Chapter 47
Although the character “Xiang” was easier to assemble than “Jing,” for someone like Jing Huan who struggles with puzzles, it still gave him quite a headache. Worried it might be too simple, he even shaped the middle “mouth” radical of “Xiang” into a heart.
No matter how you look at it, it’s absolutely perfect!
Yet half a minute after the fireworks display began, not a single teammate reacted.
Jing Huan raised an eyebrow and asked hesitantly, “Bro, you don’t like it?”
This is the result of your dad’s hard work all afternoon!!
If you dare say “don’t like it,” I’ll fucking…
Jing Huan picked up the milk tea beside him and took a big gulp.
……I can’t really do anything about it anyway.
I can always come up with another plan.
“Looks good,” Xiang Huaizhi said. “Is that why you’ve been hanging around under the altar all afternoon?”
Jing Huan replied, “Yeah… How did you know I was there?”
Xiang Huai paused: “I saw it.”
Seeing Xiang Huai talking to SweetJing, Lu Hang immediately moved closer, grabbed the headphone hanging by Xiang Huai’s side, put it on, and asked, “JingJing, this is really amazing! Did you save the firework template? Can you share it with me?”
Jing Huan was taken aback: “Ah, no, I didn’t.”
He had added each firework one by one based on the screenshots he took this afternoon.
“Then can you send me a screenshot? I’ll save it for future use,” Lu Hang said with a grin.
Jing Huan: “Sure, I’ll send it to you on WeChat.”
“OK, good teammate!” Lu Hang asked, “But won’t Qiufeng… know about this?”
Before Lu Hang could finish speaking, his headphones were taken off. Xiang Huaizi wiped the headphones with a tissue before leisurely putting them on himself: “If you don’t hurry up and finish the quests, don’t even think about defeating War God this weekend.”
Lu Hang was infuriated by his action: “I wash my ears every day! They’re spotless! Who the hell are you disgusted by?!”
“You.”
“……”
With a face full of resentment, Lu Hang sat back down at his desk. Soon, Jing Huan sent the screenshot of the fireworks to his WeChat. Since it was a random capture, it even included both his and Xin Xiangwangzhi’s game avatars in the frame.
After sending the photo to Lu Hang, Jing Huan dragged his mouse around, making the little fox spirit circle around the black-robed man.
Xiang Huaizhi was about to say something when a dialog box popped up on the game interface.
【Xiao Tianjing wants to hug you. Accept, Refuse.】
In Nine Heroes, there are many types of character actions, including solo actions and duo actions. As a large-scale social MMORPG, the game has even more duo actions than solo ones. Hugging is one of the duo actions.
Jing Huan was just feeling bored and clicked randomly. He had looked at a few firework-themed posts in the afternoon, where the male and female protagonists in the game screenshots were all pressed closely together, their poses more intimate than the last.
After a few seconds with no response, he decided to cancel the invitation.
Just as his mouse hovered over the “Cancel” button, the invitation interface suddenly disappeared.
There stood Little Fox Fairy, perched on the heart character in the word “Toward,” with her hands clasped together in front of her chest. She shyly leaned towards the man in the black robe, even raising one leg girlishly while her tail arched high behind her.
Xin Xiang Wang Zhi’s arm wrapped around his waist.
【You gently leaned into the arms of the one your heart yearns for.】
Jing Huan: “?”
Jing Huan: “!!!”
Jing Huan quickly took a screenshot while laughing wildly in his heart—
Just wait until you submit to Daddy’s charm—I’ll frame this photo! Put it in a display case! Mail it to your house! See if that doesn’t piss you off!
After taking the screenshot, Jing Huan licked his lips and sent another invitation.
[You have sent a princess carry invitation to Heart’s Desire.]
About ten seconds later, Heart’s Desire bent down and picked up the Little Fox Spirit.
The Little Fox Spirit buried its head in the other’s chest, its tail wagging playfully outside.
[You sent a piggyback ride invitation to Heart’s Desire.]
After a moment, Heart’s Desire crouched beside his legs. The little fox spirit smiled radiantly and happily climbed onto his back.
[You sent a kiss invitation to Heart’s Desire.]
Two seconds later.
【Heart’s Desire has declined your kiss request.】
[Current] Xiao Tianjing: ……
[Current] Sweet Little Scene: QAQ Waaahhhh!
