"I think I've mistaken you for someone else." Yan Chi's smile was a little stiff. He took a few steps back, distancing himself from the overly enthusiastic Mr. Zhu. "The one I'm talking about is a celebrity."
Zhu Ge Yun quickly pointed to himself. "Yes, I am! I am a celebrity! Look at my face! Although I'm a bit down on my luck now, I still have my face!"
His manager had told him that as long as he had his face, he would still be a star.
Since entering the game, Zhu Ge Yun had completely said goodbye to his glorious past. He was constantly being chased by ghosts or begging for mercy from all sorts of monsters. If it weren't for meeting this fan today, Zhu Ge Yun would have almost forgotten that he was still a celebrity.
Zhu Ge Yun grabbed Yan Chi's hand. Yan Chi instantly became alert. Seeing that Zhu Ge Yun showed no hostility, he used his eyes to stop the restless pink mushrooms and white rabbits.
"Believe me, I am Zhu Ge Yun!" Zhu Ge Yun blurted out everything his manager had strictly forbidden him from saying. "My parents named me this to make it sound smarter. After my debut, fans all thought my surname was Zhu Ge. I wanted to explain, but my manager wouldn't let me..."
"He said the surname Zhu Ge sounds impressive, and he also thinks I should talk less on shows because he thinks talking reveals my stupidity, so he created a cold, aloof, and noble persona for me."
Yan Chi: "..."
So it was all a persona.
Yan Chi's dream of becoming a fan was completely shattered. Looking at Zhu Ge Yun, who was desperately trying to prove his identity, he nodded helplessly. "Okay, okay, I understand. I believe you are Zhu Ge Yun."
Zhu Ge Yun's face was beaming with a smile that seemed to come out of nowhere. He awkwardly pulled out a pen. "So, do you want my autograph?"
How could he not? Yan Chi, seeing Zhu Ge Yun's expectant gaze, was worried that the boy would cry if he refused. After all, Zhu Ge Yun was a celebrity he used to admire, and Yan Chi didn't want to hurt him too much.
Yan Chi took out a small notepad he always carried. "Then sign it here."
Zhu Ge Yun had been waiting for this moment. He scribbled his signature in a flourish and solemnly handed the notepad back to Yan Chi with both hands.
"Th-thank you..."
Yan Chi stuffed the notepad back into his pocket, turned around, placed the flowerpot he was carrying on the ground, and put the little white rabbits and pink mushrooms inside.
The short-haired girl, Dai Zhu, looked at Yan Chi scrutinizingly. "You're not crazy."
Yan Chi, carrying a small flowerpot, turned and said helplessly, "...I don't think I ever said I was crazy, did I?"
"Sorry." Dai Zhu realized her statement was inappropriate and hurriedly bowed in apology. "It's just...we saw you talking to the mushrooms and rabbits."
She glanced at the two pink crystal mushrooms and the little white rabbits in the flowerpot, which looked like toys. They couldn't possibly be playing house, could they?
Yan Chi felt embarrassed. Using lectures to relieve stress was a habit he developed in college. He sometimes even recited ancient poems to his teddy bear. He did seem a bit eccentric...no wonder they misunderstood.
Yan Chi touched his nose and explained apologetically, "I'm a teacher, I have a bit of an occupational obsession."
Oh, he's a teacher. That's understandable then.
Dai Zhu nodded and apologized again for misunderstanding Yan Chi.
[Not crazy, just a teacher, but this teacher is really good-looking, like a long-haired calico cat with built-in eyeliner.]
[Kitty, kitty, let me rub your soft paw pads, okay?]
[Huh? I can't find this cat teacher's live stream, have you guys found it?]
[Damn, I can't find his player ID either... Is he really a player?]
[Ahhh, how could it be this NPC?! Streamer, run! He might be a super S-class BOSS!]
[…]
After this player, who had previously watched the [Yunzhou] live stream, reminded them, the other viewers were silent for a moment, then quickly spammed "Run!" in the live stream chat.
However, Zhu Ge Yun and the other two didn't have the habit of checking the chat, so they were completely unaware of this news. All three of them had a very good impression of Yan Chi, especially Zhu Ge Yun, who rarely encountered a fan in a dungeon and was exceptionally attentive to Yan Chi.
