Xu Hexuan’s place was wedged in between a cluster of high-end estates and middle-class rich neighborhoods. Though not as socially embarrassing as being surrounded by the likes of rich and high-end neighborhoods, it was still one of the lowest-tier, third-rate residential blocks in the area. It wasn’t very close to the commercial district either—taking a taxi still took over ten minutes. Sui Ning decided to wander around a nearby convenience store.
The evening breeze carried a faint chill. Early spring meant there were few pedestrians around. Sparse shadows of trees reflected over the city river under the bridge, lonely and desolate.
Sui Ning tucked the wind-blown strands of hair by his temple behind his ear, only to feel a tender, soft touch at his fingertips.
Under the warm orange glow of the streetlamp, he saw a few cold petals of peach blossoms fall into his palm.
So, in this parallel world’s Jinling City, the peach blossoms had already bloomed.
Sui Ning pressed his lips together. His lashes drooped softly, like raven feathers casting a faint shadow. His deep, quiet eyes fixed silently on the river under the bridge. Wisps of thin clouds let the cold moonlight seep through the night.
“So quickly, it’s spring again…” The black-haired young man seemed a little dazed.
Once upon a time, his dream had also begun in spring: a few brothers who had crawled out of internet caf tournaments, battling their way up into the top league, debuting in the Spring Split.
Thinking of this, Suining’s expression darkened, his gaze lingering long on the petals in his palm.
“......”
Before long, a breeze blew the light petals away.
Sui Ning lowered his hand, no longer looking back.
He would set sail once more.
——
“Welcome!”
The cashier girl on duty brightened at the sight of Sui Ning, politely greeting him.
“Good evening.” Sui Ning nodded, carrying a trace of chill with him as he walked inside.
The girl couldn’t resist sneaking glances, secretly messaging her friends: Oh my god, today’s customer is so handsome! Even with a mask on! Black mask!
Her friend replied: Shut up and show proof, I command you to take a stealthy pic!
The girl pouted. She didn’t want to get caught and leave a bad impression on the handsome guy.
The convenience store wasn’t big nor small. Around the corner, by the fridge in the drinks section, stood a boy in a hoodie.
Sui Ning instinctively looked at him several times. The youth’s back was to him, posture upright, broad-shouldered and long-legged, standing about the same height as Sui Ning—around 185 cm.
At that moment, the boy was bent over rummaging through the fridge, movements brimming with youthful energy.
… Pretty tall kid. But I’m not worse off either. Sui Ning clicked his tongue inwardly.
At 19, maybe with some effort he could still grow. This body was only just over 185 now, barely escaping the internet’s definition of “second-tier height disability.” Another five, six, seven centimeters would finally satisfy him.
When it came to anything about size or length, men always harbored a strange competitiveness—Sui Ning was no exception.
He withdrew his gaze and casually scanned the shelves, confirming one thing: Even in a parallel world, Happy Water was forever the god. While all sorts of flavored drinks had climbed past the ten-yuan mark, only Happy Water held fast at its old price of three yuan, unchanging across universes. What a rare and precious spirit!
“If Thanos handed the throne of the universe over to Happy Water, no one would’ve opposed him.” Sui Ning couldn’t help but laugh softly.
The price reassured him. He immediately decided to haul back two cases.
“…Sui Ning.” A low, hoarse, mature man’s voice cut through his thoughts.
The young man froze: ?
He was wearing a black mask—aside from Xu Hexuan, who else here could possibly recognize him?
Sui Ning turned around, puzzled.
A stranger was staring down at him, his presence cold and unyielding.
The man stood barely half a step away, tall and imposing, with an air of pressure. Dressed in a deep gray trench coat laced with a faint cologne, his handsome face was hidden behind a mask and sunglasses. Only his tightly furrowed brows were visible, glaring at Sui Ning as if he were looking at filth.
His voice was low and impatient: “What the hell are you doing?”
Sui Ning arched a brow.
…That opening line—definitely an old acquaintance, wasn’t it?
Instinctively, he pressed his left chest. A stifling sour ache spread there, like grief washing through his soul. His nose stung, eyes grew damp. Repressed emotions welled up like stormy waves. His body had already formed a humiliating reflex before this man.
This was the original host’s final, strongest emotion.
Why do I feel so wronged, so close to tears? Who the hell is this guy?
