Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Section Chief Chu’s Date Invitation

Wang Xi awoke from the vision.

He opened his eyes to a gloomy sky.

A light rain had begun to fall outside, pattering softly.

A curtain of rain slanted down, blurring the skyscrapers into lead-gray silhouettes on the glass. Droplets splattered, crawling in distorted paths down the floor-to-ceiling window.

He turned his head and glanced at the wall clock.

Amid the ticking, the hands pointed to two in the afternoon.

He had spent nearly two weeks in the Fairy Tale Otherworld, while two days had passed here in the Main World.

GRUMBLE—

His stomach growled. ’Damn, I’m hungry.’

"Why do people even have to eat?"

Wang Xi lamented.

He grudgingly spent a few hundred silver on a four-person meal from Temperamental Sweetheart. ’It’s about time,’ he thought, ’to put the "Cat Chef Training Program" on the agenda.’

’Other people’s cats can cook pre-battle feasts with stat boosts. Surely Liuli can manage a simple meal of three dishes and a soup, right?’

Putting down his phone, he sat up from the sofa, a thoughtful expression on his face.

’The future from the premonition...’

’I killed Wendy?’

’She might be a bad woman, but that’s such a waste!’

’A waste of talent!’

Furthermore, Wang Xi hadn’t expected that just before her death, Wendy would snap out of her obsession with power and even give him intel on the Northern People, telling him to go rescue the trapped Sierra.

’I guess it’s true what they say about people getting honest on their deathbeds, huh?’

’In the end, Sierra became a living sacrifice, about to be offered to a black apple tree in a blood ritual by the Northern People.’

’Sounds completely insane.’

’Is this even a fairy tale anymore...?’

As Wang Xi was lost in thought, his phone suddenly buzzed. He picked it up and took a look.

It was a message from Chu Nai—

"Brother Xi, I have tomorrow off! (Goofy goose spinning happily)"

A smile involuntarily crept onto Wang Xi’s lips.

He could just imagine the smile on Chu Nai’s face as she sent the message. Ever since she started working for the Overlook Bureau, days off were as rare and precious as water in a desert.

"It must be hard for you to get a day off. Is the Overlook Bureau that busy?"

Wang Xi deliberately took his time replying, his finger tapping lightly on the screen.

Almost the instant he sent it, the "... is typing" indicator appeared in the chat box.

DING.

"Yeah, the Overlook Bureau has been super busy lately. Before I can even finish the previous day’s paperwork, more piles up the next day. I have to work overtime every day. (Goofy goose shedding tears)"

Wang Xi pictured the girl brushing her silver hair back at that very moment and couldn’t help but chuckle.

"How many days off?"

"Just one day..."

’Just one day?’

Wang Xi’s eyebrows rose.

He knew that as a high-ranking member of the Overlook Bureau, Chu Nai’s job wouldn’t be easy, but he hadn’t realized she was even busier than he’d imagined.

Wang Xi deliberately teased her:

"Then shouldn’t you spend tomorrow catching up on sleep? Get some rest, don’t go out."

"..."

She was silent for a full three seconds.

Then, Chu Nai sent a series of stickers:

"(Goofy goose shocked)"

"(Goofy goose pounding the floor)"

"(Goofy goose bawling)"

Followed by a voice message:

"Brother Xi, I haven’t had a day off in so long..."

Her voice was very quiet and restrained.

Wang Xi had to press his ear to his phone to make out what she was saying. Her familiar, crystal-clear voice seemed to hold a hint of hurt.

He pressed the voice message button and said with a laugh:

"So, does Director Chu have any plans?"

"None!"

The reply in Chu Nai’s voice message was swift.

As if she’d been waiting for that exact question.

Soon, she added another sentence, her voice growing quieter and quieter:

"I’m completely free tomorrow... Does Brother Xi have any suggestions?"

Wang Xi leaned his head back against the sofa, pressed the voice message button, and drawled:

"Hmm, let me think—"

After a moment.

The "... is typing" indicator repeatedly appeared and disappeared in the chat box.

Chu Nai finally sent a text message:

"My colleagues at the Overlook Bureau said a new amusement park opened in the Illusion Light District... The view at night is beautiful."

