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Guide On How To Fail At Online Dating

I Can Do It

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Guide On How To Fail At Online Dating

I Can Do It

The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System: Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong

The Husky & His White Cat Shizun: Erha He Ta De Bai Mao Shizun

Thousand Autumns: Qian Qiu

Remnants of Filth: Yuwu

Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang

Guardian: Zhen Hun

Case File Compendium: Bing An Ben

The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish: Canji Baojun De Zhangxin Yu Chong

Guide On How To Fail At Online Dating, Vol. 1

Chapter 01Jing Huan sends his cousin Liang Ran off at the airport during typhoon weather; she insists on leaving for the United States after being humiliated in an online game.
Gao Zixiang calls Jing Huan asking about his cousin, then mentions Lu Wenhao is heartbroken.
Jing Huan returns to the dorm, finding Lu Wenhao crying because his online girlfriend broke up with him.
Gao Zixiang reveals Lu Wenhao’s online girlfriend was actually a man using a voice changer.
Lu Wenhao spent huge amounts of money on her, including purple outfits and high-level gems, and feels emotionally betrayed.
The scammer accidentally revealed his real male voice, then later sent Lu Wenhao a photo of himself as a middle-aged man before blocking him.
Jing Huan takes the phone and tries to trick the scammer into sending a link to the voice changer but fails.
Lu Wenhao is devastated, Gao Zixiang tries to comfort him, and Jing Huan muses about how being catfished compares to losing a game account.
Jing Huan moves into his new apartment, reflecting on his cousin Liang Ran’s ordeal: she was deceived by a scumbag in the game Nine Heroes, slandered as a mistress, cyberbullied with all-server megaphones, and forced to delete her character and go abroad.
Jing Huan downloads Nine Heroes, determined to take revenge on Liang Ran’s behalf.
He learns that Yearning For, the strongest player in the Mirage server, is the man who wronged her.
Jing Huan buys a female max-level character named Don’t Frown, infamous for past scams, which makes him immediately targeted by Idle Pavilion guild.
Regardless of Lovesickness and Idle Pavilion members kill him and announce a 24-hour hunt, offering a bounty on his head.
Jing Huan renames the character to Sweet Little Jing and tries to deflect suspicion with megaphones, but Idle Pavilion increases the bounty, drawing server-wide attention.
Jing Huan invests money in equipment and begins plotting revenge while experimenting with his new Spirit Fox Den skills.
He meets OFF!, a player who attacks him for bounty money; Jing Huan tricks him, uses a divine beast summon, and forces him to pay 1,500 gold to be spared.
OFF! realizes the character changed owners and tries to ally with Jing Huan, suggesting schemes to profit from the bounty.
Jing Huan sees a forum call-out by Fae Bae exposing Yearning For for scummy behavior.
Jing Huan finally encounters Yearning For in the wilderness, attempts to get his attention, but Yearning For coldly immobilizes him and tells him not to be a scammer before leaving.
Furious, Jing Huan resolves even more strongly to get close to Yearning For.
OFF! adds him as a friend and continues pestering him, explaining Yearning For doesn’t usually join server battles, though he once won the championship.
Jing Huan plays along, keeps scheming, and learns Yearning For has the nickname “Spirit Fox Slayer.”
Later, Yearning For sends a megaphone buying crafting materials, and Jing Huan uses this chance to friend him.
Jing Huan begins sending coquettish, fangirl-style messages, pretending to admire Yearning For, claiming he started playing the game because of him.
Yearning For is suspicious but doesn’t block him, while Jing Huan feels he’s making progress in his plan to infiltrate Yearning For’s circle.

Chapter 02Xiang Huaizhi finishes farming golden finch feathers and stores them.
Lu Hang calls Xiang Huaizhi a “scumbag” for overpaying for feathers; Xiang Huaizhi admits paying 100 gold each.
Lu Hang is frustrated because the usual price is 70 gold per feather.
Xiang Huaizhi claims he didn’t count the number of feathers, implying he gathered a large amount.
Xiang Huaizhi offers to sell them to Lu Hang at 71 gold each, teasing him.
Lu Hang declares he will stop calling Xiang Huaizhi a scumbag and praises him instead.
Lu Hang invites Xiang Huaizhi to join a party for an event that gives double XP.
The party includes three girls, which surprises Xiang Huaizhi.
The girls are shocked to see “Yearning For” join the party — a well-known name.
Lu Hang activates voice chat to flirt with the girls; Xiang Huaizhi is disgusted.
Xiang Huaizhi criticizes the unbalanced party made of three healers.
Lu Hang admits he doesn’t know which girl is his “wife” yet.
Meanwhile, Jing Huan, playing as “Sweet Little Jing,” hurries to dig up a stolen treasure map.
Idle Pavilion guild members spot him and decide to hunt him.
Jing Huan escapes using clever Spirit Fox Den skills and tricks.
Fae Bae and her team try to kill Jing Huan, but he outsmarts and kills Fae Bae with a powerful combo.
System announces that Fae Bae lost an item upon death.
Lu Hang and Xiang Huaizhi witness the battle and are amazed by “Sweet Little Jing.”
Sweet Little Jing suddenly runs toward Xiang Huaizhi and clings to him, calling him “God of War-gege.”
Xiang Huaizhi denies knowing her, though he’s the only one with the God of War title.
Sweet Little Jing uses Xiang Huaizhi’s presence to intimidate Idle Pavilion members into retreating.
Sweet Little Jing acts overly affectionate and clingy, clearly trying to manipulate him.
Lu Hang teases Xiang Huaizhi, saying the girl is obsessed with him.
Sweet Little Jing offers to help dig up a treasure for Xiang Huaizhi using the stolen map.
Xiang Huaizhi agrees to go with her, wanting enchanted spirit orbs from the map.
Jing Huan plots to get Xiang Huaizhi to add him as a friend.
They dig the treasure and accidentally trigger a hidden quest: “Wrath of the Spirit King.”
The entire server is notified, and World Chat erupts in gossip and fanfiction about the two.
Xiang Huaizhi is forced to accept the hidden quest with Sweet Little Jing because his name is on it.
Sweet Little Jing plays innocent and clings to him again.
Lu Hang teases Xiang Huaizhi more and suspects Jing Huan is really into him.
Sweet Little Jing says she wants to give whatever she finds to Xiang Huaizhi.
Xiang Huaizhi remains annoyed but focused on getting enchanted spirit orbs.
Echoes of Spring, a vice guild leader of Idle Pavilion, arranges for guilds to donate rare materials to support the quest, as server stability is now at stake.
The guilds reluctantly agree, pressured by the server-wide system announcement.
Echoes of Spring directly messages Xiang Huaizhi, who confirms they will attempt the quest in the afternoon.
Lu Hang offers to play Sweet Little Jing’s character during the fight, but Xiang Huaizhi refuses.
Xiang Huaizhi asks Lu Hang to donate high-tier potions and an expensive transformation card.
Lu Hang protests, but Xiang Huaizhi guilt-trips him into handing them over.
The chapter ends with preparation for the boss fight and Xiang Huaizhi still frustrated by Sweet Little Jing’s antics, unaware she’s actually Jing Huan playing a “female scammer” character.

Chapter 03Jing Huan picks up street food and rushes home to log into Nine Heroes but is stuck in a massive queue for 37 minutes because everyone is logging in to watch his Spirit King quest.
Jing Huan finds out he is now famous across the server and Nine Heroes' livestream community due to his upcoming Spirit King quest with Xiang Huaizhi (Yearning For).
Xiang Huaizhi gives Jing Huan high-quality potions and a transformation card, then instructs him to hide during the boss fight, revealing he plans to solo the Spirit King.
Jing Huan suspects Xiang Huaizhi is underestimating him and is both annoyed and amused.
Fae Bae starts livestreaming and claims to be Xiang Huaizhi’s ex, badmouths Jing Huan by calling him a scammer and predicts he’ll be hunted down after the quest.
The boss fight begins with spectators flooding the area. Jing Huan expertly places Healing Springs, accurately predicting Xiang Huaizhi’s movements every time.
Spectators and even Fae Bae are shocked by Jing Huan’s skill, especially his perfect positioning and survival under pressure.
Jing Huan protects Xiang Huaizhi from the boss’s ultimate attack using a widely-considered useless skill, impressing everyone.
They defeat the Spirit King, earning the title “Spirit King Slayer,” but the loot is hilariously bad: a steamed bun.
Jing Huan jokes about the terrible loot and throws 99 steamed buns at Xiang Huaizhi as a “gift.”
Xiang Huaizhi is told by his guild that five parties are waiting outside to kill Jing Huan, but he refuses to kick her from the party and defends her right to stay.
Xiang Huaizhi confronts Echoes of Spring and makes it clear he won’t hand Jing Huan over despite their threats of forced PK.
Jing Huan is warned by OFF! about the guild parties waiting to ambush her. Xiang Huaizhi quickly teleports her out to safety, pretending it's for dungeon running.
Xiang Huaizhi invites Jing Huan to run the Water Demon dungeon with Lu Hang. He protects her again during the run, using his beast summon to shield her and even heals her with rare items.
Two healers in the party intentionally go AFK to sabotage Jing Huan. Xiang Huaizhi and Lu Hang carry the run, and Sweet Little Jing saves one of the AFK healers anyway.
Jing Huan shamelessly flirts with Xiang Huaizhi during the dungeon run, using cute stickers and exaggerated expressions.
Lu Hang teases Xiang Huaizhi about Sweet Little Jing’s public love confession, which was accidentally leaked by Fae Bae’s livestream and edited to only show Jing Huan’s messages.
Jing Huan panics over the leak but plays it off with more cute stickers and dramatic whining.
Xiang Huaizhi brushes it off and warns Lu Hang not to tease her.
After the dungeon, one of the healers who was previously hostile, Love is Sharing Noms, privately apologizes to Jing Huan and offers to help in the future.
Jing Huan uses the opportunity to ask for her WeChat to study how to make his account more “feminine” before adding Lu Hang.
He accidentally gets sent a savage, scathing alt WeChat account filled with rants and curses, then receives the real one after a short panic.
The party runs two more dungeons smoothly. Jing Huan throws more materials and gold to Xiang Huaizhi as thanks.
Xiang Huaizhi tells Jing Huan to stay in the safe zone, expressing concern that she’ll lose levels if killed.
Jing Huan catches Xiang Huaizhi checking her profile and teases him for “stalking” her.
Lu Hang rants about Xiang Huaizhi’s previous account being ruined by a scammer who stole his dungeon points and almost his gear.
Xiang Huaizhi receives a WeChat friend request from Sweet Little Jing, ending the chapter.

Chapter 04Jing Huan returns to his dorm with food and drinks, only to find Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang immersed in a game of Nine Heroes.
Lu Wenhao had returned to the game and bought a Spirit Fox Den character, annoying Gao Zixiang with his poor healing skills.
Their hot pot equipment was borrowed by Room 102, so Jing Huan goes to retrieve it.
The pot is returned filthy, and the student from Room 102 awkwardly invites Jing Huan to a birthday party, which he declines.
Jing Huan checks the pot and discovers a live cockroach inside, causing him to panic and throw the pot in fear.
He stumbles backward and is caught by a stranger who turns out to be Xiang Huaizhi, a senior and dormmate from Room 522.
Jing Huan awkwardly thanks him and threatens his friends who had been spying on the scene.
The pot incident leads to the dorm supervisor confiscating it and warning Jing Huan.
Jing Huan buys a new pot, returns, and is welcomed with flattery and a hot pot setup by Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang.
They talk about Xiang Huaizhi and his reputation as a handsome, top-performing basketball player and student.
Jing Huan dismisses their idea of rejoining the game seriously, hinting that he's too “busy.”
After dinner, he logs into Nine Heroes and learns he's no longer being hunted by the Idle Pavilion guild.
Jing Huan joins a twenty-man dungeon party that includes Xiang Huaizhi (Yearning For).
During a solo phase, Jing Huan fails hilariously at trivia-style NPC questions, leading to group-wide mockery.
Xiang Huaizhi tricks Jing Huan by giving a wrong answer, making the whole party laugh at her (Sweet Little Jing).
Xiang Huaizhi apologizes and starts treating Sweet Little Jing more kindly.
Jing Huan draws the wedding quest role and is forced to form a “wedding party” with another player — he picks Xiang Huaizhi.
They ride a bridal sedan together while talking via voice chat.
Jing Huan flirts lightly; Xiang Huaizhi sets rules for how Jing Huan should speak to him — no flirty tone, no excessive stickers.
Xiang Huaizhi tutors Jing Huan on proper game builds and stats for Spirit Fox Den players.
They complete the quest, Xiang Huaizhi wins the loot — a powerful healing ring.
Jing Huan wants it but holds back when Xiang Huaizhi refuses to sell it.
Later, Xiang Huaizhi surprises him by gifting the ring, claiming it’s just for helping in dungeons.
Jing Huan, overjoyed, showers him with stickers until Xiang Huaizhi imposes sticker limits.
Jing Huan rationalizes taking the ring for free — part of his long-con revenge against the “scumbag” Yearning For.
He dresses up his avatar in a rare outfit, takes a screenshot, and posts it in his dorm chat pretending it’s someone else.
Fae Bae and her group stumble across Sweet Little Jing’s character in-game, noticing the ring and growing suspicious.
Love is Sharing Noms, a member of Fae Bae’s group, defends Sweet Little Jing and is accused of betrayal.
Fae Bae insists she never broke up with Xiang Huaizhi and brands Sweet Little Jing as a homewrecker.
Jing Huan continues chatting innocently with Love is Sharing Noms, pretending not to know anything.
The dorm bulletin board posts a violation notice for Room 312 due to cooking hot pot.
Xiang Huaizhi hears of the incident and recalls his encounter with Jing Huan, suspecting he’s from that dorm.
Xiang Huaizhi logs in and receives a message from Fae Bae, confronting him about giving the ring to Sweet Little Jing.
He confirms it and firmly tells Fae Bae their relationship is over.
Fae Bae demands compensation and suggests they get married in-game.
Xiang Huaizhi responds with a blunt “Are you dreaming?” rejecting her completely.

Chapter 05Fae Bae is devastated after being ghosted by Yearning For, whom she admired and spent money on.
Yearning For (Xiang Huaizhi) tells her he wasn't the one playing the character recently and refuses her demands for in-game marriage or compensation.
Fae Bae asks for an expensive in-game item as compensation, but Xiang Huaizhi ignores her.
Lu Hang jokes about Sweet Little Jing pursuing Xiang Huaizhi and mocks Fae Bae's persistence.
Sweet Little Jing (Jing Huan) logs in and chats warmly with Xiang Huaizhi, calling him “gege.”
Lu Hang insults Jing Huan’s outfit in the dungeon; Jing Huan defends it because it matches the ring from Xiang Huaizhi.
Jing Huan upgrades the ring’s gem to level 7, and Xiang Huaizhi is concerned about her spending.
Jing Huan fakes a tragic backstory to explain his financial woes and excessive spending on the game.
Xiang Huaizhi lectures her on internet addiction and limits her gaming to three hours per day.
Fae Bae leaves her guild and sends megaphones asking to join other top guilds, playing the victim.
Jing Huan is reminded of how Fae Bae bullied his “jie” into quitting the game before.
Bishop Wood, the ex-husband of Sweet Little Jing’s character, adds her and apologizes for the past drama.
Jing Huan generously gives Bishop Wood leftover in-game items to help him recover.
Xiang Huaizhi sees them interacting and teases Jing Huan about “throwing trash.”
Bishop Wood becomes curious about the relationship between Sweet Little Jing and Yearning For.
Echoes of Spring tells Bishop Wood that Sweet Little Jing is pursuing Yearning For because she likes bad boys.
Jing Huan’s dormmates complain about being punished for hot pot use; they blame each other.
Jing Huan joins them for basketball, and Xiang Huaizhi accidentally sees him changing and admires his physique.
At the basketball court, Jing Huan sees Xiang Huaizhi watching and goes to greet him.
They have a brief conversation where Jing Huan apologizes again for injuring Xiang Huaizhi previously.
Jing Huan secretly sends a message to Yearning For while sitting beside him, then leaves before it rains.
Sweet Little Jing messages later to say she’s back; Xiang Huaizhi notices she’s online but unusually quiet.
Love is Sharing Noms sends Xiang Huaizhi a message warning that Fae Bae is PKing Sweet Little Jing in Blackwood Forest.
Fae Bae brings a full PK squad to ambush Jing Huan and livestreams the attack.
Jing Huan struggles to survive the ambush and tries to provoke Fae Bae while internally lamenting the situation.
Just before dying, Yearning For invites him to a party and saves him in an epic entrance.
Xiang Huaizhi and Jing Huan defeat Fae Bae and her squad, with Fae Bae losing a rare item.
Jing Huan praises Xiang Huaizhi dramatically and offers to repay him with her body, housework, or being his wife.
Xiang Huaizhi admits she was targeted because of him and calls himself a scumbag.
Jing Huan shockingly responds by praising scumbags as “treasures of the world.”
Xiang Huaizhi nearly bursts out laughing at her nonsense but doesn't correct her.
Jing Huan makes himself calming tea to deal with the stress of acting sweet and fake.
Xiang Huaizhi and Jing Huan idle in the main city together while being watched by other players.
Love is Sharing Noms asks Xiang Huaizhi to help contact Fae Bae, who went offline after the incident.
Xiang Huaizhi refuses, saying he’s busy.
Jing Huan pretends to be unbothered by Fae Bae’s attack and calls for love and peace.
Jing Huan is excited when Yearning For finally sends him a sticker for the first time.
Xiang Huaizhi offers to protect Jing Huan if she gets PKed again, and Jing Huan is stunned but happy.
Lu Hang freaks out after learning Xiang Huaizhi saved Sweet Little Jing and destroyed Fae Bae’s gear.
Lu Hang imagines hypothetical combat strategies with Xiang Huaizhi and himself.
Xiang Huaizhi warns Lu Hang that Bishop Wood is catching up to his rank and arena points.
Lu Hang panics and checks rankings; Bishop Wood has likely been power-leveled by a hired team.
After playing, Xiang Huaizhi goes AFK and checks the new three-person WeChat group Lu Hang created.
Xiang Huaizhi browses Sweet Little Jing’s pink WeChat profile and Moments and finds them inconsistent with his impression.
He notices Sweet Little Jing's username references Kobe Bryant and remembers the basketball-playing underclassman.
He dismisses the idea that they’re the same person as ridiculous.
Jing Huan eats out with dormmates and argues over stealing a rain photo for his WeChat.
Gao Zixiang talks about new guild dungeon content and struggles in organizing party members due to drama.
Jing Huan realizes he can’t join the new content since he’s guildless.
Lu Hang DMs in the group chat, saying they’re including Jing Huan for guild dungeons.
Xiang Huaizhi uses a megaphone to seek a max-leveled guild for him, Lu Hang, and Sweet Little Jing to join together.

Chapter 06Jing Huan is surprised when Xiang Huaizhi (Yearning For) insists on bringing him along while searching for a new guild.
Jing Huan pretends to be interested in a girl to justify his actions to Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang.
Jing Huan sends a cute sticker to Xiang Huaizhi while trying to act sweet in-game.
Xiang Huaizhi uses a megaphone to look for a guild, prompting an explosion of reactions in the World Channel and DMs.
Multiple guilds offer him perks, but he avoids drama-filled ones and considers joining a peaceful guild.
Bishop Wood invites him to Idle Pavilion, but Xiang Huaizhi initially refuses because of past conflicts involving Jing Huan.
Bishop Wood reveals they want Xiang Huaizhi’s help to get the first clear of the new guild dungeon and bribes him with loot policies.
Xiang Huaizhi shares the conversation with Jing Huan, who panics at the idea of joining the enemy guild.
Jing Huan tries to act pitiful in chat, using crying and trembling stickers.
Xiang Huaizhi still invites Jing Huan to join Idle Pavilion, and he reluctantly accepts.
The guild chat becomes awkwardly silent when Sweet Little Jing (Jing Huan) joins.
BrbOrNot exposes the fact that Yearning For brought a Spirit Fox Den along, implying romantic involvement.
Regardless of Lovesickness publicly apologizes for past treatment of Sweet Little Jing in a megaphone, confusing Jing Huan.
Xiang Huaizhi reveals that the apology was a condition for joining the guild.
Jing Huan feels emotionally conflicted after receiving the apology and starts developing stronger feelings.
Jing Huan visits the beautifully decorated Idle Pavilion guild zone and gets impressed.
Sweet Little Jing greets Yearning For, who accidentally teleports away and returns.
Jing Huan covers his embarrassment by claiming he is ugly, sending more dramatic stickers.
Jing Huan invites Xiang Huaizhi to explore the guild zone, and they stroll together.
They arrive at a river, and Yearning For apologizes for initially mistaking Jing Huan as a scammer.
Jing Huan confronts Yearning For about Fae Bae and Ranxin, but Yearning For denies any romantic involvement.
Jing Huan vents his frustration by using “throw into arms” actions repeatedly.
Bishop Wood walks in on the scene, misunderstands it, and jokes about their closeness.
Bishop Wood posts a screenshot in the guild WeChat, suggesting they start charging couples who “date” in the guild zone.
Xiang Huaizhi downplays the interaction, but later asks Sweet Little Jing if she’s seen enough of the scenery, then takes over party lead to run dungeons.
Bishop Wood suddenly teases Sweet Little Jing about marrying Yearning For, which both deny.
Bishop Wood openly flirts with Sweet Little Jing in party chat, and she coolly shuts him down by friend-zoning him with a rhyme.
They trade more rhymes, and eventually add each other as friends.
In the guild WeChat group chat, Bishop Wood continues flirting, while Yearning For suddenly appears and calls out to Sweet Little Jing.
Jing Huan instantly perks up and role-plays affectionately by healing him enthusiastically.
Lu Hang teases Xiang Huaizhi for using low health as an excuse to be pampered by Sweet Little Jing.
After the dungeon, Yearning For gives Jing Huan an expensive level eight gem. Jing Huan refuses, but Xiang Huaizhi insists.
Jing Huan jokes that the gem is a proposal gift and dramatically accepts, planning a wedding on the spot.
Xiang Huaizhi shuts it down, stating he doesn’t do in-game marriages.
Jing Huan is annoyed but sockets the gem into his ring and prepares to continue playing.
Love is Sharing Noms apologizes on behalf of Fae Bae and reveals she left her guild due to drama and bullying.
Jing Huan arranges for her to join Idle Pavilion through Long Road Ahead and Yearning For's help.
Jing Huan suspects Yearning For has a past and asks about it, learning he once disbanded a guild due to being betrayed by a close guild member.
Jing Huan researches Yearning For’s history on the Nine Heroes forum, finding many praise posts but also learning about the guild disbandment.
In real life, Xiang Huaizhi and Jing Huan meet again by coincidence in the milk tea line. Jing Huan accidentally steps on his foot.
They chat casually, and Jing Huan offers to treat Xiang Huaizhi to coffee as an apology.
Xiang Huaizhi finds Sweet Little Jing’s milk tea photo familiar and realizes she goes to the same university.
Xiang Huaizhi decides to keep this fact hidden to avoid being followed in real life.
Bishop Wood assigns guild dungeon teams but splits Sweet Little Jing from Yearning For’s party.
Xiang Huaizhi demands that Sweet Little Jing be returned to his party or they would leave the guild.
Echoes of Spring agrees and reassigns the teams.
Bishop Wood jokes about competing with Yearning For for Sweet Little Jing, but Echoes of Spring warns him not to go too far.
Xiang Huaizhi flies to Sweet Little Jing and runs dungeons with her.
Sweet Little Jing expresses a desire to grind arena for gear. Xiang Huaizhi agrees to help.
They perform well in the arena, with Sweet Little Jing’s Spirit Fox Den sealing being exceptional.
Bishop Wood and his teammate face off against them in the final match and get destroyed.
Bishop Wood tries to flirt during the match but is sealed by Sweet Little Jing before he finishes typing.
After the match, Bishop Wood is shocked by how powerful Sweet Little Jing has become.
Xiang Huaizhi realizes that Sweet Little Jing is a skilled player despite her cute act.
Jing Huan’s feelings for Xiang Huaizhi deepen as their in-game bond grows stronger.

Chapter 07Jing Huan logs into the game and is invited to the guild's YY (voice chat) channel where over a hundred people are already active.
He joins the voice chat and is recognized by guild members like Bishop Wood, Regardless of Lovesickness, and Echoes of Spring.
The guild members begin discussing holding a talent show, and Bishop Wood encourages Jing Huan to sing.
Jing Huan is pressured with virtual gifts to perform but is saved by the sudden appearance of Xiang Huaizhi, who changes his username to Yearning For and pulls Jing Huan into a private party room.
Fae Bae enters the channel and causes tension, still bitter over Sweet Little Jing’s growing closeness to Yearning For.
Fae Bae changes her username to "Is it fun being a mistress?" and hovers near Yearning For’s room.
Jing Huan kicks Fae Bae from the channel, but she returns, only to be permanently banned for 7 days by Xiang Huaizhi.
Lu Hang joins and finds their party members hiding from joining the room out of fear of drama or being kicked.
The guild prepares for a major dungeon run, and BrbOrNot awkwardly joins Yearning For's team despite having hunted Sweet Little Jing in the past.
Sweet Little Jing teases BrbOrNot for having hunted her for over 70 hours, lightening the mood with playful sarcasm.
The group runs a five-man dungeon smoothly and then prepares for a large 20-man guild dungeon.
Everyone gathers at the NPC, and Sweet Little Jing openly flirts with Yearning For in chat, causing reactions from others.
The new dungeon bug prevents entry, but Jing Huan notices a change in the NPC’s appearance.
Jing Huan is randomly selected by the dungeon and pulled into a sea prison by the NPC Clam Spirit Princess.
A nine-stage solo challenge dungeon is revealed, where other party members must complete individual tasks to rescue the trapped Jing Huan.
BrbOrNot, Love is Sharing Noms, and Lu Hang attempt the stages but fail at different points.
Xiang Huaizhi declares there will be no second run and proceeds to complete all nine stages solo, achieving the server’s first clear.
Jing Huan receives a rare Amethyst material as loot and immediately gifts it to Xiang Huaizhi, saying it would benefit his divine artifact more.
Sweet Little Jing playfully asks for a couple title in exchange; Xiang Huaizhi refuses.
Xiang Huaizhi splits the loot with everyone on Sweet Little Jing’s behalf, stunning the team.
The guild then clears the 20-man dungeon with ease, though the loot is less impressive.
Jing Huan returns to his dorm and discovers his friends watching Yearning For's dungeon clear video in awe.
They praise Yearning For and joke about wanting to marry him.
Jing Huan accidentally reveals insider knowledge about the loot drop and has to cover it up with a lie.
Lu Wenhao asks Jing Huan to sing for the upcoming Nine Heroes Singing Competition to win a limited mount, but Jing Huan refuses due to live requirements and identity risks.
Lu Wenhao starts exploring entries from female players for fun, critiquing songs, which sparks an idea for Jing Huan.
Later, Jing Huan sends a voice message to Xiang Huaizhi while walking past the basketball court and coincidentally spots him in real life.
They briefly lock eyes and exchange waves, and Jing Huan continues texting Xiang Huaizhi as “Sweet Little Jing” afterward.
Xiang Huaizhi and Lu Hang talk about the singing competition; Lu Hang plans to join for the outfit.
Guild members also join, and Lu Hang speculates whether Sweet Little Jing will too.
Xiang Huaizhi reflects on her odd voice and feels ambivalent about her singing.
The next morning, Xiang Huaizhi learns from Lu Hang that Sweet Little Jing submitted “Loyalty to the Country,” shocking him.
Jing Huan is exhausted after spending all night recording the song and becomes hoarse.
To his horror, his recording goes viral and tops the competition’s likes ranking, contrary to his plan of staying lowkey.
Forum posts label Sweet Little Jing as a patriotic, strong, loyal, and admirable player.
Jing Huan is overwhelmed with friend requests and attention in-game.
He retreats to his in-game house and messages Xiang Huaizhi for help escaping the crowd.
Xiang Huaizhi joins his party, shielding him from invites, and helps with dailies.
Fae Bae messages Jing Huan accusing him of trying to have it all—men and prizes.
Jing Huan sees Fae Bae is second in the competition and decides to provoke her using megaphones.
Sweet Little Jing sends a dramatic public declaration: claiming she doesn’t care about the competition but insists “MY GEGE IS NOT UP FOR GRABS.”
Fae Bae is stunned by the megaphone and has no time to respond before another one follows.
The world channel erupts with opinions, criticisms, and reactions to Sweet Little Jing’s and Yearning For’s situation.
Xiang Huaizhi sends his first megaphone stating, “We never got together, so there’s no need to break up,” effectively denying his past with Fae Bae.
Jing Huan nervously confesses liking Xiang Huaizhi through voice chat.
Xiang Huaizhi gently but firmly tells Sweet Little Jing that he doesn’t do online relationships and won’t fall for her.
Jing Huan pitifully accepts this, saying that raiding dungeons with him is already enough.
Lu Hang continues to be bombarded by guild members fishing for gossip.
The chapter ends with the unresolved tension between Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi, with Jing Huan quietly determined to keep trying despite the rejection.

Guide On How To Fail At Online Dating, Vol. 2

Chapter 08Jing Huan waits until the departure day to pack lightly for the three-day, two-night hot spring trip, sends Yearning For a good morning message, and rides with Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang to the mountain resort while being teased about secretly dating someone because he has been staying up late grinding quests in Nine Heroes.Jing Huan spends the car ride checking his phone for Yearning For’s reply, grows irritated at the silence, watches a flirtatious female streamer to study how she attracts wealthy fans, and becomes insecure after comparing her sweet voice to his own voice-changed persona.Jing Huan checks into a king-sized room alone while Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang stay upstairs, refuses to soak in the hot springs at noon, logs into Nine Heroes, rejects Bishop Wood’s invitation to run dungeons, and pointedly mentions he wants to take pretty Penglai scenery screenshots for Yearning For.Jing Huan wakes from a nap to find only a friend request from Bishop Wood instead of a reply from Yearning For, grows angry at being ignored, and passive-aggressively messages Yearning For asking if he found a new girl in the mountains.During dinner, Lu Wenhao boasts about marrying a beautiful in-game goddess and advises Jing Huan’s “friend” to send photos and mildly seductive pictures to hook the man she likes, which inspires Jing Huan to take and heavily edit a thigh photo of himself in the hot springs and send it along with a voice-changed “mwah” to Yearning For.Xiang Huaizhi retrieves his lost phone, sees Sweet Little Jing’s good morning message, thigh photo, and voice message, calmly warns Sweet Little Jing not to send such photos to random people, and privately reacts to the suggestive content while Lu Hang teases him.Lu Hang pranks Sweet Little Jing by sending a fake ugly photo claiming it is Xiang Huaizhi, and Sweet Little Jing over-the-top praises and “licks the screen,” forcing Xiang Huaizhi to clarify it was a joke and reprimand Lu Hang for messing with her.The next day at the resort internet café, Jing Huan plays games while Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang run Nine Heroes dungeons, rejects a cute girl asking to duo in League of Legends, hires male gaming companions for PUBG, and later demonstrates impressive Spirit Fox Den healing skills by taking over Lu Wenhao’s seat.Xiang Huaizhi and Lu Hang appear drenched from rain after hiking, join them at the internet café, and Xiang Huaizhi sits across from Jing Huan, who casually compliments Xiang Huaizhi’s large hands and fingers while secretly comparing his voice to Long Road Ahead’s.Jing Huan becomes suspicious that Nomnom might be someone nearby due to similar voices but confirms she is elsewhere, then the group remains stranded by heavy rain and agrees that Xiang Huaizhi and Lu Hang will stay overnight in their rooms, with Xiang Huaizhi sharing Jing Huan’s king bed.In the shared room, Xiang Huaizhi replies to Sweet Little Jing’s WeChat messages while hearing Jing Huan’s laptop notifications in sync, briefly suspects something absurd, but dismisses it when additional notifications turn out to be from Lu Wenhao instead.Jing Huan openly questions Yearning For about dungeon runs, suspects Long Road Ahead of meddling, and then ends the chat, while Xiang Huaizhi wrestles with the strange coincidence of simultaneous message sounds from Jing Huan’s laptop.They join the others for dinner and karaoke, where Jing Huan drinks heavily while shielding Xiang Huaizhi from being pressured to drink, loses repeatedly at finger games and dice, sings “Loyalty to the Country,” and becomes visibly drunk yet insists he is fine.Jing Huan leaves for the restroom but ends up sleeping outside it, and Xiang Huaizhi carries him back to the room, where the drunk Jing Huan accidentally addresses him as “gege,” complains about not being invited to dungeons, and finally blurts out that Xiang Huaizhi is Yearning For.In shock, Xiang Huaizhi confirms through Jing Huan’s rambling that Jing Huan believes he is Yearning For, escorts him upstairs, deals with his drunken chaos including soaking himself in the shower, and watches Jing Huan kick off his wet pants and fall asleep.Overcome with doubt, Xiang Huaizhi lifts the quilt to check Jing Huan’s thigh and sees the same tiny mole from the hot spring photo, then opens Jing Huan’s still-running laptop to find Sweet Little Jing’s character AFKing in Penglai, conclusively realizing Jing Huan is Sweet Little Jing.Xiang Huaizhi processes the revelation that the clingy in-game girl who confessed to him is actually Jing Huan, wonders whether Jing Huan knows his identity as Yearning For and whether Jing Huan likes men, confirms with Lu Hang that his game ID was never shared, and lies awake while Jing Huan sleeps peacefully beside him.

Chapter 09Jing Huan wakes up with a headache after dreaming all night about Yearning For forcing him to call him “gege,” feels annoyed, and notices Xiang Huaizhi lying beside him with a strange emotional look and a clear distance kept between them.Jing Huan awkwardly asks whether he did anything crazy while drunk, but Xiang Huaizhi says no and almost asks if Jing Huan forgot what he said the previous night before swallowing the words.Jing Huan realizes he slept nearly naked, casually walks to the bathroom without embarrassment, while Xiang Huaizhi wonders if all gay men are this open, revealing his internal conflict.Xiang Huaizhi lies about being in the Full Moon Blossom server when Jing Huan asks which Nine Heroes server he plays on, and Jing Huan shows no suspicion.Jing Huan asks to add Xiang Huaizhi on WeChat, and Xiang Huaizhi deliberately uses his alt account to add him after seeing the familiar pink profile picture.Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang tease Jing Huan about draining Xiang Huaizhi’s “essence,” while Xiang Huaizhi pretends to nap, exhausted from barely sleeping.On WeChat, Little Jing~ immediately resumes sweet flirting with Xiang Huaizhi’s main account, calling him a heart-stealing thief and acting jealous, while Xiang Huaizhi feels conflicted remembering Jing Huan’s real-life personality.Jing Huan logs into Nine Heroes to clear dungeons and accidentally joins a guild party including Bishop Wood, who again tries to shower him with attention and offers to buy him 100 Fate Stones.Jing Huan firmly refuses the Fate Stones because he hates the gambling mechanic, then goes AFK to avoid Bishop Wood’s advances.In the guild WeChat group, BrbOrNot reveals that Bishop Wood offered Sweet Little Jing 100 Fate Stones to woo her, and Bishop Wood publicly admits it while warning others not to embarrass her.Xiang Huaizhi reads the guild gossip, remembers rumors about Bishop Wood being a scumbag in past online relationships, and silently becomes wary.Bishop Wood privately asks Xiang Huaizhi to give him Sweet Little Jing as a 2v2 arena partner and even offers enchanted spirit orbs in exchange, but Xiang Huaizhi refuses and tells him to ask her directly.Xiang Huaizhi impulsively offers to help Sweet Little Jing find another teammate for tomorrow, but she insists she only wants to play 2v2 with him, flattering him again.System announcements reveal Fae Bae advanced in the Nine Heroes singing competition, and subtle megaphone messages mock Sweet Little Jing for relying on gimmicks, but Sweet Little Jing responds confidently and refuses to engage in drama.Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi play in the arena together, growing closer through playful in-game affection, while Bishop Wood watches jealously from the sidelines.In real life, Jing Huan spots Xiang Huaizhi on the basketball court and eagerly joins his game, insisting on being on the same team.Jing Huan plays well and cooperates perfectly with Xiang Huaizhi, intentionally high-fiving him and lingering in contact, while spectators photograph them and spread pictures in school group chats.A known dirty player elbows Xiang Huaizhi during the game, and Jing Huan deliberately switches positions to guard that player and retaliates by knocking him down in the same underhanded way.Xiang Huaizhi protects Jing Huan verbally and physically, standing in front of him during the confrontation and subtly touching his back to guide him away, leaving Jing Huan flustered by the warmth of his hand.After eating together, Xiang Huaizhi unexpectedly buys three cups of milk tea for Jing Huan and leaves him holding all of them, confusing Jing Huan but showing quiet care.Bishop Wood brings Sweet Little Jing to Moon Palace and sets off an extravagant custom fireworks display spelling “Jing” inside a heart, clearly confessing his intentions and boasting about the money spent.Xiang Huaizhi secretly teleports to Moon Palace, sees the romantic fireworks scene between Bishop Wood and Sweet Little Jing, and feels jealous and unsettled before leaving.Bishop Wood interprets Sweet Little Jing’s amazement as being moved by him, unaware that Jing Huan is internally comparing him to Yearning For and realizing how lacking Yearning For’s romantic gestures are.Fae Bae privately contacts Yearning For asking him to livestream killing the God of War in exchange for money and suggests splitting profits, even implying Sweet Little Jing could get more, but Xiang Huaizhi rejects her completely.Jing Huan recreates a fireworks display himself using screenshots and sets it off with Yearning For in the guild zone, unintentionally causing guild gossip when screenshots circulate.Sweet Little Jing publicly clarifies in the guild chat that Bishop Wood is only a friend and openly declares she wants to marry Yearning For instead, friend-zoning Bishop Wood.Yearning For pays guild fees to reserve the guild zone and then gifts Sweet Little Jing an expensive level 10 gem to boost her healing power, demonstrating quiet but decisive commitment.Sweet Little Jing embeds the gem, rolls top stats, and kisses Yearning For over voice chat, while Xiang Huaizhi stiffly tells her not to kiss so casually but continues playing with her anyway.Sweet Little Jing spams multiple couple interaction requests such as hug, princess carry, piggyback, and kiss, and Yearning For accepts most except the kiss, drawing a clear line while still allowing intimacy.The chapter closes with their relationship deepening through actions rather than words, Bishop Wood pushed further into the background, and Xiang Huaizhi’s jealousy turning into quiet, possessive gestures instead of open confession.

