A/N: Sorry for the late update peeps, it's been busier than usual for the past 2 weeks, and I don't think it's gonna slow down any time soon. But I don't intend on abandoning the story, and I promise to keep the quality as high as possible. Boss Moss, omg that's a great idea! I'll see if I can insert it in somewhere, but I can totally imagine the DRAMA hahahahaha XD. Guest 3, I use British English, so colour, realise, etc. As always, feel free to critique my work! It's a good way to improve my writing skills.
Let me repeat once again, other than OCs, Quan Zhi doesn't belong to me. It belongs to Butterfly Blue.
Jing Jing was happily leveling up her character, running around in the low leveled areas completing quests when suddenly, she could hear an uproar in the internet cafe. Turning away from her monitor, she saw many customers stand up and head in a certain direction. Removing her headset, she stood up as well. Isn't that the smoking area? Intrigued, she followed the crowd as well.
On the way there, she saw Chen Guo heading towards the same direction, asking others about the cause of the commotion. They excitedly explained that Lord Grim had completed the first kill for the wild boss, Blood Gunner, in server ten. Oh? So that means he just met Steamed Bun Invasion. I've gotta hurry up and level, and help him get rare materials and gear. But first, let's get a front row seat.
With that thought in mind, Jing Jing squeezed forward, and could hear Ye Xiu shouting to his teammates to run. Some of the tenth server players gossiped about the situation, and even joked around with Chen Guo. Jing Jing kept quiet, but listened to the chatter around her, while watching Ye Xiu nimbly escape from his pursuers.
When she saw Thousand Creations recover from Lord Grim's Falling Light Blade and attempt to use Sky Strike, she thought, tsk tsk tsk you dare attack your idol? You should be ashamed of yourself. Trying to show off your skills (or lack thereof) in front of the ancestor of all Battle Mages?! Hurhurhur. True enough, Ye Xiu interrupted Sky Strike, and threatened to bully them if they dare continue chasing him. Everyone sniggered, for they could see that Ye Xiu had run out of mana.
Once Ye Xiu successfully escaped, Jing Jing retreated back to her computer, eager to level up and improve herself. The crowd praised Ye Xiu for stealing the first kill, and asked about the loot. After casually chatting with the surrounding players, they dispersed, only to reveal Chen Guo standing there. Ye Xiu glanced at the time on the computer, and found out that it was almost his shift. He rapidly logged out and headed towards the reception.
Chen Guo went over to see what Ye Xiu was doing at the counter, and looked down on him for being so addicted to the game. She went to Tang Rou, reminding her that it was already 11pm. However, Tang Rou was also too engrossed in the game, and waved Chen Guo off, which caused the latter to deflate slightly. Noticing the slight dip in her mood, Jing Jing said, "Guo Guo, wait for me. I'm heading upstairs to sleep too."
"Okay."
Jing Jing swiftly exited the game and pulled out her account card. Together with Chen Guo, they made their way up the stairs, and prepared for bed. Jing Jing wanted to sleep on the couch, but Chen Guo refused, explaining that Ye Xiu is also sleeping in the same apartment, so she should not sleep out in the open with a wolf on the loose. Jing Jing laughed, replying that she had practiced Taekwondo for many years and isn't scared of a weakling like Ye Xiu. However, Chen Guo was adamant, and insisted they share her bed. Seeing that Chen Guo refused to budge, Jing Jing caved and agreed.
The next morning, Chen Guo woke up, and was shocked for a moment when she saw a body next to her. Once her brain was functioning, she remembered her offer to share a bed with Jing Jing. Yawning, she quietly climbed out of bed, careful not to wake her up. She padded to the door, only to remember that Ye Xiu is sharing the apartment with them, so she checked her pyjamas before heading out. Upon discovering that both Tang Rou and Ye Xiu had pulled an all-nighter, she was gobsmacked. Chen Guo quickly washed up, and rushed downstairs.
Chen Guo wanted to nag at Tang Rou, but quickly lost her fire with Tang Rou's nonchalance. Speechless, she went out to buy breakfast for Tang Rou, Ye Xiu, Jing Jing and herself. She gave the breakfast to both Ye Xiu and Tang Rou, and was stunned with their conversation. These two are crazy! Are they going to continue pulling all-nighters?! Angered, she decided to not care about the both of them anymore.
