“A-choo.
Having just logged into the game, Tian Jiu stood behind Yan, and before she could even greet him, a strange sensation suddenly tickled her nose.
She lifted a small hand to cover her face, letting out a soft sneeze.
“G-good afternoon, Yan.”
Her cheeks flushed slightly, as if she felt her actions had been a little impolite.
“Good afternoon, little Tian Jiu.”
Only then did Yan notice Tian Jiu’s arrival, turning to look at her with concern.
“What’s wrong? Do you have a cold?”
“Can bodies in this game actually catch colds?”
Xiao chimed in playfully, making Tian Jiu’s face redden further.
“N-no cold. Maybe someone’s just talking about me…”
As the saying goes, a sneeze means ‘someone’s thinking of you, someone’s cursing you, or you’re catching a cold’ (TL Note: A common Chinese superstition linking sneezes to others’ thoughts or one’s health). It was truly adorable that Tian Jiu still believed in such a notion.
Yan couldn’t help but ruffle Tian Jiu’s hair, and she, still blushing, settled into the seat opposite him.
“Apple pie, perhaps?”
Yan smiled, looking at Tian Jiu, intent on helping her order.
“N-no, it’s alright, I can do it myself.”
Tian Jiu waved her hand self-consciously.
“Alright then.”
Yan shrugged with feigned helplessness, putting on a thoroughly disappointed expression.
“I was thinking since my adorable little Tian Jiu was willing to accompany me to the afternoon matches, I wanted to treat you to something as a thank-you. But if Tian Jiu isn’t accepting, then I suppose there’s nothing I can do~”
“N-no… that’s not what I meant…”
Watching Tian Jiu’s predictably flustered and endearing reaction, Yan smiled faintly.
“Then just sit still and eat as much as you like.”
“O-okay…”
Tian Jiu lowered her crimson cheeks, obediently waiting for Yan to order her meal.
“Oh, Yan, and who might this be?”
Xiao glanced at Tian Jiu with a hint of curiosity, then turned her questioning gaze towards Yan.
It was only then that Yan remembered he hadn’t properly introduced them.
“This is Tian Jiu, a newbie Priest player. Xiao-dalao (TL Note: A respectful honorific, often used for skilled players or seniors) and Guan Ying-dalao, if you get the chance later, please take good care of Tian Jiu. And no bullying her, alright?”
Yan joked, introducing Tian Jiu to Xiao and Guan Ying.
“I wouldn’t bully her…”
Xiao gave a wry smile, seeming slightly bothered by the joke. It appeared she still felt a pang of guilt about knocking Qing Bai off the arena, making her quite sensitive to topics like this when brought up by Yan.
Yan merely smiled dismissively, then turned his attention back to Tian Jiu.
“Tian Jiu, this is ‘Xiao,’ and this is ‘Guan Ying.'”
Tian Jiu shyly nodded to the two of them.
“H-hello…”
This little one was still a bit timid around strangers, though she was much better than when they first met.
Yan looked at Tian Jiu, a soft smile gracing his lips.
“Don’t let their current demeanor fool you; Xiao and Guan Ying are both incredibly strong players.”
“Hey, what do you mean by ‘current demeanor’?”
Xiao’s retort was selectively ignored by Yan.
“I know. Both of you have fought against Yan, right? I saw it on the big screen.”
Tian Jiu shifted her gaze back to Yan, nodding. She took a breath, speaking in a way that seemed to make her more comfortable.
“Ah… don’t even mention it. It was a crushing defeat; it almost made me lose confidence in this game.”
Guan Ying shook his head, appearing utterly dejected.
It wasn’t as exaggerated as he made it sound, Yan thought, giving a helpless, wry smile.
“Just luck, pure luck…”
“Speaking of which, Yan and Tian Jiu seem to have a really good relationship, don’t they?”
Xiao took another sip of her cappuccino, her gaze playfully darting between Yan and Tian Jiu.
“Could it be…”
“It’s not what you’re thinking.”
Yan replied instantly.
“Ayyy~”
Xiao drew out the sound playfully, then quickly lost interest, answering casually.
“Is that so?”
‘Well, this fellow was probably just joking to get back at me for my impolite question about her relationship with Guan Ying earlier.
‘While I don’t particularly mind such jokes, it wouldn’t be good for Tian Jiu to misunderstand.’
Yan glanced helplessly at Tian Jiu across from him. Even though Xiao hadn’t finished her joke, the simple phrase “really good relationship” was enough to make Tian Jiu’s face flush crimson, as she buried her head, silently savoring the apple pie that had just been served.
“Getting back to it, are you two also planning to watch the afternoon matches?”
Yan asked, looking at Xiao and Guan Ying.
“Yes, of course. We want to observe the fighting styles of the five arena masters this afternoon, so Xiao will have an easier time during her match.”
