The doctor suggested that I rest in the dormitory for three days, but I only stayed there for one day and went out the next day dressed and dressed.
——Because this day is Saturday, the student union’s performance speech day.
Although it is winter, the sunlight is very good today, and it makes people feel warm and tipsy when it shines on their bodies. The campus is very quiet, and both students and teachers have gathered in the auditorium on the first floor of the student activity building. I wandered outside the building for a long time before I made up my mind to go in.
Walking along the long corridor, you will find the auditorium door. The dark red double wooden doors are ajar. Through the half-open doors, you can see that the auditorium is full of people. At the front of the auditorium, on the high podium, a figure stands proudly, and his magnetic voice is transmitted throughout the venue through the microphone.
"...Tianyin Academy's tradition, the annual student union report day is here again. I am honored to stand on this podium once again as the student union president."
I turned around quietly, leaned my back against the white wall next to the auditorium door, looked up at the row of wall lamps in the corridor, and listened to the man's voice flowing past my ears like water.
"…I remember when I was in the first year of high school, the president of the student union stood on this podium and said, 'The future of this college is in your hands.' Now, I also want to say to you, 'The future of Tianyin College is in your hands.' Many of the current members of the student union are seniors like me, and will go their separate ways in half a year. The burden of the student union will also be passed on to the next batch of newcomers. The passage of time does not mean the disappearance of the past. There are always some things that can freeze time, keep memories forever, and keep the bond forever. Before the performance review speech begins, I want to present a gift to everyone."
My heart moved and I looked into the auditorium through the crack in the door. I saw the projector projecting colorful images on the white screen next to the podium.
——It is the display page of the school website.
As one of the creators, I know the characteristics of this website very well. It is not a purely official introduction website, but more like a class activity community and a social platform for students, where everyone can record every bit of their school life and share with each other to leave beautiful memories.
Sure enough, as Ling Hanfeng demonstrated and explained, more and more people became interested, and when the demonstration was over, thunderous applause filled the entire auditorium. Seeing everyone's excitement and impatience, I believe that after the lecture, many people will actively use this website.
“This is the result of the joint efforts of all members of the Student Union. I would like to thank everyone who participated in this construction project. Thank you.”
The list of thanks appeared on the projection screen. The names scrolled by one by one and there was continuous applause in the auditorium. But suddenly, the harmonious applause became unharmonious. After an obvious pause, the applause suddenly became sparse, and was replaced by a buzzing discussion that spread out.
"Chi Junjun? Why is her name also on the thank you list?"
"How ironic! Didn't she steal the president's speech? She's clearly a saboteur of the student union!"
"How can such a person be on the list? She is not qualified!"
The scene was noisy, Ling Hanfeng said nothing, just slowly scanned the venue with his eyes. I don't know if it was my illusion, but his eyes seemed to linger on the half-open door of the auditorium for a moment, and then continued to look elsewhere.
Probably influenced by Ling Hanfeng's silence, the discussions gradually weakened until the whole place was silent.
"Recently, I'm sure everyone has heard about some things that happened between me and Chi Junjun." Ling Hanfeng looked calm and continued his speech in a calm tone. "First of all, I'm very grateful for your concern for me, but whether the speech manuscript is lost or not is not a very troubling thing for me." He suddenly laughed, looking a little cunning. "Do you think that the student union president you personally voted for would panic and make a fool of himself on the podium just because a manuscript is missing?"
There was a low laugh and many people shook their heads.
"It is undeniable that Chi Junjun's behavior this time was disgraceful and very wrong. As far as I know, the dean has already given her relevant punishment, and she also apologized to me..." The boy paused slightly, "And I also accept her apology."
There was another uproar at the scene, with some people even shouting, "She deserves it!" "People like this cannot be forgiven!" "She will never truly repent, President, don't be fooled by her!"
Ling Hanfeng gently pushed up his glasses on the bridge of his nose. The reflection on the lenses made it impossible to see his eyes clearly. His tone was light, like a feather gently falling.
"If any of you dare to say that you have never made a mistake since childhood, then please stand up - as long as one person stands up, I will listen to your advice and not accept Chi Junjun's apology."
Like a duck whose neck was suddenly strangled, the noisy protests disappeared in an instant.
"You must have heard a lot of truths, such as 'No one is perfect' and 'Be critical of yourself as you would be of others, and forgive others as you would forgive yourself'. Chi Junjun's name is on the list because she also contributed to the construction of the website. She may have had a bad record in the past, but this cannot erase her merits and achievements. Why should we be stingy with applause and praise for her when she has made the same contribution? We don't need a pillar of shame. A person's momentary mistake should not become a stain that she can never wash away. Tianyin College has always been famous for its broad and friendly tolerance. We do not discriminate against or give up on any student. As a student here, do you think your behavior is really impeccable and absolutely correct?"