Chapter 10Jing Huan sits in the back of the classroom watching a Nine Heroes PVP video of Yearning For defeating Eternal Descent in under ten minutes, obsessively studying it because he himself was crushed in under three minutes and feels humiliated.Lu Wenhao offers Jing Huan a spare character to return to the game, but Jing Huan refuses, claiming exams are coming and he has no time, though in reality he is focused on figuring out how to beat Yearning For.Jing Huan decides to go study alone at the library, where he messages Long Road Ahead about the God of War quest and agrees to let Bishop Wood join the team as the final member.Lu Wenhao shows Jing Huan a pair of expensive limited-edition sneakers, and Jing Huan excitedly encourages him to buy them while secretly setting an alarm to try to grab them.At the library, a girl who previously tried to give Jing Huan water approaches and sits beside him, clearly intending to confess, but Jing Huan politely rejects her.Xiang Huaizhi arrives at the library under the excuse of returning books, sees Jing Huan with the girl, and misinterprets the scene before Jing Huan calls him over to sit together.Jing Huan casually reveals he is chasing someone else, describes that person as “not that great,” but insists he likes them anyway, leaving Xiang Huaizhi unsettled and quietly reflective.Xiang Huaizhi internally worries that Jing Huan may view him as a scumbag because of past incidents like Fae Bae, yet he chooses not to clarify the misunderstandings.They study together all afternoon, have dinner, and Jing Huan insists on paying to keep things reciprocal, deepening their real-life bond.Jing Huan awkwardly experiments with calling Xiang Huaizhi “gege” in real life, making both of them embarrassed, though Xiang Huaizhi secretly likes hearing it.In-game, Love is Sharing Noms shares news of a beautiful new outfit costing 1,200 gold, and Sweet Little Jing complains about the outrageous price and says she will not buy it.The next day, Sweet Little Jing receives a system notice that Yearning For gifted her the Lantern Fairy outfit, leaving Jing Huan shocked and emotionally conflicted because he sees it as a meaningful gesture.While waiting to claim the outfit, Jing Huan overhears Fae Bae flaunting gifts from another admirer and sees forum posts again attacking Ranxin, reigniting his anger over past humiliation.Overcome with anger and pride, Sweet Little Jing rejects Yearning For’s gifted outfit, claiming she cannot spend his money, and responds to him coldly without stickers or cute tone.When Yearning For keeps asking what is wrong, Sweet Little Jing impulsively lies that she is on her period, shocking Xiang Huaizhi and creating awkward confusion since he knows Jing Huan is male.Jing Huan later regrets the ridiculous “Aunt Flo” excuse but convinces himself that acting temperamental might even strengthen his act as a girl.Xiang Huaizhi asks Lu Hang for advice about someone suddenly losing patience, and Lu Hang suggests that affection has limits and that Yearning For must occasionally reciprocate Sweet Little Jing’s feelings.The next day, Jing Huan wakes up irritated, refuses to send Yearning For a good morning message, and logs into the game still in a foul mood.Sweet Little Jing joins a Qilin Mountain dungeon party led by Young Luo, only to discover Maimai’s #1 Fan and Little Mai deliberately enter without weapon durability to force her to work harder as sole healer.After two exhausting hours, Young Luo kicks Sweet Little Jing from the party right before the boss, preventing her from completing the dungeon.The party then triggers the rare hidden boss and invites Ji Xiaonian to take Sweet Little Jing’s place, letting Ji Xiaonian claim the loot, revealing the entire setup was deliberate humiliation.Furious, Sweet Little Jing leaves the guild and group chat to avoid implicating them, then hires OFF! for 500 gold to track the five players so she can hunt them down.Jing Huan arms himself with high-movement gear and prepares to ambush Maimai’s #1 Fan and Little Mai, intending revenge even if he cannot defeat them outright.Just as Jing Huan is about to attack, Yearning For logs in early, invites Sweet Little Jing into his party, and unexpectedly initiates a forced PK against Maimai’s #1 Fan.The server erupts in world chat as players realize Yearning For is publicly confronting the notorious griefer Maimai’s #1 Fan over Sweet Little Jing being kicked from the dungeon.Yearning For overwhelms Maimai’s #1 Fan with superior skill and accuracy, crushing him in under ten minutes despite accusations of scripting.When Maimai’s #1 Fan begs Yearning For to spare Little Mai and take responsibility for the wrongdoing himself, Yearning For coldly responds, “Is your wife the only one who can feel wronged?” and kills him anyway, defending Sweet Little Jing’s dignity.The ambiguous phrasing sparks gossip that Yearning For implied Sweet Little Jing is also his “wife,” causing chaos in the chat while Sweet Little Jing reacts dramatically.Yearning For flies Sweet Little Jing away to Petal Valley, and Sweet Little Jing teasingly calls him “hubby,” making Xiang Huaizhi cough and deny any implied meaning.Xiang Huaizhi clarifies that if Sweet Little Jing is bullied again, she should come to him first, showing protective intent.When Sweet Little Jing asks if he truly likes her, Yearning For says he will “take responsibility” for her feelings, promising she can rely on him for anything in-game except marriage.Yearning For adds that if Sweet Little Jing ever falls for someone else, their agreement will be void, revealing his desire to keep her attached but without formal commitment.Jing Huan realizes that Yearning For intends to keep him emotionally bound without agreeing to marry, concluding that Yearning For is shamelessly stringing him along while avoiding true responsibility.

Chapter 11Jing Huan stays silent after Xiang Huaizhi says he is not stopping him from liking other people, then types sweetly as Sweet Little Jing that he could never like anyone else besides gege, while secretly cursing Yearning For in his heart.Xiang Huaizhi tells Jing Huan not to leave the safe zone when he is not around because Maimai’s #1 Fan might cause trouble, and Jing Huan insists he is not afraid since Maimai’s #1 Fan is just a pay-to-win player with poor skills.Xiang Huaizhi notices Sweet Little Jing’s upgraded purple gear and questions where the money came from, and Jing Huan admits he overspent his living expenses in anger and jokes that he will have to live on steamed buns.Xiang Huaizhi offers to lend Jing Huan money for food, tells him he is not fat when Jing Huan mentions dieting, and Jing Huan flusters and refuses, saying they are not in that kind of relationship and suggesting going to Yuelao’s Temple instead.Bishop Wood gifts Sweet Little Jing a Lantern Fairy outfit as consolation, but Jing Huan immediately returns it at the Unknown Realm to avoid the storage fee and not accept expensive gifts.Yearning For then sends the same Lantern Fairy outfit to Sweet Little Jing and threatens to give it to Long Road Ahead if Jing Huan refuses, so Jing Huan accepts it, changes into it, and teasingly asks if he looks good.Yearning For helps Sweet Little Jing complete daily tasks, and during this time Love is Sharing Noms contacts Jing Huan angrily about him quitting the guild without explanation.Jing Huan explains he quit to avoid dragging the guild into his conflict with Maimai’s #1 Fan, but Love is Sharing Noms reveals the guild already had bad blood with Maimai’s #1 Fan and had been planning to help Sweet Little Jing get revenge.Love is Sharing Noms sends Jing Huan screenshots showing Bishop Wood promising justice while Yearning For states that Sweet Little Jing is his party member and he will handle Maimai’s #1 Fan himself, which deeply moves Jing Huan.Jing Huan asks about Xiang Huaizhi’s past with Fae Bae, and Love is Sharing Noms reveals they used to stay on mic for ten hours a day, had matching WeChat profile pictures, and that Yearning For called Fae Bae “baby” and “wifey,” which makes Jing Huan jealous and upset.Jing Huan becomes angry at the perceived double standard, confronts Yearning For indirectly, and then asks him to take kissing screenshots together in the Moon Place.Xiang Huaizhi hesitates but agrees to the in-game kiss, screenshots the moment, and when Jing Huan asks to be called “baby,” he initially refuses before finally saying it once in a low, indulgent voice that leaves Jing Huan flustered and shaken.Jing Huan tries to get Xiang Huaizhi to repeat “baby” so he can record it for revenge, but Xiang Huaizhi refuses and goes AFK, while in reality Lu Hang teases Xiang Huaizhi about helping Sweet Little Jing and suggests he likes girls like her, which Xiang Huaizhi dismisses.The next morning Lu Hang wakes everyone to fight the God of War, Xiang Huaizhi directs the team efficiently, and their party sets a new record by defeating the boss in 62 minutes.Jing Huan’s roommates Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang watch the battle video at an internet café and praise the Spirit Fox Den player Sweet Little Jing for precise seals and selective healing that supports Yearning For.Jing Huan encounters cockroaches in the internet café restroom, panics, and jumps onto Xiang Huaizhi in terror, clinging to him while shouting about the four huge flying cockroaches.Xiang Huaizhi calmly closes the restroom door while letting Jing Huan stand on his feet, reassures him, pats his back, and learns Jing Huan’s childhood trauma about being locked in an abandoned house full of bugs.Jing Huan feels guilty for stepping on Xiang Huaizhi’s white sneakers and offers to massage his feet or take him to the hospital, but Xiang Huaizhi insists he is fine.Jing Huan invites Xiang Huaizhi to join him and his roommates at the internet café, and Xiang Huaizhi agrees, sitting beside him while pretending he has already sold his powerful Nine Heroes account.During PUBG, Xiang Huaizhi single-handedly wipes out two teams with twelve kills, astonishing Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang, while Jing Huan stares in admiration.After gaming all day, Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi walk home together in the cold, and Jing Huan admits he hires male gaming companions and has spent thousands supporting a streamer named Xiao Yan on StarfieldTV.Xiang Huaizhi grows subtly jealous upon learning Jing Huan still likes Xiao Yan, especially since Jing Huan only gave Yearning For minor gifts compared to the streamer.Jing Huan says he prefers playing with Xiang Huaizhi and would hire him daily if he were a gaming companion, and Xiang Huaizhi responds that he does not want to be one but will play anytime on the condition Jing Huan does not bring other companions or the streamer.Jing Huan happily agrees, then grabs Xiang Huaizhi’s cold hand to warm it with his own, casually explaining he often warms Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang’s hands too, while Xiang Huaizhi feels his heartbeat grow abnormal and quietly admits it feels good.

Chapter 12Jing Huan wakes up to Lu Wenhao repeatedly tagging him in the dorm group chat about a Campus BBS post showing a photo of Jing Huan holding Xiang Huaizhi’s hand under streetlights, and the post implies they are secretly dating, with commenters celebrating them as a handsome gay couple and speculating about past interactions.Jing Huan is shocked that people interpret him warming Xiang Huaizhi’s hands as romantic evidence, feels confused and embarrassed by comments labeling him a “sunny, cute little 0,” and considers tracing the poster’s IP but is told by Gao Zixiang to calm down.Jing Huan messages Xiang Huaizhi about the post, offers to clarify publicly, but Xiang Huaizhi says he does not care and asks whether Jing Huan cares, then changes the topic and tells Jing Huan to log into the game.In the game Nine Heroes, Xiang Huaizhi brings Jing Huan to Petal Valley where Ji Xiaonian is on a romantic in-game date with Moonlight with You, and Xiang Huaizhi suddenly initiates a forced PK against Ji Xiaonian to retaliate for past harassment.Ji Xiaonian insults both Yearning For and Sweet Little Jing in chat, calling them shameless and a cheating couple, but Xiang Huaizhi calmly tells Jing Huan not to argue and defeats Ji Xiaonian while Moonlight with You refuses to help her because he does not want to risk losing wealth ranking gold.Jing Huan is disgusted that Moonlight with You abandons Ji Xiaonian for money and declares dramatically that if Xiang Huaizhi ever died in-game he would accompany him to the respawn point and die together, but Xiang Huaizhi says he will not die.Jing Huan impulsively asks Xiang Huaizhi to marry him in-game, but Xiang Huaizhi refuses and says he only sees Jing Huan as a friend, which deeply wounds Jing Huan and makes him feel all his flirting has been useless.Despite rejecting marriage, Xiang Huaizhi lets Jing Huan stay in his party, shares a mount ride, and continues doing dailies with him, maintaining closeness while verbally drawing a line.Echoes of Spring informs Jing Huan that if he does not rejoin Idle Pavilion Guild, Xiang Huaizhi may have to run guild dungeons with other female players, so Jing Huan immediately reapplies and is welcomed back, and Echoes of Spring announces stricter guild discipline about not quitting impulsively.Long Road Ahead tells Jing Huan that Xiang Huaizhi is on the phone with a girl, causing Jing Huan to panic and question what kind of girl Xiang Huaizhi likes, but Long Road Ahead reassures him that he is probably Xiang Huaizhi’s type and should continue as he is.Jing Huan encounters Xiang Huaizhi throwing away limited-edition sneakers that Jing Huan accidentally stepped on before, offers to replace or clean them, but Xiang Huaizhi insists it is unnecessary, tosses them anyway, and casually ruffles Jing Huan’s hair, creating awkward physical tension.During a video call, Mama Jing questions Jing Huan about whether he is dating because he has been calling less often, and informs him that she and his father will visit next month, while Jing Huan internally admits he has been busy trying to make someone fall in love with him.Back in the game, Jing Huan again pushes for marriage, but Xiang Huaizhi points out his intimacy with Long Road Ahead is maxed and dodges the proposal, telling Jing Huan to be good and come to the dungeon instead.A new female character named xoxoYuyu appears, revealed to be Xiang Huaizhi’s cousin Xiang Yu, and she openly calls him gege, demands he buy her full gear, and Xiang Huaizhi actually pays for her entire shopping cart, which makes Jing Huan jealous and furious.Jing Huan and Xiang Yu argue over who can call Xiang Huaizhi gege until Xiang Huaizhi clarifies that Xiang Yu is his tangmei, his uncle’s daughter, which humiliates Jing Huan for misunderstanding and acting possessive.Xiang Yu privately questions Xiang Huaizhi about his relationship with Sweet Little Jing, suspects something romantic, and Xiang Huaizhi calls them regular friends but threatens Xiang Yu with family secrets if she meddles further, revealing he is protective of Jing Huan.Jing Huan’s counselor messages him about performing in the school anniversary gala, insists he participate as the “face of the class,” and eventually assigns him a bodyguard extra role with almost no lines, which Jing Huan finds humiliating.Xiang Huaizhi asks Jing Huan to sing after Jing Huan claims he only wants to sing for him, but then backs off when Jing Huan struggles, internally deciding not to indulge Jing Huan’s excessive sweet-talking so he will not be bullied by others in the future.On campus, Jing Huan directly asks Xiang Huaizhi if he is treating him to meals to pursue a girl, offering to help him get a number, but Xiang Huaizhi states plainly he is not pursuing anyone and simply wanted to treat Jing Huan, with no ulterior motive.Another BBS post circulates with photos of Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi eating and buying milk tea together, increasing campus gossip that they are dating.The counselor privately questions Jing Huan about whether he and Xiang Huaizhi are really together and awkwardly reminds him to be careful about health and safety in all aspects, assuming the rumors might be true, which leaves Jing Huan speechless and flustered.During rehearsal at the sports field, Xiang Huaizhi unexpectedly visits carrying a broom and checks if Jing Huan is getting too much sun, while the counselor stares at them suspiciously, further fueling the misunderstanding that they are dating.

Chapter 13Xiang Yu ignores Xiang Huaizhi’s warning and attends the school anniversary anyway, and although Lu Hang is busy with his club performance, Xiang Huaizhi still accompanies Xiang Yu around campus, eats with her, and later takes her to the small auditorium using the tickets Lu Hang gave him.On the way, Xiang Yu notices Xiang Huaizhi texting Sweet Little Jing and bluntly calls Sweet Little Jing a “green tea bitch” who acts cute and leaves a bad first impression, revealing that many female players secretly badmouth Sweet Little Jing to her through DMs.At the auditorium entrance, Xiang Huaizhi runs into Jing Huan dressed in a fitted black suit for the stage play, and Jing Huan shyly asks if he looks handsome, clearly caring about Xiang Huaizhi’s opinion.Jing Huan teases Xiang Huaizhi about rumors on the campus BBS claiming Xiang Huaizhi is cheating on him with a girl and that their relationship is already a bad ending, but neither of them treats it seriously on the surface.During the gala, Xiang Huaizhi ignores the opening hot dance but becomes attentive when Jing Huan appears in a minor bodyguard role in the stage play, and Jing Huan deliberately smiles and winks toward the audience in Xiang Huaizhi’s direction.Xiang Yu believes Jing Huan winked at her and decides to go backstage to get his phone number, but Xiang Huaizhi firmly stops her and lies that Jing Huan already has someone he likes, privately realizing that the person Jing Huan likes is himself and feeling unexpectedly satisfied and pleased.After the performance, Jing Huan invites Xiang Huaizhi to eat barbecue, but Xiang Huaizhi refuses because he has to take Xiang Yu home, while Jing Huan goes with Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang and learns that Nine Heroes will implement its first-ever server merge, which shocks everyone.That night in the game, Ji Xiaonian publicly accuses someone of abandoning her and hints at issues about wealth rankings and not being rescued, causing tension, while Jing Huan loudly declares that no man in the world is better than Yearning For, making Xiang Huaizhi both uncomfortable and secretly affected.News spreads that Match Made in Heaven server will merge with another server, stirring anxiety about rankings, territories, and guild conflicts, while Jing Huan casually continues flirting with Yearning For and asking to do dailies together.When Yearning For is offline for Mama Xiang’s birthday, Bishop Wood invites Sweet Little Jing to fight in the arena, and Jing Huan agrees, losing multiple matches and points due to poor synergy and new arena penalty rules.Xiang Huaizhi notices from the guild chat that Sweet Little Jing and Bishop Wood are alone in a locked YY voice room, feels irritated, and becomes subtly jealous even though he does not openly admit it.After overhearing a girl complain about her boyfriend playing with another girl, Xiang Huaizhi finally checks Sweet Little Jing’s messages, learns he lost sixty points, and questions him sharply about queuing with Bishop Wood, revealing clear jealousy.Sweet Little Jing teasingly asks if Yearning For is jealous, and Xiang Huaizhi spends twelve minutes typing before denying it and coldly warning Sweet Little Jing not to party with him again if he keeps playing arena with others, exposing his possessiveness.That night, Sweet Little Jing promises never to “mess around with men who aren’t gege” and flirts excessively, causing Xiang Huaizhi to nearly admit his feelings before deleting the word “yes,” realizing his emotions are slipping out of control.Sweet Little Jing pretends to want a video call but claims to be naked, making Xiang Huaizhi choke on water, and Xiang Huaizhi sends voice messages telling Sweet Little Jing to sleep and cover himself with a blanket, showing concern beneath restraint.In the arena, Long Road Ahead mocks Yearning For with a “green hat” joke about Sweet Little Jing playing with Bishop Wood, and Xiang Huaizhi repeatedly defeats Lu Hang’s team, venting his displeasure.Xiang Huaizhi invites Sweet Little Jing to play PUBG, lends him an extra account, gives him guns in-game, crouches beside him to listen to a “secret,” and hears Sweet Little Jing whisper “I like you,” which makes his heart race even though he pretends he did not hear clearly.Lu Hang assumes Yearning For and Sweet Little Jing are already together and even suggests marriage in-game, but Xiang Huaizhi insists they are not together, though internally he recognizes he wanted to approach and listen to Sweet Little Jing.In the guild chat, Bishop Wood openly hints at a future with Sweet Little Jing, provoking subtle tension, while Sweet Little Jing continues openly prioritizing Yearning For and claiming he only talks that way to him.The official announcement reveals that Mirage server will merge with Match Made in Heaven, which is Jing Huan’s original server, meaning his past identity and conflicts are about to collide with his current relationship with Yearning For.Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang vow to gather people to kill Yearning For in revenge for bullying Sweet Little Jing, not knowing Jing Huan’s complicated feelings, while Jing Huan half-heartedly protests but secretly worries about fairness and dignity.Echoes of Spring organizes assassination squads in preparation for intense guild warfare after the merge, and both sides prepare to fight for territories and dominance.When Sweet Little Jing expresses fear about the upcoming guild war, Yearning For sends a voice message promising that as long as he is there, no one can kill Sweet Little Jing, reinforcing both his protectiveness and Jing Huan’s emotional conflict as the merge approaches.

Chapter 14Jing Huan wakes up to find both his guild chat and dorm group chat flooded with messages after the Nine Heroes server merge maintenance ends, and he quickly realizes his roommates Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang have been tracking the coordinates of Idle Pavilion guild members to hunt them down.Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang wake up at 6:30 a.m. to log in early, fearing Nine Heroes would open the server ahead of schedule, and proudly tell Jing Huan they are already in-game killing people while others are stuck in queue.Jing Huan panics internally because his roommates belong to the enemy guild Limitless, while he is secretly playing as Sweet Little Jing in Idle Pavilion and pursuing Yearning For, and he decides he will take his secret of cross-playing and flirting with a man to the grave.Echoes of Spring instructs Idle Pavilion members to stop doing dailies, protect guild merchants, and avoid leaving the safe zone alone during the crucial selection week for the main city potion material farm, promising guild bonuses as compensation.Xiang Huaizhi, playing as Yearning For, tells Jing Huan he promised Echoes of Spring to help seize the main city potion material farm, explaining that only the guild with the highest funds during selection week can claim it, and funds come from protecting merchants while killing enemy merchants.Lu Hang recognizes the enemy player Half a Lifetime as Lu Wenhao from real life and realizes both sides know each other offline, but Xiang Huaizhi stops Lu Hang from contacting Lu Wenhao to avoid exposing his identity and making the conflict awkward.Xiang Huaizhi decides they will pretend not to know Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang during the guild war and avoid killing them if possible, planning to talk after the battle over the potion farm ends.Jing Huan logs in and immediately joins Yearning For’s party, and Xiang Huaizhi admits he waited for Jing Huan to log off the night before to ensure his safety in a wilderness map filled with assassins.At 9 a.m., trading opens and a massive battle erupts on the Silk Road map between Idle Pavilion and Limitless, with spectators and alt accounts crowding the area.Lu Wenhao taunts Idle Pavilion through megaphones and tries to charge at Yearning For, but Xiang Huaizhi deliberately avoids engaging him at first, prioritizing merchants instead.Lu Wenhao messages Jing Huan boasting that he almost reached Yearning For and vows to teach him a lesson, unknowingly bragging to the very person fighting alongside Yearning For.Three hours into the fight, Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang’s party clashes directly with Xiang Huaizhi’s party, and both sides struggle intensely, targeting healers and burning through potions.In the middle of combat, Xiang Huaizhi and Long Road Ahead suddenly disconnect because their dorm loses power, leaving their characters frozen and vulnerable in battle.Gao Zixiang seizes the opportunity to unleash a full combo on the immobilized Yearning For, while Jing Huan desperately heals him and realizes the situation is dire.Limitless uses alt accounts to secretly deliver extra potions to Lu Wenhao’s party, giving them a resource advantage and allowing their healer to recover and sustain the fight.Bishop Wood arrives with an Invincibility Medallion to extract Jing Huan and the remaining teammates, explaining they cannot win three against five with enemy reinforcements.Jing Huan refuses to leave, stubbornly staying behind to die with Yearning For instead of escaping, claiming he is waiting in case Yearning For logs back in.Lu Wenhao flirts shamelessly with Sweet Little Jing over All chat, asking her to sing in exchange for sparing her life, while Gao Zixiang eventually finishes off the disconnected players and kills Sweet Little Jing.Jing Huan respawns and sees Yearning For also at the respawn point, confirming he was killed during the disconnection.Lu Wenhao excitedly calls Jing Huan in real life to brag that he killed Yearning For and even sends multiple 360-degree screenshots of Yearning For’s corpse, unaware that Jing Huan witnessed everything firsthand.Jing Huan realizes he does not feel happy seeing Yearning For dead, even though his original intention in reinstalling Nine Heroes was to kill him repeatedly for revenge.The World Channel erupts with debates, haters accusing Yearning For of poor skills and making excuses, while others clarify that Yearning For disconnected during the fight.Yearning For logs back in unexpectedly, and he and Sweet Little Jing reunite at the respawn point, confusing nearby players.Xiang Huaizhi asks Jing Huan why she did not leave earlier and jokes about her being his little widow, and Jing Huan replies that he would rather be a happy ghost couple with him.Jing Huan loses over thirty million experience points and some gold from dying, and Xiang Huaizhi compensates him with gold and promises to help him grind back the lost experience.The guild war continues for three days with scheduled shifts, and Xiang Huaizhi becomes ruthless in combat, avoiding the noon shift where Lu Wenhao is assigned and never dying again.In real life, Lu Wenhao teases Jing Huan for abandoning them for a supposed girlfriend, while Xiang Huaizhi appears cold toward Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang and walks Jing Huan back instead.Jing Huan catches a cold and goes out at night to buy medicine, only to find Xiang Huaizhi waiting by the bus stop, claiming he was on a night jog and then walking him home.Xiang Huaizhi asks about the person Jing Huan likes, and Jing Huan admits he likes them but is getting tired of pursuing them and does not want to continue.Xiang Huaizhi is inwardly shaken by Jing Huan’s words and later lies awake at 4:30 a.m., messaging him and subtly softening his tone, telling him good night and to put his phone away.Jing Huan discovers a forum post mocking Sweet Little Jing for clinging to Yearning For while AFK in Penglai, gets angry, leaves the party in frustration, but is quickly invited back by Yearning For.Xiang Huaizhi brings Jing Huan to complete the Realm of Lovers event quest, which involves delivering peach blossoms and letters between Rumo and the Scholar, only to end in rejection because the Scholar sees Rumo as resembling his late wife.After completing the quest, Xiang Huaizhi notes that their intimacy level increases significantly, and when Jing Huan jokes that their intimacy can only max at 9,999 since they will not marry, Xiang Huaizhi suddenly asks, “When do you want to get married?”

Guide On How To Fail At Online Dating, Vol. 3

Chapter 15During Yearning For and Sweet Little Jing’s wedding ceremony, the World Channel suddenly erupts with insults from a throwaway alt calling them a scumbag and a slut.In response, Idle Pavilion members immediately flood the server with congratulatory megaphones to drown out the troll.Before Jing Huan can fire back himself, Yearning For posts an official megaphone statement saying his account was handled by a professional booster from March to August because of health issues.This announcement shocks Jing Huan because his cousin’s incident happened during that exact period.Yearning For further states that he has agreed to compensate affected players and will post chat logs on the forum later. Then Yearning For publicly clarifies that he was the one who proposed to Sweet Little Jing.The entire server explodes in confusion, debate, and gossip, with players arguing over whether Yearning For is innocent, responsible, or just making excuses.Jing Huan goes numb as he rereads the announcement over and over, unable to process that he may have targeted the wrong person.Love is Sharing Noms messages Sweet Little Jing with genuine congratulations, saying she always knew God Xiang had changed.The system grants Jing Huan the title “Yearning For’s Wife,” but the happiness of the wedding only makes his panic worse.After Jing Huan turns off every channel except party chat, he finally asks Xiang Huaizhi what the announcement means.Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan would still like him if he were not actually a scumbag. Jing Huan shakily says of course he would.In response, Xiang Huaizhi confirms that he had a booster play for him and that he has never been with anyone else.Jing Huan tries to convince himself Yearning For might be lying to clear his name.Xiang Huaizhi adds that the gameplay clips Jing Huan liked were all truly him, so Jing Huan does not need to worry about liking the wrong person.This reminder humiliates Jing Huan because he once used Yearning For’s gameplay videos as the excuse for why he flirted with him. Jing Huan messages Long Road Ahead to verify the announcement.Long Road Ahead confirms everything is true and says they even tracked down the booster’s address and phone number, but the booster ran away.Long Road Ahead also explains that Fae Bae knew the truth but could not let the situation go and kept targeting Sweet Little Jing and Yearning For.When Jing Huan asks about Ran Xin, Long Road Ahead says Xiang Huaizhi tried to compensate her, but she called it bad luck and deleted her account.The confirmation makes Jing Huan feel as if coffin nails are being hammered into him because his revenge plot was built on a false premise.Before Jing Huan can confess, Yearning For sets off a “Love of My Life” firework for Sweet Little Jing.The expensive fireworks raise their intimacy points and broadcast their wedding across the server.Yearning For sets off nine more fireworks, leaving Jing Huan horrified because he keeps calculating how impossible it will be to repay him.Jing Huan tries again to say he needs to tell Yearning For something, but Yearning For misses most of it while turning down the fireworks volume.Just as Jing Huan opens the voice changer panel to confess, the system announces that Yearning For and Sweet Little Jing’s wedding banquet has opened for twenty-four hours.Jing Huan realizes the banquet is another enormous expense because each hour costs 999 gold.Then the ceremony continues with the most expensive bridal sedan chair, a grand procession, a white horse, scattered coins, and an extravagant city parade.Jing Huan feels trapped in the role of the bride and wonders what has happened to his life.Xiang Huaizhi explains that he read many wedding guides and asked around because he did not know what Jing Huan would like.Xiang Huaizhi says there were not many wedding options, so he did all of them. This overwhelms Jing Huan with guilt because Xiang Huaizhi was trying to give him a perfect wedding.Xiang Huaizhi admits he wanted to add Jing Huan’s custom fireworks with Jing Huan’s name but did not have enough time.When Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan likes the wedding, Jing Huan cannot confess while sitting in the bridal sedan and forces himself to say he likes it.After the parade ends, Xiang Huaizhi brings up one more thing, and Jing Huan panics because he cannot handle another lavish surprise.Xiang Huaizhi explains that since they are married, they need to share a house.Jing Huan asks where Xiang Huaizhi wants to live, and Xiang Huaizhi suggests that Jing Huan move into his place.Jing Huan becomes flustered and asks why Xiang Huaizhi suddenly agreed to marry him.Instead of giving a casual answer, Xiang Huaizhi says calmly that it is because he likes Jing Huan.The next morning, Jing Huan wakes up with the wedding fireworks and Xiang Huaizhi’s confession still echoing in his head.Gao Zixiang sends Jing Huan screenshots and says Yearning For was not playing his account during Jing Huan’s cousin’s accident, meaning they may have gone after the wrong person.Jing Huan realizes it was not a dream and tries to convince himself that people can make mistakes and fix them.Xiang Huaizhi then messages Jing Huan that he has packed and is waiting to move in.Jing Huan remembers that after Xiang Huaizhi confessed, he awkwardly said he wanted to stay in his own place, so Xiang Huaizhi agreed to move over instead.On the way to class, Jing Huan considers skipping because he expects Gao Zixiang and Lu Wenhao to argue with him about Yearning For.In class, Gao Zixiang notices Jing Huan and Lu Wenhao both look miserable and jokes that they look as if he died.Jing Huan says he is still sick and asks what is wrong with Lu Wenhao. Gao Zixiang explains that Lu Wenhao broke up with his in-game wife.Jing Huan is surprised to learn Lu Wenhao was the one who ended it.Gao Zixiang explains that Lu Wenhao’s current wife saw photos of his ex on his profile and asked him to take them down, but Lu Wenhao exploded and demanded a divorce.Jing Huan calls that scummy behavior. Lu Wenhao admits he cannot get over his ex, who was a man he dated online for three months.Lu Wenhao dramatically says he and his ex had plans to meet at a night market, eat skewers, choose a neighborhood, and celebrate the two-child policy with fireworks.Lu Wenhao says he still hears his ex calling him “hubby” on the mic and wishes the man had never revealed the truth.Jing Huan wants to call Lu Wenhao’s ex a scumbag but feels too hypocritical because his own situation is not much better.Jing Huan suggests it would have been worse if Lu Wenhao found out later after becoming even more attached.Lu Wenhao says he wishes his ex had kept lying until Lu Wenhao got over him, because finding out while he liked him most hurt more.The twisted logic somehow makes sense to Jing Huan and stings him.Near the end of class, Lu Wenhao messages the blocked WeChat account and immediately gets the system notice that he has been blocked.Lu Wenhao declares he will never have a healthy relationship again. Jing Huan tells him he will, deciding Lu Wenhao is not the one he should worry about because Lu Wenhao will probably move on quickly.However, Jing Huan cannot stop thinking about Yearning For.After class, Jing Huan goes home and stays offline while anxiously watching anime and fidgeting with his phone.Little Road Never Gets Lost messages Jing Huan, asking why he and Xiangxiang are both missing and telling him to log on for a wedding gift.Jing Huan almost types “gege” instinctively, deletes it, and asks whether Xiangxiang is with Little Road Never Gets Lost.Little Road Never Gets Lost says Xiangxiang was dragged off by a professor to help with the sports festival.Jing Huan logs in and sees Sweet Little Jing standing in Yearning For’s house with the mortifying title “Yearning For’s Wife” above her head.Panicking, Jing Huan hides the title immediately. Little Road Never Gets Lost gives Sweet Little Jing a wedding gift and explains that Xiangxiang told him to give both people’s gifts to Jing Huan.Jing Huan asks why Yearning For dislikes making friends in-game.Little Road Never Gets Lost explains that Xiang Huaizhi once ran a guild and became extremely close to his vice leader for almost two years.Little Road Never Gets Lost reveals that the vice leader used Xiang Huaizhi’s name to scam guild elders out of tens of thousands.Instead of reporting the vice leader, Xiang Huaizhi paid everything back himself.After that betrayal, Xiang Huaizhi shut himself off and mostly played solo.Little Road Never Gets Lost says Xiang Huaizhi only began coming out of his shell after meeting Sweet Little Jing, which is why he was not shocked by the marriage.This makes Jing Huan feel even worse because apologizing now would mean becoming another betrayal after Xiang Huaizhi finally opened up again.Suddenly, the system announces that Yearning For has logged on.Jing Huan tries to log out, but Yearning For immediately messages him asking where he is.Jing Huan cannot escape and joins Yearning For’s party.Once Jing Huan joins, Xiang Huaizhi orders him to put the “Yearning For’s Wife” title back on.Jing Huan silently obeys, and the title reappears above Sweet Little Jing.Long Road Ahead appears and complains that he is not allowed to join the party.Yearning For replies that the newlyweds are moving house and asks whether Long Road Ahead is tagging along.Jing Huan is stunned by Xiang Huaizhi casually calling them newlyweds.Although Jing Huan considers suggesting they skip the house move, Yearning For begins moving furniture and asks for Sweet Little Jing’s house number.Jing Huan gives the house number 1219.During the move, the carriage is ambushed by a Bandit Chief who steals seven taels of silver, a painting, and one wooden stool.Jing Huan is mortified by his house’s terrible luck and insists this has never happened before. Xiang Huaizhi laughs and says he will get used to Jing Huan’s weird luck.At Sweet Little Jing’s shabby house, Yearning For replaces the old furniture with expensive pieces.The last item Xiang Huaizhi places is a king-size red-canopied bed that looks like it belongs in a honeymoon suite.Jing Huan recognizes it as the Mandarin Ducks’ Lovemaking Bed, an expensive item that helps couples conceive in-game without praying at the Fertility Temple.When Jing Huan asks the price, he realizes the bed is worth more than his entire house many times over.Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan wants to try it out.Jing Huan accepts because something that expensive must be used.The bridal chamber animation begins with Yearning For and Sweet Little Jing as silhouettes.Jing Huan expects something silly but panics when the animation shows Yearning For holding, kissing, and laying the spirit fox on the bed.When the red canopy drops, the bed shakes and cartoon hearts float up, leaving Jing Huan scandalized.Xiang Huaizhi remarks that the animation is a bit crude.Jing Huan asks whether Xiang Huaizhi did not look up the animation before buying the bed.Xiang Huaizhi says he thought Jing Huan would like it.This hits Jing Huan hard because Xiang Huaizhi is treating him with sincere care while Jing Huan is hiding a huge lie.When Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan dislikes it, Jing Huan blurts that he does like it but thinks it is too expensive.Xiang Huaizhi says it is not really expensive and adds that he has never been married before.Xiang Huaizhi explains that he did not know what Jing Huan would like, so he thought Sweet Little Jing should have whatever others have.Jing Huan is overwhelmed by the thought that someone this sincere chose a catfish like him.Jing Huan suddenly considers using Lu Wenhao’s twisted theory and not confessing yet because learning the truth later might somehow hurt less.Later, Yearning For joins a five-person dungeon squad with Sweet Little Jing, Long Road Ahead, and xoxoYuyu.Because Limitless has recently weakened, strong Idle Pavilion parties can finally farm without constant raids.xoxoYuyu returns from exams and discovers one teammate has suddenly become her sister-in-law.xoxoYuyu complains in party chat about missing the wedding ceremony.Lu Hang notices Little Jingjing has been unusually silent all day.Xiang Huaizhi says Sweet Little Jing got married and is trying to be ladylike, making Lu Hang privately think Xiang Huaizhi is completely whipped.Lu Hang asks when the sports festival is.Xiang Huaizhi says it is next Monday.Lu Hang wants to take advantage of the long weekend for a city trip, but Xiang Huaizhi says he cannot go because he signed up for an event.Xiang Huaizhi reveals that Lu Hang also has basketball.Lu Hang remembers the counselor’s rotation system and tries to switch events with Xiang Huaizhi.Xiang Huaizhi agrees only if Lu Hang takes the men’s 1,500 meters, so Lu Hang immediately decides high jump is perfect for him after all.On Thursday after class, Xiang Huaizhi goes to the counselor’s office to sign up for the sports festival and ask about exams.On his way out, Xiang Huaizhi unexpectedly runs into Jing Huan.Xiang Huaizhi studies Jing Huan’s overly bright smile and notices he seems too cheerful.Jing Huan greets him happily and asks why Ge is there.During the exchange, Xiang Huaizhi notices Jing Huan mention that his parents are visiting.Xiang Huaizhi becomes concerned because he knows Jing Huan’s parents divorced years ago, have new families and children, and are not especially close to Jing Huan.After saying goodbye to Xiang Huaizhi, Jing Huan returns to his dorm and watches everyone next door playing cards.Jing Huan has barely sat down when his phone chimes.Xiang transfers 5,000 yuan to Jing Huan.Shocked, Jing Huan drops his phone onto the floor and freezes in devastation.

