Chapter 18

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The chill dulled Ye Xiyin’s thinking, and upon hearing those words, he nodded mechanically.

The next moment, he felt his body lighten as his legs were lifted effortlessly into the air. Slowly raising his head, Ye Xiyin’s gaze met those of the equally stunned Xu Ziche and Qing Yun Qiuyue.

“I’ll take him to the back,” He Xiting explained.

The carriage was divided into two compartments; the rear served as a resting area.

Though it was just an embrace, Ye Xiyin was not used to such closeness in front of others. The last time had been for healing purposes, with Xu Ziche observing his condition. This time was different—Ye Xiyin was conscious, and He Xiting preferred not to be watched so intently by two fully aware people.

Moreover, neither of the two was particularly reliable, prone to babbling nonsense.

“What? Not even letting us see?” Qing Yun Qiuyue complained but did not follow.

Xu Ziche’s face suddenly clouded with worry.

“Why do you look so concerned?” Qing Yun Qiuyue asked curiously.

“Your brother cares a lot about Xiao Ye,” Xu Ziche said. Anyone could tell that He Xiting’s concern for Ye Xiyin went far beyond just the mission.

“Maybe it’s just that Xiao Xiyin naturally brings out a protective instinct?” Qing Yun Qiuyue shrugged. “I feel like looking after him too.”

“But what if he actually likes him?”

“So what? I’ve got plenty of electronic husbands and wives, but I can still tell reality and games apart.”

“Your brother’s the same as you?” Xu Ziche wasn’t joking.

He Xiting had never shown particular favoritism before. If he really liked Ye Xiyin, given Ye’s personality, who knew what might happen.

The key was whether it was truly beneficial for a player and an NPC—completely ignorant and oblivious to everything—to be together.

As the words hung in the air, Qing Yun Qiuyue fixed him with a sharp look.

“Typical good brother—thinking so beautifully for him. Who knows what Xiao Xiyin is really thinking? You’re just imagining mutual feelings.” Even when teasing her own brother, Qing Yun Qiuyue was merciless.

Xu Ziche was speechless.

He was wrong to try discussing such serious life matters with someone so carefree.

“Oh, great philosopher, stop overthinking,” Qing Yun Qiuyue said earnestly, matching various elegant outfits before her. “My brother knows his limits.”

“Besides, if he likes someone, it’s not easy for him to do so given his personality.”

Xu Ziche thought about it and realized she was right, deciding not to dwell on it further.

—

Unaware of the conversation outside, Ye Xiyin’s mind was still foggy.

Wrapped tightly in the presence of another, the warm, burning embrace contrasted sharply with the cold toxin’s chill, so intense it made breathing difficult.

Ye Xiyin’s toes involuntarily curled tightly, yet the pervasive cold made him reluctant to let go of the warmth, so he clung tighter with his arms.

The hands clasped around the slender waist suddenly tightened.

He Xiting’s gaze darkened as he studied Ye Xiyin for a long moment before gently brushing aside the strands of hair from the side of his face.

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A hand lightly rested on his shoulder, a lethal spot, yet because its owner was so weak at the moment, it evoked no sense of threat.

The distance between them gradually shortened, though lingering rationality kept them from fully closing the gap.

Only the mingled warmth and the pounding of their hearts remained.

“Get better soon,” He Xiting whispered, his palm trailing through Ye Xiyin’s hair.

—

[World Chat]

“Daddy Gamer, come quick: Seriously, does anyone know what’s going on? Why are the big shots showing up in such low-level monster maps?”

“White Rabbit Candy: ? What’s happening? Which low-level map are you talking about?”

“Sneaky Dog: Of course, it’s the number one ranked player. Lately, wherever he passes, no monster survives. Normally, they wouldn’t gain experience from killing these wild monsters at their level, and there’s no newbie in the team. It’s just weird.”

“Little Fast Runner: Boohoo, I was about to fight monsters when a flash of icy light swept across. All the monsters were wiped out instantly. Luckily, they were just clearing the path; I can still wait for the second wave.”

