Chapter 68: The Scooter Ride and Mo Qiu’s Peril

“What did you say?!”

Bai Chen’s voice echoed through Wanhua Plaza, an involuntary shout escaping his lips.

Even Old Zhu, standing before him, narrowed his eyes at the sudden roar, despite having anticipated some form of outburst.

“Old Bai,” Old Zhu interjected, “you need to calm down. Just calm down.”

Despite Old Zhu’s earnest attempts to de-escalate his agitation, Bai Chen’s expression showed no signs of easing.

“With only an hour and a half left until the performance, you’re *just now* telling me that my costume hasn’t been delivered?”

The instant Bai Chen received this news, a crushing weight descended upon him, as if the very sky were collapsing.

For the past week, he had diligently rehearsed during every lunch break, even dedicating his Saturday to a full dress rehearsal.

He had been so certain that everything was in order, only for a colossal mishap to occur at this crucial juncture.

“It’s like this, Old Bai,” Old Zhu explained, “the student in charge of the costumes ate something bad yesterday and spent the entire day with an upset stomach.

As you can see, he hasn’t even shown up today.”

“What could he possibly have eaten that was worse than Mo—”

Bai Chen clamped his mouth shut mid-sentence, while the young woman standing beside him cast a curious, questioning glance.

‘No, even Mo Qiu’s cooking, no matter how unappetizing, wouldn’t cause *that* kind of trouble,’ Bai Chen thought, instantly repenting his thoughtless remark.

“Old Zhu,” Bai Chen pressed, “I recall you’re also participating in the performance.

Do you happen to have a spare costume?”

“A spare? Where would I get one?” Old Zhu retorted.

“Besides, my role is entirely different from yours, you know.”

In this performance, Old Zhu was cast as the leader of bandits attacking a ball.

His fully armed ensemble bore absolutely no resemblance to the elegant suit required for Bai Chen’s character.

Bai Chen sighed, rubbing his forehead in exasperation, an overwhelming weariness settling upon him.

Mo Qiu gently patted his back, and the young woman’s quiet, comforting presence injected a fleeting surge of energy into him.

He was grateful to have her by his side.

Bai Chen reached into his pocket, retrieved his car keys, and declared, “Tell me the location.

I’ll go retrieve it myself.”

“You’re going yourself?”

“Who else?”

Bai Chen, having lost all faith in the drama club’s competence, decided it was better to handle the matter personally than to entrust it to them.

“Very well.

If you take a taxi, there should be ample time.”

A taxi was hardly necessary; Bai Chen had his own ride, albeit a humble electric scooter.

Before departing, Bai Chen made a point to instruct Mo Qiu, “Don’t go anywhere.”

“Mhm.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

“Mhm.”

“Don’t worry about me.

Just take care of yourself.”

“Mhm.”

Mo Qiu, listening intently to every word Bai Chen uttered, responded with a nod each time.

Bai Chen fervently hoped she truly took his warnings to heart.

More than the impending performance, he found himself concerned that she might do something foolish in his absence.

Reaching the periphery of Wanhua Plaza, Bai Chen mounted his electric scooter, a deep sigh escaping him.

They had just promised to stay by each other’s side, yet here he was, leaving her alone.

To make matters worse, his electric scooter had been problematic, out of commission for several days.

Bai Chen had purchased it with wages meticulously saved over a long period, and it hadn’t even seen a full year of use.

The heartache he felt when it first broke down was indescribable.

However, after the scooter was sent to the branch base, it was miraculously repaired and returned within two days.

Upon inquiry, he learned that the R&D department had not only hastily repaired it but also upgraded it, allowing it to now reach speeds twice as fast as its original capacity.

Truth be told, Bai Chen harbored a certain reluctance to use anything that had passed through the R&D department’s hands.

The accumulated societal resentment of those older bachelors was, in his opinion, as potent as the stench emanating from someone who hadn’t showered in days.

Throughout his journey, Bai Chen dared not ride too quickly, half-expecting his scooter to transform into a roadside bomb.

Upon reaching the costume shop, Bai Chen swiftly collected his performance attire.

As his fingers gripped the soft fabric, a sense of relief washed over him.

He glanced at the time, noting there was still ample time to make it back.

On his return journey, Bai Chen’s initial urgency had subsided, replaced by a calm that allowed him the luxury of contemplating the upcoming performance.

‘When I get back, will Mo Qiu have already changed into her costume and be waiting for me?’

Lost in a mental image of the young woman adorned in her elegant gown, Bai Chen nearly ran a red light, hastily braking and retreating behind the crosswalk.

‘My initial thought wasn’t wrong; Mo Qiu really is quite good-looking.

It’s just that due to her personality, few people notice her beauty.’

This realization sparked a peculiar sense of accomplishment in Bai Chen, as if he were an expert who had unearthed a hidden treasure.

A vivid image flashed through Bai Chen’s mind: Mo Qiu, graceful in her gown, hands clasped delicately before her, resembling a rose unfurling its petals under the night sky.

He, in his own suit, would slowly draw closer to her.

The two, hand in hand, would dance gracefully under the moonlight.

‘Damn, why does that sound like newlyweds?’

As the green light illuminated, Bai Chen dismissed his fanciful thoughts and urged his electric scooter forward.

