Chapter 68

Jing Huan sat on the bench next to the basketball court and nearly got hit by a ball.

Fortunately, Gao Zixiang was quick and intercepted the ball for him, then turned to Lu Wenhao and said, “Be careful. If you really hit him, I’ll be the only one left living in the dorm.”

Lu Wenhao gasped for breath and replied, “Don’t worry, even if Huanhuan kills me and I turn into a ghost, I’ll still remember the way back to the dorm.”

Jing Huan snapped back to reality, his face calm: “Today’s a great day. Stop talking about gods and ghosts.”

“A great day?” Gao Zixiang frowned, thinking hard before realizing it wasn’t any holiday, then asked, “What kind of day?”

“The 17th day of the 10th lunar month—avoid breaking ground, favorable for weddings.” After saying this, Jing Huan got up from the bench, brushing dust off his palms. “I’m heading back.”

“Hold on, I was about to set up a basketball game with the guys next door,” Gao Zixiang quickly stopped him. “Play a round before you go. It’s not like we have homework to grind today anyway.”

Jing Huan shook his head: “Got something to do.”

Lu Wenhao was already used to it: “What, rushing back to watch a match again?”

Jing Huan frowned slightly and answered honestly: “Not today.”

You might not believe it if I told you.

Dad was in a hurry to get back for his wedding.

On the way home, Jing Huan couldn’t help but think about what happened last night.

When “Heart’s Desire” asked him when he wanted to get married, he was stunned for a good ten seconds without saying a word.

And then… “Heart’s Desire” simply dragged him straight to the Matchmaker’s Temple.

Seeing the words “Would you like to marry Heart’s Desire?” pop up on the game screen, he was so startled he almost knocked over the water cup on the table.

He clicked “No.”

Are you kidding? I’ve been chasing after him desperately for months, throwing all pride aside, just to make the one I admire lose face and become a recluse for life.

After finally coaxing him into my hands, you want me to marry you at 5 a.m.?

With no guests around, who are we getting married for? The air?!

So he tactfully expressed that this was his first time getting married in the game and didn’t want to rush through it, sounding as aggrieved as possible.

After listening, Heartyearns was silent for a moment before replying, “I understand.”

Jing Huan still feels like it’s unreal even now when he thinks about it.

That line he said last night was just an offhand remark, not a real proposal.

But Heartyearns agreed.

How could Heart’s Desire agree to it!

…Why did Heart’s Desire say yes?!

Jing Huan was utterly baffled.

Could it be that he said something last night that touched that scumbag’s heart???

After a long while without reaching any conclusion, Jing Huan decisively gave up, took out his phone, and sent a message.

Xiang Huai Zhi was in the shower when he heard his phone vibrate. Pausing his movements, he turned around, wiped his hands with a towel, and then turned on the screen.

Xiao Jing Ya: Brother (///v///) your bride has finished class~.

Xiang Huai Zhi’s gaze lingered on those three words for a long moment before he finally replied.

Xiang: Mm.

Xiao Jing ya: So what is my groom doing right now! [rubs hands]

Xiang: Taking a shower.

Xiao Jing ya: [blushing] Then you go ahead and shower first! I’ll be home soon.

After finishing his shower, Xiang Huaizhi came out with a towel loosely draped over his shoulder, his hair still dripping.

He casually picked up a towel to dry his hair with one hand while replying to messages with the other. As he glanced up, he happened to see Lu Hang hurriedly minimizing the webpage he was viewing.

Just a second before it was minimized, Xiang Huaizhi caught a glimpse of the familiar game scene.

He walked over to Lu Hang and asked, “What are you looking at?”

Lu Hang responded immediately, “Nothing much, just browsing some gossip on the forum!”

Xiang Huaizhi raised an eyebrow slightly: “My gossip?”

“…” Lu Hang coughed, “How could that be?”

Xiang Huaizhi understood: “Open it and let me see.”

Lu Hang hesitated for a moment but eventually opened the webpage.

Xiang Huaizhi wasn’t mistaken—the main post indeed featured a screenshot from last night’s game session between him and Jing Huan. The two of them stood in a team before the Matchmaker, positioned closely one behind the other.

Xiang Huaizhi scrolled down with his mouse, his expression growing darker with each swipe.

Lu Hang hadn’t lied—no one was gossiping about him.

Because the entire thread was filled with nothing but ridicule aimed at Little Sweet Jing.

4L: Why are these two at the Matchmaker Temple? Are they planning to get married? Did SweetJing finally succeed in wooing Heart’s Desire???

5L: Woo my ass, they didn’t get married. Just SweetJing’s usual desperate chasing, we’re used to it.

11L: Not to be rude, but a young girl with no self-respect, throwing away all dignity for a man – clearly lacks proper upbringing.

Comments like these piled up over sixty more floors.

Lu Hang could clearly sense the anger emanating from the person beside him and quickly tried to console him: “Hey, that’s just how forums are. You know that—there’s really no need to take it seriously.”

Xiang Huaizhi straightened up, rubbing his hair with more force than usual. “Has the forum always talked about him like this?”

