Youmi paced the room restlessly, wanting to find Chi Hao and get things clear. What if her careless words had ruined the feelings between Chi Hao and Jing Minghe? She wouldn't be able to forgive herself, let alone whether Chi Hao would forgive her.
However, after hesitating for a long time, Chi Hao's indifferent and cold face flashed through her mind, and she was too afraid to speak to him.
What if she had indeed misunderstood Chi Hao's feelings for Jing Minghe? If she blurted something out without thinking, wouldn't it be even worse?
Just as Youmi was struggling with her inner turmoil, there was a knock on the door.
Youmi froze for a moment and asked, "Who is it?"
"It's me."
Shen Rong?
Why was she looking for me at this time?
If it were before, Youmi wouldn't have found Shen Rong's visit at this time problematic, but now, she felt a little unsure how to face her.
"Just a moment."
However, she had to face it eventually; she couldn't just shut the door on someone.
Youmi opened the door to let Shen Rong in. She was about to ask Shen Rong to sit down when Shen Rong spoke first, cutting straight to the chase, "Does Chi Hao like Jing Minghe?"
"What?" Youmi blinked, then smiled apologetically, "Why do you ask that?"
"Yes or no?"
"This..." Youmi shook her head and said, "I'm sorry, I don't know."
Shen Rong walked up to Youmi, looking at her with a serious expression. "Aren't you close to them?"
Youmi felt a sense of helplessness and forced a bitter smile. "Even if we are close, they wouldn't tell me about their private feelings, would they?"
"Then what do you think?" Shen Rong pressed. "You've been with them since the first dungeon, haven't you? You're together every day, so you should be able to tell, right?"
Youmi sighed deeply. "Miss Shen, you're really putting me in a difficult position. This is the City of Death. Everyone's mind is on their survival, even their lives in the next second. Who would have the mood to pay attention to other people's affairs?"
"But I saw it," Shen Rong bit her lip and said with a cold laugh. "I've never seen, never, Chi Hao, get so worried about someone."
Youmi looked puzzled and couldn't help but ask, "Did you and Mr. Chi date before?"
Shen Rong lifted her chin and admitted decisively, "Yes, we dated."
"Since you dated," Youmi said softly, "why haven't you seen Chi Hao look worried?"
"Why?"
Shen Rong took two steps back and leaned against the table, recalling their relationship, which wasn't really a relationship at all.
She and Chi Hao had grown up together. She loved Chi Hao so much that she was almost going mad, wanting to be with him at all costs. Chi Hao was outstanding and powerful, but also cold and ruthless. No matter what she did, Chi Hao remained indifferent.
Finally, under the persuasion of her parents and relatives, he agreed to date her. But what was the point of dating? Chi Hao wouldn't even hold her hand!
When they were friends, they could shake hands amicably. After dating, he became even more indifferent and distant towards her. Was this kind of relationship really a relationship?
Shen Rong put away her memories, masking her bitterness with a smile, and said to Youmi, "Why have I never seen him look worried? Perhaps it's because I never did anything that would make him worry. After all, to be worthy of someone like Chi Hao, one must be exceptionally excellent themselves."
Youmi twitched the corner of her mouth, trying to force a smile, and replied, "Yes, yes."
Youmi wasn't one for gossip, but due to her previous unintentional mistake, she couldn't help but want to know more at this moment. "Then why did you break up?"
"I dumped him," Shen Rong said with a hint of bitter smile. "At the time, I thought he was too boring. You've known him for a long time, so you should know that he's always stoic and never understands romance."
Youmi nodded slightly. That was true, but Chi Hao's stoicism was an exception for Jing Minghe. Wasn't all that meticulous care the most tender romance?
However, such words were not suitable to be said at this moment.
"But," Shen Rong spoke again, "I regret it. It's not easy to meet someone familiar in the City of Death, let alone someone who was once the closest person to you."
After speaking, Shen Rong turned and left, leaving Youmi with a head full of questions.
Youmi looked at the open door, feeling both amused and exasperated. If Shen Rong came to confirm Chi Hao and Jing Minghe's relationship with her, then what was the meaning of her last sentence?
Did she want Youmi to tell Jing Minghe that Chi Hao's girlfriend was here, and that Jing Minghe shouldn't have any ideas about Chi Hao?
What about "once the closest person"? No matter how close they were, didn't it still have the word "once" attached?
Youmi walked over and closed the door, sneering to herself, "Our Minghe and Mr. Chi are a better match. This woman isn't very smart at all; I overestimated her before."
Jing Minghe didn't know when he had fallen asleep. He was a bit dazed when the knocking woke him.
"Coming."
Jing Minghe called out, rolled out of bed, and walked to the door, coming face-to-face with Chi Hao's eyes. A flicker of worry crossed his gaze, but his voice remained cold.
"Didn't you see the message?"
"Huh?" Jing Minghe asked in confusion, "What message?"
Chi Hao tilted his chin slightly, his gaze shifting. Jing Minghe followed his line of sight and looked back. On the gray-white wall of the room, a dark line of text read: The game officially begins at 18:00. All players are requested to gather at the banquet hall.
Jing Minghe gave an embarrassed laugh and explained, "I fell asleep. Thank you for reminding me."
As he spoke, Jing Minghe took out his pocket watch and checked the time. It was 17:35. He casually asked, "When did that message appear?"
"17:30."
"Oh, only five minutes ago."
Jing Minghe was puzzled. It had only been five minutes, so how did Chi Hao know he hadn't seen the message?
After a moment of confusion, Jing Minghe suddenly realized. Right, Chi Hao lived next door to him. The message had appeared five minutes ago, and he hadn't left his room yet, so Chi Hao must have known.
Tsk, honestly, what was he expecting just now?
"Let's go," Jing Minghe said as he went out with Chi Hao, asking, "Where are Sister Youmi and the others?"
"They've already gone ahead."
Jing Minghe did a few stretches. "That's good. Everyone's there, right? No one else fell asleep like me?"
Chi Hao glanced at Jing Minghe, his tone carrying a hint of undisguised indulgence. "Only you would be so careless."
"Haha, Brother Hao, are you praising me or teasing me?"
"Praising you."
Jing Minghe shrugged. "Alright, since Brother Hao is sincerely praising me, I won't be polite and will accept it."
As they spoke, Jing Minghe stealthily glanced at Chi Hao from the corner of his eye. He had already understood his feelings for Chi Hao. Now, no matter how he looked at him, he found everything about him to be wonderful, even the teasing. In short, no matter what, he felt incredibly fond of him.
Jing Minghe felt a surge of pride. My Brother Hao is indeed the most outstanding person.
Then, he couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. It was a pity that they were still in the City of Death, and he didn't know when this person would truly become his.