friend

Regarding how to get his WeChat, Sun Qian wrote in her plan: "Given that you and Shen Zhou are currently in a semi-stranger relationship," Zhou Jingxing thought to himself, "No way! Shen Zhou smiled at me!" He continued reading, "So I've specially tailored a formula for you: Greet him + a topic that revolves around the scene (with some compliments, but not too direct) + make a request (you can say it humorously) + give him a way out (depending on the situation; if you're confident, you can skip this step... never mind, don't skip it)."

...

Zhou Jingxing frowned, sensing a hint of negation in the three commas; he didn't quite understand the formula. Fortunately, Sun Qian thoughtfully provided a practical example: a chance encounter in a parking lot. She even designed the tone and expression for him.

Such detailed instruction! Even a pig wouldn't mess this up!

Zhou Jingxing charged forward with full confidence.

He walked up behind Shen Zhou and gently patted his shoulder. Shen Zhou turned around, his expression changing from surprise to a smile. "Teacher Zhou, you're here to see the exhibition again."

Zhou Jingxing was in a good mood upon seeing him, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up. "Yes, such a good exhibition is downstairs, it would be a shame not to take a look." He took the initiative to ask Chen Zhou, "Are you adjusting the booth? Do you need my help?"

"Thank you, I'm rearranging these display boards. If you're not busy, could you please check if they're neatly arranged?"

Zhou Jingxing was overjoyed that he hadn't been refused! He hurriedly replied, "Of course!"

Shen Zhou smiled at him and gestured for him to look at the display board beside him. "Is this okay?" Zhou Jingxing was so captivated by his smile that he almost fainted. He snapped out of his daze and quickly focused his attention, pretending to take a closer look before replying, "I think it's fine." He then added, thinking of the tutorial in the project plan, "With your excellent aesthetic sense, there's definitely nothing wrong with how you arranged it."

Shen Zhou waved his hand, "You're exaggerating." He walked to the booth next to him, and Zhou Jingxing quickly followed. Watching Shen Zhou's slender fingers rest on the display board, Zhou Jingxing's heart fluttered. He boldly asked Shen Zhou, "Do you usually use WeChat?"

The tutorial said to be humorous! Zhou Jingxing thought of the joke he had memorized all night, "Aren't you afraid to use WeChat alone? Do you want to add me on WeChat and I'll protect you?"

? ? ?

Shen Zhou looked at Zhou Jingxing with a puzzled expression. "Huh? What do you mean?"

Ughhhhhh, how come I still messed it up even though I followed the tutorial!

Zhou Jingxing blushed and quickly explained, "I, I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to add you on WeChat so I can ask you any questions about Liuli next time. I hope that's not bothering you?"

Shen Zhou smiled, took out his phone from his trouser pocket, tapped the QR code on the green icon, and handed it to Zhou Jingxing. "Of course, you're welcome to contact me anytime."

Zhou Jingxing hurriedly pulled out his phone, scanned the QR code, and added Shen Zhou on WeChat. Seeing Shen Zhou's profile picture appear in his chat interface, Zhou Jingxing was overjoyed. He immediately pinned his chat with Shen Zhou to the top of the chat window.

After finishing the operation, he happily turned off the screen and looked up at Chen Zhou, only to find that the other person had been watching him the whole time.

Seeing him look up, Chen Zhou turned his head away somewhat awkwardly.

Did he see that I pinned his chat window to the top?!

What should I do! Will he realize how I feel? Will he dislike me?

Zhou Jingxing recalled a line in the plan that Sun Qian had highlighted in bold: "Don't immediately show your affection for him!!! Wait until he finds out the scumbag cheated on you before you assess the situation!"

Zhou Jingxing had a sudden inspiration: "I have many work groups on WeChat. I send too many messages to those groups, so I pin my friends' chat boxes to the top, otherwise they won't see them."

Shen Zhou nodded, his expression suggesting he accepted the explanation, which relieved Zhou Jingxing.

Zhou Jingxing accompanied Shen Zhou as they rearranged all the display boards in the venue. By the time they finished, the exhibition hall had already closed, leaving only the two of them. Shen Zhou went to turn off the doors, windows, and water and electricity, while Zhou Jingxing followed him around like a puppy.