Silence, dead silence. Many people lowered their heads silently, not daring to look directly at Ling Hanfeng's gaze.
"This matter ends here." Ling Hanfeng calmly took out the speech and said in a deep voice, "Next, it's time for the job report."
Finally, the student union’s performance report came to a successful conclusion.
People poured out of the auditorium like a tide, the place was bustling with noise and bustle. I hid in the bushes outside the activity building, watching wave after wave of people walk out of the door of the activity building. However, until the flow of people gradually thinned out, even the members of the student union appeared and left one by one, I didn't see the figure I was looking for.
"What are you doing sneaking around here?"
Like a cat whose tail was stepped on, I was so frightened by the sudden sound that I jumped out of the bushes. When I turned around, I was immediately furious.
"Are you the one acting sneaky? Where did you come from?" I clearly didn't see this guy coming out of the building!
"There is a side door." Ling Hanfeng pointed to the right rear of the activity building, with a speechless expression on his face, as if to say "You actually forgot this common sense."
I said with great regret that I had really forgotten!
I glanced at Ling Hanfeng, wanting to say something but stopping myself. He waited attentively, not saying anything. There was an awkward silence in the air.
After a while, he pushed his glasses and chuckled helplessly.
"Forget it. Seeing how difficult your situation is, I'll skip the verbal thanks."
“…Hey! Who, who said I came to say thank you?”
"Then why are you standing here with a constipated look on your face? I don't owe you any money."
"I, I'm waiting for someone else!"
"Oh, then you keep waiting, I'm leaving, bye."
"……etc!"
Well, Chi Junjun VS Ling Hanfeng, lost another game.
I lowered my eyes, rubbed the ground uncomfortably with my toes, and stammered like a primary school student who was punished to recite a lesson as I "recited" the speech that I had been brewing in my mind for a long time.
"You...I heard your speech in the auditorium. Thank you for protecting me. I promise that similar things will not happen again. Well, anyway...thank you."
I have never expressed gratitude so frankly since I was a child, not to mention that the other person was someone I once hated and was very taboo about. After I said this, my whole face was hot and my heart was pounding.
"Oh, I told you, no need to thank me verbally, it's not necessary."
My expression froze instantly.
As a result, the other party actually gasped.
"...There's no need for such empty words, but I would welcome a substantial thanks."
"Substantial?" I was a little confused for a moment - this kind of pursuit of substantial interests should be done by a gold digger like me, right? Hey, senior, the script you got doesn't seem right!
"What kind of substantial thanks do you want? You don't want protection money, do you?"
The corners of Ling Hanfeng's eyes twitched, and he almost couldn't maintain the smile on his face.
"You think too much. What I'm saying is... you should officially join our student union."
Now it was my turn to have my eyes twitch: "You want me to be a laborer again?"
"Yeah, you are very aware, not bad."
I turned and left.
Are you kidding? It's true that I am very grateful to you, but there is absolutely no reason for me to fall into the same pit twice. I'm not stupid!
"Hey, you really don't want to consider it?" the shameless guy shouted from behind, "You were so grateful to me just a moment ago, but you turned against me so quickly?"
Thank you for what? I don't know you!
"What a shame, this is a great opportunity to make money."
What? Make money?
I immediately pricked up my ears and slowed down my pace.
"If you have listened carefully to the report speech this time, you should have noticed that the number of activities in the new school year has increased significantly compared to previous years, but the budget given by the school has not changed. Therefore, most of the expenses for organizing student activities in the future need to be raised by the Student Union itself. On this basis, we decided to establish an External Relations Department."
Based on my years of experience dealing with money, I have vaguely guessed what will happen next.
"The External Relations Department is responsible for the external communication and liaison work of the Student Union, which is related to the image of the Student Union and even the school. In terms of fundraising, a commission reward system will be adopted, and the tentative ratio is 10% to 20%. In other words, if you raise 10,000 yuan of activity funds from merchants or enterprises, you can take at least 1,000 yuan in commission. Unfortunately, the current members of the Student Union have basically zero experience in this area, so..."
Before Ling Hanfeng finished his words, I rushed back to him like a rocket.
"I have experience!" My eyes sparkled, as if they were sprinkled with dazzling gold sand, "Me, me, me! I am the best candidate for the External Relations Department!"
Ling Hanfeng was stunned for a moment, and suppressed his laughter as he said, "... The speed at which you change your expression really astounds me."
