{"id":3238,"date":"2026-05-10T01:17:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T01:17:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/guide-on-how-to-fail-at-online-dating-66\/"},"modified":"2026-05-10T01:17:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T01:17:38","slug":"guide-on-how-to-fail-at-online-dating-66","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/hi\/chapter\/guide-on-how-to-fail-at-online-dating-66\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide on How to Fail at Online Dating 66"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chapter 66

Jing Huan glanced at the system announcement\u2014he had lost dozens of gold and over thirty million experience points due to dying.

The gold wasn\u2019t a big deal, but the experience points stung a little. Over thirty million experience would take him a whole week of grinding to recover.

“How much gold did you lose?” Xiang Huai Zhi asked.

“I only lost a bit of money, just around eighty gold,” Jing Huan said dejectedly. “But I lost over thirty million experience points.”

[HeartYearnsForYou gave you 100 gold.]

Jing Huan was taken aback and immediately threw the money back: “What are you doing?”

Xiang Huai threw the money back to him again, this time increasing it to three hundred gold: “I got disconnected, otherwise we wouldn’t have lost just now.”

For a moment, Jing Huan felt a pang of guilt.

If it weren’t for him, Lu Wenhao would never have chased after Heart’s Desire to fight.

This guilt was quickly brushed aside. Jing Huan thought for a moment, kept eighty gold for himself, and tossed the rest back: “I don’t want the extra, brother.”

Xiang Huaizhi didn’t insist further: “We’ll make up the experience points for you later.”

Jing Huan fell silent for a moment before finally responding, “Alright.”

The battle between Idle Pavilion and Wuji showed no signs of abating even after three consecutive days. The Silk Road remained bustling, with assassination squads from both factions lying in wait across various wilderness maps.

However, the intensity of the conflict had diminished compared to the first day, as everyone had real-life responsibilities and couldn’t stay online around the clock.

To address this, Chun Xiao specially compiled statistics on all guild members’ online hours and organized different teams according to time slots.

Jing Huan and his group were responsible for the time slot from seven to ten in the evening.

As soon as class ended that day, Jing Huan was grabbed by Lu Wenhao, who hooked an arm around his neck and pulled him into a headlock.

“Jing Huan, you heartless little thing! You can’t just forget about your brothers just because you have a girlfriend now!” he scolded. “How many days has it been since you hung out with us?”

“Since when have I ever hung out with you guys?” Jing Huan retorted, though he didn’t try to break free. “And I told you, I don’t have a girlfriend.”

Gao Zixiang put his hands in his pockets, “Then what are you rushing back for every day after class?”

Rushing to kill your guild members.

“Rushing to watch the LOL matches. Didn’t you know S9 has started?” Jing Huan felt his throat itch and coughed before lazily asking, “Didn’t your servers merge? Why are you guys so free all day?”

“Our guild arranged duty shifts. We’re on the noon shift.” At this, Lu Wenhao smiled proudly, “I heard Heart Towards You switched to the night shift to avoid us. I’m thinking about asking the guild leader to swap us.”

It was fine not mentioning it, but once brought up, Jing Huan started feeling heartache over those 30 million experience points again.

“With so many people in the guild, it’s not something you can just casually change. Don’t bother.” Jing Huan patted his hand. “Let go, I need to head back.”

Lu Wenhao didn’t move: “Don’t go…”

“Jing Huan.”

Hearing someone call his name, Jing Huan struggled to turn around. Seeing Xiang Huaizhi standing behind him, he let out a laugh, “Bro?”

Xiang Huaizhi frowned, staring intently at their posture for a long moment before asking, “What are you two doing?”

Lu Wenhao cheerfully greeted him, “Hello, senior.”

Xiang Huaizhi didn’t look at him, merely responding indifferently, “Hmm.”

“I wasn’t doing anything, we just finished class.” Jing Huan patted Lu Wenhao’s chubby hand again, this time with a bit more force. “Damn it… let go already.”

Lu Wenhao released him, pretending to be hurt. “You’ve changed. You used to let me hug you whenever.”

Jing Huan laughed and cursed, “Get lost. When did I ever let you hug me? You two should hurry up and go, or the restaurant will be full.”

“Jing Huan.” Xiang Huaizi called his name again.

“Hmm?”

Xiang Huaizhi originally wanted to invite him to a meal but then remembered they still had to work their shift at the Silk Road later. The words on his lips changed to: “Shall we head back together?”

The two boys walked shoulder to shoulder toward the back door. Lu Wenhao patted his stomach and said, “Xiang, let’s go too. If we’re any later, we really won’t be able to eat… What are you looking at?”

Gao Zixiang watched their retreating figures and frowned. “Nothing, it’s just a bit strange.”

Lu Wenhao looked puzzled. “What’s strange?”

“Does Senior Xiang seem pretty cold towards us?”

Lu Wenhao laughed: “Isn’t he famously aloof?”

“But he’s so nice to Huanhuan.”

Lu Wenhao choked: “That’s true… but Huanhuan has always been quite likable. Maybe Senior Xiang likes him too, that’s why he treats him well.”