It was then, just as he was moving forward, that a car traveling beside him suddenly bounced violently, launching into the air over Bai Chen’s head, only to crash down onto another vehicle on the opposite side of the road.

Amidst the ensuing screams and mounting chaos, Bai Chen’s eyes locked onto a colossal figure, his gaze instantly sharpening with a grim realization.

****

Wanhua Plaza.

At the drama club’s designated meeting point, members were either diligently preparing for the imminent performance or venturing out in groups to shop, returning laden with an assortment of delicious treats.

Mo Qiu, however, simply occupied her favorite quiet corner, observing the bustling world around her.

As everyone chattered and occasionally burst into heartfelt laughter, Mo Qiu’s tightly sealed lips felt noticeably dry.

Bai Chen still hadn’t returned, and over half an hour had already elapsed.

President Luo had long since posted a message in the group chat, urging everyone to promptly return to the meeting point to prepare for the impending performance.

Everyone began to stir, yet Mo Qiu remained seated.

The vacant spot beside her was soon occupied by another individual.

“Hello, Mo Qiu.”

Xiao Li offered a greeting, a slight tremor of nervousness passing through her as she met Mo Qiu’s famously impassive gaze.

“Don’t you think the weather tonight is splendid?

The moon is so perfectly round, isn’t it?”

Both girls simultaneously tilted their heads skyward, only to find no trace of a bright moon; even the faintest starlight was completely obscured by a dense blanket of clouds.

After a moment of bewildered silence, Xiao Li let out a small, awkward laugh.

“Well, no rain means it’s good weather, right? Wouldn’t you agree?”

Mo Qiu was largely indifferent to most weather conditions, with the sole exception of intensely sunny days; she loathed the sensation of standing directly beneath the scorching sun.

Xiao Li maintained eye contact for what felt like an eternity, yet Mo Qiu offered no reply.

‘Is this person… too introverted?’

Mo Qiu’s reserved demeanor made it utterly impossible for Xiao Li to envision her in love.

Could such a person truly snuggle up to a man and playfully act coy?

Yet, she had undeniably witnessed Mo Qiu and Bai Chen holding hands.

Unless their relationship was exceptionally close, Xiao Li couldn’t fathom anyone daring to touch the ‘Dark Queen.’

Realizing that casual conversation wasn’t going to loosen Mo Qiu’s tongue, Xiao Li decided to cut straight to the chase, her face alight with eager anticipation.

“How far have you two progressed?”

“What do you mean?”

Mo Qiu’s eventual reply brought a surge of delight to Xiao Li; it was clear that topics concerning Bai Chen held far greater interest for her.

“Well, I mean, your relationship,” Xiao Li stammered, pausing slightly.

“How far have things progressed? Have you two gone out on dates?”

“…Bai Chen came to my house.”

“What?” Xiao Li’s eyes widened in disbelief.

‘They’ve already reached *that* stage? I haven’t even been to Old Zhu’s house yet!’

“We had dinner together, but it was too hot that day, so I went to take a shower first.”

“A shower… Did Bai Chen leave while you were showering?”

“No.”

Xiao Li gasped, her mind spiraling into utter disarray.

Not only had they shared an intimate moment at her home, but she had even taken a shower specifically for it.

What could have possibly transpired next?!

The revelation was simply too explosive for Xiao Li to process.

The most intimate act she and Old Zhu had ever shared was a mere kiss.

To think that Mo Qiu and Bai Chen had already reached such a level of intimacy…

“Um, I’ll go first, I feel a bit unwell.”

Observing Xiao Li’s somewhat wobbly retreat, Mo Qiu subtly furrowed her brow.

‘What a strange person.’

Mo Qiu checked the time again; Bai Chen still hadn’t returned.

“Mo Qiu!”

Hearing her name called, Mo Qiu turned to see someone rushing towards her in a state of frantic urgency.

To her surprise, it was Zhou Yue, a face she hadn’t seen in days!

Mo Qiu instinctively reached for her pocket, her fingers meeting nothing but the cool fabric, devoid of any reassuring weight.

“It’s terrible! Something has happened to Bai Chen!” Zhou Yue gasped, utterly breathless from her sprint.

“…”

“Don’t think I’m lying, it’s true!” Zhou Yue pleaded, her voice tinged with near-panic.

“Monsters have appeared on the street, and Bai Chen seems to have been caught in the chaos and injured.”

Mo Qiu, however, maintained her usual impassive expression, observing Zhou Yue’s frantic display in silence.

“I know you don’t like me,” Zhou Yue continued, “but surely you care about Bai Chen?

We’re classmates, and monsters are far more terrifying than I am!”

These words seemed to strike a chord with Mo Qiu, prompting her to finally rise to her feet.

“Take me to him.”

“Okay!”

Zhou Yue spun around and bolted, her pace so rapid that Mo Qiu was nearly left in her dust.

Her current body was utterly unsuited for strenuous exercise.

After running out of Wanhua Plaza and reaching the intersection, Mo Qiu was already gasping for breath.

Glancing at the deceptively peaceful streets surrounding them, she couldn’t help but inquire,

“You said monsters attacked, Bai Chen is in…”

A deafening roar echoed within her mind, and the young woman collapsed to the ground without a sound.

A beer bottle clattered to the ground, discarded by the hands that now gripped her clothes, dragging her unceremoniously into a nearby alley.