NOT A RABBIT BUT A FOX
SHEN JI YUN appeared in the main hall of their team's headquarters. The moment he did, he immediately checked his private message. Just to check if the rabbit did send him one. And to his delight, he really did. For some reason, he couldn't wait to open and read it.
Noctis: [Brother Ji Yun, I have a question regarding the tasks here in Arcadia. I'd be very thankful if you could answer. I'll be waiting for your reply.]
He was about to answer when he noticed that the message was sent over a week ago. He froze. It was sent so long ago, would the rabbit think that he ignored him? He was planning to type his answer, when someone suddenly called him from behind.
"Ji Yun! When did you come back?" said Bai Ze's voice.
Shen Ji Yun glanced back and saw his friend in his lion beastkin game avatar. "Last night."
"Why are you still using your alt account?" Bai Ze asked, walking towards him. "Never mind, I want to show you something."
"Not interested."
But despite saying that, Bai Ze still pulled him to sit down on one of the chairs on the long table. He almost forgot that this guy had selective hearing. Sometimes he would directly ignore what people were saying and just proceed on doing what he wanted to do at that particular moment. Just like now.
It's because of this trait of his that they became friends. If he followed what he said during those years ago when he repeatedly told him not to talk to him or go near him, they would definitely not be what they were now. In some way, he should probably be thankful that Bai Ze was the way he was.
"I actually planned to send this to you yesterday on your WeChat but I didn't know that you're already back," Bai Ze said, opening his Status Window. "How can you be so cold? You've been away for two weeks and you didn't even bother to tell your best friend that you're back?"
"It's troublesome."
Besides, Shen Ji Yun knew that he would meet Bai Ze in the game immediately anyway. So there's really no need to specifically tell him that he's back.
"Yes, I know, it will ruin your high-cold image."
Shen Ji Yun frowned. That's not what he meant at all. But he knew it's no use to argue with this guy. So he just said, "Just show me what you wanted to show."
"Ah, right. I'll send it to via private message." After he said that Bai Ze sent a screenshot of the forum post he saw yesterday as well the the video the original poster posted as a reply to one of the comments.
This past month, he resisted
Which in return made Su Yuqi scold him with those indifferent eyes of hers. Yes, that girl wouldn't berate her verbally. She would only look at him as if he didn't have any brain at all. Being looked at like he's just some single-celled organism was definitely worse than having someone verbally insult him.
So Bai Ze just stopped checking the forum altogether. He just visited again yesterday. Who would have thought he would see something really interesting?
Shen Ji Yun went and read the screenshot about the post.
[These three shameless people are tricking beginner players into joining their party to raid the Infernal Chasm dungeon. Yes! That dungeon with the final boss who has a life draining skill that could be used two times in a row once its HP fell to 1%. These shameless trio's M.O. is to look for gullible new players that don't know much about the game and let them be the bait for the final boss. After letting them be killed intentionally, the three would enjoy all the rewards by themselves. Are you wondering why they're doing this? Clue: It's for that rare invitation. I believe most of you know what I mean. So to the newbies, be careful not to be duped. But most importantly, try to have a better eye for people.]
He didn't feel much after reading it. But he did agree to what the original poster said. It's quite shameless for an older player to deceive beginners.
And then he watched the video.
The longer the video played, the deeper his frown became. Because despite the mosaic on the game avatar's face, with that white hair, that costume, and most importantly, that familiar voice, add that to the little gnome beside him, this could only be one person.
That silly rabbit.
No, with his actions and the way he talked, he could hardly be considered a rabbit. He's definitely more like a cunning fox.
He knew when they met again in the game that the other was not really the innocent and naïve rabbit that he thought of at first. But seeing him like this, it's probably not right anymore to equate him to a harmless rabbit. Although he looked soft and cuddly like a rabbit on the outside, his inside was probably more of a shrewd fox.
He paused the video, at the moment when he said 'bye-bye' to those three. He removed that mosaic in his mind and replaced it with the rabbit's – no, Luo Yan's face. He was probably smiling mischievously when he did that.
Shen Ji Yun didn't really know what to feel at the moment. But he was sure that that didn't include disappointment. In fact, he could feel his heart beating loudly in excitement. Something that he hadn't felt for a while. He first felt like this when he took up karate. And then the next one was when he first entered Arcadia.
He knew what this feeling was. The feeling of taking up a new challenge. He's just wasn't sure why he's feeling like this towards the rabbit – no, towards Luo Yan.
"He's interesting, right? If he joins the Rookie Carnival and gets a good place, I think we could invite him to join our team. What do you—" Bai Ze stopped what he's saying when he turned to Shen Ji Yun. His eyes widened and he looked like he had seen a ghost. "Why are you smiling? Wait- maybe I'm hallucinating. How could this iceberg with facial paralysis suddenly smile for no reason?"
Shen Ji Yun was suddenly awakened by what Bai Ze said. He covered his mouth with the back of his hand and pretended to cough. He didn't even notice that he was smiling.
"I agree. I think we could invite him to our team," he said in his usual cold appearance. Completely ignoring the last part that Bai Ze said.
Because of what he said, Bai Ze also forgot about his 'smiling' accident. "Really?" he asked, his eyes brightening with excitement. How could he not be excited? This was the first time that Shen Ji Yun actually agreed on getting new team members since their other two members retired.
"Yes. But there's no need to wait until the Rookie Carnival."
"That's fine. But how would we find this guy?"
"I know him."
Then Shen Ji Yun stood up and sent a message to Luo Yan.