Of course, Xie Jinghong wasn’t idle while continuing the game. He kept finding topics to chat about, coaxing Shen Mufan to say a few more words and open up a bit more.
Shen Mufan had grown accustomed to being taciturn over the past three or four years, rarely speaking much. Even if his inner thoughts were in turmoil, he would only utter a few words—or sometimes none at all, like a silent gourd. Today, however, was an exception, as Shen Mufan spoke more than usual.
As they chatted, they cleared mobs and took detours to various scenic maps, often frequented by couples and lovey-dovey players, doing the typical things couples would do in-game—wasting quite a bit of time. Despite this, they still managed to collect all the required items and returned to the Matchmaker Temple.
However, this delay allowed Yi Jian Hanguang and Yaoyao, who had originally been behind them in progress, to arrive at the Matchmaker Temple first—leading to yet another chaotic scene.
Shen Mufan stared at the familiar chaos in the [Nearby] and [World] channels, his mind filling with six silent dots: “……”
Xie Jinghong, on the other hand, browsed the World and Nearby channels with great interest, piecing together the entire drama from start to finish, thoroughly entertained.
Yi Jian Hanguang was outstanding and had many admirers, and Wu Xin Zui was no exception. Wu Xin Zui was bold, generous, loyal, highly skilled, and a capable commander. As the deputy leader of [Han Mang], the largest guild in *Wanderer’s World*, she naturally had no shortage of suitors.
However, Wu Xin Zui had always made it clear that she only liked Yi Jian Hanguang, politely but firmly rejecting all other confessions. This was why their ambiguous relationship had persisted—otherwise, given Wu Xin Zui’s qualities, she would have been in a relationship long ago.
Wu Xin Zui was also highly tactful and emotionally intelligent. Though she rejected her suitors, none of them turned bitter or resentful. Instead, they became “model examples of staying friends after rejection.”
Now that Wu Xin Zui, Yi Jian Hanguang, and Yaoyao had caused such a stir, Wu Xin Zui’s former suitors naturally learned of the incident through the World channel, forums, and other sources.
Despite Wu Xin Zui’s many strengths, she had a straightforward personality, and there were inevitably people in-game who disliked her—whether out of pettiness or other reasons. These individuals now seized the opportunity to kick her while she was down.
Some claimed Wu Xin Zui was shamelessly throwing herself at Yi Jian Hanguang, that he had only been kind to her out of friendship, yet she acted like his official girlfriend. “Look at her now—getting slapped in the face! Yi Jian Hanguang himself said they were just friends!”
Others mocked, “She bragged about being a beautiful heiress in real life, claiming to know Yi Jian Hanguang personally. And what happened? He ignored her and ended up with a man!” “Wu Xin Zui has no real skills—just a talent for lying and talking nonsense!” “She only clings to Yi Jian Hanguang because he’s too nice. If he had a temper, she’d have been PK’d into oblivion by now!”
The insults grew increasingly vicious. After all, Wu Xin Zui was famous, and fame inevitably bred haters. Those who admired Yi Jian Hanguang also resented her for being his closest companion.
In contrast, these same people didn’t harbor as much hatred toward Yaoyao. If Yaoyao could “steal” Yi Jian Hanguang from Wu Xin Zui, then maybe they could steal him from Yaoyao too! Compared to Wu Xin Zui, who had a deep bond with Yi Jian Hanguang, Yaoyao seemed like an easier target. Thus, they supported Yaoyao.
Some even claimed that Yaoyao and Yi Jian Hanguang were true love, the perfect match—threads praising them were already trending on the forums.
Wu Xin Zui’s suitors, however, knew her true character. They couldn’t stand by and watch her be wronged.
The leader of *Wanderer’s World*’s second-largest guild, [Gui Yun Ge], Shaolin Yun Fei, knew Yi Jian Hanguang and Yaoyao would come to the Matchmaker Temple. Calculating the timing, he decided to wait for them there. To avoid dragging his guild into personal drama, he came alone.
