Due to the exceptional brilliance of the Cross-Server Competition, the official recording was quickly released. Fans who hadn’t seen it flocked to watch, and Bilibili was suddenly flooded with analysis channels breaking down the thrilling event in detail.
It was a feast for the eyes.
The standout performer, without a doubt, was the new streamer named Jing Mian.
His outstanding and surprising performance captured everyone’s attention.
The trap set by Li Shengwen was a death trap. Even if the legendary Ash had appeared back then, he would have been unable to handle such a situation.
Facing a ghost one-on-one was standard, but three-on-one was already pushing the limits. Any slight delay would result in a missed opportunity, and the ghost would tear you apart in an instant.
Finding the correct escape route while being pursued by ghosts was even more challenging.
Jing Mian not only broke the mold dramatically but also inadvertently led to Mr. Ren’s victory without letting Li Shengwen succeed.
The legendary Ash’s appearance in such a significant event sparked a wave of nostalgia and excitement among players.
From every angle, the match was a rollercoaster of events.
It also caught the attention of the international tournament committee.
The meeting with the parents, scheduled for the day after tomorrow, was about to begin.
Jing Mian woke up in his dorm room, where all his roommates were still sound asleep. He took a deep breath, realizing that despite the meeting being in the evening, he had been nervous since morning.
The parents on both sides were unaware that they had already gotten married.
So, this meeting had a hint of “act first, report later.”
Jing Mian thought that whether it was his parents or Mr. Ren’s parents who found out the truth, they would likely be furious.
So, it had to be kept a secret.
On the other hand, even though they had secretly gotten married, their relationship remained quite innocent. They hadn’t kissed, hugged, or lifted each other up, and both seemed to have been abstinent for years. Strictly speaking, they hadn’t truly crossed any boundaries.
The prize money from the Cross-Server Competition was quickly distributed to everyone.
Jing Mian checked his bank account and saw the transfer.
—Six thousand.
This was just for the Cross-Server Competition, his first match, and the amount far exceeded his expectations. It seemed that joining Mr. Ren’s team, Me., was a wise decision. Not only could he learn more about Ash, but he could also earn some extra money.
The matches are so good, please give me more.
orz
Out of boredom, Jing Mian logged into the Glory game forum and was immediately drawn to a popular post:
—[Did Sheep get married? Is it true?]
The post unexpectedly mentioned his name and the news of his marriage. Jing Mian’s heart raced, but he hesitantly clicked into it.
The main post didn’t have much content.
No analysis, no conspiracy theories, just a few photos of Jing Mian during the Cross-Server Competition, with the camera focusing on his left hand wearing a ring.
If it was just a guess about his marriage, it would be fine, but if it was linked to Mr. Ren, Jing Mian would be completely thrown off.
—[MianMian’s ring finger on his left hand actually has a ring?!]
—[This picture is so clear, sasa, his hand is so beautiful, I want to lick that mole.]
—[Upvote the above post.]
—[Draw your swords, my wife forbids others from being perverted.]
—[Impossible, it must just be for fun. I remember following MianMian’s live streams, and he wasn’t wearing it back then. Besides, MianMian is only 20, how could he get married so early?]
—[Don’t generalize, 20 is the legal age for marriage.]
—[I don’t think it’s possible. If it was a marriage, wouldn’t it be a diamond ring? Only same-sex marriages prefer simple rings.]
—[Impossible, such a handsome boy would be pursued by girls, not boys.]
…
Jing Mian swallowed hard, realizing that the truth might be the opposite.
He scrolled down, relieved to see that no one had linked him to Ren Xingwan. He logged out of the forum, staring at the ceiling in a daze.
Time slowly passed, and before he knew it, it was evening.
Jing Mian dressed neatly and left the dorm. Mr. Ren was already waiting in his car at the school gate.
After getting in, Jing Mian grabbed the seatbelt, his palms sweating, and his throat inexplicably dry.
“Nervous?” the man asked, glancing at him.
Jing Mian instinctively shook his head, then hesitated and nodded slightly.
“A little.”
Ren Xingwan said, “You don’t have to worry about them.”
Jing Mian was slightly taken aback.
The man paused, then added, “Not just today.”
Jing Mian sensed a deeper meaning. It seemed that Mr. Ren’s relationship with his parents wasn’t as perfect as he had imagined, and there might be some tension.
In that case, they were somewhat similar.
Outwardly, they appeared to have a bright and harmonious life, but in reality, there were cracks that had grown and worsened over time.
Upon entering the hotel, Jing Mian saw that his father and stepmother were already there, sitting in the lobby.
In the distance, he noticed a couple dressed in elegant attire sitting nearby. The woman looked both noble and young, which made him think of Li Qiao.
