It wasn’t a QQ-style cartoon avatar, but a real person’s photo. There were two popular stars, with the one at the top called “Doll Sister”, and a line of info that read:

　　“I’m really speechless at some guys. They use sweet talk just to get my phone number, then immediately call me. Fine, call me, but then they ask how big my boobs are? Damn it, what business is it of yours how big my boobs are? Whether I show them or not is none of your business either. Haven’t you seen boobs before? If not, go home and ask your mom! Do you even know what SMS dating is!”

　　Damn, that’s intense?

　　David Parker’s eyes lit up. His family had just bought him a cell phone for college, and his heart started to race. He quickly clicked on this Doll Sister and went to her personal page.

　　“30 years old, Beijing, unmarried, height 170, weight 112, profession: lingerie model, hobbies: making friends.”

　　“Looking for: men who can conquer me!”

　　“Phone number: not visible to guests.”

　　There was also a photo album feature, with two pictures inside.

　　As mentioned earlier, it was very rare to see personal photos in those days. David Parker took a glance, his eyes widened, first going “yo,” then turning into “yo yo yo!”

　　In one photo, she was kneeling on the bed, wearing tight jeans below, her hips round and perky, no top, just a bright red bra. She was kneeling, turning her head, upper body lowered, hips raised, showing off her curves in a way that was both sexy and alluring.

　　The other photo was much more natural, as if she was taking a break at work, casually sitting on a chair, holding a cup, drinking water, tilting her head back, chest out—you could almost feel her throat moving and see the impressive rise and fall of her chest.

　　The scattered clutter, backpack, and the TV left on in the background all added to the sense of real presence.

　　“Wow!”

　　David Parker’s eyes were glued to that mound of flesh. He’d seen porn before, but that was acted—this was real!

　　You couldn’t comment on the photos, but members had a message board, showing 829 messages.

　　David Parker stared for a long time, but with a critical eye, not intending to interact. He returned to the homepage to keep exploring, and soon saw the second popular star.

　　Smiling Girl!

　　Her profile said: “Really want to find someone to watch a movie with.”

　　David Parker clicked into her personal page, which showed: “19 years old, Beijing, height 167, weight 82, profession: student, hobbies: reading, traveling, watching movies.”

　　“Looking for: Hmm, no real requirements, just friends who are easy to talk to.”

　　“Phone number: not visible to guests.”

　　There was also a photo album with three pictures.

　　They were taken on a riverbank, with the rising sun, lush wild grass, moored boats, and the girl smiling at the camera. She wore a simple plaid shirt, pant legs rolled up, revealing two fair, tender calves.

　　“……”

　　David Parker clicked in, and at first glance, he knew he was in trouble!

Chapter 13: Social Routines

　　Any social product, from its inception, inevitably carries a hookup element.

　　It’s human nature.

　　When you see a girl online from your city, whose looks you like, and you can even get her contact info—never mind 2001, even now plenty of people willingly fall into that trap.

　　David Parker instinctively wanted to leave her a message, but got the prompt: “Guests do not have this function!”

　　Looking at the message board showing 1,276 messages, he actually felt a strange sense of crisis. Without hesitation, he went back to the homepage to carefully check the membership instructions.

　　“You can click on ads to subscribe to ringtone and image download services, 10 yuan per month (can be unsubscribed). After successful subscription, you’ll receive a password to join the members club.

　　Once you become a member, you can not only see other members’ full profiles, but also post your own dating info, or initiate local meetup events…”

　　Ten yuan a month, and you can unsubscribe.

　　For people who could afford a cell phone, this was no problem at all.

　　David Parker casually clicked on a TOM ad, an input box popped up, he entered his phone number, clicked send, and within seconds, a text notification beeped:

　　“You have successfully subscribed to TOM ringtones and image download service, blah blah blah…”

　　Then another line: “You have successfully joined the Love Connection Club. Please remember your password xxxx. Enter your phone number to log in.”

　　Done!

　　David Parker was thrilled, David Parker was excited, David Parker’s blood was pumping, his face flushed red—he was ready for some passionate dating!

　　He hurriedly logged in, rushed to Smiling Girl’s page, and sure enough, the profile had changed, with a few more lines: “Favorite places for dates: movie theaters, bookstores, malls, restaurants.

　　Favorite date activities: watching movies, shopping and eating.”

　　At the end, Smiling Girl had already started a local meetup event: hoping to find someone to watch “Pearl Harbor” together.

　　“Pearl Harbor”?

　　That American blockbuster?

　　David Parker didn’t care about that for now—he just wanted to see her phone number, and then, and then, and then he would…

　　Gah!

　　His short, thick fingers seemed frozen on the mouse, staring unblinking at the words on the screen: “Only visible to close friends!”

　　(╯°Д°)╯︵┻━┻

　　What does that mean! What does that mean! What does that mean!