Chapter 159
Chapter 159
More importantly, they had come in through the front gate, while Qiao Yu… had been inside welcoming them!
“Benefactor, how did you get in before us?” Luo Yunmeng asked softly.
Qiao Yu suddenly stopped. He turned and gave her a sinister look. “Because… I’m a ghost.”
Luo Yunmeng snorted. “Yeah, right.”
She and Kong Xianya laughed together, but Shang Yan could not find it funny. He followed close behind Qiao Yu and entered his room.
The room contained four wooden bunk beds, yet only one mattress had bedding.
“Pick whichever you want.”
Qiao Yu played the generous host.
“We’re all staying together?” Luo Yunmeng looked from him to Shang Yan, conflicted.
Qiao Yu clicked his tongue. “What are you worried about? We’re gay. Besides, you look like a little black potato right now. Aren’t you being a little too confident?”
Luo Yunmeng was speechless. “I’m worried I’ll choke on your public displays of affection!”
Fuck. This was the first time she had felt such intense malice toward someone-and he was even the man who had saved her life.
But it was not her fault. Benefactor Qiao was genuinely asking for it!
Kong Xianya and Luo Yunmeng had only protested out of politeness. They promptly made themselves at home in Qiao Yu’s room.
Even if he had not been gay, they all had children’s bodies now. There was nothing inconvenient about it.
Following Qiao Yu’s directions, Shang Yan went outside to fetch bedding. On the way, he passed the other children’s rooms and spotted streamers who had been forced to split up because there were not enough beds. He frowned.
So… was this what being isolated meant here?
At that moment, a bird outside the window hopped agitatedly along a branch and let out two shrill, mournful cries. It lingered for a long time, unwilling to return to its nest.
Shang Yan glanced at it, lowered his lashes, and entered the supply room where the bedding was stored.
After the four of them made their beds, Qiao Yu led them confidently to the cafeteria.
Because the windows faced away from the sun, the cafeteria lights had already been switched on despite it being noon. Most of the streamers had eaten under the guidance of the resident children. Qiao Yu’s group of four had arrived rather late.
Grandma Zhai, who served the food, pulled her deeply wrinkled face long as she filled their trays one by one. When Qiao Yu’s turn came, her face seemed to wrinkle even further with age.
“You wretched child! Why are you so late?”
Her words were harsh, but she secretly slipped an extra steamed bun onto Qiao Yu’s tray.
“You’re already so skinny, yet you still don’t know how to hurry. You wouldn’t even make it in time to eat shit while it’s warm!”
Hearing that, Qiao Yu lost what little appetite he had for the already watery, flavorless meal on his tray.
Just then, a fair, clean-cut little boy approached. His eyes widened curiously when he saw Qiao Yu secretly tuck the steamed bun into his pocket.
“Why are you hiding food?”
The cartoonish accent in his ears confirmed it: this child was Thai.
Qiao Yu put down his tray and pressed his palms together. “Sawadee ka. I hide food so I can put it on an altar tonight. You understand?”
Chinnawat pressed his lips together, speechless.
Hardly anyone remained in the cafeteria. The four found a long table and sat down.
Chinnawat, who had spoken to Qiao Yu earlier, apparently disliked being alone. He cheerfully followed and took a seat, then pointed at the stir-fried cauliflower on his tray. “How’s this dish?”
Seeing Chinnawat looking at him, Qiao Yu shook his head. “I haven’t tried it.”
The other boy appeared remarkably committed to pointless conversation. “Does it taste good?”
Qiao Yu smiled. “It’s delicious.”
“Liar! Didn’t you just say you haven’t tried it?”
“I already told you I hadn’t tried it, and you asked anyway. Don’t you deserve to be lied to?”
Chinnawat was speechless.
Good heavens. Didn’t everyone say Huaxians were hospitable? Why had he met such a difficult friend?
