NOVEL NEXT Chapter 439: YuanYuans Icebreaking Plan
Xia Yuan had dreamed of forming a band since high school.
To help realize this dream, Mei Fang continuously scouted reliable members—providing material and spiritual support along the way.
Now the lineup was complete:
Yet conflicts between Liu Xiaoyu and Peng Xue over creative differences threatened team cohesion—prompting Xia Yuan, as band leader, to take action.
She sought advice from Mei Fang and Lin Youxi.
Drawing from years of "water-treading" experience, CEO Mei Fang suggested:
"This isn't irreconcilable. Create opportunities for calm dialogue—that should resolve it."
Meanwhile, Young miss Lin Youxi analyzed deeper:
"Beyond musical passion, Peng Xue and Liu Xiaoyu joined largely out of loyalty to you. Their mutual bonds are weak—this applies to Bingbing too."
"Haha! Youxi barely has close friends yet sounds so authoritative on team management!"
"Different concepts entirely." Lin Youxi lectured sternly. "Team leadership requires balance—unlike friendships where favoritism is fine."
"B-but I'd be fair!"
"How to communicate that? Official announcements?"
"Hmm… not ideal."
Xia Yuan nodded. "So we need bonding activities… But what? Dinner last night only made Bingbing fuller…"
"How about a haunted house escape room?"
Lin Youxi proposed. "Dark, confined spaces foster camaraderie through shared fear—the suspension bridge effect. If they're interested, that is."
"Haunted houses? Pengcheng's aren't scary though…"
"A colleague's family runs a horror-themed escape room. Department reviews praised its terror—many girls cried."
Mei Fang suddenly alert. "? Did he invite you too?"
"As department head, I received a courtesy invite—which I courteously declined."
"What's his employee ID? Let me check…"
"Why? Planning to fire him over imagined advances?"
"Of course not!"
Mei Fang backpedaled. "I'm not that petty—too many admirers to track. Just… heightened awareness."
Lin Youxi enjoyed his flustered "firmness," then told Xia Yuan: "Try that venue. I'll arrange special tasks forcing Liu Xiaoyu and Peng Xue to cooperate while being chased by NPCs."
"Okay but…" Xia Yuan hesitated. "I'm terrified of haunted houses! With just us four, I'll panic."
Her gaze shifted to Mei Fang.
"Ah… want me along?"
"Is that bad?"
"My presence might seem abrupt. How about inviting more? Youxi?"
"My attendance would make me the public enemy, ruining the mood."
"What nonsense! If you mean 'the woman who stole Ah Fang,' I'm equally guilty! Why am I not resented?"
"Some truths… require no explanation."
Xia Yuan felt thoroughly disrespected!
Once decided, Lin Youxi swiftly booked tomorrow's session—a 5-6 player scenario—through her colleague.
Meanwhile, Xia Yuan invited Peng Xue, Liu Xiaoyu, Xiang Bingbing, and Yue Xinyi (the blunt but beloved "team lubricant")—though Yue Xinyi opted out, preferring alternative roles.
…
Next day, the group gathered at Mei Fang's compound gate—where he'd escort them.
Peng Xue arrived first, followed by Liu Xiaoyu and Xiang Bingbing.
Xiang Bingbing's radiant energy quickly warmed Peng Xue—their limited prior interactions notwithstanding.
Liu Xiaoyu and Peng Xue exchanged polite nods but no further interaction.
As Peng Xue considered apologizing for yesterday's harshness, a black Mercedes S550 pulled up—halting her intentions.
Xia Yuan's cheerful face emerged from the window:
"Hop in! Let's go!"
"Woohoo!"
As Xiang Bingbing moved to enter, Mei Fang stopped her: "Bingbing, you're tallest—don't sit middle."
"Aww…"
Xiang Bingbing pouted, relinquishing the spot to Liu Xiaoyu.
"Ah Fang thinks I'm too big?"
