A prompt sounded on the computer, and the private chat window lit up.
[Green Grasslands] quietly said to you: Help me, I’m scared.
Qu Yanning’s heart skipped a beat. Opposite him, Flower Luo’s face showed pleading. Like him, she hadn’t unequipped.
A pack of grotesque monsters surrounded them, attacking relentlessly, only chipping away about one-fifth of their health.
Qu Yanning felt faint. He tapped Chu Zhou and called him over, “Is your friend playing a joke again?”
Chu Zhou turned to look. Flower Luo’s health bar was nearly empty, just a sliver left. The normally expressionless character’s face now filled with despair.
Private messages came in rapidly.
[Green Grasslands] quietly said to you: Help me.
[Green Grasslands] quietly said to you: Help me.
When the last sliver of health vanished, Flower Luo collapsed. Her name tag turned gray, and the private chat stopped.
The group returned to the dungeon entrance. Qu Yanning watched Green Grasslands bounce happily again, her appearance now no different from other characters.
Her stiff expression hadn’t changed.
Qu Yanning tried replying to the private chat: What’s wrong with you?
Opposite, Flower Luo bounced to Qu Yanning’s side.
The private chat quickly replied,
[Green Grasslands] quietly said to you: Scared? Just kidding, don’t be mad.
Qu Yanning frowned, sensing this might not just be a prank.
He shared his thoughts with Chu Zhou, who pondered for a moment and said, “Flower Luo will come to the guild meetup next week. You’ll come with me then, and we’ll see. If it’s just a joke, that’s best. If not…”
They quickly defeated the remaining bosses. Flower Luo stayed diligent, healing constantly. Among the lazy salty fish, she was truly conscientious.
After the run, everyone divided the loot. Seeing it was still early, they all went home to rest.
******
Time flew by, and soon it was the day of the guild meetup, held at a milk tea shop near the high-speed train station, hosted by Guild Leader Heng Zhou.
Chu Zhou woke Qu Yanning early. Qu Yanning, still half-asleep, went to wash up. Xie Qi looked equally sleep-deprived, trailing behind.
Qu Yanning had wanted to leave Xie Qi at home, but Xie Qi insisted on coming. After some fuss, Qu Yanning reluctantly brought him along. The man and the cat stood by the sink, both looking groggy.
Qu Yanning brushed his teeth slowly, eyes still dull from sleep. Xie Qi squatted on the washbasin, first washing his paws, then using them to wash his face.
After tidying his fur, ruffled from sleep, he softly meowed at his reflection.
After rinsing, Qu Yanning washed his face and finally woke up. He picked up the clean cat and kissed him, saying, “Good morning, my sweetie.”
Xie Qi rubbed against him, lazily responding with a meow.
After tidying up, Qu Yanning prepared breakfast. Xie Qi sat solemnly on the sofa watching the morning news. Chu Zhou was still in his room fussing over what to wear.
Breakfast was simple: each had a fried egg, two slices of ham, and a cup of soy milk.
By the time the man and cat finished eating slowly, Chu Zhou finally emerged.
He wore a half-stand collar long dress, the collar slightly raised to cover his faintly prominent Adam’s apple.
Flipping his loose hair, Chu Zhou spun around and gave Qu Yanning a coquettish look, “How do I look? Good, right?”
Qu Yanning nodded enthusiastically, “You look great.”
Satisfied, Chu Zhou quickly finished his breakfast, grabbed his bag, and said, “Let’s go.”
“Wait,” Qu Yanning ran back to his room and fetched a pre-packed bag. It wasn’t big but enough for the cat to live comfortably inside.
Opening the zipper, Qu Yanning said to Xie Qi, “Get in.”
Xie Qi flicked his tail on the table, then slowly climbed into the bag. Sitting upright, only his fluffy head poked out.
Qu Yanning zipped it up a bit and rubbed the cat’s head, “Let’s go. Be good.”
They took a taxi. The milk tea shop was near the train station. Heng Zhou had arranged the itinerary in advance. Everyone would meet here first, then go eat.
The Saturday morning station was crowded. They arrived early and chose the innermost table. They asked the waiter to push two tables together to make a large one, big enough for everyone.
They took a group photo and posted it in the group chat. Chu Zhou said they’d arrived and asked when Heng Zhou would show up.
Heng Zhou replied he was on his way.
The others messaged their locations with laughter. Most had already arrived.
