In Cady's bedroom, she was tidying up her makeup in front of the dressing table while talking on the phone with her new friends.
Meanwhile, in a basement, Janis, with heavy smoky eye makeup and dreadlocks, and the effeminate Damien, wearing a pink T-shirt, were giving Cady advice.
"Listen to me, Cady, if you really like Mike, you must seize this opportunity and take him down in one fell swoop..." In the dim basement, Janis sat cross-legged on a chair, offering her opinion.
"Exactly!" The effeminate Damien leaned against the workbench opposite him, then leaned closer to the phone and added, "I heard Regina originally wanted to ask Mike out shopping today, but he refused her. If you can win Mike over, it's like indirectly defeating The Plastics. Just thinking about it makes me excited..."
"Go for it, Cady. We all support you!"
Damien grew more and more excited as he spoke, finally cheering Cady on like a close girlfriend.
"No, no, Mike and I aren't what you think we are." Cady, in front of the dressing table, first shyly tried to deflect when she heard her two friends speak so bluntly. Then, she asked guiltily, "I... I mean, if... I wanted to find a boyfriend, what should I do?"
This was a classic case of trying to cover up the truth.
Hearing Cady's reply, the two in the basement exchanged a knowing look. Janis then said, "First, you need to create opportunities for the two of you to be alone. The atmosphere is very important... Trust me, a man and a woman alone in a room, Mike absolutely won't be able to resist your temptation."
"I already said, there's nothing going on between Mike and me..." Cady still wanted to hide it, but hearing the muffled laughter from the other end of the phone, she knew there was no point in being stubborn anymore: "Alright, what exactly should I do?"
"That's more like it. You should feel honored to have a chance to defeat The Plastics." Janis smiled and continued to instigate, "High school boys basically only think about those few things. Dress a little sexy today, and while drinking soup or holding coffee, accidentally spill it on his clothes, then suggest he go to the bathroom to clean up. Finally, you, dressed sexily, make a surprise attack...
By the way, Mike looks like he has a good physique, you definitely won't lose out..."
Janis spoke vividly, as if she were an expert on relationships.
On the other side, Cady listened to the description, and couldn't help but imagine Mike bathing, her cheeks instantly turning crimson, her misty eyes seemingly capable of ensnaring him.
A moment later, she fanned her face with her hand to dispel the heat, then said, "It's getting late, I'm going to hang up."
After ending the call, Cady sat in front of the dressing table for a while, and only after her inner turmoil had calmed down a bit did she walk out of the bedroom.
In the living room, Cady's mom had already prepared a lavish lunch, just waiting for the guests to arrive.
Cady's dad, meanwhile, sat quietly to the side, holding a newspaper, pretending to pass the time.
As soon as Cady came out, both their gazes focused on her.
"Isn't our daughter's outfit today a bit too casual?" Cady's dad whispered, shielding himself with the newspaper.
"Compared to that short skirt yesterday, this T-shirt is much better." Cady's mom replied to her husband, then got up and welcomed her daughter over.
"Cady, did you secretly drink in your room? Why is your face so red?" Cady's mom asked worriedly after sitting back down, noticing her daughter's flushed complexion.
"Mom~" Cady whined sweetly. To ease the awkwardness, she tugged at her loose T-shirt, fanning herself, and explained, "It might be too hot today, I'm still not quite used to it."
It was indeed very hot in Texas in August, so Cady's explanation was plausible.
And because Cady was a bit reserved, she didn't wear the alluring short skirt she had prepared last night.
However, the black oversized T-shirt she was wearing now, due to its length, created a visual effect of 'missing pants'.
Overall, its appeal to boys was still maximized.
Just as Cady's dad was about to subtly remind his daughter about her attire, there was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it~" Cady jumped up and ran towards the door, her two fair legs swaying.
A certain father, watching his daughter's joyful demeanor, stood frozen in place with his mouth half-open, as if under a spell.
"Alright, this is the first time Cady has had a friend visit. Be careful later, don't scare the guest." Cady's mom advised her husband, seeing his gloomy expression.
"Hmph~" Cady's dad slapped the newspaper onto the table, put on a stern face, and adopted a grandfatherly demeanor to express his displeasure.
At the door, Mike was slightly surprised by Cady's outfit today.
She had her hair in simple pigtails and wore light makeup, looking both cute and pretty.
Of course, these weren't the main points.
Cady's loose black T-shirt, at a glance, revealed her delicate collarbone and rounded thighs, leaving much to the imagination.
"This is Connie's special Texas brisket. I hope it suits your taste." Mike said with a smile, holding up the packaged brisket.
Looking at Mike, so close, and with their eyes meeting, Cady's face couldn't help but blush again.
She dizzily took the beef, her eyes darting away as she invited him in, "Come in quickly, my parents are waiting for you inside."
After speaking, she immediately turned around and led the way.
In fact, she didn't need to lead the way at all; as soon as Mike entered, he saw a middle-aged couple sitting in the living room.
The hostess had a gentle smile on her face, while the middle-aged man next to her looked very rigid.
Both of them were dressed in neat business attire at home, which seemed very mismatched with Cady's style.
Cady led Mike to the dining table and introduced him to her parents.
Then, she handed the gift Mike had brought to her mother.
"Hmm, it smells very good." Cady's mom first praised the gift Mike had brought, then said, "Mike, please have a seat. I'll go prepare the beef, and then we'll eat."
It must be said that humans are visual creatures; Mike's handsome appearance left a very good impression on Cady's mom.
Seeing her mother's friendly attitude towards Mike, Cady also smiled.
However, being next to Mike at that moment, she became incredibly sensitive, as if a warm current was flowing through her body.
To avoid making a fool of herself, she quickly said, "I'll go help in the kitchen!"
So, the mother and daughter left the dining table together, leaving the two men staring at each other.
"You're Mike, right? Are you in the same class as our Cady?" Cady's dad squinted, as if interrogating a prisoner.
"I'm an eleventh-grader, one grade below Cady." Mike noticed the man's displeasure, but he understood the other's feelings.
"So that means you're a year younger than our Cady?" Cady's dad's eyes were full of scrutiny.
Mike didn't overthink it and nodded slightly.
Cady's dad seemed displeased with Mike's age, furrowing his brows, and continued to ask, "Do you smoke or drink?"
"A little bit~" Mike gestured with his thumb and forefinger, responding modestly.
"Want one?" Cady's dad feigned familiarity, pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and offered one.
"Thanks, I don't smoke." Mike waved his hand to decline.
Seeing that Mike didn't take a cigarette, Cady's dad's expression improved slightly. Then, he lit a cigarette for himself, held it between his fingers, and feigned profundity, "Who's in your family, and where do they all work?"
As Cady's dad seemed to be heading towards a full background check, Mike's expression visibly grew serious.