Chapter 60: Come and Snatch the Bride (3)
Although she didn’t have a meal buddy at school, from then on, Jiang Zhiyan had an online meal buddy.
Xie Liaoyi usually ate boxed lunches at the hospital and didn’t have time to chat much. They would just take pictures of their meals and that would be it. If they were eating at home, they would talk a bit more and order the same lunch.
“It’s just a picture, what’s there to be happy about?” The System didn’t understand.
“Willingness to share life is a sign of intimacy.” Jiang Zhiyan took a picture, picked up her chopsticks, then looked at the picture again. “This boxed lunch looks really bland.”
She picked up a mouthful of noodles: “My noodles aren’t very tasty either.”
“Then buy another one.”
“Forget it, I’m too lazy to queue.” Jiang Zhiyan glanced at the people in the cafeteria. Every window had a long line.
“Can I sit here? All the other seats are taken.”
Jiang Zhiyan looked at the suddenly appearing Jiang Ciqiu and her two friends and nodded: “Mm.”
“Thanks.”
Jiang Zhiyan moved her bowl inwards, and Jiang Ciqiu sat next to her. The other two pushed each other a bit, and finally the short-haired “unlucky one” sat opposite her.
Jiang Ciqiu really did have a lot of friends. Jiang Zhiyan hadn’t seen these two before. Of course, it didn’t stop them from looking at her with disapproval.
“Have you been eating in the cafeteria these past few days?” Jiang Ciqiu asked.
“Mm.” Jiang Zhiyan responded. The original owner didn’t seem to eat in the cafeteria much. She either ordered takeout or had the housekeeper prepare her meals.
Jiang Zhiyan’s phone vibrated, and she immediately picked it up. Jiang Ciqiu stopped what she was about to say.
Xie Liaoyi sent a voice message. The background noise was a bit loud, but her voice was clear; she must have held the phone close to her mouth.
“I’ve finished eating, going to take a nap now.”
“Okay, what time do you start work this afternoon?” Jiang Zhiyan asked.
“Two o’clock.”
“Then go to sleep quickly, I’m almost finished eating too.” Jiang Zhiyan picked up another mouthful of noodles.
“Do you have classes this afternoon?”
“Class starts at three, no evening classes, fewer classes today.” Jiang Zhiyan rested her chin on her hand.
“Okay, I’m going to rest, I’m so tired, haven’t stopped all morning.”
“Mm, go quickly.” Jiang Zhiyan replied and looked at the chat window a couple more times before putting her phone aside.
The other three exchanged glances.
“Take your time, I’m finished.” Jiang Zhiyan said politely.
Jiang Ciqiu watched Jiang Zhiyan’s retreating figure, only snapping back to reality when someone called her.
“The person talking to Jiang Zhiyan sounds just like you. If you weren’t sitting right in front of us, I would have thought it was you sending her messages.”
“Are we that similar?” Jiang Ciqiu also thought the person’s voice sounded subtly familiar, but she hadn’t realized the specific nature of that familiarity.
“Yes, very similar.” The two nodded emphatically. “Who is that?”
“A sister she recently met.” Jiang Ciqiu played with the number tag in her hand.
The two opposite each other exchanged glances.
“Qiuqiu, are you really okay? Why do you sound… a little sour?”
“You’re clearly mistaken.” Jiang Ciqiu stood up with the number tag. “I’m going to see if my order is ready.”
“Oh, okay.”
Jiang Ciqiu walked through the crowd, tightly gripping the number tag.
…
Jiang Zhiyan and Xie Liaoyi originally planned to play games together on Friday night, but because she had to go back to the Jiang family for dinner, it was postponed. However, Jiang Zhiyan brought her VR headset home.
Jiang Zhiyan could see that the Jiang family really liked their adopted daughter, not entirely out of guilt. They treated Jiang Ciqiu like an adult and Jiang Zhiyan like a child, speaking softly and considerately, taking care of her emotions, but not in a way that felt distant.