Lowering his eyes in confusion, Sui Ning asked,
“Who are you?”
The man’s brows drew tighter. Even behind sunglasses, the icy glare was clear. He snapped coldly, “Drop the act!”
Holding back his temper, he suddenly seized Sui Ning’s wrist in a firm grip: “All because of what happened at the old house last time? You before—”
“Let go.”
Sui Ning’s gaze sharpened, falling to his wrist. “I warn you—don’t lay hands on me.”
Does this idiot even realize what he’s grabbing?
A professional player’s hands aren’t something you can just mess with. Wrists included!
The man froze, as if it were the first time he had ever been treated with such cold indifference. He instinctively let go, and Sui Ning immediately pulled his hand back and stepped half a pace away.
Seeing this, the man’s expression turned even frostier. “Was the scene you made on the show not enough? I already let you off once for Xiao Meng’s sake—don’t push your luck.”
He enunciated each word: “Remember your place.”
“Place?”
And what place does your father hold?
Sui Ning found it a little funny, ready to let this pampered young master have a taste of the internet’s years of savage banter. But in the next second, his attention was caught by the name the man mentioned.
Xiao Meng.
He rummaged through his memories. The only thing that connected “show,” “Meng,” “the original host,” and “this unfamiliar man” was a WeChat friend request from a few days ago—from someone named [Meng Long].
…Which he had rejected.
What had [Meng Long] said back then—?
[Don’t be mad at him… I’ll get him to explain to you, just add me first.]
That kind of coy phrasing—half push, half pull, part pitiful, part manipulative—wasn’t it exactly how a sweet young girl might coax her jealous boyfriend?
At first glance, Sui Ning had guessed [Meng Long] was probably the original host’s girlfriend. Maybe she had been two-timing, got exposed, and didn’t dare admit it, leading the original host to storm off, delete, and block her in one go.
Looking at it now, the “him” she mentioned should be none other than this unfamiliar man before him.
…So you’re the other man next door, huh.
A fool who had put a green hat on the original host, yet still dared to strut around here? No wonder Sui Ning thought his words earlier sounded so strange—he’d been threatening her ex-boyfriend!
If there was ever a time to seek justice, it was now.
With that thought, Sui Ning couldn’t help but sneer coldly.
“So it’s you. How dare you show your face to me?”
The man was stunned. His expression, calm as still water, rippled faintly with confusion.
“It’s thanks to you that Mengmeng and I ended up like this.” Sui Ning’s voice was even, but every word seemed steeped in frost. “You meddled in someone else’s relationship, tore apart a pair of lovers—and you’re still not satisfied?”
The man: …?
Sui Ning pressed on, step by step. “Why are you here? To flaunt yourself? Or to see how pitiful I look after you snatched my love away? Sorry to disappoint you.”
He patted the man’s face. “You’re not worthy.”
The man: ……??
In the corner, the boy in the hoodie, secretly eavesdropping, nearly choked on his own laughter.
At the counter, the cashier girl went wild, her typing speed surpassing that of an RTS pro-gamer as she live-updated her girlfriends: Oh my god oh my god oh my god, those two handsome guys are actually love rivals!!
Cashier girl: And one of them even cheated on the other!! Holy crap, just five seconds ago I was shipping them as top and bottom—didn’t that cold-faced one totally look like a domineering seme??
Girlfriend: Girl, love rivals are even better to ship, aren’t they?
Cashier girl: …Damn. You’re kinda right.
She hesitated two seconds, then remembered another crucial issue.
Cashier girl: WTF, that Mengmeng or Xiao Meng’s luck is too insane. Two gorgeous guys fighting over her??
Girlfriend: Stop, I’m crying—why am I still single since birth while others are already juggling all types of hot guys?
“I suggest you get lost. Now.” Sui Ning’s face was cold as he hefted up a case of Happy Water, brandishing it like a weapon.
“Parading in front of the real boyfriend after playing the other man—you’re truly one of a kind. I’m good-tempered, but not so good that I’d just sit back while someone puts a hat on me and not strike back.”
“If you don’t leave now, don’t blame me for beating you.” His voice was sharp.
The hoodie-wearing youth who was secretly spectating clamped a hand over his mouth, afraid he wouldn’t be able to hold back his laughter.
The man: …subway grandpa staring at phone.jpg
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