Chapter 155: Chapter 155

The pleasant conversation at the dining table came to an abrupt end. The Thieves’ House returned to silence. Both of them lowered their heads and quietly ate their Dragon Sturgeon. The fish was clearly so tender and sweet that it curled the tongue and melted in the mouth, yet to Yan Qing, it tasted like wax—he just wanted this lunch to end quickly.

He had genuinely wanted to share his experience with Shang Xinlei, which was why he’d spoken so proudly about the Bunny Heroine. Soloing the Demon-Infested Zone after his second job change, killing his way up the mountain, and even elevating Medicine Master Wen to become the Fourth Guardian—these were, to him, achievements worth boasting about. Things he could brag about on the game forum.

But he also understood why Shang Xinlei was angry. She had met Jiang Ten and the Rat Monk. She thought they were good people—very good people. Naturally, she would sympathize with the Bunny Heroine a thousand miles away… and in turn, develop disgust toward someone like him.

Bad people wouldn’t like other bad people, and good people definitely wouldn’t like bad ones—especially a bad guy who showed no mercy to his subordinates… One who could discard even his most important teammates like worn shoes—how could someone like that truly cherish anyone? If Yan Qing were her, he would have thought the same.

Yan Qing had no intention of explaining. This was his deepest secret—his foundation in this world—far more important than friendship with a fellow teammate in the Thieves’ House. He wouldn’t change his way of playing, nor his attitude toward his alternate characters.

Just as a nation is built to serve the Foundation Messenger, alternate characters exist only to pave the way to the heavens for the main one.

Perhaps it was for the best—to sever this inexplicable bond now, rather than have her come denounce him in the future when Jiang Ten or the Rat Monk died. Maybe only someone who didn’t care about his ruthless style would want to associate with him. But then the problem arose—if such a person really existed, someone indifferent to how he held life and death over his alts, then Yan Qing wouldn’t want to associate with someone that heartless either.

It was a deadlock, with no solution. Official source ıs novel⦿fire.net

“I won’t be coming tomorrow,” Shang Xinlei suddenly said.

Soon, all that was left of the Dragon Sturgeon were clean fish bones. While helping to clean up the plates, Yan Qing called out to Shang Xinlei, who was about to leave. “Wait a sec.”

He returned to his room, picked up his Naise Game Console, and checked his inventory. Though the Demon-Path Messenger didn’t drop many good tokens, there were exceptions. Earlier that morning, while looting corpses, Yan Qing had found one token that was perfect for Shang Xinlei.

When he came back out, he handed her a bell bracelet. “Killing-Sound Bell. A Rare Second-Stage Token. It has only one ability—every attack generates a sonic shock that enhances weapon damage. The longer the interval between attacks, the stronger the effect.”

Shang Xinlei didn’t take it. “Why are you giving this to me?”

“Black Wolf has the Tiger Armguards. White Fox and I prioritize attack speed. You’re the only one with an open bracelet slot.” Yan Qing glanced at her hands—her left hand still wore the Grass Wristband he had given her before. In-game, one could only equip a single wrist accessory. That was one of the rare things reality had over the game.

“You have a Treasure-Hunting Token. You could’ve sold this on the market.” Shang Xinlei suddenly recalled something. “I saw you list a bunch of random junk today. Don’t tell me all that came from looting the Demon-Path Messenger?”

“Consider it payment for the meals these past few days.”

“A few meals aren’t worth a Rare Second-Stage bracelet,” Shang Xinlei shook her head and blurted out, “You don’t think that just because I accepted something from you, I’ll become your obedient servant, do you?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, even Shang Xinlei froze. Yan Qing abruptly went quiet, grabbed her hand, and shoved the Killing-Sound Bell into it. “Whether you throw it away or sell it, it’s your choice. Either way, I don’t owe you anymore—”

Shang Xinlei grabbed Yan Qing’s hand in return. The Killing-Sound Bell swayed between their palms, letting out a sweet chime. She locked eyes with him, her gaze fierce, but her tone softened. “Everything I said in the Inner Treasury was true. I really do think you’re a trustworthy teammate… Even now, I still believe that.”

“Don’t you think I was wrong?”

“Of course I do! How could you send such a cute girl into the Demon-Infested Zone? You’re a heartless bastard!”

“But I still want to believe in you.” Her lips pressed tight, fingers clenched tightly around Yan Qing’s hand, her inner struggle plain as day. “A bastard wouldn’t have lent Bingzi Pepper Forest to Jiang Ten. A bastard wouldn’t have asked the Rat Monk to protect Shang Xuanwen. And a bastard certainly wouldn’t have revealed his Treasure-Hunting Token just to save me… I’m willing to believe you have secrets you can’t speak of, which is why you seem so despicable, shameless, and vile.”

“That last part is pure slander without basis…” Yan Qing paused. “You’re free to think whatever you want, but I’ll say this: when I think someone deserves to die, then they have to die.”

“You’re actually kind of weird,” Shang Xinlei said, half angry, half amused. “Normal people don’t always go out of their way to show the worst, darkest sides of themselves… It’s like you don’t want people to trust you.”

“Because that’s who I really am,” Yan Qing replied flatly. “I don’t like lying.”