"'Thick skin' is one of the necessary survival skills for gold panning." I spoke nonsense seriously without blushing or beating my heart, "President Ling! Senior Ling! Senior Ling! Hey, how about... let's talk about joining the External Relations Department now?"
The ending is no surprise.
Ling Hanfeng needed someone to take the lead in making the newly established External Relations Department produce results. I was also in urgent need of a new way to make money after my "source of income" was cut off by the dean of studies. So we hit it off and everyone was happy.
"There are many people in the student union who have opinions about you." Ling Hanfeng said this casually at the end.
"I know." I paused, then added, "Everyone in the school knows."
"Are you scared?"
"What's so scary?" I said nonchalantly, "At least you're still on my side."
As soon as he finished speaking, I was stunned.
I... How could I have such a thought? We have always been in an opposing relationship, but since when did I start to think of him as a partner in the same camp?
Ling Hanfeng was also stunned. He looked at me for a while, said "hmm", and suddenly reached out and rubbed my hair, with an ambiguous smile on his lips.
"Do your best," he said, then waved and turned away.
I stood there in a daze until the handsome figure disappeared from my sight. Then I reached out and touched the top of my head that had just been touched. There was still a faint warmth left on the soft hair.
"Sure." I whispered.
When Yao Feifei sent me a text message asking me to log into the game forum immediately, I refused at first.
It's easy to figure out that when the reputation of "Junzi Studio" was in turmoil, the so-called hot posts on the forum were nothing more than the "second round of revelations" by the Internet trolls, which were trying their best to smear the company. I don't have the ability to argue with a group of scholars, so why should I be upset? The best policy is to turn a blind eye to it.
"I'm not trying to discredit you!" Yao Feifei immediately sent a second text message, "I'm trying to clear your name!"
What?
With a feeling of one part doubt, two parts curiosity and three parts anticipation, I turned on my computer and logged into the game forum of "Ao Shi Fei Xian". As soon as I entered the page, I saw a striking post marked in red on the homepage.
——【New Dungeon First Kill Preview】
I:"?"
What is this? It has nothing to do with me!
But apart from the revelations and smear posts by "Gentleman Studio" on the homepage, there were no other popular posts. I clicked on it with a puzzled look in my head, and the content inside was the same as the title of this post, clear and concise.
——The first person to kill the new dungeon that will be opened this Sunday will be Hanyan Pavilion.
What a big tone! I was shocked and quickly went to see who posted it.
——Ao Hantian.
Well, okay, this guy is indeed qualified to make such a boast... But didn't he say he was going to be away for a few days? Is he back now?
Scrolling the mouse, I started browsing the message area.
Sure enough, the comments below were full of curses, and it was very lively. They could be roughly divided into two camps. One camp supported Ao Hantian wholeheartedly and cheered for the great god; the other camp could not stand Ao Hantian's "outrageous words" and used sarcastic taunting skills.
Suddenly, a message caught my attention——
Quan Jiatuo: I have always admired you, but if you don’t give me a reason for winning, I can only think you are a fool.
Ao Hantian actually replied, still with just a simple sentence.
——Ao Hantian: We have the strongest fighter.
Below is a row of people asking who the “strongest fighter” is.
——Ao Hantian: The drunken dream comes late.
I almost choked on my saliva, and I leaned over the screen for a long time before I realized that I was not dazzled.
The reaction online was even more intense.
The mockers immediately became excited, saying that Ao Hantian had lost his mind or that he and the studio were birds of a feather. The supporters were even more anxious, because everyone knew that the "Junzi Studio" was a rat that everyone wanted to kill, and their idol was actually being linked to the other party at the height of the storm. Wasn't that lowering his status? They didn't care about arguing with the mockers, and the comments after more than a dozen pages were all persuading Ao Hantian not to wade into the muddy water, and even sent a link to the post of "Junzi Studio" just to make Ao Hantian stop at the brink.
Ao Hantian's reply was not in the post, but he edited the main post directly. Now the main post has one more line of text in addition to the previous sentence.
——Trust people when you employ them, and don’t employ people you doubt. I believe in my own judgment, and the facts will prove everything.
I stared at this line of words for a long, long time.
The copy will be officially opened at 0:00 am on Sunday. I subconsciously glanced at the computer time and it was 22:27 on Saturday.
When I logged into the game using the account "Zuimengchi", it was already 23:00.
As soon as I entered the game, I was flooded with messages, all of which were insults from others when I hadn't logged in for the past few days. After deleting these spam messages, I saw a message from Ao Hantian.
"Gather at Skull Ridge, coordinates 169, 270."
