Outside the escape room, the bright lights of the mall made a few people squint as they adjusted to the sudden change from darkness to light.
As everyone poured out and approached the front desk, it felt as if they were stepping into an unreal world.
The owner had already been waiting at the door, thoughtfully holding a stack of papers and a few pens.
“How did you all find the escape room?”
“Could you fill out a survey?”
“Good reviews come with free drinks.”
The escape room was chosen by Qi Dong, but the fatty was even more enthusiastic.
He quickly grabbed a sheet of paper and scribbled down his thoughts. In the “suggestions” section, he wrote without hesitation:
“[Not recommended for single people; the escape room starts torturing you from the first level!]”
Meanwhile, the other three filled out their surveys, all affirming the phrase “couple escape room.”
Liu Shuyao hadn’t filled hers out yet. She craned her neck to see what her boyfriend wrote, but Xiang Ran pinched her chin and turned her head away.
“Wuwu...”
“Let me see~~~”
The campus belle tugged at her boyfriend’s sleeve, pouting, her mood completely different from the fear she felt ten minutes ago in the escape room.
“Not suitable for minors!”
Xiang Ran tossed that line out and handed the survey to the owner.
“I’m 19! It’s fine!”
Liu Shuyao tilted her head, arguing her point with her boyfriend, her lips moving animatedly.
Xiang Ran’s gaze fell on her delicate lips. Before entering the escape room, her cute bun was intact, but now it had come undone, with strands scattered across her shoulders. For some reason, he recalled the impulse he felt when he saw her handcuffed to the bed earlier.
Fortunately, before Xiang Ran could say anything, Zhao Ying, recovering her composure, pulled Liu Shuyao away from him, linking arms with her and standing with Xiao Qiao, speaking in a volume only the three of them could hear.
“Anything goes?”
Zhao Ying’s teasing made it clear to Liu Shuyao what she meant!
She scrunched her nose, waved her hand, and blushed.
A moment later, she shyly nodded.
“Wow~ Are you and Xiang Ran a couple?” Xiao Qiao asked, glancing between Xiang Ran and Liu Shuyao.
“Yeah~ I’ll tell you secretly, but don’t tell anyone else~”
Liu Shuyao admitted, her face flushed.
She didn’t care about that whole three-rule agreement.
“Actually, I noticed it in the escape room; Xiang Ran really cares about you.”
“Really? Really?”
Liu Shuyao’s eyes lit up upon hearing Xiao Qiao say that. Her boyfriend wasn’t proactive at all, which often left her doubting herself!
So hearing an outsider’s words now was hard not to be excited about.
Xiao Qiao nodded.
“Earlier in the escape room, Xiang Ran made sure you were safe before solving any puzzles. Even though you were together the whole time, he still checked on you now and then.”
“I noticed that too. At first, it seemed like he didn’t care at all.”
“And! When looking for the map!”
“You two actually had a wall slam moment! What’s that about?”
“From my angle, it looked like you were almost kissing!!”
Zhao Ying joined in the teasing.
“Really? So did you actually kiss?” Xiao Qiao, being nosy, asked. Everyone was lively now that they were out of the escape room.
Liu Shuyao felt even more embarrassed, her cheeks as red as ripe apples, her ears also flushed. “No, no~ There was still a distance!”
“Leaning against the wall is safer, right...”
The campus belle quietly explained.
But even as she said that, she realized that they had been quite close.
She regretted it!
What a missed opportunity!
She should have just leaned in for a kiss; that way, she would have had a reason to argue later.
Liu Shuyao pouted, feeling a bit frustrated.
It seemed she hadn’t planned well.
Then she silently vowed to learn from this lesson next time!!!
After the boys finished the surveys, Qi Dong checked the time and asked if they wanted to grab something to eat.
The escape room had indeed left an impression on everyone, so the seven of them unanimously decided to go for barbecue.
It was mealtime, and the entire fourth floor of the mall was a dining area. The moment they went up, various food aromas wafted through the air.
The barbecue restaurant was filled with a rich smell of grilled meat, dim lights casting a warm glow on each table. The sound of chatter and laughter mixed in the air. Waitstaff moved between tables, warmly greeting every guest.
Flames danced on the grill, crackling as they cooked fresh ingredients, filling the air with enticing aromas. The tables were laden with an array of sauces and side dishes, providing a dizzying selection.
“What are we eating?”
“Come on, everyone, speak up; I’ll order!”
The fatty was as enthusiastic as ever, waving a menu.
Then he noticed that Qi Dong and Zhao Ying had already scanned the code, their heads bent together as they looked at the menu on their phones.
Wang Hao must know his girlfriend’s preferences well, as he was quickly adding items on the phone.
Then there was Xiang Ran, who was also closely huddled with the campus belle, looking quite intimate.
Occasionally, she would softly ask:
“Can we add another portion of beef?”
“You don’t eat eggplant, right?”
“How about chicken wings?”
“Just order what you like; I’m fine with anything.”
Xiang Ran thought that all meat tasted about the same. Terms like snowflake tender beef, Wagyu short ribs, and Angus snowflake beef—who could tell the difference?
Watching everyone busy, the fatty felt that strange feeling from doing a solo task in the escape room wash over him again.
Why wasn’t he also getting to order?
He looked back down at the menu, but the fresh beef and lamb didn’t seem appetizing anymore.
He didn’t feel very hungry.
But that mood only lasted a minute; once their meat arrived, the fatty’s eyes lit up again.
The flames on the charcoal grill flickered, radiating warm heat.
Various raw meats were neatly arranged on the table, from beef slices to pork belly, as well as seafood and vegetables—an impressive spread.
The waitstaff brought fresh tongs and foil, and the fatty couldn’t wait any longer. He jumped in, placing a steak on the grill and turning it with the tongs, slowly cooking it.
The seven of them used two grills, with the fatty sitting with Xiang Ran and the campus belle, while the rest used the other one.
The steak crackled on the grill, releasing its savory aroma.
The flames seared the surface of the meat, changing its color gradually, as the irresistible scent of grilled meat wafted through the air.
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