Bored, Qu Yanning connected to Wi-Fi and watched videos. Xie Qi, trapped in the bag, grew even more bored.
Sneaking out, he stood on Qu Yanning’s lap, grabbed the table’s edge, and peeked his furry head to watch videos together.
The second to arrive was Flower Luo. She lived in Shen City, not far away.
Flower Luo was petite and shy, just like her game character— a cute girl who smiled bashfully.
Chu Zhou greeted her. Though familiar in-game, meeting for the first time was naturally awkward, especially for Flower Luo, who seemed quite shy.
Qu Yanning wondered how such a timid soft girl could pull those pranks.
Everyone chatted casually, the guild group chat still busy with messages, and the initial awkwardness quickly faded.
Qu Yanning kept watching Flower Luo quietly but saw nothing unusual. He nudged Chu Zhou, shaking his head slightly.
“Is that your cat?” Flower Luo suddenly asked Qu Yanning.
Qu Yanning was startled, then instinctively looked down, meeting Xie Qi’s gaze.
He petted the cat’s head and made a shushing gesture to Flower Luo, then pointed toward the cashier.
Flower Luo understood, winked at him, and silently acknowledged.
The guild members gradually all arrived. With more people, the atmosphere naturally became lively.
Laughter and chatter quickly restored the friendly game-like feeling.
Someone joked about the Guild Leader not showing up yet and teased, “Didn’t expect the Guild Leader’s Wife to be so beautiful. If the Guild Leader doesn’t come, she might overthrow him.”
“Who wants to overthrow whom?” A deep male voice sounded. A tall man walked over and sat down casually in the seat reserved for him.
The man had sharp, handsome features. A scar on his face added a rugged charm. The guild members cheered, saying the Guild Leader and the Guild Leader’s Wife were perfectly matched in looks.
Someone posted a photo in the guild chat. Those who had arrived and those who hadn’t excitedly spammed messages praising the Guild Leader and Guild Leader’s Wife, wishing them a long-lasting reign over the guild.
Only the two involved and one insider remained silent.
Chu Zhou glared at Zhang Ren, “Why you?”
Zhang Ren handed him a milk tea and said, “It’s always been me.”
Qu Yanning stroked the cat quietly beside them, sensing Chu Zhou’s expression darkening, as if he was about to explode and beat Zhang Ren up.
Unexpectedly, Chu Zhou suddenly laughed. He ruffled his hair and leaned toward Zhang Ren’s ear, whispering, “You like me?”
Zhang Ren looked him in the eye seriously, “Yes, I’ve always liked you.”
“…” Chu Zhou was caught off guard by this straightforward confession and was momentarily speechless.
Zhang Ren smiled slightly, brushed the hair stuck to Chu Zhou’s cheek behind his ear, and looked at him tenderly. “Now I’m ready for everything, and I’ve come for you.”
Chu Zhou lowered his eyes, not replying.
Others watching them exchanged meaningful glances and raised eyebrows.
Someone suggested, “How about we eat first?”
Zhang Ren said the restaurant and hotel were already booked. “Let’s eat, then drop off our luggage at the hotel, and then go out.”
No one objected. Zhang Ren paid the bill, and the group happily got into cars.
Zhang Ren sat in the front passenger seat, while Qu Yanning, Chu Zhou, and Flower Luo sat in the back. Two more cars followed as they headed to the restaurant.
Zhang Ren chose a coconut chicken restaurant. The dozen or so people booked a private room, sitting down amidst cheerful chatter.
Zhang Ren sat beside Chu Zhou, seeming hesitant to speak but thinking now was not the right moment.
“Did they know each other before?” Flower Luo, sitting next to Qu Yanning, quietly asked.
“Yeah,” Qu Yanning nodded. “They knew each other before.”
Flower Luo said, “Oh,” then looked at Xie Qi with curiosity, seeming very interested in the cat. “Can I pet him?”
Qu Yanning frowned in hesitation. The sweetie didn’t like anyone but him touching him.
Xie Qi, who had been gnawing on Qu Yanning’s finger, narrowed his eyes and sat up, blinking slowly at Flower Luo.
Flower Luo met his gaze, her smile stiffening slightly.
Xie Qi casually glanced her over, then turned to nuzzle Qu Yanning’s arm, lazily lying down again and hugging one of Qu Yanning’s hands with four paws, playing happily.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.