Chapter 16Xiang Huaizhi only sees Jing Huan’s refund notification after leaving the office, and he accepts that Jing Huan does not want the 5,000 yuan even though he had meant to help because he thought Jing Huan might be short on money.In response, Jing Huan messages that Xiang Huaizhi scared him to death, and Xiang Huaizhi simply confirms the transfer was intentional.When Xiang Huaizhi returns to the dorm, Lu Hang is losing a Connect Two match against Love is Sharing Noms and angrily declares that she must be cheating.Xiang Huaizhi silently mocks Lu Hang for wanting to report Love is Sharing Noms just because he cannot beat her.Lu Hang notices Xiang Huaizhi laughing faintly and teases that Xiang Huaizhi only smiles for his wife.Soon afterward, Lu Hang checks his phone and discovers the Nine Heroes forum front page is full of posts about Xiang Huaizhi and Sweet Little Jing’s wedding.Lu Hang points out that the wedding has become the hottest server topic because Xiang Huaizhi spent six figures quietly and also cleared up months of drama at the same time.Xiang Huaizhi opens the forum and sees posts calculating how much he spent, discussing the booster scandal, gossiping about Sweet Little Jing, and exposing Fae Bae.As Xiang Huaizhi reads, he sees commenters insulting Sweet Little Jing’s voice, questioning whether she is a catfish, accusing her of clinging to Yearning For, and bringing up Bishop Wood.The thread shifts into gossip about Sweet Little Jing and Bishop Wood’s supposed relationship because of past heart-shaped fireworks and arena interactions.Xiang Huaizhi becomes irritated when people say Bishop Wood and Sweet Little Jing look more like a couple.After seeing enough speculation, Xiang Huaizhi closes the browser.Meanwhile, Jing Huan receives a WeChat message from Love is Sharing Noms with a forum post about Fae Bae, but he avoids reading it because it will only worsen his guilt.Despite telling himself he should skip the game that night, Jing Huan logs into Nine Heroes out of habit and immediately sees Yearning For’s chat window.Long Road Ahead tells Jing Huan to meet him at the main city teleporter.When Jing Huan arrives, Yearning For is already in the party, so Jing Huan only sends a few stickers and stays quiet.A system notification says Love is Sharing Noms tagged Sweet Little Jing in Yearning For’s profile.Jing Huan clicks and discovers Yearning For’s formerly blank profile now contains a gallery of screenshots with Sweet Little Jing, including hugs, kisses, arena shots, wedding robes, and even Yearning For crouching outside Sweet Little Jing’s rundown house clearing weeds.Jing Huan is embarrassed by the image of Yearning For using a legendary weapon to mow grass.In party chat, Lu Hang asks what gear Sweet Little Jing socketed the gem into, and Jing Huan says it was the ring.Lu Hang teases that it is the love token Xiangxiang gave her.Lu Hang notices Little Jingjing seems unusually quiet and says she used to spam cute emojis constantly.Xiang Huaizhi also notices Jing Huan has been online for ten minutes without speaking to him.Yearning For messages Sweet Little Jing in couple chat, asking whether she has eaten.When Sweet Little Jing answers stiffly, Yearning For asks why she stopped calling him “Gege.”Jing Huan explains that he thought Yearning For was annoyed when he called him that, so he stopped.Yearning For says he liked it.Jing Huan forces himself to call him Gege again, and the single word hits Xiang Huaizhi hard because it reminds him of their wedding day and something Jing Huan whispered.The next afternoon, Jing Huan goes to the field to practice for the sports festival because he wants to avoid embarrassing himself.Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang tag along, claiming moral support but really wanting to time his laps.After barely two laps, Jing Huan’s breathing worsens, and his calf suddenly twitches with a cramp warning.Before Jing Huan can fall, Xiang Huaizhi catches him around the waist from behind. Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan warmed up, and Jing Huan admits he forgot.Jing Huan becomes flustered when he realizes Xiang Huaizhi’s arm is still around his waist and that it feels less like support than being swept off his feet.Xiang Huaizhi tells Jing Huan he is done for the day. Jing Huan tries to let Xiang Huaizhi continue running, but Xiang Huaizhi says they should head back together.Back at the stands, Lu Hang, Gao Zixiang, and Lu Wenhao suggest going out for roasted lamb together.At dinner, Jing Huan licks his chopsticks lightly, unaware that Xiang Huaizhi is staring.A confident girl from another table approaches Jing Huan, pretends to give him something, brushes his palm, and reveals it was a flirting trick for a short video.Jing Huan politely rejects her and says she can post the video anyway.The whole table goes quiet, and Xiang Huaizhi stares at Jing Huan’s hand.Gao Zixiang teases that girls chase Jing Huan everywhere, including basketball games and dinner.Lu Hang says he would go after Jing Huan too if he were a girl. Lu Wenhao says if he were half as handsome as Xiang-ge, the whole world would be his oyster.Gao Zixiang asks whether Xiang Huaizhi gets many girls too. Lu Hang says Xiang Huaizhi used to until he made one girl cry by rejecting her coldly. Xiang Huaizhi calmly says he only turned her down.Because Limitless has basically abandoned the potion farm battle, the group has no urgent raid and stays out until nine.On the way back, Jing Huan asks Xiang Huaizhi when he will train for the 1,500 meters and offers to run with him.Xiang Huaizhi slows and asks whether he can hold Jing Huan’s hand because he is cold.Jing Huan is stunned, but Xiang Huaizhi slips his hand into Jing Huan’s pocket with Jing Huan’s hand.Gao Zixiang, Lu Hang, and Lu Wenhao catch up and freeze when they see Xiang Huaizhi’s hand pressed tightly together with Jing Huan’s inside Jing Huan’s pocket.Gao Zixiang tries to rationalize that they are only warming their hands. Lu Wenhao blurts that this is straight out of a K-drama.Gao Zixiang notes that Lu Wenhao has done the same thing with Jing Huan before, but Lu Wenhao admits it did not feel nearly this suggestive.Gao Zixiang jokes that this is because Lu Wenhao is not Xiang-ge and compares Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi to Beauty and the Beast, with Lu Wenhao definitely being the beast.Back home, Jing Huan takes a hot bath and receives a photo from Lu Wenhao showing him and Xiang Huaizhi from behind standing extremely close. Jing Huan threatens Lu Wenhao when Lu Wenhao says he considered posting the photo on the forum for karma.After showering, Jing Huan browses the forum and sees that his game ID has gone viral more than it ever did even when he dominated rankings on his old server. Jing Huan reads the Fae Bae thread and sees most people either roasting Fae Bae or attacking Sweet Little Jing.Although the insults upset him, Jing Huan skims until one comment says maybe Sweet Little Jing begged Yearning For to post their profile photos.Jing Huan scrolls back and realizes Yearning For posted screenshots with Sweet Little Jing after forum commenters started attacking her.Jing Huan feels guilty and wonders whether Yearning For saw the thread and posted the photos to stop trolls from trashing Sweet Little Jing.Xiang Huaizhi then messages Jing Huan asking whether he has class the next afternoon, and Jing Huan accidentally answers in his Sweet Little Jing tone before realizing he sent the message to Xiang Huaizhi instead of Yearning For. Xiang Huaizhi asks Jing Huan to go jogging with him at three.After agreeing, Jing Huan logs back into Yearning For’s profile and sees that comments are restricted so only Sweet Little Jing can comment.Jing Huan leaves a small cat paw emoji so the comments will not look empty. Love is Sharing Noms then messages Jing Huan with gossip about Fae Bae.Love is Sharing Noms reveals that Lovesickness kept chasing Echoes of Spring because an alt kept sending her DMs trashing Echoes and brainwashing her into thinking Echoes and Don’t Frown were involved.Jing Huan guesses the alt was Fae Bae, shocking Love is Sharing Noms.Love is Sharing Noms explains that Fae Bae wanted Echoes of Spring’s VP position, disliked Don’t Frown, staged the whole thing, and exposed herself by having someone do her dailies on the wrong login.Jing Huan notices Love is Sharing Noms’s comment that online relationships make people paranoid because they cannot see each other’s faces. This gives Jing Huan an idea, and within thirty seconds he begins forming a plan.In response, Jing Huan tells Love is Sharing Noms that online dating depends on the people and says he would hunt down anyone who used a fake account to trash-talk him to gege.Later, Lu Hang calls Xiang Huaizhi over for a boss because they need three people and Sweet Little Jing is not online yet.While playing, Lu Hang says the school forum is trending again because someone photographed Xiang Huaizhi and Jing Huan together.Xiang Huaizhi says the photo does not bother him and laughs quietly when Lu Hang jokes that he and Jing Huan looked glued together.During the boss fight, a yellow system message says Your Huan Gege has added Yearning For as a friend.Your Huan Gege immediately messages Yearning For, claiming Sweet Little Jing is vain, scheming, cheating, and playing both Yearning For and someone else. Xiang Huaizhi reads the amateurish accusations and realizes the story is full of holes.Meanwhile, Jing Huan has prepared thirty-eight insults in his notebook, most copied from the forum, and is only on the fifth one. Yearning For plays along and tells Your Huan Gege he has thought it over.When Yearning For says Your Huan Gege made a good point and asks whether Sweet Little Jing is after his fame or money, Jing Huan freezes because Xiang Huaizhi appears too easily convinced.Jing Huan grows frustrated because he only wanted to play with Yearning For’s feelings, not chase his fame or money.Jing Huan tries another insult, saying online romance is creepy and that Yearning For is rich and good-looking in real life, so he should stop wasting time online.Yearning For answers that real girls are not cute or sweet enough.When Yearning For calls Sweet Little Jing “my wife” and says he has never seen anyone cuter or sweeter than her, Jing Huan turns red in embarrassment.Jing Huan tries to argue that Sweet Little Jing might be ugly, but Yearning For says he does not care about looks.Jing Huan nearly asks whether Xiang Huaizhi would still be fine if Sweet Little Jing had something extra downstairs, but stops himself.Jing Huan uses another prepared slander about Sweet Little Jing bewitching Yearning For for his money, but Yearning For says that would be fine because then Sweet Little Jing would not leave him.Jing Huan becomes completely confused by Yearning For’s logic and asks whether he is really the real Yearning For.Yearning For confirms his identity and sends a voice message, saying that even though he does not know who Your Huan Gege is, Your Huan Gege should have heard his voice before.Jing Huan confirms from the voice that it is definitely Xiang Huaizhi. Yearning For asks whether Your Huan Gege has anything else to say. Jing Huan asks whether Yearning For is really not divorcing Sweet Little Jing.Yearning For says Your Huan Gege cares a lot about him and his wife. Jing Huan panics and claims he has a friend who wants to marry Yearning For, so he came to break them up.Out of ideas, Jing Huan sends the song “QQ Love.” Xiang Huaizhi finishes the boss, then leaves the party because he has something to do.Xiang Huaizhi flies to the tutorial village because he has played along with Jing Huan’s little game long enough and wants to know what is really happening.Xiang Huaizhi spots Your Huan Gege as a young boy fox avatar standing by the village stream and sends him a party invite. Jing Huan logs out in panic after catching a glimpse of Yearning For’s invite.Curiosity wins, so Jing Huan logs back in and sees Yearning For still standing beside him.Yearning For invites Your Huan Gege into the party, and Jing Huan accepts because it is only an alt and dying would not matter.Before Jing Huan can beg for mercy, Xiang Huaizhi speaks through voice and asks what is with the act. Jing Huan nearly falls out of his chair.Yearning For leads Your Huan Gege to a chessboard hidden in a bamboo grove and asks why Jing Huan used an alt account.Jing Huan claims he used it to trash Yearning For’s wife because if he used his main, Yearning For would hunt him down.Xiang Huaizhi laughs and explains that Nine Heroes does not allow married couples to PvP each other, so he could not kill him. Xiang Huaizhi then asks why Jing Huan used an alt to insult himself.Jing Huan’s mouth goes dry as he realizes Xiang Huaizhi has seen through him.Xiang Huaizhi says next time Jing Huan makes an alt, he should not use his WeChat ID as the profile signature because it is too obvious.Jing Huan tries to claim it is a coincidence, but Xiang Huaizhi makes it clear he does not believe him.When Jing Huan inches toward logging off, Xiang Huaizhi tells him not to log off.Xiang Huaizhi removes his glowing gear so his divine artifact does not make the level-zero fox look even more pitiful beside him.Xiang Huaizhi tells Jing Huan to turn on his mic. Jing Huan reluctantly turns on the mic and calls him Gege.Xiang Huaizhi asks what kind of act Jing Huan was putting on today. Jing Huan improvises that it was a relationship test.Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan’s test was to find a pretty boy alt to flirt with him. Jing Huan suddenly realizes this explanation might work and says he wanted to test whether Yearning For would immediately abandon Sweet Little Jing for a pretty boy.Xiang Huaizhi asks what Jing Huan planned to do if Yearning For had taken the bait. Jing Huan says he would beat him up, but immediately remembers his current level-zero alt cannot beat anyone.Xiang Huaizhi says he has passed the test and that Jing Huan should stop overthinking.This makes Jing Huan feel both reassured and more guilty because Xiang Huaizhi is being kind despite everything. Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan has anything else he wants to say.Jing Huan hesitates, grips his mouse, and starts by saying “actually.” After a long silence, Xiang Huaizhi’s deep voice cuts in and asks whether Jing Huan wants to meet in person.

Chapter 17Jing Huan panics after Yearning For asks whether he wants to meet in person, and his foot accidentally slams the power switch, shutting his computer off.In response, Jing Huan realizes his alt account was meant to make Yearning For divorce Sweet Little Jing, not push Yearning For toward an offline meeting.Meanwhile, Xiang Huaizhi stares at the place where Your Huan Gege disappeared and frowns.Lu Hang overhears enough of Xiang Huaizhi’s conversation to suspect cheating and asks who Xiang Huaizhi was talking to. Xiang Huaizhi denies cheating and says the other account was Sweet Little Jing’s alt.When Lu Hang asks why Sweet Little Jing made an alt, Xiang Huaizhi lies that her main account is full and she needed extra storage. Lu Hang pieces together that Xiang Huaizhi asked to meet and assumes Sweet Little Jing turned him down.This makes Xiang Huaizhi reconsider, because from Sweet Little Jing’s perspective, meeting so soon after marriage might seem too sudden.Lu Hang teases Xiang Huaizhi for being eager, so Xiang Huaizhi leaves the dorm to find somewhere he can think.After Xiang Huaizhi leaves, Lu Hang messages Sweet Little Jing and says she missed a chance for deep one-on-one time with the campus heartthrob.Jing Huan initially dismisses the idea, but the phrase “campus heartthrob” makes him think of Xiang Huaizhi. Jing Huan messages Xiang Huaizhi and claims he accidentally kicked the power button and shut down his computer.Xiang Huaizhi says they can put meeting up on hold.Then Xiang Huaizhi sends a voice message telling Jing Huan they will meet when Jing Huan is ready.Jing Huan feels even guiltier because Yearning For is being too good to Sweet Little Jing, whose personality, voice, and gender are all fake.When Xiang Huaizhi says he is going to sleep, Jing Huan suddenly asks to meet on Christmas. Jing Huan explains that by then they will have been married for a month, so he thinks it will be time.Xiang Huaizhi agrees and says he will come to Mancheng. Jing Huan treats Christmas as his execution date and decides that if Yearning For has not dumped him by then, he will confess everything.As the sports festival approaches, Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi practice running together.After two laps of the 1,500 meters, Jing Huan collapses onto the grass and says he cannot move. Xiang Huaizhi tells Jing Huan not to sit right after running.Jing Huan asks Xiang Huaizhi to help him up and pulls himself close with Xiang Huaizhi’s hand.Xiang Huaizhi notices Jing Huan licking his dry lips and asks where his water is. Jing Huan looks at Xiang Huaizhi’s bottle, so Xiang Huaizhi silently hands it over.As they walk back, Jing Huan asks why Xiang Huaizhi quit Nine Heroes. Xiang Huaizhi says he did not have time for it.Jing Huan then asks whether Xiang Huaizhi ever got married in-game. Xiang Huaizhi says yes and confirms it was real online dating. Jing Huan becomes curious but decides not to ask more because the relationship clearly must have ended.During the sports festival, Jing Huan asks Xiang Huaizhi to wait for him, but Xiang Huaizhi finishes the race far ahead.After the race, Jing Huan lightly punches Xiang Huaizhi and calls him a liar for not waiting. Xiang Huaizhi says he is waiting now and asks whether Jing Huan wants lunch together.Before Jing Huan can answer, his parents call to say they are near the school gate. Xiang Huaizhi offers to walk with Jing Huan because he wants to see what kind of parents supposedly abandoned him with only two hundred yuan a week.At the gate, Jing Huan runs happily toward a sleek black Mercedes Maybach and greets a well-dressed couple.Xiang Huaizhi realizes Jing Huan’s family looks wealthy, relaxed, and close. Jing Huan introduces the couple, and Xiang Huaizhi bluntly asks whether Mrs. Jing is his biological mother.Mrs. Jing laughs, Jing Huan cracks up, and Jing Huan confirms both are his biological parents. Xiang Huaizhi apologizes and says they both look young.After Jing Huan leaves, Xiang Huaizhi realizes Jing Huan’s expensive shoes, in-game spending, and behavior had always hinted that he was not poor.After dinner with his parents, Jing Huan goes home with milk tea and messages the dorm group chat.Jing Huan tells Gao Zixiang that Gao Zixiang’s mother sent pickled vegetables through his mother. Lu Wenhao complains that Jing Huan should have told them his mother was coming because he wanted to see how beautiful she is.Jing Huan jokes that Lu Wenhao can meet his father’s fist instead. Jing Huan then shows off his birthday gift, a BMW key.Gao Zixiang and Lu Wenhao spam question marks, and Jing Huan enjoys their reaction more than the gift itself.When Lu Wenhao asks the point of having only the key, Jing Huan says the car is in the garage at home and he may just like showing off the keychain.The group then discusses Jing Huan’s birthday plans.Lu Wenhao suggests a farm-to-table place in Linbei where they can fish, pick vegetables, and eat on a boat. Jing Huan jokes that they are paying to do farm work but eventually agrees.Before confirming, Jing Huan checks whether Xiang Huaizhi is free Tuesday. Jing Huan invites Xiang Huaizhi to the farm-to-table place and sends him the link.Xiang Huaizhi agrees without even opening the link. Jing Huan says it is his treat because it is his birthday, and Xiang Huaizhi eventually accepts.Afterward, Jing Huan rereads their messages and feels unsettled because Xiang Huaizhi and Yearning For seem similar in voice, name, and texting style.Echoes of Spring announces that Idle Pavilion won the potion farm for the next two months because Limitless backed out. Jing Huan logs in and collects a flood of guild rewards.Guild members question why Sweet Little Jing received more rewards than everyone else. Echoes of Spring explains that the extra rewards are Yearning For’s share.Jing Huan insists that married or not, their finances are separate and asks to return the rewards. Echoes of Spring says Yearning For told her to give everything to Sweet Little Jing.When Sweet Little Jing goes home, Yearning For is silently cutting weeds in their in-game yard. Sweet Little Jing tells Yearning For he can stop weeding because they barely use the housing system.Sweet Little Jing asks Yearning For to activate transfers so she can send his rewards back. Yearning For tells Sweet Little Jing to keep them.When Sweet Little Jing refuses, Yearning For abruptly changes the subject to a dungeon run. Jing Huan accepts the invite but stubbornly tries another transfer. The transfer fails because Yearning For has disabled currency transfers.The party gathers for the hardest dungeon in Nine Heroes.At the dungeon NPC, a prompt warns that Sweet Little Jing is pregnant and intense combat may be unsafe.Yearning For immediately leaves the party and privately tells Sweet Little Jing to leave too because they are not doing the dungeon.Party chat explodes, and Long Road Ahead says Sweet Little Jing is pregnant and still running dungeons. Jing Huan is stunned because he did not know Sweet Little Jing was pregnant.Love is Sharing Noms tells Sweet Little Jing that God Xiang is waiting outside. Jing Huan joins Yearning For’s party and searches the game assistant for pregnancy rules.The guide says pregnancy blocks three-star or higher dungeons, buffs couples’ skills, gives courtyard rest an experience bonus, and prevents low-tier potion use.Jing Huan complains internally that Nine Heroes is squeezing money from players through baby mechanics. Xiang Huaizhi asks whether the child will train in combat or literature.Jing Huan nearly chokes when he realizes Yearning For plans to keep the child. When Yearning For asks whether Sweet Little Jing does not want one, Jing Huan feels unable to refuse and says yes.Yearning For checks the guide and says Sweet Little Jing can still run dungeons below three stars. Jing Huan asks what about the party, and Yearning For says they will find someone else.Yearning For takes Sweet Little Jing home and clicks a servant. The servant confirms Sweet Little Jing is expecting and says seven days remain before the child arrives.The system warns that the mother’s diet and lifestyle affect the baby’s health.Yearning For immediately sends a megaphone buying top-quality Bird’s Nest tonic and all baby items at top prices.The World Channel erupts with congratulations, jokes, and speculation about the God of War’s baby.Jing Huan is depressed by the thought that the baby will lose its mother after Christmas because he plans to confess and divorce.Half a Lifetime adds Sweet Little Jing as a friend, and Jing Huan assumes it is Lu Wenhao causing trouble.Half a Lifetime says he heard Sweet Little Jing sing “Loyalty to the Country” and offers baby supplements as an apology for killing her during the guild war. Jing Huan accepts the free items because Lu Wenhao owes him anyway.Meanwhile, Xiang Huaizhi receives many friend requests from players offering expensive baby supplements.Lu Hang asks how many times Xiang Huaizhi and Sweet Little Jing visited the Fertility Temple. Xiang Huaizhi says they did not go.Lu Hang jokes that Sweet Little Jing cheated, but Xiang Huaizhi says the pregnancy came from the wedding bed. Lu Hang is shocked because pregnancy rates from the wedding bed are extremely low after the update.Xiang Huaizhi gathers enough supplements to fill their warehouse and gives them to the NPC servants before Jing Huan can object.Later, Jing Huan wants to queue arena after showering. Xiang Huaizhi says they are not queuing arena because it is bad for the baby.Jing Huan protests that the World Channel rumors are wrong. Xiang Huaizhi says that if the rumors stop Jing Huan from playing, then they succeeded.When Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan truly wants to play, Jing Huan admits he does not really want to. Xiang Huaizhi sends Jing Huan his Yearning For account and password so Jing Huan can play on it.Jing Huan says he wanted to play with Xiang Huaizhi, not alone. Xiang Huaizhi borrows Long Road Ahead’s maxed healer alt, Baby Road, so they can party together.Jing Huan logs into Yearning For’s account and is nearly blinded by the divine artifact’s stats. Jing Huan pities Yearning For for spending all his luck on the weapon and then getting paired with an unscrupulous catfish.Jing Huan studies Qiya Mountain because he has never played the sect before. Jing Huan tests the skills in the plaza, making nearby players watch the God of War swing his divine artifact around like a maniac.Xiang Yu and Love is Sharing Noms arrive and see Yearning For with a tiny healer instead of Sweet Little Jing.Xiang Yu jokes that Yearning For’s wife is pregnant while he runs arena with another chick.Yearning For panics and denies it, which instantly reveals the tiny healer is him. The arena drops them in before Jing Huan can fully explain.Xiang Huaizhi says they can lose a few points because Yearning For has plenty. To Xiang Huaizhi’s surprise, Jing Huan plays Qiya Mountain sharply and decisively.Jing Huan’s positioning is like that of a seasoned DPS, and his only clear flaw is clumsy weapon-switch timing.Xiang Huaizhi notices that Jing Huan knows every healing spring spawn time and location, something a newbie healer should not know.Because Xiang Huaizhi already knows Jing Huan has been hiding things, he begins questioning whether Jing Huan’s skill is really just talent.When Lu Hang returns with snacks, Xiang Huaizhi asks why someone would pretend to be worse at something than they really are. Lu Hang immediately guesses Xiang Huaizhi means Little Jingjing.Lu Hang says Sweet Little Jing is good but deliberately acts weaker around Xiang Huaizhi to trigger his protective streak. Lu Hang teases that Xiang Huaizhi has already fallen for it because he is Sweet Little Jing’s Husband.By the end of the night, they have only lost two matches, and Jing Huan is relieved that Yearning For’s rank is safe.Jing Huan says he is logging Yearning For off because he has class in the morning. Xiang Huaizhi suddenly asks whether Jing Huan has anything to tell him.Jing Huan freezes, panics, thinks hard, and only says good night. Xiang Huaizhi frowns because they are married in-game, yet Jing Huan has not mentioned his birthday or hinted at wanting a gift.After Jing Huan calls him Gege, Xiang Huaizhi stays silent for a while before telling him to go to sleep.

Chapter 18Jing Huan sleeps until noon on his birthday and wakes to a phone full of birthday messages and money-transfer notifications.After spending almost an hour replying with thanks, Jing Huan is finally dragged out of bed by Lu Wenhao.Downstairs, Lu Hang is waiting at the curb in a Land Rover with Xiang Huaizhi, Lu Wenhao, and Gao Zixiang.Lu Wenhao teases Jing Huan for taking forever and asks whether he was doing his makeup. Jing Huan says he was still in bed when Lu Wenhao called and thanks Lu Hang for waiting.In response, Lu Hang says he was happy to come because he was going crazy stuck on campus. Jing Huan then greets Xiang Huaizhi, and Xiang Huaizhi looks back at him, smells his cool minty cologne, and wishes him happy birthday.Xiang Huaizhi’s birthday greeting instantly clears Jing Huan’s morning grogginess.Before Jing Huan can respond properly, Lu Wenhao hooks an arm around his neck and drops a birthday gift box into his lap.Jing Huan opens Lu Wenhao’s gift and finds a sleek brown leather wallet. Gao Zixiang says he also bought a gift, but it has not arrived yet. Jing Huan jokes that he does not need gifts and only wants them to call him daddy.Lu Hang relaxes while listening to their banter and tells Xiang Huaizhi that this is what a happy dorm looks like. Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Lu Hang wants to call him daddy too, making Lu Hang immediately shut up.Lu Wenhao asks Jing Huan where his laptop is, since Jing Huan brought it to the resort last time. Jing Huan thinks he did not bring it because Sweet Little Jing is pregnant in-game and cannot do much anyway.Remembering the pregnancy system, Jing Huan messages Xiang as Little Jing and says he is going out today, so he probably cannot get online to farm health points.Xiang Huaizhi is unconcerned because their storage is full of supplements and simply replies that he understands.During the drive, Lu Wenhao grows carsick, so Xiang Huaizhi tells Lu Hang to pull over and lets Lu Wenhao take the front seat. Xiang Huaizhi moves into the back seat beside Jing Huan, and their shoulders touch in the closer space.Lu Wenhao notices Jing Huan has been texting the whole ride and asks who it is. Gao Zixiang sees Jing Huan’s contact named “Class Belle” and assumes it is a girl wishing him happy birthday.Jing Huan explains that he saved the contact as “Class Belle” because everyone else called her that, even though he does not know her name.Jing Huan politely declines the class belle’s birthday gift. Lu Wenhao teases that the class belle is cute but that her heart belongs to the person sitting behind Jing Huan.Lu Hang brings up Xiang Huaizhi’s past dating life, and Jing Huan is startled when Lu Hang jokes that Xiang Huaizhi even “knocked her up.” Jing Huan is stunned and asks whether Lu Hang is serious.Xiang Huaizhi calmly answers “Mm,” making Jing Huan click his tongue internally and think Xiang Huaizhi is a player.Lu Hang then laughs and clarifies that he was joking and that it was not that kind of pregnant. Jing Huan remains confused but accepts that it is Xiang Huaizhi’s private business.Lu Hang adds that Xiang Huaizhi is technically not single, which finally makes Xiang Huaizhi impatient and ask whether Lu Hang plans to become paparazzi. Lu Hang jokes that he plans to go home and inherit billions, and Lu Wenhao claims the same.The group arrives at the remote farmhouse beside a lake, where a large boat waits at the shore for the advertised dinner cruise.The owner warmly greets them and insists on taking one of their backpacks despite their protests.Lu Wenhao has booked the largest private room, with a plan to eat a light lunch, pick or fish in the afternoon, and take the boat for dinner and night views.After lunch, Lu Wenhao divides the afternoon tasks and chooses fruit picking for himself. Lu Hang chooses fishing because he claims he has experience.Gao Zixiang also chooses fishing, leaving Jing Huan to decide between fruit and vegetables.Jing Huan initially leans toward fruit but chooses vegetables after seeing the orchard’s dirty little truck. Xiang Huaizhi immediately says he will go pick vegetables too.As Lu Wenhao drives the three-wheeler toward the orchard, he shouts back for Jing Huan to pick super spicy chili peppers. Jing Huan loses his appetite and wants to smash his basket over Lu Wenhao’s head.Xiang Huaizhi rests a warm hand on the back of Jing Huan’s neck and lightly pushes him forward, telling him to stop daydreaming.In the field, Jing Huan crouches to inspect the plants for bugs. Xiang Huaizhi says bugs are normal and they can just rinse the vegetables off.Jing Huan asks whether he is too fussy, and Xiang Huaizhi immediately says no. This answer makes Jing Huan smile wider.When they reach the pepper patch, Xiang Huaizhi asks how many they should pick.Jing Huan says zero because they should keep dinner mild, but Xiang Huaizhi smiles and picks some anyway.Seeing Xiang Huaizhi smile, Jing Huan blurts out a question about who Xiang Huaizhi is dating and whether it is someone from their school. Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan is curious.Jing Huan says of course and adds that if Xiang Huaizhi is dating someone on campus, he could ask forum moderators to delete the gossip posts about them. Xiang Huaizhi frowns and asks why Jing Huan would delete the posts.Jing Huan explains awkwardly that the forum says wild things, then softens it to say people call them a perfect match.Jing Huan leaves out the more explicit rumors about roles and rented apartments. Jing Huan says Xiang Huaizhi’s girlfriend probably would not like those posts. Xiang Huaizhi says she would not care.This confirms to Jing Huan that Xiang Huaizhi is dating someone, making him wonder when it started.After finishing the vegetables, Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi walk around the farmhouse.A staff member says the large houses beyond the fields all belong to the owner, who opened the farmhouse more for company than income.Jing Huan jokes that rich people escape to the mountains while poor people argue about what helicopter to buy for graduation. Xiang Huaizhi laughs, and Jing Huan is startled because his voice sounds exactly like a friend’s. Xiang Huaizhi asks whether this friend is close, and Jing Huan says not exactly.Before the conversation can continue, Lu Wenhao calls them over because the dinner cruise is about to leave.On the boat, Jing Huan sends Yearning For parenting guide links about raising a Demon Race baby and choosing the baby’s sect.Jing Huan tells Yearning For that the child can choose a sect one month after birth and that Yearning For should pick one. Xiang Huaizhi replies that Jing Huan can choose because Jing Huan will be the one taking the child.Jing Huan is unsettled because in his mind Christmas is divorce day, so he will not actually be raising the child.Before Jing Huan can reply, the owner brings food, and Lu Hang goes to the restroom. Jing Huan follows Lu Hang to the restroom because he wants to avoid the table for a moment.Outside the restroom, Lu Hang says Jing Huan’s hands are even fairer than a girl’s. Jing Huan jokes that he gets it from his mother.Lu Hang suddenly asks to add Jing Huan on WeChat. Jing Huan agrees and scans Lu Hang’s QR code, only to freeze when Lu Hang’s profile appears. Jing Huan realizes Lu Hang’s WeChat name is Little Road Never Gets Lost.Panic hits Jing Huan because Little Road Never Gets Lost is Long Road Ahead, meaning Lu Hang is Long Road Ahead.Jing Huan asks whether Lu Hang has Xiang-ge’s WeChat because he wants to add Xiang Huaizhi first.Lu Hang finds this odd but shows Xiang Huaizhi’s contact anyway.Jing Huan sees the familiar nightscape profile picture and realizes Xiang Huaizhi’s WeChat matches Xiang, Yearning For.Jing Huan asks whether Xiang Huaizhi’s profile picture used to be fruit, and Lu Hang says yes because Xiang Huaizhi’s main account was hacked and he made this alternate account.When Lu Hang again asks Jing Huan to show his QR code, Jing Huan drops his phone and claims it is broken. Lu Hang bends to pick it up, but Jing Huan steps directly on the phone and pretends it was an accident.After Lu Hang leaves, Jing Huan picks up the phone and sees the screen protector cracked but the phone still working. A new message from Xiang says the baby could be like Jing Huan and also be a Spirit Fox Den.This confirms too much at once, and Jing Huan spirals into panic because Xiang Huaizhi is almost certainly Yearning For.Jing Huan tries to deny it by arguing that names, voices, and texting habits could coincidentally match, but the clues keep piling up.Then Jing Huan remembers that Xiang Huaizhi had an online girlfriend and that Yearning For’s wife is pregnant, which makes the truth feel even more inescapable.Two minutes later, Jing Huan fully shuts down and buries his face in his arms by the roadside.Back on the boat, Xiang Huaizhi asks where Jing Huan is, and Lu Hang says he is still outside because he dropped his phone.Xiang Huaizhi wants to go get Jing Huan, but Lu Wenhao stops him and says he will go since he needs to wash his hands anyway.Lu Wenhao finds Jing Huan crouched by the road and accidentally scares himself by mistaking him for a ghost. Jing Huan says he has no appetite and wants to be left alone.Lu Wenhao warns him that Xiang Huaizhi may come looking for him because no one is touching the food until the birthday boy returns. Jing Huan tenses at Xiang Huaizhi’s name and feels as if he owes him his life.Lu Wenhao nearly brings up Xiang Huaizhi’s girlfriend being pregnant, but Jing Huan’s glare makes him stop.Before returning to the boat, Jing Huan grabs Lu Wenhao’s shirt and asks him not to bring up pregnancy or anything related.At the dinner table, Jing Huan cannot look at Xiang Huaizhi and answers that his phone screen is broken but fine.Jing Huan tells himself to focus on eating so no one can talk to him, but he cuts his finger on a crab shell almost immediately.Xiang Huaizhi gently takes Jing Huan’s hand, turns it toward the light, checks the sting with his thumb, and then peels the crab for him.Jing Huan freezes from the warmth of Xiang Huaizhi’s touch and feels heat spread up his neck. Lu Wenhao notices Jing Huan’s red face and asks why he is so flushed. Jing Huan claims the drink is hitting him even though he has not had any.To make the excuse true, Jing Huan grabs the nearest glass and downs it in one gulp. Lu Wenhao points out that Jing Huan drank Xiang Huaizhi’s cup. Xiang Huaizhi laughs quietly and says it is fine.While the table continues talking, Xiang Huaizhi notices Jing Huan is unusually quiet and lost in thought.Xiang Huaizhi slides a bowl of neatly peeled white crab meat toward Jing Huan and tells him to eat while it is warm. Lu Wenhao tries to steal some, but Jing Huan smacks his hand with chopsticks. Jing Huan fiercely says it is his and no one said Lu Wenhao could have any.After dinner, Gao Zixiang raises a toast to Jing Huan’s birthday and wishes him more handsome days. Lu Wenhao toasts to health, wealth, and happiness. Jing Huan clinks glasses without much enthusiasm. Xiang Huaizhi silently raises his glass for a private toast, and Jing Huan clinks with him.Jing Huan remembers Lu Wenhao’s earlier comment about him turning down scarves from girls and tells Xiang Huaizhi that his gift is different, that he likes it, and thanks him.Xiang Huaizhi receives the wedding guide Jing Huan had meant to forward and says aloud that he is messaging his wife. Jing Huan’s own phone dings immediately, making the truth feel like a gunshot.Jing Huan realizes in horror that he is Xiang Huaizhi’s wife. Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan is not going to check the message. Jing Huan clenches his teeth and says it is probably just a birthday wish that he will read later.When the headlights from Lu Hang’s car appear, Jing Huan bolts toward the car as if saved.On the ride back, Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang fall asleep, leaving Jing Huan trapped in the middle seat beside Xiang Huaizhi.Lu Hang starts music to break the silence and asks why Jing Huan’s voice sounds strange.Jing Huan forces his voice lower because he knows Lu Hang has only ever heard Sweet Little Jing through a voice changer.Xiang Huaizhi notices Jing Huan sitting rigidly and asks whether he feels unwell. Jing Huan quickly denies it. Xiang Huaizhi mistakes Jing Huan’s tension for shyness and says he can lean on him.Jing Huan only nods weakly because their shoulders are already touching and anything closer feels impossible.When they reach campus, the weather has turned freezing. Lu Hang offers to drop everyone at the gate first, but Lu Wenhao says they can all walk from the parking lot because they are grown men.Lu Wenhao sees the gift box in Jing Huan’s hands and asks what it is. Jing Huan says it is Xiang Huaizhi’s scarf. Lu Wenhao tells Jing Huan to wear it because he always catches colds in winter.Jing Huan tries to refuse, but realizing Xiang Huaizhi is beside him, he grits his teeth and puts on the scarf.Once they get out of the car, Jing Huan avoids looking at Xiang Huaizhi and flees toward his apartment as soon as he can.At home, Jing Huan immediately pulls off the scarf, hangs it in the closet, strips, and soaks in the bathtub. Little Road Never Gets Lost messages Little Jingjing to ask whether she wants to run a dungeon. Jing Huan steadies himself and says he has something to do and cannot play tonight.After the chat closes, Jing Huan finally accepts reality and reviews the clues. Jing Huan realizes Yearning For’s boosted months match Xiang Huaizhi’s leg injury, their resort encounter matches Yearning For’s hiking absence, and their schools’ sports festivals were on the same day.Jing Huan concludes one coincidence might be nothing, two are suspicious, and three are no longer coincidence.Looking back, Jing Huan is embarrassed by months of chasing Xiang Huaizhi in public, calling him gege, borrowing gear and gold, sending a thigh photo, once calling him hubby, and somehow making Xiang Huaizhi call him baby.Jing Huan’s goal shifts from figuring out how to explain himself to figuring out how to beg for mercy so Xiang Huaizhi does not kill him.Xiang Huaizhi messages Jing Huan to ask whether he is home yet. Jing Huan replies cheerfully as Little Jing.Xiang then messages that they will run a dungeon tomorrow at noon. Jing Huan agrees and tells himself Xiang Huaizhi does not know yet, so he still has time to think.Just as Jing Huan tries to sleep, he realizes something still feels wrong. Jing Huan opens WeChat and sees “Xiang” and “Xiang Huaizhi” side by side at the top of the screen.Jing Huan remembers he was too lazy to make an alternate WeChat for Yearning For, so he added Yearning For using the same account where he also added Xiang Huaizhi.This means Xiang Huaizhi could have known from the start that Sweet Little Jing and Jing Huan were the same person.Jing Huan realizes Xiang Huaizhi is no fool and likely already figured it out.Jing Huan then wonders why Xiang Huaizhi stayed quiet, agreed to the wedding, and spent so much money if he knew the truth.Because Xiang Huaizhi is not someone who would treat marriage as a joke, Jing Huan is forced to consider the impossible possibility that Xiang Huaizhi actually likes him.This thought leaves Jing Huan breathless as he wonders whether Xiang Huaizhi likes Sweet Little Jing or Jing Huan.Either way, Jing Huan decides it is a disaster. Jing Huan’s twentieth birthday ends in complete chaos.

