Chapter 3: Survive!

Chapter 3: Survive!

Lu Li suddenly felt an inexplicable wave of fear.

A fear that arose out of nowhere.

It was as if he were sinking beneath the sea, everything around him shrouded in mist, with only that clean, beautiful face visible in his sight.

“Sorry, I might not have rested well yesterday,” Lu Li said, clenching his fist weakly and tapping his forehead, wearing a slightly weary smile. “Miss Bai, could you say that again?”

“Of course~~” Bai Muli smiled brightly, “I’m not human~~”

“…”

Lu Li took a moment to collect himself, then chuckled awkwardly. “Miss Bai, you’re quite humorous.”

He had pretty much figured it out.

This girl clearly didn’t want to just go through the motions of this blind date.

But even if she wanted to reject him, did the excuse have to be so absurd?

“I’m not human.”

With that appearance, that figure, that aura, and those interests—

If Lu Li didn’t pursue her, then what definition of ‘human’ could possibly apply?

Bai Muli’s eyes darkened slightly, and her voice softened. “Mr. Lu, I’m not lying. I really am not human.”

Lu Li’s suspicion was confirmed.

This was definitely an excuse.

And a terribly careless one at that.

It was like some scumbag going to a bar, not interested in a girl, so he comes up with a ridiculous excuse.

Like claiming he’s gay—and not just that, but a flashy bottom.

Ridiculous!

“Then, Miss Bai, could you show me?” Lu Li smiled. “It’s not that I don’t believe you. I just want to see for myself.”

He wanted to see if she’d crack under pressure.

If a girl had no weaknesses, she was practically invincible.

Any apparent weaknesses were usually something she wanted you to notice.

Lu Li’s plan was to create a vulnerability artificially, so that when she faced him, she wouldn’t be untouchable.

Only then could he get close to her heart.

“Alright, if you insist,” Bai Muli hesitated but finally agreed.

Then she cracked.

Literally cracked.

Like tempered glass shattering, blood-red cracks spread around her delicate features.

The fissures gradually widened.

Her face seemed like a finely crafted mask peeling away, held only by a few crimson sinews barely connected to the flesh beneath.

Beneath the “mask” was pure raw flesh, with eight scarlet pupils set in black irises staring fixedly at Lu Li.

Then, her flesh and skin split open completely, revealing two indescribable monsters that gradually took human shape, transforming into two Bai Mulies.

One wore a black suit with a white shirt and tie, her hair tied in a single ponytail resting on her chest.

The other donned a white women’s blouse, the top button undone, no tie, and hair braided into a neat coarse braid at the back.

The ponytailed Bai Muli blushed shyly, even a faint flush on her face. “Mr. Lu, please forgive my embarrassment.”

Lu Li’s head spun.

He wasn’t sure whether the dizziness was physical or psychological.

“Mr. Lu? Are you alright?”

Snapping back to reality, Lu Li looked up.

Before his eyes were two identical, worried, delicate faces.

“I’m fine, just a bit dizzy for a moment.”

His hand trembled as he lifted his coffee cup.

Damn it! Today was like a knife at his backside—he’d definitely seen something new!

Inside, he struggled fiercely.

Though she was beautiful, she was a monster!

***

Though she was a monster, she was beautiful!

Damn it! Why would a monster fixate on him?

No! How could monsters exist in this world?

Right now, it would be better to run away.

Lu Li sipped his coffee, then smiled up at her. “I’ve had too much coffee. I’m going to the restroom first. Sorry.”

“That’s fine,” Miss Bai’s face was picturesque, her smile charming.

But after a few seconds, Lu Li remained seated.

To his left, Bai Muli Number One tilted her head. “Mr. Lu? Are you feeling unwell?”

She raised her hand, revealing cracked skin, missing nails, and dozens of fleshy nodules extending from her bloodied flesh, connecting to Lu Li’s forehead, neck, and wrists.

“No fever.”

“I’m coming with you.”

Lu Li shivered and forced a smile.

That slimy sensation was unbearable!

Under the table, his right hand was gripping his weakening thigh desperately.

Move!

My thigh! Why won’t you move!

His hand clenched harder; his thigh was turning bruised and purple.

But his leg seemed to have a mind of its own.

