Chapter 51 : Chapter 51
Chapter 51
Ji Qing mailed out the repaired Tang Saber.
At the speed of same-city express delivery, Xie Chang’an would receive it before departing on Sunday. Because of that, the long-taut string in Ji Qing’s heart finally loosened for a brief moment.
At least one problem had been solved, Ji Qing thought.
But the problems were not over yet. The Team Competition began on Monday, while the first-year students had to leave with the ship on Sunday afternoon. That did not leave them much time to arrange things on their own.
This week had looked long, but in reality, it was unexpectedly tight.
Ji Qing immediately hurried back to the dormitory.
It was now eight o’clock on Friday evening. He could use the night to read a little of the manga, then rest properly tomorrow. Ji Qing thought that he had to conserve enough energy to deal with the Team Competition.
But before that...
Ji Qing paused mid-motion as he took off his coat.
He had previously suspected that Xie Chang’an’s Tang Saber was an ability item, but after seeing it break during the Individual Competition and repairing it himself just now, Ji Qing realized that it was not.
That Tang Saber was just an ordinary weapon.
If the manga wanted to strengthen Xie Chang’an’s combat power later on, Ji Qing felt this was one way it could do it. In the wasteland world, there would definitely have been high-ranking ability users who had wielded a Tang Saber as their weapon before death.
But when they would come across something like that was not something they could decide.
Thinking of this, Ji Qing let out a soft sigh. “Sigh...”
He kept saying he did not want to act like a parent, but in reality, he worried just as much as the manga artist did. Fortunately, Xie Chang’an had a good personality, so Ji Qing did not mind being tied up in his affairs.
As though resigning himself to fate, Ji Qing lay down on the bed.
He closed his eyes and waited for the scenery before him to change. A hazy halo appeared in his vision, followed by an intense burst of white light.
Ji Qing raised a hand to shield his eyes and slowly opened them.
He had returned to the familiar Pure White Space.
The computer tower was humming softly, while the monitor screen had long since gone dark. It had been a long time since Ji Qing last returned to the Pure White Space. He had been busy all week.
It was time to stop the daily training, Ji Qing thought.
Over the next two days, the focus should shift to discussions within the team. The Team Competition lasted for a week, and the school did not force students to explore unknown areas. That gave rise to two possible routes:
One was to remain on the outer ring of the island and eliminate Aberrants.
The other was to go deeper into the island, earning points both for exploring unknown territory and for eliminating Aberrants.
But the island was an undeveloped region.
Xicheng merely used the shoreline of the island as a transfer port. In Ji Qing’s judgment, no one yet knew what existed in the island’s inner ring, let alone where the Lord had come from.
At a time like this, deciding on the exploration route was extremely important.
Ji Qing could not help letting out a deep sigh.
The school really did know how to make things difficult for them. But as members of Class S, if their team only stayed on the outer ring, it would look extremely strange.
Ji Qing would never give others a chance to question him.
At that moment, Ji Qing suddenly understood how Shao Huayu had felt before. With mixed emotions, he muttered, “So now it’s my turn to be roasted over the fire...”
It was utterly absurd.
Tired, Ji Qing rubbed between his brows and casually clicked into the newly updated first episode.
The latest manga chapter began with “the conversation between Xie Chang’an and Gu Lingxue.”
After a night of rest, Xie Chang’an’s state of mind had returned to normal.
On his way to eat, he ran into Gu Lingxue, who had come out of concern for him. Seeing that he seemed fine, Gu Lingxue let out a sigh of relief. Somehow, the two of them ended up talking about ability items.
Since Gu Lingxue had never come into contact with an ability item before, she was extremely curious.
So Xie Chang’an suggested letting her see one with her own eyes. Since he was giving it away on Sunday, they might never have another chance to come into contact with it afterward.
Gu Lingxue was startled when she heard that.
In an instant, scenes from the romance novels she had once been obsessed with flooded her mind. Gu Lingxue secretly thought: It seemed she had underestimated Chang’an. Something so meaningful really was perfect as a gift.
So Gu Lingxue suggested wrapping the Bronze Mirror.