Chapter 19Jing Huan wakes up with his head spinning, his blanket on the floor, the window open, and his phone still in his hand after spending the night spiraling over how to tell Xiang Huaizhi the truth.When Jing Huan charges his dead phone, he sees it is already 1:11 p.m. and that he has missed messages from Long Road Ahead, Nomnom, and Yearning For. Yearning For asks whether Jing Huan is awake and tells him to reply when he is.Jing Huan apologizes as Little Jing for oversleeping, and Yearning For asks whether he is coming online today. Jing Huan says yes, and Yearning For replies that he will wait for him.In response, Jing Huan decides to face reality, but he immediately hits his thigh on the bedframe and discovers he has a fever of 100.7°F.Despite being sick, Jing Huan texts Lu Wenhao to cover his classes and logs into Nine Heroes.As soon as Sweet Little Jing loads, the pregnancy system announces that the baby just kicked.Jing Huan complains internally that he has only been “pregnant” for two days and that this is not how pregnancy works. Yearning For tells Sweet Little Jing to come home.When Sweet Little Jing teleports home, Jing Huan freezes because the ugly yard has been transformed into a warm, cozy home with no weeds, a new wooden fence, a peach tree, flowers, a bamboo swing, and a tiny wooden rocking horse.Yearning For says he bought a few random things, and Sweet Little Jing says she likes them.Jing Huan tries to force himself to confess immediately, but every apology he types gets deleted and rewritten until he sends nothing.By the time they queue for a dungeon, Jing Huan still has not confessed. Lu Hang teases Little Jingjing about the new yard and reveals that Xiangxiang spent all morning browsing the forum for décor ideas.This makes Jing Huan’s throat go dry because Xiang Huaizhi put real effort into the home.A series of megaphones from Regardless of Lovesickness then scrolls across the screen, announcing “Day 1 of not liking Echo challenge,” immediately failing, and wishing Echo a happy third anniversary.Lu Hang laughs that Regardless of Lovesickness is copying Sweet Little Jing’s old “not liking gege” challenge.Yearning For says Sweet Little Jing does not need that challenge anymore and points to their couple title. Jing Huan feels his fever climb from embarrassment and guilt.Instead of confessing, Jing Huan convinces himself he can wait until his fever breaks because Xiang Huaizhi probably will not beat up someone who is sick.Because Sweet Little Jing is pregnant, Jing Huan can only run three-star dungeons, which leaves his mind free to obsess over when Xiang Huaizhi figured out he was Sweet Little Jing.Jing Huan remembers that a few weeks earlier, he ran into Xiang Huaizhi while going downstairs for medicine and now realizes Xiang Huaizhi had probably been staking him out instead of jogging.The more Jing Huan thinks, the more confused he becomes, until he decides Xiang Huaizhi may simply be a decent guy.By mid-afternoon, Jing Huan is running dungeons on willpower alone and takes leftover cold pills from an almost-empty medicine cabinet.The medicine makes Jing Huan drowsy and his head pound, but he keeps dragging himself through the dungeon.Jing Huan does not notice that Xiang Huaizhi has left Lu Hang’s party until Lu Hang jokes that he would carry Little Jingjing through higher dungeons, but her baby seems unwilling.Jing Huan quickly leaves Lu Hang’s party and joins Xiang Huaizhi’s. Xiang Huaizhi immediately asks why Jing Huan took so long.Sweet Little Jing says she went to get water, and Xiang Huaizhi tells her to make sure it is hot. Sweet Little Jing asks why Yearning For did not go with the others to the high-level dungeon.Yearning For says he does not need to because he has enough experience points. Jing Huan privately knows serious Nine Heroes players never think they have enough EXP, so the excuse is weak but protective.Sweet Little Jing says Yearning For does not have to babysit her and that she can run on her own. Yearning For asks who else would babysit her if not him.Meanwhile, Xiang Huaizhi catches Lu Hang eavesdropping with his headset half-off.Xiang Huaizhi tells Lu Hang to put his headset on and stop eavesdropping. Lu Hang denies being a creep even though he has been listening.Xiang Huaizhi pulls Jing Huan into a couple’s quest, and they clear eight stages without talking.Jing Huan keeps drinking hot water because he feels like he is burning up inside. Xiang Huaizhi notices Jing Huan’s state and asks whether he is not feeling up to the quest.Jing Huan insists he wants to continue. Stage nine turns out to be a compatibility quiz that usually pushes couples into voice chat.Xiang Huaizhi reads the prompt asking Sweet Little Jing’s favorite color.Jing Huan freezes and only answers “white” after the timer is nearly over, causing the quest to fail.Jing Huan apologizes and says he zoned out, but Xiang Huaizhi does not restart the quest.Instead, Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan has a fever. Sweet Little Jing admits it is just a little fever and claims it is around 100 degrees. Xiang Huaizhi asks for a photo of the thermometer.When Jing Huan checks again, the thermometer reads 102°F. Jing Huan panics and claims the thermometer must be broken.Xiang Huaizhi abruptly ends the call, says something came up, and turns to Lu Hang. Xiang Huaizhi asks where the gift Lu Hang bought for Jing Huan is. Lu Hang says it is on his bed and realizes Xiang Huaizhi intends to take it over himself.When Lu Hang asks why Xiang Huaizhi is going, Xiang Huaizhi only says something came up. Lu Hang jokes that his gift will embarrass Xiang Huaizhi’s sad little scarf.Then Lu Hang asks whether Jing Huan added Xiang Huaizhi on WeChat yet. Xiang Huaizhi freezes when Lu Hang says Jing Huan asked for Xiang Huaizhi’s old alternate WeChat account the previous night.Meanwhile, Jing Huan orders medicine through a delivery app and decides he will apologize and repay Xiang Huaizhi’s losses by crafting him a new belt.Jing Huan goes to a wilderness map to farm Azure Dragon Fangs, the forging material he needs.Because of his fever, Jing Huan keeps losing fights that he normally would have handled easily.Bishop Wood invites Sweet Little Jing to join his party, saying they are also farming, and Jing Huan accepts because teaming up is easier than farming alone.Jing Huan summons his pet, turns on auto-battle, and goes AFK when the doorbell rings.Jing Huan opens the door without checking and freezes when Xiang Huaizhi is standing there in the rain. Xiang Huaizhi says Lu Hang asked him to drop off his gift.Jing Huan notices Xiang Huaizhi is holding both a small gift box and a pharmacy bag. Xiang Huaizhi frowns because Jing Huan looks unwell.Before Jing Huan can answer, Xiang Huaizhi brushes aside his bangs and checks his forehead, saying he is burning up.Xiang Huaizhi steps back after realizing rain from his hand has dampened Jing Huan’s hair. Jing Huan asks how Xiang Huaizhi knew where he lived.Xiang Huaizhi says Lu Hang gave him the address, though Jing Huan internally knows that is a lie because Xiang Huaizhi followed him there weeks ago.To make the lie sound normal, Xiang Huaizhi hands over Lu Hang’s gift.Jing Huan panics because he meant to confess after getting better, not while half-dead with Xiang Huaizhi at his door.Xiang Huaizhi lifts the pharmacy bag and says Lu Hang has a fever too, so he bought medicine and will leave some for Jing Huan.Jing Huan internally curses because Lu Hang had been playing dungeons with him moments earlier and clearly did not have a fever.Jing Huan notices the rain and asks whether Xiang Huaizhi got caught without an umbrella. Xiang Huaizhi asks whether he can wait it out at Jing Huan’s place.Jing Huan panics because Nine Heroes is still running on his laptop, but he cannot find a believable excuse fast enough.Jing Huan opens the door wider and lets Xiang Huaizhi inside.Xiang Huaizhi first notices Jing Huan’s expensive, messy sneaker collection near the entrance.Jing Huan remembers too late that he once lied as Sweet Little Jing about divorced parents and being broke.When Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan is into sneakers, Jing Huan mutters that they are all fake.Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan’s parents are fine with him wearing knockoffs, reminding Jing Huan that Xiang Huaizhi has already met his parents.Instead of pressing further, Xiang Huaizhi tells Jing Huan to take his medicine.Jing Huan rushes to the kitchen, pours two cups, and returns to find Xiang Huaizhi sitting on the couch and looking directly at his laptop screen.Jing Huan tries to act casual and tells Xiang Huaizhi to drink something hot. Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan still plays Nine Heroes.Jing Huan says he is just messing around and coughs while trying to change the subject to the medicine.Xiang Huaizhi ignores the diversion and pulls out an ear thermometer. Jing Huan panics because he had lied that his own thermometer was broken. Jing Huan claims he does not know how to use the ear thermometer.Xiang Huaizhi says nothing, snaps on an ear cap, steadies Jing Huan, and gently checks his temperature.Jing Huan sits stiffly on the couch, overwhelmed by the close contact and ashamed by how badly his lies are unraveling.Xiang Huaizhi reads the display and says Jing Huan’s fever is 102 degrees. Jing Huan lies that it was not even 100 earlier.Xiang Huaizhi does not argue and instead explains which pills are for the fever and which should be taken morning and night.Jing Huan gets distracted by Xiang Huaizhi’s hands until Xiang Huaizhi asks whether he is listening.After Jing Huan takes the medicine, he realizes he has not been cared for like this since childhood.Xiang Huaizhi casually wipes the damp hair from Jing Huan’s forehead with a tissue. Jing Huan offers to get Xiang Huaizhi a towel, but Xiang Huaizhi says his hair is already dry.The room falls quiet until Jing Huan’s phone buzzes with a WeChat call from Bishop Wood.Both Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi go still. Jing Huan declines the call, but Bishop Wood sends messages asking whether Jing Huan got his delivery and telling him his AFK timer is up.Bishop Wood says Jing Huan should come reset the AFK timer. Xiang Huaizhi casually asks what quest Jing Huan is running.Jing Huan lies that he is just grinding mobs with guild members. Bishop Wood then messages that he checked and Yearning For is AFK in Penglai, so Yearning For will not catch them.Jing Huan panics because Bishop Wood’s message sounds incriminating and Xiang Huaizhi has already seen it.Jing Huan turns off his phone screen, but it is too late. Xiang Huaizhi asks why Jing Huan does not just reset AFK.Jing Huan says it only runs for forty rounds, is too much trouble, and he needs a break anyway.Bishop Wood keeps messaging, joking that he can grind for Jing Huan and asking what materials he needs. Jing Huan slaps his phone facedown just as Xiang Huaizhi stands.Xiang Huaizhi says that although it has been years since he played, he still knows how to AFK and will farm for Jing Huan while Jing Huan lies down.Jing Huan tries and fails to stop Xiang Huaizhi from going to the desk. Xiang Huaizhi navigates Jing Huan’s computer confidently and reaches the game.Jing Huan finally gives up pretending and admits his microphone has a voice changer. After a long silence, Jing Huan apologizes and asks Xiang Huaizhi to hit him already.Xiang Huaizhi secretly finds Jing Huan’s deer-in-headlights expression entertaining but keeps his face calm. Xiang Huaizhi tells Jing Huan to close his eyes.Jing Huan squeezes his eyes shut, bracing for a punch or slap while feeling fear, embarrassment, dread, and shame.Instead, Xiang Huaizhi’s warm palm brushes Jing Huan’s cheek in a feather-light touch.Jing Huan recognizes the gesture as similar to how his father used to check his fever, but Xiang Huaizhi’s touch feels different and makes his heartbeat louder than the rain.Xiang Huaizhi tells Jing Huan to open his eyes. Jing Huan opens them dazedly, surprised that nothing worse happened.Xiang Huaizhi sits back down and tells Jing Huan to leave Bishop Wood’s party because he does not want to look at Bishop Wood’s messages anymore.Jing Huan immediately agrees and thinks he would kill Bishop Wood if Xiang Huaizhi asked.Xiang Huaizhi leaves Bishop Wood’s party on Sweet Little Jing’s account. Jing Huan says he can AFK anywhere because it does not matter.Xiang Huaizhi notices Jing Huan had been farming Azure Dragon Fangs. Jing Huan explains that the material is rare and he wanted to farm some while he could.Xiang Huaizhi says he will help. Jing Huan short-circuits because Xiang Huaizhi is now offering to farm materials on the exact account Jing Huan used to catfish him.Although Jing Huan is anxious, the medicine drags him under, and he yawns while trying to say he is not tired.Xiang Huaizhi calmly says he is only farming Azure Dragon Fangs and will not invade Jing Huan’s privacy.Jing Huan internally screams that the account is all of his private things. Xiang Huaizhi tells Jing Huan sweet dreams.Jing Huan thanks him, gets into bed clutching his phone, and falls asleep almost immediately.While Jing Huan sleeps under his Naruto bedsheet, Xiang Huaizhi farms the wilderness boss and obtains experience and an Azure Dragon Fang. Xiang Huaizhi checks the inventory and sees there are only two Azure Dragon Fangs.Before switching to his own account to buy more, Xiang Huaizhi receives messages from Bishop Wood asking why Little Jingjing left the party.Xiang Huaizhi replies from Sweet Little Jing’s account that he is not the account owner and that he is her husband.Bishop Wood initially thinks it is a roommate joking around. Xiang Huaizhi clarifies that he is the husband in the couple title.Bishop Wood checks Sweet Little Jing’s profile and sees she is still listed as Yearning For’s wife. Bishop Wood realizes he may have been chatting with God Xiang and becomes terrified.When Bishop Wood asks whether it is really God Xiang, Xiang Huaizhi says yes. Bishop Wood immediately backs down and tells him to carry on.Bishop Wood later sees Yearning For standing on the map with Sweet Little Jing and realizes God Xiang had been watching the whole time. Bishop Wood grows cold and quickly leads his squad to the far side of the map to avoid being PKed.BrbOrNot says Sweet Jing ditched them because God Xiang showed up. Bishop Wood tells BrbOrNot not to tease Sweet Little Jing because God Xiang is playing Sweet Little Jing’s account right now. The party channel goes dead with shock.Meanwhile, Xiang Huaizhi keeps farming Azure Dragon Fangs and opens Jing Huan’s friend list for more help.Xiang Huaizhi notices Jing Huan’s friend list is divided into Friends, Party Members, and a special group labeled “Heh.”Inside “Heh” is only Yearning For’s name, which makes Xiang Huaizhi smile slightly. Xiang Huaizhi messages Long Road Ahead from Sweet Little Jing’s account and asks for an alt to help farm Azure Dragon Fangs.Long Road Ahead sends an alt and immediately begins chattering in party chat, asking what Sweet Little Jing needs the material for and whether Xiangxiang’s account is also there.Lu Hang tells Sweet Little Jing to check Xiangxiang’s bag and steal potions if he is hoarding them.The noise wakes Jing Huan slightly, so Xiang Huaizhi lowers the volume and turns on the voice changer before speaking. Xiang Huaizhi says “No. Get lost” through the voice changer.Lu Hang is startled by the deep, commanding voice and assumes Sweet Jing’s roommate is speaking. Lu Hang starts trying to recruit the supposed roommate to Nine Heroes. Xiang Huaizhi mutes Lu Hang for peace.The delivery driver calls Jing Huan’s phone and says the delivery order is already at the door.

Xiang Huaizhi retrieves the delivery and sees Jing Huan’s note asking the courier to call because the game volume might be too loud to hear the doorbell.Inside the delivery are the same medicines Xiang Huaizhi already bought. Xiang Huaizhi sets the bag on the dining table and returns to continue playing.Realizing he is still holding Jing Huan’s phone, Xiang Huaizhi puts it back near Jing Huan’s pillow. Xiang Huaizhi watches Jing Huan sleep, noting his flushed skin and faintly furrowed brows.Xiang Huaizhi touches Jing Huan’s cheek and forehead again and confirms the fever has not broken.Jing Huan dreams he is stumbling through a burning desert and that an ice pack suddenly appears.In reality, Xiang Huaizhi keeps one hand on Jing Huan’s forehead while continuing to farm Azure Dragon Fangs with the other. Lu Hang messages again to ask whether Little Jingjing is missing.Xiang Huaizhi sits there for a long time with his palm still on Jing Huan’s forehead, then grabs the mouse and deletes all of Lu Hang’s messages.

Chapter 20Jing Huan wakes in the middle of the night to darkness, notices Xiang Huaizhi is gone, and feels relieved before wondering why he expected Xiang Huaizhi to be in his bed at all.After checking himself, Jing Huan realizes his fever has gone down and finds a glass of water already placed on his nightstand.Jing Huan opens WeChat and sees Xiang Huaizhi’s messages saying his fever is down, that Xiang Huaizhi went back, and that Jing Huan can heat the porridge in the kitchen or order takeout.This makes Jing Huan reread the messages repeatedly, confirming that Xiang Huaizhi really came over, heard his confession about the voice changer, and still treated him gently.Jing Huan wants to reply but stops when he sees it is already four in the morning. Jing Huan then checks Lu Wenhao’s messages, including a hot pot photo that makes his stomach turn.Lu Wenhao tells Jing Huan that school forum gossip claims Xiang-ge left Jing Huan’s building around midnight after being locked inside with him for hours.Jing Huan thinks of the schoolmate next door and agrees that the gossip is basically stalking.Lu Wenhao proudly says he defended Jing Huan by saying that if Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi really had anything, he would do a handstand and soil himself. Jing Huan immediately ends the conversation and says he is going back to sleep.The next morning, Xiang Huaizhi wakes while Lu Hang is loudly dealing with game matters. Xiang Huaizhi remembers Jing Huan standing in front of him the night before, trembling and waiting for him to act. Xiang Huaizhi sees Jing Huan’s message thanking him and saying his fever is gone.When Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan just woke up, Jing Huan says he has been awake for a while and is at the basketball court.Lu Hang tells Xiang Huaizhi that Fae Bae came asking to hire them for a kill at more than double the usual price.Xiang Huaizhi says he blocked Fae Bae. Lu Hang points out the offer is five thousand yuan per kill against a complete newbie, but he also understands Fae Bae is trying to use them for a comeback after her reputation collapsed. Xiang Huaizhi refuses by saying he is not ready for a divorce yet.At the basketball court, Jing Huan plays energetically after sleeping more than ten hours and recovering from his fever.Lu Wenhao offers Jing Huan water, but Jing Huan refuses because Lu Wenhao’s handstand-and-diarrhea comment is still haunting him.Jing Huan asks whether Lu Wenhao’s leg is okay, and Lu Wenhao admits it was only a scratch and mostly an excuse note for class.Meanwhile, Xiang Huaizhi leaves lunch with Lu Hang while glued to his phone. Lu Hang teases Xiang Huaizhi that marriage has changed him.Xiang Huaizhi says he has something to do, leaves Lu Hang behind, and detours into the campus convenience store.Back on the court, another player asks Jing Huan what his deal is with that upperclassman.Jing Huan freezes but says he and Xiang Huaizhi are friends. Jing Huan becomes distracted and misses an easy shot.When Jing Huan looks over, he sees Xiang Huaizhi standing outside the court fence. Jing Huan instinctively pulls his shirt back down after wiping sweat with it.By the time Jing Huan finishes the play and looks again, Xiang Huaizhi is gone, making Jing Huan wonder whether he imagined him.A group of girls nearby debate giving Jing Huan water, but they stop when Xiang Huaizhi walks over. Xiang Huaizhi thrusts a bottle of water at Jing Huan and asks whether he does not want it.Jing Huan takes it, drinks too quickly, and thanks Xiang Huaizhi while water runs down his neck.Seeing Xiang Huaizhi’s glistening lips makes Jing Huan remember the vivid dream from the previous night.Lu Wenhao asks what Xiang Huaizhi is doing there, and Xiang Huaizhi says he is looking for Jing Huan.Jing Huan panics, wondering whether Xiang Huaizhi replayed everything and came to beat him up.Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan has class that afternoon, and Lu Wenhao immediately exposes that they are free all day.Xiang Huaizhi takes out his phone and asks whether Jing Huan wants to watch a movie.Lu Wenhao suspiciously notes that nothing good is showing, but Jing Huan picks the second movie without reading the title. Xiang Huaizhi books tickets for the back row at 3:30.Lu Wenhao is shocked because Jing Huan once swore never to return to that cramped theater.Jing Huan says it was only crowded when he went with Lu Wenhao and that with Xiang-ge, it is not crowded. Lu Wenhao lunges to kick Jing Huan’s ass, but Jing Huan leaves anyway.At the theater, Jing Huan waits in a black field jacket and the scarf Xiang Huaizhi gave him.Xiang Huaizhi notices Jing Huan’s soap scent as he approaches. Jing Huan says he feels like they stick out because the lobby is full of couples.Xiang Huaizhi says they are also two people. Jing Huan goes to buy snacks and is offered a monthly “Hug Your Valentine” couple’s combo with popcorn, two Cokes, and a rose.Jing Huan tries to avoid the couple’s combo but buys it after realizing it is cheaper than the regular set for two.While Jing Huan is at the counter, Lu Hang messages Xiang Huaizhi about the class rep’s birthday barbecue. Xiang Huaizhi says he is busy.When Lu Hang asks why, Xiang Huaizhi replies that he is on a date.Lu Hang explodes with questions, but Xiang Huaizhi only tells him to wish the class rep happy birthday and mutes the chat.Jing Huan returns with popcorn, two Cokes, and a red rose. Xiang Huaizhi quietly takes the rose and popcorn from Jing Huan.Jing Huan receives a message from Lu Hang and gets nervous because Lu Hang has been pestering him for his “sexy-voice roommate’s” number.Jing Huan blurts to Xiang Huaizhi that he should have taken Fae Bae’s offer because it was easy money. Xiang Huaizhi does not respond and only taps the rose petals.Jing Huan keeps rambling about the money until he tentatively calls Xiang Huaizhi “Gege.”Xiang Huaizhi finally reacts with quiet satisfaction. Xiang Huaizhi says he is good on cash, wants nothing to do with Fae Bae, and leads Jing Huan into the theater.Jing Huan realizes calling Xiang Huaizhi “gege” now feels strange because he knows Xiang Huaizhi is Yearning For.Inside the half-empty auditorium, Jing Huan notices nearly everyone is seated in pairs with matching red roses.The movie begins, and Jing Huan realizes he accidentally picked Don’t Mess with My Robot Girlfriend, which is not sci-fi in the way he expected. ing Huan considers leaving but stays and slides lower in his seat.A couple in front of them reacts dramatically to a naked robot scene, and Jing Huan nearly laughs because the edited version shows almost nothing.Jing Huan turns to share the joke with Xiang Huaizhi but meets Xiang Huaizhi’s gaze instead. Jing Huan awkwardly offers popcorn, then warns it is too sweet and nauseating.Xiang Huaizhi chuckles softly and says okay. Jing Huan’s phone buzzes, and Lu Wenhao asks why Jing Huan did not invite him to what was supposed to be a three-person movie. Jing Huan says he did not want to disturb Lu Wenhao’s nap.When Jing Huan looks up, the couple in front of them is quietly kissing.Jing Huan stiffens and forces his eyes forward, terrified Xiang Huaizhi might notice where he was looking.By the time the movie ends, Jing Huan is drained and has no idea what he watched.Outside, Jing Huan says the movie felt long, and Xiang Huaizhi corrects him that it was only eighty minutes. Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan wants dinner.Before Jing Huan can answer, Zheng Yiyan calls out to Xiang Huaizhi. Zheng Yiyan recognizes Jing Huan as the sophomore his class wanted to play basketball with and introduces himself.Jing Huan politely greets Zheng-ge and says he and Xiang Huaizhi just came from a movie. Zheng Yiyan says it is his birthday and invites them to barbecue.Xiang Huaizhi refuses because he has company. Jing Huan tries to let Xiang Huaizhi go without him, but Xiang Huaizhi catches his wrist while Zheng Yiyan grabs his other arm. Zheng Yiyan insists there is plenty of room at the table.At the barbecue place, Lu Hang nearly chokes when he sees Jing Huan with Xiang Huaizhi. Zheng Yiyan announces that since everyone is there, they should toast his birthday.The booth is crowded, and Jing Huan ends up packed close to Xiang Huaizhi. Xiang Huaizhi leans near Jing Huan and warns him not to drink if they push whiskey on him.Jing Huan nervously agrees because Xiang Huaizhi’s breath seems to brush his ear. Zheng Yiyan toasts Jing Huan and compliments his looks.Jing Huan replies that he is not good-looking, just hot. Zheng Yiyan laughs and says Jing Huan is confident.Zheng Yiyan says girls from his class skipped a basketball game without Jing Huan but all showed up when Jing Huan’s class played. Jing Huan and Zheng Yiyan drink shot for shot because Jing Huan’s glass is small.Jing Huan suggests playing basketball together next time. Zheng Yiyan agrees but jokes that Jing Huan should let him score or no girls will notice him.Jing Huan jokes that Zheng Yiyan is built like a brick wall and would block him easily. Zheng Yiyan suggests Jing Huan should get a girlfriend to crush everyone’s hopes.Xiang Huaizhi’s hands still slightly at the suggestion. Jing Huan says no one would want him and that pretty faces do not make relationships last.Zheng Yiyan asks what type of girls Jing Huan likes and offers to introduce someone. Jing Huan leans back and bumps into Xiang Huaizhi’s shoulder.Jing Huan asks whether he hurt Xiang Huaizhi, but Xiang Huaizhi only looks at him intensely. Zheng Yiyan teases them for “having a moment” and tells Jing Huan bottoms up.Zheng Yiyan reaches for the whiskey, but Xiang Huaizhi blocks the bottle and says Jing Huan cannot handle it.Lu Hang supports Xiang Huaizhi, saying Jing Huan got carried out after two beers at karaoke. Zheng Yiyan keeps coaxing Jing Huan to drink half a glass.When Jing Huan starts to lift his cup, Xiang Huaizhi says to forget it because Jing Huan cannot hold his liquor.Xiang Huaizhi says he did not know it was Zheng Yiyan’s birthday and will drink a few rounds with him instead.Everyone is shocked because Xiang Huaizhi is known as the one person their class cannot pressure into drinking.One of the guys jokes that if Xiang Huaizhi is drinking for Jing Huan, that means three glasses. Xiang Huaizhi agrees without hesitation.After a while, Jing Huan grows quiet while Xiang Huaizhi talks calmly with the others, his cheeks faintly red. Zheng Yiyan drunkenly asks why Jing Huan’s mother gave him such a girly name.Jing Huan says “Huan” means joy and that his mother wanted life’s point to be happiness. The table laughs, and Zheng Yiyan praises Jing Huan’s mother as smart.By 9:30, dinner ends, but Zheng Yiyan tries to move the group to a bar nearby. Xiang Huaizhi stands and says he and Jing Huan will not go.Zheng Yiyan suggests Jing Huan go without Xiang Huaizhi, but Jing Huan refuses because he just recovered from being sick and does not want a hangover.Jing Huan jokes that he is broke and cannot afford bars, making Xiang Huaizhi notice how familiar that excuse sounds.Outside, heavy rain is pouring, and Zheng Yiyan borrows umbrellas from the barbecue owner. Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi share an old black umbrella and walk in silence.Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan feels dizzy. Jing Huan says no and explains he did not drink much.Xiang Huaizhi says Zheng Yiyan and the others are good people but lousy with alcohol. Jing Huan checks his phone and sees guild chat celebrating something, but he ignores it.Since they are alone, Jing Huan realizes this may be his best chance to explain why he pretended to be someone else.Before Jing Huan can confess properly, Xiang Huaizhi asks whether he took his supplements today.Jing Huan answers that he will after midnight because the servants always remind him. Xiang Huaizhi asks when the baby is due.Jing Huan says Sunday, assuming nothing happens. Xiang Huaizhi says it has been tough on Jing Huan and that once the kid is born, he will help Jing Huan level back up.This domestic wording makes Jing Huan feel strangely giddy, like they really are married. Jing Huan finally says there is something he needs to tell Xiang Huaizhi.Jing Huan begins confessing that he used a voice changer to trick Xiang Huaizhi. Xiang Huaizhi keeps walking and says he knows.Jing Huan’s brain stalls when Xiang Huaizhi repeats that he knows. Xiang Huaizhi tells Jing Huan to watch his step.Jing Huan silently spirals, realizing Xiang Huaizhi knew the truth the whole time yet still stayed his friend, brought him water, took him to a movie, and protected him from drinking.Jing Huan feels grateful and decides Xiang Huaizhi is truly a very good person. Jing Huan tells Xiang Huaizhi sincerely that he will be really good to him from now on.Xiang Huaizhi stops and asks what Jing Huan means by “good to me.” Jing Huan says that if Xiang Huaizhi likes roses, he will buy him a whole bouquet.At Jing Huan’s building, Jing Huan invites Xiang Huaizhi upstairs to warm milk because Xiang Huaizhi drank quite a bit. Xiang Huaizhi declines for tonight.Jing Huan starts to go upstairs but returns to wrap his scarf around Xiang Huaizhi’s neck.Jing Huan adjusts the scarf carefully, says it is freezing, and tells Xiang Huaizhi to wear it on the way back.The scarf carries Jing Huan’s warmth and faint scent, bringing Xiang Huaizhi back to the vivid dream he had the previous night. Jing Huan tells Xiang Huaizhi to message him when he reaches the dorm.As Jing Huan turns to leave, Xiang Huaizhi grabs his arm and pulls him close. Xiang Huaizhi lifts the umbrella, pulling them into its shadow as the building lights go out.In the darkness under the umbrella, Xiang Huaizhi lowers his head and gently brushes his lips against Jing Huan’s.

Chapter 21Xiang Huaizhi keeps replaying the kiss with Jing Huan and admits to himself that he had wanted to kiss Jing Huan even earlier, but had tried to take things slowly because they had only just confessed and started their relationship.Despite those intentions, the alcohol and cold night wear down Xiang Huaizhi’s restraint, and he convinces himself that since he and Jing Huan like each other and are together now, there is no reason to keep their distance.After kissing Jing Huan, Xiang Huaizhi notices how red Jing Huan’s face has become and teasingly points it out.In response, Jing Huan’s mind completely blanks out because he cannot process that Xiang Huaizhi actually kissed him.When Xiang Huaizhi asks whether he is okay, Jing Huan stiffly answers that he is not. Xiang Huaizhi tells Jing Huan to head upstairs and thanks him for the rose he gave him.Jing Huan awkwardly says goodbye and stumbles into the elevator feeling like a malfunctioning robot.Meanwhile, the security guard notices Jing Huan on the surveillance cameras and recognizes him as the friendly university student who often shares fruit and always seems energetic.The security guard becomes concerned when Jing Huan stands motionless inside the elevator for several minutes without pressing a floor button.As the strange silence continues, the security guard briefly convinces himself that Jing Huan is not even breathing and starts reciting government slogans like protective charms.In response to his emotional overload, Jing Huan repeatedly bangs his head against the elevator wall while internally freaking out over the kiss.Lu Wenhao suddenly calls and angrily accuses Jing Huan of going out for barbecue with Xiang-ge without inviting the rest of them.When Lu Wenhao mentions that Lu-ge already posted photos of Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi sitting together and whispering like a couple, Jing Huan becomes even more horrified.Desperate to prove reality is broken, Jing Huan tells Lu Wenhao to turn into a pig.When Lu Wenhao only becomes angrier instead of transforming, Jing Huan realizes that the kiss truly happened and was not a dream.This realization is reinforced when Jing Huan notices the lingering sensation on his lips and remembers exactly how Xiang Huaizhi kissed him.Hoping for one last escape, Jing Huan notices the elevator never moved because he forgot to press a floor button.That hope immediately dies when the security guard speaks through the intercom and awkwardly asks whether Jing Huan forgot to select a floor.Jing Huan finally rides upstairs, but by the time he reaches his apartment his hands are shaking so badly that he enters the passcode incorrectly three times and triggers the alarm.After getting inside, Jing Huan collapses on the floor in darkness and obsessively replays the kiss in his mind.When Xiang Huaizhi’s profile picture lights up on his phone, Jing Huan reacts as though simply seeing Xiang Huaizhi’s name is dangerous.In an attempt to cool himself down, Jing Huan rushes into the bathroom and splashes cold water on his face.Instead of helping, the mirror reveals that his cheeks, ears, and neck are bright red, making him look like an overripe tomato.Jing Huan desperately tells himself that Xiang Huaizhi must have been drunk and that drunken kisses should not count.Hoping to clear his head, Jing Huan takes a shower, but every object reminds him of Xiang Huaizhi, from the cold water to the black bottle of body wash, the red towel, the umbrella, and the rose.This leads Jing Huan to angrily question what is wrong with himself because he cannot stop associating everything with Xiang Huaizhi.After showering, Jing Huan tries to reassure himself that he is not a girl and that a kiss between bros does not necessarily mean anything.Despite this reasoning, his composure instantly collapses when Xiang Huaizhi messages him that he has returned to the dorm safely.Jing Huan nearly sends a cute emoticon before panicking and replacing it with a normal message saying he just got out of the shower. Xiang Huaizhi then asks whether they can call.Jing Huan immediately wants to refuse because he is afraid his voice will expose his emotions, but his finger slips and he accidentally accepts the incoming call.During the call, Jing Huan tells Xiang Huaizhi that he drank too much and should get some sleep.In response, Xiang Huaizhi calmly states that he is not drunk. Jing Huan refuses to believe him and insists that people who are drunk never admit it.Xiang Huaizhi unexpectedly tells Jing Huan to drink some water because his lips felt dry.This comment sends Jing Huan into another spiral because it reminds him that Xiang Huaizhi noticed the condition of his lips while kissing him. Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan has class the next afternoon.Jing Huan accidentally blurts out that he is free before hastily inventing a story about having hot pot plans with Lu Wenhao and the others.Instead of being discouraged, Xiang Huaizhi says that Jing Huan should come upstairs and find him after the hot pot gathering.Jing Huan suddenly remembers that Xiang Huaizhi lives in the same building only a few floors above him and feels doomed.Having no excuse left, Jing Huan reluctantly agrees. Xiang Huaizhi then casually suggests that they log into Nine Heroes and do their couple dailies together.This surprises Jing Huan because he expected Xiang Huaizhi to be thinking about divorce after the truth about the voice changer rather than continuing their in-game marriage. Unable to hold back any longer, Jing Huan asks what exactly the two of them are now.After a long pause, Xiang Huaizhi answers that they are dating. Before Jing Huan can fully react, Xiang Huaizhi jokingly adds that they could also be called online boyfriends.The phrase “online boyfriends” fills Jing Huan with guilt because he is still hiding the truth behind their relationship.Later, Lu Hang returns to the dorm and finds Xiang Huaizhi holding the rose.When Lu Hang asks where the flower came from, Xiang Huaizhi casually claims it was part of a theater promotion.Lu Hang jokes that Xiang Huaizhi never has time for girls and would only make an exception if Little Sweet Jingjing appeared in person. Xiang Huaizhi dismisses the joke and calls Lu Hang sick.Lu Hang then teases him for treating Jing Huan unusually well and asks why he keeps getting involved with people named Jing. Xiang Huaizhi quietly replies that it is simply because he feels like it.Meanwhile, across campus, Jing Huan remains unable to calm down and keeps obsessing over everything that happened.In response, Jing Huan calls Lu Wenhao, immediately apologizes for disappearing, and offers to treat everyone to hot pot the next day.Lu Wenhao readily accepts the offer because free food is free food, while Jing Huan secretly worries about covering up the lie he told Xiang Huaizhi.The following day, Jing Huan returns to the dorm carrying a hot pot, ingredients, and groceries despite rarely visiting lately.While Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang play a dungeon run, Jing Huan sits staring moodily into the empty pot until Lu Wenhao jokes that there must be cockroaches inside it. Jing Huan becomes annoyed and insists that he is simply hungry.Gao Zixiang notices the huge amount of food, prompting Jing Huan to reveal that he intends to bring the leftovers upstairs to Xiang-ge.This leads Gao Zixiang to remark that Jing Huan now seems closer to Xiang-ge than to his actual roommates.Remembering the previous night, Jing Huan nervously asks Lu Wenhao what he would do if the catfisher ever showed up again.Lu Wenhao responds that the catfisher would have to be tired of living to show his face again.Despite this hostility, Jing Huan reminds Lu Wenhao that he once claimed to miss the catfisher.Jing Huan then directly asks whether Lu Wenhao would want to kiss the catfisher if he saw him again.Lu Wenhao initially claims he would absolutely kiss him as revenge before clarifying that he only fell for the fake girl persona and is not actually interested in men.This answer makes sense to Jing Huan, but it also causes him to wonder whether Xiang Huaizhi might actually be gay.The thought ruins Jing Huan’s appetite and leaves him increasingly distracted.After dinner, Jing Huan sends Xiang Huaizhi a photo of the remaining food and asks whether there is enough for him and Lu-ge.Xiang Huaizhi replies that he already ate bread and that Lu Hang is not currently in the room.Realizing he will be alone with Xiang Huaizhi, Jing Huan immediately becomes nervous again.When Lu Wenhao uses lip balm, Jing Huan unexpectedly demands to borrow it after remembering Xiang Huaizhi’s comment about his dry lips.After teasing Jing Huan, Lu Wenhao gives him the lip balm, which Jing Huan secretly keeps before heading upstairs.Upon reaching room 522, Jing Huan discovers the door already open and nervously enters.Moments later, Xiang Huaizhi emerges from the bathroom shirtless and wet, telling Jing Huan to sit on his bed and wait.Jing Huan becomes completely distracted by Xiang Huaizhi’s physique and immediately starts criticizing himself for noticing.To occupy himself, Jing Huan logs into Xiang Huaizhi’s account and starts doing his dailies.During this process, a player named Sweet Little Fruit sends a friend request and tries using the classic helpless-damsel routine to attract Yearning For’s attention.Jing Huan immediately recognizes the tactic because he practically invented it himself.When Sweet Little Fruit admits she only wanted to talk and approaches Yearning For’s character, Jing Huan realizes she copied Sweet Little Jing’s appearance, name style, faction, and behavior almost exactly.Outraged by the imitation, Jing Huan blocks her. Xiang Huaizhi notices and asks who got blocked, prompting Jing Huan to accidentally blurt out that it was a girl.After seeing Xiang Huaizhi shirtless again, Jing Huan becomes even more flustered. Jing Huan explains that Sweet Little Fruit was copying him, then accidentally reveals that she also called Xiang Huaizhi “gege.”Rather than laughing, Xiang Huaizhi leans close and personally guides Jing Huan’s hand to start a forced PK against Sweet Little Fruit.Xiang Huaizhi casually suggests that Jing Huan can curse her, ignore her, or tell her to stop bothering his husband.Hearing Xiang Huaizhi call him “husband” causes Jing Huan to question Xiang Huaizhi’s sexuality even more seriously.Sweet Little Fruit mistakes the attack for flirting and excitedly offers to voice chat with Yearning For.At Xiang Huaizhi’s urging, Jing Huan finally kills her character and sends her back to the respawn point.Even after the fight ends, Jing Huan remains distracted by Xiang Huaizhi’s bed, his appearance, and the increasingly confusing feelings building between them.While continuing the dailies, Jing Huan accidentally discovers that Xiang Huaizhi keeps only two friend groups, one default group and one specifically for Sweet Little Jing.Shortly afterward, Echoes of Spring contacts Xiang Huaizhi about guild activities and learns that Sweet Little Jing is supposedly sitting right beside him.Echoes of Spring tactfully excuses herself after realizing she interrupted what appears to be couple time.Jing Huan then realizes Xiang Huaizhi invited him upstairs because he expected them to play Nine Heroes together, not because he only wanted help with dailies. This realization relieves much of Jing Huan’s anxiety and embarrassment.When Lu Wenhao’s lip balm falls out of Jing Huan’s pocket, Xiang Huaizhi picks it up first and immediately notices that it is strawberry flavored. Jing Huan desperately claims the lip balm was forced on him by Lu Wenhao.Xiang Huaizhi calmly says he believes him before asking whether Jing Huan already used it.The situation becomes intensely awkward when Xiang Huaizhi keeps staring at Jing Huan’s lips rather than his eyes.Jing Huan starts imagining that Xiang Huaizhi wants to kiss him again and mentally prepares to punch him if necessary.Before anything can happen, Lu Hang returns from karaoke and unknowingly interrupts the moment.Lu Hang is immediately suspicious about finding Jing Huan there and questions why he is helping with game dailies after supposedly quitting Nine Heroes.Xiang Huaizhi calmly defends Jing Huan and points out that quitting does not mean forgetting how to play.Lu Hang jokingly accuses Xiang Huaizhi of hypocrisy when he refuses to let Jing Huan do Lu Hang’s dailies as well. Jing Huan eventually agrees to help Lu Hang and finishes the tasks.While working, Jing Huan accidentally opens messages involving Yearning For and Long Road Ahead and panics because he should not be reading Xiang Huaizhi’s private conversations.After finishing everything, Jing Huan prepares to leave.. Lu Hang thanks him, offers to treat him to a fancy Japanese meal someday, and relays an invitation to a Christmas outing from their friends.Before Jing Huan can properly respond, Xiang Huaizhi wraps the scarf around his neck and urges him to leave before the gate closes.Lu Hang notices that the scarf is the same one Xiang Huaizhi previously gave Jing Huan and becomes curious about how it returned.Xiang Huaizhi ignores the question and instead asks Jing Huan if he is ready to go.As they leave together, Jing Huan notices that the scarf now carries Xiang Huaizhi’s scent and becomes distracted by it.Although Jing Huan insists that he does not need an escort, Xiang Huaizhi quietly continues walking beside him.Once they reach the stairwell, Xiang Huaizhi suddenly grabs Jing Huan, spins him around, pins him against the wall, and kisses him again.Unlike the previous kiss, this one is deep, urgent, messy, and impossible to mistake for an accident.Jing Huan initially prepares to push Xiang Huaizhi away, but freezes when he hears Lu Wenhao’s voice approaching from below.Lu Wenhao and another student pass through the stairwell discussing trash, cards, and Christmas gifts without realizing how close they came to discovering the two of them.After the danger passes, Jing Huan internally decides he would have had to kill Lu Wenhao and hide the body if they had been caught.To Jing Huan’s disbelief, Xiang Huaizhi immediately asks what gift Lu Hang gave him. Jing Huan lightly punches him and complains internally that an apology should come before questions like that.Xiang Huaizhi laughs and realizes that now that he has fallen for someone, being apart from that person suddenly feels unbearable. Xiang Huaizhi apologizes and asks whether he was too rough during the kiss.Even after leaving campus, Jing Huan remains unable to cool down physically or emotionally.Lu Wenhao messages Jing Huan a photo showing that he saw him downstairs from a window and asks why he is there. Jing Huan responds by flipping Lu Wenhao off from a distance and walking away.Remembering the stairwell incident, Jing Huan decides it is fortunate that Xiang Huaizhi apologized because otherwise he would have punched him.While heading home, Jing Huan sees another couple kissing awkwardly and immediately compares them unfavorably to Xiang Huaizhi.This comparison convinces Jing Huan that Xiang Huaizhi must be gay because no straight man should be capable of kissing another man the way Xiang Huaizhi kissed him.Even after getting into bed, Jing Huan continues replaying every detail of the stairwell kiss and obsessively wondering what it all means.

