Chapter 96 – Unpredictable

Although the wedding between the Ghost Server Legion member and the Five Peaks Pavilion Legion Commander was far from heartwarming, filled with an indescribable sense of sleaziness and moral collapse, it still left some single, older bachelors feeling a faint melancholy.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: What are you doing later?

[Whisper] Polly: Looking for level 70 quests.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Not going to admire the spectacular scene at the cliff?

[Whisper] Polly: Already saw it.

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: You’re so fast =_=

[Whisper] Polly: Because I’m light.

Damn, do normal people date like this?!

It looks more like love has already turned to hate! TAT

While others were diving headfirst off the cliff one after another, the Legion Leader found an excuse to log off, then quietly logged into the account of City Toppling Beauty to cozy up to the enemy—

[Whisper] City Toppling Beauty: Hey~

[Whisper] Polly: Hey ^_^

Damn, you smile for your “red-haired confidante”?! You damn bird!

[Whisper] City Toppling Beauty: Still online so late?

[Whisper] Polly: You just logged in this late too.

[Whisper] City Toppling Beauty: Oh, work’s been busy lately, haven’t had time for games.

[Whisper] Polly: Heh, I can tell.

How the hell can you tell? =_=

[Whisper] City Toppling Beauty: So, uh, how’s it going with your Legion Leader? Didn’t you say you were going to confess last time?

[Whisper] Polly: Yeah, confessed. We’re dating now.

[Whisper] City Toppling Beauty: Ah, congrats then~~

[Whisper] Polly: Thanks.

[Whisper] City Toppling Beauty: So, have you met in person?

[Whisper] Polly: Not yet.

[Whisper] City Toppling Beauty: Then… how are you dating?

Meng Chudong had initially thought Fang Zheng was just bored out of his mind tonight, hence the sudden urge to log into Beauty’s account. But after a few exchanges, especially leading up to this last question, he began to sense something was off. If it really were just a whim, that guy would’ve already derailed the conversation to who-knows-where. Yet, today’s chat had no nonsense—though unclear in intent, it undeniably revolved around a central theme.

“Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.” But right now, he only knew himself, not the enemy. The Deputy Commander hesitated, thinking for a long time before cautiously replying—

[Whisper] Polly: Running dungeons, grinding mobs, leveling, doing quests.

Fang Zheng had anticipated Birdy’s answer, because these were the only interactions they’d ever had. Oh, wait—the guy had left out the Morning Call, making their “relationship” seem even more purely gaming-focused—

[Whisper] City Toppling Beauty: All of that can be summed up as playing games.

Meng Chudong thought about it and felt Fang Zheng’s summary was spot-on.

[Whisper] Polly: Yep.

So, you just wanted a gaming buddy?

The words lingered at Fang Zheng’s fingertips—typed, deleted, retyped—but ultimately, they never got sent.

The two had met in-game, developed feelings for each other in-game, and naturally, after getting together, they continued playing games. Thinking about it this way, there really wasn’t anything left to ask. After all, their feelings were rooted in the game—take that away, and what was left?

[Whisper] City Toppling Beauty: Alright, I won’t keep chatting. Gonna go grind some mobs to level up.

[Whisper] Polly: Want me to join?

[Whisper] City Toppling Beauty: Don’t even think about leeching my XP! waves

[Whisper] Polly: Mm, bye.

Though he’d said he was going to grind mobs, Fang Zheng actually just left Beauty’s account idling on a level 60 open-world map, set up a vending stall, and that was it.

The weather had turned chilly—even during the day, leaving the window open felt cold, let alone at night. Yet Fang Zheng still cracked open that rickety old window by a hand’s width. The cold wind hit his face, sending a shiver down his spine, but his thoughts became crystal clear.

Since their unspoken mutual understanding, their relationship had been officially established. Though Birdy wasn’t as blatant as 2B, who practically wanted to shout “Blood Bull is mine!” every day, he’d never been ambiguous about their relationship either. Secretly helping him level up and fill his XP bar aside, there were even lines like “dating with marriage in mind” that made one’s soul tremble. Fang Zheng believed he was serious, but whether this seriousness was confined to the game or would extend to reality—he was growing increasingly uncertain. At the very beginning, it was him who feared meeting, but now he couldn’t stop imagining such a scene. He couldn’t quite explain what he was hoping for—maybe it was because Birdy’s gentleness was too natural, as natural as air, slowly and imperceptibly taken for granted, until he began to feel unmoored, began to panic.

That’s why he’d specifically logged into Beauty’s account—to probe what Birdy was really thinking.