【A secret crush? A childhood sweetheart? Someone he admires? Huh?】
【And yet Li Yuan is none of those (bushi)】
【Well, he kind of is, actually】
【All I can tell is that Yuexia has clearly read a lot of romance novels. Is he trying this hard just so he can draw girls better?】
【This feels a little suspiciously like bait】
【The point of no return for a shonen protagonist. Has Yuexia finally learned how to make use of Li Yuan’s overwhelming popularity?】
“Hm?” Ji Qing said hesitantly. “...Is Li Yuan really that popular?”
Ji Qing usually only looked at posts related to character appearances or manga plot developments, so he had no idea how popular Li Yuan had become in that other world.
He secretly marveled that creating a second identity back then had truly been the right decision.
In the manga, Xie Chang’an looked confused after hearing Gu Lingxue’s suggestion.
After Gu Lingxue explained herself, he in turn explained things to her. Xie Chang’an awkwardly emphasized, “It’s not that kind of relationship. He’s more like my... my...”
His voice suddenly weakened. In truth, he himself did not know how Li Yuan was positioned in his heart.
A friend, an enemy, or both?
The answer to that question was far more complicated than he had imagined. Xie Chang’an said nothing more and simply accepted Gu Lingxue’s suggestion in silence.
【Chang’an is so pure】
【This bond is seriously too delicious】
【Complicated and twisted, yet impossible to define... This is the first time I’ve seen such dark and damp emotional entanglement in a shonen manga. Just thinking about how the two of them will stand against each other in the future—(screams)】
【I just want to watch the two of them fight each other to the death. It’ll absolutely be an iconic scene recreated】
【Love and kill?】
【But based on what I know about Yuexia, the later plot definitely won’t be as shippable as it is now (soft voice)】
【Don’t remind me, ahhh—】
Ji Qing could not help shaking his head.
He understood Xie Chang’an’s conflict, because Li Yuan’s stance and attitude were deeply fractured. That made it very difficult for a still-limited Xie Chang’an to place Li Yuan into any clearly defined role.
“He’ll understand after a few years,” Ji Qing sighed softly.
By then, Xie Chang’an should have grown up as well.
In the manga, Xie Chang’an walked toward the place where they had agreed to meet. Even though his conversation with Gu Lingxue had taken place yesterday, he was still thinking today about what position Li Yuan held in his life.
The gift box in his jacket pocket reminded him of it at every moment. Xie Chang’an suddenly halted and thought: Maybe... today would be the last time he and Li Yuan ever met.
Just then, a group of vicious-looking people blocked his path.
【???】
【Wait, the last time they meet?】
【Yuexia, what are you doing? Are you going to kill off your most popular manga character right here?】
【Noooo—】
【Honestly, it makes sense. People on the forum already guessed this before. It’s just that nobody paid attention back then.】
【Now I’m starting to suspect Yuexia thinks Li Yuan is stealing too much of the spotlight】
【Because Li Yuan is too popular】
【You can’t write him out for a reason like that】
【But... Li Yuan’s goal is the World Book. If he gets the World Book, he’ll definitely leave. Wasn’t that cause-and-effect laid out right in front of us from the very beginning?】
The barrage instantly dissolved into chaos, but Ji Qing calmly kept scrolling.
He did not think there was anything wrong with this. From the manga’s point of view, it really was about time for Li Yuan to exit for a while. If Li Yuan stayed any longer, it would not be good for Xie Chang’an’s growth.
After dealing with the disturbance, Xie Chang’an hurried toward his destination.
He lingered at the entrance of the bar for a moment, then went deeper inside. Just as he was about to head farther in, he suddenly deduced Li Yuan’s location from the way Li Yuan had sobered up in the past.
Li Yuan was not wearing his black formal suit today, so Xie Chang’an had missed him at first.
【It’s my first time seeing Li Yuan like this. So handsome】
【He’s insanely handsome】
【Since it’s their last meeting, of course our little couple has to dress up nicely】
【Hehehe】
【Is it because Chang’an was the one who initiated this meeting?】
【I’m so curious what Li Yuan was doing today. Why is he dressed so casually, QAQ】
【Maybe he was on vacation?】
In the manga, Xie Chang’an handed the gift box to Li Yuan.
