Time flew by, and Jiang Xiao’s condition had improved significantly.
The second commercial script work was nearing its end, but before the official filming began, everyone had a social gathering to attend.
During these past few days, Jiang Xiao had already rented a place and was ready to move in at any time. Now, he just needed the right moment and excuse to leave the dormitory.
Throughout this period, he continued to message his former lover as usual, but every time he sent a message, he restrained himself from mentioning his roommate.
Yet this roommate, who clearly had an angelic, obedient, and kind face, seemed to harbor a devilish heart. She was still sitting right beside him, staring at him without blinking.
Her thoughts were too straightforward—she really wanted him to agree to go to the social gathering.
“Stop thinking about it. The person I like won’t let me go.”
Jiang Xiao didn’t want to go to the gathering. He wanted to let the other party give up in a more dignified way and spoke coldly.
Hearing this, Song Qiuyu found it hard to hold back.
If she told Jiang Xiao that the person making him go was actually Shen Xi, it would seem not only dramatically ironic but borderline like a cuckold fetish…?
No, no, no! She didn’t have such a strange fetish.
If she liked someone, there was absolutely no way she would give him up to anyone else!
But then again, looking at Jiang Xiao’s henpecked appearance, if he hadn’t met Shen Xi back then, would he have already been scammed by some gold digger? A year of knowing each other, two years married, three years of exploding gold coins!
Thinking this way, the psychological shadow from these three years didn’t seem entirely bad after all?
“Lao Jiang, Sang Tian said that the girls are more eager now because they heard you and Lao Song would come.”
Xie Zhuran quickly urged.
“Bro, I’ve never begged you for anything in my life. I’m begging you now—let’s go together! Don’t worry, we’ll explain everything clearly to Sister-in-law afterward.”
After saying this, he gave Lin An and Song Qiuyu a desperate look.
They all knew very well that the person Jiang Xiao was talking about was most likely the girl named Xixi.
As for why Jiang Xiao said that, they didn’t dare to think too much or ask.
Lin An agreed and added, “That’s right. We won’t let you be misunderstood.”
Jiang Xiao looked at the three eager and expectant faces, his mind resolute and unwavering.
Song Qiuyu frowned and thought seriously for a moment.
“Then what do you want, Jiang Xiao, for you to agree to go? Give me a condition—I’ll do anything.”
Her words stunned Xie Zhuran and Lin An. Jiang Xiao lowered his eyes and pondered slightly.
“Anything, really?”
“Yeah!” Surely Jiang Xiao wouldn’t deliberately make things difficult for himself?
“All right.”
Jiang Xiao lifted his always calm and unruffled eyes to look into hers.
A faint smile played on his handsome face. His gaze deepened gradually, as if inspecting a Heavenly Relic that could only be admired from afar but never touched, scrutinizing every expression change on her delicate face.
“Hm?”
Seeing Jiang Xiao hesitate and say nothing more, Song Qiuyu blinked in puzzlement.
Jiang Xiao didn’t speak but picked up his phone and tapped a few times on the screen.
Then Song Qiuyu received a new QQ message.
［Jiang Xiao］: cosplay as Tifa for me.
“?”
Song Qiuyu found this strange.
Was this guy a bit too obsessed with Tifa? Besides asking Xi’er to cosplay for him, now he actually wanted her to cosplay for him too.
Although if it were her, she might also want to see it.
Seeing Jiang Xiao specifically send the message on QQ with his phone, she felt a bit complicated.
If Jiang Xiao had said it out loud, she’d probably have to cosplay Tifa for the entire dormitory to see.
But now, at most, she only needed to show it to Jiang Xiao alone.
Is this Jiang Xiao’s way of being considerate?
Regardless, Jiang Xiao was the one who should go to the social gathering—it was the best way to meet more girls.
She would strictly supervise the entire process!
She bit her lip, swallowed her embarrassment, and forced a casual tone: “Fine, I agree.”
Jiang Xiao immediately nodded.
“Lao Jiang, as expected!”
Seeing Jiang Xiao agree to go, Xie Zhuran was overjoyed.
Though they didn’t know what price Lao Song had paid, it surely couldn’t be too serious.
Then, using the remaining break time, they discussed what to eat and what to do at the gathering.
The final decision was barbecue and a Secret Chamber Escape Room.
