Chapter 20

At school, the bell rang precisely on time.

The students were all excited.

Few students disliked Friday's activity period, especially since the subject was swimming.

It was a joint activity involving multiple classes.

Rick and his friends were especially excited, but their admiration was directed at Chris.

Since the collision in the morning, Chris's image was stuck in Rick and his friends' minds.

They all knew Chris had a boyfriend, Billy, from their class. Billy and Chris were often openly affectionate in the classroom, and Billy liked to flaunt his girlfriend, frequently bragging about Chris's attractiveness and how irresistible she was in bed.

However, Billy hadn't been in class for two days.

But fantasies were harmless.

As a result, the three of them weren't overly thrilled about the upcoming swimming activity.

As soon as they exited the classroom, they all glanced towards the neighboring class, hoping to catch a glimpse of Chris.

As luck would have it, Chris was just walking towards them.

"Hey, it's you three—Rick, Zade, and Mohr."

Chris greeted them warmly, leaving the three of them somewhat flustered.

"Yeah, hey, Chris…"

Chris was in an exceptionally chatty mood, so much so that even Tommy's greeting was ignored.

Tommy was puzzled and complained to Susie from the neighboring class, "What's up with Chris? Why is she suddenly talking to those three guys? Didn't she used to hate them?"

Susie frowned, noting that they hadn't communicated much today.

It seemed to have started since Susie spoke up for Carrie yesterday.

Susie then looked at Carrie.

Carrie was like a transparent person, sticking close to the wall. Noticing Susie's gaze, she quickly lowered her head and quickened her pace.

On Chris's side, she quickly engaged in conversation with Rick and his friends.

However, she was following Randy's instructions, gradually leading them on.

While chatting with Rick, she suddenly asked him to fetch a bottle of water for her.

Then, she made an excuse to send Zade away, claiming she wanted to talk with Mohr about games alone.

When Rick returned, she ignored Mohr and laughed and chatted with Rick.

Zade was the first to leave, feeling dejected because he hadn't had much of a chance to talk to the goddess.

He felt that Chris's flirtatious gestures were all just illusions.

"Ha, anyway, I'm not into Chris's type."

But when he opened his locker and saw a love letter inside, his expression changed.

Inside, there was also a revealing photo of Chris.

With a flushed face, one hand holding the camera and the other lifting her clothes, the critical part of the image was unfortunately torn off.

Zade swallowed hard and quickly opened the letter.

"I'm Chris…"

After reading through it, Zade felt his brain go fuzzy and his eyes bloodshot.

Was this a love letter for him?

Especially after seeing the closing line.

"After school today, meet me in the small grove. I've left a photo puzzle under the red brick on the stone bridge, waiting for you!"

This was his first time being asked out. Spring had arrived!

"Hey, Zade."

Mohr's voice interrupted, causing Zade to hurriedly stuff the letter back into his locker and force a normal expression.

"What's up, Mohr? Didn't you continue talking games with Chris?"

"Ugh, she doesn't know anything. She's never played any games. From start to finish, she was just asking me for advice and recommendations, like she was just trying to make conversation."

Mohr looked disdainful, but he couldn't hide the smile on his face as he spoke.

Zade was annoyed. The goddess was talking to you to make it easier for me to see the letter alone, don't get too carried away.

However, he didn't say this out loud, as Chris's boyfriend Billy still had some intimidation factor.

He only responded, "Oh, right, I've got other things to do. I'll head out first."

He quickly left.

Meanwhile, Chris was still flirting with Rick.

After taking a sip from the water she bought, Chris handed it back to Rick and then engaged in awkward small talk. Chris actually wanted to open up a conversation, but Rick was completely clueless, making it difficult for Chris to continue.

After trying for a while, Chris gave up on the conversation.

But she still tried to charm Rick as best as she could.

After turning away, Rick picked up the water bottle she had drunk from and sniffed it.

Unfortunately, it had no distinct scent.

At this moment, Rick was eager to share the experience with his friends. He thought Chris must have a secret crush on him.

When he reached his locker, he saw Mohr sneaking around.

"Hey, Mohr, where's Zade?"

Rick's shout startled Mohr, who jumped like a scared mouse.

"What's going on, Mohr?"

Mohr didn't answer. He quickly closed his locker and ran off, hunched over.

"Strange?"

Rick found it odd, but since Mohr was sometimes out of sync, he didn't pay it much attention and opened his locker, finding the same love letter.

After reading it, he became agitated.

"She's asking me to meet her later! And left me a photo! No wonder Chris left in such a hurry; she must be preparing for the meeting!"

Rick forgot all about the swimming class and even his friends.

Stuffing the letter into his pocket, he packed his things and rushed out of the school building, muttering to himself.

"Chris, Chris!"

At the school gate, the security guard looked at him with confusion.

"It's not dismissal time yet."

Rick, full of excitement, replied, "I have a date with my girl. Tonight is going to be a great night."

"Alright, then I'll let you go."

The security guard let him through, wondering why students kept coming and going outside regular hours these days.

Rick dashed into the forest, moving faster than usual.

He still held the half-photo, eager to know what Chris's figure was.

However, once in the forest, he saw no sign of Chris.

"I must have arrived too early. Right, her letter mentioned she left a clue under the red brick in front of the stone bridge."

Rick quickly arrived at the stone bridge and soon found the protruding red brick. Beneath it was a letter.

This letter contained the other half of the photo he wanted!

After putting the pieces together, Rick took a deep breath.

"Awesome!"

Though a bit dark and saggy, to Rick, it was the most beautiful sight.

He opened the letter, which contained only one sentence.

"I'm waiting for you by the cliffside. There's a rock there as smooth as a bed, where you can listen to the sea…"

As Rick read this, he was already losing his grip on reality.

He was completely unaware that he was stepping into a trap.

And having already obtained the photo of Chris, he wasn't willing to give up the greater temptation.

"She's so romantic, thinking of such a poetic place. I'll reluctantly accept her confession and mustn't act too excited later."

Rick hurried to the seaside, running most of the way.

It was quiet and deserted, and the salty sea breeze made Rick feel a bit cold.

"The rock at the cliffside."

Following the location described in the letter, Rick found the most suitable spot ahead. However, there was no smooth rock as described, only a frail figure by the sea.