Entering the internet cafe, cold air rushed toward them as their vision suddenly opened up.

The black floor reflected the array of lights on the ceiling, each lamp precisely illuminating an isolated computer station. Over-ear headphones and mechanical keyboards were neatly arranged around the monitors.

Unlike ordinary internet cafes with their mixed smells and noise, the air here was even infused with expensive fragrance. Aside from their footsteps and the almost inaudible hum of the servers, there was no other sound.

Xie Ci looked around and discovered that aside from them, there seemed to be no one else here.

After all, people who could afford internet cafe rates in the three-digit-per-hour range wouldn't choose to come to an internet cafe anyway.

They were the outliers.

"Damn! You really get what you pay for. No wonder expensive is different. Look at this setup, look at this atmosphere, look at this spacious area, look at these ergonomic chairs, look at this..."

Ding Yu exclaimed excitedly, seemingly injecting a trace of vitality into the place.

"Alright, alright, acting like you've never seen anything."

"Lao Ci, you're talking like you've been here before." Ding Yu asked back with a grin.

Xie Ci thought to himself that if he wanted to come, he really could. He still had that bank card Ye Li gave him linked to his phone, and he didn't even need to check the balance, he could spend however he wanted.

Though he wouldn't actually do that, of course.

"By the way, you can't even experience the top-tier setup. Look, we only have three available stations left to use." Zhang Chen, who'd been silent until now, spoke up.

"Who knew? They update too fast here. I got this discount coupon over the summer when I was back home."

"By the way, our three stations aren't next to each other. Don't know what's up with this place, but one of us has to be in that corner over there..."

"I'll go there. You know, to bring out my full strength, I need a quiet environment. You're too noisy, it affects my performance." Xie Ci waved his hand, joking.

"Sure thing, Lao Ci. Just don't say we bullied you when we duel later." Ding Yu waved his hand and walked in the opposite direction.

Xie Ci listened to the sound of their footsteps crossing the floor and frowned.

It seemed like there was a slightly different noise mixed in? Unusually jarring in this spacious area.

It sounded like... high heels?

Xie Ci's gaze swept across the rows of seats. Sure enough, there was a bit of unusual light coming from the corner.

Facing away from where he was, the ergonomic chair had been pushed out somewhat. On the desk was a black shoulder bag, and there was also an iPhone with its screen off.

Most conspicuous was the lit monitor, stopped at a running game interface.

Everything at this station was too complete, as if the person who'd been sitting there had vanished into thin air.

Xie Ci glanced over casually, somewhat surprised.

Wasn't this the game he'd recorded a video for with Ye Li before?

The character in the game was standing at a corner in the hallway holding a lighter. Xie Ci remembered that just two more steps and there would be a jump scare.

He looked around at the quiet, even somewhat eerie environment.

Only Ding Yu's boisterous voice in the distance reminded him this was an internet cafe.

Someone who can play a horror game alone in this kind of environment is pretty hardcore.

Xie Ci silently gave his assessment internally.

......

"Hey, Lao Chen, what's up with you today? You already had a bitter face when you first got back to school, all distracted. Now at this important moment of fighting shoulder to shoulder with your brothers, you still can't get energized. Did something happen?"

"Nothing, I just haven't played in a long time over the summer, didn't perform well. Besides, that Xie Ci kid's skills have improved again."

"That's not convincing at all!"

Ding Yu's worried complaint came through the headphones. Xie Ci glanced at the victory screen and the rather large score gap displayed on the computer, his heart stirring slightly.

"Alright Ding Yu, I'm just too good. You two still need to practice."

Thinking back to last semester, Zhang Chen would always get excited and shout along with Ding Yu. When they won, he'd boast proudly "watch me," and when they lost, he'd also complain loudly.

In the past when it was the three of them, those two were always responsible for the liveliness.

But now, Zhang Chen had clearly become a different person. From the moment he first saw Zhang Chen today, he'd noticed that his speaking voice had become noticeably lower, and when he talked, even his tone carried gloom.

That's why he hadn't immediately asked Zhang Chen about going to the anime convention last semester.

"Lao Chen, you didn't get your heart broken, did you? You had so much more energy last semester. Now you've lost weight, gotten so thin, you look like a completely different person..."