Lu Hang was taken aback for a moment before realizing who “him” referred to. “Not entirely, of course. There are other things said too.”

Xiang Huaizhi pressed, “What else do they say?”

“I said…” Lu Hang stammered hesitantly.

Xiang Huaizhi immediately understood and didn’t press further, turning back to his computer.

He had snapped up a large amount of gold in the exchange market this morning, and now his account was overflowing with silver. No matter which server you looked at, this amount would instantly catapult him to the top of the rich list.

“Lu Hang,” he called out.

Lu Hang responded while chatting with a friend, “Hmm?”

“Besides the wedding banquet, bridal sedan, and fireworks,” Xiang Huaizhi asked casually, “what other arrangements can be made for the wedding process?”

“You’ve come to the right person for this!” Lu Hang rolled up his sleeves, ready to explain in detail, but the words caught in his throat as he suddenly sensed something amiss.

He slowly turned his head, his face filled with astonishment: “Wait a minute… why, why are you asking this?!”

As soon as Jing Huan logged into the game, a friend message notification flashed.

[Friend] Heart’s Desire: Wait for me where you are.

Soon enough, Heart’s Desire appeared beside him.

After joining his team, Jing Huan was just about to coyly greet him.

【Xin Xiang Wang Zhi gave you a Jade Hairpin x1】

Jing Huan opened the gift and was stunned.

It was a purple-tier item, and not just any purple-tier—it had maxed-out attributes. At the very lowest market price, it would still cost five figures.

“Bro?” he asked in confusion. “What’s this for…?”

Xiang Huaizhi said succinctly: “The betrothal gifts.”

“……”

Jing Huan stiffened for a moment.

First, the equipment was indeed expensive. Second, he hadn’t prepared any dowry.

As if reading his thoughts, Xiang Huaizhi added, “Just some cheap stuff I picked up while shopping—just for show.”

Shit.

Jing Huan’s pitiful, barely a pinky finger’s worth of guilt instantly vanished without a trace.

In the game, setting up a stall has a maximum limit of 999 gold. For higher-priced items, players must use the exchange system, obediently paying the commission fee to Nine Heroes.

If he had actually picked this up while casually browsing, then it really was an incredible bargain.

“Thank you, gege, but… I haven’t had time to prepare dowry gifts yet.”

Feeling like his tone wasn’t quite right, Jing Huan sent a bunch of crying emojis in the game.

Xiang Huaizhi: “No need, just click accept.”

As they spoke, the two had already arrived at the Matchmaker’s Temple.

Standing before the Matchmaker once again, Jing Huan still felt an unreal sense of disbelief.

He unconsciously held his breath, mentally preparing himself.

Yet Yue Lao’s chat dialog box still hadn’t popped up, and the voice channel remained eerily quiet.

Jing Huan’s heart skipped a beat—had the scumbag suddenly changed his mind?

Unable to resist licking his lips, he was just about to speak up when a WeChat notification flashed in the bottom right corner.

Longing for It: I’m getting married at five. Everyone who’s free, please come and show your support. Thank you.

As soon as this message appeared, the once lively guild chat instantly fell into silence.

It was unclear how much time had passed before there was finally a reaction.

Don’t Ask About the Return Date: So… I’m just asking casually… Who’s the lucky person you’re marrying, Lord Longing???

Little Sweet Scene: Seems like it’s Little Sweet Scene(*°▽°*)

Seize the Day: Don’t jump the gun!!!

Heart’s Desire: It really is Little Sweet Scene.

Seize the Day: ……

Love means sharing food with you: ……

PeachTeaLover: ……

Sweetie Jing: ^▽^

A few minutes later, the guild members calmed down.

To be honest, ever since Little Sweet Jing joined their guild, everyone’s ability to accept things had improved significantly.

The Girl in My Heart: Congrats, congrats! I’ll be there soon!

Mo Wen Gui Qi: Can you wait for me? We’re still in the dungeon, just the final boss left!!

Chun Xiao: Congratulations.

Autumn Maple: Congratulations [crying]

Before long, the Matchmaker’s Temple was packed with people.

[World] Luoluo: There are so many people at the Matchmaker’s Temple! What’s going on?

[World] Buying Oranges for You: I saw it too. It seems like they’re all from the Idle Pavilion. Is someone from the guild getting married?

[World] IHaveACat: It’s so crowded you can’t even see who’s who. So who’s getting married? Such a grand occasion, even ChunXiao and Xiangsibugu are here.

For every new couple that gets married, the Matchmaker scatters wedding candies in the Matchmaker’s Temple to celebrate. Opening the candies gives you experience and in-game currency—though the amounts are small, it’s better than nothing.

With all the lively discussion on the world chat, players with nothing better to do quickly flocked over. In no time, the Matchmaker’s Temple was packed to the brim, so crowded that even the Matchmaker himself was completely obscured from view.

This was Jing Huan’s first time witnessing such a spectacle.

Maybe it was because there were too many people, but he actually felt a bit nervous.

Holy shit… It’s just getting married, why is it more exaggerated than weekend events?!

At exactly five o’clock, a dialog box popped up.