Wang Xi decided to tease her again:

"An amusement park? I thought Director Chu was terrified of roller coasters? You were scared to tears when you were little, crying with a snot bubble coming out of your nose."

DING.

"You’re remembering it wrong!"

"(Goofy goose slamming the table)"

Chu Nai replied in a flash.

Wang Xi smiled and shook his head. He remembered it perfectly.

When they were young, Chu Nai’s cries were piercingly loud. The louder she cried, the bigger the snot bubble got. At the time, Wang Xi was laughing so hard he was slapping his thigh like a monkey.

He decided not to expose the girl’s embarrassing past anymore.

"Let me check the tickets."

Wang Xi typed and sent the message. After buying the tickets, he deliberately paused for ten-odd seconds before adding, "Ah, looks like they’re sold out."

"..."

There was no reply from her for a long time.

Until a simple "Oh." came through.

It seemed as if that single word was filled with all of Chu Nai’s disappointment.

Wang Xi quickly opened his photo album and sent the ticket’s QR code that he had already saved.

"Just kidding."

After sending the picture, Wang Xi continued to type:

"Ten o’clock tomorrow morning. I’ll be waiting."

Three seconds later.

Wang Xi’s phone started vibrating like crazy.

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ.

"(Goofy goose spinning)"

"(Goofy goose tossing flowers)"

"(Goofy goose making a heart sign)"

Immediately after, a voice message from Chu Nai arrived.

After he played it, a cheerful, pleasant voice sounded from the phone: "Hee hee, well... I’ll see you tomorrow, then. Don’t be late."

"Don’t worry, I’m never late."

Wang Xi sent the voice message with a smile.

"Punctuality is the most understated luxury."

...

...

The next day arrived quickly.

Wang Xi had a very regular schedule, waking up precisely at 7:45.

He washed up.

He changed into a clean, simple white T-shirt and jeans.

And headed out.

The rain had passed, and the day was bright and sunny.

It was just a little hot; if the temperature had been a bit cooler, it would have been a perfect day.

A little after nine, Wang Xi arrived at their meeting spot, the "Ark Carnival."

It was a medium-sized amusement park in the Illusion Light District, funded and built by the Sky Dome Conglomerate in just ten months.

It had only opened for business in the middle of last month.

The Sky Dome Conglomerate held numerous new-era patents in infrastructure, and thus worked closely with the government, the Overlook Bureau, and Cupid Housekeeping. They provided the technical support for most post-disaster reconstruction work.

It all came down to one word: efficiency.

Wang Xi didn’t rush inside. Instead, he bought two orders of glutinous rice balls and two cups of soy milk from a breakfast stall outside the ticket gate.

He sat down on a bench with the breakfast to wait. He had just taken out his phone, about to message Chu Nai and ask where she was, when a soft, beautiful voice called out from in front of him:

"Brother Xi!"

Looking up at the sound of the voice, Wang Xi froze.

Under the brilliant morning light, a young woman stood charmingly before him.

Her silver hair and pure white lace dress swayed lightly in the breeze. The sheer fabric was faintly translucent, outlining the curve of her collarbones.

Chu Nai had clearly taken great care in dressing up today.

For the first time ever, she was wearing light makeup.

But her natural features were so good, she didn’t need much embellishment.

A string of pearls was tied around her slender wrist, and a crystal anklet shone against her foot—she seemed to have deliberately worn a pair of semi-sheer, lacy sandals, her pearly white toes gleaming faintly in the sunlight.

With Wang Xi’s keen eye, he could see the subtle little tricks hidden in every detail... her neck, collarbones, wrists, and ankles—the four areas most capable of captivating the heart—were all accentuated, both naturally and with great aesthetic sense.

Even the scent of her light perfume on the breeze carried the fresh sweetness of summer citrus.

Noticing the young man’s slightly stunned, surprised expression, Chu Nai’s lips curved, her heart filled with joy.

At the same time, she felt a little smug.

She had woken up early at 6:30 today, carefully selecting and deliberating over her clothes and accessories, and even put into practice the makeup techniques she had learned in her spare time over the past month.

