“Why didn’t you turn on the power this morning? Mom told you that Lu Yan’s foster father did your dad a favor. Your dad met with an accident while doing business at sea—if he hadn’t run into that warship, you wouldn’t be here today! His foster father was an upright officer! A child raised by him must surely have good character.”

“Oh, it’s just a shame Lu Yan’s job is a bit dangerous— motorcycle racer and all…”

Jian Xingyi sighed— here she went, trying to set him up on a blind date again!

He’d thought his mom would back off after he’d confessed he wasn’t interested in girls, but instead, she’d completely changed tactics—and actually found him a guy!

This time, it wouldn’t be easy to refuse—apparently, it’s the son of his father’s friend.

Hmm…

Jian Xingyi played a game and ran a dungeon with one hand while holding his phone to deal with the situation with the other.

“Mom… I already have someone I like…”

“Bullshit! All you do is work and play video games. You didn’t even plug in your phone this morning—did you sleep through the night?!

Don’t think I don’t know. You’ve been staying up late playing games lately. Mom sent you some herbs to nourish your liver; make sure you boil them up and drink them…”

Jian Xingyi sighed with relief after finally hanging up.

It turns out he wasn’t lying when he said he had a crush—that was actually the reason he’d been staying up late to play games lately.

The game he’d been playing lately was called *Dawn’s Break*, a post-apocalyptic survival game. Most players were fighting in it, but after a coworker dragged him into it, he realized he didn’t get the hang of the combat, so he just ended up growing vegetables and building houses.

Recently, he met a player in the game named Shanhai, who was reportedly a skilled streamer and a top-ranked player.

That’s so impressive…!

Jian Xingyi’s ears turned slightly red.

He’d fallen for this taciturn man who’d taken him through dungeons. As for how they met, Jian Xingyi had originally gone to gather some materials but ended up getting dragged into a random battle. He was running around in a panic trying to find his bearings, and Shanhai couldn’t stand to watch any longer, so he pulled him out of the fray.

Shanhai: 【What’s your combat power?】

Xinghe: 【6】

Shanhai:【?】

Xinghe: 【I said my combat power is 6… QAQ】

Shanhai: 【How do you usually collect materials? Do you ask people to help you?】

Xinghe: 【I just take them by force…】

After that, Shanhai told him to call on him if he ever needed help—after all, running a dungeon for him was a piece of cake.

Jian Xingyi is socially anxious in real life but a social butterfly online. Now that he finally had someone to run dungeons with, he immediately started chattering away nonstop. Shanhai didn’t say much, only responding occasionally, but he seemed like a gentle person.

Jian Xingyi enjoyed hanging out with Shanhai. Perhaps because Shanhai was so reserved, it actually made him feel secure. And now he was running dungeons with Shanhai again.

Xinghe: 【By the way, just letting you know, I won’t be online tomorrow. I have to go on a date… 】

Just as Jian Xingyi was about to make a snarky comment, he saw a reply from the other side.

Shanhai: 【What a coincidence, me too.】

?!

Shanhai has a girlfriend!?

Jian Xingyi started to feel a sense of foreboding.

Xinghe: 【Do you even know what kind of person they are?】 

Shanhai: 【Yeah, they’re great.】

???!

Jian Xingyi was truly nervous now. He was distracted all night while running dungeons, and in the end, he thought… if he missed this chance, and what if Shanhai and his potential match hit it off tomorrow, he’d truly regret it forever…

Jian Xingyi was so nervous his hands and feet went cold, and his whole body was tense.

He took a sip of water to calm himself down, then cautiously tested the waters.

Xinghe: 【Um… why did you choose your date?】

Shanhai:【?】

Xinghe: 【If you were looking for a partner, have you thought about me? Hahaha, just kidding! /blushing/】

After sending that, Jian Xingyi felt his heart racing so fast he thought he was going to pass out.

Even though it was just a test, and he left some wiggle room, he was still so nervous—

Shanhai: 【No matter if it was a joke or not, I don’t want to give you false hope. I really haven’t considered it. I only see you as a friend. I already have someone I like. I’m sorry.】

The reply left no room for interpretation.

“……”

Jian Xingyi stared blankly at the chat window in front of him.

He didn’t know how he’d sent the reply; his head was just buzzing.

Xinghe: 【Haha… I was just messing around. Don’t take it too seriously, boss! Logging off now. Good night!】

After closing the game window, Jian Xingyi remained frozen in place.

—A perfect illustration of how one moment of extroversion can lead to a lifetime of introversion.

Waaah…

Jian Xingyi sniffled. No crying, no crying—what’s there to cry about over some random online stranger!

Time to sleep…!

Jian Xingyi took a deep breath and fell asleep instantly, burying his head in the pillow like a quail to escape reality. Then, in his dreams, he wailed his heart out and punched Shanhai a hundred times in thin air.

The next day, Jian Xingyi got out of bed feeling listless. It was a rare weekend, and he was in a bad mood. He had originally planned to just curl up in bed and mope, but…

Damn it, he still had to go on a date.

Jian Xingyi wearily got dressed and washed up, then headed to the meeting spot—a café the other party had booked.

Lu Yan had arrived early and was nervously adjusting his tie.

Before leaving that morning, he had specifically asked his older sister for fashion advice, only to be teased by his younger brother for ages. The younger brother had joked that this was the first time in eight hundred years he’d “spread his peacock feathers”—just who on earth was he meeting?

It really was an important person.