That guy lived and breathed the game, so even if he genuinely just wanted a Platonic relationship within the game, Fang Zheng was willing. At least then his heart would settle, and he could cut off all unnecessary fantasies, steadfastly being his Legion Leader.

It was hard for a fatty to fall in love because that thing was buried deep beneath layers of caution. But precisely because of that, once it stirred, stopping it was just as hard.

A sleepless night.

The Legion Leader wasn’t the only one turning into a panda.

For the first time, Lu Yue was stood up by his childhood friend at the gym in the morning, leaving him with no mood to work out either. After a quick shower, he headed straight for the internet café. Pushing open the door, that newly hired girl surnamed Gong wasn’t there. Instead, his childhood friend was sprawled lifelessly over the counter like a fly with rain-soaked wings.

“Where’s Xiao Gong?”

“Buying me breakfast.”

“So you’re just lying here waiting to be fed?”

“She said the counter must always be manned for security.”

This new receptionist was reliable, the big boss mused as he squeezed behind the counter, leaning in to ask, “What’s wrong? Got dumped?”

“Not yet.” Meng Chudong subtly scooted half a step away before adding, “You’ve breached the safe distance.”

Lu Yue’s face darkened. “Relax. If the world only had you and me left, I’d dig up an earthworm to marry.”

Meng Chudong shrugged. “Your tastes are wild.”

“Can we talk about something serious?” Lu Yue rolled his eyes and surrendered. “What did you mean by ‘not yet’? Not dumped but about to be?”

It was precisely because he didn’t understand that he was frustrated.

Meng Chudong sighed inwardly, then briefly recounted last night’s chat with Fang Zheng. Of course, to help his friend understand, some backstory and explanations were necessary.

A few minutes later.

“You knew it was him but pretended not to, then went ahead and confessed all sorts of things?!”

“That’s not the point.”

“The point is, the part you claim isn’t the point is already information overload!!”

“Forget about that.” Meng Chudong sat up straight, suddenly serious, and looked at Lu Yue. “Help me analyze this—what did he mean by saying all that to me last night?”

His childhood friend rarely sought his opinion so earnestly, filling Lu Yue with a sudden sense of duty. But the question was so straightforward that his sense of duty lasted all of two seconds before deflating. “What else could it mean? He wants to take things into real life.”

Meng Chudong frowned. He clearly remembered Fang Zheng’s aversion to meeting in person after the incident with Mad Lad. Plus, while he’d thought about how their relationship might develop offline, every time, just as he started thinking about it, it’d be game time, and they’d just… keep playing. His life had always flowed naturally—getting caught on a gay website by his parents led to a natural coming out; playing longest and clicking best with Xuanyuan in-game led to naturally falling for Xuanyuan; even using part of the money his family had saved for his marriage to open this shop with Lu Yue happened because Lu Yue approached him, and he happened to want to leave home. Now that the café was turning a profit, regardless of his parents’ stance, he naturally began paying them back. If there was one thing he’d actively pursued with his own will, it was chasing Fang Zheng—using every trick he knew (and some he didn’t). And luckily, he’d succeeded. After that? Back to going with the flow.

But now, Lu Yue was telling him that this very “flow” was making the other uneasy.

“You’re sure he wants to take it offline?” Meng Chudong realized he was feeling uneasy too—otherwise, he wouldn’t be acting so uncharacteristically hesitant.

Lu Yue looked at his friend. “Whether he wants to take it offline isn’t the point. The point is—do you?”

……

Fang Zheng woke up early but didn’t receive his Morning Call, leaving him unsettled. For the first time in his life, he took the initiative to clean, and by the time the place sparkled, it was almost noon.

Despite all the work, he still didn’t feel hungry, so he pretended he’d already eaten. Gritting his teeth, he booted up his computer and logged in!

The little healer slowly appeared on screen. Holding his breath, Fang Zheng opened the Legion tab and froze. After blinking several times to confirm Birdy wasn’t online, his tension deflated like a punctured balloon, leaving only a faint disappointment.

He could’ve texted or called to check in, but having just used an alt to fish for info yesterday, he felt too guilty. So now, the Legion Leader could only sit at his desk, chin in hand, racking his brain over which of Beauty’s words had triggered the other.

The problem was—there weren’t any! Unless… he’d realized Beauty was him… Oh no! This couldn’t be that tragic, could it? TAT

[Whisper] 2nd to No1: Get on YY!

The sudden whisper startled the Legion Leader. Damn it, he was in the middle of a melancholic 45° pose—give him some time to freeze-frame, would you?!

