A-Cao’s real name was Chen Wang, but hardly anyone remembered his real name; everyone called him A-Cao. He was two years younger than Su Yao, just started his postgraduate studies, and came from a wealthy family. However, setting aside these facts, he was Su Yao’s best buddy in this city. Ever since the founding of the Great Xia Thieves Guild, Su Yao had known A-Cao. She took a liking to this wealthy youngster at first sight and immediately promoted him to guild leader. Thus, A-Cao became the scapegoat.
Later, as they got to know each other, Su Yao found out he was not only rich but also a man of loyalty. She appreciated his character and meticulously trained him for over a year, teaching him the tricks of the trade, hand in hand. Now, he had become an independent force to be reckoned with. Just look at Ji Canghai begging him at the Dog Slaughter Arena to see his prestige and badassery. But, he only listened to Su Yao. Their homes were not far apart; Su Yao often went to his place to teach him techniques and freeload on meals. This kid lived alone yet cooked exceptionally well, which was beyond Su Yao’s imagination for a rich kid who grew up in luxury. After arriving at A-Cao’s place as usual, Su Yao’s phone suddenly sang, “Today is a good day, tomorrow will be a good day.” She thought it was A-Cao insisting on picking her up at the community gate, but when she checked the caller ID, it was actually Qin Chuan. “Have you found your keys?” came the familiar voice. “No, I thought you had found them.” “No… I… Uh, I mean, I’m downstairs at your place, if you have nowhere to go tonight, you can come to my…” “I’m staying at my friend’s place for the night, I’ll find someone to unlock the door in the morning, don’t worry, thanks.” Su Yao said politely, pressing the doorbell.
Luo Zishang sat in front of his computer, staring deeply at the screen. His character sat atop the great hall, in white, fan in hand, a smile at the corner of his mouth, embodying a suave demeanor. Below, the wedding plaza was brightly lit but now empty, the dusk having faded into night. “Eternal Palace, oh Eternal Palace, do you know, there’s only one person in this world who dares not face me…” Luo Zishang murmured, pulling open the drawer beside him. At the very bottom was a photograph. He took it out; the photo was yellowed and worn, clearly taken many years ago. It was a group photo of teenagers around seventeen or eighteen, wearing polo shirts of that era, squeezed together in a computer room, sunlight casting onto their faces, with large CRT monitors in the background. In the center was a girl with a radiant smile, her hair in a simple ponytail, with a clean and innocent smile, the only girl in the photo. To her left stood a boy a head taller, wearing black-framed glasses, and to her right was a boy whose features strikingly resembled Luo Zishang himself. “I don’t know if I should call you Eternal Palace, or… Qin Chuan, or… THANATOS? Heh, only you have never dared to face me.”
Luo Zishang tossed the photo onto the bed, closed the laptop, and in the harsh white light, he closed his eyes, his mouth twisting in what could be a bitter, mocking, or cold smile. The city under the stars was silent, only the ticking of the wall clock and the faint drip of the IV bag could be heard.
When Han Yanyan got up from our new department head, Old Chen, the sun was already shining on her. The rain had stopped overnight, and the weather was exceptionally good. Old Chen patted her thigh, signaling her not to get up. Han Yanyan gave a charming smile, sweeping her hair from her chest to her back, revealing her beauty once more. Old Chen quickly reacted… “Oh dear, husband, you should go to work! My account still needs your help!”
Han Yanyan chided playfully, twisting away from Old Chen’s grasp. Lao Chen deliberately put on a stern face, “Who told you to be so mischievous? Look, you’ve stirred up trouble.”
“Oh, come on, I just hate that despicable woman, so I tricked her husband into playing around. I didn’t mean it seriously. Look at that guy, he’s such an idiot. Besides having some money, he’s just a fool. How could I fancy him? I only love you, my husband, in this whole wide world.”
“Han Yan Yan pouted, giving Lao Chen a light peck on the forehead, which sent shivers down his spine…
“Alright, alright,” Lao Chen caressed her smooth, white body, “Getting your account back is indeed troublesome, especially with those bastards in the tech department. I’ve thought it over, we can only go through the channel of account theft appeal. You must stick to your story, your account was stolen, and you weren’t the one playing yesterday. No matter who asks, you stick to that story, got it? Leave the rest to me.”
“Got it, I remember, I was playing sweet games with my husband yesterday, how could I have time for the computer? You have to testify for me, okay?”
“You little troublemaker!” Lao Chen flipped over, pinning Han Yan Yan beneath him, “If you say that out loud, my pregnant wife back at her parents’ place would eat you alive.”
“But I have my husband here to protect me!”
Half an hour later…
“Honey, what about Wang Shenmu?” Han Yan Yan, now embraced by the sweat-drenched man, twisted her body and said, “He’s been fired, how can he still use his internal account to bully me? You have to stand up for me, at least get his account revoked.”
“Uh, well…” Lao Chen coughed, “I dislike that woodenhead too, but you know, those guys in the tech department worship him.”
If I try to take back his account, they’ll definitely not agree. They’re even talking about going on strike to bring Wang Shenmu back. Let’s talk about this later; I’ll help you get your account back first, okay?”
Seeing no hope for revenge, Han Yan Yan quickly changed her tone: “Of course, I wouldn’t let my husband do anything difficult. But you’re the head of the planning department now; can’t you tell me some secrets from the game?”
“Secrets?”
“Like those legendary artifacts. I want one too, or else I’ll keep getting bullied…”
Lao Chen shook his head, “These are the most confidential items in the company. Telling anyone could cost me my job, and I’ve just become the head…”
Han Yan Yan, on the verge of tears, whimpered, “You must not love me anymore. I knew it; you’re still thinking about your pregnant wife… Wuwu…”
“Okay, okay, don’t cry, baby.” Lao Chen hastily comforted her, “I only know a little bit. It’s from a draft paper my subordinate found in Wang Shenmu’s drawer. That scoundrel, even when he left, he didn’t forget to format his computer…”
“Hurry up and tell me.”
“Hey, the northern part of the game is all snow mountains, right? On that draft, there was a map inside the snow mountains…”
“Yes, yes, I’m the princess of the largest northern country!”
“He said something like, the northern artifact is actually… Hey, hey, wanna know? Then let’s have some more fun together!”
“You’re annoying, you have to go to work!”
Lao Chen didn’t care about work; he started tilling Han Yan Yan again…
“Yao Jie, breakfast is ready, let’s eat.” Ah Cao, carrying freshly fried bacon, eggs, and milk, placed them in front of Su Yao.
Su Yao had slept wonderfully, taken a shower, and now, refreshed, she started helping Qin Chuan level up a new character on Ah Cao’s new computer.
Ah Cao, who had no classes today, stood behind Su Yao watching her play. After a moment, he hesitantly said, “Yao Jie, did you… uh, I mean, did you and Brother Cang Hai have some issues?”
“I dumped him,” Su Yao said succinctly.
“Good riddance.” Ah Cao was not surprised at all, “He’s neither king material nor husband material. Look at him, the way he was yesterday, without Yao Jie, he’s nothing. Just watch how long Xia Kingdom lasts.”