PSMD – Chapter 129

The time agreed upon with Le Yu was two in the afternoon. After Qiu Yang got up, she bought groceries. After having lunch with Shen Ningruo, they drove to the destination.

Shen Ningruo hadn’t played escape rooms before, but since it was Le Yu’s invitation, she wouldn’t refuse.

She admired Le Yu’s carefree spirit; she could be friends with her.

On the way, Le Yu called to ask about their progress. Ten minutes later, the car pulled to a stop.

Today was another sunny day. There was still a walk from the parking lot to the front of the store.

Qiu Yang got out of the car and opened her umbrella. Then, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Shen Ningruo, they headed inside. Before they even reached the entrance, they saw Le Yu standing there, waving excitedly at them.

Qiu Yang’s lips curved slightly. When she reached Le Yu, she said apologetically, “Are we the last ones to arrive, Senior?”

Le Yu wasn’t wearing a red dress today, but a long black dress that showed off her beautiful shoulders and neck. She wore a necklace, looking less like she was going to play an escape room and more like she was attending a party.

“No,” Le Yu said with a smile. “She hasn’t arrived yet.”

It was obvious who “she” was. Qiu Yang immediately understood. Shen Ningruo raised an eyebrow beside her. “Miss Le, it’s been a week, and you look much more pleasing to the eye than before.”

Le Yu rolled her eyes at her. “Thank you very much.”

Escape rooms had become popular in recent years and were a common choice for dates. The one they were going to today was a large-scale establishment in Yuncheng. Although Shen Ningruo hadn’t played before, she had heard about it from Yao Yao.

Yao Yao said the props inside were very realistic, the staff were cooperative, and it was quite a brain-burner…

In short, she had praised the place extensively, but Shen Ningruo had never dared to go.

It wasn’t that she didn’t have time; she didn’t always work overtime on weekends. She just didn’t dare.

Because she was someone who got scared even watching horror and suspense movies. If she were actually in that environment, wouldn’t her heart race uncontrollably?

But today was different. With Qiu Yang by her side, she believed her fear would be greatly reduced.

This made Shen Ningruo think of the first time they went to Xicheng. She had brought her own projector, and when Qiu Yang came over that night, she even started watching a movie she had saved. In fact, after that night, she didn’t know how the movie ended—because she and Qiu Yang had gone to bed to “communicate.”

“Oh, I forgot to mention.”

“My crush is named Xiao Gu, the ‘Gu’ from classical Chinese. She just graduated from university not long ago.”

Le Yu spoke up again at this point.

“Okay.” Qiu Yang’s eyes curved into a smile. Just as she responded, she saw Le Yu stand up straight with her chest puffed out.

Le Yu whispered, “She’s here.”

Qiu Yang followed her gaze and saw a black motorcycle pull up. The girl sitting on it swung her leg over, stood on the ground, then slowly took off her helmet and tossed her hair.

She had shoulder-length hair, and what was striking was that she had dyed streaks of rainbow colors into it.

This hair color was difficult for most people to pull off, but Xiao Gu had fair skin, so it didn’t look out of place; instead, it suited her well.

Especially since Xiao Gu was wearing all black, the strong contrast made her rainbow-colored hair look even better.

Le Yu’s lips curved up, and she waved elegantly at Xiao Gu. When Xiao Gu got closer, she smiled and called out, “Little Parrot, you’re the last one to arrive today.”

…Little Parrot, that name actually fit.

Qiu Yang and Shen Ningruo exchanged glances, a smile appearing in both their eyes. Le Yu’s wave and greeting just now were incredibly elegant, completely different from how she acted in front of them.

Xiao Gu’s eyes curved into crescents. “Sister, you set the time for two o’clock. I’m not late.”

Her voice was sweet. After speaking, she looked at Qiu Yang and Shen Ningruo, a little curious.

Le Yu made the introductions. “This is Xiao Qiu, and this is Xiao Shen.”

“Qiu Jie, Shen Jie,” Xiao Gu greeted them. Her tone was clearly different from when she called Le Yu “Sister” individually.

“Let’s go in,” Shen Ningruo nodded.

There were already four people sitting in the lobby, all girls. They had arrived only a few minutes early. When the four of them entered, everyone stood up and said with a smile, “Hurry up, Lele, it’s almost two o’clock.”

This escape room place was very cost-effective, and the weekend prices weren’t expensive. Today was Sunday, so there were many people playing.

Besides their group of eight, there were other customers at the counter. The lobby was lively.

Shen Ningruo looked at the lobby’s decor. The walls were covered with posters of the themes here. Good heavens, there wasn’t a single one she wasn’t afraid of. But she was also someone who cared about appearances. In front of so many people, and before even going in, she wouldn’t show it.

The theme their group was going to play was called “Coffin Bride.” The moment Shen Ningruo saw the name, her brow twitched. She secretly let out a breath.

“I’ll protect you,” Qiu Yang said from the side. She squeezed Shen Ningruo’s hand, giving her encouragement.

Shen Ningruo smiled. “Okay, I’d be honored.”