There was still one class left before afternoon dismissal.
With the social gathering plans settled, Song Qiuyu felt a bit relieved but glanced down at her own backpack after seeing the open notebook on the table.
She had originally planned to return the Slash Fan Girl’s notebook together with Jiang Xiao, but since Jiang Xiao had been sick, the notebook was still in her bag.
Anyway, today was Friday. After the gathering, she’d go with Jiang Xiao to return it.
With this in mind, she gathered her spirits to face the last class.
After class, everyone returned to the dormitory to get dressed. Both dormitories were busy with preparations.
Only Jiang Xiao sat calmly at his seat, seemingly not doing anything.
“Jiang Xiao, why aren’t you changing your clothes?”
Song Qiuyu was anxious.
“Why should I change?”
This question really stumped Song Qiuyu. If she said it was so he could dress up and look more handsome to attract girls, that would be too obvious—like drawing a dagger on the picture itself.
But looking at Jiang Xiao now, he didn’t seem to need any special grooming.
Seeing Song Qiuyu suddenly come closer with a serious expression, Jiang Xiao stiffened and nervously squeezed his hands.
“Look, I already agreed to your condition, so you have to cooperate with us. At least, don’t be so down later.”
“You need to be more energetic!”
While saying this, Xie Zhuran had already changed into his clothes and styled his hair in what he considered a very trendy way.
But just checking himself in the mirror a few times wasn’t enough; he even came out to ask for their opinions.
Song Qiuyu turned her face and joined the critique.
Lin An joined in as well.
Jiang Xiao didn’t say anything. His eyes slightly widened, as if missing a beat.
A few images flashed through his mind.
Once, Shen Xi had said similar things to him. Not just once…
Thinking of this, his calm gaze lifted to look at Song Qiuyu’s profile, who was no longer paying attention to him, his eyes narrowing slightly.
If he remembered correctly, those times had been when he encountered setbacks, and Xi’er had tried every means to encourage and entice him.
It wasn’t just that the words were similar—Song Qiuyu’s current expression and tone perfectly matched the memes Shen Xi had sent back then.
“Jiang Xiao, when you go to the social gathering, you’re not just representing yourself—you’re representing the entire dormitory! The atmosphere, the overall vibe matters.”
Song Qiuyu pointed a finger at him, admonishing.
“I know.”
Jiang Xiao awkwardly turned his face away.
Xie Zhuran and Lin An looked on with increasing admiration.
Seeing how much Lao Song and Lao Jiang had sacrificed, they silently vowed that today they would either succeed or die trying!
After a while, all the guys arrived on time at the school gate, but among the girls, only Sang Tian had arrived first.
The other three would take at least another hour because they were still doing their hair and makeup.
Faced with this, the entire 602 Dormitory naturally showed understanding.
They all agreed that the longer girls spent getting ready, the more they valued this social gathering.
There was hope.
So, the five of them headed first to the pre-booked Secret Chamber Escape Room shop, planning to finish the escape room first, then go eat.
The script for this escape room was the Haunted Mansion Horror Script.
Once everyone arrived, they were blindfolded and led by the shop’s NPC into the designated room.
Once blindfolded, the terrifying imagination of being in darkness was infinitely magnified.
After the NPC completed their task and temporarily left, Song Qiuyu removed her blindfold and opened her eyes.
The antique-style room was dimly lit, with very low visibility.
A cold fragrance of gardenia water lingered in the air.
She realized there were only two people in the room—herself and Jiang Xiao.
Then, turning her head, she was shocked to see a bride in red sitting quietly by the big red bed, wearing a red bridal veil, a red wedding dress, and red embroidered shoes.
The bride’s exposed skin was as pale as paper, without a hint of living blood color.
Quiet was too mild a word—dead silence was more fitting.
Although she knew this must be an NPC in disguise, Song Qiuyu still felt fear.
This was a fear engraved deep into her soul.
But she knew Jiang Xiao was even more frightened.
“Jiang Xiao, don’t be afraid. We’re all good people. We have no grudge with her. She won’t hurt us! We… we can try talking to her!”
She desperately tried to protect Jiang Xiao behind her like a mother hen shielding her chicks, but she ignored the fact that the person behind her had a face so pale it seemed to melt.
What happened next made Song Qiuyu’s heart skip a beat, leaving her completely stunned.