People rely on their clothes, and horses rely on their saddles. Qi Jingzhi was already handsome without dressing up, but the white shirt and western-style vest of the waitstaff uniform took his looks to another level. For the first time, everyone realised just how good his physique was beneath the usual crew-neck T-shirts and sports pants. He had broad shoulders, a slim waist, long legs, and a perfectly sculpted V-shaped torso.
After the head of the organization department forcibly dragged Qi Jingzhi to get a haircut, the students in the pub were completely stunned: Such a handsome man was only famous for being a computer genius? How is that reasonable? Everyone in the university should know about Qi Jingzhi’s beauty!
Seeing someone pull out their phone, Qi Jingzhi tugged at his bowtie, revealing a flustered expression: “Don’t…”
“Don’t take pictures! The pub isn’t even open for business yet. If his photos flood the forum before we even start, who’s going to come here to see the handsome waiters?” Yan Linjian stepped in front of him, blocking the people who wanted to take a picture, “But you can take pictures of me.”
“Tsk-“
“Tch, Yan Linjian, how can you be so full of yourself?”
“Sure, you’re handsome too, but everyone already knows that. Qi-shen, on the other hand, this is the first time we’re seeing him.”
Yan Linjian: “First time, my ass. How many times have you snuck into our class during computer class just to look at him?”
“…… Hmph.”
Under Yan Linjian’s witty remarks, those people put away their phones. After a bit of last-minute tidying up, they officially opened the pub just in time for meal time.
The forum had already drummed up some publicity, specifically mentioning Yan Linjian, Qi Jingzhi, and a few others by name. The turnout was quite decent, and the place was packed within half an hour. The crowd was mostly girls, although there were also some groups of guys who had come to drink.
Yan Linjian and the others were busy running around, serving drinks and responding to guests that were trying to strike up conversations. Just as they finally made it through the dinner rush, Yan Linjian was about to take a breather when he looked up and saw a group of girls walk in. And just his luck, one of them happened to be an ex.
“Yo, Yan Linjian!”
The other person called out, stopping Yan Linjian, who was about to run behind the counter. Yan Linjian walked over helplessly and said: “Hello, what would you like to drink?”
“I’ve never been here before, can you recommend some drinks for me.”
“The drinks on the second page of the menu have a lower alcohol content, which is more suitable for beginners.”
“Then we’ll have four of those.”
“Got it!”
Yan Linjian was just about to slip away when the other party smirked and added, “Make it five, you should have one with us.”
“Dear customer, we sell our labour here, not our bodies.”
“My treat. Consider it a drink with your heartbroken ex.”
Yan Linjian glanced up at her. The sadness on her face didn’t seem fake: “You broke up?”
“Yeah, I should’ve listened to you back then. Turns out men really do understand men best. He was just a player.”
Yan Linjian clicked his tongue: “That guy is a next-level player.”
“Enough talk. Just bring the drinks.”
The girl looked like she was about to cry, and her friends leaned in to comfort her.
Yan Linjian headed back to the bar and ordered four drinks. Qi Jingzhi was leaning against the counter, resting, his gaze fixed on Yan Linjian so intently it felt like he was trying to see right through him, making it impossible to ignore.
“What are you staring at me for?”
Caught red-handed, Qi Jingzhi quickly dropped his gaze and said softly: “You… shouldn’t be two-timing.”
“… Do I look like that kind of person? Forget it, I’ll settle this with you later.”
Yan Linjian carried the drinks over, turned down his ex’s invitation to stay, and quickly walked back to Qi Jingzhi’s side.
He and the God Yuè from the game weren’t even a thing yet, but Qi Jingzhi seemed more nervous than him, afraid that he’d date one person online and another in real life, turning into a total player.
“She broke up with her boyfriend, so I just said a few words to comfort her,” Yan Linjian explained——
although he wasn’t sure why he even felt the need to.
But Qi Jingzhi was still not convinced: “Is it the trend now to drink with your ex after a breakup?”