When Jing Mian and Ren Xingwan appeared in the hotel lobby, their striking appearances drew the attention of passersby.
Ren Xingwan’s parents soon noticed the approaching duo.
The woman stood up, her eyes filled with surprise when she saw Jing Mian.
“Is this MianMian?”
“Goodness, even more handsome than in the photos.”
Her amazement was evident. Before the arranged marriage, she had only seen Jing Mian in photos.
“What a treasure Xiao Ren has found!”
The woman reached out to pinch Jing Mian’s cheek, but before he could react, a hand suddenly appeared from the side, gripping his chin.
The fingers moved slightly, asserting ownership, and the woman’s hand awkwardly stopped in mid-air before dropping.
They greeted both sets of parents. They had reserved a private dining room on the fourth floor of the hotel, known for its exquisite and delicious cuisine, making it a perfect place for business or family gatherings.
They sat around the round table.
Jing Mian inevitably sat next to Mr. Ren.
On the other side sat Jing Luo.
Jing Luo looked very unhappy.
At four or five years old, the adult chairs were too low for him, and he couldn’t reach the table, so they added a child’s booster seat.
This only added to Jing Luo’s unhappiness.
Jing Luo held a small spoon, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Brother, did you take the household registration book to get married?”
“Did you trick Luo Luo back then?”
“…” Jing Mian felt an overwhelming sense of guilt, reaching its peak.
He should have told Jing Luo back then.
But then he thought, if Jing Luo knew he was taking the household registration book to marry Mr. Ren, Jing Luo’s sadness would only be worse, or at least equal to now.
The marriage might not have happened at all.
Feeling embarrassed, Jing Mian leaned over and whispered, “Brother and Mr. Ren just got married, we haven’t lived together, and we’ve only met twice. We haven’t even held hands. We’re not as close as you and me.”
“Is that better?”
Jing Luo was clearly taken aback, his tears hanging on his cheeks. He sniffed lightly, processing his brother’s words.
Soon, the little boy nodded. “That’s much better.”
“You sound like you don’t know each other well.”
Jing Mian: “…”
Jing Luo thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Brother, why did you marry that uncle?”
Jing Mian was stumped.
The reasons were unclear even to him, let alone to Jing Luo.
Soon, the waiters began serving dishes, starting with cold dishes and moving to hot ones. Various exquisite dishes were placed on the table. If not for the formal and somewhat suffocating atmosphere, Jing Mian would have enjoyed the food.
Jing Mian quickly served Jing Luo some dishes, saying, “Eat more, Luo Luo.”
The little boy was soon distracted by the food and sweet treats, and he stopped asking about the marriage.
The meeting with the parents seemed to proceed smoothly.
Both sets of parents smiled and chatted, and Jing Guozhen’s face showed a rare smile. Li Qiao was clearly well-dressed, wearing a bright coat over her qipao, and she occasionally chimed in with laughter.
It was bound to be a long night.
Jing Mian ate a little but felt no appetite, so he gently put down his chopsticks.
“Xiao Ren, serve MianMian more dishes. This child is so thin; it looks like he doesn’t eat enough,” Ren Xingwan’s mother noticed and said with a smile.
This time, Ren Xingwan didn’t ignore her suggestion.
He reached out and picked up a soft, light-colored pastry for Jing Mian.
Jing Mian was a bit embarrassed but ate the pastry.
Completing this task, a few seconds later, another uniquely shaped dish was placed on his plate, looking fresh and colorful.
Jing Mian hesitated but picked up his chopsticks and ate it bit by bit.
Soon, a third dish was served.
Jing Mian: “…”
Jing Mian decided not to passively accept anymore. If this continued, his stomach would have to handle the entire table.
He put down his chopsticks and, when no one was paying attention, grabbed the man’s hand.
“Enough, Mr. Ren.”
Just for show, no need to be so serious.
But the hand he grabbed was suddenly taken over.
Jing Mian’s heart skipped a beat, his lashes fluttering.
Under the table, his hand, which he tried to pull back, was slowly interlocked and held tightly.
The unfamiliar yet heart-pounding warmth spread from his fingertips to his palm.
Jing Mian bit his lip, unsure what to do.
Mr. Ren, what’s going on?
“Now,” the man said, “are you closer to me than to Jing Luo?”
“…”
Jing Mian suddenly understood and felt embarrassed.
It turned out that Mr. Ren had heard his conversation with Jing Luo, specifically the part about not holding hands and being less familiar than Jing Luo.
So, this was intentional.
Jing Mian lowered his eyes, feeling guilty.
Despite being held by the man’s hand, he had to pretend nothing had happened.