Chapter 39 Blind Box Game
Evelyn's POV
I noticed Kane's brow furrow slightly; it was evidenthe didn't know what this was about either.
"For those who haven't found their partners yet, you now have ten minutes. Be quick about it," Michael waved his hand and continued.
"As for those who've already found their partners, next up, get ready for the game we're about to start - the Mystery Box of Fate!"
As the words left his lips, dozens of long tables materialized on the lawn, piled high with all kinds of gift boxes of different sizes.
They were a vibrant spectacle - some shimmering with golden light, some glowing with silver radiance, and others wrapped with vine-like patterns. Each one looked mysterious.
"The rules are straightforward."
Michael cleared his throat and announced loudly:
"Each pair must identify 'exclusive mystery box' from this pile. Once you find it, you need to work together to break the spell on the box and take out what's inside."
"Take heed! Using magic or brute force to breach the boxes is forbidden! I personally enchanted each box. Once violent cracking is detected, the box will self-destruct, and that pair will be immediately disqualified from tonight's competition!"
"Only partners who are truly in sync and have perfect bond can sense their own box and successfully open it."
"The winning pair will receive the 'mysterious grand prize' courtesy of the academy!"
The crowd instantly dissolved in discussion.
"Oh my god, we have to find a box? There's actually a game like this!"
"With so many boxes, how do we distinguish which one is ours?"
"I don't even know who my partner is yet!"
"Looks like this is when chemistry gets tested. If we pick wrong, won't we embarrass ourselves in front of everyone?"
I felt a twinge of confusion myself. Although Kane and I came together and danced, did we actually count as the academy's arranged "destined partners"?
After all, the earlier dress assignments didn't give us any clear hints.
"Don't fret over the rules. We are partners."
Kane seemed to sense my unease. He lowered his head and said quietly in my ear, "Come on, let's go find our box."
Ten minutes later.
All of us walked toward the sea of shimmering gift boxes scattered everywhere. Everyone was searching for their own box.
Someone seized a red box, and it instantly turned into a puff of smoke. Someone tried to pry open a golden box with force and got shocked by an electric current, yelping loudly.
Looks like Michael wasn't exaggerating.
The scene was verging on chaotic.
"Don't hurry, take your time."
Kane's voice steadied beside me. I nodded in response.
His gaze wasn't frantically darting around like others, but calmly and focused, scanning each box.
Suddenly, my eyes were drawn to an inconspicuous box in the corner.
Unlike the other flashy boxes, it had no complex patterns.
It lay there silently, in a deep and enigmatic dark purple color, just like the formal wear Kane was wearing tonight.
And on the dark purple base, a circle of pure white pearls was embedded, radiating a soft and gentle glow, just like the white dress I was wearing.
Dark purple and white pearls, cold and warm, perfectly merged together.
Most importantly, wasn't this a hint for our game?
"Kane, look at that one!"
I pointed at the box, saying excitedly.
Kane followed my finger and his eyes brightened instantly.
"Let's check it out."
He stepped over and picked up the box.
The box was surprisingly heavy. The moment Kane's fingers touched it, the circle of white pearls flickered slightly, as if responding to his touch.
"Looks like we've found it." Kane's lips curved into a smile as he said lightly.
"But how do we open it?" I looked at the smooth lid, feeling a bit worried.
"Professor Williams said we can't use force or magic. So this box must have its own way of unlocking..."
"There's no rush."
Kane looked around and said gently.
"Let's find a better spot."
He surveyed the surroundings, his gaze locking onto a long table not far away that had just been cleared of food.
We walked to that long table together.
Without hesitation, Kane reached out and grabbed a corner of the tablecloth, pulling down the large cloth.
I was a bit surprised by Kane's action, but then I saw him calmly spread the tablecloth on the ground, as if we were going on a picnic.
"The academy is probably going to be furious at what you just did!" I said with a laugh.
"Sit!" Kane replied, dismissing the thought, pointing at the tablecloth.
Looking at my high heels, I was indeed tired, so I didn't refuse and sat right down on the tablecloth.
Sure enough, the thick tablecloth blocked the coolness of the grass. It felt soft to sit on, and I felt much more comfortable.
Just as I settled down, a jacket still warm with body heat was draped over me.
I looked up and, as expected, Kane had given me his dark purple formal jacket. He was only wearing the white shirt underneath.
"You'll definitely be cold, just keep it on!" I quickly tried to return the jacket to him.
"I'm not cold."
He pressed down on my hand, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Keep it on, the dress is too thin at night."
Although September nights weren't particularly cold yet, the night breeze still carried a chill.
Looking at him in just his thin shirt, I knew I couldn't refuse him.
I patted the spot next to me, signaling him to sit here.
Kane obediently sat down, his long legs casually bent.
The huge tablecloth was so big that, with both of us sitting on it, there was actually something romantic about it. I thought to myself that if someone took a photo of us, this scene would look really good.
The crowd around us was still busy searching for boxes. Some were frustrated because they couldn't open their boxes, and others were so angry about having picked the wrong one that they threw it down.
Kane placed the dark purple mystery box between us.
"Kane, I'm a bit nervous, but I guess we're starting now?"
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heartbeat, and reached out to pick up the dark purple mystery box placed between us.
The box felt heavy and slightly cool to the touch, with a texture surprisingly similar to jewelry.
I cradled it, examining it from all angles, and my brow furrowed involuntarily.
"Strange!"