Gao Zixiang turned around with a complicated expression.

He hadn’t thought much of it originally, but Lu Wenhao’s words suddenly broadened the scope of his imagination.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Lu Wenhao asked, baffled. “Are we still going to eat or not?”

Gao Zixiang gave up on communicating with him: “Eat, eat yourself to death. Let’s go.”

When Jing Huan logged in, his teammates were already waiting.

[Team]Little Sweet Jing: Wuwuwu, sorry I’m late QAQ

“It’s fine, Xiang Xiang just got back too.” Lu Hang stretched lazily, “Why aren’t you on mic?”

[Team]Little Sweet Jing: My throat’s feeling a bit uncomfortable today.

It might be from speaking in a strained voice these past few days, as his throat developed a minor issue\u2014nothing serious, just an occasional itch that made him cough a couple of times.

Not using the microphone was also because he couldn’t be bothered to put on a cutesy act and didn’t feel like performing.

Xiang Huaizhi paused for a moment\u2014he hadn’t noticed anything different about Jing Huan’s voice from usual.

“Did you take any medicine?” Xiang Huaizhi asked.

[Team]Little Sweet Scenery: Not yet, big bro. Just a slight cold from the changing seasons, nothing serious.

“Then you should be careful. It’s been particularly cold here lately\u2014I even need blankets in my dorm room.” Lu Hang casually asked, “Where are you from, Little Jingjing?”

Jing Huan: “I’m from…”

“Got everything packed?” Xiang Huaizhi led them toward the Silk Road, subtly cutting him off. “Keep an eye on your HP later\u2014don\u2019t try to save on potions. If you\u2019re missing any herbs, just ask me directly.”

Lu Hang didn’t miss any opportunity to take advantage of his dear roommate: “Do you have extra of that Divine Recall Incense too?”

Xiang Huaizhi tossed five Revival Incense sticks to him, finally succeeding in shutting him up.

Lu Wenhao’s team was scheduled by Wuji for the noon slot. In reality, it was because the Wuji guild leader feared Xiang Wangzhi would seek revenge and deliberately targeted Lu Wenhao for kills, hence the special arrangement.

Free from restraint, Xiang Huaizhi cut down all in his path, unstoppable, never once returning to the respawn point. In just three short days, the forums were flooded with over a dozen more “Legendary Xiang God Clips.”

“There are only ‘Legendary Xiang God Clips’ and no ‘Legendary Lu God Clips’!!” Lu Hang fumed. “How come these netizens don’t have an eye for spotting greatness?”

Love Is Sharing a Bite sighed: “How many more days do we have to fight like this? I still want to grind the Lovers’ Event\u2014it’s already been two days since it started.”

Lu Hang asked curiously, “Who are you grinding with?”

“With my own alt account…” Love Is Sharing a Bite said. “I just want that limited-time outfit from the event.”

Completing the Lovers’ Quest requires finding various NPCs in the open-world maps, but now all open areas are camped by Wuji’s assassins, making it impossible to enjoy the event grind.

Lu Hang: “Should be soon. Our guild’s faction funds have already surpassed theirs by a lot.”

At ten o’clock, the five of them clocked out precisely on time, not staying a minute longer.

They cleared seven teams today. As the party returned to the main city, Jing Huan couldn’t help but roll his neck\u2014seems like bad omens come true, he might actually have caught a cold. He felt completely drained.

Xiang Huaizhi originally planned to take him for their daily quests, but saw the Little Fox Spirit be the first to leave the party.

[Friend] Heart-Yearning: ?

[Friend] Little Sweet Scenery: What’s up, bro?

[Friend] Heart-Yearning: Wanna do dailies?

[Friend] Little Sweet Scenery: Sure.

[Friend] Little Sweet Scenery: But can you wait for a bit? I want to go downstairs.

[Friend] Heart’s Desire: What for?

[Friend] Little Sweet Scenery: To buy medicine.

Xiang Huaizhi’s fingers paused briefly, then he typed: Go ahead.

“Chun Xiao mentioned in the group chat,” Lu Hang stood up and stretched his limbs. “It seems Wuji is on the verge of collapse. They’re discussing with members of other guilds about teaming up against us. Do you think any guild would actually cooperate with them?”

After a long while without a response, Lu Hang turned around. “Xiang Xiang?”

Xiang Huai replied perfunctorily, “I don\u2019t know.”

Lu Hang glanced at the time, picked up his jacket, and casually draped it over his shoulders. “It’s still early. I’m going next door to play some cards. Don\u2019t lock the door.”

After Lu Hang left, the dormitory was left with only Xiang Huaizhi.

His back was straight and rigid. A few seconds later, he released the mouse and leaned back in his chair.

The surroundings were dead silent, making his thoughts particularly clear at this moment.

Their school was located in a remote area, with only two pharmacies nearby\u2014one at the front gate and one at the back.

He wanted to go downstairs to see him.

Xiang Huaizhi wasn’t surprised by this thought, but he didn’t know when these ideas had started to form.

The phone on the table vibrated lightly.