After deciding to return to China to pursue his career, Lu Yan had been thinking about… seeing Jian Xingyi again.

Jian Xingyi—would he even remember him?

But over the years, he had never forgotten Jian Xingyi—especially his bright, sparkling eyes.

While abroad, Lu Yan had plenty of admirers; just last night, a sweet, cute girl he met online had unexpectedly confessed his feelings to him, but Lu Yan turned them all down.

All for today.

“Clang.”

The front door swung open.

Jian Xingyi was a bit taken aback when he saw him.

So handsome.

That was Jian Xingyi’s first impression.

The man was tall, with well-defined muscles and a great physique; he was dressed neatly and smartly.

Jian Xingyi recalled what his mother had said about this foreign race car driver.

Jian Xingyi was already a bit socially anxious and nervous around strangers, let alone when faced with a handsome guy who looked so intimidating.

“H-hello… Jian Xingyi, 27, male… Ugh, no…”

“Hello.” Lu Yan looked intimidating, but his voice was gentle. “Lu Yan. Just got back from abroad. Do you remember me?”

“Huh?”

Jian Xingyi looked closely.

He looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn’t place him.

Seeing Jian Xingyi’s confused expression, Lu Yan sighed. It seemed he’d forgotten. Never mind…

“We were in college together. During group projects for an elective class, you’d come over to say hello whenever you saw me on my own.”

Jian Xingyi: “……!!!”

Speaking of which, Jian Xingyi felt like picking his nose again.

Back then, when he saw a man sitting alone in the corner of the classroom, looking aloof and intimidating, he’d assumed he’d been ostracized, and no one wanted to be on his team. Feeling sorry for him, he’d gone over, patted him on the shoulder, and said, “Don’t worry! I’ve got your back!”

—It wasn’t until later that he found out the real reason no one wanted to be in a group with him…

This handsome guy from the neighboring department was just too good—working with him would only hold him back.

Jian Xingyi asked, “So it was you… Did you end up going abroad? I heard you went to chase your dreams and even became some kind of celebrity race car driver. Why are you back now?”

Lu Yan replied, “My family wanted to settle down. I’ve had my fun; now I’m back to do what I love. First, I’m starting a motorcycle company, and second…”

Lu Yan glanced at Jian Xingyi and didn’t continue.

He’d left so nonchalantly back then because, as a young man, he’d thought it was just a momentary impulse. But he never expected that after all these years apart, he’d still be thinking of him constantly—which only confirmed his true feelings.

He couldn’t understand why he’d been thinking about a teammate he’d only been with for three months for so long—it was as if he’d been under some kind of spell.

They changed the subject.

Jian Xingyi hadn’t expected Lu Yan to be so easygoing; it put him, a social anxiety sufferer, completely at ease, even though it was their first date.

He learned about Lu Yan’s future plans, about his fierce older sister named Baizhi, and his mischievous younger brother Zhou Xiaole; he learned that Lu Yan loved motorcycles, motorbikes, and extreme sports…

Lu Yan learned that Jian Xingyi was a programmer who loved gardening, food, and small animals…

Not only that, but Lu Yan also happened to learn that Jian Xingyi, who seemed like a low-key, gentle homebody, had actually achieved tremendous success in his field—apparently even winning awards and developing some impressive projects that even a layperson like him had heard of.

Lu Yan said, “I heard from Aunt Jian that you’ve been into video games lately? What kind of games?” 

“Dawn’s Break.. no…” Jian Xingyi pouted. “I uninstalled it. I don’t play it anymore.”

Lu Yan was taken aback. “Oh… I was planning to invite you to Dawn’s Break launch after dinner. Can I change my plans?” Jian Xingyi froze. Was Lu Yan suggesting… he wanted to go for a second round?

Jian Xingyi asked curiously, “Dawn’s Break launch? Do you play it?”

Lu Yan nodded. “I’m an invited player. There are VIP seats and gifts, and I might be able to get a redemption code for a special, limited-edition pet. If you like it, I can give the gift to you.”

“Invited player?! Are you one of the top ten players?” Jian Xingyi’s eyes lit up. A special limited-edition pet…

Hmm.

Just think about it—he shouldn’t have uninstalled the game just because a guy rejected him. He missed out on so many great perks!

Jian Xingyi said dryly, “I can just download it again.” 

Lu Yan smiled lightly.

After eating, Jian Xingyi got into Lu Yan’s car, and they drove smoothly toward the launch venue. Lu Yan played the theme song and trailer for “Dawn’s Break” launch theme song and trailer.

The trailer mentioned that he had invited many top streamers and players to the event to interact with the audience and compete, including Shanhai. The narration also highlighted Shanhai’s playstyle and dungeon achievements.

Lu Yan was about to tell Jian Xingyi that this was the person he was referring to when he turned to him and said, “You can add him as a friend. His ID is…” but then he froze.

Jian Xingyi had tears streaming down his face, looking utterly heartbroken.

“……!”

What’s wrong?

Jian Xingyi choked out, “Waaah, I’m so sorry….. ”

Oh my god!! This is so embarrassing—

Why is he getting sentimental at a time like this!!

He didn’t cry last night, so why is he crying now in front of this man—someone he’s only met once, but who’s so gentle he’s let his guard down!

He was doomed!!

How can someone lose face in front of the same person twice? Is there any way to make him leave this world?! Can’t he just travel into Dawn’s Break?!

Now, only the end of the world can save him from this awkward situation!