Chapter Six

Ning Nanzhou closed the screen with the fastest speed he had ever managed in his life, then feigned calmness and said, “Sorry, my phone died. Can I add you when I get back?”

Chi Yu rarely chatted online. He only added WeChat to avoid communication inconveniences, so it didn’t matter whether he added now or later.

He glanced at the boy wearing the cat sweater and gave a small nod.

Ning Nanzhou thought Chi Shen was incredibly understanding. How could he have been voted the least likely to get married?

Once back in the dorm, the first thing Ning Nanzhou did was change his WeChat name!

“Chi Shen Cao | I’m super well-behaved” definitely couldn’t be used anymore. But what should he change it to?

He looked at his pitifully short friend list and decided to ask the playboy roommate, Xu Ye, for help.

[Chi Shen Cao | I’m super well-behaved] I’m planning to switch to a study-themed ID. Do you have any ideas?

Xu Ye, probably in the midst of a love cooldown period, replied quickly.

[Xu Ye] Study hard, get ‘screwed over’ every day?

Ning Nanzhou: “…”

He immediately regretted consulting this playboy roommate. It’s true what they say: those who associate with darkness become dark, those who stay close to frivolity become frivolous. To maintain his image of being obedient, he decided to reduce contact for a while.

Eventually, he settled on the ID: HaveYouStudiedToday.

It sounded like a top scholar!

Though he was often late or left early, Ning Nanzhou was very satisfied with the new ID, and he even changed his profile picture to a little white bird holding a book.

After the makeover, he sent a friend request to Chi Yu.

Chi Yu was probably on the road and didn’t accept immediately. Ning Nanzhou casually tore open the packet holding his student card.

He hadn’t noticed it earlier, but when he picked it up again, something felt off.

Why... was it so heavy?

The silver-haired boy opened the bag in confusion. Inside, along with the campus card, was an exquisite box.

The bottom was lined with soft wood shavings, and resting atop them was a finely carved long-tailed tit made of pure white jade. The bird’s feathers were lifelike, and it held a handwritten card reading “Congratulations on your marriage.”

So this was a wedding gift prepared for him?

Ning Nanzhou had always thought their marriage was just a formality. He hadn’t expected Chi Yu to take it so seriously.

Though he knew the other party was just being polite, he couldn’t quite describe the feelings stirring in his heart. Just then, his phone, lying nearby, rang.

[Chi Yu] Sorry, I was just driving.

He pulled his thoughts back. Or rather, Chi Yu was indeed a very earnest person—he even took the trouble to explain why he was slow to accept the friend request.

Ning Nanzhou wanted to flirt and call him “husband,” but seeing his studious profile picture, he instead typed a long little essay about the gift.

Then he thought it was too obvious and restrained himself.

[HaveYouStudiedToday] No worries, thank you.

Chi Yu had just arrived home when he saw the brief reply, barely a word more than necessary, and lowered his eyes.

He wasn’t used to forming close relationships with others, and the other party seemed even less interested.

Ning Nanzhou was about to turn off his phone, but after a while, he opened it again. This was their first conversation!

He took a screenshot to keep, then couldn’t help but open the forum.

[Original Poster] The male god gave me such a cute gift the day before yesterday! He’s so serious online, I didn’t expect this from him. I’m speechless! What do you think would be a good return gift?

Soon, replies came in.

[1L] It’s the same OP from the marriage thread! Do you know how anxious I’ve been waiting for your update!!!

[2L] Has the male god discovered your identity? I’m worried you might get exposed.

[3L] Everyone’s asking about gifts, so it seems you’re still under the radar?

[4L] Be careful. Actually, giving gifts to guys is easy: game consoles, headphones, mechanical keyboards... just pick something.

[5L] But some don’t play games. Clothes or ties might be better.

Ning Nanzhou felt a little tempted by the mention of ties.

FKW had many sponsors who were peripheral manufacturers, so headphones and keyboards were definitely abundant. Plus, a tie suited Chi Yu’s temperament perfectly.

He imagined the other wearing a meticulously tied tie, looking at him with that disdainful, “you’re trash” expression. His throat felt dry.

He put down the forum and went to take medicine. Afterward, he began selecting a tie.

He found a dark gray one he liked—yet it cost seven thousand yuan...

Even if he ate nothing and drank nothing, it would take over two months to save up. Thinking of the scene when he’d present his wedding gift two months later, he privately messaged Xiaolongnu.

[South] Has the little yellow bird had any reward events recently?

Xiaolongnu was a streamer Ning Nanzhou had met on Starry Sky TV. Despite the name, she was a genuine big guy from Shandong. She chose the name because she was good at playing “Dragon Maiden.”

[Xiaolongnu] Not much going on lately. Take my advice: if you want to make money, rely on tips. Look at Chu Yuan—he makes over 100,000 a month from PK battles. He used to be worse than you.

Chu Yuan?

Ning Nanzhou’s memory of the name was vague. He vaguely recalled playing ranked matches with him when they first signed but hadn’t kept in touch since.

Then Xiaolongnu suddenly sent a message.

[Xiaolongnu] The official just launched an event, but don’t get your hopes up.

Ning Nanzhou raised an eyebrow and clicked on the event link.

— To celebrate the launch of the new Descendant version, Starry Sky TV is hosting a Magic Season event. Offer potions to your favorite streamer! The streamer with the most potions this week will win an 8,000 yuan prize, plus a mysterious guest will make a surprise appearance in the livestream.

[Xiaolongnu] This is basically a popularity contest. And the prize is only 8,000 yuan; big streamers won’t bother to join.

The white-haired boy glanced at the note at the bottom of the page.

[South] That’s not the case.

—

Chu Yuan signed up the moment the event was announced. After submitting, he glanced at the comments below.

[Xiaolongnu] Eight thousand yuan? The little yellow bird is getting stingier.

[Fierce Tiger Woof Woof Woof] Don’t know what the planners were thinking. Small streamers get no votes, big streamers don’t care.

[NeverSeenCrossdressingStreams] This new season event is a total mess. Did everyone just all head to the beauty zone?

Chu Yuan didn’t comment. The small prize was meant to keep participation manageable.

Before the event started, the organizer hinted to him that they would try to get pro players as guests, so he should seize the opportunity.

Few knew this. He was confident he could stand out.

Just as Chu Yuan was about to close the webpage, he spotted a familiar name on the registration list.

South.

He and South signed almost simultaneously. South was once a rising star who refused to show his face or join any guild. Gradually, he faded into obscurity.

Chu Yuan had signed with the biggest guild and become a popular streamer.

He felt nothing toward this former acquaintance—if they could even be called friends. Maybe he had been a little jealous, but the vast gap between them had erased it. He simply wondered, puzzled:

A streamer with 7,000 followers wants to join this event?