Chapter 89

Chapter 89

The player’s loud shout sent echoes bouncing off the walls of the empty stall.

The background echoed: “He’s rainbow-colored—rainbow-colored—rainbow-colored—”

The new NPC was silent for a few seconds, then casually ran a hand through his permed middle-parted bangs before letting them fall, his downward glance tinged with disdain:

“Rainbow-colored or not, what’s with the clowning around? Trying to distract me, or stall for time until he shows up? You think Zhong Xiaye will come looking for you?”

“Looks like your relationship isn’t just about hooking up.” The new NPC’s smile was forced. “Don’t tell me you’re keeping yourself pure for him? Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Everyone gets it, this kind of modesty is pointless. Why not think about me instead? I’m way more giving than him, and I promise I’ll be a lot more fun.”

Bai Fuling blinked, thought it over for two seconds, and felt that if this topic got any deeper, it might not be safe for all ages anymore.

Is this really okay? Bai Fuling couldn’t help but worry. If some inappropriate content pops up, won’t it get reported and removed? This game doesn’t even have a rating system yet.

No way, he really loved this game!

Bai Fuling said he wasn’t done playing yet. At least until he got tired of it, he didn’t want his favorite game to vanish for no reason.

So Bai Fuling made his character get up from the toilet seat, straightened his back, and typed seriously in the chat box: “Don’t talk nonsense. Our relationship is super clear. We’re love rivals—both chasing the same hot fox guy before.”

The player was determined to pull the AI’s derailed story back on track, so he dusted off the old script and ran with it again.

“Love rivals?” The new NPC raised an eyebrow for a second, then burst into loud laughter, his eyes scanning Bai Fuling from head to toe. “Love rivals? Is that how love rivals act? And—he buys you clothes?”

“How do you know he bought this?” Bai Fuling blurted out through voice input, then paused and quickly changed his words, “How can you say he bought it?”

“Because it doesn’t seem like your style—too stiff.” The new NPC snorted, playing with the bulky black-rimmed glasses in his hand. “And wearing this useless thing… he always likes to sort of hide what he cares about, pretending to be all serious and objective.”

With one hand, he snapped the plain black-rimmed glasses in half with a crack, then casually tossed them into the nearby trash can.

Bai Fuling: ?

Are those yours to break so easily?!

The player’s first instinct was to use the expression wheel to glare fiercely at the NPC.

Destroying stuff at will—that was one of the player’s accessories! In the game world, an NPC actually dared to mess with the player’s stuff?!

At the same time, a lightbulb went off in the player’s head, remembering a common trope: Actually, it wasn’t unheard of. Usually, in games, NPCs that can damage your gear are villains.

Could this guy be a potential bad guy? A potential red-name that might trigger battle mode later?

Bai Fuling’s instincts sharpened with wariness. Don’t let the glowing white NPC fool you… that’s right, glowing things aren’t always treasure—they could be monsters. Dungeon exploration even has mimic chests, you know.

“Why the sudden change of expression? Mad that I tossed those ugly glasses?” The new NPC drawled slowly, the silver ring on his tongue flashing in and out of sight as he spoke. “Come on, with a face this good-looking, why hide it? What a waste.”

Bai Fuling’s mind wandered a bit: Glasses can really blur a face? Just like in movies and cartoons!

That meant, if needed, the player wouldn’t have to buy a mask—just a pair of glasses would be enough to disguise himself and keep a low profile.

The new NPC continued, his tone still cocky, eyes fixed on Bai Fuling: “If you really like those plain glasses… I can give you a better pair, okay? Better than his.”

Bai Fuling didn’t answer. He stayed quiet. After all, when you’re not sure if an NPC is friend or enemy, a careless reply might trigger battle mode with a keyword.

Right now, the player was wondering if it was okay to accept a gift from a potential bad guy. If he did, would it lower Zhong Xiaye’s favorability? That would be a huge loss for a small gain.

When the player didn’t control the character, it just stood there.

Because of the silence, the small stall fell into a brief quiet.

As time ticked by, the new NPC’s smile faded slightly. Receiving no response, his expression gradually darkened.

Bai Fuling saw a black cloud of anger lines pop up over the NPC’s head, figuring this meant the wait time was up. So he spoke: “No. I don’t want yours.”

To be safe, better not accept the bad guy’s gift. A weasel paying a New Year’s visit to a chicken—no good intentions, probably hiding a trap.

“…Oh, fine. Fine.” The new NPC let out a laugh through his throat, but there was no mirth in it.

He raised his hand and slammed the stall door shut with a bang, stepped half a pace forward, closing in within the cramped space, and sneered: “Just a little toy… and you’re being picky?”

“I’ve seen plenty like you in this circle. Think you’re special? That fake knight Zhong Xiaye won’t take responsibility for you either.”

“Everyone compares me to him. Every time it’s a choice between the two, it’s always like this—always. What the hell, what’s so wrong with me?! And who are you to refuse?” The new NPC’s arrogant face twisted, his voice rising uncontrollably.

Ah, look at that. Even in games, there are people driven crazy by the “other kid.” Bai Fuling’s thoughts wandered. Didn’t even say much, and he’s already broken down.

