Chapter Bonanza (4/5)

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【Civil Engineering Brother: Huh?】

His brain went blank for a moment. 

Staring blankly at the watermelon in front of him,  his first thought was: This watermelon looks so fresh—the flesh, the color—it’s  practically juicy and tender,

it looks sweet and crisp just by looking at it.

Even on Earth, you might not be able to pick a watermelon this good.

Wait a minute!

He shook his head. Was this really the time to be thinking about that?

【Civil Engineering Brother: Someone’s deliberately bashing you in the regional channel!】

【I Love Survival Game: Don’t you like watermelon?】 

With such a beautiful watermelon right in front of him, how could he even be thinking about that?

【Civil Engineering Brother:? No, no,  I like it.】

【I Love Survival Game: Let’s just sit back and watch the show first; we’ll talk about the rest later.】 

Civil Engineering Brother: “……”

He really is a gaming legend—look at that ironclad composure, unflinching even as a mountain crumbles before him. Inspired by Qiyu’s attitude, his own restlessness gradually subsided.

He couldn’t help but ask:

【Gaming Expert, since when have you been so close with the teacher?】 He hasn’t heard the teacher mention it either.

【I Love Survival Game: We’re not close.】 

Civil Engineering Brother: 

【I Love Survival Game: I just think he’s really impressive.】

Civil Engineering Brother thought for a moment and understood.

【Civil Engineering Brother: So, Gaming Expert, you checked the regional channel earlier too, right? You were shocked by the teacher’s age, weren’t you?】

【Civil Engineering Brother: Haha, actually, it’s not that bad. The Survival Game seems to boost physical performance—the Teacher said that since starting the game, he feels at least thirty years younger.】

Civil Engineering Brother told Qiyu that ever since he revealed his age and profession in the regional chat channel, Tranquility Yields Transcendence had received a lot of friend requests and private messages.

Some people, because of this, wanted to send him some of their spare supplies.

Some people play the victim, calling out to their teachers and elders, hoping that “Tranquility Yields Transcendence” will give them a little help. 

A whole range of behaviors.

【Civil Engineering Brother: Gaming Pro, if you give him the watermelon yourself, the teacher will be very happy.】

【I Love Survival Game: That’s a hassle.】

Since you’re so close to him, just give it to him together.

Civil Engineering Brother truly felt that there was an inexplicable aura about the Gaming Big Shot. It seemed as though nothing was a big deal in his eyes.

Maybe that’s the sense of security that a true powerhouse gives people. He sent a slice of watermelon to Tranquility Yields Transcendence.

【Civil Engineering Brother: Teacher, this is from Gaming Big Shot for you.】

He relayed their conversation to the other person and remarked with admiration:

【He seems so aloof, but who would’ve thought he’s actually a well-behaved kid who respects his elders.】

After eating a slice of watermelon, Qiyu instinctively figured out how to scoop out the flesh with a spoon.

He simply couldn’t stop.

No wonder it’s the fruit that my best friend—who’s a master at making delicious food—loves so much. Watermelon—delicious.

Ben God Has No Form’s Carefully Selected Products—Truly Trustworthy! 

…I’m a little stuffed. 

Qiyu never imagined there would come a day when he’d be so full from food.

He sat comfortably in his chair, thinking of nothing, not even meditating, just letting his mind wander. 

Ten minutes later, he finally managed to pull himself out of that languid state.

Remembering what my Civil Engineering Brother said, he opened the regional chat channel. The first thing he saw was a post in the channel titled “Dare Not Open My Eyes”:

【Dare Not Open My Eyes: What kind of drama are some people stirring up?】

【Dare Not Open My Eyes: Just because I’m doing well and ranked number one, does that mean I should selflessly give away my stuff?】

【Dare Not Open My Eyes: Did the big shots in this game get their stuff from a strong wind or did it just fall from the sky? When you were on Earth, did you also share your savings with those who needed them more?】

“Dare Not Open My Eyes” sold a bunch of potions at a low price today, and quite a few people were still willing to buy from him. Soon, many people agreed that he had a point.

【Little Old Me: Huh? ‘Dare Not Open My Eyes,’ have you become one of the big shots in the game too?】

【Little Old Me: Although the gaming tycoon doesn’t create guilds, looking at it this way, Civil Engineering Brother, Dare Not Open My Eyes, and Teacher Tranquility Yields Transcendence are definitely on the same side as Civil Engineering Brother. They’re all renowned top-ranked players—a “lone wolf” isn’t really a lone wolf after all.】

As soon as he said that, the nature of “Dare Not Open My Eyes”—which had been meant to speak up for Qiyu—suddenly changed. It went from a stranger speaking up for justice to speaking up for the leader of his own group.

“Dare Not Open My Eyes,” who hadn’t been resting anyway, nearly blacked out at those words. He was just about to retort.

【I Love Survival Game: @Little Old Me, are you serious?】 

The moment he appeared, the region channel fell silent for a moment. The intimidation factor of holding the top spot on both leaderboards was still formidable.

Moreover, in the eyes of many, it was only a matter of time before “I Love Survival Game” claimed the remaining Wealth Rank as well.

Clearly, most of the earlier flood of messages had been teasing, complaining, and hinting that the game’s big shots weren’t stepping in to help.

But the moment he actually appeared, the chat channel was instantly flooded with greetings and pleas to ride his coattails.

【Little Old Me: Aiya, I wouldn’t dare accept those words! The game big shot shows up and immediately slaps such a huge accusation on me—I’m honestly terrified.】

【Little Old Me: I swear, I have nothing but admiration for you, game big shot, and absolutely no ill intentions whatsoever. 】

【Little Old Me: I just feel that for a big shot like you, having your own team is completely normal in the first place. 】

Qiyu completely ignored him.