After closing the last door, Chen Zhou glanced at him, seemingly hesitant, which made Zhou Jingxing's heart leap.

Are you trying to kick me out?

He decided to take the initiative. "You haven't eaten dinner yet, have you? How about I treat you to dinner? It'll be a way of thanking you for answering my questions recently."

Chen Zhou hesitated for a moment, and then Zhou Jingxing remembered that he had a girlfriend, and it seemed inappropriate to go out to eat alone with her.

Even though his girlfriend is a complete jerk! He has such a great wife, yet he still cheats on her!

However, Shen Zhou is unaware of this matter yet.

Zhou Jingxing almost forgot Sun Qian's warning to "not tell him about his cheating boyfriend for now" and told Shen Zhou directly: Your boyfriend cheated on you! Break up with him right away!

But not yet.

Zhou Jingxing tried hard to recall if the plan had taught how to deal with this situation. Then he remembered!

"When faced with a situation you can't handle, green tea is a good option."

At first, Zhou Jingxing didn't know what "green tea" was. Sun Qian listed a series of examples and provided several references. Zhou Jingxing had already downloaded a certain reading app and studied them carefully.

Zhou Jingxing looked at Chen Zhou with an innocent smile. "Won't this interfere with your business? I just remembered there's a really good hot pot restaurant nearby. Want to try it?"

Shen Zhou hesitated for two seconds, then agreed, "Okay, thank you."

Yes!

Zhou Jingxing was overjoyed inside, but he didn't show it on his face. He drove Chen Zhou to the hot pot restaurant, and sitting on the wide bench, looking at Chen Zhou across the steaming heat, Zhou Jingxing even felt a sense of unreality. Had things progressed this quickly? Would they be dating soon?

Shen Zhou looked at Zhou Jingxing and said, "Thank you, Teacher Zhou. I've wanted to come to this shop for a long time, but unfortunately my boyfriend is too busy with work and never has time to come with me."

Zhou Jingxing was plunged from heaven to hell by his words. He replied with a stiff smile, "Ah, you're welcome."

"Teacher Zhou, do you know any good shops around here? I'll be at the City Museum exhibition hall next week and would like to take a look around."

It's "Teacher Zhou" again!

Zhou Jingxing thought for a moment, but didn't answer his question directly. "Actually, I felt very familiar with you when I first met you, and after spending time with you, I realized what it means to feel like we've known each other forever." He looked directly at Chen Zhou with a sincere gaze. "So please don't call me 'Teacher Zhou' anymore, it sounds too formal. We're already friends."

Chen Zhou paused for a moment, then smiled again, "Of course, Jingxing."

Zhou Jingxing laughed too, "There's a street near the Provincial Museum with lots of artsy little shops. I think it's quite interesting. I'll be at the museum next week too, let's go together then."

Shen Zhou smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He picked up his teacup and took a sip of water. Zhou Jingxing, quick as a flash, immediately picked up the kettle and refilled his cup as soon as he put it down.

Chen Zhou gently touched the cup and said thank you, then said to him, "Jing Xing is so thoughtful, your partner is really lucky."

Zhou Jingxing recalled what the plan said: "At an appropriate time, casually indicate that you are single."

Chance!

"I don't have a partner. I've been single for 29 years." He asked, feigning nonchalance, "And you, how did you meet your partner?"

Shen Zhou lowered her head and revealed a gentle smile. "He was my high school classmate. We've known each other for many years. He was my first love."

What a scumbag! He betrayed his first love of many years just like that!

Zhou Jingxing was so angry his eyes were blazing, his heart aching with bitterness. He forced a dry smile and said, "Oh, that's good." With a self-destructive feeling, he asked Chen Zhou, "Why do you like him? Is he good to you?"

Shen Zhou blinked and smiled, saying, "Do you need a reason to like someone? You just like them. He's really good to me. Even though he's busy with work, he takes me on trips during his vacations. He remembers every anniversary we have and gives me gifts and surprises. He's also very good to my family. We get along very well."

I will be good to you too, no, I will be even better! I will take time off to travel with you, remember all the memorable days, give you gifts and surprises, and be good to your family, as long as you are willing to accept it...