Xiao Jing: Shit, the pharmacy downstairs is closed… where exactly is the front gate pharmacy again??

[“Xiao Jingya” recalled a message]

Xiang: ?

Xiao Jingya: I clicked the wrong sticker by mistake, gege [cute]

Xiang Huaizhi lowered his gaze, opened the sticker panel, but couldn’t find one he wanted to reply with after searching through them all.

Finally, he simply tossed his phone into his pocket.

Jing Huan walked out of the pharmacy at a leisurely pace, carrying his medicine. As the cold wind hit his face, he immediately sneezed.

Rubbing his nose, he looked up and saw Xiang Huaizhi standing by the bus stop.

Xiang Huaizhi had his hands in his pockets, quietly watching him. For a brief moment, Jing Huan even felt like the other was waiting for him.

“Bro,” Jing Huan snapped out of it and instinctively walked towards Xiang Huaizhi. “What are you doing here? Waiting for someone?”

Xiang Huaizhi shook his head. “Night jog.”

“\u2026\u2026”

Night jogging in such cold weather?

He just wanted to set up camp under the covers all winter and never come out.

“No wonder you’re in such good shape.” Jing Huan praised sincerely, “Then I’ll head back first, keep it up.”

“Together.” Xiang Huaizhi followed beside him calmly, “I’ve finished running.”

But you don’t look like someone who just finished running at all.

Jing Huan felt a bit puzzled but didn’t ask: “Alright.”

“You caught a cold?” Xiang Huaizhi glanced at the pharmacy bag in his hand.

Jing Huan smiled: “Yeah, couldn’t avoid it.”

“Temperatures dropped recently, keep warm.”

“Alright, you too, bro.”

Jing Huan kept looking around while he was talking.

Xiang Huai Zhi noticed it too and asked him, “What are you looking for?”

“No, I’m checking if anyone is taking pictures of us,” Jing Huan retracted his gaze. Though he was sick, his tone remained roguish. “If I catch them, I\u2019ll definitely beat them up.”

Xiang Huai Zhi tilted his head and glanced at him with lowered eyes.

From his angle, he could see Jing Huan’s nape, completely exposed without even a scarf, his slender and pale neck on full display.

He recalled the scene of Jing Huan being pulled into someone’s embrace and lightly frowned between his brows.

“Are you very concerned about it?”

Jing Huan was momentarily stunned upon hearing this and turned his head: “Hmm?”

“Photos,” Xiang Huaizhi asked, “do you care a lot about them?”

“Not really…” Jing Huan licked his lips, “It’s just that I don’t really like being photographed. It feels weird.”

Xiang Huaizhi nodded, as if remembering something: “By the way, how are things with the person you like…?”

Jing Huan was stunned for a moment, and it took him a long time to remember what had happened.

A lie once told is like water spilled; at this point, he could only continue to cover it up: “Nothing much, I haven\u2019t caught up yet.”

To some extent, what he said was the truth.

Xiang Huai asked further, “Do you really like that person?”

Jing Huan turned his head and stared at him for a while.

Xiang Huai Zhi felt a bit flustered by the gaze, though he remained calm on the surface: “What’s wrong?”

Jing Huan smiled, his eyes curving: “Nothing, I just realized you seem very interested in the person I like.”

Xiang Huai Zhi said: “Just thought I’d ask, it’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it.”

“I do like him,” Jing Huan said casually. “Why would I chase after him if I didn’t?”

The street was sparsely populated as the two boys walked side by side, their conversation resembling the casual banter between friends.

Only Xiang Huaizhi knew that the person beside him was actually confessing his feelings to him.

A subtle sense of secret delight rose within him, mingled with an indescribable restlessness. He even wanted to come clean\u2014to say that he was indeed Heart’s Desire, to ask what exactly Jing Huan liked about him, and then to inquire whether the real him was more appealing than his gaming persona.

“But,” Jing Huan exhaled a breath of warm air and complained, “It’s been a bit tiring chasing lately.”

Xiang Huaizhi paused for a moment, turning to look at him: “Hmm?”

“No matter how I chase, I get no response, it’s somewhat annoying,” Jing Huan said half-seriously and half-jokingly. “I don’t feel like chasing anymore.”

Might as well buy five accounts and go on a killing spree\u2014it would be more straightforward and satisfying.

Xiang Huaizhi’s heart sank, and his footsteps grew heavier: “Are you giving up?”

Jing Huan didn’t answer but instead asked, “Bro, have you ever pursued someone before?”

The boy’s eyes were especially bright in the dim light. Xiang Huaizhi met his gaze for a moment before looking away: “No.”

Jing Huan nodded. He must have been addled by the wind\u2014how could someone like Xiang Huaizhi ever chase after anyone else?

Xiang Huaizhi pursed his lips, about to press further when he realized they had already reached the back door.

“Bro, my rented place is right here, so I’ll head back now,” Jing Huan waved at him. “Goodnight.”

Only after the boy’s figure disappeared into the building did Xiang Huaizhi snap out of it.

Those few brief minutes had been filled with nothing but the echo of those words\u2014”I don’t want to chase anymore.”
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