As everyone had no expectations and intended to call for the two to come and eat together, a burst of light rays glimmered under the boss’s carcass.
It was a sign of a high-ranking chip.
Anticipation coursed through everyone’s hearts.
“Go and check it out?”
Xue Lan also did not expect a chip to drop. Nervous and worried, he looked at Duan Wenzheng. “How about you take a look?”
Duan Wenzheng appeared to want Xue Lan to inspect it personally, but just as the words neared the tip of his tongue, he recalled how lootless Xue Lan’s hands were. He abandoned the idea and instead approached to collect the box himself.
The crowd gathered behind them again. They had all farmed for half the night. If it was really the stealth chip that dropped, it would make everyone happy.
Under the scrutiny of many watchful eyes, Duan Wenzheng remained unfazed. However, the child beside him, whose eyes had initially been low-spirited, now looked at him with a sparkle of anticipation… Duan Wenzheng suddenly felt an unusual wave of nervousness wash over him.
Seeing Duan Wenzheng still had not opened the chest after a long time, Xue Lan was about to offer some comforting words. “It’s okay, anything…”
“No,” Duan Wenzheng interrupted him. “I don’t want to hear you mention dual shield assaulters again…”
“…”
“I just want a stealth chip.”
Xue Lan corrected himself, “Then it’ll be a stealth chip!”
Only then did Duan Wenzheng retract his gaze in satisfaction. Under everyone’s nervous yet expectant eyes, he moved the mouse to the item window option.
As everyone held their breath as the chest opened —
System notice: Reset obtained an item [flash chip] x1 [high-ranking chip material inventory-1]
Duan Wenzheng: “…”
Everyone: “…”
Xue Lan tried to enliven the atmosphere. “I also think that flash chip is really…”
“Okay.” Duan Wenzheng gripped Xue Lan’s shoulder, causing him to immediately clamp his chattering mouth shut. “These words can be left for another time.”
“…”
Duan Wenzheng said that and wordlessly transferred the flash chip to Xue Lan’s account. He then stood up, feeling utterly exhausted. “Let’s go eat something.”
Seeing Duan Wenzheng’s gloomy expression, Xue Lan quickly followed.
After the late-night food was finished, everyone returned to their seats. Wen Yan bid goodbye to everyone and left the Internet cafe in advance with Meng Qi. While most of them were unaware of what had transpired, noticing Wen Yan and Meng Qi’s troubled expressions, they all bid their farewells without pressing them to stay.
Seeing everyone was about to continue farming for the chip, Xue Lan, laden with guilt, stood up.
“Wait.” Everyone’s attention fell on him. Under so many eyes, Xue Lan felt a bit awkward but managed to firmly say, “I’m really grateful for everyone’s help today, but there is something that I’d like to clarify.”
“I’m really not a girl,” Xue Lan explained in all seriousness while also carefully expressing his thanks. “I did not intend to deceive everyone. It’s been many years, but I… have always used the female identity to deceive everyone, but that’s not my intention.
“During the whole training camp period, I’m especially thankful for everyone’s care.
“And I’d like to apologize to everyone for the misunderstanding regarding my past pretense as a girl.”
Xue Lan said that and deeply bowed.
All the goodwill and all the help.
None of these were easily obtained or easily discarded and trampled upon. Although he had played no part in the deception, ultimately, he now inhabited this body and, as such, should bear the appropriate responsibility for any ensuing consequences.
Especially for these people before him who genuinely helped him.
“Understood, lady!” Pangzi called out without turning around.
Everyone else also laughed and dispersed.
From the words he had just spoken, Xue Lan expected that everyone would be upset due to the deception or perhaps inquire further, even express surprise. However, unexpectedly, no one continued to pursue the subject. Instead, they began to argue with each other about who could acquire the stealth chip first.
“…”
“Holy shit!” Pangzi’s surprised voice cut off Xue Lan’s train of thought. He saw Panzi jump in surprise and come over while shouting, “Zheng-ge! The sniper from earlier asked me if I was on any team and if I wanted to join one. Am I also starting my professional career?!”
“…”
Lao Qi saw them chatting and hastily stopped Pangzi. “The person is asking the lady, not you.”
“Eh? What’s wrong with me? My assaulter isn’t bad…”
“…” Xue Lan stood in his place lifelessly.
Suddenly struck with doubt, he pondered. This “Xue Lan” had presented himself as a female to everyone for the past twenty years. It had become so ingrained that no one believed his explanation now.
Moving forward, did he truly need to continue using the “female” identity…
Xue Lan couldn’t help feeling disheartened again.
He turned quietly to glance at Duan Wenzheng beside him — while he was eating, Duan Wenzheng hadn’t uttered a word. Despite his unconvincing explanation, he felt compelled to reassure the disappointed Duan Wenzheng.
With this in mind, he studied Duan Wenzheng’s expression and spoke softly with concern in his voice. “Flash chips are really important to assaulters.”
“En.” Duan Wenzheng brought himself to his feet and cleaned up the table before walking toward the restroom.
Xue Lan hastily followed behind him. “I happen to not have a flash chip.”
“En.” Duan Wenzheng stood before the sink. His expression was unreadable as he said, “Why are you consoling me?”
“I’m not.” Xue Lan paused for a long time. He finally squeezed out softly, “I—I also… like it.”
Duan Wenzheng halted his movements. He lifted his eyes, studying the child in the mirror. “Like what?”
“Of course, it’s…”
Xue Lan intended to respond, but when his gaze met those deep eyes, the words he wanted to say became lodged in his throat.
“Like what?” Duan Wenzheng asked again. This time, there was a hint of a smile in his eyes.
Xue Lan didn’t know why, but he felt his face heating up once more. His thoughts turned chaotic, and he began to babble:
“It’s — whether it’s a shield chip, a flash chip, or a stealth chip, as long as these three high-ranking chips are used effectively, they can bring benefits to the field. What I mean is, whether it’s a shield chip or a flash chip, I appreciate both equally. Like today, everyone helped me farm for it for so long. They may have misunderstood that I’m a girl and did these things, but the outcome isn’t the most important part. It’s the process that matters. S-So…”
He said these so clumsily and incoherently that it prompted Duan Wenzheng to break out into a rare chuckle.
“You can’t honestly believe that everyone still thinks you’re a girl, right?”
“Ah?” Xue Lan looked up in confusion.
But Duan Wenzheng didn’t provide an explanation. Instead, he simply brought the child in front of him. He casually rolled up the child’s sleeves and guided his hand under the tap.
He was once again enveloped in Duan Wenzheng’s embrace, an action that appeared to go unnoticed due to the situation —
“Come and wash those lootless hands. Gege will continue farming the stealth chip with you later.”
——————–
The author has something to say:
Exist: So what exactly is the “thing that all men like” that Zheng-ge spoke of?
Nozuonodie：…supplement for kidneys*?
*T/N: In many cultures, the kidneys are associated with overall vitality, energy, and sexual health.
Exist: …
Reset: I have never had the need for such a thing. But, I can buy. some. for. you. 🙂
Nozuonodie: …
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