The Gamer’s Confession

Meanwhile, in a girls’ dormitory at S Province University.

“Xiyue, are you going to sleep?”

Turning off her computer, the black-haired girl stretched languidly, easing the stiffness in her wrists.

She turned her head, observing her roommate excitedly browsing a shoe trading forum.

“Yeah, it’s getting late. Hey, Su Xiao, why aren’t you binging dramas tonight? Why the sudden interest in shoes? Are you thinking of getting a gift for a boyfriend?”

“That’s right, I’m in love! Even if it’s unrequited, I believe no boy can resist the allure of AJs!”

Xiyue found this utterly perplexing. Su Xiao, a staunch feminist and a proud ‘solo since birth’ woman, had suddenly developed an interest in men.

“Weren’t you a proud advocate of refined singlehood? Why the sudden romance?”

Su Xiao scoffed, “That was merely my excuse to ward off simps. I absolutely detest those penniless guys who still insist on being simps—they’re truly irritating. Instead of wasting time chatting, they should focus on studying and improving their skills; then, perhaps, I might deign to give them a second glance.”

“Indeed,” Xiyue conceded. “If you’ve already expressed disinterest, yet they still cling, it’s quite off-putting. However, that senior student was so sincere and well-off. Why did you reject him so decisively?”

Su Xiao bashfully covered her face. “That senior has a wonderful personality and is very capable. Though he’s a bit poor, I can accept that. He’s a hundred times better than those utterly awful, self-unaware simps. But I’m a sucker for good looks! How could I possibly fall for anyone before my true ‘Goddess’ charms me?”

“…”

Xiyue understood her best friend’s eccentricities all too well. Having been brainwashed by television dramas for years, Su Xiao held herself to an impossibly high standard. In her mind, her ‘Goddess’ was destined to be with her; they just hadn’t had the chance to meet. Thus, her single status wasn’t her problem, but the ‘Goddess’s.’

“So, who have you fallen for?”

“It’s a cute little boy…”

Su Xiao fidgeted, much like a young girl experiencing her first crush. Yet, describing it as a ‘first crush’ wasn’t entirely wrong; after all, she was a fickle woman whose ‘first love’ changed with every popular young idol. This was likely her first time falling for a real-life boy.

However, seeing Su Xiao’s flushed face, the drool escaping her lips, and her dangerously gleeful expression, Xiyue sensed something amiss.

A cute little boy?

“Let me ask you first: how old is this ‘little boy’ you’re talking about?”

Su Xiao mused, “Around fourteen, I think?”

“…”

“You know that’s a crime, right?”

Su Xiao nonchalantly replied, “Women don’t get convicted for that.”

The well-read Xiyue sighed. “No, that’s called molestation, and if committed against a minor, it’s subject to aggravated penalties.”

“If it’s not a death sentence, why can’t I do as I please? I might be locked up for a few years, but I’ll leave him with lifelong psychological trauma, ensuring he can never forget me. Ah, it’s truly wonderful to be a girl!”

“Forget it. Just be happy, I suppose. I just think a weird auntie like you has no chance.”

“You simply don’t understand the advantages of an older partner! What if that little boy actually likes someone like me? And he has an older sister! I can perfectly fulfill his yearning for a big sister.”

“You?” Xiyue asked with pity. “Aren’t you a giant baby yourself? You can’t even wash your own clothes, you can’t cook, you can’t do anything.”

“Waaah, I don’t want to be a giant baby! But my family is wealthy, so the nanny does everything. I’m an only child, and my parents spoil me rotten; I can’t help but not grow up!”

Xiyue’s brow twitched. I really want to hit you.

Su Xiao quickly changed the subject. “Hehe, but Xiyue, are you done with your tasks? I thought I heard a girl’s voice just now.”

Xiyue replied helplessly, “Things went beyond my expectations.”

“What happened?”

Xiyue, uncharacteristically nervous, carefully chose her words.

“You know there’s a demon lord in the game I play, right?”

“Mhm. I heard they’re a foul-mouthed bully who commits all sorts of evil.”

“We were in a PK tonight.”

Su Xiao nodded. “Got it. You totally thrashed them, right? Xiyue, you’re the best gamer among us girls. I remember you won awards in some competitions when you were in junior high. If you hadn’t still been in school and a minor back then, you’d probably be an esports player by now.”

Xiyue recalled her past, a touch of melancholy stirring within her.

“Yes, it’s a bit of a shame. The barrier to entry for girls in esports is too high. Boys don’t care if a girl is skilled; they care if she’s pretty. Clubs have their own considerations, so I can only be a lone wolf in online games, posting small guides.”

“And then?”

“Then they called for backup, but I still crushed them. At that point, players from other guilds also arrived, seeking revenge.”

“Oh, that’s a bit thrilling. I’m starting to feel sorry for them.”

“What I’m about to tell you next, please don’t be surprised.”

“I’m an old fandom veteran. Nothing can surprise me.”

“They confessed to me.”

“Yoooooooooooooo!”

Su Xiao, who had shrieked in surprise, immediately clapped a hand over her mouth. Her roommates were still sleeping!

“I remember you play a male character, right? And didn’t you say they were a man?”

“Exactly. That’s why I was a bit flustered at first. I thought they had already figured out my identity.”

“Then what?”

Su Xiao was fully engrossed in the gossip, and the roommates who had just been woken up remained silent, secretly perking their ears to listen.

Lin Xiyue, the Paladin with the ID Xiyue, was not only an academic ace and a gaming big shot but also came from a scholarly family, making her the epitome of a perfect young lady in their dorm. They had always been curious about Xiyue’s love life but were too embarrassed to ask. Now, they finally had the chance for a traditional girls’ dormitory activity: late-night talks.

Their gossipy hearts burned brightly.

“I thought they were gay, so I asked them to turn on their voice chat.”

“So? That beautiful girl’s voice was…?”

“That’s right, she’s a girl…”

“Hahahahaha, I never thought you’d see the day!”

Su Xiao laughed until her stomach hurt. They had been best friends since junior high, and she knew her roommate was a sheltered young lady who understood nothing about romance. Although Xiyue was incredibly beautiful, boys kept their distance from her.

She was too kind and pure, to the point where boys felt that even harboring thoughts of her was sacrilege. They could only treat her like a saint, to be admired from afar but never touched.

Lin Xiyue was no ‘white lotus’; she possessed high emotional intelligence, a gentle nature, and a good sense of humor. Yet, she seemed uninterested in romance, treating the opposite s*x with detached coolness—a typical ice queen.

This was her first confession, and it was from another girl. Su Xiao guessed her best friend’s inner world must have been in utter chaos.

“So, how do you plan to respond?”

Xiyue fell into contemplation. Su Xiao, meanwhile, took a sip of water.

“I plan to get to know that girl.”

“Pfft!”