"Alright, since there’s nothing planned for tomorrow, no need to get up early. If we stay up late, so be it."
Motan didn’t insist anymore, comfortably leaning back against the chair like a retired old official, holding his coffee with squinted eyes, feeling completely relaxed.
The occasional aroma wafting by his nose was almost identical to the scent he recognized from the few times he had close encounters with Yu Chen outside the game. At this moment, he sincerely praised the Sinless Realm Master System in his heart, feeling ten times more devoted to it than he was to the faith in the Goddess of Dawn!
However, as they say, moments of comfort are always short-lived. One second later...
"Hmm, Hei Fan, are you really so idle?"
Yu Chen rested her chin in her hand, blinking at Motan playfully.
"Yeah, I am~"
With the martial arts tournament over, the negotiation timetable with Fyari controlled by himself, and not needing to pretend as a judge running back and forth to the arena, the unprecedentedly relaxed Motan nodded almost without thinking and said leisurely, "Finally, I can catch a breath."
"Is that so."
Yu Chen immediately clapped her hands gently, smiling, "Then how about we go meet up with Xiaoge and the others tomorrow? We texted each other this afternoon, saying we three should have lunch or dinner together. Oh, and also the mighty Silent Brother."
[?!]
Motan’s eyes suddenly widened, barely controlling his emotions with all his might to prevent himself from spraying coffee or choking on it.
He was indeed caught off guard, failing to anticipate that, despite having some free time now with less demanding time management compared to before, the conclusion of the martial arts tournament also meant that Yu Chen and Ji Xiaoge’s long-planned ’Sinless Realm Meetup’ plan was ripe for a restart. In other words...
Although Motan has relatively more free time following the tournament, he could still face challenges much harder than being his own bodyguard, commanding himself in battles, judging himself, or falling into deep sleep in public—tasks marked with a five-star probability of mishap—’meeting online with friends who have long heard of him’.
No, to be more precise, it’s no longer a matter of ’may happen at any time’. According to Yu Chen’s earlier words, Motan could be certain that a lively and outgoing winged girl had likely set things in motion after learning Yu Chen had no engagements.
So even if he tries to find an excuse for ’tomorrow being busy’, Yu Chen would likely go meet Ji Xiaoge on her own.
Then, should he be free tomorrow? Could he be free?
Instinctively lost in thought, Motan furrowed his brow slightly.
"Ah, if finding the time is difficult, it’s okay."
Yu Chen didn’t miss the subtle change in his expression, quickly smiling to add, "Actually, Xiaoge mainly wants to hang out with me. You and Silent Brother are just extras, so it’s okay even if you don’t join."
"Uh, no, it’s fine. It’s not really that I’m unavailable."
Motan waved his hand, finally making up his mind, responding earnestly, "Let’s just settle it like this. Are we saying dinner together?"
"Lunch or dinner, either is fine, but personally, I prefer gathering when it’s cooler in the evening, then taking a walk, having dinner, and chatting."
Yu Chen, while gently tapping her chin, suddenly made a playful face at Motan, "Because it’s too hot at noon~"
[Damn, if only I knew Black’s air-conditioning Divine Arts...]
Motan pouted, turned his head to avoid the girl’s mischievous gaze, awkwardly coughing, "Anyway, this matter is settled."
"Are you sure?"
Yu Chen hesitated for a moment, softly murmuring, "Your expression was a bit off earlier. If it’s not convenient, better not to force it..."
"You’re overthinking it."
Motan waved his hand to interrupt her concern, shrugging, "I was just panicked hearing ’having a meal together’ and ’Xiaoge’ in quick succession, you see."
!!!
Yu Chen’s face turned pale for a brief moment, then she coughed lightly, shaking her head, "No, no, she says she’s already reflected. As long as no one actively seeks trouble... Ah! I mean as long as no one gets silly... Uh, no, that’s not it, I..."
"I know."
Motan sighed, saying painfully, "You’ve tried hard. The lack of suitable adjectives... It’s not your fault."
Yu Chen: "..."
"I’ll go rest first, then."
Motan lazily stretched his body, walked briskly towards the stairs, waving without looking back, "Don’t stay up too late yourselves."
"Eh?"
Until Motan’s figure disappeared around the stairwell, Yizou suddenly realized, bewildered, "Wasn’t he just saying it’s fine to stay up late?"
"Yeah..."
"But now he’s decided to go rest."
"Who knows, maybe he felt sleepy while talking."
"Hmm, is that so..."
"Let’s assume so."
"Feels weird though."
"Quite so~"
...
[Favor Inn] Second floor, Room 205, Double Bed Room
’Don’t push yourself too hard (｀・ω・´)’ ’
Motan glanced at the message someone just sent him, a wry smile curling at the corner of his mouth as he murmured, "I don’t want to push myself either."
He closed his eyes silently, trying to figure out his emotions, questioning why he didn’t take Yu Chen’s offer to sidestep and not attend tomorrow’s unexpected yet sensible gathering, only to find it futile.
Because he’s known the answer all along.
That considerate girl has always tolerated his clumsy behavior from various angles. They were like that when they first met half a year ago, and it’s still the same now.
Perhaps before that failed ’date’, Motan could comfortably enjoy her tolerance, but after the invisible barrier was broken, he couldn’t anymore.
He lacked the courage to retreat and the guts to move forward. For others, this might be abnormal, but Motan can still rationalize it.
His mental challenges can serve as the final explanation for all conflicts.
And precisely because there’s such an explanation, he can comfort himself and maintain the status quo under repetitive self-reassurance.
A ridiculous scenario, more than friends, but not quite lovers.
Utterly selfish and poor mutual understanding.
Nonetheless, even if so, he still refused to exhaust the girl’s tolerance and understanding.
Even if that pure, dawn-like girl is ultimately just an ordinary person.
She’s smart but often pretends ignorance.
She experiences distress, worries, insecurities, and sadness, but conceals it much better than many others.
She has limits, and so does her tolerance.
Always consuming her tolerance, Motan didn’t expect the knot around him to unravel over time, but he didn’t want her to constantly bear the ’fog’ surrounding him.
"Sigh, instead of shamelessly claiming not wanting to see the unease in her eyes..."
Motan tiredly covered his cheeks, grinning with mocking bitterness, "It’s more like wanting her to reach her limit later, enjoying a bit more of that illusory happiness."
He slowly squatted down, leaning against the door, burying his head in his arms.
"I’m really so tired. Indeed, I must have become too rotten to save..."
...
"Really now, wasn’t it already said..."
On the other side, leaning against a door, the girl with clear eyes sighed softly despite not hearing anything, muttering almost imperceptibly—
"Don’t push yourself too hard..."
Chapter 1140: The End
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter