"What're we eating?"

"Dunno."

She couldn’t spare another word. Talking in that strained voice was exhausting—bearable when she was used to it, but after months of relaxation, forcing herself back into this charade left Li Mo utterly drained.

Still, after all this time, she did feel a twinge of guilt toward Tang Zhe.

"Whatever you want. I’m fine with anything… except really spicy stuff."

The doctor had forbidden it. Her weak stomach had always hated spice, and now the thought of it made her recoil.

"Got it… Hey, how about grabbing street snacks nearby or ordering a couple of dishes, then hitting an internet café?"

Tang Zhe was just as indecisive about food, and honestly, his mind wasn’t on eating anyway.

"…Fine."

Since it was just breakfast, Li Mo led him to a steamed bun shop outside their compound. They bought baozi and soy milk, then headed straight for a nearby net café.

Li Mo knew these places well. Back in high school, she’d sneak out with friends during unsupervised evening study sessions to game here.

Call her what you will, but when it came to skipping class and internet cafés, she was an old hand.

Perfect. Online, they could each do their own thing—minimal interaction with Tang Zhe.

What she didn’t know was that Tang Zhe thought the exact opposite. To him, gaming side by side broke the ice faster than anything. Especially between them.

"…You barely ate anything. Won’t you get hungry?"

At eighteen, they easily got machines. Only then did Tang Zhe notice Li Mo had bought just four soup dumplings. He almost blurted out, *No wonder you’re short*, but swallowed it—afraid of getting slapped.

"…Yeah. That’s why I’m still short. My stomach can’t handle much."

Settled into the familiar net café haze, Li Mo actually loosened up. Tang Zhe grinned inwardly. His plan was working.

"What’re you playing?"

He booted up his PC, hoping to squad up with her.

Li Mo stayed cautious. "What games do *you* play?"

"Uh… the popular ones? League, Dungeon & Fighter, CF… I dabble."

He listed the mainstream titles—the kind that guaranteed common ground anywhere. No wonder they never died out.

"Oh. Play yours then. Bye."

Tang Zhe miscalculated. Li Mo hated all those games. She only touched them when friends needed a fill-in. None were her style.

"What *do* you play?"

"Dude. You sound like those salty kids or toxic randos online."

Li Mo’s blood pressure spiked. It was like someone asking, *"Do you play Honor of Kings? PUBG?"* and when you said no, replying, *"Wow, you never game?"*—enough to give anyone a heart attack.

But yeah. A social butterfly like Tang Zhe sticking to mainstream games made sense.

Honestly? She preferred solo play right now.

The second she launched her game, Tang Zhe leaned over. "What’s this? Whoa—you’re playing a *girl* character?!"

"So what?! I’m stuck with dudes all day in real life. Can’t I enjoy a pretty girl avatar in-game?"

Typical bias! Since when were guys banned from female characters?!

"But you…"

Li Mo had a point. But…

Staring at the screen—where a pink, glitter-drenched character sparkled like spun sugar—Tang Zhe couldn’t even begin to complain.

And that name?? *Yaoyao Lin*? Seriously? Might as well call yourself "Officer."

"…What’re you staring at?"

Even without his commentary, Li Mo felt self-conscious. A guy playing such a cutesy character…

Wait—she *was* a girl now! Being cute was fine! Absolutely fine!

(She’d found gender acceptance in the weirdest place.)

"Nah, just thinking your outfit’s fire. Probably the cutest in this whole zone."

"Took forever to craft…"

No real-life friends played this game. Being complimented like this? Li Mo’s lips curled up before she could stop them.

"You’re way too easy to please."

Tang Zhe muttered it without looking at her.

*Monster.*

*Absolute monster.*

A guy this pretty? If they hadn’t grown up practically sharing pants, he’d never believe Li Mo was male.

Was *that* why he was avoiding closeness now? Scared of turning gay?

Had he… been through that before??

*Ugh. Stop thinking.*

"What’s this game called? I’m free—I’ll try it."

He shook off the weird thoughts. Needed a distraction.

"Huh? You won’t like this genre."

(She just wanted solo time.)

"Doesn’t matter. I’ll test it."

Tang Zhe waved it off. Before she could protest, he spotted the game icon on the taskbar, signed up instantly, and—during character creation—deliberately picked the most hyper-masculine option.

"Ew."

Li Mo’s face twisted into pure, unspoken judgment.

"FYI, all three of that class’s specializations are trash-tier. No raid group will take you."

"…Then you’ll carry me, right?"

"Who’d carry *you*? I’m pure support—I can’t even clear raids solo."

She rolled her eyes. Truth was, her healer could level newbies, but for team raids? She needed DPS partners. Tang Zhe’s dumpster-fire build was useless. And why did that line sound so… suggestive?

"Adding friends is here, right… Whoa, this game has a marriage system? What’s the perk?"

"Exclusive skills. That’s all I know—I’ve never had one."

Everyone in her guild had gaming bros—or even real-life girlfriends for in-game marriage. She’d always been the solo orphan. And this guy? Straight to her weak spot.

"Wanna marry me then?"

"…Bye."

She stood up instantly, ready to switch machines.

"Hey! Bros! I was joking!"

"!"

*This guy!*

A faint flush crept up Li Mo’s neck.

He’d *grabbed her pants*!

"Let go, you freak! Disgusting—get lost!"

*(Damn, I wanted to write some chase-my-wife-into-a-crematorium drama.)*