If Lu Hang were to turn around now, he would discover that his dear roommate had unlocked one of the Nine Heroes’ special gameplay mechanics.
But he didn’t. At that moment, he was intently studying the fireworks merchant at the Temple of Heaven.
He had assembled fireworks himself before—to be honest, one of the long-circulated fireworks blueprints on the forum was actually crafted by his own hands. With that experience, while Jing Huan spent an entire afternoon piecing together the puzzle, he completed it in less than twenty minutes.
He took a screenshot of the template and casually shared it in the guild chat as a public service.
Lantern Firefly: Saved, thanks, boss.
Never Ask the Return Date: Hey, isn’t this the same fireworks blueprint the guild leader posted today? I asked the guild leader for the template earlier, and they told me it wasn’t saved! @Autumn Maple
Lu Tiaotiao: I pieced this together from screenshots of Xiao Jingjing [smug]
Mo Wen Guiqi: Damn impressive, though it seems a few patterns in this heart design are slightly different from the guild leader’s?
Lu Tiaotiao: Really? Maybe Xiao Jingjing modified some parts herself?
Mo Wen Guiqi: What do you mean [surprised]? Could Sweet Little Jing have also made a fireworks gift in return?
Lu Tiaotiao: [image]
The guild chat fell silent for a few seconds.
Favorite Peach Tea: ?! Am I seeing things? Why does the picture show Sweet Little Scene and Heart’s Desire??
Big Bro or Nah: You’re not mistaken…
Silently Speechless: I dare not say, I dare not ask.
No Asking When to Return: @SweetScenery Hahaha what’s going on.
Jing Huan was persistently sending invitations to Heart’s Desire—kissing was refused, deep kissing was refused, even a cheek kiss was rejected by Heart’s Desire!!
He clicked his tongue in annoyance—what, is it me taking advantage of you if we kiss in the game?!
He was just thinking about whether to act a little coquettish when a WeChat notification popped up in the bottom right corner.
Xiao Tianjing: Ah, what’s up? 0.0
Mo Wen Gui Qi: You and Heart’s Yearning actually set off fireworks together in the guild!
Xiao Tianjing: (///v///) Hmm? Got caught~ The scenery is nicer in the guild space.
DumplingDudu: Is the scenery better than the Moon Palace? [wink]
PeachTeaLover: We thought you and the Hall Master were getting married. [shut up]
SweetScenery: Ah, I really want to marry my brother, but he won’t accept me yet >.<
PeachTeaLover: ……
My Destiny Peach Tea: I was talking about Hall Master Qiufeng.
Sweet Little Scenery: ?!
Sweet Little Scenery: How could I possibly marry anyone else?! [horrified face] Qiufeng and I are just friends!
Qiufeng: Casually strolling by while proudly holding a friend card.
My favorite drink is Zhizhi Taotao: 23333
Don’t Ask When I’ll Return: Guild Leader, you’re not doing well enough.
Autumn Maple: Indeed, the revolution is not yet complete, and we must continue to work hard.
The group chat suddenly became lively. After briefly glancing at a few messages, Xiang Huaizhi turned back to the game only to realize the fireworks on the ground had already disappeared.
He formed a team: “Join the party.”
Jing Huan snapped back to attention and quickly jumped into his team.
Just as he was about to ask what they were going to do, he saw Xiang Huaizhi leading him to the guild’s carriage driver. The two were then transported to the guild treasury.
[Guild Announcement: Xiang Wang Zhizhi has paid 40 gold to the guild for “borrowing guild premises for twenty minutes.”]
A row of question marks immediately flooded the guild channel.
Jing Huan was also taken aback. Before he could react, he was already taken back to the main city by Heart Towards Him.
[Heart Towards Him gave you Gem x1]
Jing Huan glanced at the item in his backpack and asked, “Brother?”
“Enhance it. You’ll heal more in the arena from now on,” Xiang Huai said.
The higher the gem level, the more expensive it is. This level 10 gem would definitely cost four digits in RMB.
Jing Huan hesitated for a moment but still accepted it: “Okay.”
Every five levels of gems increase the equipment’s base attributes randomly. After embedding the gem, Jing Huan sent the ring to the team.
“Brother, it rolled the highest attribute!” he exclaimed excitedly.
Xiang Huaizhi clicked to take a look—it was indeed the best attribute. “Mhm.”
