CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 30 PATTERNS VERSUS PATTERNS

As Xia Liang played the audio message, the audience in his livestream could feel the intense concern in the woman’s voice.

At this point, Xia Liang had no choice but to reply with feigned helplessness.

"I want to, I really do, but I don’t have any other friends. It’s too lonely going out by myself. Only video games keep me from feeling so alone. If... if only you could come keep me company, Susu, that would be great. But you have a boyfriend... sigh."

As he spoke, Xia Liang’s voice trailed off, which only made Susu more excited.

It seems that being proactive with him these past few days has paid off. I’ve successfully left an impression on him. In that case, it’s time to execute the second phase of the plan.

With that, Susu pulled out another phone and dialed a number. When the call connected, she spoke.

"Begin the operation in five minutes."

Without waiting for a response, she hung up. This time, she didn’t reply to Xia Liang. She put the other phone in her bag, took out a mirror to check her appearance, and after taking a couple of deep breaths, sent Xia Liang a video invitation.

On the other end of the line, Xia Liang was taken aback by Susu’s video invitation, and the livestream audience instantly perked up.

[So bold! She actually initiated a video call with the Anchor!]

[This is good! Now we can see if she actually looks like her photos!]

[Anchor! Answer the call! Let us see if she’s the real deal!]

[What happens when the call connects and she sees the Anchor wearing a mask?]

[Yeah, why don’t you take off the mask, Anchor? Let us see how handsome you are!]

Snapping out of his surprise, Xia Liang covered the front-facing camera with his hand before accepting the video call.

Once the call connected, Susu’s face appeared on the screen. She was clearly confident, having dared to make a video call in the first place.

On the screen was a girl with a classic oval face, almond-shaped phoenix eyes, and thin red lips that were slightly parted, revealing pearly white teeth. Her smooth, fair skin had a hint of a blush, her small nose was slightly upturned, and she wore a confident smile. Of course, it was possible that beautifying filters were responsible for this effect. Even so, she completely dazzled the audience in the livestream.

[Oh, mama! I think I’m in love! And with a scammer!]

[Draw your swords, gentlemen! Susu is mine!]

[Calm down, buddy! This is the internet! Don’t forget about beauty filters!]

[Yeah, the Four Great Asian Sorceries didn’t get their reputation for nothing.]

Meanwhile, on the other end, Susu’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly when she saw that Xia Liang’s screen was just a black void. Before she could ask, Xia Liang spoke, feigning nervousness.

"Susu... why did you video call me? I..."

Hearing his voice, Susu wanted to laugh.

He really is a Fatty. He even sounds nervous when he talks.

However, it was obviously not the time to laugh. She had to keep up the act. Susu put on a bright smile and brushed a lock of hair from her cheek with her left hand.

"Susu wants to see Brother Xia."

"Ah!" Xia Liang feigned shock, his voice filled with panic. "M-me? There’s nothing good to look at... I get nervous when I see you... I can’t even speak."

Is this social anxiety? Susu began guiding the conversation, trying to coax useful information out of him. Xia Liang, of course, played dumb and fed her the exact information he wanted her to have.

As Xia Liang spoke, Susu became even more certain of her assumptions. With that confirmed, the plan could proceed.

After checking the time, Susu took the other phone out of her bag and waved it in front of the camera.

"Since Brother Xia is shy, I won’t insist. Besides, I have something I need to do soon, so I can’t stay on the video call. Brother, can you give me your contact info?"

She pretended to get ready to write down his number. Xia Liang considered it. If he said his phone number on the livestream, he wouldn’t get a moment’s peace today. Just as he was hesitating, Susu’s other phone began to ring.

Her expression changed instantly, and she spoke with a sense of panic.

"Brother Xia, my boyfriend is calling. Don’t say anything, okay?"

With that, she answered the second call.

"Hello? Weiwei? Aren’t you at work? Why are you calling me now?"

It was obvious to everyone in the livestream that Susu was about to start some drama, and they all watched eagerly to see what she would pull.

Since Susu didn’t use the speakerphone, no one could hear what the person on the other end was saying. A few moments later, however, Susu spoke with an anxious tone.

"Didn’t I just send you money the day before yesterday? How did you spend it all so fast? I don’t want to ask my dad for more money. I don’t have any left right now."

In that moment, the performance Susu had practiced all day yesterday was flawlessly executed for her audience.

Over the next ten minutes, she vividly acted out a breakup scene. Watching the on-screen Susu sobbing with her head in her hands, the livestream viewers were stunned.

[I finally fucking get why they say all girls are born liars.]

[She’s crying? Just like that? Is it real? She can just cry on command?]

[What the hell? If she doesn’t win the Oscar for Best Actress this year, I’ll say the whole thing is rigged.]

[My god, what a show! Absolutely brilliant!]

Watching Susu cry on the floor, Xia Liang couldn’t help but let a corner of his mouth twitch into a smirk. Meanwhile, Susu was crying while inwardly cursing him.

You deserve to be single forever! You damn Fatty, can’t you comfort me a little? Are you dead? Is it fun watching me cry? Damn it! I think I used too many onions; my eyes are stinging.

Seeing that Susu was still crying, Xia Liang knew this couldn’t go on forever. Finally, he couldn’t hold back any longer.

"Susu, please don’t cry. It hurts me to see you like this. That scumbag isn’t worth your tears. You’ll be so much better off without him."

Hearing Xia Liang’s words, Susu finally breathed a sigh of relief. If this had gone on any longer, she would have had no way to gracefully end the scene. She slowly lifted her head.

"Brother Xia, he doesn’t want me anymore. He broke up with me. I’m so heartbroken."

Seeing Susu’s beautifully tragic, tear-streaked face, anyone who didn’t know better would have had their heart melt. The viewers in the livestream, however, were roaring with laughter.

[This Susu is really going all out to hook the Anchor.]

[She’s so afraid the Anchor won’t believe her that she’s staging a breakup on video.]

[Awesome! Looks like the Anchor is about to reach his goal.]

[Waiting for the Anchor to reel her in.]

[I can’t wait to see the look on her face when the Anchor takes her to the police station.]

[+1...]

"Don’t be sad, don’t be sad. You still have me. As long as you don’t mind... I... I can be your boyfriend."

Hearing Xia Liang’s reply, Susu felt a wave of relief wash over her. Now that he had said it, everything would go smoothly.

Susu looked up, her body still wracked with sobs.