Chapter Five: A Date Destined to Succeed

The stars in Wanxing's palm stabbed her. Misfortune had chosen her: surrender her mother's legacy or watch Xiaoman die. Her two closest people were both here. Whatever the ledger selected, she lost. “Wrong movie,” she said. The nurse blinked. “It's called Lucky Lovers. We should treat tonight like a date.” Wanxing turned to Jibai. “Do you trust me?” “Always.” “Then ask me to dance.” He took her hand. On their first step he broke a copper wire; on the second he kicked away a detonator. On the third, every echo rose. Looking into his eyes, Wanxing chose a result she truly believed: when this dance ends, Xiaoman walks out awake, the Red Hats lose their power to hurt anyone, and Jibai takes no fatal wound for me.