Luo Yunmeng and Kong Xianya lowered their heads, desperately suppressing their laughter. Meanwhile, Shang Yan transferred the meat from his own tray to Qiao Yu’s. Wearing an exquisitely pretty little face, he smiled more sweetly than words could describe.
Without the slightest hesitation, Qiao Yu stuffed the meat into his mouth and perfunctorily patted Shang Yan’s head. “Good boy.”
Everyone fell silent.
-No wonder the big shot has a boyfriend.
-+1
Before long, they had all finished eating. Qiao Yu rose with his tray and said to Chinnawat, “Move aside.”
Out of habit, Chinnawat replied, “Why?”
Qiao Yu drew a deep breath. “So I don’t dump this tray over your face. So… would you please move?”
Chinnawat was speechless.
Someone save him!
-This conversation is truly… suffocating, even for a “person.”
-The little Thai boy is so pitiful.
[Ding-viewer Bridal Ghost loves you deeply and has spent a large number of skill points to light a Fan Badge for the streamer.]
[Congratulations! The streamer obtained the Bridal Ghost’s Red Veil. (Bridal Ghost’s Red Veil: An object of extreme yin. Covering a Ghost’s head with it will restrict its movements. Duration: 10 minutes. Uses: 3 per Instance.)]
[The Bridal Ghost has joined the streamer’s fan club. Summoning method: Speak her true name. (Duration: 1 hour. Her true form may be summoned only once per Instance.)]
-Good heavens. Even the Bridal Ghost has fallen for him.
-We all saw this outcome coming. (hands tucked into sleeves.jpg)
-Bridal Ghost: I’m late! I’ll punish myself with a tip.
[System Message: Fan Bridal Ghost tipped streamer I’m Your Dad 100 gold coins.]
-Wait. Are my eyes playing tricks on me?
-What a rich lady!
-Bridal Ghost: Is 100 gold coins supposed to be a lot??
Qiao Yu blinked, pressed his palms together, and offered a grateful expression. “This humble one welcomes the wife of the Prince of Lanling. Thank you for your generous tip, Your Highness. Are your hands sore? Does your mouth still hurt? Should I find time to take you back to the hospital for another checkup?”
-Bridal Ghost: Please don’t. Just stream normally.
Qiao Yu nodded obediently. “All right.”
-Sadako: Sister Bridal Ghost, this old servant has arrived late.
-Pen Spirit: Upstairs, I advise you to retract that message and let me say it instead.
-Painted Skin: @Bridal Ghost, want to be friends? The kind who helps me pay off my credit card.
-Bridal Ghost: You’re all so cute. Don’t worry. My dowry and betrothal gifts are all antiques. From now on, I’ll cover every expense for fan-club activities.
-Li Xiaoqin: Sister, look at me!
-Sister, look at me! +1
-+10086
The entire Instance remained peaceful throughout the afternoon. The laughter of children occasionally drifted from the courtyard, creating an atmosphere of perfect harmony.
Many people earned varying numbers of points by playing with the children.
Qiao Xiaowen suddenly cried out. Someone had splattered several spots of mud across her dress.
Han Yoon-sik, who had been playing with her, immediately stepped forward. Pointing at the clumsy Azim, he cursed, “Are you blind? Hurry up and apologize to Qiao Xiaowen!”
Azim rolled his eyes and replied in a strange tone, “Lunatic.”
Regardless of the outcome, Han Yoon-sik heard the system award him points. He did not continue arguing with Azim. Instead, he picked up a comb and handed it to Qiao Xiaowen. “Here. Weren’t you looking for a comb?”
Qiao Xiaowen accepted it with a grateful smile. “Thank you.”
[System Message: Han Yoon-sik +3 points. Current score: 76.]
Han Yoon-sik looked at the score of 76 on his control panel and curled his lips smugly.
“Instances in Huaxia aren’t difficult at all. They’re far easier than the ones back home.”
All he had to do was play with the children and keep them happy, and the points would soar.
Tsk. This was so easy.