And all of this was thanks to a mysterious blogger named "Zhi Yu" whom she had accidentally discovered online.

That account was like a meticulously curated secret garden, regularly updated with stunning makeup tutorials, and had even produced a romance guide titled "Thousand Layers of Lady’s Strategy."

The blogger claimed a success rate as high as 99%.

Chu Nai had already read through the contents several times, practiced repeatedly in front of the mirror, and memorized its key secret to victory, a ten-word mantra—

"Smiling eyes, a piteous grace, a sweet and guileless face."

The young man’s reaction had already given her the answer.

’It’s working.’

’It’s definitely working.’

’It’s in the bag.’

"Excuse me, miss, are you...?"

Wang Xi’s expression was puzzled. He deliberately drawled, looking the girl up and down, then suddenly feigned a look of realization.

"I know! You’re here for the ’Ark Carnival Fugitive Princess Beauty Pageant,’ right?"

"Huh?" Chu Nai faltered for a second, then narrowed her eyes and puffed up her cheeks slightly. "Brother Xi?"

"Our panel of judges just reached a unanimous decision. The winner has been decided."

As he spoke, under the influence of his "Life is like a play" Seal, Wang Xi’s micro-expressions were flawless. He then stood up from the bench and, like a magician, pulled the breakfast bag from behind his back, declaring with great solemnity:

"Congratulations to Princess Naya on winning this year’s competition. This is your prize. Please accept it."

Seeing this, Chu Nai burst out laughing.

"Thank you." She took the breakfast and, mimicking Wang Xi’s tone, asked with mock seriousness, "Well then, Mr. Judge, may I ask the reason for my victory?"

"Well..."

Wang Xi took a sip of soy milk, stroked his chin feigning deep thought, and then immediately started walking toward the ticket gate.

"I’ll tell you later."

"Hey?!" Chu Nai didn’t react at first, then hurried to catch up. "Brother Xi, don’t try to get out of it! You haven’t thought of one yet, have you?"

"I swear, that’s definitely not it."

CLICK...

[You told a lie.]

[Experience Points +50]

"Argh!"

...

...

A moment later.

Inside the amusement park, by a flowerbed.

Wang Xi and Chu Nai, both dressed in white, were resting on a wooden bench.

The silver-haired girl asked with concern:

"Brother Xi, are you okay?"

"I’m fine." Wang Xi shook his head and waved his hand. He could still feel an unbearable, stabbing pain in his chest, but he controlled his expression perfectly and made up an excuse with a smile. "I just stepped in dog poop. It startled me."

"..."

Chu Nai froze.

She was strictly following the ten-word mantra and absolutely could not show the slightest hint of disgust now, or all her previous efforts would be for naught.

An idea suddenly struck the silver-haired girl.

She suddenly straightened her back.

She clasped her hands to her chest, tried her best to widen her eyes, and pulled the corners of her mouth into an exaggerated curve.

"Oh my! Dog... dog poop! How scary!"

Her voice was full of dramatic ups and downs, as if she were reciting from a textbook.

Wang Xi: "...?"

Seeing that it wasn’t having the desired effect, Chu Nai quickly switched to the next move: "pitiable grace." She secretly pinched her own thigh, making her eyes turn red from the pain, and then tugged on the corner of Wang Xi’s shirt with a trembling fingertip, whining:

"Brother Xi, what if I step in it too—"

She deliberately dragged out the last word.

Passing tourists glanced over, and someone muttered, "Is that girl possessed or something?"

Wang Xi stared, stunned, and said:

"Xiao Nai, is your face about to cramp up?"

"N-No!"

Chu Nai was flustered and annoyed with herself. ’Why isn’t the ten-word mantra working?’ But her stubborn nature wouldn’t admit defeat, so she decided to go all out and use the final step.

She revealed her cute little canine teeth and said with a smile:

"Actually, as long as I’m with Brother Xi, I’m not afraid... We can step in it together."

Wang Xi was silent for three seconds, then slowly pulled out his phone.

"Hello, Overlook Bureau? I think my Chu Nai has been worked into insanity over there."

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