believe Zhou Ran is capable of easily dealing with them, I don't want to cause him unnecessary trouble. Besides... I have no reason to ask him out."

Ming Shu lowered his voice, feeling very annoyed. So many days had passed, and his relationship with Zhou Ran hadn't progressed much. He had no idea how to start a conversation with him. The two of them were still in a semi-acquaintance state, let alone getting to know each other better.

On the other hand, Song Ci and Zhou Ran have become good friends.

"So you're just letting me go?" Song Ci said helplessly.

Ming Shu stared intently at her and nodded vigorously: "If you go, it's the same as me going. Of course, this isn't a free service. If you help me gather enough information, I'll give you a motorcycle."

Upon hearing this, Song Ci's eyes lit up instantly, and she agreed without even a second's hesitation.

"make a deal!"

"Okay, here is the information collection list. Take a look."

Ming Shu took out a piece of paper from the drawer, on which lines of questions were written.

1. What is Zhou Ran's favorite food?

2. What does Zhou Ran like to drink? Milk tea? Coffee? Cola? Or just plain water?

3. What does Zhou Ran like to do in his free time? What types of movies, books, and comics does he like to watch?

4. Is there anything you dislike?

5. What are your plans for the future? Which university do you want to attend?

【6.……】

Song Ci stared blankly as she read through all fifty questions, her expression incredibly complex: "Are you asking me to write a character profile?"

"That's called knowing yourself and your enemy," Ming Shu said earnestly.

"I think you should just go for it directly and start by making friends with him," Song Ci said sincerely.

"How can that be? What if I do something wrong and it triggers his triggers, causing our affection level to drop?"

As a perfectionist, Ming Shu always does his homework before taking any action, striving for absolute certainty. This is especially true for a life-long event, where no carelessness is allowed. Therefore, it is essential to thoroughly understand Zhou Ran's likes and dislikes.

"..."

Song Ci was speechless. She knew what kind of person Ming Shu was; she couldn't persuade him otherwise, so she could only respect his wishes and offer her blessings.

As for dating Zhou Ran, uh, I mean, going out with him...

Song Ci glanced down at the fifty questions on the information collection list and took a deep breath.

It's just platitudes, no big deal!

……

"Want to go out tonight?"

At school, Zhou Ran was invited by Song Ci in person. He was about to refuse because he still needed to cultivate, but then he thought that his life had been a bit monotonous lately, going back and forth between school and home. He should go out and experience the warmth of human life.

As for the school, although there were many people, there was no warmth or life in it; instead, there was a heavy atmosphere of resentment. Especially with the college entrance examination just around the corner, the intense anxiety and overwhelming resentment of the senior high school students were almost tangible.

Even the King of Hell would be stunned if he came. When did the underworld move into a school on earth?

So Zhou Ran nodded in agreement and made plans to go shopping with Song Ci that evening.

He didn't think much of it. He had gotten to know Song Ci well over time, and going out shopping with his classmates wasn't a big deal.

Seeing that Zhou Ran agreed, Song Ci felt a strange unease. After all, it was her first time going out alone with a man of the opposite sex. Should she dress up a little?

As night falls, the city lights gradually illuminate the night.

The outlines of distant high-rise buildings gradually blurred in the twilight, replaced by a sea of ​​light woven from dazzling lights.

Light and shadow poured onto the glass curtain wall, and countless holographic images flickered and flowed in mid-air, turning the night sky into a constantly changing canvas. The whole city seemed to be soaking in a psychedelic neon cocktail.

The plaza at the entrance of Blue Ocean Shopping Center.

The fountain's water jets rose and fell in rhythm with the music, sometimes spreading out like a swan's wings, and sometimes shooting up more than three meters high, shattering into puffs of shimmering mist under the lights. A group of children chased and played nearby.

At the agreed-upon location, Zhou Ran spotted Song Ci immediately. She was tall and slender with excellent proportions, making her stand out in the crowd. She wore a black and white baseball jacket over a white short-sleeved shirt, light-colored jeans, and sneakers, giving her a neat, refreshing, and youthful look.