Guan Ying nodded, and with his movement, a slight ripple disturbed the calm surface of the tea in his cup.
“It seems our thoughts are aligned,” Yan said with a smile.
“Naturally. In ‘Companion God’s Realm’ (TL Note: The name of the game, ‘Bansheng Shenjie’), when players are of similar levels, the most crucial factor influencing victory is the compatibility of both sides’ Companion-tier skills, isn’t it?”
Xiao spread her hands, stating this. Yan was about to nod in agreement when a clear, high-pitched female voice from behind answered first.
“That’s certainly true, otherwise, this young lady wouldn’t have lost so miserably.”
Yan turned his head, his vision filled with Qing Bai’s fiery red curly hair. He couldn’t help but smile at her slightly puffed-out cheeks.
“Good afternoon, Miss Qing Bai.”
“Hmph.”
Qing Bai grunted, then turned and sat down opposite Yan, next to Tian Jiu.
“Don’t call me something so strange, Mr. Game Addict.”
“Alright, Qing Bai.”
Yan smiled helplessly, pulling up the menu.
“Want a cola?”
“Can’t you tell by the name?”
Qing Bai rolled her eyes at him, then averted her gaze, quietly watching Xiao at the adjacent wooden table.
Yan gave a wry smile and ordered a cola.
“Just so you know! This young lady hasn’t given up! Once I’ve worked hard and become stronger, I’ll definitely challenge you again!”
Qing Bai defiantly clenched her small pink fists, waving them towards Xiao.
“And then, I’ll defeat you!”
“Mm, I’ll be waiting for that day.”
Xiao replied with a serene smile.
‘Qing Bai will work hard to become stronger, but does that mean she’ll stand still?
‘Of course not. Later in the game, when both believe they have sufficient strength, they will have a grand, exhilarating PK match.’
Both battle maniacs looked forward to it.
“Hah! What a lively place here. Oh? Let me see, isn’t this [Gunner] and [Sword-Light Wielder]?”
A deep, excited yet robust voice came from the coffee shop entrance. The moment Yan heard it, he recalled the person’s appearance.
Watching the Sword-Shield Player walk quickly to the two tables, his highly distinctive Xuan Stone Greatshield in hand, Yan smiled and waved at him.
“Yo, [Immovable Bunker].”
Yan greeted An Dong with a smile, along with Lian beside him.
“And [Divine Eye Archer]?”
“Ah, ah, forget it, forget it. Is being called by a nickname really that embarrassing? Please spare me, Yan. I won’t call you by yours, so don’t call me by mine either.”
An Dong seemed unable to bear the internal shame, covering his face and begging for mercy.
“What’s wrong? You seemed quite enthusiastic about it just now.”
Yan gave An Dong a mischievous grin.
“Are you two also planning to watch the arena battles later?”
“Ah, yes.”
An Dong nodded.
‘As expected, everyone thought the same thing,’ Yan felt no surprise.
“Aren’t these the arena masters from the morning’s first and fifth arenas?”
Xiao’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.
“Yan, how do you know everyone? So, no matter which arena I challenge, I’ll just be fighting your friends?”
“Not entirely…”
Yan scratched his head, a little embarrassed.
“Which one isn’t?”
Xiao frowned, slightly displeased.
“The one who isn’t here… what was their name again…”
Yan lowered his head, deep in thought, then suddenly, as if recalling it, he sharply lifted his head.
“Ah! It’s that [Fist Master] Yi Yi! I don’t know him…”
“His name is Ivan…”
Qing Bai’s eyebrows twitched helplessly. That golden-haired shota (TL Note: A Japanese term for a young, attractive boy, often used in a descriptive or affectionate way) melee mage had left a deep impression on her.
“Ah, right, Ivan. Why isn’t that guy here?”
Yan laughed awkwardly.
“It would be better for him to also understand his opponents’ fighting styles in advance, wouldn’t it?”
“Well, who knows?”
Xiao tilted her head.
“Maybe he’s already gone?”
“Ah, but it’s only just two o’clock. We’re only watching the last few matches to see the arena masters anyway, so why go so early?”
An Dong looked confused.
“Ah…”
Qing Bai suddenly let out a soft sigh of realization.
“What’s wrong?”
Yan looked at her, puzzled.
“I added him as a friend after the match, and he’s online now…”
Qing Bai stared blankly at the friend interface before her, then her expression shifted to one of sudden understanding.
“He seems to be just like his appearance, a young shota (TL Note: A Japanese term for a young, attractive boy, often used in a descriptive or affectionate way) who doesn’t think too much!”
“That silly child probably really did go and wait at the venue early.”
‘Oh, wow.’
‘No way…’
Yan couldn’t help but smile wryly, a mix of amusement and exasperation.