Chapter 22Snow falls all night, and Jing Huan drags himself to class because finals are coming and the classrooms are suddenly full of students trying to impress professors.By afternoon, Jing Huan is slumped over his desk with his scarf covering half his face because the classroom is freezing.A guy greets Jing Huan, and Jing Huan answers even though he only recognizes the guy’s face and cannot remember his name.Lu Wenhao asks why Jing Huan answered someone he barely remembers, and Jing Huan says it saves time. Lu Wenhao notices Gao Zixiang is glued to his phone and teases him about it.Gao Zixiang says he is chatting with his girlfriend, and Lu Wenhao insists he is not single either.Lu Wenhao proudly says he got back together with his in-game wife and plans to see her during the break.In response, Jing Huan asks which wife Lu Wenhao means, making Lu Wenhao remember the catfisher incident and get angry.Jing Huan refuses to defend catfishers and only smiles coldly. Gao Zixiang warns Lu Wenhao that his in-game wife might be another scam, and Lu Wenhao curses his friends for always expecting the worst.Lu Wenhao whispers something to Gao Zixiang, and Gao Zixiang bursts out laughing. Jing Huan demands to know what they are plotting, and Gao Zixiang finally reveals that Lu Wenhao asked him for porn.Lu Wenhao blushes and claims he is only planning ahead. Gao Zixiang mocks Lu Wenhao for having so many online girlfriends while still being a virgin.Lu Wenhao drags Jing Huan into the conversation by saying Jing Huan has played Nine Heroes for years, is hot, and has still never kissed anyone. Jing Huan snaps and asks who said he has never kissed anyone.Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang are shocked, and Lu Wenhao immediately demands to know who Jing Huan’s first kiss was. Jing Huan realizes he exposed himself because the person he kissed was not a girl.Lu Wenhao notices Jing Huan’s ears are red and keeps pestering him with Gao Zixiang for the rest of class.Near the end of class, Jing Huan receives messages from Xiang Huaizhi telling him to look at the door.Jing Huan looks up and sees Xiang Huaizhi standing outside with his phone in hand, dressed in black and looking colder than the weather. Jing Huan cannot stop staring at Xiang Huaizhi.Lu Wenhao notices Xiang Huaizhi too, waves at him, and comments that Xiang Huaizhi is extremely handsome.Jing Huan thinks Xiang Huaizhi is waiting for him, then tears his gaze away and coughs to hide his burning face.Lu Wenhao tries to warm his hands in Jing Huan’s pocket, but Jing Huan slaps him away and says he is not doing that anymore.When class ends, a girl hurries toward Xiang Huaizhi with a shy smile. Jing Huan stops in place and asks who the girl is. Lu Wenhao identifies the girl as Liang Mengjia, a model rumored to be debuting soon.Gao Zixiang adds that Liang Mengjia supposedly has a thing for Xiang Huaizhi because she confessed to him in a private karaoke room.Jing Huan walks out while pretending everything is fine, but he secretly listens from behind the door.Liang Mengjia softly calls Xiang Huaizhi “Xiang-ge,” and Jing Huan immediately feels irritated by her sweet voice. Liang Mengjia gives Xiang Huaizhi a Christmas gift and says it is only a small present.Xiang Huaizhi remembers Liang Mengjia, glances toward Jing Huan, and loudly says he has a girlfriend.Liang Mengjia becomes embarrassed and tries to say it is only a gift, but Xiang Huaizhi refuses again.When Liang Mengjia says his girlfriend does not need to know, Xiang Huaizhi answers that she knows. Jing Huan is stunned by Xiang Huaizhi’s public rejection.Xiang Huaizhi walks to Jing Huan and smooths down Jing Huan’s messy hair. Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan slept in class, and Jing Huan says he only rested his head for a minute.Jing Huan asks whether Xiang Huaizhi napped too, and Xiang Huaizhi says he did not sleep well the previous night.Jing Huan thinks he also has not slept properly since the stairwell kiss because Xiang Huaizhi keeps appearing in his dreams.Gao Zixiang asks why Xiang Huaizhi is in the building, and Xiang Huaizhi says his class is nearby.Lu Wenhao asks where Lu Hang is, and Xiang Huaizhi says Lu Hang skipped.Xiang Huaizhi asks if they are going to eat, and Lu Wenhao says the cafeteria has fish with chili. Xiang Huaizhi agrees to eat with them.On the way to the cafeteria, Jing Huan worries that Lu Wenhao and Gao Zixiang will notice something between him and Xiang Huaizhi.Despite this, Jing Huan realizes he overthought it because Gao Zixiang is busy texting his girlfriend and Lu Wenhao is busy flirting with his in-game wife.Xiang Huaizhi acts completely normal at lunch, which should relieve Jing Huan but instead makes Jing Huan feel restless.Lu Wenhao suddenly sees Window 12, the legendary oden stall, open and drags Gao Zixiang away to line up.This leaves Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi alone at the table.Xiang Huaizhi asks when Jing Huan’s first exam is, and Jing Huan says January seventh.Xiang Huaizhi asks when Jing Huan is going home, and Jing Huan says he is not sure. Xiang Huaizhi asks whether they can meet during the break.Jing Huan feels nervous because meeting friends during break should be normal, but meeting Xiang Huaizhi feels different. Jing Huan says he probably cannot travel much because Spring Festival is early.Xiang Huaizhi says he will come to Jing Huan. Jing Huan says that is too much trouble, but Xiang Huaizhi asks where Jing Huan lives.Jing Huan says he lives in Mancheng, a couple of hours from school, and Xiang Huaizhi smiles because he is from the same place.After they finish eating, Xiang Huaizhi says he has something to do off campus and tells them to head back.Lu Wenhao questions why Xiang Huaizhi ate at the cafeteria if he was already leaving campus, but Xiang Huaizhi only says outside food is not better.Before leaving, Xiang Huaizhi secretly slips a box of yogurt into Jing Huan’s hand.On the walk back, Jing Huan thinks about winter break and asks Gao Zixiang whether he wants to hang out over break.Gao Zixiang reminds Jing Huan that he already goes to Jing Huan’s house every New Year.Jing Huan gives up on the question because he realizes seeing Xiang Huaizhi over break feels different from seeing his usual friends.Back home, Jing Huan drinks the yogurt and logs into Nine Heroes, but Yearning For is not online.Jing Huan feeds the in-game baby Sugar Bird’s Nest and complains that each nest costs ten gold.Jing Huan notes the baby’s due date is tomorrow and hovers over his bookmarks full of Qiya Mountain baby-raising guides.A porn spam megaphone appears in Nine Heroes, and Jing Huan unusually pays attention to it. Jing Huan wonders if his strange dreams are happening because he is too pent-up.Jing Huan asks an old middle school friend for a porn file without explaining why. Jing Huan opens the file but quickly finds every video boring or cringey.In response, Jing Huan deletes the folder and tells his friend he was only testing him. Jing Huan reports the friend as a joke and laughs for a full minute before realizing he is not actually having fun.Jing Huan lies on his bed and scrolls Weibo until Xiang Huaizhi messages that he is back at the dorm. Jing Huan immediately bolts upright and agrees to play the game with Xiang Huaizhi.Jing Huan sends several messages in a row because he does not want to sound too eager, then gets out of bed.In-game, Yearning For is already in their house, storing supplements with the servant NPC.Jing Huan accidentally says he is giving birth tomorrow, then curses himself for the wording. Xiang Huaizhi tells Jing Huan to turn off the voice changer because no one else is there.Jing Huan resists at first, but Xiang Huaizhi says he wants to hear Jing Huan’s real voice.Jing Huan turns off the voice changer, and Xiang Huaizhi sends Sweet Little Jing a children’s book.Xiang Huaizhi explains that the book is for raising a Spirit Fox Den kid. Xiang Huaizhi also sends Jing Huan a parenting plan he wrote himself.Jing Huan scrolls through the plan and realizes it was clearly written by Xiang Huaizhi, not copied from forums.Jing Huan thinks a kid raised according to Xiang Huaizhi’s guide would definitely turn out lovable.Because Sweet Little Jing is pregnant, Xiang Huaizhi and Jing Huan avoid most dungeons and instead wander through the main city together.Even though they do very little, Jing Huan does not feel bored. Liang Mengjia sends Jing Huan a WeChat friend request and says she is from his class.Jing Huan accepts, and Liang Mengjia hesitates because his name and profile picture do not match the handsome guy she expected. Liang Mengjia asks whether Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi are close.Jing Huan privately thinks they have only kissed twice, then replies that they are sort of close. Liang Mengjia asks Jing Huan for Xiang Huaizhi’s WeChat.Jing Huan pauses with Liang Mengjia’s chat on one side and Xiang Huaizhi’s parenting plan on the other.Jing Huan notices the tiny note at the bottom of the parenting plan that says Little Xiangjing’s care guide.Jing Huan stops typing and tells Liang Mengjia giving her Xiang Huaizhi’s WeChat is not a good idea because Xiang Huaizhi has a girlfriend.Liang Mengjia asks whether Jing Huan knows who the girlfriend is. Jing Huan types “Me” but does not send it. Instead, Jing Huan closes the chat and deletes Liang Mengjia’s contact.Back in-game, Jing Huan realizes the Christmas event launched early on the test server and that Xiang Huaizhi already queued them for the couple quest. Jing Huan quickly clicks accept and says he was looking at something else.Xiang Huaizhi says he did not call Jing Huan because he did not want to disturb him if he was sleeping.The quiet winter night makes Jing Huan hear only his own heartbeat. Jing Huan finally admits to himself that he has feelings for Xiang Huaizhi.Xiang Huaizhi records the Christmas quest screen while waiting and says he has classes all day tomorrow. Jing Huan says he does not have any classes.Xiang Huaizhi explains the Christmas event has a title reward and offers to run it with Jing Huan tomorrow night. Jing Huan agrees because the title gives an experience bonus. They spend the rest of the night clearing couple dailies together.After logging off, Xiang Huaizhi stretches while Lu Hang complains that top students can study between dungeon queues.Lu Hang asks Xiang Huaizhi to help him not fail, but Xiang Huaizhi says praying is useless because Lu Hang skipped half his classes.Lu Hang checks the class group chat and sees someone posted that Xiang Huaizhi has a girlfriend. Xiang Huaizhi calmly confirms he has a girlfriend.Lu Hang is shocked when Xiang Huaizhi says the girlfriend is from their school and a year below. Lu Hang demands a name, but Xiang Huaizhi only says it is confidential.Lu Hang later goes to the Unknown Realm to check the new Christmas outfits and sees Yearning For leading Sweet Little Jing by the hand.Lu Hang assumes Sweet Little Jing is being cheated on because he heard Xiang Huaizhi claim to have a real-life girlfriend. Lu Hang sighs over Sweet Little Jing’s cheerful profile and thinks she is pitiful.After midnight, Lu Hang sends Sweet Little Jing a Green Straw Hat as a Christmas gift to warn her that her boyfriend may be cheating.Jing Huan receives the gift, does not understand the implication, and thanks Long Road Ahead. Jing Huan sends Long Road Ahead a Reindeer Jingle Bell as a return gift. Lu Hang feels guilty and thinks his roommate is terrible.Jing Huan checks the dorm group chat and agrees to study with Lu Wenhao over the weekend because finals are less than two weeks away. Xiang Huaizhi messages Jing Huan to ask whether the baby is coming tomorrow.Jing Huan says the baby is due around 7 p.m., and Xiang Huaizhi says he will come after class. Jing Huan lies in bed and realizes he has been falling for Xiang Huaizhi little by little.The next day, Jing Huan sleeps until noon, orders takeout, logs into Nine Heroes, and receives a private message from Fae Bae.Fae Bae says she knows he is Sweet Little Jing and wants to tell him something. Jing Huan is dismissive until Fae Bae claims Yearning For has a real-life girlfriend.Fae Bae says her friend ran a dungeon with Long Road Ahead and overheard everything because Long Road Ahead forgot to mute his microphone. Jing Huan plays along dramatically and asks Fae Bae for details.Fae Bae says the girl is Xiang Huaizhi’s schoolmate and a year below him. Fae Bae says she has a recording and offers to play it for Jing Huan on WeChat. Jing Huan pretends to be devastated and says he refuses to believe it.Fae Bae tells Sweet Little Jing that online dating is like that and that Yearning For probably only married her to kill time. Fae Bae advises Sweet Little Jing to divorce Yearning For and move on.Jing Huan keeps acting dramatic and says he could never divorce Yearning For. Jing Huan says men always come back in the end and that he will wait.Fae Bae becomes confused and calls Sweet Little Jing the other woman. Jing Huan keeps trolling Fae Bae by saying he will bear that burden for Yearning For.After messing with Fae Bae, Jing Huan blocks her and laughs at the thought of her confusion. Jing Huan tries to teleport to another map, but the game refuses because the baby is about to be born. Jing Huan reads the system warning in shock and grabs his phone.In class, Xiang Huaizhi receives guild screenshots of Sweet Little Jing’s dramatic conversation with Fae Bae. Xiang Huaizhi almost smiles and warns the person behind the blurred screenshots to stay in the safe zone. Xiang Huaizhi sends the screenshots to Jing Huan and asks how determined he is.At that exact moment, Jing Huan sends a panicked message saying the baby is coming early. Jing Huan immediately recalls the message and replaces it with the calmer statement that their baby is coming early. Lu Hang realizes his microphone was on the day before and panics about the recording.Before Lu Hang can explain, Xiang Huaizhi leaves class. Jing Huan regrets sounding like a flustered expectant father over an in-game baby. Jing Huan returns to the in-game house and finds the servant and housekeeper waiting by the door.Jing Huan worries the birth system might be as awkward as the wedding-bed scene, but nothing happens. Jing Huan messages Xiang Huaizhi that he only wanted to let him know and tells him to stay in class. Jing Huan grows annoyed when Xiang Huaizhi does not reply.Bishop Wood messages Jing Huan and asks him to run a two-star dungeon. Jing Huan says he is busy giving birth, and Bishop Wood asks if he can watch. Jing Huan calls Bishop Wood a pervert but then decides it is only a game and lets him come. Jing Huan’s finger slips, causing Sweet Little Jing to move by mistake.Within twenty seconds, Yearning For appears in the doorway. Xiang Huaizhi asks why Jing Huan is bringing men home the second he leaves for class.Bishop Wood flees after seeing Xiang Huaizhi and dramatically wishes Sweet Little Jing luck with the baby. Jing Huan complains internally because one cannot “do your best” with childbirth.Jing Huan asks whether Xiang Huaizhi has class, and Xiang Huaizhi says he skipped. Jing Huan is amused and secretly happy that Xiang Huaizhi skipped class to witness the birth of a virtual baby.Jing Huan says the baby might still be in his belly, making Xiang Huaizhi go quiet. Jing Huan explains that Bishop Wood only wanted to watch because he had never seen a baby born in Nine Heroes.Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan would let anyone experience a wedding too if they had never been married in-game. Jing Huan realizes Xiang Huaizhi is jealous and asks him directly.Xiang Huaizhi admits he is a little jealous. Jing Huan tries not to smile and says he will keep his distance from Bishop Wood.

Xiang Huaizhi says there is no need because he can just kill Bishop Wood. Jing Huan calls that griefing, and Xiang Huaizhi says he already tried it and it felt good.Before Jing Huan can argue, the screen flashes and the servant congratulates Sweet Little Jing for giving birth to a healthy baby. Jing Huan blurts out that the baby is born, but neither he nor Xiang Huaizhi can find it.They search the house and even try the game assistant, but nothing works. Xiang Huaizhi sends a megaphone asking where to find the newborn baby.The World Channel reacts wildly to Yearning For and Sweet Little Jing’s baby. Bishop Wood tells them to open the menu and click the baby to get two red eggs that buff both parents’ stats.Jing Huan accuses Bishop Wood of lying earlier about never seeing a birth. Jing Huan finds the baby under the summoning beast tab.The baby girl has a huge head, tiny body, two horns, red hair, slit eyes, and a small flame in her hand.Jing Huan says he found her and complains that she is hideous. Xiang Huaizhi tells Jing Huan to summon her so they can see her.The baby immediately insults their house and threatens to burn it down. Jing Huan is horrified by the cringey dialogue and jokingly asks whether they should ditch her.Xiang Huaizhi refuses and buys their daughter a 300-yuan pink dudou outfit. Jing Huan protests that Xiang Huaizhi is dressing her when she is already ugly.Xiang Huaizhi says the baby looks a little like Jing Huan. Jing Huan asks whether Xiang Huaizhi is insulting him through their daughter.Xiang Huaizhi laughs because the baby’s horns remind him of Jing Huan’s messy hair. Xiang Huaizhi adds every dudou in the shop to his cart and asks what they should name her.Jing Huan says Little Xiangjing because Xiang Huaizhi already wrote that in the parenting plan.Xiang Huaizhi explains it was only placeholder text, but Jing Huan says the name is perfect because anyone can tell she is theirs.After naming Little Xiangjing and dressing her, Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi take her to Spirit Fox Den Sect for apprenticeship.They discover Little Xiangjing can only follow one parent. Xiang Huaizhi says Little Xiangjing will follow him.Jing Huan is surprised because he expected his healer character to hand the child over, but he did not expect Xiang Huaizhi to actively want her.By nightfall, the Mirage server watches God Xiang parade his squinty-eyed daughter across every map.On Saturday, Jing Huan and Lu Wenhao go to the library to study for finals. Lu Wenhao complains about the cold and wanting to stay in bed.Jing Huan tries to focus on his notes, but Xiang Huaizhi messages him asking where he is sitting.Xiang Huaizhi sends location sharing, and Jing Huan sees their blue dots are almost touching.Before Jing Huan can reply, Xiang Huaizhi appears behind him and lightly brushes his head. Lu Wenhao is shocked to see Lu Hang and Xiang Huaizhi at the library too.Lu Hang says he tagged along because being alone in the dorm is boring. Xiang Huaizhi sits beside Jing Huan and moves his chair slightly closer.Jing Huan immediately becomes more awake because he can smell Xiang Huaizhi’s detergent.Xiang Huaizhi asks if Jing Huan is studying, and Jing Huan says the material is hard to memorize.Xiang Huaizhi tells Jing Huan to keep studying and not fail. Jing Huan secretly thinks he cannot focus with Xiang Huaizhi sitting so close.Jing Huan keeps sneaking glances at Xiang Huaizhi despite trying to convince himself Xiang Huaizhi did not come for him.Jing Huan becomes bothered because Xiang Huaizhi acts as though nothing is happening between them.When Xiang Huaizhi’s thigh brushes Jing Huan’s knee under the table, Jing Huan stiffens.Despite his worry about being exposed, Jing Huan feels calm when Xiang Huaizhi’s leg stays against his.They study until dinner and go out to eat together. Jing Huan digs into the food because a whole day of studying has drained him.Xiang Huaizhi stays quiet too, leaving Lu Wenhao and Lu Hang to carry the conversation.Jing Huan texts Jiejie during dinner and says his finals do not begin until early January. Jiejie teases Jing Huan for texting cutely and asks if he got a girlfriend.Jing Huan feels guilty and quickly denies it. Jiejie says she is flying home for New Year’s and asks what Jing Huan wants for Christmas. Jing Huan says he is not a kid anymore and does not need a Christmas gift.Because Jing Huan and Jiejie have not talked for months, they keep texting once the conversation starts.After dinner, Lu Wenhao asks whether Jing Huan is going to the library tomorrow and who he has been texting all night. Jing Huan says he was texting his jie and that he already has plans.Xiang Huaizhi relaxes when he hears Jing Huan was texting his sister. Lu Hang offers to walk back with Xiang Huaizhi, but Xiang Huaizhi tells him to go first because he needs to pick something up.After Lu Wenhao and Lu Hang leave, Jing Huan asks what Xiang Huaizhi is buying and offers to come with him.Xiang Huaizhi does not answer immediately and instead asks whether Jing Huan wants to hold hands. Jing Huan’s heart races at the simple question.Because everyone is watching the snowy ground instead of other people, Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi walk side by side with their fingers linked under their bulky sleeves. Jing Huan realizes this is his first time holding hands with someone who is not family.Jing Huan also realizes this is not casual hand-holding because their fingers are fully interlaced.Jing Huan buries his face in his scarf to hide his blush and thinks having a crush is intoxicating.The walk to Jing Huan’s apartment feels too short because he barely has time to warm Xiang Huaizhi’s hand. Xiang Huaizhi tells Jing Huan to head upstairs.Jing Huan lingers and offers to go with Xiang Huaizhi to buy his things. Xiang Huaizhi laughs and admits he does not actually need to buy anything. Jing Huan realizes Xiang Huaizhi only wanted to walk him home.Jing Huan wants to invite Xiang Huaizhi upstairs, but the thought feels different now that they have kissed twice. Xiang Huaizhi notices Jing Huan’s red ears and asks what he is thinking about.Jing Huan claims he is thinking about what will happen if he fails his exams and says his mother would end him.Xiang Huaizhi asks whether Jing Huan’s mother still gets to decide if he can date now that he is in college. Jing Huan says probably not.Jing Huan thinks Xiang Huaizhi is going to kiss him again and is relieved he chewed gum after dinner.Instead, Xiang Huaizhi only ruffles Jing Huan’s hair and tells him to go upstairs. Jing Huan stares at Xiang Huaizhi’s lips before awkwardly saying good night.Back in his apartment, Jing Huan feels stupid because the night feels unfinished. Jing Huan cannot stop thinking about the almost-kiss and briefly wishes he had leaned in first.Jing Huan reminds himself that they have not confessed or promised anything, and that staying ambiguous could turn messy and fragile.Jing Huan finally grabs his phone and asks Xiang Huaizhi whether they can see each other on Christmas.In doing so, Jing Huan finally admits that he has liked Xiang Huaizhi for a long time.

Chapter 23Jing Huan spends Christmas with Liang Ran and Xiang Huaizhi, and while chatting before dinner, Liang Ran complains about American food and jokes that she has gained weight, prompting Jing Huan to reassure her that nobody would think she is fat.When they arrive at the restaurant, Liang Ran becomes excited because it is a Hello Kitty-themed place she loved in high school, and Jing Huan immediately realizes the choice of restaurant is creating the wrong impression.In response, Jing Huan sneaks a glance at Xiang Huaizhi and notices his smile has disappeared, making Jing Huan even more uneasy.As they settle into a private room, Jing Huan finds himself trapped beside Liang Ran with no opportunity to explain the misunderstanding to Xiang Huaizhi.While admiring the cute decorations and photographing nearly everything in sight, Liang Ran happily enjoys the restaurant, reinforcing how perfectly the place matches her tastes.After taking photos of the food, Liang Ran asks Xiang Huaizhi to photograph her together with Jing Huan.Xiang Huaizhi agrees and takes several pictures while Liang Ran naturally leans against Jing Huan, forcing Jing Huan to sit stiffly and endure the closeness.When Liang Ran complains that Jing Huan is not smiling properly, Jing Huan awkwardly insists that he is smiling, though his expression remains strained.After finishing the photos, Xiang Huaizhi casually remarks that Jing Huan and Liang Ran seem very close, and Liang Ran cheerfully confirms it while describing how much her family spoils her.This leads Liang Ran to mention that she still believes in love despite having been hurt before, causing Jing Huan to tense and immediately check Xiang Huaizhi’s reaction.Although Xiang Huaizhi’s expression barely changes, Jing Huan remains nervous and unable to relax.When Liang Ran notices the Nine Heroes marketplace app on Jing Huan’s phone, both Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi instantly go silent because the topic is far more dangerous than she realizes.To avoid discussion, Jing Huan hurriedly redirects her attention to the photos instead of answering questions about the game.As Liang Ran reviews the pictures, she complains about how bad she looks and asks Jing Huan which photo is best.Jing Huan barely glances at the images before telling Liang Ran she looks great in all of them, prompting her to decide she will just edit them with filters later.Meanwhile, Xiang Huaizhi secretly sends Jing Huan a snowman sticker, and Jing Huan quietly replies with a Santa sticker, creating a private conversation hidden beneath the public dinner.After the food arrives, Jing Huan automatically serves Liang Ran soup, continuing the appearance of a close relationship in front of Xiang Huaizhi.This leads Liang Ran to reveal that she regrets deleting her Nine Heroes account, causing Jing Huan to nearly choke on his soup.Liang Ran explains that she regrets quitting because of someone who was not worth it and admits that she genuinely enjoyed playing Nine Heroes.Across the table, Xiang Huaizhi immediately stops scrolling through his phone and begins paying close attention to the conversation.Hoping to prevent disaster, Jing Huan desperately tries to change the subject by asking whether they ordered enough food.Despite this, Liang Ran suggests that she and Jing Huan start new Nine Heroes accounts together, with her playing a female Sword Saint and Jing Huan playing a male healer who can protect her.Jing Huan internally panics because Liang Ran is unknowingly describing a situation far too similar to what already happened between him and Xiang Huaizhi.Liang Ran then explains that they should avoid the Mirage server, prompting Xiang Huaizhi to unexpectedly ask about it.When Liang Ran reveals that Mirage was her old server, Xiang Huaizhi quietly asks why she deleted her account.Liang Ran brushes off the details by saying she encountered a scumbag, but Xiang Huaizhi clearly remains interested in the story.In an attempt at humor, Liang Ran remarks that the scumbag’s username was somewhat similar to Jing Huan’s, causing Xiang Huaizhi to accidentally pour too much creamer into his coffee.Jing Huan immediately jumps in to defend the person and claims the actual player was not like that, revealing more emotion than he intended.Liang Ran quickly says she was only joking, but Xiang Huaizhi’s appetite visibly disappears afterward.Jing Huan notices Xiang Huaizhi’s empty creamer cup and silently pushes his own across the table, only to feel a surge of guilt when Xiang Huaizhi looks directly at him.Although Jing Huan tries to laugh off the tension, Xiang Huaizhi simply says there is nothing wrong and drinks the coffee anyway.Afterward, Jing Huan barely follows the conversation because he is too distracted by the growing discomfort between himself and Xiang Huaizhi.When the bill arrives, Jing Huan stands to pay and accidentally knocks over a paper bag he has been carrying.To his horror, the bag tears open and nine bright red roses spill across the floor in front of everyone.Because flowers between two men are difficult to explain away, Jing Huan panics and instinctively shoves the roses into Liang Ran’s hands.The moment he does so, Jing Huan regrets it and realizes he has made the situation even worse.Liang Ran assumes someone is being romantic, while Jing Huan can only give a clipped response and secretly glance toward Xiang Huaizhi.In response, Xiang Huaizhi looks at the roses only once before throwing away his empty creamer packet, revealing almost nothing about what he is thinking.Unable to endure the embarrassment, Jing Huan flees to the cashier and leaves Liang Ran alone with Xiang Huaizhi.While Jing Huan is gone, Liang Ran happily photographs the bouquet and experiments with filters.This creates an opportunity for Xiang Huaizhi to finally ask a direct question: he wants to know Liang Ran’s old ID on the Mirage server.After dinner, Jing Huan retrieves Liang Ran’s bag and learns that she booked a hotel directly across the street.Jing Huan insists on walking her there, teasing her about previously losing her room card.Before Jing Huan can finish volunteering, Xiang Huaizhi unexpectedly announces that he is coming too.Together they escort Liang Ran safely to her room, and Jing Huan repeatedly reminds her to lock the door before finally leaving.As Jing Huan and Xiang Huaizhi walk back toward campus through the crowded Christmas streets, Jing Huan quietly wonders whether the florist shop is still open because he is still planning to confess.Their walk is interrupted when Jing Huan receives notifications from a group chat and jokes that Lu Wenhao must already be drunk.Xiang Huaizhi advises him to drink less in the future, and Jing Huan jokingly replies that Xiang Huaizhi can always block for him.Although Jing Huan quickly claims he is kidding, Xiang Huaizhi does not respond, deepening the uncomfortable silence between them.As they approach campus, Jing Huan becomes increasingly nervous because Xiang Huaizhi’s expression remains unreadable and distant.Jing Huan attempts small talk about the weather and the restaurant, but Xiang Huaizhi answers with only brief replies, making Jing Huan believe his carefully planned confession has already failed.Despite Jing Huan’s discouragement, Xiang Huaizhi suddenly tells him that they should go to Jing Huan’s apartment first instead of parting ways.This reignites Jing Huan’s hope, and he decides he can still confess even without flowers or gifts because they are both men and do not need grand gestures.By the time they reach Jing Huan’s apartment building, both stop at the same place where they parted previously, and Jing Huan struggles with whether to invite Xiang Huaizhi upstairs.Just as Jing Huan begins to speak, Xiang Huaizhi abruptly reveals that Liang Ran is actually Ran Xin.The revelation instantly destroys all of Jing Huan’s confidence, and he realizes Xiang Huaizhi has finally pieced everything together.Xiang Huaizhi asks when Jing Huan realized he was not the booster playing the account during the original incident.Jing Huan nervously admits that he figured it out during their wedding in-game.In response, Xiang Huaizhi bluntly summarizes the situation as Jing Huan believing he was Ran Xin’s cheating ex.Jing Huan confirms that was what he believed at first, though he tries to explain that he eventually told the truth.Xiang Huaizhi then voices the misunderstanding that has been haunting him, admitting that he thought Jing Huan genuinely wanted him and that all the lies were merely a clumsy way of pursuing him.Xiang Huaizhi reveals that he believed their relationship had become real despite the deception, and that hope lasted until Liang Ran mentioned her old account.This leads Xiang Huaizhi to realize that Jing Huan’s actions may have been driven by guilt, panic, or confusion rather than genuine romantic feelings.Jing Huan watches the warmth drain from Xiang Huaizhi’s expression and finally understands how naïve his own optimism had been.As every speech he rehearsed collapses, Jing Huan can only stammer out “Gege” while desperately trying to salvage the moment.Instead of listening, Xiang Huaizhi cuts him off and calmly says that the kisses were a mistake and that he never meant to take advantage of Jing Huan. Jing Huan is left stunned and unable to understand what Xiang Huaizhi means.Xiang Huaizhi follows by telling Jing Huan to forget everything he said before, effectively retracting all the intimacy and emotional progress between them.The words lodge in Jing Huan’s throat like a blade, leaving him unable to speak even though he desperately wants to explain himself.Finally, Xiang Huaizhi tells Jing Huan to go home and quietly wishes him a Merry Christmas before turning and walking away.Jing Huan remains frozen on the empty street, realizing that the relationship he hoped to build has collapsed because lies could never grow into love.As he slowly returns to his apartment, Jing Huan thinks of everything he never got to say: that the Hello Kitty restaurant was chosen for Xiang Huaizhi, that the Little Xiangjing plushie was for him, and that the roses were meant to accompany a confession.Despite wanting to explain all of it, Jing Huan concludes that he has no right to defend himself because from beginning to end he built the relationship on deception.Standing alone in the elevator, Jing Huan is overwhelmed by regret and heartbreak as he realizes he destroyed his chance at something real with his own hands.

Guide On How To Fail At Online Dating, Vol. 4

(Chapter Summary)

I Can Do It, Vol. 1

Chapter 01At 5 p.m. on November 2, fans gather outside the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center for the League of Legends Season 10 World Championship semifinal between South Korea’s HT and China’s TTC.As TTC’s bus arrives, security blocks the excited crowd while TTC’s players step off one by one.During the rush, a girl drops her TTC sign, and Lu Boyuan bends down to pick it up before security can help her.After Lu Boyuan hands the sign back and walks away, the girl realizes Road helped her and screams in excitement.Meanwhile, backstage, Xiao-Bai jokes about the fan’s loud voice before Ding Wenhan lightly scolds him.As TTC prepares for the match, Ding Wenhan gives a final strategy reminder and specifically checks whether Kan remembers the plan.Kan reacts slowly but promises not to repeat his mistakes, causing Lu Boyuan to glance at him before leaving for the bathroom.In the bathroom, Ding Wenhan checks on Lu Boyuan, but Lu Boyuan calmly says that as long as he is on stage, he will win.Elsewhere, Jian Rong streams under the name Soft while eating Fried Sauce Noodle instead of doing formal commentary.When viewers mock Jian Rong, Jian Rong casually bans one of them and keeps chatting with his audience.Once the teams appear on stage, Jian Rong’s attention shifts to Lu Boyuan, who is adjusting his gear.As the broadcast camera lingers on Lu Boyuan, the casters praise Road as TTC’s ace jungler and emotional anchor.In contrast, the casters notice that Kan looks unusually tense despite his experience at Worlds.When viewers ask whether Kan is better than him, Jian Rong confidently says he is better.This leads the chat to react strongly because Jian Rong is known for his sharp tongue, strong skills, and habit of roasting pro players.After viewers mention that Jian Rong has never flamed Road, Jian Rong cuts off the discussion and focuses on the match.Jian Rong turns off his facecam despite viewer protests because he wants to eat comfortably while watching the official broadcast.In game one, TTC camps top lane, counters the enemy jungler twice, and wins cleanly in thirty-five minutes.In game two, TTC gains an early bot lane advantage but loses after Kan gets picked off twice, tying the series at 1–1. In response to Kan’s poor performance, Jian Rong says Kan’s damage was so low that even a Rift Scuttler would have done better.In game three, Kan wastes Flash and gives up First Blood within five minutes. Despite Kan’s mistakes, Lu Boyuan carries with the top laner through key picks, allowing TTC to win the game.In game four, Kan avoids early disasters but repeatedly abandons his teammates in late-game fights.Because Jian Rong understands the game well, he recognizes that Kan’s choices are far below professional standard. TTC loses game four after fifty-two minutes, bringing the series to a 2–2 match point.After the loss, Lu Boyuan walks backstage without looking at Kan, making the tension between them obvious.When the broadcast shows Kan looking guilty, Jian Rong asks viewers to guess what Kan is thinking.In response to the chat’s excuses, Jian Rong implies Kan is thinking about getting paid more by bookies for throwing the games.This accusation shocks the chat because Jian Rong is essentially suggesting that Kan is match-fixing.Despite the backlash, Jian Rong ignores the attacks and leaves briefly to get iced coffee.When Jian Rong returns, TTC announces two substitutions for game five, replacing both Kan and Lu Boyuan.The decision confuses Jian Rong, the viewers, and the casters because Road has been TTC’s backbone.As viewers speculate about TTC’s strategy, Jian Rong doubts there is any reasonable plan that involves benching Lu Boyuan in the deciding game.Shiliu messages Jian Rong to warn him that accusing Kan of match-fixing in front of many viewers could get him attacked by fans.In response, Jian Rong says he is not afraid of Kan, so he has no reason to fear Kan’s fans.When Shiliu tells Jian Rong to watch his mouth, Jian Rong insists that calling Kan’s play match-fixing was actually praise because it suggests Kan is normally better than that.As Jian Rong expected, TTC has no hidden strategy in game five, and the substitute jungler gets solo killed early.The substitute jungler then fails another play, allowing HT to gain a clean double kill.With Lu Boyuan absent and two substitutes on stage, TTC’s remaining starters cannot coordinate properly.Seeing that TTC has no chance of coming back, Jian Rong loses interest in commentating and starts responding to chat.When one viewer insults Lu Boyuan and says Road should retire, Jian Rong immediately bans the viewer.After the banned viewer returns on an alternate account, Jian Rong says he banned him simply because he disliked him.Jian Rong then gives a fair assessment, saying the substitute jungler performed badly but was thrown into an impossible situation for his first stage game.Despite this fairness, Jian Rong still says the substitute mid was only better than Kan and nowhere near Jian Rong’s own level.Thirty-three minutes into game five, HT crushes TTC and dives into TTC’s fountain for nearly thirty seconds.Backstage, TTC’s lounge falls into suffocating silence while Lu Boyuan watches the broadcast calmly.Kan finally turns to Lu Boyuan and says he told him he could play game five, but Lu Boyuan does not acknowledge him. When Kan tries to defend himself, Ding Wenhan cuts him off and tells him not to speak.After the players return to the lounge, the loss weighs heavily on them, and even the experienced players look close to tears. Ding Wenhan gives them brief comfort before leaving to arrange the team bus and extra security. Lu Boyuan then puts on his baseball cap and tells the team to head back.As the young substitute jungler trails behind, he panics over the fan backlash waiting outside.Noticing the substitute jungler’s fear, Lu Boyuan pats his shoulder and tells him he held up and should grind harder when they return.This encouragement breaks the substitute jungler’s composure, and he nods while crying into his sleeve.Once TTC returns to the base, Ding Wenhan reminds everyone to delete social media apps before entering the meeting room with Lu Boyuan.In the meeting room, Ding Wenhan says he has contacted the LPL and that officials are coming to the base.When Ding Wenhan asks what they should do if Lu Boyuan’s suspicions are true, Lu Boyuan says they will handle everything by the rules.Ding Wenhan hesitates because Kan has been with TTC for seven years, but Lu Boyuan’s response shows that loyalty will not excuse wrongdoing.Ding Wenhan then worries about Lu Boyuan’s hand injury because Lu Boyuan’s hand is still shaking after the long games.Lu Boyuan admits the middle games lasted too long, prompting Ding Wenhan to suspect he practiced beyond the doctor’s recommended limit.Ding Wenhan orders Lu Boyuan not to train for the next few days, and Lu Boyuan agrees. Even while injured, Lu Boyuan asks about the search for a new mid laner.The next afternoon, Jian Rong wakes to Shiliu warning him that StarfieldTV may be doing another platform sweep and that he should flame less. Jian Rong replies casually but does not take the warning seriously.As Jian Rong checks Weibo, he sees rumors everywhere claiming that Road may retire because of a hand injury.Jian Rong doubts the retirement rumors because Lu Boyuan’s semifinal performance did not look like the play of someone whose skill had declined.When Jian Rong sees a hater attacking Lu Boyuan and calling him washed, Jian Rong immediately reposts and challenges the hater to name a better jungler.Meanwhile, Lu Boyuan wakes and finds Xiao-Bai waiting outside his room in distress because Xiao-Bai thinks Lu Boyuan is retiring. Lu Boyuan teases Xiao-Bai by saying he may retire in two or three years.Ding Wenhan tells Lu Boyuan to stop scaring Xiao-Bai and explains that the rumor started from Lu Boyuan’s hand injury and the LPL visit.During breakfast, Ding Wenhan says Kan messaged him and that the LPL investigation will take time.Although Ding Wenhan wonders whether they may be overthinking, Lu Boyuan believes caution is necessary. Ding Wenhan gives Lu Boyuan the list of possible mid laner candidates.Lu Boyuan notices that Soft has been crossed out, and Ding Wenhan explains that Jian Rong seems unsuitable.Ding Wenhan says Jian Rong mainly plays assassins like Zed, Yasuo, and Talon, which are unreliable in professional play. In response, Lu Boyuan says champions can be practiced, showing he is more interested in potential than fixed playstyle.Ding Wenhan then points out Jian Rong’s foul mouth and reputation for insulting viewers and pro players.Later, Lu Boyuan watches candidate videos and finds most players safe but unimpressive.This leads Lu Boyuan to ask Xiao-Bai about Soft, and Xiao-Bai identifies Jian Rong as the blue-haired trash-talker who was once misplaced in the Visual category.Xiao-Bai reveals that Jian Rong has angered so many players that people created SoftBar to roast him.When Xiao-Bai shows Lu Boyuan SoftBar, Lu Boyuan sees that even Jian Rong’s haters wait for his stream and spend money on him.That evening, Lu Boyuan opens Jian Rong’s stream and watches him playing Zed while flaming his jungler.During the game, Jian Rong kills the enemy support cleanly and tells his viewers that losing a promo game can be retried, but missing the chance to flame an idiot cannot.Lu Boyuan is left speechless by Jian Rong’s attitude, but he keeps watching.When Ding Wenhan calls, Lu Boyuan realizes he forgot to switch accounts and entered Soft’s stream using his verified TTC-Road account.Ding Wenhan panics because marketing accounts are already claiming Lu Boyuan entered Jian Rong’s stream to defend Kan.After hearing that Jian Rong publicly accused Kan of being bought by bookies, Lu Boyuan laughs instead of getting angry.Meanwhile, Jian Rong has no idea Road is watching and only notices that his lagging chat has exploded.In the game, Jian Rong’s jungler goes AFK and threatens to make him lose, so Jian Rong decides to win anyway.This conflict began because the jungler insulted their female support after she arrived late to a teamfight.In response, Jian Rong defended the support by turning his aggression on the jungler while still carrying the game.Jian Rong predicts the enemy jungler’s position, solo kills Kassadin in mid lane, and escapes into the enemy jungle.When Thresh finally lands a hook on Jian Rong, Jian Rong instantly cleanses it with Quicksilver Sash and escapes.After Kassadin complains that Jian Rong keeps solo killing him in front of his wife, Jian Rong agrees to stop targeting him.Instead, Jian Rong invades the enemy jungle and kills the enemy jungler repeatedly until she rage quits.Although the support keeps following Jian Rong out of gratitude, Jian Rong tells her to protect the ADC instead.Thirty-seven minutes in, Jian Rong carries the game with a final score of 16/2/0 and mocks his AFK jungler before ending the match.After the game, Jian Rong rejects the support’s friend request because he does not add strangers.When Jian Rong turns chat back on, viewers tell him Road is in his stream, but he assumes they are trying to scare him.While thanking gifters, Jian Rong casually thanks TTC-Road for a Starsea before freezing as he realizes the name is verified.The entire stream is stunned because Lu Boyuan has not only entered Jian Rong’s stream but also sent him expensive gifts.In response, Jian Rong suddenly sits up properly, adjusts his headset, smooths his blue hair, and thanks Road in a lower and calmer voice.At TTC’s base, Xiao-Bai rushes into the practice room yelling that Lu Boyuan’s account has been hacked.However, Xiao-Bai stops mid-sentence when he sees Lu Boyuan calmly sitting at his own computer with Jian Rong’s stream open.After Lu Boyuan exits the stream, Ding Wenhan returns with spicy crayfish and tells Xiao-Bai to bring Road to eat.During the meal, Ding Wenhan says StarfieldTV called to ask whether Lu Boyuan’s account was hacked. Lu Boyuan simply says he will switch accounts next time.When Ding Wenhan questions the phrase “next time,” Lu Boyuan explains that Jian Rong reacts fast.Lu Boyuan specifically notes that Jian Rong only got hit by one skillshot the entire game and that his Quicksilver Sash timing was close to professional level.Xiao-Bai dismisses Jian Rong’s skill by saying he only plays in low ranks, but Yuan Qian reveals that Jian Rong has a Korean server account and once played at high Elo.Yuan Qian explains that Jian Rong used to be well known on the Korean server but later played lower-tier games for better stream content.When Ding Wenhan mentions that Jian Rong is on TTC’s candidate list, Xiao-Bai immediately protests and says he will quit if Jian Rong joins.Despite Xiao-Bai’s anger, Ding Wenhan reminds him that he still has two years left on his contract and has no say in the matter.Yuan Qian adds that Jian Rong may not join anyway because he previously rejected a professional offer, saying rookie contracts paid less than streaming.After Lu Boyuan’s appearance, Jian Rong keeps checking the Top Gifters list and tries to act normal while viewers tease him about blushing.When Jian Rong ends his stream at exactly 11 p.m., Shiliu messages him about his huge popularity boost.Jian Rong ignores the hype and asks Shiliu whether it was really Road using the account.Shiliu then shares gossip that LPL officials took Kan away from TTC’s base after the semifinal. Despite the huge gossip, Jian Rong stays fixated on why Road sent him gifts.When Shiliu jokes that Road may be buying him off so he will flame TTC less, Shiliu realizes Jian Rong is a true Road fan.Four days later, public hate toward TTC begins fading as attention shifts toward the upcoming Worlds Final between PUD and HT.Late at night, Lu Boyuan sits at TTC’s base watching Xiao-Bai and Yuan Qian play ranked games.When Yuan Qian’s stomach hurts after inviting someone to duo, Lu Boyuan offers to play in his place despite Ding Wenhan’s order not to train.Yuan Qian tries to refuse, but Lu Boyuan tells him to get up, so Yuan Qian leaves for the bathroom.After Lu Boyuan checks the friend note, he realizes Yuan Qian accidentally invited Soft. Jian Rong first says he misclicked and plans to solo queue, but he pauses when Lu Boyuan, pretending to be Yuan Qian, identifies himself as Qian from TTC.In response, Jian Rong changes his mind and offers to duo, arrogantly promising that he will carry Yuan Qian to Challenger. Lu Boyuan laughs softly at Jian Rong’s confidence and agrees to play.Before they start, Jian Rong asks whether Road was really the person using his stream account days earlier.

