Jing Mian thought for a moment. Since there was still time, and Mr. Ren usually did the cooking, perhaps he could take charge of the kitchen today.
Jing Mian rolled up his sleeves and went to the fridge to take out the fish he had bought earlier. The basa fish had a high meat yield, a tender and smooth texture, and was highly nutritious. Paired with a tomato-based soup, even those who didn’t like fish would find it hard to resist.
To avoid mistakes, Jing Mian even looked up a tutorial.
Everything was ready.
However, just as he finished washing the tomatoes and started peeling and chopping them, he suddenly heard a sound from the sofa.
It was his phone ringing.
Jing Mian dried his hands, walked over to the sofa, and picked up his phone. He saw that it was Song Xianyang calling.
Song Xianyang was the newest member of the Me. club, with the ID Sleepy.
He was also Jing Mian’s little fan and top supporter. To stand up for Jing Mian, he had challenged Mobo, successfully climbed the PK rankings, pushed Li Shengwen off the list, and even joined Jing Mian’s club. He had also exchanged numbers with his idol and surpassed 80% of Glory’s users.
“MianMian, are you busy?”
Normally, no one would call Jing Mian “bro,” but since it was the first time Me. had a member younger than Jing Mian, the nickname “MianMian” had become Sleepy’s exclusive term of endearment.
“Xianyang?”
Jing Mian asked, “Not busy, what’s up?”
Song Xianyang took a deep breath and said urgently, “Bro, you need to check this out.”
“Someone’s posted about you on the forum!!”
After hanging up, Jing Mian took off his disposable apron and sat down on the sofa. He opened his laptop and, after a moment of hesitation, entered the main interface of Glory.
The forum and login window were parallel interfaces, so he didn’t need to enter the game to access the forum.
Jing Mian’s cursor paused slightly.
The post wasn’t hard to find because it was floating on the forum’s homepage, pinned to the top.
When he saw the title, Jing Mian’s brow furrowed slightly.
【Enough is enough! Exposing how that cool, seemingly indifferent streamer in fans’ eyes is seducing my boyfriend】［hot!］
The post’s replies and popularity had skyrocketed. Just twenty minutes after it was posted, the title already had a “hot” label attached to it.
This meant the thread had already reached over two hundred replies.
Besides the explosive title, another reason for the attention was the poster’s avatar.
Unlike the usual anonymous call-out posts, the poster hadn’t chosen to remain anonymous.
Thus, all players who clicked into the poster’s profile could see their in-game identity—
Li Shengwen.
Considering the title, it wasn’t hard to guess that Li Shengwen’s boyfriend was the center of the controversy: Greek.
Jing Mian frowned slightly.
After entering the hot post, the main thread roughly explained that the poster and their boyfriend had been in a loving relationship for several years, keeping it low-key. The boyfriend was famous, with a cold personality, appearing calm and steady in the public eye, but in reality, he was somewhat shy and not good at rejecting people.
However, recently, a suddenly popular streamer, who always covered his face and only showed his eyes, had amassed a large following. Despite average skills, he had managed to snag the Shadow Guard of a top-tier player through spending and cheats. Recently, he had also used his newfound popularity to join a declining club.
Perhaps knowing that he would soon face Greek in the provincial competition, that small-time streamer couldn’t sit still. He secretly tried to match with his boyfriend in the same game, subtly and overtly seducing his boyfriend who isn’t good at refusing.
The boyfriend was very troubled and even complained to me. At first, I thought I’d just let it go, but then I considered whether it would be morally and ethically questionable to let someone like that participate in such an important provincial or even national competition.
In the end, my request is simply that the small-time streamer stay away from now on.
Additionally, I request that Glory headquarters disqualify this player from the competition.
As soon as this post went up,
the replies exploded, and the thread grew rapidly:
1L: 【Front row】
2L: 【Quick, before it gets locked】
3L: 【WTF, is this Li Shengwen himself? Is the boyfriend Greek?!】
4L: 【This is definitely the most explosive post of the year】
……
12L: 【Decoded, the third party is the recently popular faceless streamer Sheep.】
13L: 【What, Sheep?! My idol has fallen??】
14L: 【Why would he do that? Is someone else’s boyfriend really that tempting?】
15L: 【You know what, some people do find other people’s boyfriends more appealing. Single ones just aren’t as exciting.】
16L: 【Gross】
……
23L: 【Sheep seems really handsome. It’s unlikely he would seduce someone else’s boyfriend. Maybe the OP is being too confident. Not everyone likes Greek. Clearly, Sheep likes Ash…】
From the 23rd floor, a different voice emerged.
