Chapter 9

“Master, where did you get this war chariot?” Yu Mi asked curiously while sitting in his master’s war chariot. “Did you buy it from the shop? I couldn’t find it.”

The panel showed that many people were watching him.

Jinjiang Zai Tao Shizun replied, “This is the reward from the opportunity you helped me with, the one between life and death. I completed the task during the day and got it. Thanks to you, so you’re the first to ride it! I’ll let your senior brothers and sisters ride it later.”

Yu Mi was momentarily speechless.

So… Shen Gun also completed the task today and got the reward? And then specifically invited him, the benefactor, to be the first to ride it?

Ah, this…

What a good kid, so filial!

He turned his head to look back.

In the vast sea of people, he could no longer see a certain someone’s figure.

Yu Mi sat in the co-pilot seat of his master’s chariot, not needing to operate anything himself.

This war chariot was really eye-catching, so his master specifically called him to the main city square to show off, running back and forth in front of other players.

Many players were shouting to his master in nearby chat: “Zi Ze, we also want to sit in your co-pilot seat. #Pitiful”

Shui Zhu Yan (Jinjiang Zai Tao Shizun) replied: “OKK, let my disciples play first. #Proud”

Two minutes later, Yu Mi, as if possessed, searched for Shen Gun’s ID and added him as a friend.

The other party had already added him, but he hadn’t added the other party before, so it was always one-sided.

After adding him, he found that Shen Gun’s avatar was gray.

Logged off so quickly?

Was he hurt by his rejection? Heartbroken?

It shouldn’t be…

Yu Mi felt a pang of guilt for some reason… The good kid was just being filial, maybe he should give him a chance?

While he was feeling guilty, the map channel suddenly became noisy.

[Map] Hua Xin Shou Cang Jia: [Tian Nuo Nuo] Yo, aren’t you the one who got solo-killed by a healer? #Surprised

[Map] Gua Pi: [Tian Nuo Nuo] Yo, aren’t you the one who got solo-killed by a healer? #Surprised

[Map] Lv Li Yu Yu Lv: What? Solo-killed by a healer????

Yu Mi suddenly felt terrible, why was the focus suddenly on him!

Was it because his Daoist was too handsome?

He hurriedly typed to explain: I wasn’t solo-killed by a healer! I was killed by someone from Zhaixing Tower!

However, no one believed him.

[Map] Gong Teng Xin Er: Really? I don’t believe it.

[Map] Yan Lin: Did anyone from Zhaixing Tower claim responsibility for this?

[Map] Xiao Xiao: No way, does anyone really believe that?

“It’s true!” Yu Mi was on the verge of tears.

Seeing more and more people clicking to watch him, he quickly said goodbye to his master and jumped off her war chariot, flying back to his home to hide.

Even so, the world channel continued to discuss him.

[World] Tan Kao Yu Yu: Did you hear? Someone got solo-killed by a healer!

[World] Qing Meng: What? Solo-killed by a healer? How did that happen?

[World] Tang Tang: No way, really? 0.0 Who was it?!

[World] Bing Qi Lin Hong Cha: Seems like someone called Nuo Ji Ji?

Yu Mi facepalmed, yes, yes, it’s Nuo Ji Ji! Not me, Tian Nuo Nuo!

He logged off in embarrassment and continued working on his drawings.

Not long after, Xi Xiang Qing poked him on Q.

“Are you going to the anime club event tomorrow?”

Yu Mi: “Huh? What’s the plan?”

Xi Xiang Qing: “Didn’t you check the group? Tomorrow the Detective Conan movie is premiering, and the group suggested we go watch it together. After the movie, we can play murder mystery games, board games, and stuff. They’re still discussing. In the evening, they said we’ll have BBQ. We don’t have to pay, all expenses are covered once you sign up.”

Xi Xiang Qing: “Come on! I want to exchange freebies with Xiao Ai and the others.”

Yu Mi asked: “Are there many people going?”