The two of them talked about the gift box, the Bronze Mirror, the Individual Competition, and other topics. This was the first time readers were able to witness the process of their conversation directly. Before this, it had always been described only from the side.
The warm yellow glow of the bar fell across both of their shoulders, and the scene looked peaceful and at ease. Li Yuan had deliberately watched Xie Chang’an’s Individual Competition, and Xie Chang’an was quite surprised by that.
In just a few short exchanges, Xie Chang’an’s growth was on full display.
【I’m so touched. Chang’an is really trying hard to grow up.】
【I love their conversation so much】
【I really feel like Li Yuan used to be a very gentle person. He even went out of his way to warn Chang’an. There’s no way he isn’t gentle, sob sob sob】
【Now I finally understand how Chang’an feels】
【Anyone would fall for him in this kind of situation】
【The old me: What’s so great about Li Yuan?
The current me: Yes, yes, Li Yuan really is just that great (starry eyes)】
【Did Yuexia really not write Li Yuan as some kind of white moonlight figure?】
【Yuexia, you never said Li Yuan could talk this casually. You... you... what exactly are you trying to do?】
“Hm?” Ji Qing frowned slightly when he saw this.
Why were the barrage comments only focusing on Li Yuan’s characterization? His characterization had not collapsed back then either. Ji Qing hesitated, then guessed: In that case, it was probably the fault of derivative fan works.
In the manga, Xie Chang’an handed Li Yuan the Emblem he had drawn.
Li Yuan deliberately waved the paper in front of Xie Chang’an and demanded, “Search your conscience and tell me—what part of this Emblem looks even remotely similar to the one you saw?”
Li Yuan complained about how unreliable Xie Chang’an was. After criticizing Xie Chang’an’s carelessness, Li Yuan told him what organization the Emblem represented. The manga panel then shifted to the orphanage where Xie Chang’an lived.
In his heart, Xie Chang’an began matching things up one by one.
【Holy shit, holy shit】
【Even though the crow interpretation suits Li Yuan best, he really does look like a tsundere cat here】
【Interpret him—interpret him however you want—(tearing up screaming)】
【This time I’m on Li Yuan’s side】
【Chang’an’s drawing was completely off the mark. I absolutely have to side with Li Yuan on this one!!!】
【He could actually recognize it... Li Yuan is amazing】
【Looks like they definitely have to go back to the orphanage】
The readers’ reactions this time were much closer to what Ji Qing had expected.
Ji Qing immediately felt much more at ease. As long as the overall direction was right, that was enough. Although Ji Qing read mangas, he did not engage with them often, so there would naturally be differences in some minor details.
Before leaving, Li Yuan pulled over the paper in front of Xie Chang’an and deliberately wrote down an address on it. Li Yuan said coolly, “Mail the saber to the people over there. They’ll repair it.”
After saying that, Li Yuan left at once without another pause.
Xie Chang’an watched Li Yuan’s receding back, his emotions tangled. He wanted to stop Li Yuan from leaving, but then he suddenly realized that he had no reason to do so.
Because he was only a student whom Li Yuan had occasionally run into and made use of.
【Ahhhhhhh】
【They’ll definitely meet again! I refuse to accept it if they never meet again!】
【Li Yuan is so dangerously captivating】
【This extreme sense of push-and-pull... it’s completely my thing】
【This is way too delicious】
【Believe in the future—they’ll definitely meet again. Li Yuan’s commercial value is way too high, Yuexia, you absolutely can’t let him go!!!】
【Crawling in darkness】
【I need fanworks, sob sob sob. I need the artists and writers to hold me, QAQ】
For a while, the barrage was filled with wailing.
Ji Qing smiled dismissively. “Relax. There’ll definitely be more Li Yuan scenes later.”
After all, he still had to steal the World Book afterward, so Yuexia would definitely draw that part. As for whether Li Yuan and Xie Chang’an would meet again in the future, even Ji Qing himself did not dare guarantee it.
They could only take things one step at a time.