Chapter 02Lu Boyuan, still pretending to be Yuan Qian through the InvincQ account, answers Jian Rong’s question by saying the person in Soft’s stream should have been Road himself.In response, Jian Rong asks whether the Starsea gift was a misclick and even offers to refund it.Lu Boyuan remembers Xiao-Bai calling Soft money-hungry, but he still tells Jian Rong the gift was not a mistake.After hesitating over whether he is being too talkative, Jian Rong asks whether Lu Boyuan can hear him through voice chat.Lu Boyuan turns on his earbuds and notices that Jian Rong’s normal speaking voice is much softer than his usual mocking streamer voice.When Jian Rong asks if Lu Boyuan has a mic, Lu Boyuan lies that his mic is broken, and Jian Rong says he does not mind.As they queue for ranked, Jian Rong tells Lu Boyuan to choose his position, treating the duo casually despite being curious about him.Once the ban phase begins, Jian Rong deliberately bans no champion as a sign of confidence, only to notice that Lu Boyuan has banned Zed.This leads Jian Rong to realize that Lu Boyuan is not playing top lane as expected but has selected jungle instead.When teammates ban Jian Rong’s best-known assassin champions, No.1Feeder asks whether Soft wants to swap to support.In response, Jian Rong snaps back that he has mastered more champions than No.1Feeder has played in his life.After the rest of the team locks in their champions, Jian Rong chooses Syndra into Fizz despite No.1Feeder warning that Fizz counters Syndra.Despite the matchup disadvantage, Jian Rong reaches level six without losing a single trade and pulls ahead in farm.Just as Jian Rong considers asking for help, Lu Boyuan’s Lee Sin pings “On The Way” and appears near mid lane.In response, Lu Boyuan’s Lee Sin executes a clean gank by kicking Fizz toward Jian Rong’s Syndra.Jian Rong immediately follows up with Syndra’s stun and damage, and the two secure the kill with perfect timing.After recalling to base, Jian Rong tells Lu Boyuan to keep ganking because Lu Boyuan’s gank means Jian Rong’s kill.As the game continues, Lu Boyuan repeatedly pings “On The Way,” and Jian Rong keeps turning those ganks into kills.This leads Jian Rong to laugh and ask whether Lu Boyuan is copying Road, since Road is famous for silent jungle control and constant “On The Way” pings.Lu Boyuan denies copying Road even though he is Road himself.As they storm the enemy base, Jian Rong sincerely praises Lu Boyuan’s jungle play and says he plays jungle very well.Jian Rong then adds that Lu Boyuan’s jungle is much better than Yuan Qian’s top lane and suggests that Yuan Qian should switch to jungle full-time.In response, Lu Boyuan pauses before saying he will consider it.After the game ends, Jian Rong reflects that Lu Boyuan’s ganks, jungle pressure, invasions, and timing were all at a professional level.When Jian Rong returns from the bathroom, the real Yuan Qian speaks through the mic and apologizes that he cannot keep playing because Xiao-Bai wants to duo.Jian Rong realizes the mic suddenly works and hears Xiao-Bai in the background calling him a blue-haired flamer.In response, Jian Rong recognizes Xiao-Bai and immediately brings up Xiao-Bai’s mistakes on Thresh and Yuumi.Yuan Qian cannot defend Xiao-Bai because Jian Rong’s criticisms are true, so he only gives an awkward response.After Jian Rong leaves the lobby, Xiao-Bai complains that Soft seems glued to TTC because he watches every match they play.Pine coolly asks why Xiao-Bai did not say that to Jian Rong directly, making Xiao-Bai admit he cannot out-trash-talk Soft.Meanwhile, Lu Boyuan returns to his own desk, switches to an alternate StarfieldTV account, and starts watching Soft’s stream replay.On the day of the S10 World Championship Final, Jian Rong cancels his scheduled stream and goes to Shanghai Stadium wearing a black Road cap with TTC’s crown logo.While waiting at the entrance, Jian Rong checks the angry comments from viewers upset that he skipped streaming and replies with unusually cute emoticons.Shiliu arrives late and explains that traffic delayed him, then leads Jian Rong inside through a special entrance.Once inside, Shiliu socializes with other streamers and pro players, while Jian Rong avoids networking and keeps replying to fans on Weibo.Nearby, TTC’s members arrive in hats and masks, and Xiao-Bai feels bitter because the Worlds Final stage could have been TTC’s.While Xiao-Bai complains, Lu Boyuan sits quietly watching a Soft replay on his phone and falsely says he is watching quarterfinals.In the replay, Jian Rong plays Orianna, wins a risky one-versus-two under turret, and mocks the enemy jungler.At the same time, Lu Boyuan overhears Jian Rong beside him defending Road against a comparison to PUD’s jungler.Jian Rong says PUD’s jungler would need another eight hundred years to catch up to Road.Shiliu teases Jian Rong for liking Road, but Jian Rong insists he is only stating facts.Jian Rong analyzes PUD’s jungler clearly, saying he is good at ganks and teamfights but weak at jungle invasions and too dependent on teammates.When Shiliu asks about Road’s weakness, Jian Rong says Road’s weakness is that his teammates are not good enough.Jian Rong specifically criticizes TTC’s mid laner, saying Kan only farms, does not roam, does not make plays, and even fails to outfarm opponents.This leads Jian Rong to reveal that he once matched with Kan on the Korean server and watched Kan get solo killed four times by HT’s starting mid laner.Lu Boyuan listens quietly and appears amused by Jian Rong’s blunt but accurate opinions.As the Worlds Final broadcast begins, Xiao-Bai realizes Soft is not streaming and wonders whether the blue-haired flamer might be at the venue.When Xiao-Bai declares he will settle accounts with Soft if he shows up, Lu Boyuan interrupts and tells him to sit properly because the match is starting.The broadcast camera pans across the audience and shows several teams before focusing on TTC.When Road appears on the big screen, the stadium erupts in cheers, and Lu Boyuan lifts his cap brim slightly to reveal his eyes and nod.The camera accidentally catches Jian Rong sitting next to Road, showing his blue hair, black jacket, Road cap, and stunned expression.In response, Jian Rong stiffly shoves his cap into his jacket as the casters call him one of Road’s fans.After another caster recognizes Jian Rong as a League streamer, the casters awkwardly describe his content as being good at “analyzing players.”The audience and broadcast chat laugh because everyone understands this is a polite way to avoid saying Soft flames people.Jian Rong remains frozen in embarrassment before slowly putting the Road cap back on his head.Meanwhile, Pine tells Xiao-Bai to go settle accounts with Soft, but Xiao-Bai backs down and claims he is protecting his image.Yuan Qian breaks the tension by greeting Shiliu and then recognizes Jian Rong as Soft, mentioning that they have played together before.Without thinking, Jian Rong says they just played together a few days ago, which confuses Yuan Qian.In response, Lu Boyuan reveals that the person who played with Jian Rong that day was actually him.Jian Rong freezes as he remembers accusing “Yuan Qian” of copying Road and asking directly about Road’s stream gift.Lu Boyuan then says he was not in the best shape that day and hopes he did not drag Jian Rong down.Jian Rong forces himself to look at Lu Boyuan and says Lu Boyuan did not drag him down.After Lu Boyuan removes his mask and hat, Jian Rong’s gaze lingers on his jawline before Jian Rong quickly looks away.As the final begins, Shiliu asks Jian Rong who will win, and Jian Rong says PUD has the better team comp if they avoid early mistakes.Jian Rong then tells Shiliu to lower his voice, clearly worried about disturbing Lu Boyuan nearby.Meanwhile, Xiao-Bai tries to get Yuan Qian to switch seats with Lu Boyuan so Road does not have to sit beside Soft.Yuan Qian thinks Jian Rong seems like a good kid, which shocks Xiao-Bai because Xiao-Bai only sees Jian Rong as a scowling blue-haired flamer.When Yuan Qian asks whether Lu Boyuan wants to switch seats, Jian Rong subtly listens while pretending to watch the game.Lu Boyuan refuses every excuse to switch seats, saying he can see just fine and that Ding Wenhan will do match analysis later.As the final series becomes another tense 2–2 match, Shiliu decides to go to the bathroom and asks Jian Rong to come with him.Jian Rong accidentally moves right first and has to pass by Lu Boyuan because of the cramped seating.While Jian Rong squeezes past, another audience member pushes a chair back, trapping Jian Rong awkwardly between Lu Boyuan’s legs.In response, Lu Boyuan leans forward, pushes the chair back into place, and tells Jian Rong to go ahead.Jian Rong mutters thanks and quickly escapes without looking back.After Jian Rong leaves, Xiao-Bai marvels that Soft actually knows how to say thank you.Xiao-Bai also notices Jian Rong’s Road cap and says Soft must be a Road fan, while Lu Boyuan clarifies that the signature on the cap is printed.Game five ends after fifty-one minutes with PUD losing to HT, and the audience is devastated.As everyone prepares to leave, Shiliu wonders why PUD did not reuse their successful mid-jungle comp from game four.Jian Rong does not answer because he had not been paying close attention to the match.Yuan Qian then offers Shiliu and Jian Rong a chance to leave through TTC’s back exit because the public exits are crowded.Shiliu accepts, and Jian Rong hesitantly follows TTC through the back route.Outside, the rain has made the stairs slippery, and Yuan Qian warns Xiao-Bai to slow down.Before Yuan Qian can finish, Xiao-Bai slips and crashes into Jian Rong.This sends Jian Rong forward into Lu Boyuan, and Jian Rong collides directly with Lu Boyuan’s soft, warm sweater.As Jian Rong catches the faint clean scent on Lu Boyuan’s sweater, Lu Boyuan quickly steadies him by briefly cupping the back of his neck.Lu Boyuan immediately asks whether Jian Rong is hurt, making Jian Rong jolt back and stiffly say he is fine.Xiao-Bai apologizes frantically and offers to take Jian Rong to the hospital, but Jian Rong backs away and tells Xiao-Bai to stay away from him.After Jian Rong leaves with Shiliu, Xiao-Bai worries that Soft will roast him forever for crashing into him.Yuan Qian says Jian Rong will not, but Xiao-Bai insists Jian Rong’s face was red like a tomato.In Shiliu’s car, Shiliu notices that Jian Rong’s face is still red and teases him about whether Xiao-Bai hit him somewhere.Jian Rong covers the heat at the back of his neck and claims he is only cold from sitting outside too long.As they talk, Shiliu asks whether Jian Rong is not a TTC fan but specifically a Road fan, and Jian Rong admits it.When Shiliu asks why Jian Rong likes Road, Jian Rong refuses to answer and tells Shiliu to mind his own business.After Shiliu drops Jian Rong off, Shiliu offers to introduce him to a better apartment, but Jian Rong refuses because he is used to his current place.Back at TTC’s base, Xiao-Bai continues worrying about Soft, and Yuan Qian offers to have Shiliu pass along an apology.Xiao-Bai insists he is not afraid and blames Yuan Qian for inviting Soft and Shiliu to use the back exit.Yuan Qian privately knows he only invited them because Lu Boyuan told him to, but he takes the blame anyway.Meanwhile, Ding Wenhan follows Lu Boyuan into the practice room and mentions arranging a massage therapist for the team.Ding Wenhan then asks about Lu Boyuan’s hand, but Lu Boyuan says it has not hurt for a long time.Ding Wenhan also says StarfieldTV wants Lu Boyuan to stream during its annual event to help boost traffic against rival platforms.Although Ding Wenhan initially thinks Lu Boyuan should not stream, Lu Boyuan asks when the event starts.Lu Boyuan then sends Ding Wenhan a batch of recordings and explains that they are footage of the mid laner he wants to recommend to the team.The next evening, Jian Rong wakes to rain and a message from Shiliu asking whether he is streaming.When Shiliu tells Jian Rong that Road is streaming at 7 p.m., Jian Rong instantly becomes alert and asks when.After seeing Road’s Weibo announcement, Jian Rong washes up in ten minutes, opens his main StarfieldTV account in the background, and switches to his alt.At exactly 6:55 p.m., Jian Rong enters Road’s stream, which is already packed with fans, streamers, and pro players.When Lu Boyuan’s stream starts, Jian Rong raises his volume and watches closely as Lu Boyuan appears on camera in the same sweater from the previous day.Jian Rong’s old computer lags under the gift effects, so he sends two Starsea and switches to his tablet to watch from bed.When Lu Boyuan asks what champion viewers want to see, Jian Rong types “Lee Sin.”Lu Boyuan immediately chooses Lee Sin, making Jian Rong feel as though Lu Boyuan may have seen his message even though the chat is flooded.Moved by that thought, Jian Rong sends two more Starsea.Lu Boyuan ignores tournament questions and plays Lee Sin with effortless control, finishing the game with a perfect 12/0/6 score.Just as Jian Rong is about to send more gifts, Shiliu calls and reminds him he is late for his own stream.Jian Rong rushes to start his stream and tells his viewers he slept too well and forgot they existed.Viewers quickly notice his taskbar showing his alt account, which is used only for following Road and sending gifts.Jian Rong panics as viewers expose that his alt follows only Road, has spent a huge amount on Road, and reposts all of Road’s stream announcements.Meanwhile, strange viewers enter Lu Boyuan’s stream to report that Soft is secretly a Road fan with an alt account devoted to him.Curious, Lu Boyuan asks what alt account they mean and then switches into Soft’s stream.In Soft’s stream, Jian Rong frantically tries to hide his alt account’s public data while complaining that StarfieldTV exposes customer information.Jian Rong then regains some confidence and says he is just a normal fan who watches Road’s streams and sends gifts when he enjoys them.Jian Rong also clarifies that whatever he says or does has nothing to do with Road, and that fans should respect boundaries.When Jian Rong returns to his stream interface, viewers tell him Road has appeared in his stream.Jian Rong sees TTC-Road on his top gifter list and awkwardly welcomes Road.In response, Lu Boyuan types one simple question in chat and asks Jian Rong to duo.Jian Rong is stunned, but he immediately agrees and says he has accounts on every server.Lu Boyuan chooses the China server and says he will add Jian Rong’s same account.After Jian Rong joins Lu Boyuan’s party, he hears Xiao-Bai nearby asking Lu Boyuan to invite him for duo queue.Lu Boyuan tells Xiao-Bai that someone joined at the last minute and says Xiao-Bai should play with Yuan Qian instead.When Xiao-Bai asks who the person is, Lu Boyuan says it is just a fan who sent him many gifts, so he will play a few games with him.Lu Boyuan jokes that the gifts may be enough to buy a sketchy internet café, leaving both Xiao-Bai and Jian Rong speechless.After muting his mic, Jian Rong complains to his viewers that they should make up more sophisticated nonsense next time.Lu Boyuan then asks whether Jian Rong was hurt the previous night, and Jian Rong quickly says he was not injured.Jian Rong starts asking whether he hurt Lu Boyuan when he bumped into him, but Lu Boyuan says it did not hurt because Jian Rong is very light.When they queue into a game, Lu Boyuan gets jungle while Jian Rong fills into support.Their ADC demands that Jian Rong pick Yuumi, and Jian Rong starts typing an insult before hearing Lu Boyuan nearby.In response, Jian Rong deletes the insult, politely agrees, and locks in Yuumi.As the game begins, Jian Rong attaches to the ADC and endures the boring role.

However, the ADC plays terribly, misses cannon minions, gets ganked, gets solo killed, and repeatedly blames Jian Rong.Each time Jian Rong types a vicious insult, he deletes it and sends a gentle, encouraging message instead because Lu Boyuan is present.After the top laner accuses Jian Rong of acting coy toward her husband because their IDs are a couple set, Jian Rong finally reaches his limit.Jian Rong stands in base and furiously types a long paragraph roasting both the ADC and the top laner.Before Jian Rong can send the flame, Lu Boyuan’s Camille returns to base and calls him “little kitty.”Jian Rong instinctively answers “Here,” immediately responding to Lu Boyuan’s voice.Lu Boyuan chuckles and tells Jian Rong to come onto him.In response, Jian Rong deletes the entire paragraph of insults, quietly agrees, and attaches Yuumi to Lu Boyuan’s Camille.This leaves Jian Rong’s Yuumi peacefully latched onto Lu Boyuan while his earlier rage disappears into silent obedience.

Chapter 03After Jian Rong abandons the useless ADC and attaches only to Lu Boyuan, the game immediately feels more enjoyable to him, and he begins joking with his viewers again.In response to viewers mocking his sudden politeness, Jian Rong checks that Road is not around before pretending to lecture everyone about kindness, decency, and letting teammates grow.Before Jian Rong can finish pretending he has always been nice, Lu Boyuan asks through voice chat whether Jian Rong is still there.Jian Rong immediately unmutes and answers Lu Boyuan, showing how quickly his attitude changes whenever Lu Boyuan speaks.When Lu Boyuan asks why Jian Rong stopped typing, Jian Rong lies that he was messaging a friend.This leads Lu Boyuan to mention that Jian Rong’s viewers have come to his stream again and reported that Jian Rong had written an essay in chat.Embarrassed, Jian Rong rubs his face and bans the viewers in his stream who are laughing the hardest.During the final teamfight, Jian Rong refuses to save the useless ADC even when the ADC desperately runs toward him for help.Instead, Jian Rong heals Lu Boyuan to full health, uses Yuumi’s ultimate, and flashes a mastery emote at the dying ADC to silently tell him to die.After the game ends, Xiao-Bai realizes Lu Boyuan’s “little fan” is Soft and asks whether the fan has blue hair, a thin build, and a scowling face.Lu Boyuan’s silence confirms Xiao-Bai’s suspicion, causing Xiao-Bai to complain that Soft is still hanging around.When Xiao-Bai warns Lu Boyuan to keep his distance from Soft, Lu Boyuan interrupts and says he was the one who asked Jian Rong to duo.Lu Boyuan then casually adds that his mic is still on, making Xiao-Bai shut up immediately.Soon after, Xiao-Bai and Yuan Qian queue into a new match and discover that the enemy jungle is Road while the enemy mid is HoldMyJuicebox.Because Xiao-Bai has been autofilled mid, he panics at the thought of facing Jian Rong.Despite trying to reassure himself that he can farm safely under turret, Xiao-Bai is repeatedly solo killed by Jian Rong’s Talon.After Xiao-Bai dies again while trying to take blue buff, Lu Boyuan helps Jian Rong kill him, making Xiao-Bai cry out that Lu Boyuan is ganking him despite his misery. In response, Lu Boyuan calmly says he is Jian Rong’s jungler right now.Jian Rong is so affected by Lu Boyuan’s words that he accidentally wastes Flash on the spot.When viewers mock Jian Rong for trembling over one line from Road, Jian Rong claims the enemy mid is too trash and says he is giving Xiao-Bai a free Flash.That weekend, Ding Wenhan calls Lu Boyuan into the meeting room to discuss the Soft clips Lu Boyuan collected.Ding Wenhan admits Jian Rong has excellent mechanics, fast reactions, and better hands than their current trialists.Despite this praise, Ding Wenhan worries that Jian Rong’s playstyle is too risky and too focused on solo performance instead of teamwork and map awareness. In response, Lu Boyuan argues that teamwork can be trained, but talent cannot.When Ding Wenhan says Jian Rong has never had professional training, Lu Boyuan points out that he himself was once a rookie too.Lu Boyuan then says that among current LPL mid laners, no one is guaranteed to beat Jian Rong in a solo match.This convinces Ding Wenhan to suggest bringing Jian Rong in for a trial, though he warns that Jian Rong may refuse because several teams have already tried and failed to recruit him.After the meeting, Lu Boyuan checks Weibo and searches for Soft’s account. Lu Boyuan sees Jian Rong’s latest post showing a slightly dirty cat being scratched under the chin.In the comments, Lu Boyuan notices Jian Rong joking with fans and blocking one who threatened to send Road evidence of his embarrassing stream behavior. Lu Boyuan replies to that fan by saying he did not receive the direct message.When Jian Rong sees Road’s verified account in his comments, his mind goes blank, and he repeatedly checks the profile to confirm it is real.Soon after, Jian Rong realizes Road has followed him, turning their accounts into mutual friends.Panicked, Jian Rong deletes the stream replay where he embarrassed himself and stares at Road’s comment for ten minutes before replying with a crying emoji.Three days later, Lu Boyuan finally checks Weibo again and notices Jian Rong’s crying emoji.Before Lu Boyuan can check his messages, Ding Wenhan gathers the TTC members for a serious meeting about Kan.Ding Wenhan reveals that the LPL has found evidence against Kan, and the mood in the room immediately becomes heavy.When Lu Boyuan asks whether it is confirmed, Ding Wenhan says it is nearly confirmed because Kan’s girlfriend, or ex-girlfriend, provided evidence.The team falls into silence because Kan is a long-time veteran who helped build TTC and win Worlds.To move the meeting forward, Ding Wenhan explains that management has shortlisted two new mid laner candidates.Ding Wenhan says the first candidate is Savior from the LCK, whose contract has ended and who is interested in joining the LPL.Yuan Qian is surprised because Savior is a highly regarded rising mid laner and would be expensive to sign.Ding Wenhan says TTC can afford him, but Xiao-Bai worries about communicating with a Korean player.When Ding Wenhan reveals that the other candidate is a streamer with no professional experience, the room becomes curious.After Xiao-Bai asks who the streamer is, Ding Wenhan says it is the one with blue hair.Xiao-Bai immediately declares that he is buying a Korean textbook, making the heavy mood briefly lighten.Xiao-Bai protests that Soft only stomps low-ranked players and asks which blind manager liked him.Lu Boyuan calmly says he was the one who liked Jian Rong.When Xiao-Bai asks what Lu Boyuan likes about Jian Rong, Lu Boyuan thinks briefly and says pretty much everything.After the meeting, Lu Boyuan privately asks Ding Wenhan what management will do about Kan.Ding Wenhan says they will sue Kan for breach of contract, and Lu Boyuan quietly accepts the answer.Later that night, Xiao-Bai secretly enters Soft’s stream on an alternate account.Jian Rong is eating hot and sour noodles while playing Teamfight Tactics and answering viewers lazily.When a QQ friend request arrives asking whether Jian Rong is interested in going pro, Jian Rong immediately rejects it.Viewers ask why Jian Rong rejected the offer, and Jian Rong says he simply does not want to and that it smells like a scam.As viewers discuss pro play, Jian Rong says he is happy making money off his viewers.When viewers bring up Xiao-Bai, Jian Rong admits Xiao-Bai is a support and naturally could not beat him in mid.Despite this small fairness, Jian Rong immediately adds that even in a straight duel with support champions, Xiao-Bai still would not win.Xiao-Bai angrily types that League is a five-player game and that Bye is worth far more in teamfights, but Jian Rong does not notice the message.Viewers then ask why Jian Rong has not joined any team, and Jian Rong says solo kills feel good while macro strategies do not suit him.Jian Rong dismisses PUD because they are too late-game and macro-heavy.Jian Rong also dismisses OYG because they focus too much on bot lane and he does not want to babysit.When TTC comes up, Jian Rong hesitates and checks whether Road is on the gifter list.Jian Rong avoids directly mentioning Road at first and says Bye probably hates him because he has solo killed Bye so many times.Despite this, Jian Rong begins to say that he likes TTC’s jungler because Road is very skilled, intuitive, and flexible.Before Jian Rong can finish the compliment, his stream is abruptly suspended because he is underage.Xiao-Bai realizes Soft is still a minor and excitedly tells Lu Boyuan that the blue-haired flamer is a kid.Since Lu Boyuan heard the whole stream, he simply tells Xiao-Bai not to take Jian Rong’s insults to heart if Jian Rong is still that young.Later that night, Jian Rong sits alone at a roadside barbecue stall, eating skewers and talking to Shiliu after his stream suspension.Shiliu admits he forgot Jian Rong is still only seventeen, and Jian Rong seriously corrects him by saying he is seventeen and a half.When Shiliu asks what Jian Rong will do now, Jian Rong says he has no idea because the sudden suspension has left him with too much free time.Shiliu suggests Jian Rong take a break, travel, or even go to Disneyland, but Jian Rong coldly rejects the childish suggestion.When Shiliu asks whether there is anything Jian Rong has always wanted to do, Jian Rong answers that he wants to make money.Shiliu then suggests dating, but Jian Rong immediately hangs up.After the call, Jian Rong opens Weibo and sees that his stream suspension announcement has become a battlefield of viewers mocking him for being a minor.In response, Jian Rong fires back at commenters while drinking beer.Jian Rong then discovers that Soft’s Only Fanclub has commented under Road’s Weibo, claiming Jian Rong confessed that he likes TTC’s jungler.The replies twist Jian Rong’s unfinished compliment into increasingly outrageous fake confessions.Jian Rong chokes on his drink from embarrassment and rage, then replies that he is quitting Weibo.The next day, StarfieldTV calls Jian Rong and explains that new regulations prohibit minors from streaming.Since Jian Rong’s contract ends next month, StarfieldTV asks to renew with him, and Jian Rong immediately asks for a raise.The representative also tries to recruit Jian Rong for StarfieldTV’s planned pro team, but Jian Rong refuses.Even when the representative says the team will directly buy an LPL spot and offer better streaming terms, Jian Rong still says no.During another call, Shiliu asks why Jian Rong keeps rejecting pro offers.Jian Rong says he is not interested in those teams, though his memory briefly flashes back to a man, an admission ticket, and a cool fragrance left on it.When Shiliu asks whether there is truly no team Jian Rong wants to join, Jian Rong says no.After the call, Jian Rong goes for breakfast, and someone accidentally spills soup onto his Road cap.Seeing Road’s printed signature dissolve under the droplets, Jian Rong goes still before quietly saying it is fine.That evening, Ding Wenhan tells Lu Boyuan that Savior chose PUD and that Soft is not planning to go pro.Lu Boyuan’s game character freezes for a moment when he hears that Jian Rong is not interested in going pro.Ding Wenhan says Jian Rong would probably make more by renewing his stream contract than by accepting a rookie pro contract.Just then, Lu Boyuan accidentally opens a QQ email titled “Seeking employment.”When Ding Wenhan starts saying they should revisit the candidate list, Lu Boyuan interrupts and says there is no need.Lu Boyuan scrolls to the bottom of the email, smiles faintly, and tosses the phone to Ding Wenhan.Ding Wenhan sees that the application is from Jian Rong, listing himself as Soft and applying to be TTC Gaming’s mid laner.The story then reveals that Jian Rong sent the email while eating barbecue again after seeing rumors that TTC was trying to sign Savior.When Jian Rong sees a comment saying Savior would be a perfect match for God Lu, he becomes irritated and replies that Savior’s early game is only average and that Savior cannot coordinate with the jungler.After another commenter asks whether Jian Rong thinks he is the one who matches God Lu, something in Jian Rong’s mind flips.Jian Rong searches for TTC recruitment information but finds nothing, then remembers an old QQ number he had saved years ago.After drinking the rest of his beer, Jian Rong sends his application email to TTC.Once sober at home, Jian Rong is immediately horrified by what he has done and stares at the email in regret.When Jian Rong asks Shiliu a hypothetical question about saving someone’s QQ ID for two years and emailing them later, Shiliu calls it stalker behavior.Jian Rong becomes even more panicked and searches how to recall a QQ mail.Before Jian Rong can fix anything, he receives a reply telling him to add a WeChat account.Jian Rong adds the account while feeling nervous because of the “R” in the ID.To Jian Rong’s surprise and slight disappointment, the person who accepts is Ding Wenhan, TTC’s team manager.Ding Wenhan says Jian Rong’s resume looks solid and asks when Jian Rong can come for a two-week trial.Jian Rong says he can come anytime, then awkwardly asks about the RRR in Ding Wenhan’s WeChat ID.On Wednesday, Jian Rong wakes early for his TTC trial and prepares to live at TTC’s team base for two weeks.As Jian Rong rides the elevator, he notices his Road cap and debates taking it off, but decides he is overthinking.Jian Rong reassures himself that Road probably will not personally talk to a trialist and that he may not even meet the main team.After arriving at TTC’s wealthy villa base, Jian Rong passes the gates, notices a neglected dying cactus, and presses the doorbell once.Lu Boyuan opens the door in gray loungewear, looking relaxed and sleepy, stunning Jian Rong into silence.Lu Boyuan notices Jian Rong’s wet cap and asks whether it is raining outside.Jian Rong stiffly removes the cap and rubs it against his shirt, while Lu Boyuan laughs softly and tells him to come in.The moment Jian Rong enters, he locks eyes with Yuan Qian, Pine, and Xiao-Bai on the couch.Xiao-Bai looks especially awkward and scared, silently asking Yuan Qian where Ding Wenhan is.Auntie comes out of the kitchen and asks what snacks everyone wants from the supermarket.Xiao-Bai asks for chips and wafer biscuits, Pine asks for nuts, and Lu Boyuan says he does not need anything.After looking at Jian Rong, Lu Boyuan tells Auntie to buy milk because someone here is still growing.Jian Rong realizes the comment is about him and wants to argue that he is practically an adult, but he swallows the words when he sees Lu Boyuan.Ding Wenhan arrives and asks Jian Rong to sit so they can do a quick introduction.Jian Rong sits stiffly in the far armchair while holding his backpack.When Ding Wenhan starts introducing Xiao-Bai, Jian Rong says he already knows everyone.Ding Wenhan introduces Jian Rong as Soft, a mid laner who will stay for a two-week trial, and tells everyone to treat him well.Jian Rong only answers with a brief “yeah,” making the introduction awkward.Yuan Qian kindly asks how to write the “Rong” in Jian Rong’s name, and Jian Rong gives a simple explanation.Ding Wenhan then takes Jian Rong upstairs to his prepared room.After Jian Rong leaves, Xiao-Bai comments that Jian Rong’s name sounds soft and fluffy for a full-time flamer.Pine immediately mocks Xiao-Bai’s own name, continuing their usual banter.Yuan Qian observes that Soft looks very young up close, and Lu Boyuan adds that Jian Rong is too thin.Yuan Qian wonders why Jian Rong is still so thin despite making money as a streamer, and Lu Boyuan smiles and says to feed him more.Upstairs, Ding Wenhan shows Jian Rong his room, but Jian Rong drops his backpack immediately and says he is ready to go to the practice room.Ding Wenhan takes Jian Rong to TTC’s main practice room and sets him up at an empty station.Jian Rong freezes when he notices the keyboard is Road’s custom model with an engraved R key.Ding Wenhan casually explains that he remembered Jian Rong is a Road fan and had the keyboard swapped in for him.Jian Rong goes silent, then says there is no need to change it because the keyboard is fine.In the afternoon, Jian Rong’s trial begins with a solo test using TTC academy and substitute players.Ding Wenhan and the coaches observe in another room, while the main team also watches because they have nothing better to do.During champion select, Jian Rong’s teammates try to coordinate a team comp and ask him to play Galio as a tank.Instead, Jian Rong locks in LeBlanc, a high-risk, high-skill assassin.

When the top laner complains and tells Jian Rong to get carried, Jian Rong sarcastically offers to play support and heal the top laner through his delusions.Jian Rong then adds that he could play Janna and send the top laner back to his ancestors with Howling Gale.The top laner is so startled by Jian Rong’s familiar style of trash talk that he privately texts someone that the mid laner sounds extremely familiar.Once the game begins, the enemy Twisted Fate flashes a mastery emote at Jian Rong’s LeBlanc.Xiao-Bai warns the others that people who flash mastery emotes at Soft never end well.As predicted, Jian Rong solo kills Twisted Fate twice before level six, even diving under turret for the second kill.Yuan Qian criticizes the second kill as a bad trade because Jian Rong dies afterward despite having a bounty.After Twisted Fate reaches level six, Twisted Fate uses his global ultimate to help other lanes while Jian Rong often arrives too late.Pine notes that Jian Rong’s late trades are still losses because he cannot always save his teammates.As the game progresses, Xiao-Bai questions why Jian Rong keeps chasing solo picks instead of joining teamfights.Lu Boyuan silently understands that Jian Rong is used to winning alone and prioritizes his own levels and items over team needs.At thirty-five minutes, Xiao-Bai starts saying LeBlanc is useless late game, only for Jian Rong to instantly one-shot the enemy ADC from a blind spot.When Xiao-Bai asks how Jian Rong saw the ADC, Lu Boyuan explains that Jian Rong predicted the path from a ward placed ten seconds earlier.Jian Rong then ambushes the enemy top laner in the jungle and outplays him with two full combos.The enemy team becomes obsessed with chasing Jian Rong, and he taunts them with mastery emotes to keep them angry.Pine quietly approves of Jian Rong’s baiting, calling it nice.In the final teamfight, Jian Rong draws enemy aggression, burns their ultimates, kills the enemy mid and ADC, and dies inside the enemy base while his teammates destroy the Nexus.After the win, the players in the match immediately suspect the mysterious mid laner is Soft.The coaches grin because Jian Rong’s personality and control are both difficult to find in the LPL.Ding Wenhan tells Jian Rong there is no need for another game yet, so Jian Rong logs off immediately.When Jian Rong returns from the bathroom, Xiao-Bai is peeking at his computer station and joking that he is checking whether Jian Rong is using cheats.Xiao-Bai then says if Jian Rong makes the team, he will give him the cold shoulder unless Jian Rong calls him Bai-ge and apologizes.Jian Rong appears behind Xiao-Bai at the worst possible moment, making Xiao-Bai freeze.Jian Rong says he can apologize, then asks which insult Xiao-Bai wants him to apologize for.Jian Rong lists several times he roasted Xiao-Bai’s mistakes, including bad Thresh hooks, a wrong ultimate, and getting lost after jungle ganks.Xiao-Bai is so overwhelmed that he nearly cries.Jian Rong then remembers Xiao-Bai comparing him to a chicken beside a crane and darkly says he is still growing and Xiao-Bai is the chicken.Before Xiao-Bai can respond, Lu Boyuan enters the practice room with a milk carton.Jian Rong’s anger vanishes when Lu Boyuan notices the custom Road keyboard and asks whether Ding Wenhan switched it for him.Lu Boyuan says his name is engraved on the back and that Jian Rong can ask for a replacement if he does not like it.Jian Rong wipes water from his chin and mumbles that it does not matter because he can play on anything.Lu Boyuan places the milk on Jian Rong’s desk and tells him to drink because it might help him grow faster.Xiao-Bai braces for Jian Rong to explode at Lu Boyuan, but Jian Rong only blushes like a tomato and quietly says “oh.” In response, Jian Rong sits stiffly, pierces the straw into the milk carton, and drinks obediently like a little robot.Seeing this, Xiao-Bai decides that next time he will also bring Soft some milk.

Chapter 04Jian Rong leaves his stuffy room for air and accidentally overhears Kan apologizing to Lu Boyuan on the balcony.As Jian Rong listens, Kan admits he match-fixed during the semifinals, claiming it happened only once and that one bet was not supposed to affect the outcome.In response, Lu Boyuan calmly asks Kan whether it was worth it, reminding him without anger that Kan is a world champion.Kan breaks down and explains that his career is declining, his family depends on him, his father is sick, and he gave in because he felt desperate.Despite Kan’s apology, Lu Boyuan says Kan should not apologize to him because Lu Boyuan can try for the championship again, while Kan has lost his own future.After Kan leaves unsteadily, Jian Rong tries to slip away but is caught when Lu Boyuan returns from the balcony.Flustered, Jian Rong accidentally calls Lu Boyuan “Captain,” and Lu Boyuan accepts it with a quiet response. Lu Boyuan asks whether the cigarette smell bothers Jian Rong, and Jian Rong says it does not.When Lu Boyuan asks whether Jian Rong smokes and Jian Rong says no, Lu Boyuan calls him a good boy. This praise leaves Jian Rong stunned, making his heart race and his ears heat up.Jian Rong explains that he only came out because his room felt stuffy and insists he was not eavesdropping on purpose. Lu Boyuan lets Jian Rong go but stops him to gently ruffle his hair.Lu Boyuan then asks Jian Rong to keep his smoking a secret because Ding Wenhan recently banned him from smoking.After Lu Boyuan leaves, Jian Rong stays on the freezing balcony for ten minutes, feeling warm instead of cold.Still affected by Lu Boyuan’s touch and scent, Jian Rong keeps sniffing his shirt to check whether the faint smoke smell is real.This leads Xiao-Bai to discover Jian Rong acting strangely on the balcony while holding wet laundry.Xiao-Bai awkwardly greets Jian Rong, and Jian Rong unexpectedly replies with “good evening.”The next morning, Xiao-Bai excitedly tells Pine that Jian Rong actually greeted him back. Pine points out that Xiao-Bai sounds like he wants to be Jian Rong’s friend despite claiming they hate each other.When Xiao-Bai denies it, Pine compares him to Jian Rong’s brain-dead stream fans. Yuan Qian admits no one probably slept well because of Kan, but Xiao-Bai assumes Jian Rong slept fine because Jian Rong never liked Kan.In response, Jian Rong enters looking exhausted, with messy hair, dark circles, and a carton of milk. Yuan Qian asks whether Jian Rong slept poorly, and Jian Rong confirms it.Yuan Qian advises Jian Rong not to stand in the wind so long next time, making Jian Rong glare at Xiao-Bai for apparently telling on him.Jian Rong says the wind was not the problem and claims he simply could not sleep in a different bed.Later, Jian Rong goes to the break room, makes bitter instant coffee, and tries to wake himself up before the afternoon scrim.Kan suddenly appears in the doorway, recognizes Jian Rong as Soft, and angrily asks why he is at TTC’s base. Jian Rong coolly asks whether Kan runs the place, refusing to be intimidated.Kan says trash streamers do not belong at TTC’s base, and Jian Rong responds by asking whether match-fixing pros do.This accusation enrages Kan because the LPL investigation has not yet been publicly announced. Kan realizes Jian Rong is probably the new mid laner on trial because outsiders are not allowed to stay overnight at TTC’s base.Kan mocks Ding Wenhan for being desperate enough to accept Jian Rong, but Jian Rong replies that Ding Wenhan must have lowered his standards after Kan.Kan explodes, defending his eight-year pro career and insulting Jian Rong as an uneducated kid who only became famous by flaming pros. In response, Jian Rong calmly says Kan plays badly but does not allow others to say it.Jian Rong then mockingly says he will apologize in court if Kan sues him, but only for repeating Kan’s potato-tier playstyle. Kan loses control and grabs a nearby can of Ovaltine as if about to throw it.Before anything happens, Lu Boyuan appears and calmly asks Kan what he is doing. Seeing Lu Boyuan, Jian Rong quietly releases the glass he had secretly been gripping in case he needed to fight back.Kan pretends he was only making a drink, and Lu Boyuan tells him to go see Ding Wenhan.After Kan leaves, Lu Boyuan tells Jian Rong not to take Kan’s words to heart because Kan is in a bad place. Jian Rong agrees, but Lu Boyuan then asks whether Jian Rong won the argument.Jian Rong says he has never lost an argument, making Lu Boyuan laugh. Lu Boyuan offers to make Jian Rong real coffee as a reward, and Jian Rong immediately dumps out his instant coffee.While Lu Boyuan makes coffee, Jian Rong asks whether he will be kicked out because Kan used to be Lu Boyuan’s teammate and Jian Rong is not close with the others.Lu Boyuan says Jian Rong will only know after the scrim and asks whether Jian Rong lacks confidence. Jian Rong quickly says he is confident and promises to play well.Lu Boyuan hands Jian Rong the coffee and tells him to prove himself that afternoon and not make Lu Boyuan look bad.When Jian Rong asks why it would make Lu Boyuan look bad, Lu Boyuan reveals that he was the one who recommended Jian Rong.Jian Rong is stunned and asks why, but Lu Boyuan counters by asking why Jian Rong’s resume ended up in his inbox.Jian Rong panics internally because he cannot admit he memorized Lu Boyuan’s QQ ID from a stream years ago. Ding Wenhan arrives just in time and saves Jian Rong from answering.Ding Wenhan mentions that he finished talking with Kan, but glances at Jian Rong before continuing. Noticing the sensitive topic, Jian Rong quickly escapes by saying he will go practice.After Jian Rong leaves, Lu Boyuan casually comments that someone has been red in the face often lately. Ding Wenhan assumes the base heating is too high and says young people run hot.Ding Wenhan then tells Lu Boyuan that legal has calculated Kan’s breach-of-contract penalty and that the LPL will take a hard stance.Despite everyone’s anger over the match-fixing, Ding Wenhan admits it is hard to forget the early days when Kan fought alongside them.Ding Wenhan says Kan once helped everyone and was originally going to be moved into coaching, but Kan lost his way as esports became full of money and sponsors.Ding Wenhan explains that Kan has packed his bags and will be sent home by car before flying back.Lu Boyuan gives a quiet, emotionless response and asks who TTC is scrimming that afternoon.Ding Wenhan says they will scrim MFG, a solid team that reached the top sixteen at Worlds.Not long after Jian Rong returns to the practice room, Kan appears at the doorway with his luggage and apologizes to everyone.The room falls silent, and no one looks back or stops playing. Jian Rong, unsure what to do, quietly turns up his game volume.After Kan stands there awkwardly, Yuan Qian softly tells him to travel safely. Kan’s tears well up, and he nods before leaving.Even when scrim time arrives, the practice room remains heavy from Kan’s departure. Ding Wenhan scolds everyone for looking like the team is about to disband.Lu Boyuan reminds everyone to focus because this is Soft’s trial. Jian Rong almost says he can handle himself, but Xiao-Bai unexpectedly asks Ding Wenhan how they should play.Ding Wenhan refuses to give strategy because it is a trial, so Yuan Qian asks what playstyle Jian Rong prefers. Jian Rong tells them to play normally and not worry about him.In the custom lobby, MFG-Kongkong greets TTC and asks Xiao-Bai who TTC’s mid laner is. Xiao-Bai tells MFG-Kongkong to guess, making MFG’s side realize the new mid must be someone familiar.During bans, Yuan Qian asks Jian Rong if there are any champions he does not want to face. Jian Rong says no without hesitation.MFG bans Lu Boyuan’s main champions, Lee Sin and Camille, and Xiao-Bai jokes that they might ban Teemo if Lu Boyuan ever plays jungle Teemo. MFG-Kongkong locks LeBlanc, and Jian Rong responds by picking Orianna without hesitation.Xiao-Bai is shocked because Orianna is a scaling champion he has never seen Jian Rong play on stream.Jian Rong flatly says he can also play Teemo and asks whether Xiao-Bai wants to see it, which makes Xiao-Bai shut up. Yuan Qian asks Lu Boyuan to camp top lane because MFG’s top laner is a weak link.Out of habit, Jian Rong types that there is no need to gank mid, even though they are on voice chat.Everyone goes silent, and Xiao-Bai points out that they are on comms. Jian Rong awkwardly apologizes and says it was habit, while Lu Boyuan simply replies okay.Once the game begins, everyone assumes Jian Rong picked Orianna to farm and scale. However, six minutes in, Jian Rong’s Orianna solo kills MFG-Kongkong’s LeBlanc for First Blood.MFG-Kongkong realizes Jian Rong did not choose Orianna for late-game teamfights but because his Orianna is strong enough to handle LeBlanc directly. Yuan Qian praises the kill but warns Jian Rong about MFG’s substitute jungler.Jian Rong soon understands the warning when MFG’s Rek’Sai repeatedly ganks mid. Rek’Sai forces Jian Rong’s Flash at seven minutes and makes him use Stopwatch at nine minutes.At twelve minutes, MFG’s mid, jungle, and support dive Jian Rong under turret and kill him, but Jian Rong still deletes the enemy jungler before dying.After being ganked six times in ten minutes, Jian Rong quietly returns to buying items instead of complaining. Xiao-Bai types in all chat asking why MFG is grinding so early during break.Jian Rong asks whether all chat is allowed during scrims, worrying Xiao-Bai because he realizes Jian Rong is about to start talking. In all chat, Jian Rong asks whether MFG-Kongkong is personally playing mid today.When MFG-Kongkong confirms it, Jian Rong says MFG’s jungler has been babying mid so hard that he thought MFG’s boss was playing instead. This insult silences MFG and irritates the jungler into ganking mid again.Jian Rong survives while cutting the jungler’s health in half, then sarcastically encourages him not to give up.Jian Rong then invites MFG’s top and ADC to come mid too, saying he will host a mid lane banquet for bonding.MFG’s top laner, already moving mid, nervously asks whether he should still come after hearing Jian Rong’s trash talk. MFG decides to rotate almost everyone mid and dive Jian Rong anyway.As MFG uses multiple ultimates, Jian Rong activates Zhonya’s Hourglass and wastes their abilities.When Jian Rong is still in danger after stasis ends, Lu Boyuan’s Graves arrives and drops Smoke Screen on MFG.At the same time, Xiao-Bai’s Thresh lands a lantern at Jian Rong’s feet, giving Jian Rong a clean escape. Jian Rong instinctively takes the lantern and quietly thanks Xiao-Bai.Xiao-Bai is so shocked by Jian Rong thanking him that he starts to respond before realizing what just happened.While Jian Rong escapes, Lu Boyuan cleans up the fight with a triple kill after already dominating MFG’s jungle. Pine also solo kills the enemy ADC, and MFG’s first-game loss becomes inevitable.MFG-Kongkong starts suspecting the Orianna is familiar, but his coach doubts it because Soft supposedly barely plays Orianna.In game two, Jian Rong successfully locks LeBlanc and follows Lu Boyuan into the enemy jungle at level six.Together, Lu Boyuan and Jian Rong repeatedly kill MFG’s jungler in his own jungle before MFG can respond.Because Jian Rong remembers being ganked seven times in the previous game, he mentally counts the kills as payback.After six deaths, MFG’s jungler begs Lu Boyuan in all chat to stop because he is no longer worth gold. Lu Boyuan first acknowledges him calmly, giving the jungler hope.Then Lu Boyuan points out that the jungler ganked their mid laner seven times last game.After scrims, Ding Wenhan announces a restaurant reservation but realizes Jian Rong has already entered a promotion match. Jian Rong says he can find something to eat alone because he wants to finish his promos.Ding Wenhan reluctantly agrees and gives Jian Rong the base address so he can order food and be reimbursed. Lu Boyuan then says he is skipping the meal too because he needs to catch up on sleep.Once everyone leaves, Jian Rong relaxes because he is more used to being alone than gaming around others.Jian Rong wins his promotion match quickly and is then added to a WeChat group called “TTC’s Macho Men Workout Club.”Ding Wenhan explains that the group is casual and that Jian Rong can speak up if he needs anything. Jian Rong realizes this is TTC’s internal group chat and feels distracted during his next promotion match.After getting promoted, Jian Rong returns to his room and checks the group member list. Jian Rong finds Lu Boyuan’s profile at the bottom under “R,” with a tiny teacup pig profile picture and locked Moments.Jian Rong stares at Lu Boyuan’s profile until Shiliu’s warning about stalkers suddenly echoes in his mind. Embarrassed, Jian Rong goes to shower but cannot figure out how to get hot water.Just as Jian Rong is about to take a cold shower, Lu Boyuan knocks on his door because Ding Wenhan said Jian Rong did not reply.Jian Rong hurriedly throws his clothes back on and opens the door, flustered and with his shirt inside out.Lu Boyuan notices Jian Rong’s shirt is inside out, making Jian Rong awkwardly explain that he was taking a shower but had no hot water.Lu Boyuan steps inside and shows Jian Rong how to use the shower’s hot and cold controls. Jian Rong realizes the shower was simple to use and awkwardly says he understands.As Lu Boyuan is leaving, Ding Wenhan calls Jian Rong’s phone. Lu Boyuan picks up the phone to hand it over but accidentally declines the call and sees his own WeChat profile open on Jian Rong’s screen.Jian Rong freezes in horror while Lu Boyuan calmly apologizes for hanging up by accident. Lu Boyuan tells Jian Rong to call Ding Wenhan back before showering because Ding Wenhan may want to bring him food.Jian Rong locks his phone immediately and feels so embarrassed he wants to flush it down the toilet.After showering, Jian Rong sees that Lu Boyuan has sent him a WeChat friend request. Jian Rong stares at Lu Boyuan’s teacup pig profile picture in a daze.When someone knocks on his door, Jian Rong quickly accepts Lu Boyuan’s request, stuffs his phone into his pocket, and rushes to answer.Instead of Lu Boyuan, Xiao-Bai appears with snacks Ding Wenhan brought back for Jian Rong. Jian Rong’s interest visibly drops, and he says he is not hungry.Xiao-Bai tries to imitate Lu Boyuan by telling Jian Rong to eat more because it might help him grow faster. Xiao-Bai then proudly says he brought Jian Rong milk too.Unlike with Lu Boyuan, Jian Rong narrows his eyes and seriously asks whether Xiao-Bai wants to fight.The next day, Xiao-Bai complains to Pine that Lu Boyuan and Xiao-Bai both gave Jian Rong milk, but Jian Rong only obediently drank Lu Boyuan’s. Pine suggests that Jian Rong may be Xiao-Bai’s anti-fan.When Jian Rong returns from the bathroom, Xiao-Bai immediately shuts up. While Lu Boyuan prepares to stream, Jian Rong secretly watches him as staff adjust the setup.Ding Wenhan enters and announces that everyone must stop queuing on the Korean server and start ranking on the Chinese super server.Ding Wenhan explains that the Spring Split rulebook requires every pro to be Diamond I or above on the Chinese super server.This worries TTC because their ranks on the Chinese server are messy due to inactivity, off-meta picks, and unstable solo queue habits. Xiao-Bai panics that TTC will be disqualified.Ding Wenhan reassures him and asks Jian Rong’s rank. Jian Rong says he is Diamond IV with zero LP, shocking Ding Wenhan.Despite Ding Wenhan’s reaction, Jian Rong calmly says climbing is easy. Ding Wenhan privately tells Lu Boyuan not to play if his hand hurts and offers to explain the situation to the organizers. Lu Boyuan says his hand is not serious and that he can play.After the update finishes, Lu Boyuan suddenly asks Jian Rong whether he wants to duo. Jian Rong agrees instinctively before remembering Lu Boyuan is streaming.

