Chapter 679: New Ranking (1/2)

Swhoosh!

After I returned to Sky City, I looked at the arrow holes and blade marks on my armor and decided to repair my equipment first. My Cyan Netherworld Sword was chipped all along the edge as well. As the player with the highest kill count of the territory war, my weapon suffered the most damage out of everyone. Not even a divine weapon could live without repair and maintenance, especially since my sword had destroyed heaven knows how many armors during this battle.

Beep!

He Yi sent me a message: ”It’s late, and both Beiming and Mingyue are howling in starvation! Log off soon so we can go for supper!”

”Okay! I’ll be there soon!”

I quickly repaired my equipment and restocked my potions and consumables. Then, I went to an inn and logged out.

I took off my gaming helmet and sucked in a deep breath. Another great war, another massive strain on my poor body. I stretched my arms and punched the air a couple of times, but they lacked any force behind them. Man, gaming professionally can be so harmful to the body. I should work out more in the future.

……

The girls were already fully dressed up and ready to go by the time I walked out of the room. We took off immediately after I joined them.

We hopped into my X12 as usual. He Yi’s Lamborghini was way too conspicuous for a casual supper, and all cars eventually rusted away if left unused.

It was past 8 pm in the night. We chose a hotpot restaurant for our meal.

The girls’ faces looked flushed behind the steam bubbling from the soup. It was a sight beautiful enough to put in a painting.

Sometime during the supper, He Yi got up and ordered two bottles of red wine. When she came back, she smiled at me and offered, ”Today’s a day worthy of a celebration, Lu Chen. Wanna drink with me?”

Startled, I replied, ”Drinking? But… it’s supper, and drinking this late is bad for the skin. I don’t care about that, but you… Also, people usually drink to forget their sorrows, not the other way around, right?”

Beside me, Murong Mingyue elbowed me in the rib before scolding me, ”Stupid, Eve is offering you a drink exactly because she knows you’re not feeling well today. Why are you so stupid?”

A bitter but slightly sweet scent flowed down my throat. The wine was extremely good, but I couldn’t quite feel it due to the jumbled thoughts in my mind right now.

He Yi kept up with me as I drank again and again. It wasn’t long before we finished both bottles and felt a bit dizzy.

”Alright, it’s time to go home! Give me your keys. I’ll drive.”

After giving Murong Mingyue my car key, I lifted He Yi to her feet and supported her. Beiming Xue also came over to support me just in case I was feeling wobbly on my feet. While we were walking to the entrance, she said in a small voice, ”Big bro, it will be fine. Sister Lin Yixin isn’t going away forever. She will come back.”

I put my head-on Beiming Xue’s shoulder and murmured, ”I feel like I disappointed her, and boss even more so. I just don’t know what to do…”

Beiming Xue snorted. ”At least you’re self-aware. Personally, I think you should just continue being yourself. I can see that both Sister He Yi and Sister Lin Yixin like you. The question is… if your feelings for Lin Yixin are real, then what about He Yi?”

”...” I didn’t give her a reply.

I looked at the starry sky above my head as the chilly wind of autumn blew against my skin. Murong Mingyue had left to get the car, and He Yi was leaning on a street lamp while we waited. Her head was tilted, and her black coat was hanging sideways on her shoulders.

I walked up to her and held her shoulders gently. ”Boss?”

She rubbed her eyes and looked up with a smile. ”What’s wrong?”

I felt like a knife went through my heart when I saw the tear stains at the corner of her eyes. However, I didn’t know what I could say to make her feel better. In the end, I looked at the ground beneath my feet and apologized, ”Sorry, I…”

”Don’t. You didn’t let down anyone.”

He Yi’s eyes were full of meaning as she smiled at me. ”Love is a reward, not a cost. That’s why I don’t think about it too much…”

”Mn,” I replied noncommittally.

The car finally came, and He Yi got into the car. However, Murong Mingyue got out of the driver’s seat, passed me a bottle of water and pressed me against the wall all of a sudden. She stared at me closely before asking, ”Both Eve and Beiming Xue are inside the car, so you can tell me the truth now: Do you love Eve or not? I won’t let anyone bully her, you hear me?”

”Cut it out, sis…”

I brushed aside her hands and said, ”I don’t know the answer to that myself, so please don’t push me, okay?”

”Oh?” Murong Mingyue’s eyes gleamed with cunning as she tilted her head at me. ”Let me ask you a question then: Does your heart hurt when Eve is unwell?”

I pursed my lips and sighed. ”Yes, a lot…”

”Then don’t hurt her!” Murong Mingyue shot me a glare before finally pulling away from me. Before she went back to the driver’s seat, she said, ”Stupid boy, you don’t even know how much you love Eve…”

I didn’t know what to say. Beiming Xue came out and pulled me into the car.

……

He Yi sat up and looked at us. ”Mingyue, what were you and Lu Chen talking about?”

Murong Mingyue shrugged before answering, ”Nothing. It’s just some random talk.”

He Yi eyed her a bit warily. ”I’m warning you, my business with Lu Chen is ours to handle. If you interfere…”

Unperturbed by the threat, Murong Mingyue buckled her seat belt and puffed out her chest. ”Oh, are you finally going to lay a hand on me?”

Amused and exasperated, He Yi slowly leaned back into her seat before saying, ”Anyway, don’t make things harder for Lu Chen than they already are. He’s a muddle-headed guy, he’ll get confused if he listens to too many voices.”

”I’m not muddle-headed…” I uttered suddenly as I clenched my fists.

”Oh? What are you doing?” Murong Mingyue turned to look at me.