"I've already reached B-rank, don't worry, I'll definitely protect you," Zhu Ge Yun assured Yan Chi, patting his chest.
Yan Chi thought there might be a misunderstanding. "You don't need to protect me, I'm A-rank, I can protect myself."
"Holy crap, you're A-rank?!" Zhu Ge Yun exclaimed, a little embarrassed, and shuffled over to Yan Chi. "Then... then can you protect me?"
Yan Chi: "...Huh?"
Wasn't this guy just a second ago confidently promising to protect him?
Zhu Ge Yun lowered his head shyly. "If I, a B-rank, encounter an A-rank BOSS, I'm definitely useless, so can you help us? The three of us are all B-rank, we definitely won't hold you back."
As he spoke, he glanced at Yan Chi, who was even shorter than him, feeling proud of him. His fans were amazing!
Yan Chi: "..."
Why are all the players he encounters... a little off?
Not only was Yan Chi internally criticizing Zhu Ge Yun, but his viewers in the livestream were also furious with his performance.
【Dude, is it possible that he's actually the BOSS?】
【I can't watch this anymore! How can anyone be so stupid! Don't they have any suspicions at all? In this desolate wilderness, they just assume anyone is their comrade?】
【Uh… I've watched these three streamers for a long time. None of them are very bright, but they're incredibly lucky.】
【Is foolishness sometimes a sign of good fortune?】
The curly-haired player, who had just been calling Yan Chi a lucky idiot, sneezed. He rubbed his nose and muttered, "Is it too much pollen? I feel like I'm getting rhinitis."
Yan Chi thought for a moment and decided not to reveal his identity. "I'm not going with you. You should leave now."
He turned to walk towards the tree, but the next second his wrist was grabbed. Yan Chi was getting impatient, hesitating whether to just say he was an NPC and scare the players away.
But as soon as he turned around, Yan Chi saw Zhu Ge Yun's face turn deathly pale. His voice trembled, "A wolf... a huge wolf."
Yan Chi followed his gaze and saw a ferocious giant wolf standing not far away. It looked to be at least five meters tall, with smooth, supple fur, staring at them with its long, narrow yellow eyes.
What first caught Yan Chi's attention was the basket tied to its back with vines, and the air seemed to carry the aroma of roasted meat.
Roasted meat…could it be from Sethia?
Just as Yan Chi was about to take a step forward, Zhu Ge Yun grabbed him and started running. Yan Chi was startled and almost tripped over his own feet, but Zhu Ge Yun caught him in time, regaining his balance.
Zhu Ge Yun frantically shouted, "Run! Run!"
He was incredibly strong, and his long legs carried him with incredible speed. Before Yan Chi could react, he was dragged headlong into the woods.
Zhu Ge Yun's companions, equally fearless, followed closely behind.
The giant wolf was just about to carry the roasted meat its leader had entrusted to Yan Chi from its back when it turned around and all the people in front of it had vanished. The giant wolf jumped up in shock and hurriedly sniffed the air, giving chase.
"Boom—"
The ground began to shake. A massive collapse occurred at the boundary between [I] and [No Man's Land]. [I] was moving faster this time than before.
Someone actually tried to kidnap a child right in front of it?! It was furious.
The inner world of [I] was pitch black. Shen Mingsu and Xing Zhinan were completely unaware of what was happening outside. They groped their way forward in the dark. Shen Mingsu was anxious to see Yan Chi. "Where is Yan Qingyuan now?"
"How should I know?" Xing Zhinan followed his memory. "This should be the right path. There used to be a locust grove here. I guess all those trees are gone now. If they were still here..."
Hearing his wistful words, Shen Mingsu pressed, "What would happen if they were still here?"
"You'd bump into them."
"..."
Even though Xing Zhinan couldn't see Shen Mingsu's expression, he could imagine his speechless look. He chuckled twice. "I'm telling the truth. When Li Xian and I came to visit Yan Qingyuan, we often bumped into trees. The route we took each time was different."
Shen Mingsu: "Then how can you be sure we're on the right path now?"
"I'm not sure." Xing Zhinan sighed, "Anyway, there must be a way to Yan Qingyuan. Have some patience, Old Shen, he's your father-in-law."