Grumpily, he logged into YY. Counting Fang Zheng, there were only three people inside, but for safety, the Three Scoundrels hid in a password-protected room—

Diamond: “I’ve wrapped things up on my end. Can head over anytime.”

Fifth Brother: “Then let’s do tomorrow. You good, Milk Mom?”

Fang Zheng: “Uh, mind filling me in?”

“Didn’t we say we’d go scout your place?” Diamond sounded like he thought Fang Zheng had amnesia. “I’ve finished tidying up my work stuff. Ready to pack up and leave anytime.”

“You live alone, right?” Fifth Brother chimed in. “Any problem hosting your future business partners?”

No problem with the place for hosting future partners—as long as they didn’t mind how shabby it was.

But mentally preparing to host future partners? He wasn’t ready! You don’t go from confessing yesterday to registering a marriage today!

Diamond: “If we’re gonna share fortunes, this little thing shouldn’t be an issue. I’m coming tomorrow. Let’s call it settled.”

Fifth Brother: “I think there’s a high-speed train to your place. Let me check tickets online.”

Diamond: “Damn, even that backwater has high-speed rail?”

Fifth Brother: “Uh, just checked. There’s one to City S, then a 4-hour bus ride to you.”

Diamond: “See, I was smart to just take the bus directly.”

Fifth Brother: “Milk Mom, your address.”

Diamond: “Doesn’t he need to pick us up?”

Fang Zheng: “Enough from both of you!!”

Diamond & Fifth Brother, tone odd: “Hmm?”

The Legion Leader gulped. “Can’t we wait until after hitting level 70 to start this business?”

“Cut the crap,” Fifth Brother dismissed outright. “We haven’t even seen a single hair of the level 70 quests. Who knows how long that’ll take? Besides, we both have laptops. We can play together at your place—won’t slow down leveling.”

“Your laptops must be top-notch…” Fang Zheng glanced at his two ancient desktops, a pang of bitterness rising.

Fifth Brother: “Enough sidetracking. Men should be decisive. I don’t need you to pick me up—just give me the address. I’ll find my way.”

Diamond: “Yeah, what if you get lost? We’d just be standing around waiting.”

Since they were going into business together, as Fifth Brother said, sooner was better than later. “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace.” After much deliberation, Fang Zheng gritted his teeth. “Fine, it’s settled. I’ll grab my camera.”

Diamond & Fifth Brother: “Why?”

Fang Zheng: “To take some pics of my place so you can mentally prepare.”

Ten minutes later—

Fifth Brother: “Your place is really shabby…”

Diamond: “Your place is too shabby…”

Fifth Brother: “You didn’t pick a condemned building just to scare us off, did you?”

Diamond: “Can you take a pic of the exterior? I wanna see if it has a ‘Demolish’ sign…”

Though shocked, the partners quickly accepted the fact that they’d soon be living in a dump. Of course, this wasn’t entirely due to their mental fortitude—factors like no longer having accommodation after their contracts ended or their leases expiring also played a role.

Similarly, Fang Zheng mentally prepared to welcome his partners tomorrow, and the trio began discussing logistics like schedules post-meetup.

They were so engrossed that Fang Zheng didn’t notice Birdy coming online. By the time he did, the other had, unprecedentedly, repeated the same line twice—

[Whisper] Polly: Let’s meet up sometime.

[Whisper] Polly: Let’s meet up sometime.

Damn, did these guys coordinate this?!

Is there a meetup coupon event going on?!

And why bring this up now instead of last night? It’s too late, understand? We can’t go back, understand?! TAT

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Uh, why bring this up so suddenly, heh.

Birdy narrowed his eyes. That “heh” felt oddly off. =_=

[Whisper] Polly: Thought of it, so I said it. Problem?

Yes, a huge one!

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Well, I’m not ready yet, kinda nervous, haha. Maybe wait a bit longer?

[Whisper] Polly: How long?

Waiting until his career took off was unrealistic, but at least until those two found their own place and settled down. =_=

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Let me lose some more weight first.

[Whisper] Polly: ……

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: If you dare say it’s hopeless, I swear I’ll block you!!

[Whisper] Polly: Can’t even think it?

[Whisper] Milk is Mom: Then don’t say it out loud!!!!

[Whisper] Polly: Heh.

The conversation followed their usual dynamic—nothing amiss. So Lu Yue was wrong? The other didn’t actually want to take things offline? But what was the point of logging into Beauty’s account last night and saying all that?