Lu Boyuan says it is fine as long as Jian Rong does not talk and no one finds out he is at TTC’s base.Lu Boyuan also offers to tell Jian Rong’s fans that Jian Rong is playing because many of them asked about him after his stream was suspended.Jian Rong refuses because he remembers the embarrassing Road confession comment on Weibo. Lu Boyuan starts the stream and queues with Jian Rong while Jian Rong keeps his mic muted.During champion select, Lu Boyuan says Jian Rong’s fans are all in his stream. Jian Rong types that he has no fans and that they are all antis.Despite saying that, Jian Rong quickly creates a new StarfieldTV alt account and opens Lu Boyuan’s stream.Jian Rong sees that Lu Boyuan named the stream “Duo queue, with Soft,” making his heart skip.In Lu Boyuan’s stream chat, Jian Rong’s fans tease him, argue with Road’s fans, and joke that Jian Rong is probably lurking on a new alt.Jian Rong silently curses them, changes his suspicious new alt name from “Rian Jong” into gibberish, and returns to the game. Lu Boyuan locks in Rengar, a rare pro pick and assassin jungler known for ambushes.When it is Jian Rong’s turn to pick, he asks Lu Boyuan what he should play because he subconsciously treats the duo queue as part of his trial.Viewers spam the old story of Jian Rong once telling a girl, “Do I have to teach you how to play?” Lu Boyuan reads the chat, laughs softly, and understands the joke.Embarrassed, Jian Rong types furiously for thirty seconds but only sends that Lu Boyuan does not need to gank mid early. Lu Boyuan says he will come after level six.In the game, MFG-Kongkong appears on the enemy team and asks whether Road is solo queuing and wants to duo later. Lu Boyuan replies that he is duoing with their mid laner.Jian Rong reads “our mid laner” repeatedly even though he tells himself it means nothing special.MFG-Kongkong realizes Road is duoing with Soft and jokes that Road should blink twice if he is being held hostage.In response, Jian Rong immediately dashes forward with LeBlanc and lands a quick combo on MFG-Kongkong. Jian Rong then types a single question mark, and Soft’s fans flood MFG-Kongkong’s stream to translate it as an insult.MFG-Kongkong decides to focus seriously on the game and prove himself against Jian Rong.Despite MFG-Kongkong’s confidence in Lissandra against LeBlanc, Jian Rong and Lu Boyuan repeatedly invade and kill the enemy jungler.When MFG-Kongkong and support try to ambush Jian Rong, Jian Rong uses Stopwatch to dodge the freeze, kills the support, and then wins with Lu Boyuan’s arrival. Jian Rong types another question mark, and his fans again translate it into mockery in MFG-Kongkong’s stream.By the end, MFG-Kongkong loses with a rough score but still earns losing MVP, while MFG’s ADC is crushed even harder by Road and Soft.After the game, MFG-Kongkong enters Lu Boyuan’s stream and sends gifts while complaining that he lost sixteen LP. Lu Boyuan thanks MFG-Kongkong for the gifts, prompting viewers to complain that Lu Boyuan thanked MFG-Kongkong but not Soft for sending eleven Starseas.Jian Rong sees the comments and hides his burning face in his arms, mentally promising to stab all his fans at a fan event. Lu Boyuan then thanks Soft for the eleven Starseas and says he did not mean to ignore him.Jian Rong is so startled that he knocks over his cup, and part of his body appears in the corner of Lu Boyuan’s webcam.Viewers begin speculating whether the person behind Road is Soft because of the skinny arm and TTC cap. Lu Boyuan lets the speculation continue briefly before minimizing chat and stopping the interaction.Meanwhile, MFG-Kongkong watches Lu Boyuan’s stream until his coach catches him slacking instead of ranking.MFG’s coach notices Lu Boyuan and Jian Rong’s duo performing a flashy two-versus-five with Camille and Katarina.The coach asks whether the mid laner is TTC’s new trial mid, but MFG-Kongkong says it cannot be because the player is Soft. MFG’s coach agrees that TTC probably would not sign Soft because Soft has too many enemies.During the first week of Jian Rong’s trial, TTC’s coaches fill his schedule with full team matches and one-versus-one tests.By the weekend, Ding Wenhan hands Jian Rong a draft contract after another solo win. Jian Rong asks whether he passed, but Ding Wenhan says there is still one week left and tells him to keep it up.As Jian Rong leaves the meeting room, he runs into Lu Boyuan, who notices the contract and congratulates him. Jian Rong thanks Lu Boyuan but clarifies that it is only a draft and not official yet.Lu Boyuan tells Jian Rong to read the contract carefully and not get scammed, even though TTC is the team offering it. Before Lu Boyuan can say more, Ding Wenhan calls him into the meeting room.As Lu Boyuan brushes past Jian Rong, he tells Jian Rong to keep up the grind. Jian Rong takes Lu Boyuan’s words literally and ranks nonstop from afternoon until 10 p.m., only pausing briefly for noodles.When Xiao-Bai returns from a late-night snack, he sees Jian Rong reach Diamond II and immediately queue again. Xiao-Bai feels ashamed that Jian Rong’s relentless grinding makes him look lazy.Pine bluntly says Xiao-Bai is lazy, reminding him that he played ranked for two hours and still failed his Diamond IV promos. Before Xiao-Bai can retaliate, Yuan Qian rushes in and announces that Kan is back.The practice room falls silent as Yuan Qian explains that Kan looks much thinner and that Ding Wenhan took him straight to the meeting room.Xiao-Bai shuts down his computer and drags Pine toward the living room near the meeting room to eavesdrop. Yuan Qian cancels his stream and follows them, while Jian Rong remains at his seat.When Shiliu asks whether Jian Rong is logging off, Jian Rong says no and queues again. Shiliu is confused because Jian Rong previously said he was tired, but Jian Rong claims the rank is too easy and he wants to climb faster.Jian Rong continues playing until 2 a.m., listening from the practice room as the meeting room door opens and everyone is told to sleep.Only after the living room lights go out does Jian Rong say goodnight to Shiliu, log off, and return to his room.

Chapter 05After TTC beats MFG 2-0 in the scrimmage, MFG’s jungler is so tilted from dying eight times that he sells all his items before the game ends.Since the scrimmage was a best-of-three and TTC already won two games, there is no need to play the third game.After the lobby closes, Xiao-Bai explains to Jian Rong that MFG’s jungler used to be their starter but was benched because of his weak mentality. Xiao-Bai continues explaining that MFG’s jungler has a bad habit of ganking losing lanes, which may work in casual games but gets punished badly by organized teams.Although Xiao-Bai starts to worry that he and Jian Rong are not close enough to roast other players together, Jian Rong agrees and calls MFG’s jungler garbage. In response, Xiao-Bai immediately brightens because Jian Rong actually joins the conversation instead of shutting him down.Ding Wenhan watches Xiao-Bai and Jian Rong getting along and feels satisfied that the scrim helped the team bond.Meanwhile, Ding Wenhan messages MFG’s coach and refuses another scrim unless MFG fields their real starting roster.When MFG’s coach asks where TTC found their new mid, Ding Wenhan avoids the trap by saying Road brought him in. Ding Wenhan then calls Lu Boyuan to the meeting room and tells everyone else they can leave.As Jian Rong prepares to leave with his gear, Lu Boyuan lightly tugs his shirt and asks whether Jian Rong can carry Lu Boyuan’s keyboard too. Jian Rong silently carries two sets of gear out of the room like a school kid holding a backpack.On the last day of trials, Jian Rong plays another scrimmage against a weaker team than MFG, but the opponent uses full starters and real coordination.Despite the opponent’s better structure, TTC still wins 2-0, giving Jian Rong a more realistic final trial match.After the scrimmage, Jian Rong leaves the bathroom and sees Ding Wenhan and Lu Boyuan walking downstairs while quietly discussing Lu Boyuan’s doctor and hand. Ding Wenhan notices Jian Rong and tells him directly that he has passed the trial.Ding Wenhan explains that the contract is under review and that he edited the draft to improve Jian Rong’s salary and streaming revenue split because Jian Rong already has a strong streaming base. Jian Rong calmly says all right, and when Ding Wenhan asks whether he is happy, Jian Rong awkwardly says he is.Lu Boyuan laughs quietly at Jian Rong’s stiff reaction. Ding Wenhan then brings Jian Rong back to the practice room and immediately tells everyone not to check Weibo that day.Since that warning only makes everyone more curious, Ding Wenhan gives up and tells them to use alt accounts and not post, repost, like, or comment.The moment Ding Wenhan leaves, everyone grabs their phones at the same time, and Jian Rong follows them. Jian Rong sees the official LPL disciplinary announcement confirming that TTC-Kan engaged in misconduct during the S10 World Championship Semifinals.The announcement states that TTC-Kan is suspended from professional play for eighteen competitive months.Although eighteen months sounds limited, everyone understands that the punishment effectively ends TTC-Kan’s professional career.The happy mood from winning the scrimmage disappears immediately, and Yuan Qian sighs while Pine and Xiao-Bai fall silent.Jian Rong quietly scrolls through the comments and sees fans debating TTC-Kan’s match-fixing, Road’s bad luck, and TTC’s future mid lane. Jian Rong then finds a comment from one of Soft’s fans asking when TTC-Kan’s fans will apologize to Soft.This leads Jian Rong into a large fight between TTC fans and Soft’s fans, with both sides insulting each other. Jian Rong notices that some of his fans are mocking TTC’s future and tagging TTC members, including Lu Boyuan, Xiao-Bai, Pine, Yuan Qian, and TTC-Kan.When Jian Rong looks up, he sees Xiao-Bai reading the same thread with red-rimmed eyes. Jian Rong tries to comfort Xiao-Bai by saying his fans flame everyone and that Xiao-Bai should not cry over a few insults.Xiao-Bai denies crying because of Soft’s fans and claims he is upset because he has been grinding ranked for days without reaching Diamond I.As Xiao-Bai complains about how hard it is to climb as support, he says Jian Rong stole his jungler. Jian Rong’s small sympathy disappears, and he says he did not steal Lu Boyuan.Jian Rong then says climbing support is not that hard because PUD’s support reached Challenger solo. Xiao-Bai takes this as an insult to his skill, and Jian Rong flatly lets him interpret it that way.Their bickering breaks the heavy atmosphere in the room, making Yuan Qian laugh while Pine resumes practice.After Xiao-Bai says he is only Diamond IV, Jian Rong tells him to add an account called AlwaysDragging-YouDead. Xiao-Bai realizes Jian Rong is offering to boost him and adds the account immediately.Meanwhile, Lu Boyuan sits in the hospital waiting area with Ding Wenhan while idly checking Weibo.Ding Wenhan warns Lu Boyuan not to read Weibo, but then notices Lu Boyuan is smiling. Ding Wenhan receives another coach’s call and complains that coaches keep asking about TTC-Kan and digging for information about TTC’s new mid.Lu Boyuan suggests making the announcement early so people will stop asking. Ding Wenhan says they cannot move that fast because Jian Rong has not signed yet and the staff originally wanted to test him more.Ding Wenhan admits Jian Rong is talented, possibly even better than Kongkong, but worries that Jian Rong did not initiate much team coordination during scrims. Lu Boyuan asks why they finalized Jian Rong if they still have concerns.Ding Wenhan explains that TTC is out of time and needs Jian Rong to match the team’s tempo quickly. Ding Wenhan also admits they fear Jian Rong may change his mind after turning eighteen and realizing streaming makes more money.Lu Boyuan is amused because that sounds like something Soft might do. Xiu messages Lu Boyuan to ask whether TTC has found a new mid laner. Lu Boyuan realizes Xiu is fishing for information and says TTC has already found one.When Xiu asks for a clue, Lu Boyuan describes the new mid as a pretty good kid. Xiu guesses foreign players and trainees, not realizing Lu Boyuan is referring to Jian Rong.After Lu Boyuan’s medical examination, the doctor says Lu Boyuan can still train but must stay under strict limits, rest often, avoid heavy lifting, and return for monthly follow-ups. Ding Wenhan immediately books the next appointment and nags Lu Boyuan on the way back because he is worried about Lu Boyuan’s hand.When Ding Wenhan spots a boba shop and decides to buy drinks for the team, Lu Boyuan says he will ask someone what they want. Lu Boyuan sends Jian Rong a photo of the boba shop and asks what Jian Rong wants.Jian Rong replies that he is in a game and asks the others, reporting Xiao-Bai wants full-sugar milk tea while Pine and Yuan Qian want green tea.When Lu Boyuan asks what Jian Rong wants, Jian Rong hesitates before asking for orange juice.Back at the base, Ding Wenhan stops Lu Boyuan from carrying the drinks because of the doctor’s no-heavy-lifting instruction.As Ding Wenhan worries that Jian Rong may be too reserved to fit in, he hears Jian Rong sharply scolding Xiao-Bai during ranked. Jian Rong criticizes Xiao-Bai’s Riven top, saying he cannot even complete her combos and turns her blade into a butter knife.Xiao-Bai complains that the enemy jungler is camping him and that he is only trying to improve. Jian Rong tells Xiao-Bai to go back to Elise after the match or he will kick him from the duo.Xiao-Bai suddenly realizes Jian Rong may be avoiding his main account because ranking too high would stop him from duoing with Lu Boyuan. Xiao-Bai teases Jian Rong by calling him a master of fan self-cultivation.Jian Rong starts snapping at Xiao-Bai but stops when Lu Boyuan places orange juice beside his monitor. Lu Boyuan says the orange juice is a thank-you for Jian Rong carrying him and adds that the climb to Diamond I is in Jian Rong’s hands.Half a week later, Jian Rong’s official contract is ready, with a one-season term and much better salary and streaming split than before. Jian Rong thanks Ding Wenhan, recognizing that Ding Wenhan fought for better terms for him. Ding Wenhan says Jian Rong earned the terms himself.When Jian Rong reaches the player rules, Ding Wenhan tells him to read carefully. Jian Rong sees that pro players cannot AFK, intentionally feed, or flame, and that violations lead to fines or even bans.Jian Rong asks whether he cannot even AFK in ranked, and Ding Wenhan says no. Jian Rong then asks whether accidentally feeding counts, and Ding Wenhan says LPL officials are not idiots.Jian Rong asks whether words like dumbass, moron, idiot, or trash count as flaming. Ding Wenhan dryly suggests Jian Rong test them one by one if he wants to pay ten to twenty thousand yuan per fine.With no argument left, Jian Rong signs the contract. Ding Wenhan says management will move Jian Rong’s things into the base, handle the official announcement, arrange promo photos, and deliver the uniform.Ding Wenhan also warns Jian Rong to be careful on Weibo and avoid fan drama. Jian Rong interrupts and promises he will not get fined because of his fans.When Ding Wenhan opens the door, the rest of TTC’s members are waiting on the couch outside. Lu Boyuan asks whether Jian Rong signed, and Xiao-Bai immediately says they are officially teammates now.Xiao-Bai brings up the team tradition of celebrating, and Ding Wenhan agrees to book a late hot pot reservation. Jian Rong asks what tradition they mean, and Xiao-Bai excitedly explains that they feast before training begins.Jian Rong goes upstairs to grab a jacket and sees his TTC merch cap but decides not to wear it because wearing it in front of Lu Boyuan feels strange.When Jian Rong steps out, he runs into Lu Boyuan, who notices his thin jacket and tells him it is cold outside. Jian Rong says he is fine, but Lu Boyuan warns that getting sick would affect his form once training starts.Jian Rong awkwardly admits he does not have another jacket. Lu Boyuan goes back to his room and brings Jian Rong a gray coat and a white baseball cap. Lu Boyuan says the coat is old but clean and asks whether Jian Rong minds.Before Jian Rong can argue that his jacket is fine, Lu Boyuan places the cap on his head. Lu Boyuan tells Jian Rong to wear the cap because it might snow and to change into the coat with the zipper up.Jian Rong obeys, and the oversized coat hangs loosely on him with sleeves covering his hands. In the van, Lu Boyuan checks that Jian Rong is properly bundled up before returning to his phone.As they head to the restaurant, Jian Rong scrolls Weibo but avoids checking the now-huge comment fight under the match-fixing post.At the restaurant entrance, Xiao-Bai asks why Jian Rong is not wearing his merch cap. Yuan Qian then teases that Jian Rong’s coat looks so big it seems like his father passed it down.Lu Boyuan casually says the coat is his, making the group briefly silent before they burst out laughing. Inside the private room, Lu Boyuan quickly takes the seat beside Jian Rong.The group orders too much food, and Yuan Qian asks Ding Wenhan whether they can drink. Ding Wenhan allows alcohol for the celebration but warns everyone not to overdo it.Xiao-Bai pours a shot for Jian Rong, but Lu Boyuan immediately says not to give Jian Rong alcohol. Yuan Qian says one shot will not hurt, while Pine reminds Xiao-Bai that Xiao-Bai once got drunk after two sips and wanted to play basketball in a pool. Xiao-Bai takes the glass back and says Jian Rong is still too young to drink.Feeling challenged, Jian Rong grabs the glass, says he can drink, and downs it in one go.Although Jian Rong asks for another shot, he secretly grimaces because the liquor tastes much worse than beer. Xiao-Bai raises a toast to Jian Rong officially joining TTC, and everyone joins in.As the meal continues, Yuan Qian asks when Jian Rong started playing League, and Jian Rong says probably in elementary school. Yuan Qian reflects that he also started young but had to play secretly in shady internet cafés, making him feel like he and Jian Rong are from different eras.Xiao-Bai asks why Jian Rong started streaming, and Jian Rong casually says he needed money. Jian Rong explains that no one would hire him because he was underage, but he had a computer at home, so streaming cost him nothing.Pine asks about Jian Rong’s blue hair, and Jian Rong explains he dyed it as a punishment after losing a streamer gift PK.When everyone asks what the winner received, Jian Rong admits he never won because his own viewers always gifted the other streamer. Xiao-Bai laughs so loudly that the waiter reminds them to quiet down.Lu Boyuan asks whether Jian Rong plans to dye his hair back, and Jian Rong says he got used to it after viewers said it stood out on the homepage. Xiao-Bai respects Jian Rong for keeping the blue hair for views and toasts him.Lu Boyuan tries to stop Jian Rong from drinking more, but Ding Wenhan says drinking a little is good for bonding. Even so, Lu Boyuan quietly pours out half of Jian Rong’s drink when Jian Rong turns away.By the end of the meal, Yuan Qian drunkenly rants about Kan’s betrayal, Xiao-Bai leans on Pine’s shoulder, and Pine tolerates it because he is tipsy too. Jian Rong looks normal except for his flushed cheeks, sitting quietly with his chin in his hand while watching Yuan Qian talk.Jian Rong gets up to use the bathroom but immediately walks into the door handle. Ding Wenhan asks whether Jian Rong needs help, but Jian Rong insists he is fine.In the bathroom, Jian Rong struggles drunkenly to zip his pants. Lu Boyuan walks in and finds Jian Rong focused on his zipper. When Jian Rong says he cannot zip it, Lu Boyuan quietly sighs and zips it for him.After Jian Rong keeps bumping into the wall, Lu Boyuan helps him wash up and leads him out. Jian Rong insists he is not feeling bad but keeps saying his zipper is still down.When Jian Rong bumps into a stranger and the man curses, drunk Jian Rong immediately talks back.Lu Boyuan turns Jian Rong’s face back toward him, apologizes to the stranger, and explains that Jian Rong is drunk.The stranger recognizes Jian Rong’s blue hair and secretly takes photos of Lu Boyuan carrying him away.Later, SoftBar users post the blurry photos and speculate that Jian Rong was drunk and being carried like a sack of potatoes.The fans mock him but also worry that he is jobless, struggling, and starving without streaming income.Back at the team base, Lu Boyuan half-carries Jian Rong into his room because Jian Rong fell asleep in the car. As Lu Boyuan helps take off Jian Rong’s coat, Jian Rong’s phone rings repeatedly.Lu Boyuan answers in case it is urgent, and Shiliu anxiously asks where Jian Rong is. Lu Boyuan says Jian Rong is asleep and tells Shiliu to call back tomorrow if it is important.While Lu Boyuan is on the phone, Jian Rong drunkenly tugs his shirt and mutters that his zipper is not done.Lu Boyuan calmly tells Jian Rong that it is zipped. Shiliu is stunned by the unfamiliar but familiar-sounding voice and tries to explain the situation to Soft’s fans in his stream.The next day, Jian Rong wakes up with a splitting headache and checks Shiliu’s messages. Jian Rong opens the SoftBar link and laughs at the drunk person in the blurry photos before realizing the idiot is himself.After Jian Rong asks what the person who answered his phone said, Shiliu tells him the real problem is that Jian Rong kept asking that person to zip his pants.Jian Rong is mortified when Shiliu says his fans are joking that he is unfilial for liking men and ending the family bloodline. Shiliu asks whether Jian Rong wants to duo and reassure his fans through voice chat, using a platform loophole.Because Shiliu helped Jian Rong’s streaming career and is his closest friend, Jian Rong sends him a voice message saying he signed with a pro team for next season.

Jian Rong says the official announcement is not out yet, so he cannot reveal which team, but he reassures Shiliu that everything is fine. Shiliu immediately bombards Jian Rong with more messages, and Jian Rong answers briefly before ending the conversation to shower.While showering, Jian Rong remembers Lu Boyuan’s hand helping with his zipper and feels so embarrassed he bumps his head against the wall.Later, the TTC group chat calls everyone down for congee at 3 p.m. Ding Wenhan scolds the team for drinking too much and reminds them that Jian Rong is only seventeen.Yuan Qian takes responsibility and promises not to let them drink strong liquor again. Jian Rong walks downstairs in a black hoodie, hoping to quietly take a seat without attention.Xiao-Bai loudly asks whether Jian Rong feels better, making everyone at the table look at him. Jian Rong meets Lu Boyuan’s calm eyes and starts to relax, only for Lu Boyuan to glance at his pants.Jian Rong stiffly looks away and tries to sit as far from Lu Boyuan as possible. Yuan Qian kindly pulls out a chair near the congee, but that seat is right beside Lu Boyuan.Jian Rong slowly sits down and says he is fine when Yuan Qian asks about his condition. Xiao-Bai says Lu Boyuan had to drag Jian Rong around last night, but Lu Boyuan says that is exaggerated.Jian Rong thanks Lu Boyuan, trying to stay composed. Xiao-Bai adds that Lu Boyuan carried Jian Rong upstairs like a penguin and that Jian Rong kept mumbling. Jian Rong coldly asks why Xiao-Bai is still so energetic if Xiao-Bai was drunk too.Before Jian Rong can keep arguing, Lu Boyuan gets up, and Jian Rong immediately lowers his head to focus on his congee. Lu Boyuan returns from the kitchen, brushes against Jian Rong’s arm as he sits, and asks Ding Wenhan about an upcoming interview.Lu Boyuan’s voice makes Jian Rong remember him saying “It is zipped,” causing Jian Rong to bury his face lower.After discussing the interview, Lu Boyuan pushes a bottle of room-temperature milk toward Jian Rong and tells him to drink it after eating. Jian Rong almost chokes on his congee but obediently says okay.Ding Wenhan tells Jian Rong he was photographed the previous night but says it is not a violation because his face was not shown. Ding Wenhan says if anyone asks, Jian Rong should deny it, then bans the whole team from drinking until the Spring Split ends.Back in the practice room, Jian Rong finds several sets of TTC uniforms on his desk with “Soft” printed beneath TTC. Jian Rong stares at his ID on the uniform for a long time before picking up the jacket.Lu Boyuan tells Jian Rong to try the uniforms on later and get them tailored if the size does not fit. Lu Boyuan then says someone called Jian Rong the previous night, and he answered because he was worried it might be urgent.Jian Rong says he knows and awkwardly offers to buy Lu Boyuan a new coat because he dirtied it. Lu Boyuan says there is no need because the coat was too small anyway, but notes that it was custom and had his name stitched in.Lu Boyuan tells Jian Rong he can throw the coat away if the name bothers him, or wear it around the base if it does not. Xiao-Bai walks in and sees Jian Rong’s small uniform, asking whether his clothes are really that small.Jian Rong snatches the uniform back and says his fists are big if Xiao-Bai wants to see. Xiao-Bai quickly backs off but then asks Jian Rong to get on his alt and carry him through Diamond II promos.Jian Rong is about to refuse when Lu Boyuan invites him to party. Lu Boyuan sends the message “Carry me?” and Jian Rong immediately joins the lobby.Lu Boyuan changes his stream title to “Soft Carrying the Climb.” In champion select, neither Lu Boyuan nor Jian Rong gets their preferred role, so Lu Boyuan ends up ADC while Jian Rong gets support.A mid laner named PeachJamLover recognizes God Lu and starts excitedly spamming chat for attention. PeachJamLover asks Jian Rong to swap roles so she can support Lu Boyuan.Jian Rong asks Lu Boyuan privately whether he should swap, but Lu Boyuan leaves the choice to him. PeachJamLover keeps pestering them, asks God Lu to thank her for gifts, and offers to pay Jian Rong for the support role.In response, Jian Rong refuses and asks whether PeachJamLover should give him her Alipay so he can pay her to be quiet. Jian Rong locks in Lulu, shocking his fans because they have never seen him willingly pick such a protective support champion. Lu Boyuan plays Kalista and calmly says his ADC is average even while performing well.During the stream, Lu Boyuan finally answers the retirement rumors directly and says he is not retiring this year. PeachJamLover keeps rotating bot lane and chatting with Lu Boyuan until Lu Boyuan tells her there is no need to come bot.Later, PeachJamLover offers Lu Boyuan the blue buff, but Lu Boyuan calls Jian Rong’s Lulu over instead. Lu Boyuan lowers the blue buff’s health and tells Jian Rong to take it.Jian Rong instantly takes the buff, and viewers question why Lulu received it instead of Lux. Lu Boyuan then tells Jian Rong they should gank top and get some kills.Jian Rong obediently follows and finds Lulu’s model strangely more pleasing than before. After they win, Xiu messages Lu Boyuan during the stream about the “good kid” and asks how the move-in and integration are going.Viewers misunderstand the messages and speculate that Lu Boyuan is dating an eighteen-year-old who is moving into the base.Jian Rong is also startled and irritated, thinking Lu Boyuan has a girlfriend who might live across from his room. Lu Boyuan immediately clarifies on stream that he is not dating anyone.Lu Boyuan also says outsiders are not allowed to stay overnight, that he is not number one because pro play has no such ranking, and that next year’s retirement can be discussed next year.When viewers ask who the good kid is, Lu Boyuan says it is TTC’s new mid. The viewers are confused, the other TTC members are confused, and Jian Rong is also confused.Xiao-Bai quietly asks Jian Rong whether Lu Boyuan meant him by “good kid.” Jian Rong asks whether TTC has signed another mid, and when Xiao-Bai says no, Jian Rong concludes that Lu Boyuan meant him.That night, Ding Wenhan tells Jian Rong that TTC will officially announce him on Weibo the next day because Lu Boyuan already mentioned the new mid on stream.Ding Wenhan tells Jian Rong to repost the announcement, change his username, and remember that he is a professional now. Jian Rong promises to be careful, and Ding Wenhan believes him.After Ding Wenhan leaves, Jian Rong logs into his old main Weibo account and removes Lu Boyuan from his special follow list before staff can see it. Jian Rong sees the trending topic “TTC’s Good Kid” and blushes before forcing himself to focus.Jian Rong checks his old comments and replies to Soft’s Only Fanclub, telling them they are not close and not to miss him.As Jian Rong casually argues with fans again, he sees a comment insulting Road and accusing TTC of match-fixing and buying rankings. Jian Rong loses his restraint and insults the commenter back under his own post.At 2 p.m. the next afternoon, TTC officially announces Jian Rong as TTC-Soft, the team’s new starting mid laner for the Spring Split.At the same time, the LPL posts a disciplinary notice about Jian Rong’s inappropriate Weibo conduct, making his official debut immediately collide with punishment.