The new NPC panted as he spoke, his gaze landing on Bai Fuling, on that face reddened from his earlier rough handling, pausing for a strange moment.

He stared at Bai Fuling half-dazedly, tugged the corner of his mouth upward, and wore a bizarre expression: “He took something from me, so I’ll take something from him… that’s fair… I’ll take you too.”

He reached out to grab Bai Fuling’s chin, seemingly losing control of his emotions. The movement was so abrupt that the few hastily fastened metal suit buttons popped off, scattering everywhere.

Luckily, Bai Fuling was prepared.

He knew it—glowing things were either treasures or mimic chests!

With the hand speed and alertness honed from years of playing horror games, Bai Fuling smoothly dodged the sudden jump scare.

The moment before the NPC lunged to grab him, he sprang up like a rocket, using the cat’s mutation value boost to leap straight onto the top of the standing partition.

The player balanced nimbly, then lightly landed outside the stall, evading the crazed NPC’s grab and block.

Just then, the bathroom door was shoved open.

Before the person appeared, a flash of color came first.

“Little Bai—Little Bai?!”

And the voice calling in the background confirmed the newcomer’s identity.

—It was Zhong Xiaye.

Zhong Xiaye had waited in the small stall for Bai Fuling to return, and when he didn’t, he figured he’d gotten lost and decided to go look for him.

Where did Fresh Cabbage run off to? He muttered to himself.

The name was too bizarre; Zhong Xiaye could only think it in his head, calling out “Little Bai” instead.

He remembered Bai Fuling saying he was going to the restroom before leaving, so he headed in that direction. On the way, he ran into a few people, but didn’t see Bai Fuling.

During their chat, a close friend joked: “Wei Lin’s here today too. I thought you two would clash again. He didn’t cause you trouble?”

Wei Lin. At the mention of that name, Zhong Xiaye couldn’t help but frown.

Wei Lin was born the same year as him, from a similar family background, and they were classmates as kids. But their relationship was never good.

The reason was that Wei Lin’s family upbringing was a belittling, pressure-filled one, while Zhong Xiaye happened to be the “perfect child” everyone compared you to.

So from a young age, Wei Lin absolutely hated Zhong Xiaye.

Although it wasn’t intentional, in most competitions or other matters, Zhong Xiaye always edged Wei Lin out. The two were always rivals, and Zhong Xiaye always won.

Due to differences in personality, people also preferred hanging out with Zhong Xiaye over Wei Lin for many things.

Wei Lin was actually pretty impressive himself, but there was always Zhong Xiaye to compare him with. The two were classmates all along.

Later, after graduation, at a class reunion, the person Wei Lin liked confessed to Zhong Xiaye (even though Zhong Xiaye didn’t accept it), which made Wei Lin utterly despise Zhong Xiaye.

In short, every time they crossed paths, Wei Lin would basically pick a fight with him.

Hearing a friend mention him, Zhong Xiaye replied, “I didn’t see him. Is he in a different section?”

“Huh? He’s over here. I just saw him a moment ago. Actually, Wei Lin should have seen you—I happened to be nearby,” the friend said. “He saw you walk into the venue with your brother.”

Hearing this, Zhong Xiaye’s heart suddenly dropped.

—Wait!

Wei Lin saw him with Little Bai and didn’t come to mess with him... and now Little Bai still hadn’t come back...

“Where is he?! Which way did he go??” Zhong Xiaye yelled out in panic, grabbing his friend by the clothes, his tone urgent.

He knew Wei Lin well. That guy had zero moral compass, getting more rebellious as he got older. If he wanted to get back at him, he might go after someone else without thinking—

The friend was taken aback by Zhong Xiaye’s unusual reaction and hesitated, saying, “Ah, ah... I think he headed toward the far west end of the hallway.”

Zhong Xiaye hurried over. He spotted the restroom maintenance sign standing in the middle of the hallway but didn’t stop, walking straight ahead.

When he reached the restroom door with the maintenance sign, he heard noises coming from inside.

Zhong Xiaye quickly pushed the door open and called out Bai Fuling’s name: “Little Bai!”

Almost in the next instant, a figure threw itself into his arms. Zhong Xiaye held the person in his embrace, his pounding heart finally settling a little.

If the person in front of him had gotten hurt because of him... Zhong Xiaye would never forgive himself.

He let out a breath, looked down, and saw the young man’s slightly disheveled hair, reddened cheeks, and missing glasses—clearly something had happened. His heart, which had just calmed, began pounding again.

Bai Fuling, piloting his character, threw himself into Zhong Xiaye’s arms, thinking inwardly that this was true colorful sunshine! A safe, loaded NPC, not a mimic chest.

On the screen, the stable rainbow light strip suddenly began flickering after a brief pause.

Huh. Bai Fuling stared at the scene in surprise.

What’s going on? Why is the Rainbow Rich Heir flickering?!

...Is he angry? Angry enough that his wealthy aura’s voltage is unstable? When others get angry, it’s a rage bar, but for a rich guy, it’s different—it’s a unique rainbow flicker!