Yun Fei and Yi Jian Hanguang had always been evenly matched in skill. Though Yi Jian Hanguang had a healer—Yaoyao—she was a newbie, so Yun Fei didn’t consider her a threat.
Thus, the three clashed.
But Yun Fei wasn’t Wu Xin Zui’s only former suitor. Others also came to confront Yi Jian Hanguang, seeking justice for her.
They might not have won her heart, but they were still her friends—and friends stood up for each other.
However, Wu Xin Zui wasn’t the only one with supporters. Yi Jian Hanguang and Yaoyao had their own factions, and the fight escalated, drawing in more and more players.
Among them was Yaoyao’s friend, an archer named Green Sprite—a rude, unreasonable, foul-mouthed, and spoiled girl.
Green Sprite came from an ordinary background and resented Wu Xin Zui’s privileged status. She was overjoyed that her friend had “stolen” Wu Xin Zui’s man and had no qualms about slandering Wu Xin Zui on the forums.
Now, she was even more unrestrained.
*No matter how amazing you are, Wu Xin Zui, you still lost your man to a nobody like Yaoyao!* she gloated inwardly. *Who knows if your so-called suitors even wanted you for real? Our relationships are built on true love!*
The love triangle between Yi Jian Hanguang, Wu Xin Zui, and Yaoyao had become *Wanderer’s World*’s hottest topic, second only to the Qixi Festival event. With the involved parties now causing a scene at the Matchmaker Temple, the crowd of onlookers grew rapidly.
Seeing the massive crowd and the flood of messages in the World and Nearby channels, Shen Mufan hesitated. “A-Jing, let’s come back tomorrow.” They had already collected all the necessary items, so timing didn’t matter.
“No.” Xie Jinghong refused flatly. “I want to bond with you as soon as possible. I won’t delay even for a moment.”
Shen Mufan, sitting at his desk, clutched his chest, feeling his heartbeat accelerate. *Oh no… this is the feeling of falling for someone.* He had no rebuttal, his face flushing as he obediently followed Xie Jinghong.
And what did Xie Jinghong plan to do?
He smirked. *Back in the day, I was infamous for being reckless and unrestrained. Though I’ve mellowed with age, some things never change.*
Jing Xing Xing Zhi strode toward the Matchmaker Temple, inevitably passing through the chaotic battlefield. With so many players and AoE skills flying around, collateral damage was unavoidable. Since Jing Xing Xing Zhi and Si Fan were in the same party, any attacks on either would aggro the entire team.
Jing Xing Xing Zhi didn’t do much—just beat up anyone who dared attack them. Whether the hits were intentional or accidental, he showed no mercy.
Si Fan, though a squishy assassin, had impeccable dodging skills. If he hadn’t, he wouldn’t be considered a top-tier assassin.
Besides, the main aggro wasn’t on them. The occasional stray hit could be healed with a potion.
And leading the way was Jing Xing Xing Zhi—a one-man wrecking crew.
Back in the day, it was his flawless mechanics and flashy footwork that had left Shen Mufan awestruck. Even now, despite Jing Xing Xing Zhi keeping a low profile, he was no pushover. Anyone who crossed him would regret it.
Thus, the two of them swaggered through the battlefield, leaving a trail of defeated players and envious—or enraged—stares in their wake.
Not that either cared about others’ opinions.
Xie Jinghong had long since risen above such trivialities.
Shen Mufan, meanwhile, had built thick walls around his heart. Though Xie Jinghong had somehow slipped inside, others stood no chance. And those outside his walls? Their opinions meant nothing to him.
Though the crowd’s attention made Shen Mufan uneasy, the sight of Xie Jinghong’s avatar—even just its back—filled him with inexplicable calm. The negative emotions that had plagued him for years slowly faded.
In a daze, he followed Xie Jinghong, submitted the quest, and officially became his in-game partner.
As the system announcement flashed across the screen, Shen Mufan felt his heart skip another beat.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage