**Thursday.**
**Palma Garden Restaurant.**
The four-person date with Adam, Caroline, Chandler, and Aurora had begun.
Dating culture in Arica has so interesting aspects.
Oftentis, instead of n talking with n and won talking with won, n chat with each other's girlfriends, and vice versa.
It makes sense—perhaps it's designed around human nature, based on ideas like "n and won make conversations more engaging" or "people always seek novelty."
So now, Adam had no choice but to politely turn toward Aurora and make conversation.
**"So, Adam, I heard you're a writer?"**
Aurora's eyes were enchanting, her tone seductive, and her entire presence exuded a romantic aura.
**"I'm still a student. Writing is just a side job."**
Adam smiled modestly, maintaining a polite distance.
To him, that kind of romantic aura could be sumd up in one phrase: *Tightly bound ships never get seasick.*
It was best for most people to keep their distance. As soone who prided himself on self-discipline, Adam felt the sa way.
**"That's still impressive."**
Aurora rested her chin on one hand, her long curls partially covering her eyes as she stared straight at Adam. The admiration in her gaze was almost overflowing, but it only made Adam think of two significant locations in *Journey to the West*—the **Spider Cave** and the **Water Curtain Cave.**
Adam couldn't help but glance at Chandler, who was chatting obediently with Caroline, seemingly unaware of what was happening on this side of the table.
**"Chandler is my good friend,"** Adam reminded her.
**"So?"** Aurora replied with a charming smile.
**"So, please don't hurt him."**
Adam frowned.
**"How am I hurting him?"** Aurora chuckled.
**"Then what was your foot trying to do just now?"** Adam asked sarcastically. **"Curious about how much change I have in my pocket?"**
**"And if I am?"**
Aurora didn't seem to notice Adam's cold tone. She assud he was just not used to her approach—like all the other n she had encountered at first—so she playfully extended her long legs under the table again and teased, **"I believe the coins in your pocket must be neatly rolled up~"**
**"Enough."**
Adam blocked her advance again and warned in a low voice, **"Chandler is sitting right across from you. Show so respect."**
**"Are you worried he'll be upset?"**
Aurora was growing even more intrigued by Adam. A young, handso writer and Chandler's close friend—he was exactly her type. And she had never been one to hold back.
**"Don't worry. Chandler won't mind. You've probably heard that I have both a husband and a boyfriend. Chandler is perfectly fine with that."**
As she spoke, her eyes glead. **"And I heard from him that your views on relationships are just like mine. Aren't you and Caroline the sa way? Maybe we could…"**
**"Stop!"**
Adam couldn't take it anymore. If this continued, he'd be getting a **"Warning for Excessive Electricity."** He quickly stood up, using the restroom as an excuse, and shot Chandler a look. Chandler chuckled and followed him.
**"What's up?"**
**"Here's the deal…"**
After carefully choosing his words, Adam explained the situation tactfully. **"I think Caroline and I will head out first. You guys continue?"**
Chandler's jaw dropped, and for a long mont, he couldn't close his mouth.
He had heard about Aurora's husband, Rick, and her boyfriend, Ethan, but they were elsewhere, so he had just treated it as an abstract concept.
Now, facing the reality that even with soone as charming as him sitting here, Aurora still wanted to bring in his best friend, the shock was overwhelming.
**"You okay?"**
Adam nudged him when he saw Chandler still frozen in shock.
**"Yeah… yeah, I'm fine."**
Chandler forced a smile and joked, **"I an, group activities aren't necessarily a bad thing, right? Nobody really loses…"**
**"Stop right there."**
Adam frowned. **"I can't accept that kind of 'activity.' Chandler, I've told you before—while I believe in 'dating without love,' I have one rule when it cos to friends: I never get involved with a friend's girlfriend, or even an ex-girlfriend."**
**"I know. I was just kidding."**
Seeing Adam's serious expression, Chandler dropped the playful attitude.
**"This is about our friendship, too."**
Adam patted Chandler's shoulder. **"Imagine this—you're getting intimate with soone, and suddenly, tiny versions of your friends pop up from different parts of her body, saying, 'Hey, I was here before you…'"**
**"Ugh!"**
Chandler shuddered violently and shouted, **"Okay, okay! I get it! Stop right there!"**
**"Heh."**
Adam chuckled. **"I'll stay out of this one. Can you bring Caroline over for ?"**
After Chandler left, Caroline arrived shortly after.
Adam explained the situation, and Caroline was just as stunned.
**"Want one?"**
Caroline pulled out a pack of slim cigarettes from her pocket. When Adam declined, she skillfully lit one for herself, taking a deep drag.
**"Smoking isn't good for you."**
Adam advised, **"Still stressed about work?"**
Caroline nodded, then shook her head. She took another deep inhale, exhaling a cloud of smoke that lingered between them before saying, **"Adam, do you believe in God?"**
**"No, I'm a firm believer in science. I trust in technology."**
Adam smiled.
**" neither."**
Caroline nodded. **"But even in this day and age, so many people still blindly believe in God, or even demonic forces. They do all kinds of crazy things, even hurting others because of it. Don't you think people like that are just hopelessly foolish and wicked?"**
**"What happened? Why bring this up all of a sudden?"**
Adam sensed sothing was off and looked at Caroline through the haze of smoke.
**"Nothing."**
Caroline took another drag and shook her head. **"I just heard so things recently that made
think. I often wonder—if these people truly believed in God, instead of wasting their ti on crazy acts, wouldn't it be better to use their money to actually practice kindness? If they did, there'd be fewer cases like Mr. Tucker's."**
**"You're still thinking about Mr. Tucker?"**
Adam finally understood and subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. **"Just do what you can. Don't be too hard on yourself."**
**"Yeah, you're right."**
Caroline suddenly smiled. **"Just do what I can."**
Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted from the restaurant.
**"It's Chandler!"**
Adam's hearing was far sharper than the average person's, and he imdiately recognized Chandler's voice. His expression changed, and he dashed toward the scene.
Caroline quickly put out her cigarette and followed.
**"Call an ambulance!"**
Chandler shouted.
Adam pushed through the crowd and was t with a shocking sight—Aurora, the charming, flirtatious Italian beauty who had seduced countless n, was now kneeling on the ground…
With a gleaming fork stabbed straight into her neck.
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