Xi Xiang Qing said: “Not sure yet, shouldn’t be too many, just a small gathering, I checked, probably around 10 people?”

Yu Mi had wanted to see the movie for a while. He’s neither overly social nor socially anxious, doesn’t mind gatherings, and is willing to make friends. Plus, since getting into Sword Roar in the Jianghu, he hadn’t gone out to play for a long time, so after a moment of hesitation, he decided to sign up.

Then Yu Mi asked a very crucial question.

“Do we need to dress a bit more anime-like? Will they be wearing cosplay?”

Xi Xiang Qing said: “Seems like some people will be cosplaying. We can just wear casual clothes. Don’t worry, you won’t be the only one in casual clothes.”

Yu Mi: “Okay.”

He asked again: “Will Senior Qi be going?”

Xi Xiang Qing: “Didn’t see him say anything in the group. Why? Do you want to see him?”

Yu Mi: “I don’t want to! If he’s going, I won’t go… too awkward.”

Xi Xiang Qing: “I asked around, seems like he didn’t sign up.”

Yu Mi breathed a sigh of relief, that’s good!

Then he opened a certain someone’s Douyin page to look at his works.

Senior had done a lot of game cosplays, so handsome… each one was so handsome.

Yu Mi scrolled for a long time, specifically looking for it, and found that the other had cosplayed several male characters from Sword Roar in the Jianghu, especially those with less fabric.

Each one was broad-chested and generous, practically at a Bodhisattva level.

The comment section was full of people drooling over his body, with a bunch of people posting those chest-burying, nipple-sucking emojis.

Yu Mi couldn’t help but copy one.

He couldn’t help but wonder, does Senior also play this game? Which server is he on? What faction does he play?

Senior, Senior, update soon, Senior.

*

The next day, Yu Mi put on a white short-sleeved shirt, an avocado corduroy jacket, white pants, and a pair of green and white sneakers, and went out looking all green.

There were a total of 12 people participating in the gathering, and they created a temporary group chat last night.

Everyone agreed to meet at the school gate.

From afar, Yu Mi saw someone cosplaying as Ran Mouri and Shinichi Kudo, and upon closer inspection, they were quite accurate.

He greeted them proactively, and everyone was surprised to see him.

“Do we have such a cute boy in our club?”

“So cute! What major are you in? What year?”

“Oh my god, your skin is so good!”

Yu Mi had been loved by everyone since he was a child, used to such scenes, and answered everyone’s questions seriously, also proactively inviting the two cosplayers to take photos together. Everyone was quite easygoing.

Before long, everyone arrived, and they all went to the cinema together. Once there, the vice president leading the group generously let everyone order popcorn and drinks.

Yu Mi hadn’t eaten breakfast, so he asked for a cup of popcorn.

Then everyone entered the screening room and sat down in order.

A few minutes later, the lights dimmed, and the movie began. Yu Mi was adjusting his seat when suddenly a pair of long legs passed in front of him and sat down to his right.

He instinctively glanced at the person, then continued adjusting his seat.

The cinema was dark, with the screen’s light and shadow illuminating everyone’s faces.

Three seconds later, Yu Mi realized something was wrong, looked to his right again, and met a pair of calm eyes.

Then there was that signature long wolf-tail mullet.

“Qi…”

Yu Mi suddenly felt terrible.

How could someone just show up without signing up?!

Some awkward memories began to attack him, and he stiffly curved his lips, greeting the other: “Hello, Senior…”

The other leaned back in the chair, nodding at him: “Hello, Junior.”

Yu Mi: “!!!”

He was actually getting back at him!

In a fit of anger, he got angry for a moment, but since he was in the wrong first, he didn’t dare do anything to the other, so he turned to look at the screen, grabbed a handful of popcorn with his right hand, and quickly stuffed it into his mouth, trying to ease his embarrassment.

What was the movie about, who died, how did they die, what was Conan doing… he didn’t pay attention at all, it was like sitting on pins and needles.

