I quickly washed the dishes and placed them in the sterilizer. Thanks to my parents, the house was fully furnished, and their monthly allowance let me live quite comfortably.
Though… maybe they stopped seeing me as their son long ago.
Well, after all these years, even thinking that no longer makes me lose composure like before. It feels like recalling some ordinary little thing—like the braised beef I just ate. Spicy back then, but the aftertaste has long faded. That initial thrill? Gone.
I wiped my hands with a tissue. From the living room, Xiao Xian burst into laughter again at that absurd pig squeal.
“Remember,” I reminded her quickly, “no imitating pig sounds.”
“I won’t!” Her voice came out shy.
I left Xiao Xian in the living room and headed to my bedroom. Lights on, I eagerly booted up my computer. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I opened contacts and messaged the one saved as “Fang Liancheng”:
*Clearance sale on my secret stash! I know you’ve always eyed my Fate doujinshi—King of Knights edition. Name your price.*
A reply shot back instantly. Seriously? He’s never this fast when *I* need resources. Ugh.
*Nani?! Umm… pass. You’re just in monk mode. You’ll regret it. Also, broke from gacha lately…*
My thumbs flew across the screen.
*Not monk mode! Super cheap—was 998, now only 99.8!*
*Drop dead. Broke.*
*Brother, cut me a deal? 9.8 per book. Twenty cents? Pfft. Call it ten. Total fire sale!*
*Huaixian… did something happen to you?!*
*No shock. Just… won’t need them anymore.* I sighed softly, glancing toward the living room at sweet Xiao Xian. With her here, how could I keep those? For my daughter’s well-being—I almost teared up at my own thoughtfulness.
Silence stretched on his end. Then—an angry emoji.
*I thought it through. Weird behavior = red flags. Huaixian, you with that honest face… betraying the cause?! Obviously got a girlfriend! No more “self-comfort,” huh? She’ll handle it…!*
*Ahhh! Tomorrow, taste the flames of the FFF Brigade’s fire mage!*
*Shut up! No girlfriend! And *you* betrayed the cause first!*
*Is long-distance even real dating?!*
Done bantering, I smoothly opened the game login screen. While it loaded, I typed:
*Ten bucks a book. Take it or leave it.*
His reply popped up immediately.
*YES! HOW MANY?! I’LL BUY THEM ALL!*
*Deal. Details tomorrow.*
I silenced my phone and set it on the desk.
Suddenly, I remembered—rumor says the school’s launching an e-sports club. Big buzz. Might check recruitment out. They say the president’s a total beauty.
A girl leading an e-sports club? Kinda rare.
The game hit the loading screen. I walked to the kitchen, grabbed an ice-cold cola and a bag of potato chips from the fridge.