Jiang Ciqiu, watching Jiang Zhiyan interact normally with others, bit her chopsticks.
Jiang’s mother glanced at Jiang Zhiyan, then at Jiang Ciqiu: “Did you two have a fight?”
“No?” Jiang Zhiyan said.
“You’re usually so lively, why aren’t you talking today?”
Jiang Zhiyan glanced at Jiang Ciqiu: “I just think I should be a bit quieter, more composed.”
“You don’t have to be like that at home. Did someone say something to you?” Jiang’s father glanced at Jiang Ciqiu.
“No, it’s my own idea.” Jiang Zhiyan looked at her phone. “If it’s okay to be casual at home… I’m finished eating, I’m going upstairs! I made plans to play games with a friend.”
“Oh dear, no wonder you were so quiet, you wanted to hurry up and play games. Go, go. Tomorrow, you two will accompany me shopping. We’ll leave at ten in the morning, have lunch outside, and go to bed early tonight.”
“Okay.” Jiang Zhiyan waved her hand. “Take your time.”
She hurried upstairs.
As soon as she entered the game, Jiang Zhiyan saw Xie Liaoyi. She was still sitting where they had parted last time, seemingly fiddling with something on the ground.
“How long have you been waiting?” Jiang Zhiyan asked.
“Not long.” Xie Liaoyi clapped her hands and looked up.
Jiang Zhiyan looked at the row of snowmen of varying sizes lined up in front of Xie Liaoyi and took a few pictures. Judging by the amount of work, it didn’t look like she hadn’t been waiting long at all.
“What are we doing today?” Xie Liaoyi looked at Jiang Zhiyan.
“Accompany me to gather herbs?” Jiang Zhiyan pulled Xie Liaoyi up. “I’m still missing a few ingredients for alchemy.”
“Okay.”
Jiang Zhiyan sent her the location, and the two swooped down from the mountaintop. She didn’t scream anymore, but it didn’t stop her from holding onto Xie Liaoyi tightly.
As soon as they landed, they were surrounded.
It was Old Six again, this time with other people, the other two weren’t there.
Jiang Zhiyan frowned, a little irritated: “What do you want again?”
“Your sister caused us trouble, so we’re causing you trouble, no problem.”
Jiang Zhiyan looked at Xie Liaoyi apologetically: “Sorry, I’ve dragged you into this.”
“It’s fine.” Xie Liaoyi shook her head, glancing at the people standing in front of them.
“Last time you died more than thirty times before logging off, I wonder how long you can last this time, little sister. Why not just switch to another account? Stop playing this one, disassociate yourself from your sister, and there won’t be so much trouble.”
Jiang Zhiyan bit her lip, clutching poison in her hand.
“Using poison again? Little sister, can you aim properly this time? Don’t poison your friend.” The other party laughed mockingly, his laughter loud.
Jiang Zhiyan suddenly rushed forward. They didn’t expect her to actually dare to charge at them. No one stopped her. She pounced forward and accurately and forcefully pressed the poison against Old Six’s nose and mouth. Although he immediately flung her away, he had already inhaled the poison.
Xie Liaoyi steadied Jiang Zhiyan, who almost fell to the ground.
“Truly courageous!” The other party didn’t know what kind of poison Jiang Zhiyan had used, and although there were no symptoms yet, he immediately took two antidote pills. “Kill them both, then go to the resurrection point and wait for them.”
“What does it have to do with her?” Jiang Zhiyan said discontentedly.
“Heh, quite loyal? Then I’ll give your friend a chance. Leave now, and I won’t bother her. If you don’t leave, every time you two log in, I’ll hunt you down and kill you.” Old Six sneered.
Jiang Zhiyan pushed Xie Liaoyi: “You go first. You came here to relax, there’s no need for you to be affected by me…”
“It’s fine.” Xie Liaoyi put her arm around Jiang Zhiyan’s shoulders. “Don’t be afraid, it’s okay.”
