Wang Xiao received the new SIM card from Mo Xiang in the evening, swiftly configuring it as he began to formulate his next move.
Lacking a concrete plan, he decided to send Fu Yuxin a friend request on WeChat, waiting for her to accept it.
To his surprise, the request was accepted within a matter of minutes.
Fu Yuxin: Hi, who is this?
Seeing her response, Wang Xiao's eyes lit up instantly as he composed a carefully crafted message.
Chuan Hao: Hi
Fu Yuxin: ??
Fu Yuxin: Do I know you?
Wang Xiao tapped away at his phone's screen, ensuring his words carried an air of mystery.
Chuan Hao: Maybe not, but I've seen you around.
Fu Yuxin: Where have you seen me?
Wang Xiao's fingers danced over the virtual keyboard, weaving a narrative that would intrigue Fu Yuxin further.
Chuan Hao: I won't reveal that just yet. Let's keep it a secret for now.
Fu Yuxin: Secret? Who are you? Why all this secrecy?
Chuan Hao: It's a secret as well.
Fu Yuxin: "...."
Fu Yuxin: You are weird.
In the heart of the Fu family residence, a young woman lounged on her mattress, resting on her front.
The position made her acutely aware of the discomfort, her laughter momentarily drowned by the sensation of pressure on her chest.
She playfully shifted her legs as she continued typing on her phone, an amused expression gracing her features.
Adorned in loose, casual attire that hinted at glimpses of her milky white skin, her face remained untouched by blemishes. A pair of charming lips completed her look, accentuating her inherent beauty.
Despite her alluring appearance, the specter of Fu Chao's influence often deterred potential suitors from approaching her.
Yet, in this moment, she found unexpected amusement in a message from an unfamiliar ID, 'Chuan Hao.' Intrigued, she engaged in a conversation that made her genuinely laugh.
However, her laughter, filling the confines of her room, caught the attention of Fu Chao as he passed by. His brows rose in curiosity, and he paused, then decided to knock on her door.
*Knock! Knock!*
!!
The sudden rap on the door sent a shiver racing down Fu Yuxin's spine. Startled, she fumbled with her phone, and it slipped from her grasp, clattering to the floor.
She quickly locked the device and hastened to the door, her heart pounding.
With a mixture of surprise and curiosity etched on her face, she turned the knob, revealing her older brother, Fu Chao.
"Brother, you're here?" she exclaimed, caught off guard by his unexpected visit.
"Why wouldn't I be here?" Fu Chao observed his sister's unusual behavior, his sharp eyes narrowing as he stepped into her room, conducting a silent survey of his surroundings.
"Hey, brother! You can't just barge in like that," Fu Yuxin protested, her voice tinged with a hint of sulkiness.
Despite her attempt to appear nonchalant, her anxious eyes tracked his every move, darting occasionally towards her phone abandoned on the rumpled bed.
After a moment, Fu Chao, apparently satisfied that there was no intruder, nodded thoughtfully. "Yuxin, don't let any of those boys at school fool you. At this age, they all pretend to care, but their true intentions might be far from noble."
"Shut up! Just go away," Fu Yuxin retorted, her irritation apparent. She resented his constant attempts to restrict her, which only fueled her frustration.
A wry smile curved Fu Chao's lips as he acquiesced, allowing himself to be gently pushed out of her room.
What could he do?
He was merely trying to protect her from potential threats, unaware that the true danger had already infiltrated her life, and it wasn't an external enemy at all.
Chuan Hao: Hey, are you there? What's going on?
Wang Xiao squinted at his phone screen, perplexed as Fu Yuxin abruptly ceased responding to his messages.
Exhaling in mild frustration, he locked his phone, only for a notification to chime moments later.
Fu Yuxin: Hey, I'm here! It was just my brother, always disturbing me. *Sulking face*
Wang Xiao's eyes sparkled at her response, a wicked amusement playing in his mind.
Chuan Hao: Oh really, I don't believe you.
"What!?" Fu Yuxin was taken aback by the unexpected reply from the stranger she had met online. She bit her lip, recounting all the infuriating actions of Fu Chao.
Wang Xiao carefully read the extensive text she sent, and a wry smile curled his lips.
These girls are like grown-up babies, still swayed by their emotions.
Chuan Hao: Damn, he's truly ruthless. How can he trap you like a bird?
Fu Yuxin's face lit up as she typed: Now you understand?
Chuan Hao: Understand, understand.
Fu Yuxin and her newfound friend charged forward together, their initial strangeness melting away like morning mist, revealing the burgeoning bonds of friendship.
As time passed, she began to share her innermost thoughts and secrets, regarding him as her trusted confidant, a chat buddy who held her trust.
Their conversations became increasingly engrossing, consuming Wang Xiao's attention.
This time, he left his door wide open, purposefully inviting the world inside.
With no suspicious activity going on inside, he found himself carefree, not fearing any unexpected intrusions into his sanctuary.
His fingers, which had been working diligently, came to a sudden halt. A warm breath caressed his cheek, sending shivers down his spine.
Instinctively, he locked his phone, and his eyes darted towards the source of the presence.
"Hehe," greeted him the sight of Wang Xueying, her laughter ringing out mischievously. She had caught her brother yet again, this time involved in some other clandestine activity.
Wang Xiao maintained a stoic expression, his voice laced with curiosity as he inquired, "What are you doing here?"
Wang Xiao's sister, Wang Xueying, found herself truly perplexed by the unfolding situation.
In this quiet corner of the world, few ventured into Wang Xiao's room. Even if someone did, they wouldn't be bothered by him conversing with a girl on WeChat.
However, a revelation from the previous day had set Wang Xueying's imagination ablaze.
It was as though a hidden world had been revealed to her, one where her brother, whom she thought she knew so well, might be treading treacherous paths.