"Zhang Chen, do you remember last semester when you dragged me to the school anime convention..." Xie Ci suddenly interjected.

"It's fine, it's fine, just in a bad mood..." Zhang Chen immediately spoke to interrupt.

Zhang Chen's evasive words came through the headphones. Xie Ci paused for half a second.

Something was off.

He'd have to find time to ask him about the anime convention.

Those gray-green beautiful eyes surfaced in Xie Ci's mind again.

Because he was all too familiar with this feeling.

That wasn't simple tiredness. It was a more lingering, sluggish feeling wrapped in worries, like being blocked by something, carrying hesitation, hiding unspoken troubles, and perhaps some helplessness about the current situation.

This awkward feeling was just like... Ling Xi back then.

Even through the screen, he could vaguely empathize with that indescribable exhaustion and gloom, as if his own chest felt stuffy along with it.

He could always precisely perceive and empathize with others' pessimistic emotions.

But when it came to others' joy, even if cheers echoed in his ears, Xie Ci only felt like there was a layer of glass between them. He could hear it, but it couldn't penetrate his heart.

Xie Ci didn't speak again, but Ding Yu's surprised shout suddenly came through the headphones: "Lao Ci, come over to my side to get some water. I bought it for us. When you go back, remember to take a good look behind you."

Xie Ci was puzzled. The vending machine was on his side. "When did you buy it?"

"You were still spacing out then. Don't worry about it, just come."

Xie Ci helplessly removed his headphones and walked over without looking back.

Isn't it just a girl sitting behind me? Is this really necessary to make such a fuss?

"No man, that girl is really different. I've lived this long and never seen someone with that kind of presence."

Xie Ci was somewhat dismissive.

Honestly, after seeing Ye Li constantly over the past few days, he felt he'd become immune to all kinds of so-called beauties.

After all, none of them were as beautiful as Ye Li.

"No, she's really different! You'll know when you walk by and see her!"

Xie Ci had no choice. Holding the bottle of sweet drink, he walked slowly in that direction.

His gaze swept over, and the previously empty station now indeed had someone seated.

It was a graceful silhouette. The lights in the hall were dim and dark, making it hard to see clearly.

Xie Ci continued forward, the corner of his eye observing the woman in the chair.

At first, it was just a blurry outline. She sat ramrod straight in the chair, her taut white blouse accentuating proud assets, dark hair falling over her shoulders, almost merging with the surrounding shadows.

She was facing sideways to him, most of her face buried in shadow. Only the line from her nose tip to her jawline was illuminated, delicate, fair, sharp.

Xie Ci's footsteps slowed half a beat. His gaze lingered for half a moment on those fox-like eye corners, then uncontrollably shifted downward to those impressive legs.

Beneath the deep black pencil skirt were slightly lighter black stockings. The alluring curves extended downward from the knees, calves tensed, revealing smooth lines.

The black stockings had a matte sheen in the dimness. Xie Ci's gaze swept over them, instantly memorizing the direction of those curves.

Probably only Ling Xi's legs could compare...

And moreover, the clothes she wore were identical to what Ling Xi had just sent him in her leg photo.

There was a strange sense of familiarity.

What a coincidence.

Xie Ci walked to her diagonal rear and saw her staring at the screen. Her fox-like eye corners held coldness and some impatient sharpness, radiating a "keep away" aura.

She even seemed somewhat out of place in this internet cafe.

He suddenly thought of Ling Xi, far away in America.

Although he'd never seen her face, he felt that Ling Xi should be just like this.

He stood still, looking at the corner of her eye.

Beautiful, cold and stunning, with sharpness hidden in those seductive eye corners.

Only...

Xie Ci thought he was experiencing an illusion.

She seemed a bit... nervous? Flustered?

It could even be said to be timid?

Just like... a shivering little cat that still instinctively puffed up and hissed.

Xie Ci pulled out his phone and sent Ling Xi a message.

Xie Ci: You know what? I just saw someone.

Ding ling ling~

Before he could send the next sentence, a distinctive message notification suddenly sounded from the desk beside him.

Xie Ci: [・_・?]

What a coincidence?

Ling Xi beside him: (#>д<)ﾉ Ahhhhh━ (silent scream)

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