“I’m not afraid of him, I’m afraid of affecting you.” Jiang Zhiyan frowned.
“Tsk.” Old Six gripped his sword, looking at the two embracing each other, feeling a pang of jealousy.
Xie Liaoyi also summoned her sword. Compared to Old Six’s flashy sword with its multicolored lights, hers appeared particularly ordinary and unremarkable.
Jiang Zhiyan wondered what materials Old Six used to create such a gaudy and strange sword. If he wanted to ambush someone, wouldn’t the light immediately alert the other party?
“Ha, a mere Golden Core…” Old Six scoffed, not taking Xie Liaoyi seriously. “Truly ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth.”
The six of them charged forward together.
While spreading poison, Jiang Zhiyan quickly connected to reality, rushed out of the room, and shouted: “Sister! Jiang Ciqiu! My friend and I are being blocked by Old Six, they brought a lot of people this time!”
“I’m coming,” Jiang Ciqiu said.
After calling for backup, Jiang Zhiyan quickly returned to her room to help Xie Liaoyi.
The people who came to ambush them this time, besides Old Six, were all Nascent Soul cultivators. Judging by the tags on them, they seemed to be professional killers hired with money.
She didn’t know what Jiang Ciqiu had done in the past few days to make him this angry. These people looked very expensive.
Xie Liaoyi’s cultivation was lower than theirs, but it was normal for Sword Cultivators to kill across realms. She nimbly dodged the attacks of two people, moving quickly, her reaction speed fast, finding an opening to stab her sword into one person’s heart.
Jiang Zhiyan retreated and used her sect’s inner sect techniques to support Xie Liaoyi, occasionally firing cold arrows. Someone tried to take out Jiang Zhiyan first, but as a paying player, having died more than thirty times last time, she had naturally prepared some life-saving tools. One person hacked at her spiritual shield for a long time, but there wasn’t even a single crack.
The person stabbed by Xie Liaoyi cried out. Normally, being stabbed by a Golden Core cultivator wouldn’t be so serious, but he felt his blood being sucked away.
The others were shocked to discover that Xie Liaoyi’s sword had changed color, showing a hint of red.
Clearly, this sword wasn’t as ordinary as it looked.
Seeing that the situation was unfavorable, Old Six joined the battle. He had thought that spending money meant he wouldn’t have to do anything himself, but unexpectedly, he still needed to.
Seeing Old Six attack Xie Liaoyi, Jiang Zhiyan immediately deactivated her item, rushed to Xie Liaoyi’s side, reactivated the item, and just barely blocked Old Six’s sword strike.
The 5,000-credit item shattered instantly.
Normally, it would be more cost-effective to resurrect, but Jiang Zhiyan didn’t want to see Xie Liaoyi die in front of her.
When Jiang Ciqiu and the others arrived, they saw this scene.
“Jiang Zhiyan’s speed is quite fast, impressive.” Lin Qian exclaimed. “She actually charged forward, I thought she would only hide behind others.”
No one responded. Jiang Ciqiu had already flown over and intercepted Old Six’s second strike, pushing him back, away from Jiang Zhiyan and Xie Liaoyi.
“You arrived quite quickly.” Old Six looked at Jiang Ciqiu mockingly. “What a pity.”
“I live with her,” Jiang Ciqiu said.
“So that’s how it is.”
After exchanging two blows with Jiang Ciqiu, Old Six sensed the situation was unfavorable and logged off directly.
He had always been shameless. He only felt embarrassed the first time he ran away, after getting used to it, it became fine.
The killers he hired didn’t return after dying.
“Are you okay?” Jiang Ciqiu looked at the two.
“I’m fine.” Jiang Zhiyan rubbed her wrist and looked at Xie Liaoyi. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, pity about your item.” Xie Liaoyi patted the dust off her skirt.
“I bought it to use it, it’s fine if it’s broken.” Jiang Zhiyan said nonchalantly. “I bought several, only one broke this time, it was already beyond my expectations.”
