Chapter 49

Jing Huan found it quite peculiar.

Before his sophomore year, he had never even met Xiang Huaizhi. Yet ever since their encounter in the hallway, it seemed they kept running into each other constantly.

They bumped into each other while traveling, playing basketball, and even at the library.

Recalling the three cups of milk tea Xiang Huaizhi had treated him to last time, Jing Huan contemplated whether he should buy a cup of coffee at the counter to thank him.

He turned to ask, only to see Xiang Huaizhi frowning, engrossed in reading.

Xiang Huaizhi wasn’t actually reading the contents of the classic novel at all.

He was reminiscing—trying to figure out what he had done to be labeled as “not much of a person.”

After all the calculations, it seems it’s only about that incident with Xian Mengmeng.

Should he clarify things with him in the game, so he doesn’t keep seeing him as a scumbag?

But if he makes it clear, would this person still be so infatuated with him?

No.

Recalling SweetJing’s shocking remarks in the game, Xiang Huaizhi pursed his lips.

“Senior Xiang?”

Xiang Huaizhi snapped back to attention and glanced sideways, “Hmm?”

“Would you like some coffee?” Jing Huan asked. “Should I bring you a cup while I’m at it?”

“Yes,” Xiang Huaizhi snapped out of his thoughts and stood up before him. “I’ll buy it.”

“No need, I’ll go…”

Before Jing Huan could finish speaking, Xiang Huaizhi had already flipped the book face down on the table and stood up to walk out.

Jing Huan: “…”

The phone suddenly beeped. Jing Huan withdrew his gaze and tapped to check the message.

Lu Wenhao: @Xiao Jing Huan, aren’t you lonely studying alone in the library? Why don’t you join us after you’re done reviewing? I’m short on dungeon runners here. [shy emoji]

Xiao Jing: Get lost, not lonely.

He raised his phone, took a photo of the book lying face down beside him, and sent it to the group chat.

Lu Wenhao: ???

Lu Wenhao: So you really have a girl behind our backs.

Xiao Jing: Girl my ass, it’s a guy.

Lu Wenhao: Besides me and Xiang’er, what other guy would go to the library with you??

Jing Huan laughed softly and was about to reply when he saw Xiang Huai Zhi walking toward him with two cups of coffee.

Xiang Huai Zhi had broad shoulders and long legs, with a top-tier physique. When he walked, it was as if he carried a gust of wind with him, and few girls around could resist stealing a glance at him.

Jing Huan instinctively turned his phone, aimed the camera at Xiang Huai Zhi, recorded a three-second video, and sent it to the group chat.

Lu Wenhao: Damn, you guys just slept together once and you’re already this close?

Xiao Jingya: ?

Xiaojingya: Speak properly. We just happened to run into each other.

Of course, Xiang Huaizhi knew he was filming him.

He placed the coffee on the table. “It’s hot.”

“Thanks,” Jing Huan snapped back to reality and raised his phone to explain. “Lu Wenhao asked who I was with, so I recorded a video for him.”

Xiang Huaizhi took a casual glance.

Seeing the phrase “slept for a while,” he paused before averting his gaze: “Mmm, it’s fine.”

The two spent the entire afternoon in the library.

It wasn’t until the main lights in the library turned on that Jing Huan finally surfaced from the ocean of knowledge, struggling ashore.

He sighed and called out dejectedly, “Senior.”

Xiang Huaizhi: “Finished reviewing?”

“…Kind of.”

“Can you pass the exam next week?”

“No.”

“……”

“But I tried my best.” Jing Huan closed the book. “Man proposes, God disposes. Let fate take its course.”

Xiang Huai Zhi laughed.

This junior seemed like a completely different person in real life compared to how he was in the game, except for his persistent optimism.

It was already dark outside as the two walked side by side out of the library.

“How about getting some dinner?” Xiang Huaizhi asked naturally.

Jing Huan replied, “Sounds good, but this time it’s my treat.”

“No need,” Xiang Huaizhi paused, “As your senior, I’ll pay.”

Jing Huan laughed and turned his head, saying, “If that’s the case, I’m younger than you, so it should be me treating you.”

Xiang Huaizhi frowned, about to say something more, but was cut off by Jing Huan: “Senior, friendship is all about give and take. If you always pay, I’d feel too embarrassed to eat with you next time.”

Xiang Huaizhi locked eyes with him for a long moment before conceding, “Alright.”

The two went for a home-style meal. Throughout dinner, Jing Huan kept pulling out his phone to type messages.

Xiang Huaizhi appeared calm as he sipped his soup, but in reality, his phone in his pocket had been vibrating incessantly.

After eating and drinking his fill, Jing Huan paid the bill and generously offered, “Senior, if you ever go to the library to study, you can call me. I’ll keep you company.”

Since the point of going to the library was naturally for peace and quiet, there was no need for company.

That was what Xiang Huaizhi thought, but outwardly he nodded and replied, “Okay.”

“Then, senior, I’ll head back first.” Jing Huan put his phone in his pocket and, before leaving, suddenly thought of something. “Wait, senior, can I call you something else from now on?”