He really wanted to go back, it would be better to go back and play Sword Roar in the Jianghu!

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Qi You’an leaning back in a relaxed posture, watching the movie screen intently.

The other wasn’t cosplaying, wearing casual clothes today, a loose casual shirt with a tie, and dark trousers, the color of which couldn’t be seen for now.

Yu Mi didn’t dare look too much, just kept eating popcorn.

This movie was so boring, Qi You’an turned to quietly watch the person beside him.

The junior was eating so happily.

Yu… Yu Mi eating popcorn, does that count as eating himself?

Then he was chilled by his own thought.

How could he have such a hellish thought?

Stop.

The aroma of caramel popcorn filled the screening room, all sweet.

Yu Mi kept eating until the movie ended, and the lights in the theater came on.

In the afternoon, everyone followed the planned itinerary to a newly opened arcade nearby to play. It was close, so they didn’t take a car, just walked over leisurely. On the way, the two cosplayers were even pulled by kids for photos.

Yu Mi walked at the back with familiar friends, chatting about their movie impressions.

Senior Qi walked ahead with people he knew.

Yu Mi stared at the person’s back.

The other had broad shoulders, long legs, and a tall posture… such an impressive back.

In the sunlight, he could see that Senior’s hair was blue-black, with the long part tied together with a blue hair tie, naturally hanging on his broad back, looking very neat and tidy.

Yu Mi wasn’t sure if the other’s hair color was blue-black when they first met, or if it was dyed recently.

His occupational disease kicked in, he really wanted to take a picture for drawing reference.

Really wanted to!

But he didn’t dare.

Everyone played happily in the arcade for the afternoon, taking many photos.

By six in the evening, the group flashed to a BBQ restaurant for dinner.

Yu Mi went to the restroom, and when he came out, he found that there was only a seat next to Qi You’an, so he had to sit there.

He put his bag down beside him.

Qi You’an noticed the badge on the junior’s backpack: “Do you play Sword Roar in the Jianghu?”

“Ah?” Yu Mi was stunned, about to nod, but suddenly remembered his “glorious” incident of being solo-killed by a healer and ridiculed by the entire server, so he quickly denied, “No, I don’t play, my computer doesn’t have enough memory. Oh, this badge I got from my roommate, he’s playing. I thought it was cute, so I asked for it.”

Qi You’an withdrew his gaze: “Oh.”

At this moment, his phone on the table lit up, the lock screen wallpaper fully visible.

The notification bar showed a message from someone named He Wenrui: [Pack up the leftovers for me.]

Yu Mi looked at his phone screen: “Does Senior play? I think I saw you cosplay on your page.”

“No.” Qi You’an said casually, “I heard it’s quite abstract, I haven’t played it.”

Sword Roar in the Jianghu’s official and players are quite abstract, often going viral with silly memes, so over time, players like to deny playing the game or pretend they haven’t played it on social platforms.

Hearing the junior’s question, Qi You’an instinctively said that.

He followed the junior’s gaze and saw his own wallpaper, saying with a straight face: “I’m a cloud player. The cosplay I did before was for a commercial event. This wallpaper I randomly saved online, it looked nice, is this Sword Roar in the Jianghu’s wallpaper?”

Yu Mi: “I think so, I’m not too sure. It does look nice.”

This was a fanart he drew before, with over ten thousand shares.

Thanks for the compliment, Senior… such good taste!

Yu Mi took a tactical sip of orange juice.

“Do you want it?” Qi You’an picked up his phone, unlocked it, and opened WeChat, “I can send you the original image?”

Yu Mi: “…”

“Sure,” he smiled, “thanks, Senior.”

Then he accepted the “original image” sent by the other.

Qi You’an casually said: “I can’t remember who the artist is, seems like there’s no watermark.”

To make it easy for fans to save as wallpaper, Yu Mi didn’t set a watermark with his Weibo nickname on the image, only hid a not very obvious and very scribbled signature in the drawing, which was hard to notice without looking closely.