Shen Mingsu was indeed a little impatient. "Hurry up, Xiao Chi is still waiting outside. I'm worried about him."
Xing Zhinan: "It's alright, isn't Sethia outside too? With him there, Xiao Chi will definitely be fine."
After groping around in the darkness for an unknown amount of time, a faint light suddenly appeared before them. Shen Mingsu and Xing Zhinan quickened their pace, walking towards the light.
A bamboo door appeared before them. A smile appeared on Xing Zhinan's face. "It's here."
He pushed the door open, while Shen Mingsu stood nervously to the side.
Yan Qingyuan was definitely behind the door. What should he say when he saw him? If he directly said that he genuinely liked Yan Chi, anyone could say such superficial things, and Yan Qingyuan might not even believe him.
Or should he bring some gifts like a human would?
Shen Mingsu pondered. The bamboo door in front of him was wide open. He instinctively held his breath. It was too late to find the gift now. Besides, his first priority was to avoid being kicked out by Yan Qingyuan.
Xing Zhinan: "Let's go."
It was an elegant little courtyard. The moment the two stepped inside, a fragrant aroma wafted over them. The osmanthus tree, with its layers of lush green leaves dotted with pale yellow blossoms, had been there for a long time, casting a shimmering golden glow on the ground and eaves.
This was the only source of light in the entire world.
Under the lush osmanthus tree, a slender figure lay quietly on a recliner. Yan Qingyuan's eyes were closed, his long chestnut hair falling to the ground, golden osmanthus petals landing on it.
Except for being a little pale, he looked no different from when he was asleep.
Xing Zhinan squatted down beside Yan Qingyuan. "You…"
His mouth, which had just opened, closed when he saw the scar on Yan Qingyuan's neck. Yan Qingyuan's skin, like Yan Chi's, was a pale, cold white, making the scar stand out starkly, like an ugly centipede in the snow.
Xing Zhinan's expression darkened. He took a few deep breaths, then turned and kicked the tree trunk hard.
Leaves and petals fell one after another.
"You wouldn't listen to a word I said! Now, everything's fine? You're as stubborn as a mule! How many times do I have to tell you? Li Xian and I are real, existing beings!"
Xing Zhinan grew angrier with each word, wishing he could shake Yan Qingyuan awake right now and give him a good scolding, until he cried!
Xing Zhinan, still not satisfied, said, "You threw your child at the orphanage gate and committed suicide, so why don't you let Xiao Chi see what you're like now? Are you afraid of him? Ha, that's really strange, seeing you afraid."
Shen Mingsu stood by, not daring to utter a sound, but when he heard Xing Zhinan accusing Yan Qingyuan of abandoning Yan Chi, he nodded slightly.
"If you don't want him, just give him to me, I'll definitely take good care of him."
"Let me tell you, Teacher Xiao Chi is quite successful now, able to manage a whole class of students. Managing you will be more than enough! You won't dare disobey my orders! Humph! Your good days are over."
Xing Zhinan cursed for half an hour before finally managing to vent his anger. He began to check Yan Qingyuan's physical condition. As he held Yan Qingyuan's arm, his brows furrowed deeper and deeper, and finally, in anger, he kicked a tree trunk.
Shen Mingsu: "How is he? When will he wake up?"
"It's absolutely terrible." Xing Zhinan lifted Yan Qingyuan from the recliner; he was so light, as if he were just a shell, easily blown away by a gust of wind.
After escorting Yan Qingyuan inside, Xing Zhinan turned and occupied the recliner, sighing, "This madman probably doubted even himself in the end; he brought this upon himself."
Shen Mingsu leaned against the tree trunk, his brow furrowed. "Wasn't [I] saving him?"
"It needs too much energy. We need to find a small, lifeless world for it to devour."
"How about the Azure Sea?" Shen Mingsu looked up at him. "Xi Chang's hometown, but it's now a dead world. Let [I] devour it, and when Yan Qingyuan wakes up, I can have him resurrect the mermaids who died in the sea."
Xing Zhinan considered for a moment. "Okay."
He stood up and patted the trunk of the osmanthus tree twice. "Did you hear that? Go to the Azure Sea."
Meanwhile, outside, Yan Chi and Zhu Ge Yun stood on tree branches, about ten meters above the ground, while a giant wolf searched for them at their feet.