Calling you ‘senior’ all the time feels so awkward.

Xiang Huaizhi raised an eyebrow. “Sure.”

“So what should I call you?” Jing Huan pondered. “Huaizhi? Brother Zhi? Brother Huai?”

Xiang Huaizhi listened quietly, inexplicably feeling that neither option sounded quite right.

“You can call me brother.”

“…” Jing Huan was stunned, “Huh?”

Realizing what he had just said, Xiang Huaizhi also froze for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure: “I’m older than you—isn’t calling me brother perfectly normal?”

It makes perfect sense.

Jing Huan hesitated for a moment: “…Brother?”

The tone was different from what Xiang Huaizhi usually heard—it wasn’t as coquettish or sweet. Jing Huan clearly felt somewhat embarrassed; his voice sounded both restrained and shy.

Yet Xiang Huaizhi thought it sounded much better than how he called out in the game.

Jing Huan called out once but immediately felt it was wrong, blushing with a laugh: “Never mind, that seems too cheesy… I’d better just call you Brother, or Brother Xiang?”

Xiang Huaizhi lowered his eyes, suppressing his emotions: “As you wish, let’s go back.”

    ——

“Brother!” The girl’s voice came through the headset, clear and without hesitation, “Brother, I’m late, boohoo.”

Xiang Huaizhi lightly pressed his index finger to start the instance: “It’s fine.”

[Team] Love is Sharing with You: Xiao Jing, didn’t you have no classes today? Why did you log in so late?

After teaming up for dungeons many times, Love is Sharing with You has already figured out their teammates’ free time.

[Team] Sweet Little Jing: I went to the library to study this afternoon, I have an exam next week QAQ

[Team] Love is Sharing with You: That’s too sad, pat pat [petting dog head]

[Team]SweetScenery: [Crying]

[Team]LoveIsSharingFood: By the way, have you seen tomorrow’s update announcement?

[Team]SweetScenery: Haven’t had time to check yet, what’s up? Any new event?

[Team]LoveIsSharingWithYou: New outfits released!! Super gorgeous!

[Team]SweetScenery: 0.0! Wow, are they limited edition?

[Team]LoveIsSharingWithYou: Nope, just regular outfits… The crazy part is, even though they’re just regular, they’re prettier than most limited editions! The designer must’ve had a divine inspiration tonight [knocks wooden fish]! I posted the pics in the WeChat group, go check them out!

Since it’s not a limited edition, then it doesn’t really matter.

Jing Huan opened WeChat and took a look—it really was quite nice, with a cute lantern design that even came with a weapon accessory.

[Team]SweetJing: It is pretty—how much does this outfit cost?

[Team]LoveIsSharingWithYou: Twelve hundred gold.

[Team]Little Sweet View: ???

[Team]Little Sweet View: [Waving handkerchief]

[Team]Love is Sharing with You: It’s not too bad, it comes with a weapon accessory, so it’s basically the price of two outfits.

[Team]Little Sweet View: Too expensive, forget it, I’ll buy it when I have more money later. [Wiping tears]

Buy my ass, Jing Huan cursed in his heart.

A lousy in-game outfit costs twelve hundred bucks?! Why doesn’t this damn game just rob a bank instead of fleecing players like this?

Jing Huan quickly put the matter out of his mind, so much so that when he logged in the next day and saw the system message, it took him a long moment to process it.

[Exotic Merchant: Congratulations, young hero! “Heart’s Desire” has gifted you the “Lantern Sprite” outfit set. Please proceed to the Unknown Exotic (118, 29) to claim your new attire!]

Jing Huan blinked, reading this message over and over countless times.

The sender was indeed Xiang Wang Zhi, and the gift was indeed the new outfit…

Wait… Xiang Wang Zhi actually gifted him an outfit?!

Jing Huan was stunned.

Giving rings could be explained as being convenient for dungeons, giving gems could be said to be helpful for the arena, but what’s the excuse for gifting outfits?

Jing Huan mulled over this in his heart, feeling a surge of emotions.

After several months, he had finally—barely—caught a glimmer, the faintest glimmer, of what could be called the dawn of victory!

Jing Huan opened his friends list and found that Heart’s Desire was offline.

He hummed a cheerful tune as he controlled the little fox fairy, skipping and hopping towards the Unknown Exotic Lands.

Since the new fashion items had just been released, many players were gathered around the Exotic Merchant at the moment, all coming to buy outfits.

[Current] Ji Xiaonian: The black one seems a bit prettier. Which color are you getting, Xianxian?

[Current] Xian Mengmeng: I bought one of every color [cute]

The game map isn’t that big, so running into familiar faces is common. Jing Huan walked into the crowd, planning to just collect the outfit and leave. However, with so many players buying the clothes, even collecting them required waiting in line.

[Current] Ji Xiaonian: You bought all seven colors?! So rich QAQ!

[Current] Xian Mengmeng: Haha, Yangyang gave them to me.

[Current] Ji Xiaonian: Wow, he’s really generous [smirk]. You should hurry up and accept his offer.

