Chapter 142

Chapter 12: Was I not invited to the fun?

　Bai Ling didn’t slow her pace as she spoke, leaving like a gust of wind. As soon as she said she was leaving, the others blinked and only saw the door that had just closed.

　Fast like an Enhancement-type Spiritual Energy Manipulator.

　Wu Bian looked bewilderedly at the person beside him.

　”Why did she yell out Miss Yuan’s name when I asked her where she was going?”

　”I don’t know either.”

　At this moment, at Tianhai University’s Broadcasting Department Dormitory.

　Today was the start of the school term, but for third-year students who value their freedom, there usually aren’t any classes anyway.

　Even if there were, they could always skip.

　So Yuan Xiaoling lying in the dorm all day wasn’t technically skipping class.

　By evening, both roommates had returned.

　”Xiaoling, you’re amazing,” Qiao Lili said as soon as she entered, “Everyone has been talking about the Blonde-Haired Maiden all day.”

　During the day, they were at the Library where the network signal was good.

　The boys sitting near Qiao Lili kept shouting “Water Dragon LORD wife” all day long.

　Although they currently don’t know that the Water Dragon LORD from the game is right beside them. But considering Yuan Xiaoling’s fame in Tianhai City’s spiritual energy circle, it might get revealed soon.

　”I wonder how they’ll feel once they find out,” Qiao Lili said.

　”It’s okay, what’s the big deal.”

　Yuan Xiaoling waved her hand nonchalantly, “Even without the Water Dragon LORD, they still call me ‘wife’ online every day.”

　Do they even understand the prestige of being crowned three times in a row in Tianhai University’s Miss Campus Beauty pageant?

　Though she has only won twice so far, Ningning already booked the championship this year. Not overly confident, but certainly with no rival.

　”Are you proud?”

　”Of course, shouldn’t I be? Though it’s just three championships. Wait till next year when I secure four in a row, and the school gives me a lifetime achievement award. Then every future student will know…”

　Yuan Xiaoling was speaking when she suddenly felt something amiss because that short question, though familiar, didn’t sound like Qiao Lili or Gu Hui’s voice. It sounded cold.

　Was it an illusion?

　”What will they know?”

　The Golden-Haired Maiden crossed her legs.

　It wasn’t an illusion; it was indeed a bit cold, her Dragon King senses tingling.

　She turned her little head and saw a White-haired Maiden standing by the dormitory door, her face icy cold, like a small ice mountain.

　As for Gu Hui and Qiao Lili, they had been sitting quietly on their beds since before.

　Yuan Xiaoling gave them a look, meaning why didn’t you warn me.

　Gu Hui smiled bitterly, while Qiao Lili replied with a glance—considering Bai Ling’s aura, which resembled a killer, how could she speak up?

　There was nothing to do but go with the flow.

　”Bai Ling,” Yuan Xiaoling sweetly smiled, “when did you arrive?”

　”Since the ‘Ningning wife’ part.”

　”Ahaha, that early?”

　Yuan Xiaoling’s sweet smile turned awkward, then gradually faded as she realized she couldn’t escape.

　”So, Lili, Gu Hui,” the Golden-Haired Maiden looked at her roommates, “you two go out for a rest first, we’ll… half an hour later…”

　She originally wanted to say come back after half an hour, but suddenly her legs started shaking, her Dragon King senses heightened, so she quickly changed her words: “come back when it’s time.”

　”Alright,” Qiao Lili jumped up immediately, dragging Gu Hui out, “take care, Xiaoling.”

　Gu Hui felt that just leaving like this wasn’t fair to Ningning, nor to the recent seafood feasts, so she added:

　”Take care, we’ll bring you some drinks when we come back.”

　To replenish some fluids.

　They carefully passed by Bai Ling and slipped out of the dorm door. Bai Ling glanced at them indifferently, then closed the door.

　Snap!

　That sound seemed not like closing a door, but like slapping Ningning.

　”Hey, Bai Ling,” Yuan Xiaoling swallowed hard, “I think there must be some misunderstanding here.”

　Upon saying this, both of them felt it sounded familiar.

　They remembered—whenever Ningning encountered such situations, she would use this line as an opening remark, meaning calm down first, give me some time to explain.

　Based on previous experiences, however, it was… completely useless.

　Thinking about this, Yuan Xiaoling hesitated, and when she came back to her senses, she saw Bai Ling already standing in front of her, a chilling aura approaching.

　”Let me explain… eek!”

　She got flipped over, wailing.

　Outside the girls’ dormitory, Gu Hui and Qiao Lili “escaped” from the room, unsure where to go.

　Everywhere on the road, people were holding mobile phones playing games, and they could faintly hear voices shouting “Heart’s Sea, activate!” from afar.

　Even those not holding phones were chatting with classmates about gaming topics.

　”Have you reached the final battle at Fragrant Hill yet?”

　”Not yet, I’m farming saint relics for the Water Dragon LORD.”

　”The Water Dragon LORD is great, heard that she almost perfectly matches her prototype. Is there really such a perfect maiden in the world?”

　”Both powerful and cute, and also a bit spicy.”

　”Such a perfect existence must usually be aloof, like a cold goddess, right?”

　Gu Hui and Qiao Lili exchanged glances and quickened their steps silently.

　Aloof? Your cold goddess is currently being thoroughly dominated.