However, she now has a strange new entry: "Collect Information (Gold)".

Zhou Ran was puzzled. What did this mean?

Whose information are being collected?

me?

"Elbow, let's go eat first. I've made a reservation at a really delicious hidden gem restaurant."

Song Ci beckoned Zhou Ran into the mall, took the elevator to the fifth floor, and stopped in front of a restaurant called "Shanyejian".

The restaurant's decor features a forest-inspired, wood-themed style, with tables, chairs, and lampshades all made of wood and rattan. There are also plenty of green plants throughout, not the fake plastic ones, making it feel like you're having a picnic in the mountains.

"How is it? The environment is pretty good, isn't it?"

Song Ci nodded smugly at Zhou Ran, then opened the menu: "Let's order. Do you eat spicy food?"

"Medium spicy, please."

"Okay... what would you like to drink? Milk tea? Coffee? Tea? Or just water?"

"Hot water, please, and a Coke too."

"Take a look at the menu and see if there are any dishes you like."

Song Ci began subtly trying to elicit information, and quickly completed five or six questions on the list.

After ordering, Song Ci continued chatting: "By the way, what have you been doing these days? You haven't been taking extra classes. Without your guidance, I feel so unmotivated when I'm cultivating."

"I've acquired two powerful cultivation manuals and am diligently practicing them at home," Zhou Ran answered truthfully.

"You just focus on cultivation, don't you watch movies or play games or anything?"

"Yes, I have. I've watched a few movies."

"What are you looking at?"

Song Ci was delighted and immediately used this as a starting point to ask more questions.

While Zhou Ran answered various questions, he already realized something was wrong. This wasn't like Song Ci's usual style. Why were there so many questions? And they were all about his preferences.

What is she trying to do by collecting information?

Zhou Ran found it increasingly strange. It wasn't just these issues; the very act of inviting her out today was odd. They had a good relationship, but they were, after all, of the opposite sex...

and many more.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Zhou Ran's mind, and he realized something.

Could it be that...?

Does she like me?

Impossible! Zhou Ran immediately rejected the idea; it must be one of the three great illusions of life.

But just then, as the dishes were served, Song Ci spoke up again: "By the way, the college entrance exams are about to begin this year. Zhou Ran, which university do you want to go to?"

moment.

Like the final piece of a jigsaw puzzle clicking away, an unbelievable possibility is completely completed at this moment.

If a girl asks you which university you want to attend in the future... the subtext is that she wants to go to the same university as you!

What else could this be but liking someone?

Zhou Ran picked up his cup and took a tactical sip of water: "I haven't decided yet, but I'll definitely be going to one of the top ten."

"Top Ten... With my grades, I should have a chance too." Song Ci was actually thinking about her future.

But to Zhou Ran, these words clearly meant, "I will try my best to catch up with you."

Zhou Ran took a deep breath. Could it be that...?

Is my first love about to begin?

Should we just be direct?

...Let's forget about it. What if we guess wrong?

But what if we guess right?

Zhou Ran's left brain attacked his right brain, and he fell into a deep dilemma. It wasn't until the meal was over that he finally made a decision: he should play dumb for now and see how Song Ci reacted.

After dinner, the two first strolled around the arcade for a while, and then went to a clothing store to buy a few clothes.

Because he drank water too often during the tactical exercise, Zhou Ran felt an urge to urinate and hurriedly ran towards the toilet.

The restroom was in a somewhat out-of-the-way location, and it was completely empty. A faint fragrance filled the air, and soothing background music was playing.

Zhou Ran deftly finished casting the water spell and pulled up his pants.

Just then, a middle-aged man with a ruddy complexion pushed open the door and walked into the men's restroom.

Zhou Ran turned his head and suddenly stopped tying his belt.

The next second, boom!

He shot out like lightning, swinging his fist with unparalleled force, and slammed it hard into the man's face.

The man's face immediately caved in, but he acted as if nothing had happened, and boldly stretched out his hands, his ten fingers like hooks, grabbing towards Zhou Ran's throat and heart.