Qi Yu didn’t bother to pay attention to his words at all.

【I Love Survival Games: If you don’t have an issue with me, does that mean you have an issue with Dare Not Open My Eyes?】

Little Old Me: “…”

Dare Not Open My Eyes secretly sent Qi Yu a private message: 【Dare Not Open My Eyes: Game big shot, can I tell people about you giving me the honey crystal nectar? You didn’t reply when I asked earlier, so I didn’t dare say anything recklessly.】

He was afraid the game big shot wouldn’t want others to know he had such a thing.

【Dare Not Open My Eyes: One more thing—big shot, you’re truly so cool!】

Qi Yu scrolled back through the chat logs, only then realizing he had missed a message.

【I Love Survival Games: If it’s something I can give away, there’s nothing that can’t be talked about.】

As for true secrets, he wouldn’t share them with anyone anyway.

【Little Old Me: Game big shot, I admit you really are amazing, but is there any need to be so aggressive?】

【I Love Survival Games: Sounds like you really do have an issue with me.】

【I Love Survival Games: From now on, none of my stuff will be sold to you.】

Little Old Me: ???

Is this guy out of his mind? A grand number one on the regional leaderboard, and he’s this petty?

Does he truly not care about his reputation at all?

【I’m Domineering: Incredible, isn’t it? Is this the true face of the number one on the leaderboard?】

【A Glass of Water Every Day: 666, I thought he was some lofty, aloof big shot, but the moment he hits rank one, his true nature comes out? Can’t handle even a single bit of doubt or defiance, huh?】

【Call Me to Squeeze My Butt When You See Me: Does this count as a threat? It does, right?】

Little Old Me curled his lips into a smile. He had thought this guy was some ruthless character, but looking at it now, this fellow didn’t seem much smarter than “My Fate Is Mine, Not Heaven’s.”

【I Love Survival Games: I’m Domineering, A Glass of Water Every Day, Squeeze My Butt, Hundred Ghosts Night Parade…】

Names were posted by him one after another, every single one belonging to the players who had chimed in earlier.

The bustling chat channel gradually fell silent.

【I Love Survival Game: I’m not selling this stuff to you guys.】 Little Old Me sat up abruptly. 

“No way, is he out of his mind?” he blurted out. “Isn’t he afraid of stirring up a public outcry?”

Civil Engineering Brother was also startled by the commotion Qiyu had caused. 

In their private group chat:

【Dare Not Open My Eyes: That top-tier player has one hell of a temper.】

【Civil Engineering Brother: I get it now—the reason the gaming big shot is so taciturn is that whenever he speaks, he tends to deliver a knockout blow.】

【Dare Not Open My Eyes: I’m just afraid it’ll backfire.】

【Tranquility Yields Transcendence: I actually don’t think there’s any need to worry.】

【Tranquility Yields Transcendence: What do you guys think—will what Game Bro said affect his next sale of screaming Lily of the valley?】

【Tranquility Yields Transcendence: The answer is no, because everyone needs this. And his words might actually serve to deter some people.】

【Tranquility Yields Transcendence: Just because the top-ranked player is quiet and doesn’t sweat the small stuff doesn’t mean he’s a pushover anyone can push around.】

It turned out exactly as Tranquility Yields Transcendence had said.

Qiyu called out each person by name one by one. Aside from a few die-hards who grumbled in dissatisfaction, the rest of the comments were mostly in his defense.

【Cockroach Taste Is So Weird: I’m curious—have those who say top players don’t help the region ever bought a screaming lily of the valley? For 20 wood, you get an item that can sound an alarm. Don’t you really think the top player is being fair with his prices?】

【Be A Good Person: Yeah, anyone who’s bought it knows how useful it is. Let’s be honest—right now, this is the only item in the zone that can actually alert you to danger. Even if the big shot sold it for 40 wood or 80 wood, we’d still grit our teeth and buy it.】

【Be A Good Person: I stand with him. We can’t just ignore his contributions just because he doesn’t talk about them.】

【Seven Demons: This is the noob whose life was saved by the screaming lily of the valley. Even though this thing is really loud, thanks to it, I can finally sleep soundly at night. 20 wood—it really is practically a giveaway.】

Qiyu hadn’t actually thought of it that way at all.

Earlier, when he saw a bunch of people bashing him for no apparent reason, he didn’t think much of it.

Now that he sees a group of people defending him, he feels the need to clarify:

【I Love Survival Game: We priced the screaming lily of the valley at 20 wood because we believe it’s a fair price. It’s not a half-price giveaway, nor is it charity.】

【I Love Survival Game: Buying and selling is an exchange of value. If you think the price is right, buy it; if not, don’t.】

Why attach all that extra baggage to a simple transaction? 

The regional channel was clearly shocked once again by the big shot’s remarks. 

【A Stray By The Road: 6.】

【A Stray By The Road: Uninfluenced by public opinion, not held hostage by moral pressure. This guy is truly impressive.】

【Irritable Brother: Haha, you guys at the Hall—you deserved to lose. @Little Old Me.】

Little Old Me: ???

Are you out of your mind? Why are you tagging me for no reason?

A baffling public controversy has just as mysteriously fizzled out. 

As players in Zone 01 all know, the top-ranked player, “I Love Survival Game,” is a mysterious figure who can’t be selected or defined. It’s best not to mess with him. 7

Just then, a new message quietly popped up: 

【Dare Not Open My Eyes: Actually, it’s not like the Gaming Expert hasn’t done nothing at all. The main ingredient for the 300 bottles of honey crystal flower potion listed in the trading section—honey crystal flower nectar—was donated by the Gaming Expert free of charge.】