“Cold Heart: Could it be a clue for a new quest?”

“Sneaky Dog: But there’s no sign they’re hunting for a quest. They just casually kill the monsters they pass by and then move on to the next area.”

“Cold Heart: Whatever, just watch and observe.”

Meanwhile, the few players being eyed by others were still grinding wild monsters.

After several days of effort, Ye Xiyin’s level had risen from 5 to 8. By the time they reached Fang Lanshan, he should be around level 10, just the right level to join a sect.

Of course, Ye Xiyin had no sect to join, but He Xiting had promised to teach him and had even cheered him up while helping him endure the cold toxin. Clearly, he had not forgotten his promise.

That said, the two hadn’t talked much recently.

Mostly out of embarrassment.

Recalling his behavior that day made Ye Xiyin blush, so he pretended to be busy to keep his mind occupied.

For example, while He Xiting and the others fought monsters, Ye Xiyin pretended to study the loot he’d gathered.

Surprisingly, he actually made a bit of progress.

It was a fragment of a treasure map, dropped during a bandit-clearing quest from a merchant named Zhao Ji.

According to Qing Yun Qiuyue, these maps often came from horse bandits, and players usually had one or two pieces. Once assembled, they could lead to treasure—sometimes valuable, sometimes just discarded wine sacks.

“But with your luck, you might find something good,” she had said.

Ye Xiyin wasn’t particularly interested in treasure, but he was a bit obsessive and wanted to see if the fragments from other maps and this boss’s drop could fit together. He managed to assemble several other maps but found no matching piece for the one dropped by Zhao Ji.

Upon closer examination, he noticed a difference.

Most treasure map fragments were drawn on paper, but Zhao Ji’s fragment was painted on a silk-like material.

Noting this discovery, Ye Xiyin hurried over to He Xiting.

The monster fighters halted and also moved toward him.

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After casually dispatching a charging golden leopard, He Xiting said, “There are wild beasts here. Next time, just call me.”

Ye Xiyin obediently nodded. He was aware of monster aggro range, but He Xiting didn’t know that, so the reminder was out of care.

As their distance closed, the unique aura of the other enveloped him.

Ye Xiyin’s embarrassment crept up again belatedly.

Today, it was just the two of them.

As players, they couldn’t always accompany him.

When they needed to log off or work, they either took turns guiding him or arranged a safe place for him to stay.

After the last shady inn incident, they always brought Ye Xiyin into the city before logging off and rented safe lodgings in advance.

Traveling like this, luckily the carriage speed in the game greatly exceeded reality; otherwise, they wouldn’t have reached Fang Lanshan in a week.

Today, Qing Yun Qiuyue and Xu Ziche were on missions, so only He Xiting accompanied him.

Ye Xiyin shared his discovery, and after pondering, He Xiting said, “The clue may appear later.”

“Trial Sword” never dropped utterly useless items. Since this treasure map fragment showed uniqueness, it might be a lead to a special quest.

He Xiting told Ye Xiyin to keep it; it might prove useful someday.

After discussing business, Ye Xiyin’s brief courage deflated like a balloon. He wanted to retreat into his shell again, but He Xiting wouldn’t give him the chance.

“Feeling down lately?”

Interrupted mid-shrink, Ye Xiyin looked puzzled. “No.”

If he was embarrassed, there was plenty of that.

The boy’s straightforward reply made He Xiting’s mood even heavier.

Then why was he avoiding him?

Why did he talk more with Xu Ziche and the others?

When someone who depends on you starts to drift away, it feels like withdrawal symptoms. He Xiting was unsettled all over.

Yet he couldn’t find the cause, which made him irritable.

After a moment’s struggle, He Xiting took the initiative to ask, “Are you avoiding me?”

The blunt question left Ye Xiyin at a loss.

Was he supposed to say he felt awkward after the hugging and cuddling?

If the big shot didn’t think much of it, wouldn’t that make him the one overthinking and seem strange?