Translator: _Min_
After adding him as a friend, Si Fuqing used a teleportation scroll without a second thought, leaving the area and arriving at the location she had agreed upon with JI Xingzhi.
JI Xingzhi played an assassin character, also donning a mask.
Seeing her arrive, he immediately stood up.
[Party][JI]: Where have you been? It took you so long.
[Party][NINE]: Donât even ask. Ran into someone with the same name as me and got killed out of nowhere. If I wasnât so far behind him in levels, Iâd have pinned him to the ground and hammered him.
JI Xingzhi twitched at the corner of his eyes at the phrase âpinned him to the ground and hammered him.â
That was practically the bane of his life; not even his father or grandfather had ever beaten him like that.
He and NINE initially met in a virtual reality game.
The game was so realistic it even mimicked sensations of pain.
Although injuries wouldnât carry over into the real world, it took him a whole week to recover from their first meeting.
As they got to know each other, they realized they both played this game as well, occasionally teaming up for missions.
Ji Xingzhi was not good at keyboard-controlled games, so he was usually the one being carried.
But who would dare kill NINE the god?
He knew her capabilities; she could defeat level 120 players back when she was just level 80.
How strong must this max-level player be to one-shot NINE?n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Ji Xingzhi suddenly remembered something.
[Party][JI]: Wait, you said he had the same name as you?
[Party][NINE]: What about it? You know him?
[Party][JI]: I donât, but everyone in the game knows him. Youâre talking about the one with the single character âNine,â right? When he started sweeping the leaderboards, many thought he was your alt account.
[Party][JI]: But his combat style is vastly different from yours. Youâre all about brutal force, but this âNineâ plays elegantlyâkilling with the sound of his zither from miles away. A few of us who know you figured out you guys probably just share a favorite number.
Si Fuqing typed emotionlessly.
[Party][NINE]: Iâm one of a kind.
[Party][JI]: I know, I know. Not only are you one of a kind, youâre unparalleled in the world! Listen, you better level up fast. Weâre about to start a dungeon run, and youâll get one-shot by the boss at level 120.
Wearing an expression of icy detachment, Si Fuqing followed JI Xingzhi into the secret realm.
That dog white-clothed zither player, just wait.
Meanwhile.
In a small villa courtyard.
Inside the study.
Yu Xiheng sat in front of his computer.
He glanced at the screen, lowered his eyes, and gently swirled the hot tea in his cup.
âAh, youâre still playing this game?â Shen Xingjun walked in with a cup of coffee and caught sight of the game on the screen. âI must say, your interests are quite peculiar. People your age are usually into either stocks or car racing.â
âAnd here you are, playing video games just like your niece and nephew. You really havenât lost your childlike wonder, have you?â
âI play when Iâm bored,â Yu Xiheng responded noncommittally. âThis is all I can do now.â
Indeed, since heâd stopped going to the battlefield, his hands had grown restless.
Shen Xingjun naturally couldnât understand the deeper reasons behind this. He put down his coffee cup, âIs there some sort of event in the game right now? I just passed by Yu Tangâs room, and she seemed to be playing too. She ran into some difficulty; didnât you tell her you play?â
Yu Xiheng gave a curt nod, âNever mentioned it.â
âWhy not?â
âDonât want to carry her.â
Shen Xingjun was stunned. âWith an uncle like you, I almost feel sorry for her.â
Yu Xiheng glanced at the only friend listed in his in-game friend list. The corners of his eyes slightly narrowed.
After adding a friend, the nickname naturally couldnât be hidden.
A capitalized English word âNINEâ was followed by a string of honorific titles, too many to count.
He supported his head with one hand, his eyebrows twitching ever so slightly, and then logged out, closing the game interface.
The next moment, Yu Tang burst in excitedly, âUncle Nine, Uncle Nine! Can I borrow your villa after you leave? Iâm planning to stay in Lin City until the start of the university term.â
She had no desire to return to the Yu family.