The players who followed in the thread also found this reasonable.
But soon, Li Shengwen himself replied to the 23rd floor:
“If you’re judging someone based on their appearance, then I can’t help but reveal the truth. During the Cross-Server Competition, I met this person backstage. He happened to not have his mask on in time and accidentally showed his face.”
Netizens were instantly intrigued and asked: 【So, how does Sheep look in person?】
Li Shengwen sent a laughing emoji and replied:
【I won’t say much; it’s not nice to comment on someone’s looks.】
【In any case, his decision to wear a mask was the right one.】
【Otherwise, he might not have any fans at all.】
……
At this point, the thread completely erupted:
87L: 【Unbelievable, is it now trendy for ugly people to cause trouble?】
88L: 【No wonder he never takes off his mask. But his voice is really nice. I’ll keep watching, I can’t bear to unfollow him, wuwu】
89L: 【Hey, you can unfollow if you want. MianMian’s fans don’t need you. And damn, do you think MianMian’s fans are dead? Spreading rumors doesn’t cost anything, does it?!】
……
Continuing to scroll down.
Suddenly, after the 100th floor,
a user with a pink avatar appeared:
102L: 【I’ve been following MianMian since he started streaming.】
103L: 【First, MianMian’s skills are not average. Being sixth on the PK leaderboard isn’t just talk. He achieved it in just one year, not even counting the data from when he was competing for Ash’s Shadow Guard.】
104L: 【Second, Me. Club is the only club Ash has ever signed with. It has few members, and the captain is young, so of course, it can’t compare to those clubs backed by capital.】
106L: 【Third, I watched today’s livestream. Here are a few clips for you 【video】 【video】 【video】】
107L: 【Take a look, everyone. Was it MianMian seducing your boyfriend, or was it your Greek showing obvious interest in our MianMian, both openly and subtly?】
108L: 【Who was seducing whom? Nowadays, anyone can just open their mouth and spread rumors without caring about the consequences?】
109L: 【Besides, MianMian is already married. He’s been wearing his ring for almost a month. Don’t mess with the newlyweds, okay?】
110L: 【Li Shengwen, Greek, come out and apologize.】
…
After this netizen appeared, with just a few words, they were cold yet impactful, with evidence and logic that were flawless and left no room for doubt.
This netizen also did not remain anonymous, and their ID displayed was Sleepy.
111L: 【Wow, Sheep’s top supporter has shown up.】
112L: 【Top supporter, you better run away overnight with a train. Do you know your idol looks like Ruhua?】
After this, Sleepy did not respond at all.
The players thought this top supporter had fallen into deep thought and run away because they had supported the wrong person.
But then, in the top left corner of Jing Mian’s laptop screen, a team “challenge” invitation suddenly appeared:
—From Sleepy.
At the same time, Song Xianyang sent a voice message on WeChat: “Brother MianMian, accept it.”
A “challenge” is slightly less intense than a PK. Compared to the stakes of a PK, whether you win or lose a “challenge,” you only lose some experience points.
The only special thing is that it allows other players to watch the spectacle.
Since the challenge notice appears on the homepage, the challenged party can choose not to accept it, but at the same time, they will be mocked by the entire server.
Jing Mian pursed his lips, hesitated for just two seconds, and then clicked to accept.
After meeting up with Song Xianyang, Jing Mian found out that Sleepy’s opponent… was actually Li Shengwen.
Even though he knew the opponent was strong, Li Shengwen, out of pride, had no choice but to grit his teeth and accept.
It was as if his weakness had been exposed. Song Xianyang seemed to have specifically dragged Li Shengwen in… to vent Jing Mian’s anger.
Thus.
The short six-minute challenge ended with Li Shengwen and his teammates being completely wiped out.
Sheep almost got headshots with every shot, ruthless and sparing no words. Before Li Shengwen could even utter a taunt, he was already lying on the ground.
Meanwhile, Song Xianyang occasionally picked up a gun, looted some supplies, and idled on the side, as if watching the show.
The onlookers were thoroughly entertained:
【Hahahaha Sleepy dragged him here to vent MianMian’s anger.】
【So ruthless and brutal.】
【Tsk tsk, Sheep’s skill is overwhelming. He didn’t say anything, but it felt like he said everything.】
【Our Sheep doesn’t even bother using words.】
【Li Shengwen was once on the PK leaderboard. How did he get crushed like this…】
【I don’t know if others are enjoying this, but I sure am.】
…
The challenge ended.
The winner was clear, brief, and concise, without any unnecessary drama.