"Not at all! Read the room…"
"Kidding! Hehe~"
Her playful tongue-stick stirred Mei Fang's disciplinary urges—though only to the "nighttime punishment" level reserved for Xia Yuan.
Meanwhile, Peng Xue—head down, phone in hand—responded minimally to Mei Fang's greetings.
Though they'd met during winter break, Peng Xue had since kept her distance—having confessed to Xia Yuan about unresolved feelings for Mei Fang.
Xia Yuan understood, hence ignored Peng Xue's coldness—instead patting Mei Fang's shoulder:
"Let's go-go-go!"
"Seatbelt. Hair tidy… So childish."
As Mei Fang adjusted Xia Yuan's visor mirror, their marital vibe overflowed—making Xiang Bingbing envious:
"Too sweet! I'm stuffed on PDA!"
"If Bingbing's full, we must've overfed…"
Xia Yuan noted the silent tension between Peng Xue and Liu Xiaoyu—her heart aching.
"Did you review the escape room premise? Xue? Yu?"
"Mm."
Liu Xiaoyu nodded. "Office worker ghosts seeking vengeance… New 'mild horror' script with twist ending. Maybe surprises…"
"Calling the twist 'surprising' after spoiling it?"
Peng Xue's jab drew Liu Xiaoyu's retort: "That's in the synopsis—not spoilers. Preparing respects others' time."
"Pre-knowledge ruins immersion! This isn't homework."
"I just don't want to inconvenience anyone…"
"How noble."
"Simply avoiding being a bother." Liu Xiaoyu turned away.
Through the rearview mirror, Mei Fang observed their spat before remarking:
"You two are oddly well-matched."
"Seriously?"
Peng Xue bristled, gripping Mei Fang's seat. Liu Xiaoyu looked equally stunned.
"The Peng Xue I knew treated life as a joke—rarely serious except with YuanYuan…"
"That Peng Xue died in Rongcheng years ago."
Her tone turned icy. "'Well-matched' describes couples—say that to YuanYuan if you're gifting her to me. Otherwise it's just cringe."
"Agreed. Poor word choice."
Liu Xiaoyu's soft but firm rebuttal followed.
Having successfully united them against a common "enemy," Mei Fang gloated to Xia Yuan:
"See this move? When two people feud, find something they mutually dislike—like 'Mei Dog' here."
"Noted!"
Xia Yuan pretended to take notes. "But you calling yourself 'Mei Dog' is weird!"
"Factual though! As long as our band unites, they can call me that daily~"
His self-deprecation finally drew laughs from both girls—who indeed shared this nickname for him.
Tch…
Truly a dog.
Peng Xue cursed inwardly—though her hostility toward Liu Xiaoyu lessened slightly.
Right… We're both fooled by this 'Mei Dog.' No need for mutual dislike…
At the escape room, after backstory briefings, roles were assigned:
(Xia Yuan instantly embraced her "vixen" role, clinging to Mei Fang.)
Liu Xiaoyu, Peng Xue, and Xiang Bingbing received their own tasks—with Liu Xiaoyu and Peng Xue's roles requiring frequent collaboration, while Xiang Bingbing relished her solo challenges:
"Ha! My hometown's creepier than this!"
Despite brave exteriors, once inside the authentically terrifying set, Xia Yuan trembled:
"A-Ah Fang… The cats! Forgot to feed them! Let's go back!"
"Youxi fed them this morning!"
"Then get Youxi here! I'm scared witless!"
As Xia Yuan teetered toward surrender, Mei Fang pinched her cheeks:
"Remember your purpose! Band leader! You can't quit—"
"Then kiss me! I need energy!"
"Colleagues might see…"
"No kiss no courage…"
Legs giving out, Xia Yuan collapsed into Mei Fang's arms—his heart swelling with delight at being needed.
This bliss lasted mere seconds before Xiang Bingbing charged ahead:
"Ready! Charge!"
Her fearless sprint inward highlighted life's universal truth:
No two souls share identical joys and fears…