Chapter 17: Chi Xinyue’s Choice
Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Chi Xinyue’s Choice
Fu Hang suddenly remembered he had things to do, so he said his goodbyes to Chi Xinyue and left. He managed to slip away right before Zhang Yan returned from signing up for his membership.
"Wow, this hairstyle suits you so well! You look even more handsome!"
Zhang Yan smiled, casually running a hand through his hair and admiring himself in the mirror once more.
"The manager of this place really knows his stuff. You should try it out next time and have him design a look for you too. I’ve already signed up for a lifetime membership, so you can use my card for a fifty percent discount."
"Then if we come together next time, I’ll definitely take advantage of your fifty percent discount!"
"Hey, where did your friend go? Has he already left?"
"Fu Hang? He had some things to do, so he just left. Did you need him for something?"
"Oh, it’s nothing. Just asking."
"That punk sure ran fast!" Zhang Yan grumbled inwardly. "Flexing without an audience is like playing a solo on an empty stage. You ran off, so who’s supposed to witness my overflowing swagger now?!"
Chi Xinyue didn’t dwell on the topic of Fu Hang. Instead, she excitedly suggested, "I heard a new designer toy store opened nearby. I just looked it up, and it’s not far from here. Do you want to go check it out?"
It seemed Chi Xinyue didn’t want to hastily end today’s date. Coincidentally, Zhang Yan felt the exact same way. They were perfectly on the same page.
"Sure, let’s go right now. I feel bad for making you wait so long earlier. I was just trying to think of how to make it up to you."
"You’re too polite! It wasn’t actually that long. I was getting tired from walking after our meal anyway, so it was a good chance to rest my feet."
Since the store was nearby, Zhang Yan wasn’t in a hurry to retrieve his stored items. He followed Chi Xinyue, chatting as they walked, and they soon arrived at a highly trendy-looking building—Top Toy.
Two transparent display cases sat at the entrance, filled to the brim with Gundam and other collectible figures.
Designer toy stores typically carried product lines like blind boxes, building blocks, scale figures, Gundam model kits, and dolls. Zhang Yan had heard of them before but had never actually browsed one.
Neither he nor his ex-girlfriend had much interest in these kinds of things.
However, looking through the transparent display window, Zhang Yan spotted a life-sized anime figure of a blue-haired Maid. This piqued his interest just a bit.
"This is it! Wow, it looks like they have so many figures of my favorite characters inside!"
Yet, just as Chi Xinyue was excitedly about to lead Zhang Yan into the store, her phone suddenly rang.
To avoid interrupting her first date as much as possible, Chi Xinyue had already set her phone to Do Not Disturb mode beforehand, only whitelisting a few important contacts.
She picked up her phone and saw it was her best friend, Xiaoyan.
"Yanyan should know I’m on a date right now," she thought. "She wouldn’t interrupt unless something was wrong."
Chi Xinyue hesitated for a second before turning to Zhang Yan with an apologetic expression. "I’m so sorry. Why don’t you go on in and browse first? I have to take this call."
"It’s fine. Let’s head over to that quiet spot so you can answer."
"Hello? Yanyan, what’s wrong?"
"Yuyu, I’m so sorry for interrupting your date! I’ve asked everyone else, but no one is free. You’re the only one who can help me. Please!"
"Don’t panic, Yanyan. Take your time. What exactly happened?"
"I’m calling you while hiding in the restroom, and I’ve already been in here for too long, so I have to make this quick..."
Xiaoyan, Chi Xinyue’s roommate, had dressed up meticulously early this morning. A magazine’s editor-in-chief had arranged to observe their dance practice today.
This was essentially a mini-interview. If she passed, she would secure a steady stream of freelance modeling gigs in the future.
Because of this, Xiaoyan and several other classmates had put their all into the performance and worn quite bold outfits.
They had basically passed the interview, but the editor-in-chief mentioned he only needed two girls and had to think it over. There were four of them practicing together.
"Now they’re taking us to sing karaoke. They claim it’s just to relax, but the way that editor was looking at me... it didn’t feel right. I’m afraid something dangerous might happen."
"Then just refuse to go. Is it the end of the world if we don’t make this money?"
"Yuyu, it’s getting harder and harder to earn money nowadays. Even all the NSFW models have come back to regular livestreaming. For girls like us who refuse to do suggestive content, there’s barely any room left to survive. If I miss this chance...
"Besides, this is all just my own suspicion right now! He might not even have those kinds of intentions at all!"
"Then how do you want me to help?"
"They’re about to take us to a karaoke bar, but I don’t know where it is. Let’s keep our location sharing on so you can track me. Later, you can ’accidentally’ run into me and drag me home!
"That way, I won’t bruise their egos, I’ll still have a shot at getting this job, and I’ll be safe from any danger. Please, Yuyu, help me out!"
Chi Xinyue hesitated.
Since this guy was the editor-in-chief of a magazine, he was somewhat of a public figure. Putting aside the possibility of consensual unspoken industry rules, he likely wouldn’t resort to dirty tricks like drugging them.
This meant Xiaoyan probably wasn’t in any real physical danger; everything would come down to her own choices.
On her end, Chi Xinyue had already arrived at the planned destination. If she suddenly backed out now, she would not only abruptly end today’s date but also likely annoy Zhang Yan.
A wealthy young man like him definitely didn’t lack female companionship. If he lost interest in her, he would quickly move on to someone else.
So, what should she choose?
"What’s wrong? Did something happen?" Zhang Yan asked. "You look a little pale."
While Chi Xinyue was on the phone, Zhang Yan had politely stepped away to avoid eavesdropping on her privacy. However, seeing her conflicted expression, he still came over to check on her.
Chi Xinyue gave Zhang Yan an "I’m okay" gesture and made her decision. "Alright, Yanyan. Send me your real-time location. I’ll head over right now."
"I love you to death, Yuyu! I’ll thank you properly when we get home. I have to get back now!"
Hanging up, Chi Xinyue let out a deep breath.
Even though she judged that her best friend was "highly likely" safe, there was still a slight chance that something could happen that would ruin her life. Therefore, she resolved to prioritize helping her friend.
"I’m really sorry. My best friend ran into some trouble and needs my help. I have to go find her right now..."
"It’s fine. Where is it? Is it far? Do you need me to give you a ride?"
"Thank you, Zhang Yan, but I really don’t want to inconvenience you. I’ll make it up to you next time. Her situation is really urgent, so I have to go now!"
"Go handle it then. If you run into any trouble, remember to call me."
Chi Xinyue bowed repeatedly in apology before hurrying away.
Without a pretty girl to accompany him, Zhang Yan naturally lost interest in browsing alone. He retrieved his belongings from the locker and caught a cab home.