Meanwhile, the forum was also reporting in real-time:
121L: 【The latest battle report is here! Li Shengwen got completely destroyed, and Sheep’s top supporter wasn’t scared away.】
123L: 【Everyone, let’s not resort to personal attacks… Shouldn’t the focus be on whether Sheep really stole Li Shengwen’s boyfriend or not?】
From here, the tide gradually turned:
124L: 【Right, everyone’s focus has indeed shifted.】
125L: 【What matters in a streamer is their skill, not who looks better or who comes first.】
126L: 【I’m really convinced. The OP’s post is all talk. Li Shengwen, where’s your evidence?】
125L: 【Damn, are Greek and Li Shengwen really a couple? After seeing those videos above, I’m starting to doubt it. Greek has never made a statement, right?】
126L: 【But MianMian is married!!】
127L: 【My opinion is… everyone’s a villain. I’m taking my MianMian away, please don’t come near.】
129L: 【Li Shengwen, Greek, come out and apologize】
130L: 【Li Shengwen, Greek, come out and apologize】
131L: 【Li Shengwen, Greek, come out and apologize】
…
And so, this comment thread continued to build up to the 200th post, becoming a hot topic.
226L: 【Me. Club】
【This post has been screenshot for evidence. The OP, Li Shengwen, has been spreading baseless rumors about our team members, severely damaging their reputation. We will subsequently submit a legal case to pursue a lawsuit for our rights.】
227L: 【Damn, the club has shown up!?】
228L: 【So domineering, just twenty minutes in, and MianMian is confirmed as the team’s favorite.】
229L: 【Li Shengwen, get ready to pay up hhh】
…
At this point, Jing Mian stopped scrolling.
When he closed his laptop, he realized his palms were sweaty.
Jing Mian looked up; night had already fallen. He hadn’t turned on the lights, so the faint night enveloped him and the sofa in a corner, as if caught in the crevices of shadows.
No beams of light could be seen.
Jing Mian rubbed his palms and found his fingertips were also cold, as if his blood had stagnated, quietly ceasing to transmit warmth.
Even though this post contained slander, malicious comments, a reversal of the situation, and a restoration of reputation… it had successfully left Jing Mian sitting still for a long time, his back damp with cold sweat, unable to recover for quite a while.
Perhaps Doctor Pei was right.
He wasn’t ready to handle negativity and pessimism, even if it came from the internet.
Jing Mian took a deep breath, put the notebook aside, and got up from the sofa.
Just as he was about to go upstairs, he heard the sound of the door lock.
Jing Mian was startled and turned his head.
His gaze met Mr. Ren’s, who had appeared at the entrance.
The man stood against the boundless night, but when he looked at Jing Mian, it was as if he was against the light.
“Why didn’t you turn on the lights?” Mr. Ren’s voice broke the silence.
Jing Mian’s Adam’s apple moved, and he said blankly, “I… forgot.”
Ren Xingwan reached out and turned on the lights.
Jing Mian squinted slightly, unaccustomed to the light.
Mr. Ren asked softly, “Are you hungry?”
Jing Mian suddenly realized and nodded, “A little.”
Then, as if remembering something, he said, “I was going to cook fish for you.”
Mr. Ren’s gaze fell on the cutting board not far away, where a tomato lay half-cut, its pale red juice oozing out.
Mr. Ren took off his coat and walked over to Jing Mian. His long, slightly cool fingers brushed over the young man’s forehead and then dropped.
The man’s voice was magnetic and deep, “I’ll take care of it.”
Jing Mian realized that Mr. Ren seemed to be checking if he had a fever.
Although there was no fever, the cold sweat on his forehead that hadn’t yet subsided… had probably been noticed by his husband.
But the man didn’t say anything.
Jing Mian swallowed hard. This time, instead of returning to the second floor, he sat down at the dining table, close to the kitchen.
With just a glance up, he could see Mr. Ren’s back.
Jing Mian interlaced his fingers, feeling inexplicably a bit more at ease.
Soon, the table was filled with steaming dishes. The warmth brushed against Jing Mian’s eyelashes, carrying an indescribable coziness.
Jing Mian obediently took the chopsticks and spoon handed to him by his husband, along with the bowl of rice.
Then he lowered his gaze and began eating quietly.
Mr. Ren watched him from the side.
Jing Mian: “…”
Was he being selfish by eating alone and forgetting about Mr. Ren, who had returned late?
Jing Mian swallowed a mouthful of rice, looked up, and asked, “…Aren’t you going to eat together?”
Mr. Ren said, “I’m not hungry.”
In the past, Jing Mian might have nodded to acknowledge this.