【Do you wish to marry Heart’s Desire? Yes, No.】

Jing Huan gritted his teeth and thought, “You’re the one who made this wedding such a big spectacle.”

Don’t blame me when you end up humiliating yourself in front of the entire server later.

[Current] Mo Wen Gui Qi: Damn it, who stepped on my foot!!

[Current] Destiny Peach Tea: Stop acting, OK?

[Current] Ji Xiaonian: Who’s getting married? Why is everyone gathered here?

[Current] Planner Tonight Must X: Is it Autumn Maple? I’m proposing right now! Looking for a max-level dedicated healer to play games together!

[Current] Qu Die: Selling level 7 crystals! Selling two Chaos Stones! Interested buyers, whisper me [waves hand]

【Matchmaker: Congratulations to Longing Heart and Little Sweet Scenery on their happy union, becoming the 9,199th couple on this server!】

[Current] Qu Die: ????

[Current] Ji Xiaonian: ?!??

[Current] Qiao Yao: What the hell???

[Current] I love Yang XX: ??

【Matchmaker: The wedding begins—the bride and groom greet the honored guests from all directions—】

【Matchmaker: First bow to Heaven and Earth [Heart]】

Jing Huan watched as the system placed him and the one he longed for on the ceremonial platform. Both were dressed in wedding attire and couldn’t move or send messages until the ceremony was completed.

The Matchmaker’s words were completely drowned out by the players’ chat bubbles. Jing Huan’s view was filled with nothing but question marks and exclamation marks.

This was his first time getting married in-game. Although he wasn’t marrying the right person, he still felt nervous.

The kind of nervousness that makes your hands sweat and your heart race.

“Don’t leave the party right after the wedding,” Xiangwangzhi’s voice came through the headphones, tone no different than usual. Anyone listening would think they were raiding a dungeon rather than getting married.

Damn it.

It seems experienced players really do stay calmer than him.

Seeing how utterly composed the other person was, Jing Huan instantly felt outmatched.

It just… made him look so lame.

At least he couldn’t lose on the surface, Jing Huan thought.

So he responded with a cheerful “Okay then.”

Then, biting his lip repeatedly to suppress the shame, his face burning bright red, he called out: “H…hubby.”

The voice was soft, but Xiang Huaizhi still heard it.

It wasn’t until the wedding ceremony was nearly over that he responded softly, “Mmm.”

The players present had just snapped out of their shock and were about to congratulate the newlyweds when a glaring in-game announcement popped up.

[Announcement] Just A Smurf Account: A scumbag and a b*tch—perfect match, hahaha!

[Horn]So what if it’s a small account: Even a scumbag like him and you’re desperately chasing after him, Sweet Jing, you really aren’t picky at all~

[Horn]So what if it’s a small account: The number one shameless couple in Mirror Flower, Water Moon is born!

The name fits the account—it’s a level 10 small account.

The onlookers instantly got excited, all spamming surprised emojis.

However, these announcements didn’t last long.

[Announcement]Chun Xiao: Congratulations on your marriage, may you have a harmonious union lasting a hundred years.

[Announcement]Autumn Maple: Congratulations on your marriage, may you have a harmonious union lasting a hundred years.

[Announcement]Love is Sharing with You: Congratulations on your marriage, may you have a harmonious union lasting a hundred years.

[Broadcast] Lu Tiaotiao: Congrats on the marriage! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together—may all the scumbags stay away!

The crowd at Xianren Pavilion spammed the broadcast channel. Every time that alt account appeared, it got instantly drowned out by messages and soon disappeared entirely.

Jing Huan was genuinely moved.

While touched, he also proceeded to type out a hundred-word rant in the chatbox, fully prepared to teach that alt account a lesson the moment the wedding ceremony ended.

Two minutes later, the wedding concluded. Just as Jing Huan was about to press the enter key—

[Announcement] Heart’s Yearning: Official Statement: Due to personal health reasons, the account “Heart’s Yearning” was handed over to a substitute player for management in March of this year. The account was not officially retrieved until the end of August. Any incidents that occurred during this period are unrelated to me. I am willing and have agreed to compensate for any financial losses caused to other players by this account during the substitute management. I have backup records of all specific chat logs with the substitute player, which I will post on the forum later.

[Announcement] Heart’s Yearning: Also, it was me who proposed to Little Sweet Jing.

The announcement sent shockwaves throughout the entire server.

The world instantly erupted into chaos, with the chat channel being spammed so much that the words became indiscernible.

Jing Huan sat frozen in front of his computer, staring blankly at the announcement. He read the words over and over, more than ten times in total.

He recognized every character.

Yet he couldn’t comprehend their meaning.

Seeing the friend message notification light up, he instinctively opened it—

[Friend] Love is Sharing with You: Wow wow wow!!! I told you Xiang Shen is a completely different person now compared to before!!! Congrats to you!! This time I genuinely mean it!!

Jing Huan closed the chat window, his lips numb and his mind blank.

[Matchmaker: The ceremony is complete! Off to the bridal chamber!]

【You have obtained the title “Beloved Lady of My Heart.”】

Staring at this title, Jing Huan froze, then slowly raised his hand to pinch the groove between his nose and upper lip.