When I rushed to the coordinates, I felt extremely mixed emotions. I thought that after Ao Hantian came back, I, the "public enemy" whose undercover identity was exposed, would be expelled from the gang immediately, but I didn't expect him to act as if nothing had happened.
I also looked through the gang channel. The atmosphere there was very united and enthusiastic. Everyone was discussing how to deal with those people in the forum who made rude remarks to Ao Hantian. No one mentioned anything like "It's shameful to be an undercover" or "Zui Mengchi, get out" .
I was wondering all the way, and when I arrived at Skull Ridge, I saw a group of people parked outside the dungeon area. They were all familiar faces, and I could just form a ten-man team to clear the dungeon.
"Everyone, team up and practice in the nearby leveling areas first, and then enter the dungeon when the time comes." Ao Hantian said as he sent me an application to join the team, and then began to give me tactical guidance in a serious manner. All of them were based on the dungeon content that had been revealed so far.
I couldn't hold it in any longer, so I found a chance and sent a private message.
"What's your plan?"
The reply from the other end was also quick: "Aren't you a mercenary? Just in time to help us clear the dungeon and grab the first kill."
"…Hey, there is a fee for mercenary missions."
"It's just enough to pay off the money you owe me."
“…”
All the players in the server knew what happened next.
At midnight on Sunday, elite teams from various gangs entered the dungeon. After 25 minutes and 37 seconds, the first kill record was achieved - the winner was the elite dungeon team from Hanyan Pavilion. A few minutes later, the clearance video was posted online. The first and second place in the dungeon output statistics were Ao Hantian and Zui Mengchi, respectively. The cooperation between the two during the battle was also regarded as one of the classic cases of two people focusing fire to kill monsters and forcefully defeat the BOSS.
Butterfly Feifei, who watched the entire video, sent a congratulatory message immediately:
"Your skills are too brutal! I'm trembling with fear just watching you chop monsters!"
Because I was so angry that I thought those monsters were just trolls on the forum. It was so cool to kill them that I couldn't stop!
"I remember you weren't very good at jumping and moving, but you performed so steadily this time!"
Haha, because someone forced me to "jump off a cliff", I changed my bad habit of moving around...
"The wind direction on the forum has changed. Wow, your strength really speaks for itself. Many people want to ask you to help them get equipment in dungeons!"
Facts will prove everything. I won't be easily defeated by those rumors! Hahaha!
"You have the strength, the truth, and the support of the great god. I don't think the water army can make any big waves no matter how much trouble they make! Congratulations on successfully getting through the crisis! By the way, when did your relationship with Ao Hantian become so good? If he hadn't supported you and announced in a high-profile manner that he would cooperate with you to get the first kill, it would really be difficult for you to turn things around in a short period of time..."
My relationship with that guy is not that good at all ...
As for why he helped me this time, I also want to know...
After closing Butterfly Feifei's chat box, I stroked my chin and thought for a while, then opened Ao Hantian's chat box.
"Thank you," I said.
The gang is celebrating now. I thought Ao Hantian was chatting with his gang members and wouldn't pay attention to me, but I didn't expect him to reply to my message so quickly.
"Oh." Just a word of understatement.
I frowned and got straight to the point.
"Why are you helping me?" I feel really bad for receiving someone's favor for no reason unless I find out the reason.
Half a minute later, a reply came from the other end, a sentence in black letters on a white background on the screen.
"I am Ling Hanfeng."
With a loud bang, I fell off the chair.
I got up from the ground with a grimace, and jumped in front of the computer to type again. My hand speed was as hysterical as my expression.
"What? You are Ling Hanfeng?"
"Um."
The other person's tone was so calm that it was almost shameless, and I was completely devastated: "You, you, you! Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"You didn't ask." The other party said confidently and even seemed a little innocent.
My mind went blank for several minutes, and then I suddenly remembered another important question.
"Wait... then do you know who I am?"
"I know, Chi Junjun."
I almost fainted. "How did you know that? How long have you known it?"
There was silence for a while, and then...
"hehe."
At this moment, I really want to transform into Sadako and drill into the screen, drag this despicable guy out and give him some clear questions.
"Oh, right!" I don't know if he was trying to change the subject or to "kindly" remind me, but he revealed another piece of information, "Hanqing Momo is Mo Qianjing."
“…”
I suddenly remembered that when I was repairing the computer before, Mo Qianjing saw me playing "Ao Shi Fei Xian", and the character I logged in that time was "Zui Meng Chi".
I also remembered that before that day, she had proposed a relationship to "Zui Mengchi" in the game.