Yu Mi took another sip of orange juice, thinking: You better never remember!

*

At 10:30 PM, Yu Mi returned to the dorm with a BBQ smell all over him.

The first thing he did was to remind Chen Ziming not to reveal to outsiders that he played Sword Roar in the Jianghu.

He thought Chen Ziming would be full of questions, but unexpectedly, the other agreed without asking.

“I understand,” Chen Ziming said, “our Sword Roar in the Jianghu is quite abstract… the official is abstract, the player community is also abstract, I don’t easily reveal that I play this outside either.”

Yu Mi felt relieved.

Today’s gathering was quite enjoyable, seeing handsome guys, playing fun games, getting his artwork recognized, and meeting a few new friends.

He went to take a shower first, then returned to his seat to log in and do daily tasks, still needing to work on his drawings later.

Unexpectedly, when he went to the main city to hand in a task, he was recognized again!

What happened yesterday repeated itself.

Yu Mi was dumbfounded.

He went to the world channel again to clarify that he wasn’t solo-killed by a healer!

But no one believed him.

At this moment, the system prompted: [Your friend What Are You has logged in.]

Yu Mi’s eyes lit up, as if he had found a lifeline.

[World] Tian Nuo Nuo: It was [What Are You] who killed me! It was him QAQ. Not a healer class!! [What Are You] say something!

[World] Wo Xi Fa Ge: [What Are You] do you claim responsibility for this?

[World] Jue Wang De Dao Dao: [What Are You] do you claim responsibility for this?

[World] Qian Qiu Xue: [What Are You] do you claim responsibility for this?

Qi You’an logged in and first noticed that his total number of friends seemed to have increased by one?

He studied it for a while.

Oh, the little newbie who refused his double ride added him as a friend.

Now they were mutual friends.

Then he noticed a bunch of people in the world channel copying his name, asking if he claimed responsibility for something?

What was he supposed to be responsible for?

Qi You’an was a bit confused, scrolling up with the mouse wheel to check the chat history, but the world channel messages refreshed too quickly, he couldn’t find the earlier ones, completely clueless.

[World] What Are You: Huh???

These three question marks instantly destroyed Yu Mi’s previous clarifications!

Other players were convinced this person was innocent.

Yu Mi panicked.

[World] Tian Nuo Nuo: I, Tian Nuo Nuo, was not solo-killed by a healer!!!

Everyone spammed: Okay, okay, [Tian Nuo Nuo] was not solo-killed by a healer. It wasn’t [Tian Nuo Nuo] who was solo-killed by a healer. Definitely not [Tian Nuo Nuo] who was solo-killed by a healer.

Yu Mi was at a loss for words.

This kind of copying his name was equivalent to @, and every time he was @, there would be a notification sound in his headphones.

Yu Mi was bombarded by the dense notification sounds, his head buzzing.

It’s over!

The shame of being solo-killed by a healer will never be washed away!

He sent a private chat to someone.

[Private Chat] Tian Nuo Nuo: Dare to do but not dare to admit, are you a man? #KnockKnock

[Private Chat] Tian Nuo Nuo: I, Tian Nuo Nuo, won’t let you off! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

Qi You’an typed: Little cutie, I just logged in…

Before he could send it, the system prompted: [Your friend Tian Nuo Nuo has logged off.]

Then he noticed that his total number of friends had decreased by one again.

He opened the friend list, filtered, and checked.

Oh, back to being one-sided friends again…

Qi You’an hovered the mouse over the last message from the other.

“I won’t let you off!” This sentence itself seemed very domineering. But, when putting on a tough act, adding one’s own ID, especially an ABB-style soft and cute ID like Tian Nuo Nuo.

It was like a little kitten puffing up.

Hiss… it was so cute.

The boy in front of the screen looked at that sentence, a smile appearing on his lips.

Alright, then don’t let me off, Tian Nuo Nuo.

——However, the little newbie named Tian Nuo Nuo never logged in again.