Xiao Gu was clearly not familiar with the other four people either. She stayed near Qiu Yang until Le Yu reminded them they could go in.

Electronic devices had to be put in lockers first. Shen Ningruo’s lips tightened. She didn’t know if it was just her imagination, but she felt a chill in the air. She touched her arm, realizing she had goosebumps.

Shen Ningruo felt a bit speechless about herself.

The store set the time for this theme at three hours, which was for normal circumstances. If a team didn’t make much progress, they would have to extend the time.

After entering, everyone got busy.

The room lights flickered on and off, and eerie music played intermittently. Shen Ningruo’s brow hadn’t relaxed since the beginning, but she tried her best to participate in the discussions.

The best player there was indeed Xiao Gu. Her mind worked very fast, and she was quick at finding keys and passwords.

Next was Qiu Yang. Her reactions were also quick, and she could always point out the most crucial information in time.

With the three-hour time limit, they finished with more than half an hour left.

During this time, Le Yu had been playing the straight man, constantly showering Xiao Gu with lavish praise in various ways.

It wasn’t until they came out of the store that Shen Ningruo finally relaxed. Her complexion wasn’t good, and her lips were a little pale.

Qiu Yang was very worried. “Are you feeling unwell, Ruoruo?”

Xiao Gu reminded her from the side, “Shen Jie might be scared. Just drink more water.”

Le Yu also became concerned. “So, Miss Shen, you can’t play these kinds of games. Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?”

Shen Ningruo waved her hand. “It’s not that I can’t play. I just need some time to adapt.”

Qiu Yang pursed her lips and looked at Le Yu. “Senior, Ruoruo and I will head back first then.”

“Okay, go quickly.”

“Send me a message when you get home.”

Qiu Yang smiled. “Okay.”

After parting ways with Le Yu, the two walked towards the car. As they neared the car, Qiu Yang went to the driver’s seat. “I’ll drive.”

Shen Ningruo didn’t hesitate, gave the key to Qiu Yang, and got into the passenger seat.

However, the car didn’t drive off immediately. Qiu Yang first took out a bottle of water, unscrewed it for Shen Ningruo, watched her drink half, and then sighed. “We won’t play these anymore.”

“Don’t say that, it was quite fun.” Shen Ningruo grinned, but judging by her complexion, the truthfulness of that statement wasn’t very high.

Qiu Yang opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, but Shen Ningruo raised her hand and covered her mouth. “It’s like how I like watching suspense dramas but am afraid to watch them. But I have you, Xiao Yang, so I’m not afraid anymore.”

Shen Ningruo released her hand after speaking. Qiu Yang looked into her eyes and hummed in response.

The sun had been blazing when they arrived, but now it was starting to set. After Qiu Yang buckled Shen Ningruo’s seatbelt, she happened to glance at the motorcycle not far away.

Xiao Gu was sitting on the motorcycle, and behind her was another woman.

Both of them were wearing helmets, but Qiu Yang recognized who the woman was from her clothing.

She was one of the other four women.

Shen Ningruo wondered why Qiu Yang hadn’t started the car yet and followed Qiu Yang’s gaze. Then, her lips pressed downwards.

Perhaps Xiao Gu and the woman felt they had put on their helmets too early, as they both took them off again.

In the square, the woman lowered her head slightly, burying her face in the back of Xiao Gu’s neck and rubbing it several times before hugging Xiao Gu even tighter.

Qiu Yang: “…”

Shen Ningruo: “…”

Before Le Yu arrived, she had said that the other four people were two couples, and she was the only single one there.

So, what was the situation now…?

The answer was obvious.

Shen Ningruo silently picked up her phone and took a picture of the scene. Her thoughts were exactly the same as Qiu Yang’s.

Qiu Yang received the photo from Shen Ningruo and sent it to Le Yu almost without hesitation.

Le Yu quickly replied: 【…】

Le Yu: 【Damn it.】

Qiu Yang had already driven away from the spot. Shen Ningruo held her phone and chatted on her behalf.

“Should I reply now?” Shen Ningruo asked Qiu Yang.

Qiu Yang thought for a moment. “Just tell her the next one will be more well-behaved.”

She hadn’t expected Le Yu’s crush to fizzle out so quickly, but she also had to say she was very lucky.

It was a good thing they saw this scene, otherwise Le Yu might have been deceived later.

As a duo who had been cheated on by a two-timing couple, Qiu Yang and Shen Ningruo naturally understood Le Yu’s feelings right now.

Le Yu replied almost immediately: “Coming over tonight to drink with you guys.”

“I’ll ask if Senior Yue is free.”

“…Alright.”

She hadn’t expected things to turn out this way. Le Yu had been very happy when they left the escape room.

Yue Chu was still off work today, and Yao Yao was also free, so they all went to Shen Ningruo’s place together.

Shen Ningruo had a wine cabinet. She took out two bottles of red wine. As soon as she poured it, Le Yu tilted her head back and downed a glass.

Le Yu: “Damn it.”

Le Yu: “Indeed, Xiao Qiu Yang is the most well-behaved.”

Shen Ningruo gave her a hint of menace. “Cut it out.”

“Drink your wine.”