But this time, for some reason, Jing Mian opened his mouth and said, “Could you eat a little with me?”
…
Expecting to be refused, Jing Mian instead heard Mr. Ren say, “Alright.”
You might not believe that stars could explode or that the sun could rise from the west, but you could always trust Mr. Ren’s cooking skills.
Jing Mian secretly thought that his own specialty, the flounder, had suddenly become a dish that tantalized the taste buds in Ren Xingwan’s hands, even more delicious than it looked in the tutorial.
However, as Jing Mian lowered his gaze and focused on finishing the fish, he suddenly heard Mr. Ren ask, “What happened?”
Jing Mian’s eyelashes trembled, and his chopsticks paused.
…So Mr. Ren had noticed?
Jing Mian wasn’t sure if sharing this with Mr. Ren was appropriate.
After all, the accusations Li Shengwen made were related to meddling in relationships, and Mr. Ren was his lover.
But since the man had asked, Jing Mian had no choice but to explain:
“It’s just… something on the internet.”
Jing Mian thought that Mr. Ren never paid attention to this kind of circle, so perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to confide in him occasionally.
After hesitating for a few seconds, Jing Mian said, “Someone posted about me on a gaming forum… spreading some lies.”
“Many people believed it, so I thought… I might have to leave the club and stop streaming.”
Jing Mian curled his fingers, gripping the soup spoon, and said softly, “But it’s still uncertain.”
“Mr. Ren, don’t worry about it.”
Jing Mian spoke slowly, and by the time he finished, the air had grown quiet.
Mr. Ren didn’t say anything.
Just as Jing Mian was about to sip the mushroom soup from his spoon, he suddenly noticed that Ren Xingwan stood up.
The rice in his bowl remained untouched.
He heard Mr. Ren say, “…You eat first.”
“I need to go to the study.”
Jing Mian: “?”
Jing Mian looked up in confusion and couldn’t help but ask, “Do you have work to handle?”
Ren Xingwan hummed in acknowledgment.
Jing Mian nodded.
He decided to leave more fish, hot soup, and stir-fried dishes in the warmer so that Mr. Ren could eat them once he was done.
In S City.
Inside a high-end hotel suite.
The sudden sound of a glass shattering exploded on the floor.
“Li Shengwen, have you lost your mind?”
Greek’s icy voice slowly said, “When did I tell you to post something like this?”
Li Shengwen’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and his ankles trembled slightly. He gritted his teeth and said, “I did this because I didn’t want you to face Jing Mian in the provincial tournament…”
“Who I meet is none of your business,” Greek suddenly laughed.
But the chill in his eyes was terrifying.
Li Shengwen’s lips trembled slightly: “Why can’t I care? From the beginning until now, it’s always been me by your side. You’ve come and gone, with so many people around you, when have I ever…”
Before he could finish, Greek grabbed his chin, his voice sliding into Li Shengwen’s ear: “Don’t think that just because I’ve fucked you a few times, you can act like you’re the main one.”
“You’re not even worth one of Jing Mian’s fingers.”
“Now, I’m going to post the announcement, and you’re going to apologize to him in the thread,” Greek said, lowering his gaze. “Do you understand?”
Li Shengwen’s eyes were wide with fury: “Damn it, I don’t want to…”
At that moment, a sound suddenly came from the bed not far away.
It was similar to a system notification, ethereal and brief.
What was noteworthy was that this was the unique notification sound of the Glory system.
Moreover, this sound only played when something important happened in Glory, serving as a system-wide announcement.
And both Li Shengwen and Greek’s computers had simultaneously emitted this sound.
This was unusual.
After all, Li Shengwen and Greek’s IDs were not registered in the same game region.
Greek frowned slightly.
He let go of Li Shengwen, lowered his gaze, and lit a cigarette.
The smoke slowly curled up, the embers falling at the man’s feet. Greek said lazily, “Looks like there’s a new announcement for the provincial competition tomorrow.”
He leaned down, picked up the notebook with one hand, and placed it on the wooden table by the floor-to-ceiling window. The man reclined in the armchair, his gaze devoid of warmth as it swept over the announcement bar at the top of the screen.
Then, his eyes froze.
The cigarette in his mouth fell, but Greek seemed oblivious.
That notification sound didn’t come from the regular message bar, nor from an independent channel, nor even from the game zone he was in.
Instead… it was directed at all game zones across the entire Glory server!!
In other words, at this very moment, every player in Glory could see this message:
A world channel announcement arrived—
[System Notification:]
[System Notification:]
[The number one player in the entire server—Ash has logged in!]