“……”
Yan Linjian felt like there was an edge to his words. When did Qi Jingzhi start holding him to such high moral standards?
“This is a long story. Actually, when I first found out they were getting together, I tried to advise her. Her boyfriend is that notorious scumbag from the Humanities Department……”
Qi Jingzhi lifted his eyes, his gaze could be considered resentful: “Oh, you’re really a qualified ex.”
… Damn.
He was just trying to help here, but Qi Jingzhi didn’t even praise him, and instead threw in some sarcastic remarks?
Yan Linjian held back his frustration but couldn’t help continuing to explain, “I’m just being humanitarian. If you saw someone about to fall into a pit on the street, wouldn’t you warn them?”
“…” Qi Jingzhi opened his mouth but hesitated to speak. After a long pause, he lowered his gaze, “Why are you telling me all this? Go talk to your Yuè-shen about it.”
Aiya, this guy…
Yan Linjian directly circled around Qi Jingzhi, locking his neck and harshly said, “Isn’t it because you keep asking about everything! If I didn’t know better, I would’ve thought you were a spy sent by little Moon[mfn]小月亮 – A nickname for Lú Biān Rén Sì Yuè by Yan Linjian, taken from the 月 in 垆边人似月, which means moon.[/mfn]!”
Just then, his ex-girlfriend happened to walk by, and upon hearing this, she froze in place and asked, “Who’s little Moon? Your current girlfriend?”
Yan Linjian had locked his neck, so Qi Jingzhi tilted his head to look up at him, his eyes seemingly waiting for his answer.
“Uh… not quite yet, but will be soon.”
After saying that, Yan Linjian’s face turned red. For the past few days, he and God Yuè had only been doing regular dungeon runs, chatting, and sightseeing. The nickname little Moon was only something he dared to call in private, and the first time he used it in front of Qi Jingzhi, he’d been laughed at thoroughly.
“Goodness, Yan Linjian, you… actually came up with such a cheesy nickname!” His ex-girlfriend looked at him oddly, “I thought you would never call anyone by a nickname.”
“It was just a random nickname…”
The other students in the academy also curiously gathered around. Yan Linjian’s face grew redder and redder, until he finally buried his head directly into Qi Jingzhi’s back.
He quietly complained: “Why do they have to care about what other people call their lovers?”
Qi Jingzhi chuckled, and Yan Linjian gave him a heavy thump on the back: “It’s all your fault, you jerk.”
“My bad, my bad.” Qi Jingzhi spread his arms to shield him behind, switching to a cold expression. The people who were hoping for gossip quickly took the hint and walked away.
Yan Linjian’s ex-girlfriend returned to her friends, her plan to win him back was declared a failure. She complained: “Turns out Yan Linjian’s dating style can be so pure and innocent. If I didn’t know better, I’d think this is his first time dating.”
Her best friend was equally shocked: “I thought Qi-shen and him were a couple, turns out they’re not?”
Looking at the two people playfully fighting by the counter, a few people analysed: The probability that Qi Jingzhi likes Yan Linjian is 100%, the probability that Yan Linjian likes him is 50%, and the probability of Yan Linjian turning ‘bent[mfn]turning gay[/mfn]’ by him is… 99.999%.
Staying together every day, if Yan Linjian didn’t end up as bent as a mosquito coil, that would be a shame for Qi Jingzhi’s handsome face.
After a busy afternoon, they had a computer class in the evening. Yan Linjian finished his tasks early and logged into the game again.
God Yuè wasn’t online, so Yan Linjian casually found a spot to AFK. He turned to Qi Jingzhi beside him and said, “I have a strong telepathic connection with little Moon. Usually, they will log in within ten minutes after I do.”
Qi Jingzhi was distracted by his words, and accidentally typed a whole string of “cccccccc” on the interface.
He glanced at the time in the bottom right corner and tried to act calm, saying: “There are still twenty minutes until class is over.”