Seeing Yan Chi frown, Zhu Ge Yun assumed he was worried about them and explained, "Don't worry, I bought some temporary invisibility items for us; it won't be able to find us."
Sure enough, the giant wolf carefully sniffed under the tree where they were standing, then lowered its head and prepared to leave.
"Awoo?"
Another gray wolf jumped out, and the two wolves howled at each other for a while. Yan Chi watched from the tree, curious about their howls, wanting to know what they were saying.
Then, the wolf howls automatically switched to Mandarin in Yan Chi's ears.
The gray wolf, carrying a basket, whimpered and sobbed, "I haven't found the boss's teacher, and I haven't delivered the roasted meat in the basket. Will the boss eat me?"
His companion said, "Why don't you look around again? Maybe they're still here. Your nose isn't very good; I'll look."
The gray wolf's companion pressed his nose to the ground, sniffing the surrounding area, doubting his own existence. "Strange, the scent is definitely here, how come I can't find them?"
The gray wolf had lost hope. It picked up the small basket from its back and placed it beside its companion, giving it a deep look. "I'll go find the boss and confess. I lost his teacher..."
This new boss had eaten their old boss the moment he arrived. The other wolves in the pack had never seen such a ferocious creature and immediately bowed their heads in submission, becoming Sethia's underlings.
The gray wolf, convinced it shouldn't shirk responsibility, made a fierce internal struggle and, with a touch of tragic resolve, told its companions, "If I don't get home tonight, tell my mother I'm not a coward!"
Companions: "..."
Yan Chi in the tree: "..."
Clearly, the wolves' leader was Sethia, but going to him now could really mean being eaten. So, Yan Chi's mind raced, and he instantly appeared before the two wolves.
The two giant wolves, their legs longer than Yan Chi's, jumped up in fright, baring their teeth and adopting an attack stance.
The three people in the tree were simultaneously shocked as they looked at Yan Chi below. Why had he jumped right in front of the wolves? What if he got trampled to death?!
But the bloody scene they imagined didn't happen. After smelling Yan Chi's familiar scent, both wolves noticeably calmed down.
"Waaah, I finally found you!" The gray wolf, its eyes brimming with tears, carried the small basket to Yan Chi. "This is from the boss."
Yan Chi lifted the large leaves covering the basket, revealing crispy roasted chicken legs and frames, thoughtfully sprinkled with cumin and chili powder.
Sethia's roasting skills were undeniable; the irresistible aroma wafted out instantly. Zhu Ge Yun and the other two in the tree swallowed hard; they hadn't eaten all day.
Yan Chi tore off a piece, tasted it, nodded in satisfaction, picked up the basket, and said to the gray wolf, "Thank you for your help. Please tell Sethia I really like it."
The gray wolf felt it smelled delicious too, and boldly rubbed against Yan Chi's shoulder, its tail swishing back and forth, more like a well-behaved dog than a wolf.
Yan Chi reached out and touched its fur; it wasn't as soft as he had imagined, but rather rather stiff.
After the two wolves delivered the roasted meat to Yan Chi, they plunged into the depths of the forest. Yan Chi glanced at the three players with blank expressions in the tree, waved goodbye to them.
"Hmm?" Yan Chi frowned, watching the rapidly fading, desertifying grassland. "[I]?"
He reached out and touched it, unsurprisingly touching a transparent membrane.
"Didn't I tell you not to devour this world anymore?" Yan Chi's tone was stern, his face condemning [I]'s betrayal. "Now, go back immediately!"
[I] hesitated noticeably. The little one said to go back now… Xing Zhinan said to go to the [Azure Sea], so it was going to the [Azure Sea] now!
Fearing Yan Chi would get angry again, [I] immediately left, retreating back to the portion of space it had swallowed, vanishing without a trace, taking Xing Zhinan and Shen Mingsu with it.
Yan Chi keenly sensed that [I] had vanished from this world. He froze, took two small steps forward, and tentatively called out, "Shen Mingsu?"
"Xing Zhinan?"
"..."
Yan Chi was truly all alone now. He shouldn't have let [I] leave so quickly. It could leave, but at least it should have vomited Shen Mingsu and the others out first!
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