Jiang Ciqiu looked at the two talking. It was just a simple conversation, but it felt like they were isolated from the rest of the world.
“Thank you, sister, otherwise it might have been more than one.” Xie Liaoyi looked towards Jiang Ciqiu.
Jiang Ciqiu’s gaze fell on Xie Liaoyi. The other party looked at her with a smile. Although there was no malice, that look made her feel slightly uncomfortable: “I’m the one who offended them, I’ve dragged you two into this.”
“Your voices sound so similar.” Lin Qian said in surprise. “Practically identical.”
“Is that so?” Xie Liaoyi asked back.
“Mm.” Jiang Zhiyan nodded.
“That’s quite a coincidence. Are they going to gather herbs with us?” Xie Liaoyi looked at Jiang Zhiyan, sounding like she was asking for her opinion, but she had clearly drawn a line between “they” and “us.” She clearly didn’t want to go together, and her question didn’t sound like an invitation at all.
Jiang Ciqiu narrowed her eyes. As expected, she didn’t like the way this person spoke, too calculating.
“Let’s not,” Jiang Zhiyan shook her head. “Let’s go by ourselves. Gathering herbs is quite boring, they like clearing secret realms.”
“Okay, indeed different from us lifestyle players.” Xie Liaoyi smiled. “Just moving around a bit just now was equivalent to a month’s worth of exercise for me in the game.”
Jiang Ciqiu looked at Xie Liaoyi unhappily. The other party also glanced at her, her expression calm. Jiang Ciqiu didn’t consider herself someone who overthought things, but now she strongly felt that this person was targeting her.
“Then let’s part ways here, thank you for coming,” Jiang Zhiyan said to the two.
“No problem.”
Xie Liaoyi nodded to them with a smile, as a greeting, and summoned her sword.
Jiang Ciqiu watched Jiang Zhiyan expertly jump onto Xie Liaoyi’s sword. The two leaning against each other was an eyesore, and their matching names above their heads were even more so.
“Bye.” Jiang Zhiyan waved.
Lin Qian watched the two quickly fly away, urging Jiang Ciqiu to leave, but she was still looking in the direction they had left.
“You don’t seem to be in a good mood,” Lin Qian said.
“Is it that obvious?” Jiang Ciqiu put away her sword. “I feel like that person is hostile towards me.”
“Really?” Lin Qian looked at Jiang Ciqiu doubtfully. “I just felt like she wasn’t familiar with us, I didn’t really sense hostility. Did Jiang Zhiyan say anything?”
“It has nothing to do with Jiang Zhiyan,” Jiang Ciqiu said. “Let’s go to the arena.”
“It seems like you’re really not in a good mood today.” Lin Qian sighed, following behind Jiang Ciqiu. “My ranking has dropped to over twenty, and my Medical Cultivator ranking has also dropped a few places.”
“Let’s get it back today.”
“Damn, how late will we have to play? Take it easy, don’t you have to get up early tomorrow to go shopping with your mom?”
“It’s fine, we’re going at ten, it’s okay to be a little late for family, it’s not like it’s class.”
…
Jiang Zhiyan leaned against Xie Liaoyi, playing with her skirt.
Xie Liaoyi looked down at her actions: “Why do you like playing with my clothes so much?”
“Ah… fidgety hands.” Jiang Zhiyan let go embarrassedly.
“I was just asking.” Xie Liaoyi tucked her skirt back. “Go ahead and play with it.”
Jiang Zhiyan grabbed the skirt and laughed: “Have you seen the new outfits? They’re very cool.”
“Do you want to buy one?” Xie Liaoyi asked.
“There are a few I like, I thought we could get one each.”
Xie Liaoyi opened the page and looked, laughing: “But they’re not skirts, if you change to that, what will you play with?”
“I can play with the belt,” Jiang Zhiyan said half-jokingly.
Xie Liaoyi glanced at her: “Then let’s buy them, I’ll top up my account.”
“Which one do you like?” Jiang Zhiyan asked.