He looked up, maintaining a calm expression. “I can bear it. How about we talk about other hobbies instead? Actually…”

He hesitated, then smiled apologetically. “Miss Bai, I lied to you just now.”

Curious, Bai Muli asked, “What did you lie about?”

Lu Li pulled out a cigarette and lit it, exhaling a smoke ring leisurely. “I actually smoke, at least a pack and a half a day. I also drink—white liquor, beer, red wine, foreign spirits—you name it. If I don’t drink for a day, I feel itchy all over.”

Since this was a blind date, as long as it failed, it would be over, right?

They’d leave once it failed, right?

The two Bai Mulies across from him smiled.

The ponytailed one winked, closing one eye. “Mr. Lu, my heart was racing just now. I find myself liking you more and more. You’re just as I imagined—a good man~~”

Lu Li was a bit stunned.

He looked at the cigarette in his hand and then pointed at himself. “I smoke and drink, and I’m still a good man?”

“Because you’re honest~~” said the braided Bai Muli beside her.

Lu Li glanced at her.

Tsk, she was damn beautiful!

No! Don’t be fooled! She’s not human!

Lu Li quickly averted his gaze.

But then looked again.

Tsk! So beautiful!

No! Can’t look!

Then again.

Really damn beautiful!

Lu Li, oh Lu Li, your values are truly led by your looks!

She’s not human! She’s a monster!

One more glance.

So beautiful!

Smack!

Miss Bai was startled.

She covered her delicate lips with her hand, her surprised gaze landing on the red handprint on Lu Li’s face. “Mr. Lu, what was that?”

“Just swatting a mosquito,” Lu Li said earnestly. “I’m going to the restroom.”

***

“Ah? Okay.”

“Sorry.”

Maybe it was because he had just slapped himself, or maybe because Miss Bai was so beautiful.

Either way, Lu Li’s lustful heart battled his fear, and his legs regained strength.

He stood and headed toward the bar—the café was L-shaped.

The bar was at the corner, and the restroom was past it at the opposite end.

Lu Li took a deep breath and quickened his steps.

Though the slap hadn’t knocked Bai Muli out, at least his legs no longer felt weak.

Passing a maid-clad staff member at the counter, Lu Li dashed to the restroom to relieve himself.

Speaking of which, that staff member was a problem too.

It was late at night, pouring rain, and all the other customers had left. Why hadn’t someone woken her up?

While washing up, Lu Li planned his escape route.

The café’s main door faced the corner right by the bar.

He just needed to walk there naturally, then bolt out when Bai Muli wasn’t looking.

Then sprint to the adjacent building’s stairs down to the underground parking, jump in his car, and speed home!

A perfect plan!

After washing his face, Lu Li looked at the handsome man in the mirror.

Good! The gaze was determined enough!

Then, with steady steps, he walked back to the bar.

He glanced toward the end of the hallway.

The two Bai Mulies sat there; the one with the braid was resting her head on the table, lost in thought, while the ponytailed one gazed out at the rain, also daydreaming.

Good!

Lu Li took a deep breath and turned to leave the café.

“Mr. Lu.”

“The two ladies inside are paying.”

Lu Li didn’t look back.

“Mr. Lu, where are you going?”

Lu Li froze.

That voice—

He suddenly turned his head to see the maid in black and white, lifting her head. Under her headband was Bai Muli’s inscrutable, half-smiling face.

Black straight hair, red eyes, maid outfit, and faintly twisting, transparent tentacles surrounding her.

It perfectly hit Lu Li’s hidden desires!

He turned his head again, seeing the two Bai Mulies still sitting calmly at the table down the hall.

They gave him the same inscrutable smile.

Sweat broke out on Lu Li’s forehead.

The maid Bai Muli tilted her head slightly. “Mr. Lu, you’re sweating.”

“A bit warm,” Lu Li wiped his forehead.

“But your face is very pale.”

“Cough, I get pale when I’m warm.”

“Is that so~~”

Facing Bai Muli’s half-smiling gaze, Lu Li suddenly looked in horror behind her. “Look! There’s a flying cow!”

Bai Muli instinctively turned around, but saw only the coffee machine.

When she turned back, Lu Li was already bolting out of the café in a mess.

As his figure disappeared behind the rain curtain, she covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

“Adorable~~”

(End of Chapter)