“Thank you, gege,” Jing Huan adeptly sent a voice kiss. “Mwah~”
“…” Xiang Huaizhi’s lips stiffened for a moment before he finally said, “Don’t just kiss anyone.”
Once might be awkward, but twice makes it familiar—Jing Huan no longer felt any trace of shame at all.
“What does it matter? I don’t kiss anyone else.” He paused, “Or does it not sound good when I kiss you?”
It’s not that it sounds bad.
Xiang Huaizhi’s expression shifted slightly before he finally said, “The Arena is about to open. Let’s go test the ring.”
“Alright,” Jing Huan was successfully diverted, looking puzzled. “But, gege, didn’t you say you had something to do today and couldn’t play in the Arena?”
Did he say that?
Xiang Huaizhi thought back… it seems there was such a thing.
“No rush,” Xiang Huaizhi paused, “there’s still time for two matches.”
“Quitting the arena mid-match will cost points, forget it.” Jing Huan considered, “Brother, how about we go to the dueling ring for a 1v1 match instead?”
The arena is located in the center of the main city. Players standing on the arena can spar freely, with no consequences for winning or losing.
Xiang Huaizhi: “Sure.”
Jing Huan pouted: “But you’re so skilled, brother. Wouldn’t you kill me with one strike?”
Xiang Huaizhi said calmly: “No.”
The two quickly arrived at the arena. Since it was currently arena time, there were almost no one on the platform.
Jing Huan rubbed his hands in anticipation. He had long wanted to have a PK match with Xiang Huai Zhi, as only by standing face to face could one truly gauge the opponent’s strength.
Xiang Huai Zhi had just disbanded the team when he was dragged into the battle scenario.
[Little Sweet Jing has initiated a friendly duel with you.]
Jing Huan finally understood why Heart’s Desire had said “won’t” earlier.
He saw the black-robed man standing quietly opposite him, holding a plain white longsword in his hand—an ordinary, common-grade weapon.
Heart’s Desire had taken off his divine artifact.
Damn! Is this scumbag looking down on me?!
[Current] SweetScenery: QAQ Wuwuwu, brother is so nice.
Xiang Huaizhi didn’t respond to him, gripping his sword and charging forward.
Meanwhile, in the guild’s WeChat group chat.
Chun Xiao: Need one more for Arena 2V2, I’m DPS healer.
Autumn Maple: Where’s your wife?
Spring Xiao: She went out to play. Best to get someone with crowd control, preferably a mobile M.
Spring Xiao had been frequently matched with Heart’s Desire’s team recently. Without crowd control, she and Yearning for Love had basically never won.
Brother Big or Not: Deputy Leader, carry me! God Xiang isn’t doing JJC tonight, with our two burst DPS, no one can stop us!
Chun Xiao: How do you know he doesn’t fight?
Brother Da Buda: I just passed by the arena and saw him fighting 1v1 with Sweet Little Jing, so I casually asked.
Arena? 1v1?
Chun Xiao frowned. She remembered that Heart’s Desire never went to the arena.
She thought for a moment, then maneuvered her game character toward the arena.
Quite a crowd had gathered around the arena, even livelier than usual, all there to spectate.
As Chunxiao entered the spectator interface, she happened to see Xiaotianjing being slashed to the ground, her fox tail trembling pitifully before going still, leaving only her summoned nine-tailed celestial fox still standing in the arena.
Xinxiangwangzhi stood quietly by her side, holding an ordinary longsword.
[Current] Xiao Tianjing: ……
[Current] Sweet Scene: Since big brother has defeated me, I can only offer myself in marriage [wiping tears]
[Current] Heart Yearns: ?
[Current] Sweet Scene: I’m holding a martial arts contest to choose a spouse. With so many people here now, it’s perfect to bear witness for us. A bet is a bet, I won’t go back on my word. [shy]
[Current] Heart’s Desire: …You never mentioned this before.
[Current] Sweet Scene: Saying it now is just the same.
[Current] Little Sweet Scene: Brother, when is our wedding day? Whose house will we use as the wedding home? Do you prefer a baby boy or a baby girl?
It seems the martial arts contest to win a spouse has ended.
Chun Xiao was about to exit the spectator mode when she saw Heart’s Yearning suddenly sheathe his sword, recall his divine beast, and then turn around—fleeing the PK scene without a second glance.
You can find the complete translated novel in the link below