　Even if she ever acts aloof, it’s probably riding someone.

　”I wonder if the convenience store is still open, should we buy something for Xiaoling?”

　”Let’s check out the fruits, I’ve been craving strawberries.”

　A pleasant shopping and stroll, while borrowing the convenience store’s WiFi to refresh game stamina. They didn’t know how much time had passed, but it was definitely more than half an hour.

　Gu Hui and Qiao Lili decided to go back and take a look.

　The dormitory door was still tightly shut. The two girls quietly leaned on the door, listening carefully.

　All they could hear was “wah wah wah” and “ying ying ying”, or “aba aba”. It was clear that Ningning was still in dire straits.

　Qiao Lili suddenly poked Gu Hui’s shoulder and gave her a meaningful look.

　Gu Hui instinctively shook her head, no no no, that was too dangerous, how could they do that.

　But after a while, Gu Hui looked up, clearly somewhat tempted.

　Qiao Lili patted her shoulder, relax, give it a try, sisters won’t mind.

　Thus, Gu Hui pressed her ear against the door again, sensing spiritual power fluctuations.

　First was the upper girl’s inner voice—

　【Campus beauty queen, huh? Three-time champion, huh? Wife, huh? Internet idol, huh? Otaku goddess, huh? Let me tell you straight—!!】

　Gu Hui didn’t dare to listen further, feeling sorry for Yuan Xiaoling in her heart, it was truly terrifying.

　Then she listened to what the lower girl was thinking—

　【Oh my gosh, family members, who understands? BYD went berserk today, I don’t even know why, suddenly lunged at me, and then ah ah ah ah ah. Can’t handle it.】

　Gu Hui suddenly wasn’t very sympathetic anymore.

　”Let’s go, the battle isn’t over yet,” she told Qiao Lili, “and it seems like it’ll last a long time.”

　”Hmm, what exactly are they thinking?” Qiao Lili was curious.

　”Let’s leave first, we’ll discuss later.”

　This night was still long, for many people.

　Yuan Xiaoling’s battle wasn’t over yet, her suffering would continue.

　Many people stayed up late playing games, enthusiastically digging into the truth of Tianhai City several months ago.

　Some people were so anxious they tossed and turned, unable to sleep, getting up in the middle of the night to consult others.

　”She’s done so much, there must be a hidden plan, what does she want?” Xin Lan asked.

　Since coming to Tianhai City, she and her Yun Liang brother barely had any time together. Every time they met, they were analyzing opponents’ videos.

　Xin Lan was anxious inside but dared not ask, especially after her last attempt to “gather intelligence” ended up counterproductive, returning empty-handed.

　Unable to see Yun Liang whenever she wanted, her only confidant left was the Guard in front of Yun Liang’s door.

　The Guard, who was dozing off at the entrance, raised his eyelids and glanced at her, asking, “Have you read The Three-Body Problem?”

　After concentrating on gaming all day, everyone was a bit exhausted.

　Xin Lan paused slightly, “Yes, what’s the matter?”

　”If you’ve read it, why ask? Don’t you know ETO’s method of recruiting new members? They let them play the Three-Body game, experience the history of the Three-Body civilization, witness its rise through hardships, thus generating recognition and admiration, achieving complete conversion on a spiritual level.”

　The Guard yawned, “Yuan Xiaoling’s game is the same, showcasing her efforts to grow stronger, overcoming the evil trade association, letting players experience and immerse themselves.”

　After finishing his sentence, he focused and saw that Xin Lan looked utterly confused.

　”Didn’t understand? What version of The Three-Body Problem did you read?”

　”Bilibili’s.”

　”…Then never mind.”

　……

　Someone said summer days are too long, always making people feel time passes slowly.

　Bai Ling thought the opposite. She closed her eyes on the bed, and when she opened them, it was already afternoon the next day.

　Seeing those ‘wife’ comments online again, she wasn’t so upset anymore.

　What’s the point of your online chatter? Can you offline thin silk like me?

　Thinking about this, she couldn’t help but grab Dabeitù again.

　”Waa, can’t handle it.”

　Yuan Xiaoling mumbled in her sleep, turned over, and slowly woke up.

　”Awake?” Bai Ling’s voice rang out, “If you’re hungry, eat something. Your roommate brought it back.”

　”No need, I’m not hungry yet.”

　Yuan Xiaoling rubbed her cheek against the pillow, stretched lazily, and had no intention of getting up immediately.

　Tough day yesterday, let Ningning rest a bit longer.

　”By the way, Bai Ling, what happened yesterday?” she asked curiously, “Who made you unhappy?”

　Starting with herself first, because Ningning is a beautiful and kind-hearted Blonde-Haired Maiden, impossible to make anyone angry.

　”Nothing, I missed you,” Bai Ling said with a serious expression, “You were busy with some game yesterday and didn’t invite me to play.”

　Though the words sounded like some kind of petulant love talk, her tone was too flat, sounding like an excuse.

　”It’s just that you haven’t been coming to school lately,” Yuan Xiaoling pouted, “And new games require invitations to join…”

　”I don’t play these kinds of otaku games much.” Bai Ling said indifferently.

　”It’s simple, first open your browser, search for Heart’s Sea, enter the official website, download the client, or download it from the app store… oh!”

　Dabeitù got slapped again.

　”I don’t play these games much, but I’m not unfamiliar with using a phone.”