When Jing Jing woke up, she panicked slightly. She looked around the foreign room, trying to recollect her memories. As her brain booted up, she remembered that she had spent the night in Chen Guo's room. Yawning, she rolled out of bed, and slowly made her way to the bathroom. While brushing her teeth, Jing Jing tried to recall the events in the story of Quan Zhi, but with over 1700 chapters, it's not easy. I'm sure that travelling into this world meant something. Even if I don't do anything, just by appearing here, disrupts the flow of time and events. I might as well do what I want to do, and hopefully influence the plot to go according to my wishes. With that thought in mind, Jing Jing finished washing up and changed out of her PJs.
Taking her wallet, Jing Jing planned to go downstairs and buy breakfast, and check if she could use her cards. However, she saw that Chen Guo had bought her breakfast and changed her plans. Ugg it's a tad cold, but I guess it's the thought that counts. She took her breakfast and nibbled on it, while using her smartphone. She quickly found the location of the bank outlet, and made a mental note to go there soon. I can't keep leeching off Guo Guo, it's not fair to her. Hopefully I can use my money, if not...guess I'll have to freeload till I get a job. Or become a pro. Jing Jing laughed morosely. Once done, she cleared up the crumbs and headed downstairs.
"Good morning Guo Guo~"
"Good morning."
Jing Jing could tell from Chen Guo's reply that she was slightly miffed. Walking up to Chen Guo, she gave Chen Guo a gentle hug and pat. Chen Guo deflated, and complained to Jing Jing about both Ye Xiu and Tang Rou, and how Ye Xiu is a bad influence on Tang Rou. Jing Jing soothed Chen Guo's ruffled feathers, and distracted Chen Guo by asking her to share any gossip she had about the pro-players. Chen Guo happily obliged, and chatted non-stop about the gossip she heard over the years.
During lunch, Jing Jing was surprised to see Tang Rou and Ye Xiu still awake. She knew that they had both pulled all-nighters, and asked if they were feeling alright. They were grateful for her concern, but reassured her that they can take care themselves. As both are already adults, she dropped the matter.
After lunch, Ye Xiu went off to sleep, while Tang Rou continued on with her shift. Tang Rou wanted to play Glory, but there were too many customers for Tang Rou to play uninterrupted. Jing Jing went up to Tang Rou, and said that she would take over for the latter. Tang Rou refused, but Jing Jing was insistent about it and managed to convince Tang Rou to let her sub in. Tang Rou briefly taught Jing Jing how to handle the customers, before she got shooed off by Jing Jing.
When Chen Guo went to the counter, she was surprised to see Jing Jing on duty instead of Tang Rou. She wanted to ask Jing Jing where Tang Rou was, but instead helped settle the payments as she was working too slowly. Luckily, Jing Jing is also relatively good looking, thus the customers were slightly more patient. Once they settled the customers, Chen Guo turned to Jing Jing. She knew what Chen Guo was going to ask her, so she explained that she is covering for Tang Rou to let her rest. Jing Jing even suggested letting Tang Rou have all afternoon shifts in the future since the latter is most likely to continue playing all night in the near future. Chen Guo wanted to nag Jing Jing for indulging in Tang Rou, but Jing Jing held up her hand to stop Chen Guo, and started explaining.
"Guo Guo, Tang Rou is a very strong-willed person. Her aim in Glory is to defeat Ye Xiu. Thus, by letting her play all night, she can level at the same rate as Lord Grim. Not only that, by playing with an experienced gamer, Tang Rou can improve even faster, and enter the pro scene. Didn't she want to become the next owner of One Autumn Leaf?"
Pausing, she took a sip of green tea.
"Besides, don't you feel happy for Tang Rou when you see her so motivated?"
That comment hit home. Though Chen Guo and Tang Rou have only known each other for two years, they are very close friends. Chen Guo remembered how disinterested Tang Rou was back then, but now, Tang Rou is full of energy, working towards a difficult goal she set herself. Her heart softened, and she thought, maybe it's not so bad that Rou Rou now has a goal to work towards. Though I wish she would slow down a little.
Convinced, Chen Guo nodded, and decided to reshuffle the shifts so that Tang Rou do not need to work in the mornings. Jing Jing even offered to help Chen Guo cover Tang Rou's morning shifts if necessary, but Chen Guo refused, saying that she should recover from her broken heart and forget about her ex. To that, Jing Jing could only laugh awkwardly and continue manning the reception.
SPOILER ALERT
P.S. Boss Moss, Su Mu Qiu's first class was a sharpshooter, but he's proficient in all gun classes. Dancing Rain was the account HE wanted to bring into the pro scene, but he died in a car accident before he could enter the pro scene. Yes, Dancing Rain is female, which would have made him a trap, but it was a private joke between him and Mu Cheng, since Dancing Rain's original name, 沐雨橙风，has Mu Cheng's (沐橙) name in it. Yes, I know it will make you cry, here, have a tissue.