“This one, the red one.”
“Then I’ll buy the other red one,” Jiang Zhiyan said. “Bought it, I sent it to you, accept it.”
“Why are you giving it to me?”
“Because it’s something you weren’t planning on buying. I have a lot of allowance, don’t worry.”
Xie Liaoyi was a little helpless: “My salary isn’t low either.”
“Oh well, I’ve already sent it!”
The two stopped and changed their clothes.
In this game, whenever you changed clothes, a fitting room would appear on the spot. After entering, you could change clothes with one click, a combination of reality and virtuality.
They changed their clothes simultaneously, walked out of the fitting room, looked at each other, and couldn’t help but laugh.
“They’re really cool.” Jiang Zhiyan pulled Xie Liaoyi and took a couple of pictures, then got back on the sword and continued towards the herb gathering location. She tugged on Xie Liaoyi’s belt.
Xie Liaoyi didn’t stop her, after all, you couldn’t untie belts in the game.
Jiang Zhiyan glanced at Jiang Ciqiu’s status. They were in the arena, seemingly having finished a match. Both her and Lin Qian’s points had increased.
She glanced at it twice and then closed it.
“Is your sister in the same school as you?”
“Mm… how did you know?”
“She said she lives with you, so I thought you might be in the same school.” Xie Liaoyi said. “You’re both so amazing, Haishi University’s admission score is very high.”
“Don’t be modest, Haishi Medical University’s score isn’t low either, and you’re studying clinical medicine. Your school’s clinical medicine program has the highest score, right?” Jiang Zhiyan let go of the belt and wrapped her arm around Xie Liaoyi’s. Indeed, playing with the belt wasn’t very convenient.
“It’s alright.”
Jiang Zhiyan chuckled: “That doesn’t sound very modest.”
“How is it not modest? Everyone who knows me knows I’m very modest.”
They finally reached their destination. Wild herbs grew all over the ground, but what she was looking for were two mutated varieties. The two squatted down, too focused to speak, their eyes almost going blind before they finally found six plants.
“Suddenly I feel not relaxed at all.” Jiang Zhiyan rubbed her eyes. “I should have just bought them.”
“Go rest if you’re tired, I’ll help you look. Every little bit helps, just treat it as eye training, we don’t have anything else to do anyway.”
“So which department are you in specifically?” Jiang Zhiyan asked.
“Cardiothoracic surgery.” Xie Liaoyi sighed. “Time flies, I’ve been working for eight years already.”
“Eight years?”
“Mm, I skipped three grades in elementary school, one in junior high, and one in high school, so I’m not as old as you think.” Seeing Jiang Zhiyan’s expression, Xie Liaoyi explained, thinking she had misunderstood.
“Then how old are you now?”
“Thirty-one, but I am indeed much older than you.” She smiled.
“It’s alright. If you’re in cardiothoracic surgery, can I bring you lunch next time you’re at work?” Jiang Zhiyan asked. “Seeing you eat those unappetizing boxed lunches every day… I feel a little bad, they don’t look tasty.”
“Actually, the food at our hospital is quite good.”
“Even good food gets boring after eating it for a long time, and it’s been eight years. Tell me what you want to eat, our housekeeper cooks very well. I’ll bring it to you if I don’t have class.” Jiang Zhiyan paused, then carefully said, “If you don’t mind.”
“Of course, I don’t mind. I’m just afraid of troubling you. It’s getting hotter now, the weather is so hot.” Xie Liaoyi put the herbs she found into a small bag.
“It’s fine! I can do it, it’s not like I’m walking there.” Jiang Zhiyan said excitedly.
“Even if you come, I might not have time to chat with you, I’m very busy.”
“I’ll leave after we eat lunch, I’m also very busy, sister.” Jiang Zhiyan hummed. “So when are you working?”
“Monday.”
“Okay, I’ll let you know in advance if I’m going. It would be even better if you could give me your work schedule.” Jiang Zhiyan pushed her luck.
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