Zhou Jingxing's teeth were so sore he almost broke from clenching them. He took a deep breath to calm himself before speaking, "That's great."

Chen Zhou smiled shyly, "Thank you." He comforted Zhou Jingxing, "You're a very good person too. Maybe it's just that your time hasn't come yet. I believe you'll find the right person."

Zhou Jingxing felt a pang of sorrow. Had he already received the "friend card" so quickly?

Seeing that Zhou Jingxing didn't speak, Shen Zhou said somewhat embarrassedly, "Did I talk too much?"

Zhou Jingxing perked up and said, "No, you're very real, and I think you're adorable."

Before Shen Zhou could say anything, the waiter came over to serve the food, and the two of them silently stared at the hot pot without saying a word.

After the waiter left, Zhou Jingxing decided to temporarily set aside the topic of Shen Zhou's scumbag boyfriend, a topic that was causing him heartache. He and Shen Zhou chatted about paintings and art exhibitions while eating, and he was pleasantly surprised to find that they liked similar styles and had similar views on some issues in the industry. In short, Shen Zhou was very compatible with him.

Zhou Jingxing once again resented the injustice of fate, wondering why he wasn't the one who encountered the sunken ship first!

When Zhou Jingxing got home that evening, he shared his bittersweet experiences from the night in the group chat.

Zhou Jingxing: I got his WeChat and even had dinner with him.

Zhang Jin: ! Dude, you're awesome!

Zhang Jin: The progress is acceptable!

Sun Qian: Congratulations! Did you follow the plan exactly?

Zhou Jingxing: Hmm

Zhou Jingxing proudly shared how he got the WeChat account, emphasizing the humorous parts he improvised.

Sun Qian: ...Where did you see that cheesy joke? Please delete it immediately.

Zhang Jin: Hahahaha, isn't it funny? I think it's hilarious!

Sun Qian: Cat with eyes closed.jpg

Zhou Jingxing couldn't help but ask Sun Qian about the scumbag boyfriend's infidelity.

Zhou Jingxing: Why won't you let me tell him directly about the scumbag's cheating? @Sun Qian

Sun Qian: Your relationship with him is just that of very ordinary friends.

Zhou Jingxing: So what? (Although I don't agree with your point of view)

Sun Qian: ...

Sun Qian: If you exposed her boyfriend's infidelity, there are only two possible outcomes: 1. He hates the scumbag so much that he broke up with you in anger, and every time he sees you, he will be reminded of the scumbag, affecting your relationship. 2. He is love-struck and thinks you are maliciously trying to sow discord, and every time he sees you, he will think you are a malicious person with ill intentions.

Zhang Jin: [Strong][Strong][Strong] That makes sense! My wife is amazing! A dating expert!

Zhou Jingxing: ...I bow down in admiration

For the next week, Shen Zhou was indeed in the exhibition hall every day. Zhou Jingxing seized the opportunity to take him to eat at several artsy little shops, and the two became more and more familiar and harmonious with each other.

That day after work, Zhou Jingxing went to the exhibition hall on the first floor as usual, but he didn't see Chen Zhou. He asked the staff and learned that something had happened to Chen Zhou's company.

Before this, Chen Zhou had been preparing for a new exhibition about the restoration of cultural relics. This was his first time independently curating an exhibition, so he put a lot of effort into it. To ensure a better presentation, he specially invited an international expert to serve as an art consultant.

But this afternoon he received news that the expert had been in a car accident. Although his life was not in danger, he had injured his leg and was unable to move around easily, so he could no longer serve as the art consultant for this exhibition. The opening dates had already been set, and it would be difficult to find someone else to fill in at the last minute. Shen Zhou rushed back to the company to deal with this matter.

Zhou Jingxing thought to himself, "Isn't this fate? He needs an expert, and I'm the perfect one!" Without a second's hesitation, Zhou Jingxing immediately dialed Chen Zhou's number.

"Jingxing, is there something wrong? I'm a bit busy at the company right now..." Shenzhou's voice sounded tired and helpless to him.

Zhou Jingxing asked him impatiently, "Chen Zhou, do you want a husband?"

"……ah?"