He had thought Shang Xinlei would back off after such a blunt confession, but strangely, she only seemed more resolute. She quietly apologized, “What I said earlier was out of line. I’m sorry.”

“It’s only natural for you to think that way. No need to apologize—I wasn’t angry.”

“Ha, which means you were angry. Who gets mad over such little things?” Shang Xinlei fished a milk candy from her pocket. “Here. Accept my apology.”

“I accept it. I just won’t eat it.”

Shang Xinlei stuffed the candy into Yan Qing’s mouth. He tried to dodge and shut his mouth tight, but she still had a firm grip on his hand—he couldn’t escape. In the end, her strength won out, and the candy was forcefully shoved into his mouth.

“You’ve eaten my candy, so you’re not allowed to stay mad.”

“I wasn’t mad, but now you’ve made me angry.”

After the scuffle, their hair and clothes were a mess—they looked like they’d been in a fight. They glanced at each other, and no one knew who laughed first, but both wore helpless smiles. The tense atmosphere in the Thieves’ House finally eased.

“Anyone who’s willing to admit their darkest thoughts can’t truly be a bad person,” Shang Xinlei said.

“Why do you think that?” Yan Qing was puzzled.

“Because I’m like that too.” She smiled. “I hope that if someone likes my beautiful exterior, they can also accept the twisted, dirty roots buried beneath.”

Yan Qing was slightly stunned, recalling the lost look on her face in the Inner Treasury. A strange feeling welled up in his chest, like that piece of candy had melted inside. But his tone remained sharp. “I saw the twisted roots. But that beautiful exterior… you mean the way you cried with snot running down your face?”

“If you dare bring that up again, I swear I’ll bring bitter melon beef every day!” Shang Xinlei growled through gritted teeth. “And what’s wrong with how I look!?”

Only then did Yan Qing notice her outfit—white over-knee socks with black shorts, chunky leather shoes over the socks, a black strap around her thigh securing a dagger, perfectly outlining her legs. She wore a white shirt with black edges, topped with a small, lightweight feathered jacket tied at the front, balancing agility with style. Even in the dim Thieves’ House, she stood out—charming and valiant.

“Were you planning to attend a party today?” Yan Qing asked suddenly.

“No, I was just training with Xiaoyu at home this afternoon. I won’t be leaving the Shang Family all day…” Her voice gradually faded as she looked down at her overdressed self. Her face flushed red.

Worse still, their hands—still clasped—were sweaty from the earlier tussle, now sticky and uncomfortable. Yet neither let go. It was like they were silently playing a childish game of “whoever minds it first loses.”

Ding—the Killing-Sound Bell rang. They both let go at once, and Shang Xinlei ended up holding the bell. Yan Qing acted as if nothing happened and resumed cleaning the dishes, helping her carry them into her room. While passing her a bowl, their hands brushed, and both flinched as if shocked. The Killing-Sound Bell jingled again on her wrist.

Once all the dishes were put away, Yan Qing looked at her, paused, and said, “Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.” Shang Xinlei replied, “I won’t be coming tomorrow.”

“I know. You already said that.”

“My father’s hosting a family banquet at noon. I’ll be busy all day. We’ll have lunch the day after tomorrow.”

Yan Qing stopped, suddenly turned around and stared at her. Now he realized—he’d been played. Just thinking about how she tricked him into wasting all his skills with a single auto attack made his teeth itch with anger. “You…”

“It’s just one day of not eating together. Is that really worth sulking over? You’re such a glutton.”

Shang Xinlei shrugged innocently, then quickly shut her door and ran, as if afraid Yan Qing would break it down and catch her.

Back at the Shang Residence, Shang Xinlei asked a maid to collect and clean the dishes. She sat in the pavilion, resting her chin on her hands as the breeze blew past. Looking at the flowers and plants in the courtyard, she suddenly smiled as if remembering something both funny and sweet, her lips curling into a smug grin—like a little snake secretly giggling to itself.

Shang Qiao suddenly appeared behind her without a sound. “Sister, haven’t you been eating a bit too much lately? At this rate, you might start gaining weight.”

“I’m about to reach Third Job Change. Eating more is normal.” Shang Xinlei replied absentmindedly. “Second-Stage Messengers shouldn’t ask about Third-Stage matters.”

She paused and pinched her cheeks, looking a little hesitant. “Did I really gain weight?”

Shang Qiao quickly said, “No, no. Even if you did, you’d still be the most beautiful and cutest sister ever.”

Her mouth twitched, and she gritted her teeth. “Well thank you so much!”

He’d learned from the maids that Shang Xinlei carried in heaps of food every day, and only empty dishes came out. He had a vague idea of what she’d been doing. Seeing her admiring the golden bracelet on her wrist, he asked, “That is…?”

“Isn’t it tacky? Golden bell, golden bracelet—it doesn’t suit me at all.” Though her tone was critical, a faint smile tugged at her lips.

“It is tacky. Why would you wear something like that?” Shang Qiao agreed.

Shang Xinlei’s expression soured. “This is a Rare Second-Stage Bracelet, Third Brother. What do you know? Hmph! I’m going to play with Xiaoyu.”

She skipped away, leaving Shang Qiao dumbfounded.

I even agreed with you. How did I still piss you off? Dumb sister.