Yan Linjian, looking perfectly relaxed, replied, “There are still twenty minutes, no rush.”
“Cough, have you ever considered that you two keep running into each other in the game because you play at the same time? Most people usually have time in the evenings.”
“But earlier, I’d log in during the day, and he’d still be online.”
“… It might just be a coincidence.”
Yan Linjian waited for five or six minutes, but still didn’t see the other person online, feeling a bit disappointed: “Looks like it really was just a coincidence. I even thought we had some kind of telepathic connection, like we were meant to be.”
“… Well, there’s nothing wrong with thinking like that.”
Qi Jingzhi had accidentally put himself in a tough spot, his eyes scanning the classroom. After spotting the teacher, he turned to Yan Linjian and said: “Close the interface. I need to ask the teacher a question.”
“Oh, okay.”
Qi Jingzhi raised his hand to call the teacher over, and Yan Linjian also exited the game. The small crisis was averted.
Later, around 9 p.m., as soon as Yan Linjian logged in, he saw【Lú Biān Rén Sì Yuè】online. Just as he steadied his character, they had already teleported right next to him.
Lú Biān Rén Sì Yuè: 【Good evening.】
Lú Biān Rén Sì Yuè: 【You’re still playing this late?】
Yan Linjian pouted, still holding a grudge over the computer class situation: 【Aren’t you here too?】
Lú Biān Rén Sì Yuè: 【Because I didn’t see you earlier today, so I wanted to chat with you.】
【……】
This sentence felt rather strange. Ever since they recognised each other, his little moon has become more and more straightforward.
【I’ve been really busy today, stayed at a pub all afternoon, and still had to attend a class in the evening.】
Lú Biān Rén Sì Yuè: 【You’re in university?】
【Yeah.】
Lú Biān Rén Sì Yuè: 【I’m in university too, second year.】
Wow, we’re the same age, there’s a higher chance of meeting in person now.
【What a coincidence! I was wondering why your online hours match mine so well, turns out we’re both university students.】
Lú Biān Rén Sì Yuè: 【I was worried you might think I’m unemployed.】
Yan Linjian’s face flushed. He had indeed thought that before.
【What’s your major? Since you’re also in university in Jingdu, our schools should be pretty close by. There are only a few universities near the campus.】
Lú Biān Rén Sì Yuè: 【Maybe.】
Lú Biān Rén Sì Yuè: 【Were you very busy today?】
【Super busy, I got so tired helping out at the pub. I even ran into my ex-girlfriend, it was so awkward. [-_-||] 】
Lú Biān Rén Sì Yuè: 【Ex-girlfriend?】
【Yeah… We’ve broken up a long time ago! I haven’t been in a relationship for a long time either… After finding you, I don’t even think about dating anymore.】
Yan Linjian typed each word carefully. It was clearly not a good time to bring this up, especially not when they were still developing their relationship. But today, Qi Jingzhi had reminded him that if they were going to have an online romance, he needed to give the other person enough sense of security, removing any potential uncertainties that might cause anxiety.
Lú Biān Rén Sì Yuè: 【No thoughts of dating? Then I have to say, I might be a little disappointed.】
Lú Biān Rén Sì Yuè: 【I’ve personally believed that our relationship hadn’t ended, so I haven’t dated anyone else.】
Lú Biān Rén Sì Yuè: 【I want to continue this relationship with you, or rather, start over.】
Qi Jingzhi anxiously hit send on that message. Yan Linjian’s side went completely silent for a long time. He gripped Yan Linjian’s bed curtain, worried that he might have been a bit too impatient.
“Yan Linjian, why did you go silent?”
The curtain was lifted. Yan Linjian sat frozen at the head of the bed, face red like a ripe tomato: “I… little Moon said they want to start over with me. W-was that a confession?”
Qi Jingzhi’s face flushed too. He lowered the curtain back down a bit, just enough to hide his face: “What do you think? This is between the two of you, you should decide for yourself…”
All he could offer was a selfish suggestion.