[Current] Xian Mengmeng: But I’m not ready for a relationship yet. I’m quite happy with how things are now.

Even though it’s just a few words, the meaning is immediately clear.

Jing Huan didn’t intend to pry into others’ privacy, but they were standing right beside him and using the current channel for their conversation.

He clicked his tongue; it seems these days, you can’t even be a backup without some family wealth.

[Current] Ji Xiaonian: You decide for yourself. I just think he’s much better than certain someone.

[Current] Xian Mengmeng: Why bring him up again? [shut up]

[Current] Ji Xiaonian: Oops, my bad. It’s just that this morning I noticed those posts you tore down about Ran Xin got bumped up again, so I revisited them and felt nauseous all morning. [vomit]

Jing Huan paused while receiving the clothes.

He immediately gave up his place in the queue and opened the Nine Heroes forum. As expected, the forum’s front page was flooded with posts about his sister.

[“Ran Xin is so shameless, deleting friends during a live stream.”]

[“Exposing the homewrecker Ran Xin from Mirror Flower, Water Moon. Players in that server, beware.”]

【I heard Ran Xin got scared and deleted her account??】

The smile on Jing Huan’s face slowly faded.

He clicked into each post to check and found that the same ID was bumping all the threads. Judging by the comments, it seemed like a latecomer to the drama who kept asking questions while catching up on the thread, and other players quickly chimed in to answer. This back-and-forth kept the posts constantly on the front page.

Several months had passed, yet the verbal abuse under these posts still hadn’t stopped.

Although he had already seen these posts before, reading them again still made Jing Huan angry.

His gaze gradually turned cold as he scanned the screen filled with insults and humiliating words.

After finishing reading the thread, he closed the webpage expressionlessly and returned to the game.

Xiang Huai Zhi was stopped by someone as soon as he got out of class.

“Hey bros, wanna play a round of ball before heading back?”

He hadn’t even spoken yet when Lu Hang beside him slung an arm over his shoulder and replied, “Sure, I haven’t played in ages—my hands are itching for it.”

Xiang Huaizhi shook off his hand: “Go by yourself, I’m heading back to the dorm.”

“Come on, it’s only ten o’clock, what are you going to do if you go back?” Lu Hang said, “Let’s go, just half a game.”

“No.” Xiang Huaizhi held the book with one hand and didn’t relent. “Let’s go.”

Back in the dorm, Xiang Huaizhi casually placed the book aside and turned on his computer.

As soon as he logged in, he received a system message.

[Exotic Merchant: Your friend Xiao Tianjing has rejected your gift. Please visit the Exotic Merchant at coordinates (118, 29) within seven days to claim your refund.]

He paused, instinctively opening his friend list to check.

Little Sweet Jing’s name was quietly lit up, with no movement.

[Friend] Heart’sDesire: ?

[Friend] SweetScenery: ?

[Friend] Heart’s Desire: Why don’t you want the outfit?

[Friend] Little Sweet Jing: How could I take your money?

[Friend] Heart’s Desire: ……

Without emojis or stickers, even the period at the end of this sentence exuded a sense of coldness.

Was it his imagination?

Xiang Huaizhi furrowed his brows and tentatively typed.

[Friend] Heart’s Desire: Want to run a dungeon?

[Friend] SweetScenery: No.

[Friend] HeartYearns: What’s wrong with you.

[Friend] SweetScenery: ?

[Friend] HeartYearns: In a bad mood?

Yes, so it’s best not to mess with your dad right now.

Jing Huan treated the keyboard as if it were Xiang Wangzhi, typing away with a clatter.

[Friend] Sweet Jing: No.

[Friend] Xiang Wangzhi: Then come dungeon with me.

[Friend] Sweet Jing: [Smile]… I’m not feeling well, don’t want to do it.

[Friend] Heart’s Desire: What’s bothering you?

[Friend] Little Sweet Scene: Everything’s bothering me.

[Friend] Heart’s Desire: Be specific?

Jing Huan was nearly driven mad by his pestering.

Can you cure me by asking so many questions or what?!

Main job as a scumbag, side hustle as a doctor, huh?!

[Friend] Heart’sDesire: ?

[Friend]SweetScenery: …It’s that time of the month for me.

[Friend]HeartYearning: Which time?

[Friend] Sweet Little Scene: Aunt Flo.

Knowing his actual gender, Xiang Huaizhi didn’t immediately make that connection.

[Friend] Heart’s Desire: Aunt Flo? A relative?

[Friend] Sweet Little Scene: ……..

Just as Xiang Huaizhi was about to type, he was bombarded by a wave of exclamation marks.

[Friend] Little Sweet Scene: Period! Period!! I got my period!! Period, do you understand?! Once every month! Stomachache and backache! The kind that keeps bleeding!! Do you understand?! Ah?! Do I need to spell it out even clearer!!!

Xiang Huaizhi tried to pick out words from the sea of exclamation marks and pieced them together—only to be even more baffled.

Countless questions flashed through his mind, all condensed into a single punctuation mark—

[Friend] Heart’sDesire: ?

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