One day I discovered that a friend of the opposite sex whom I had a crush on in the game was actually my same-sex enemy in real life!
These words flashed through my mind like a barrage of words.
Hehehe…
I covered my face.
No wonder that soon after that, there were posts exposing the "Junzi Studio" on the game forum, and no wonder that Lu Yuxiang's text message screenshots were posted on the bulletin board and caused a sensation all over the school... Because I have been quietly courting death! With new hatreds and old grudges, it is a miracle that I am still alive today!
"Don't think about the past." Ao Hantian, oh no, now I can just call him Ling Hanfeng, he comforted me for the first time, "Is your studio still accepting business?"
I decided to turn my grief and anger into motivation to make money: "Take it!"
"Oh, then I'll place an order."
Having been ripped off by this guy many times, I instinctively took a defensive stance and announced in a pretentious manner, "It costs money." After thinking for a moment, I added, "The price must be clearly marked, and even acquaintances must pay!"
"Okay." The message came from the other end. "I will send the task content to your email before 8 pm. See you then."
After saying that, he went offline.
Time: 8:30 pm, Sunday.
Location: Novice Village.
Character: Me.
"Little sister, do you want to team up with me to go out of the village and kill monsters?" A big man carrying two axes enthusiastically sent me a request to join the team, but I rejected it.
"Thank you. I'm waiting for someone." I gave a polite smile and shrank behind the big banyan tree at the entrance of the Novice Village, muttering to myself - why hasn't Ling Hanfeng come yet?
There was only one sentence in the email Ling Hanfeng sent me.
"Apply for a small account and meet under the big banyan tree in the Novice Village at 8pm."
So, now I am waiting under the big banyan tree in the Novice Village. I am a brand new account with equipment and attributes comparable to a blank sheet of paper. My profession is a randomly selected healer, and my name is “Shanshan Lai Chi”.
Suddenly, a sentence popped up in the current channel.
[Current] Feng Xiao Shui Han: Chi Junjun ?
I quickly came out from behind the big tree and saw a swordsman in white standing in front of me.
[Current] Shanshan comes to the pool: Ling Hanfeng?
[Current] Feng Xiaoshuihan: Yeah.
Then the other party sent me a friend request and a team-joining request. I was speechless - this really sounded like a secret code exchange on the street, or a meeting between underground gangs...
After joining the team, the captain "Feng Xiao Shui Han" took me out of the village.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"Level up."
"Ah?" I was stunned. "What level?"
"Of course, we're training our two new accounts."
"Why didn't you say so earlier!" I instantly understood his intention. "If you want to practice with a new account, it will be fastest with the help of an old account! Wait, I'll bring my main account over right away."
My proposal was immediately rejected: "No need for a big size, just play like this."
"…Is that how we play? That's too slow. Time is money, brother!"
A "speechless" text bubble popped up above the swordsman's head: "Have you ever played a game properly without considering efficiency and money?"
I thought about it, and it seems... really not.
When I first came into contact with "Ao Shi Fei Xian", it was purely for the purpose of making money. Killing monsters, playing plots, and completing dungeons were all tasks for me and a means of making money. As for the fun of the game... I never thought about it.
"Start over like a real player and enjoy the game happily." Feng Xiaoshuihan said, "This is my order, do you want to take it?"
I stared at the words on the screen in shock for a long time.
After a while, I blinked gently and began to type slowly.
"Money is very important to me. I can't completely give up the mercenary mission."
"I'm not asking you to give up. I just hope that... at least when you use this account, you play for yourself."
Play for yourself...
Not being manipulated by money, being happy for your own happiness, living for your own joy, and living for your true self?
Ling Hanfeng, you are such a cunning person. Why do you always make me feel so moved that I want to cry, but also so sad that I want to laugh in this way?
Finally, I smiled bitterly and replied with one word.
"good."
Afterwards, Ling Hanfeng and I, one ranked in the top ten of all the server experts, and the other ranked in the top of all the server experts, drove our trumpets to kill wild boars in the woods outside the Novice Village. We then completed all the side quests in the Novice Village. After we obtained the upgraded skill points, we also looked up strategies separately and argued over the new way of adding points...
I never thought that one day I would play a game seriously like a normal player.
I never thought that there would be a day when I could completely abandon utilitarian thoughts and laugh happily and have fun.
I never thought that one day, I would fall deeply in love with a feeling - not the secret joy of counting money, not the pride of profit, but having someone accompany you, even if it is separated by a screen, even if it is just a virtual image, but you know that this is a time that belongs only to the two of you, solid and at ease, like a safe secret, and also the sweetest secret...