But if she stayed out for too long, sheâd undoubtedly be forcibly taken back.
With Yu Xiheng backing her, itâd be different.
He had watched her grow up; the Yu family wouldnât object.
âWonât you be staying till August then?â Shen Xingjun was surprised. âWhat will you do here for so long?â
âNot necessarily till August,â Yu Tang counted on her fingers, âQingqing will finish recording her show in May. After that, sheâs going to Sijiu for a new show. So, I might just stay for two months.â
Shen Xingjun shook his head, âYou really are a dedicated fan.â
âAnyway,â Yu Xiheng interjected calmly, âyou can stay. Donât worry about the Yu family.â
Yu Tang was thrilled, âYay, Uncle Nine, I knew youâre the best!
She dashed out, shouting as she ran, âHang in there! Donât die! Iâm coming to heal you!â
Yu Xiheng took a slow sip of his tea, âDo you know why I donât want to team up with her?â
Shen Xingjun: â
Shen Xingjun understood now.
âSheâs unfortunate, her fatherâ¦â Shen Xingjun paused, remembering that her father was also Yu Xihengâs brother, and simply sighed, âItâs good that youâre there for her.â
âI can look after her for a while, not for a lifetime,â Yu Xiheng put down his teacup, his eyes steady. âNobody can accompany anyone forever.â
âWhy not have your family send her to the Thousand Army Alliance for some toughening up?â Shen Xingjun considered, âAh, but itâs too harsh for a girl.
Even the one from the Ji family, raised as a boy, was knocked down there.â
âNo need, being by her side is sufficient,â Yu Xiheng slightly smiled, composed.
âItâs even more effective than sending her to the Thousand Army Alliance.â
Shen Xingjun was puzzled, âWho?â
âItâs too late,â Yu Xiheng didnât answer, simply glancing upwards, âGo.â
Reluctantly, Shen Xingjun walked out.
After a few steps, he realized how easily he had complied.
It felt like facing Shiyan was like facing an emperor.
Shen Xingjun tapped his forehead.
He must be delusional.
He needed some good rest.
The fourth episode of âYouth With Youâ was pre-recorded , so the pressure wasnât too great.
These past few days, Si Fuqing enjoyed her leisure time. Every day, she exploited Xu Xiyun, and at night, she leveled up in âOracle.â On Friday, she clocked out at six in the evening as usual.
The moment she stepped out of the training baseâs main gate, Si Fuqing paused.
Her fox-like eyes narrowed as she looked across the street. First, she saw the icy-looking Zuo Xianyu.
There were also Zuo Tianfeng and Zuo Qingya, and even the elder Mrs. Zuo, whom she hadnât seen since she woke up.
Were they holding a family conference here?
Si Fuqing didnât linger. She hopped on a shared bike.
âQingqing! Wait!â The elder Mrs. Zuo immediately stepped forward, blocking her path. âQingqing, itâs all your uncleâs fault. He drove you out of the Zuo family behind my back. Iâve already given him a good scolding, and I want him to apologize to you.â
She spoke coldly, âZuo Tianfeng!â
Zuo Tianfeng felt incredibly wronged. To this moment, he couldnât understand Mrs. Zuoâs actions.
Yet he had no choice but to step forward, âQingqing, itâs all my fault. Uncle apologizes to you. Donât be angry anymore, come back to the Zuo family for Grandmaâs sake.â
Si Fuqing didnât even lift her eyes. Pushing the bike, she said, âMove.â
The elder Mrs. Zuo almost stumbled, saved only by the quick reflexes of Zuo Xianyu.
âWhat the hell are you trying to do, Si Fuqing?â Zuo Xianyu finally lost his temper. âWe all saw how Grandpa and Grandma treated you over the years. Grandpa is gone, and now youâre stretching your wings? Grandma herself is inviting you back, and youâre not appreciative?!â
People passing by and the staff from the show began to take notice.
A sharp âslapâ resounded.
Si Fuqing stopped her bike and calmly rolled up her sleeves..