Chapter 06After TTC beats MFG 2-0 in the scrimmage, MFG’s jungler is so tilted from dying eight times that he sells all his items before the base falls. Since TTC has already won the best-of-three scrimmage, the third game is canceled.After the lobby closes, Xiao-Bai explains to Jian Rong that MFG’s jungler used to be their starter but was benched because of his weak mentality. Xiao-Bai adds that MFG’s jungler has a habit of ganking losing lanes, which can work in ranked but gets crushed by teams with real macro.Although Xiao-Bai realizes he may not be close enough to Jian Rong to casually roast other players, Jian Rong agrees and calls MFG’s jungler garbage. Xiao-Bai brightens because Jian Rong actually joins the conversation with him.Ding Wenhan watches Jian Rong and Xiao-Bai getting along and feels satisfied that the scrim helped the team bond. Meanwhile, Ding Wenhan messages MFG’s coach and refuses another scrim unless MFG sends their real starting roster.When MFG’s coach asks where TTC found their new mid, Ding Wenhan avoids answering directly and says Road brought him in.Soon after, TTC’s announcement of Jian Rong as TTC-Soft shocks the esports scene. Fans react by checking TTC-Soft’s profile, confirming TTC Gaming’s official account, refreshing in disbelief, and flooding the comments with question marks.At the same time, the LPL’s penalty announcement against Jian Rong receives unusually unified comments saying he deserved it. Jian Rong reposts TTC’s official announcement with a stiff, PR-like statement that even includes “posting in three minutes.”In response, the post is quickly edited into a smoother message thanking fans, promising to train hard, and saying he will not disappoint the team.Since TTC’s announcement is drowned in question marks, Jian Rong’s repost becomes the main playground for fans and haters.Viewers mock Jian Rong for joining the team he and his fans had been fighting, joke about his fine, and question how he got onto TTC’s roster.Despite the chaos, some TTC fans defend the signing by saying TTC has a history of bold scouting decisions, including making Road a starter.When a PUD fan claims TTC only chose Jian Rong because they failed to get Savior, Soft’s fans and TTC fans briefly unite to attack PUD.This alliance immediately falls apart when Soft’s fans and TTC fans start accusing each other of copying arguments.As the drama spreads, multiple topics trend, including TTC’s new member Soft, TTC losing its mind, Soft getting penalized, and Road calling Soft a well-behaved kid. Xiao-Bai laughs at the trending topics and says Jian Rong’s announcement has the kind of hype usually reserved for winning Worlds.Jian Rong, still waiting for Ding Wenhan’s lecture to resume, glares at Xiao-Bai and asks whether Xiao-Bai wants that kind of clout. Xiao-Bai happily refuses, saying he would rather live.When Xiao-Bai sees a comment praising Road, Pine, and Soft as good-looking, he asks Pine whether he is not handsome too. Pine gives Xiao-Bai a look that makes Xiao-Bai immediately tell him not to answer.Ding Wenhan returns from a phone call and scolds Jian Rong because he had just assured the PR team that Jian Rong would behave. Jian Rong seriously offers to pay to remove his name from the trending list because he caused the mess.Lu Boyuan says there is no need because the attention is not serious negative press. Ding Wenhan agrees not to remove the trending topics, saying the attention saves promotional money, but still says Jian Rong must pay the fine.Yuan Qian asks whether Jian Rong can be fined for things said before the announcement, and Ding Wenhan explains that once Jian Rong is registered, he is already treated as a pro.Ding Wenhan then receives a message from a sponsor, confusing everyone. Instead of backing out, the sponsor wants Jian Rong to endorse a blue switch mechanical keyboard because his aggressive typing style matches the product.Jian Rong decisively refuses the endorsement. Xiao-Bai is shocked and tells Jian Rong to think about how many people he could flame with that paycheck. Jian Rong explains that he has not played a single official match yet, so without results or credentials, there is no point accepting endorsements.This surprises Xiao-Bai because his money-grubbing image of Jian Rong collapses. Ding Wenhan approves of Jian Rong’s decision and says sponsorships will come after he has wins.Ding Wenhan warns Jian Rong again to stay off Weibo because haters know how to provoke him. Jian Rong insists he will not be affected, but Ding Wenhan says he is worried about Jian Rong responding to haters, not about Jian Rong being hurt.Even after Jian Rong agrees, Ding Wenhan distrusts him and subscribes to his Weibo posts. Meanwhile, Lu Boyuan receives endless messages from Xiu asking whether Jian Rong is really the “good kid” Lu Boyuan mentioned.Xiu jokes that Lu Boyuan must have called Jian Rong a good kid on purpose so nobody would guess the truth. Xiu also sends Lu Boyuan an image showing that every team’s comment section is now filled with people telling them to run from Soft.Lu Boyuan finally mutes his phone because Xiu keeps messaging nonstop. As Lu Boyuan walks past Jian Rong, he sees Jian Rong reading Lu Boyuan’s own Weibo comments.Jian Rong is visibly bothered because many comments are calling Lu Boyuan a liar for calling Soft well-behaved. Lu Boyuan pats Jian Rong’s head and tells him not to sit cross-legged because it is bad for his back. Jian Rong immediately hides his screen and straightens up.After Lu Boyuan leaves, Jian Rong receives a transfer of ten thousand yuan from Lu Boyuan. Lu Boyuan explains that the money is for Jian Rong’s penalty because Jian Rong argued with people on Lu Boyuan’s behalf.Jian Rong immediately refunds the transfer and says he flamed them because he wanted to, so he will take responsibility. Lu Boyuan offers to split the fine, but Jian Rong refuses.When Lu Boyuan notes that Jian Rong’s signing bonus may not arrive until next week, Jian Rong sends a screenshot of his bank balance to prove he is rich. Lu Boyuan accepts this and stops pushing the issue.Afterward, Lu Boyuan orders two custom keyboards like his own, but with a blue-and-white theme, an “S” keycap, and “Soft” engraved on the back.That evening, Ding Wenhan tells TTC’s members to repost the official announcement to support Jian Rong.Yuan Qian welcomes Jian Rong warmly and says they should work together for the Spring Split title. Pine gives a simple welcome repost.Xiao-Bai accidentally reposts the LPL penalty notice instead of TTC’s welcome announcement. Ding Wenhan yells at Xiao-Bai from downstairs for reposting the wrong post.Jian Rong smirks and comments “OK” under Xiao-Bai’s mistaken repost. As Jian Rong scrolls further, he freezes when he sees Lu Boyuan’s post saying he did not lie and welcoming TTC-Soft.The next day, Jian Rong wakes late and enters the practice room after everyone else has already started training. Xiao-Bai immediately demands to know why Jian Rong liked and commented on everyone else’s post but gave Lu Boyuan the like-comment-repost combo.Jian Rong says he forgot, though he knows his fingers moved automatically when he saw Lu Boyuan tag him. When Xiao-Bai challenges the excuse, Jian Rong fires back by asking how Xiao-Bai reposted the wrong post.Xiao-Bai says it was not on purpose and that Ding Wenhan lectured him all night. Jian Rong says Xiao-Bai deserved it but still reposts the other teammates’ welcome posts.Yuan Qian suddenly notices Lu Boyuan is playing on the Korean server against M7’s jungler, Juggler. Since Juggler is considered Europe’s best jungler and Lu Boyuan’s longtime rival, Yuan Qian wheels his chair over to watch.Jian Rong cannot resist watching too and quietly stands two feet behind Lu Boyuan with bread and milk. Lu Boyuan catches the enemy mid laner, recalls, and pulls a chair beside him so Jian Rong can sit and watch properly.Jian Rong wonders how Lu Boyuan knew he was watching but sits down anyway. Lu Boyuan explains during the game that many champions can work against Lee Sin and says Xin Zhao is useful in low Elo.Jian Rong replies that seeing teammates pick Xin Zhao irritates him because most Xin Zhao players are trash. Lu Boyuan holds back a laugh and continues playing. After forty-five minutes, Lu Boyuan beats Juggler and costs him eighteen LP.Once the game ends, Lu Boyuan notices Jian Rong’s bread and milk and asks whether that is his breakfast.Jian Rong explains that he woke up late and Auntie had already left, so he just grabbed something to eat.As Jian Rong turns to leave, he notices the camera light above Lu Boyuan’s monitor and realizes Lu Boyuan has been streaming with webcam on. Jian Rong sees himself on stream looking messy, tired, half-fed, and caught with bread in his mouth.Viewers immediately tease Jian Rong, call him adorable, criticize his comment about Xin Zhao players, and connect him to the drunken hot pot photo. Jian Rong starts to curse at viewers calling him a dwarf prince, but Lu Boyuan smoothly interrupts and says the drunk person in the photo was not Jian Rong because Jian Rong is still a minor.Lu Boyuan also mutes the viewer who called Jian Rong a dwarf prince. When viewers bring up Jian Rong supposedly having a girlfriend from an old voice message, Lu Boyuan asks Jian Rong whether he has a girlfriend.Jian Rong immediately says no. Jian Rong then explains that the voice message was from another streamer and had been sent to the wrong person. Lu Boyuan simply nods and says nothing.At 4 p.m., Lu Boyuan ends the stream, and Ding Wenhan enters to announce that the interview crew has arrived. Ding Wenhan tells everyone to change into uniforms for the pre-Spring Split interview.Ding Wenhan notices Jian Rong still looks half-asleep and asks whether he is awake or sleepwalking. Jian Rong says he did not sleep well and asks what interview crew Ding Wenhan means.Ding Wenhan explains it is the usual pre-Spring Split marketing interview and that everyone has to film one. Jian Rong changes into the TTC uniform for the first time, and the black-and-white design looks surprisingly good with his blue hair.Ding Wenhan compliments Jian Rong and offers to take a photo for him to send to his family. Jian Rong intends to refuse but unexpectedly agrees and thanks Ding Wenhan.As Ding Wenhan gives Jian Rong posing instructions, Xiao-Bai joins the photo and calls Pine over. Pine notices Jian Rong’s discomfort but still stands beside Xiao-Bai. Yuan Qian joins too and calls Lu Boyuan over.Since the spots beside Jian Rong are taken, Lu Boyuan stands behind Jian Rong so closely that they almost touch. Ding Wenhan takes the photo, but it turns out badly enough that Pine walks away with a frown.Xiao-Bai complains that only Lu Boyuan looks handsome from any angle. Yuan Qian says Jian Rong looks fine too because being fair-skinned is an advantage. Xiao-Bai sends the photo to the group chat, and Jian Rong saves it quietly instead of sending it to anyone.The interview crew enters after filming outside, led by Tang Qin, a well-known LPL host. Yuan Qian introduces Tang Qin to Jian Rong and says Jian Rong will see her often in the future.Tang Qin says she has watched Jian Rong’s stream and praises his talent. Jian Rong politely thanks her but feels out of his depth.Tang Qin then asks Lu Boyuan to shift over to make room for her, using a softer tone with him. Instead of moving slightly, Lu Boyuan stands up and offers Tang Qin the entire seat.Tang Qin’s smile freezes briefly before she thanks him. Lu Boyuan is interviewed first while Jian Rong waits outside and keeps glancing toward the closed room.Xiao-Bai notices Jian Rong looking and asks what he is watching. Jian Rong pretends it is nothing, then casually asks whether Tang Qin is close with Road.Xiao-Bai explains that Tang Qin is close with all the players and that many people believe she likes Lu Boyuan. Jian Rong asks whether Lu Boyuan accepted Tang Qin’s feelings.Xiao-Bai says Lu Boyuan once said he was too young and focused on his career to date, but now that he is older, nobody knows. Xiao-Bai then mentions that Lu Boyuan has attracted streamers, hosts, fans, and even a creepy male fan.Jian Rong asks about the male fan, and Xiao-Bai explains that someone once became obsessed after Lu Boyuan’s QQ ID was exposed on stream. Xiao-Bai says that person spammed Lu Boyuan’s QQ Mail with hundreds of emails, including confessions, photos, videos, and even a job application.Jian Rong becomes disturbed because he also saved Lu Boyuan’s QQ ID for years and sent a job application through it.When Jian Rong asks why Lu Boyuan still checks QQ Mail, Xiao-Bai says there are not many stalkers in the world and that the old one disappeared after police intervention. Xiao-Bai then realizes Jian Rong somehow knows Lu Boyuan still checks QQ Mail.Jian Rong lies that he was just guessing. Ding Wenhan comes upstairs with fruit and cookies, notices Jian Rong’s tension, and reassures him that the interview will be reviewed before release.When Lu Boyuan’s interview ends, Jian Rong overhears Tang Qin asking why Lu Boyuan did not reply to her message yesterday.Lu Boyuan says he had too many messages and did not see it. Jian Rong glances at Tang Qin before telling Lu Boyuan that Ding Wenhan said he is next.As Jian Rong turns to enter, Lu Boyuan gently tugs his shirt and fixes the hem that is tucked into his waistband.Jian Rong thanks Lu Boyuan, touches his flushed ear, and enters the interview room. Tang Qin notices Jian Rong’s red ears and asks whether he is nervous or warm. Jian Rong says it is just how he is and tells Tang Qin to ask her questions.During the twenty-minute interview, Jian Rong answers briefly and bluntly but does not cause trouble.When Tang Qin asks what Jian Rong thinks about the controversy surrounding his move to pro play, Jian Rong says Ding Wenhan will not let him interact with haters or read comments.When Tang Qin asks Jian Rong to say something to his fans, Jian Rong initially looks like he has nothing to say.After a pause, Jian Rong looks into the camera and dryly tells his fans that he has enough money to pay the fine, so they do not need to worry about their daddy.On Sunday, Ding Wenhan gathers the team in the practice room and says Spring Split starts in two weeks. Ding Wenhan says training will increase from the next day, with more scrims and a focus on team coordination.When Xiao-Bai asks which teams they will scrim, Ding Wenhan says Fighting Tiger and MFG are confirmed. Lu Boyuan says not to scrim MFG because they sent a half-retired substitute when they knew TTC was testing a new mid.Ding Wenhan says MFG apologized and asks to give them one more chance. Lu Boyuan says nothing more, but Ding Wenhan receives a surprising phone call and steps out.Xiao-Bai suggests ordering expensive food from a private kitchen, and Lu Boyuan says the team can order whatever they like because it is his treat. Lu Boyuan heads out, but notices Jian Rong silently zoning out at his computer before he leaves.When Xiao-Bai shows Jian Rong the menu, Jian Rong is shocked that plain rice costs twenty-two yuan. Jian Rong refuses the expensive meal, saying he is not into that kind of food.Jian Rong keeps practicing, then goes to find Ding Wenhan to ask whether he can stay at the base during Spring Festival.Outside the meeting room, Jian Rong overhears Hezi asking whether Jian Rong became starter only because Captain recommended him. Ding Wenhan sternly says team members do not decide the starting roster and tells Hezi not to say that again.Hezi admits he does not understand how a streamer with no formal training or tournament experience can be chosen over him. Hezi bitterly asks whether he would have become starter too if Captain had recommended him.Jian Rong quietly leaves without entering the room. Later, Hezi returns to the substitute villa and rejects his teammates’ food invitation to stream ranked games.

Before Hezi can queue, Jian Rong sends him a friend request with the message “Soft.” Hezi assumes Jian Rong must have heard about the meeting and is ready to flame him.After steeling himself, Hezi accepts the request and prepares comeback lines. Instead, Jian Rong simply tells Hezi to come duel.Hezi agrees. At a late-night barbecue stall, Xiu chats with Lu Boyuan while eating skewers, while Lu Boyuan mostly listens with his hat low and one hand in his pocket.Xiu opens a stream link from his coach and sees Hezi dueling someone named AlwaysDraggingYouDead. Lu Boyuan recognizes the ID as Jian Rong’s alt and asks which platform the stream is on.In Hezi’s stream, Hezi loses 6-1 to Jian Rong and looks sour after dying to Jian Rong’s LeBlanc again. Viewers suspect the mysterious opponent is Soft because the typing style and playstyle are too familiar.Hezi asks for another round with specific champions because he wants to study Jian Rong’s playstyle, not save face. Jian Rong asks how many more losses Hezi needs before accepting Jian Rong is better.When Hezi asks for more games, Jian Rong says he is hungry and logs off. At TTC’s base, Jian Rong searches the kitchen for food and finds unopened bread.Before Jian Rong can eat, Lu Boyuan sends him a location and tells him to come over. Worried Lu Boyuan has something urgent to discuss, Jian Rong throws on a jacket and rushes out by taxi without eating first.Jian Rong arrives at a smoky barbecue stall and immediately spots Lu Boyuan sitting outside with Xiu. Jian Rong sees Lu Boyuan with an unlit cigarette between his lips and realizes Lu Boyuan looks colder and sharper than the gentle version Jian Rong is used to.Xiu notices Jian Rong’s blue hair and calls him Lu Boyuan’s “good kid.” Lu Boyuan puts the cigarette aside and pulls out the chair beside him for Jian Rong.Jian Rong sits without asking questions. Xiu offers Jian Rong cigarettes, but Jian Rong quickly says he does not smoke. Xiu privately thinks Jian Rong seems much more polite and normal than the arrogant flamer reputation suggests.A delivery girl arrives with food, and Lu Boyuan places the bag in front of Jian Rong. When Jian Rong asks what it is, Lu Boyuan says it is dinner because Jian Rong is hungry.Jian Rong opens the bag and finds hot crab roe noodles, making his stomach growl. Xiu is stunned that Lu Boyuan brought Jian Rong to a barbecue stall just to give him delivered noodles.Lu Boyuan glances toward the stall owner handling food barehanded, making it clear why he did not order from the stall. Jian Rong subtly waits for Lu Boyuan to explain why he did not just send the noodles to the base, but Ding Wenhan’s call interrupts.While Lu Boyuan steps away to answer the call, Xiu smokes and casually questions Jian Rong. When Xiu asks why Jian Rong went pro, Jian Rong tells him to read Champion Times issue forty-six if he is curious.Xiu realizes from Jian Rong’s bluntness that Lu Boyuan definitely lied about Jian Rong being well-behaved. Xiu leaves after his coach calls, joking that Lu Boyuan and his remarkably well-behaved mid laner should enjoy dinner.After Xiu leaves, Lu Boyuan plays Hezi’s stream on his phone. Jian Rong hears Hezi telling viewers that Jian Rong is just a friend and not to bother him with friend requests.Jian Rong admits he did not know Hezi was streaming. Lu Boyuan asks why Jian Rong dueled Hezi.Jian Rong says Hezi did not think he deserved the starting spot, so Jian Rong wanted to make him accept it. Lu Boyuan asks whether Hezi reached out first, and Jian Rong admits he overheard the conversation with Ding Wenhan and sought Hezi out himself.Lu Boyuan says it is normal for Hezi to struggle because he had been TTC’s substitute mid for an entire year before a new starter appeared. Jian Rong admits he is petty.Lu Boyuan asks whether Jian Rong was angry because Hezi did not accept him or because Hezi implied Lu Boyuan pulled strings for him. Jian Rong says both.Lu Boyuan asks whether Jian Rong thinks Lu Boyuan got him in through connections. Jian Rong hesitates because he knows Lu Boyuan’s recommendation helped him get noticed. Lu Boyuan gently says the answer is no and tells Jian Rong not to overthink it.Lu Boyuan explains that he discovered Jian Rong, recognized his pro-level skill and champion knowledge, and recommended him as a chance for both Jian Rong and TTC. Lu Boyuan makes it clear that Jian Rong’s trial results and starting spot were earned by Jian Rong himself, not handed to him through a back door.Lu Boyuan then tells Jian Rong that next time, instead of settling things with duels, he should respond as a pro by winning matches and shaking hands afterward. Jian Rong listens and nods.After settling the bill, Lu Boyuan and Jian Rong take a taxi back to the team base. At the door, Lu Boyuan asks why Jian Rong has not asked to duo with him lately.Jian Rong is so startled that he enters the wrong door code. Jian Rong explains that he saw Lu Boyuan playing on the Korean server, so he did not ask. Lu Boyuan says he only went to the Korean server because Jian Rong did not ask.When Jian Rong is about to press another wrong number, Lu Boyuan gently moves his hand aside and enters the code himself.Lu Boyuan tells Jian Rong to ask for him anytime from now on. Jian Rong stays by the entrance for several minutes, waiting for the heat in his wrist to fade.Over the next week, TTC cycles through scrimmages and ranked games nonstop, and nobody leaves the team base. Jian Rong only realizes he needs a haircut when his bangs start stabbing his eyelids.After another scrim against MFG, MFG-Kongkong asks for Jian Rong’s WeChat ID, and Jian Rong sends it. Ding Wenhan says TTC’s next scrim is against Squid, causing the room to go silent.Yuan Qian asks why they have to scrim Squid, and Pine openly says he does not want to face them. Ding Wenhan explains that Squid goes all-out in scrims, making them useful for testing a new composition.Jian Rong asks what is wrong with Squid. Yuan Qian says Squid has a bad reputation, while Xiao-Bai explains that they are toxic trash talkers who make personal attacks.Xiao-Bai especially criticizes Squid’s ADC for mocking people’s looks on stream and getting fined for it. Ding Wenhan says he already agreed to the scrim and cannot back out.Lu Boyuan says they should play because they will have to face Squid eventually, and if they dislike Squid, they can simply avoid interacting with them.The next afternoon, TTC scrims Squid while testing a new bot lane strategy. Because Xiao-Bai and Pine are not on comfort picks, they make repeated mistakes while Squid uses its standard composition.By twenty minutes, TTC’s bot lane is collapsing, Lu Boyuan’s jungle is invaded, and Jian Rong is pinned mid and unable to rotate. Although Lu Boyuan plays extremely well, avoids ganks, and steals Baron, TTC still loses after forty-eight minutes.Instead of leaving before the Nexus falls as scrim etiquette requires, Squid destroys TTC’s Nexus and saves the match history. Xiao-Bai curses because Squid has exposed TTC’s test strategy in match history.Ding Wenhan calls Squid’s coach, but Squid only gives a half-hearted apology and claims the players got too into the game. Yuan Qian angrily calls that excuse nonsense.After everyone else leaves the lobby, Jian Rong stays and silently watches Squid’s ADC continue talking trash. Squid-Doufu mocks TTC, pretends his hand slipped, and calls Yuan Qian “chubby” and “fatso.”Jian Rong hovers his fingers over the keyboard, but Lu Boyuan tells him to pack up and review the past scrims instead. Lu Boyuan calmly tells Ding Wenhan to drop the tested bot lane composition because if they cannot beat a team like Squid with it, it is not viable.By dropping the strategy, Lu Boyuan makes Squid’s saved match history meaningless. The next day, a Tieba post spreads a screenshot of the scrim history and claims TTC’s rookie mid was brutalized by Squid.The poster then shares screenshots of Squid-Doufu’s stream comments from the previous night. In the stream, Squid-Doufu claimed TTC’s new mid was nothing special, said Squid only won easily while messing around, and mocked Jian Rong as short and skinny like a monkey.Squid-Doufu also insulted Yuan Qian by calling him fat and saying he loses his appetite whenever he sees him. Jian Rong reads the comments while brushing his teeth and ignores the team group chat notifications.After washing up, Jian Rong opens Weibo and finds a comment asking whether he got stomped by Squid. Jian Rong reposts the comment and sarcastically calls Squid the legendary scrim king that gets stomped in official matches.

Chapter 07Jian Rong’s Weibo jab at Squid turns into a major esports spectacle because Soft openly mocking another team before his first official match is unusual, but fans treat it as entertainment because Squid is already infamous for trash talk.As the comments pile up, fans from different teams bring popcorn, Soft’s fans beg Jian Rong to flame harder, Squid fans defend the scrim win, and others mock Squid for breaking scrim etiquette.Meanwhile, Ding Wenhan is exhausted because Jian Rong did not swear and technically avoided a fine, but he still liked a comment saying Squid won a scrim and lost their dignity. Jian Rong claims his hand slipped, making Ding Wenhan speechless.Xiao-Bai unexpectedly defends Jian Rong, saying Squid started everything by destroying TTC’s Nexus in a scrim, exposing their strategy, and letting Doufu insult Jian Rong and Yuan Qian’s looks on stream.Pine agrees that Doufu deserved to be roasted, while Yuan Qian admits he mostly hates how smug Doufu acts.Xiao-Bai angrily says Doufu insulted Jian Rong as a monkey and called him short, then insists Jian Rong is still much cuter than Doufu.When Xiao-Bai asks Lu Boyuan to agree, Lu Boyuan lazily says Jian Rong is not short and is still growing. This immediately makes Jian Rong swallow the insults he had been preparing.Despite understanding why everyone is angry, Ding Wenhan explains that Jian Rong escalated the matter by posting on Weibo.Ding Wenhan warns Jian Rong that the Spring Split is about to begin, TTC will soon face Squid officially, and if Jian Rong underperforms, fans and haters will use this feud against him. Jian Rong quietly listens, and Ding Wenhan briefly thinks Jian Rong is reflecting.Instead, Jian Rong calmly concludes that TTC just has to win every time. Xiao-Bai immediately agrees because Squid did not beat TTC the previous year, while Ding Wenhan realizes he worried for nothing.Lu Boyuan asks when the Spring Split schedule will be released, and Ding Wenhan says it drops at seven that night.Because the feud has made the schedule reveal suddenly exciting, Ding Wenhan says every esports fan is probably hoping TTC faces Squid immediately.At 6:40 p.m., Lu Boyuan starts a livestream for the schedule reveal, and the TTC members gather around him. Jian Rong arrives first and grabs the seat beside Lu Boyuan.As chat teases Lu Boyuan, Pine, Xiao-Bai, Yuan Qian, and Jian Rong, Lu Boyuan casually nudges the mouse toward Jian Rong and tells him he can ban whoever he wants. Jian Rong takes the mouse and mutes viewers who keep calling him short.When viewers ask which team TTC wants to face first, the chat floods with “Squid.” Lu Boyuan asks Jian Rong who he wants for his first match, and Jian Rong stiffly answers “the scrim champion.” This makes the whole team suppress laughter while Ding Wenhan nearly breaks down.When the schedule appears, everyone sees that the first match of the Spring Split is TTC vs Squid on January 12 at 5:00 p.m.The chat explodes, and even Ding Wenhan cannot tell whether Jian Rong willed the matchup into existence or the LPL deliberately arranged drama.On the way to practice, Xiao-Bai asks Jian Rong for lottery numbers because the schedule prediction came true.That night, TTC’s scrims become aggressive, and Jian Rong picks freely instead of following assigned champions.Against MFG, TTC locks in risky champions like Talon, Draven, and Tryndamere, leaving MFG helpless.Kongkong suffers badly against Jian Rong’s Talon, getting solo killed twice early and caught in the jungle twice later.Even though MFG wins that scrim, Kongkong feels like he lost badly because Jian Rong bullied him so hard.Afterward, Kongkong messages Jian Rong and reminds him that Doufu is the one who targeted him, not Kongkong. Jian Rong replies “OK” much later because he is still grinding ranked.Kongkong asks to duo, and Jian Rong questions how two mid laners can play together. Kongkong claims his jungle is good, so Jian Rong invites him.While duoing, Kongkong asks why Jian Rong is not playing with a teammate, but Jian Rong explains nothing because Lu Boyuan disappeared after a meeting and returned to his room.Jian Rong continues grinding until 4:30 a.m., and Kongkong finally asks whether Jian Rong always practices this late or feels pressure because of Squid.Jian Rong does not openly admit it, but he knows he cannot lose because losing would drag TTC and his teammates into ridicule for years. Kongkong says Squid’s mid laner cannot beat Jian Rong, and Jian Rong says he knows.Jian Rong adds that winning alone is not enough, but avoids explaining further. Kongkong offers to continue duoing, but Jian Rong says he only wants Kongkong because Kongkong jungles better than random players and Jian Rong can flame him in voice chat without the LPL catching him.Kongkong chooses survival and logs off, but first tells Jian Rong that Squid relies on bot lane and that Squid’s mid is aggressive but not on Jian Rong’s level.Jian Rong quietly thanks Kongkong. Jian Rong keeps practicing until dawn, sleeps less than three hours, and wakes before 9 a.m.Auntie insists on making Jian Rong noodles with a fried egg instead of letting him eat only bread.After breakfast, Jian Rong returns to ranked but runs into several bad teammates, giving him a headache.While taking a break to avoid flaming someone, Jian Rong accidentally uses WeChat’s “tickle” feature on Lu Boyuan’s profile. Lu Boyuan tickles Jian Rong back and asks why Jian Rong tickled him. Panicked, Jian Rong lies that he wanted to ask Lu Boyuan to duo.When Jian Rong realizes it is only 10 a.m. and tries to take back the request, Lu Boyuan sends a sleepy voice message saying to hold on because he is washing his face. Lu Boyuan later enters the practice room with two packages and places them on Jian Rong’s desk.Jian Rong opens one and finds a custom keyboard like Lu Boyuan’s, but in blue and white, with an “S” key and “Soft” engraved on the back. Jian Rong asks whether the keyboard came from the sponsor, but Lu Boyuan avoids answering and tells him to test whether it feels right.Jian Rong is clearly thrilled because gamers cannot resist high-end custom gear, especially one with his own ID.On match day, Jian Rong secretly stuffs something into his shoes before leaving, clearly trying to make himself taller.TTC takes the team bus to the stadium, and Jian Rong chews gum while following Lu Boyuan backstage.Xiao-Bai keeps glancing at Jian Rong, then pushes him toward Lu Boyuan and asks whether Jian Rong was always this tall. Jian Rong freezes, then claims Xiao-Bai remembers wrong or that he grew taller.Ding Wenhan yells at them to stop blocking the hallway, so Jian Rong chews his gum like he is grinding Xiao-Bai to pieces.Near the lounge, TTC runs directly into Squid. Both coaches immediately tense because everyone expects a confrontation.Doufu prepares to taunt Jian Rong but pauses because Jian Rong seems taller than expected. Jian Rong walks up, looks at Doufu with cold disdain, and quietly calls him a dumbass so only Doufu hears.In Squid’s lounge, Doufu angrily insists Soft called him a dumbass, but no one else heard it.Squid’s manager points out that Doufu cannot report a whispered insult with no proof. Doufu is even more frustrated because he froze and failed to insult Jian Rong back.Doufu also complains that Jian Rong is taller than expected, despite people saying he is short. Squid’s support suggests the rest of TTC may simply be too tall.Squid’s manager tells Doufu to save his anger for later and warns him not to get suspended.In TTC’s lounge, Xiao-Bai brags that he nearly punched Doufu, but Pine says it looked more like Xiao-Bai could not meet Doufu’s eyes. A staff member announces ten minutes until the opening ceremony.Because every team is present for the Spring Split opening ceremony, Lu Boyuan is chosen as TTC’s stage representative. Lu Boyuan refuses makeup because he dislikes the smell, and Ding Wenhan lets him go without it.Jian Rong watches the opening ceremony on the lounge television as team representatives appear in ranking order.When Road is announced for TTC, the stadium erupts louder than for anyone else. Lu Boyuan’s appearance on stage looks more like a runway entrance than an esports introduction because of his presence and looks.Jian Rong watches Lu Boyuan with complete focus, even though he used to skip opening ceremonies. Xiao-Bai teases Jian Rong about the flashy debut treatment, but Jian Rong says it is not his spotlight.After Lu Boyuan returns, Jian Rong checks Weibo even though Yuan Qian warns him it is bad for his mental state. Jian Rong sees a comment from LuvLuv Doufufu claiming Soft only talks big because Road backs him and that even if TTC wins, Soft will be irrelevant.Just as Ding Wenhan tells everyone to get ready, Jian Rong quickly replies, tosses his phone to Ding Wenhan, and follows Lu Boyuan onto the stage.Once Jian Rong steps onto the stage, he realizes the lighting is blinding and very different from watching matches at home.The stream chat immediately reacts to Soft’s appearance, noting that he looks like his stream self, that his blue hair is bright, and that he seems taller. Jian Rong sits at the mid lane position between Lu Boyuan and Pine.Jian Rong sneaks a look at Lu Boyuan’s hands, remembering how famous Lu Boyuan’s hand close-ups are among fans. Lu Boyuan notices and tells Jian Rong not to look at him like that during a match because it could be flagged as screen peeking.Embarrassed, Jian Rong turns back to his monitor and says okay. Yuan Qian tells Jian Rong he can loosen his headset before the match so he can hear the casters.Jian Rong hears the casters discussing his debut and his reputation for “analyzing” pro players. Caster B jokes that Soft once criticized him by asking whether the LPL caster department hired temp workers.The stadium laughs, and Jian Rong freezes. The casters then point out Soft’s unusual fan banners in the audience.Jian Rong sees embarrassing banners from his fans telling him to play properly, calling him Dwarf King, telling him to win or delete his account, and mocking Doufu. Jian Rong seriously asks whether security can kick them out.Ding Wenhan says no and tells Jian Rong to play well so he does not have to delete his account. During draft, Ding Wenhan orders bans against Squid’s bot lane and gives Jian Rong the counterpick.Squid bans Lu Boyuan’s Lee Sin and Nidalee, along with Jian Rong’s LeBlanc. Doufu unexpectedly locks in Draven, shocking the crowd and his own coach.Doufu chooses Draven because he wants to shine, humiliate Soft, and send Jian Rong back to streaming after one match. Xiao-Bai says the match is in the bag and tells Jian Rong to pick something safe like Twisted Fate.Instead, Jian Rong tells Ding Wenhan he wants to play Zed. TTC’s voice chat goes silent because Zed is risky, has no crowd control, and is rarely trusted in professional play.Lu Boyuan asks Jian Rong for a reason. Jian Rong says the number of Dravens he killed with Zed last year could wrap around the earth twice.Ding Wenhan argues that Twisted Fate is safer and can still gank bot, but Jian Rong clearly wants Zed. Lu Boyuan asks whether Jian Rong really wants to play Zed, and Jian Rong confirms it.Jian Rong locks in Zed, shocking the casters, the audience, and the stream because both Zed and Draven are risky, low-meta picks.Backstage, Ding Wenhan defends the Zed pick as Jian Rong’s debut choice, but another coach shows him Jian Rong’s Weibo reply to LuvLuv Doufufu. Ding Wenhan sees LuvLuv Doufufu challenge Soft by saying that if Soft is really good, the user will chop off their head and let Soft kick it.Ding Wenhan’s face turns thunderous, but when the other coach asks whether to delete the reply, Ding Wenhan says to leave it.As game one starts, Xiao-Bai promises chili frogs if TTC wins, and Lu Boyuan quietly says the frogs are on him. Yuan Qian asks why Jian Rong is quiet, and Xiao-Bai says Jian Rong must be nervous because the Zed pick will make him either a god or a lunatic.Jian Rong says he is thinking about something and points out that no one on Squid brought Exhaust, a key counter to assassins. Jian Rong treats Squid’s lack of Exhaust as disrespect and declares that Squid’s ADC will pay for it.In mid lane, Squid’s Syndra pressures Jian Rong’s Zed before level six while Squid believes Soft is contained. The casters also think Zed is in a bad state and may have to recall.Suddenly, low-health Jian Rong turns back onto full-health Syndra and uses Zed’s ultimate. Jian Rong dodges every Syndra ability, executes the full combo perfectly, returns to his shadow, recalls in place, and lets Death Mark finish Syndra for First Blood.The stadium erupts, and the casters praise Soft’s confidence and perfect execution. Jian Rong returns to base calmly, then hears Lu Boyuan solo kill the enemy jungler.Lu Boyuan stays in the enemy jungle, steals camps, and chunks Syndra when she comes to stop him.Jian Rong checks the scoreboard and realizes Lu Boyuan’s Graves has the highest farm on the map because he has completely eaten Squid’s jungle. Lu Boyuan forces Syndra to burn Flash and tells Jian Rong mid is now a free kill.After clearing mid, Jian Rong rotates bot and asks whether they can dive. Xiao-Bai doubts the dive because Pine is low and Squid’s bot lane hits hard, but Jian Rong says they can do it.Jian Rong asks Xiao-Bai to tank one turret shot for him. Before Xiao-Bai can finish giving instructions, Jian Rong ults directly onto Doufu’s Draven.Xiao-Bai’s Lulu polymorphs Nautilus before he can peel, and Pine follows with damage. Doufu tries to kill Jian Rong under turret, but Jian Rong uses Stopwatch to survive.Xiao-Bai tanks a turret shot, giving Jian Rong time to escape with almost no health. After escaping, Jian Rong dances over Doufu’s corpse.Meanwhile, Lu Boyuan and Yuan Qian kill the enemy top side and secure more advantage.
Doufu rages over Jian Rong buying Stopwatch on Zed.From that point on, Draven’s nightmare begins because Jian Rong’s fed Zed appears under turret, in jungle, and on paths to bot lane to burst him down.Each time Jian Rong kills Doufu, he dances on the corpse and drops the TTC logo emote. Doufu becomes furious, and Squid’s support and jungler try to protect him.Despite that, Jian Rong appears again with Lu Boyuan. Lu Boyuan’s Graves chunks Nautilus heavily, and Graves and Zed chase three enemies through the jungle.Once all three are low, Lu Boyuan stops attacking and lets Jian Rong collect the triple kill. Xiao-Bai cheers that Jian Rong’s grinding paid off and jokes that Jian Rong is taller and stronger now.Jian Rong says he does not want to cross the line, and Xiao-Bai mistakenly thinks Jian Rong still wants to beat Doufu up. Jian Rong clarifies that he wants to beat up his teammate, making Xiao-Bai instantly shut up.TTC wins game one in twenty-seven minutes with a dominant 24-4 kill score. Doufu ends with a miserable 1/8/3 score and leaves the stage looking bitter.Back in the lounge, Jian Rong immediately checks Weibo, but Ding Wenhan confiscates his phone before he can continue. Ding Wenhan asks whether the team can play a normal composition next game.Before game two, Jian Rong notices Ding Wenhan quietly asking Lu Boyuan about his hand. Jian Rong tries to eavesdrop, but Lu Boyuan catches him and shows both Ding Wenhan and Jian Rong his hands, saying he is fine.In game two draft, Doufu switches to safe Ezreal, which viewers interpret as cowardice after his Draven disaster. Jian Rong teases everyone by hovering Draven before locking in LeBlanc at the last second.This time, Squid drafts a standard meta composition, but TTC’s overall strength quickly shows.By twenty minutes, Lu Boyuan destroys Squid’s bot lane, Jian Rong solo kills the enemy mid for the second time, and Yuan Qian takes the top outer turret.At twenty-three minutes, TTC groups, Pine gets a triple kill, TTC takes Baron, and TTC aces Squid. At twenty-six minutes, TTC pushes into Squid’s base.

Right before the Nexus falls, Jian Rong dives into the fountain, instantly kills Doufu, and uses stasis in the fountain. TTC wins the match 2-0 in a crushing victory.During the handshake, Doufu glares at Jian Rong and expects him to insult him so Doufu can report him.Instead, Jian Rong smiles, shakes Doufu’s hand, and loudly says Doufu plays Draven so well. Nearby players hold back laughter while Doufu is furious because Jian Rong’s insult is disguised as praise.Back in the lounge, Xiao-Bai laughs about Doufu’s expression and says game two felt like laning in gold rank.Yuan Qian says Jian Rong smashed Doufu so hard that Doufu was sleepwalking. Xiao-Bai asks Lu Boyuan about the promised frog dinner, and Lu Boyuan says he already ordered it.A staff member then comes in and asks Soft to do the MVP interview. Viewership for the MVP interview rises instead of falling because fans want to hear what Jian Rong will say.Tang Qin asks whether Jian Rong felt nervous in his first official match, and Jian Rong simply says no.Tang Qin asks whether TTC prepared specially for Squid, and Jian Rong quotes Doufu’s old trash talk by saying they were just messing around and did not know they would win so easily. Tang Qin asks about Jian Rong’s Zed focusing bot lane, and Jian Rong says Draven looked like 300 gold walking around, so he could not help ganking bot.Jian Rong adds that he was not targeting Doufu and hopes Doufu is doing okay. Tang Qin asks about Jian Rong’s hopes for the season, and Jian Rong says he hopes TTC can meet stronger teams.Viewers explode with laughter because Jian Rong is turning the MVP interview into another flame war.When Tang Qin asks whether Jian Rong has anything to say to viewers or fans, Jian Rong smiles and says he does. Jian Rong politely addresses LuvLuv Doufufu, saying he got MVP, killed Doufu many times, and asks when the user will send their head to TTC’s official address.In the TTC lounge, Xiao-Bai and Yuan Qian burst into laughter, and Xiao-Bai tells Pine to lock the door in case LuvLuv Doufufu storms in. Ding Wenhan feels like Soft was sent by the heavens to torment him and jokes about terminating Jian Rong’s contract for his own happiness.Despite joking, Ding Wenhan knows he has to clean up the mess and plans to ask the league whether Jian Rong’s interview crosses a line. Lu Boyuan leaves the lounge for the bathroom while Ding Wenhan is still worrying.In the bathroom, Xiu appears and says Lu Boyuan is very good at setting up kills. Xiu explains he stayed after the ceremony because PUD’s mid wanted to watch after Jian Rong locked Zed.Xiu asks whether Lu Boyuan really brought Soft into TTC, and Lu Boyuan repeats that he only recommended Jian Rong while the team made the signing decision. Xiu says Jian Rong has good skills and awareness but is too flashy, especially for picking Zed and stirring up the MVP interview.Xiu offers Lu Boyuan a cigarette, but Lu Boyuan says Ding Wenhan fines him ten thousand yuan per smoke and that Xiu can cover the fine if he wants Lu Boyuan to take two. Xiu refuses, then says Ding Wenhan should have been scolding Lu Boyuan too because Lu Boyuan gifted Soft the triple kill that helped him get MVP.Xiu complains that Lu Boyuan never gave him kills in ranked and accuses Lu Boyuan of double standards. Lu Boyuan says he will give Xiu kills too if Xiu dyes his hair blue.Xiu jokes that Lu Boyuan should have told him about that kind of kink sooner. Lu Boyuan ignores the joke, leaves the bathroom, and finds Jian Rong waiting outside.Lu Boyuan asks whether Ding Wenhan made Jian Rong stand outside the bathroom as punishment. Jian Rong explains that the car is waiting at the back door and Ding Wenhan sent him to find Lu Boyuan after Lu Boyuan missed a call.Lu Boyuan asks why Jian Rong did not come inside, and Jian Rong blurts that he was afraid of disturbing Lu Boyuan’s bathroom time. The two stare at each other in silence because Jian Rong’s excuse is painfully awkward.On the ride back, Jian Rong buries his whole head under his team jacket and claims he is sleeping. Xiao-Bai calls Jian Rong’s sleeping pose cursed, but Jian Rong asks whether he should stick an amulet on his forehead next time.Lu Boyuan notices from the window reflection and tells Jian Rong to leave a gap because the heater will make it stuffy. Jian Rong obediently lowers the jacket enough to reveal half his face.Back at the base, the team eats delivery while watching the second match of the day. Ding Wenhan enters mid-call and asks everyone for accurate heights and weights for merch production.Ding Wenhan tells Jian Rong his merch will be included from now on, making Jian Rong quietly agree. Xiao-Bai objects because a man’s weight is secret and he has not measured his height in a long time.Ding Wenhan tells Xiao-Bai he can guess but should not complain if the official merch lists him ten pounds heavier. Lu Boyuan says he has a tape measure in his room, so anyone who needs it can borrow it.After dinner, Jian Rong showers and deliberately blow-dries his hair fluffy to make himself look taller.At 10 p.m., Jian Rong knocks on Lu Boyuan’s door for the tape measure but gets no answer at first. Just as Jian Rong tries to sneak away, Lu Boyuan opens the door after showering and calls him back.Jian Rong says he wanted to borrow the measuring tape, and Lu Boyuan tells him to come in. Jian Rong enters Lu Boyuan’s room and notices the warm scent of Lu Boyuan’s shower gel, the LoL poster, basketball, team jacket, and everyday clutter.When Lu Boyuan finds the tape measure, he tells Jian Rong to stand straight so he can measure him. Jian Rong tries to say he can do it himself, but Lu Boyuan says it is hard alone.Jian Rong stands stiffly against the wall with his feet together while Lu Boyuan measures him. Lu Boyuan presses Jian Rong’s fluffy hair down and asks how Jian Rong managed to dry it like that.Because Lu Boyuan is close and his hand is warm on Jian Rong’s head, Jian Rong gets nervous and tries again to do it himself. Lu Boyuan tells Jian Rong not to move and confirms Jian Rong’s height as five foot eight and a half.Jian Rong corrects him to five foot eight and six tenths because that was his October checkup result. Lu Boyuan points out that Jian Rong wrote five-nine on his resume.Jian Rong says that is called rounding up and tells Lu Boyuan not to laugh. Lu Boyuan says he is not laughing, but Jian Rong catches the movement in Lu Boyuan’s throat and knows he is.Embarrassed about lying on his resume, Jian Rong flees the room and runs into Xiao-Bai.When Xiao-Bai asks how tall Jian Rong is, Jian Rong says it is none of Xiao-Bai’s business and returns to his room.Jian Rong lies in bed unable to sleep and searches whether drinking milk can help him grow taller, whether he can still grow at seventeen, what to eat to get taller, and how tall Lu Boyuan is. Jian Rong learns Lu Boyuan is six foot one and feels an odd soreness in his chest.Shiliu messages Jian Rong that Jian Rong was cracked today and that Weibo is full of people praising him. Jian Rong asks for screenshots, but Shiliu tells him to open Weibo or any forum because Jian Rong is everywhere.Instead of Weibo, Jian Rong opens SoftBar, expecting compliments after his strong performance. Jian Rong immediately finds a featured analysis post about how thick his shoe lifts are.The post compares photos of Lu Boyuan carrying Jian Rong with photos of them standing side by side and concludes Jian Rong must be wearing lifts.Seeing fans calculate his height and mock his shoe lifts, Jian Rong exits the post with a stony expression.

I Can Do It, Vol. 2

(Chapter Summary)

I Can Do It, Vol. 3

(Chapter Summary)

I Can Do It, Vol. 4

(Chapter Summary)

I Can Do It, Vol. 5

(Chapter Summary)

The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System: Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong

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The Husky & His White Cat Shizun: Erha He Ta De Bai Mao Shizun

(Chapter Summary)

Thousand Autumns: Qian Qiu

(Chapter Summary)

Remnants of Filth: Yuwu

(Chapter Summary)

Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang

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Guardian: Zhen Hun

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Case File Compendium: Bing An Ben

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The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish: Canji Baojun De Zhangxin Yu Chong

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Lorem Ipsum

(Chapter Summary)

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