AD Chapter 5

As soon as Qin Yi exited the elevator, a call from Xiang Nan came through.

“Brother Qin, everyone agreed to go out for dinner, but why did you leave early again today?”

Passing by a trash can, Qin Yi extinguished the cigarette and tossed it away. “I had something to do.”

“You said the same thing yesterday and the day before,” Xiang Nan clearly unhappy with his repeated no-shows. “You’re not secretly seeing someone, are you?”

If he was seeing someone, would he really need to keep it a secret?

Qin Yi didn’t answer directly. He turned around and looked up, but the figure he had been watching was no longer there.

He lowered his head, sniffed his palm, and waited until Xiang Nan had finished concocting his gossip before asking, “Where are you? I’ll be there soon.”

“Wow, you’re not denying it!” Xiang Nan shouted, immediately catching the attention of the others. “Is there really a fox spirit outside?”

The phone suddenly became lively.

Qin Yi felt that this group of grown men was as noisy as sparrows, making his head ache. He directly hung up the phone and asked Niao Niao for the address.

Meanwhile, Shen Du stood at the door, holding the piece of paper, wondering if he was overthinking it.

Just because someone is gay doesn’t mean they’re interested in him, right?

But if they weren’t interested, would they hold his hand? Would they leave him their contact information?

He shook off all the scattered thoughts in his head, entered the room, and tossed the piece of paper into the drawer under the TV, rolling up his sleeves and preparing to start cleaning up.

He was moving, but in reality, he didn’t have much stuff to bring over. The house’s original furniture was complete, but it wasn’t all his style. Since he had some free time recently, Shen Du decided to buy some new things and redecorate.

It was getting late now, though, and it was too late to do anything else.

He quickly tidied up the bedroom and study, planning to handle the rest tomorrow.

After rushing through a shower, Shen Du sat down with takeout in front of his computer, logged into Cool Cat TV, and sent a message to [Dreamy Affection].

[Shen°: Are you there? Do you have time to play games later?]

Meanwhile, Qin Yi had just sat down at a booth, and Master Xia from the bar was pouring him a drink when his phone in his pocket rang.

He wasn’t planning to look at it, but remembering that he had left his contact info for Shen Du, he took out his phone.

When he opened it, he was a bit surprised.

Shen Du hadn’t contacted him, but [Shen°] had messaged him.

Xiang Nan continued talking.

With just a slight turn of his head, he saw his brother slightly bowing his head, looking at his phone. His body was slightly turned, and his expression was one of listening, but also as if he wasn’t.

“Brother, are you listening…”

He really liked this work, so he hoped to get Qin Yi’s approval.

“Look here, I changed the wings. I borrowed the phoenix totem…”

Xiang Nan was about to continue, but Qin Yi suddenly stood up and gently nudged his elbow.

Xiang Nan looked up, a bit confused. “Brother Qin?”

“Everyone,” Qin Yi raised his full wine glass, the clear liquid spilling slightly as he moved, dripping onto his slender, beautiful fingers. “I have something to do, I’ll leave first.”

He finished the wine in one gulp.

The others were surprised. “You have something again?”

“You just sat down, and now you’re leaving?”

“I really have something.” Qin Yi smiled apologetically, bent over to grab his phone from the table, and quietly told Niao Niao, “I’ll cover the bill for tonight.”

“You all have fun. I’ll treat you to breakfast tomorrow.”

With that, Qin Yi left with long strides.

Xiang Nan shook the iPad in his hand, raising his voice, “Hey, what about my design? Is it okay or not?”

“Send it to me later.” The person answered without turning back.

Xiang Nan sighed and turned around, drinking the wine like it was a soft drink. He immediately grimaced and spat several times, causing the nearby old drunks to burst into laughter.

Niao Niao handed him a tissue, glancing at Qin Yi’s hurried departure, and with some concern, said, “Do you think something’s wrong? Why is he in such a hurry?”

“Why are you asking me?” Xiang Nan wiped his mouth.

“Of course, because you’re the closest to Qin Ge here.” Niao Niao said matter-of-factly.

Xiang Nan was like a half-apprentice to Qin Yi. Though Qin Yi appeared indifferent, and in fact, he was cold and distant, always joking with them, the underlying aloofness was hard to hide.

Xiang Nan knew a bit about Qin Yi’s family background and wasn’t overly worried. “It should be fine.”

If Qin Yi really encountered something serious, there was no one here who could help anyway.

But Niao Niao wanted to ask something else, her eyes gleaming as she looked at him, “So tell me, is there really a fox spirit?”

Xiang Nan completely forgot how he had teased earlier. “What fox spirit?”

Niao Niao widened her eyes. “Didn’t you just say that?”

Xiang Nan grabbed some skewers, thinking back. “Did I? I don’t remember.”

“There’s no fox spirit.” Shen Du, chewing on a meatball, started his livestream, and the barrage of comments flooded in, all joking that he had been lured away by a fox spirit because he hadn’t streamed in a few days.

“It’s because I’ve been moving. I’ve been staying in a hotel and haven’t had time.”

“I’m not reading the script tonight; I haven’t decided which part to read.”

At first, the viewers were a bit disappointed to hear he wasn’t reading the script, but they became excited again when he mentioned playing games with [Dreamy Affection].

[What!! The streamer is finally going to play games with Dreamy Affection again!!]

[Can we get him to unmute? I really want to hear his voice]

[+1, we have no resistance to guys with nice voices]

Shen Du glanced at the comments and saw everyone discussing [Dreamy Affection]’s voice, and some even declaring that he must have an incredible voice. He chuckled, “How do you know his voice is good? Have you heard it?”

The comments responded with “no,” and Shen Du smiled lazily, “Then why are you guys just randomly discussing it?”

[Oh my god, my ears are pregnant]

[Hubby, your voice is so nice, please smile more]

[Hasn’t Shen Du ever heard it?]

Shen Du ignored the comments from “yhsq” and replied, “…No, I haven’t.”

When he had played games with [Dreamy Affection], he was the only one who unmuted. He had no idea what the other’s voice sounded like.

[Oh my, you guys have never spoken privately?]

“What are you thinking?” Seeing the comments getting more ridiculous, Shen Du felt the need to clarify. “Me and Dreamy Affection are completely innocent.”

The only way they communicated was through Cool Cat TV. They hadn’t even added each other on WeChat.

In the streaming world, which pair of streamers kept things so professional?

However, his words seemed to sink without a trace, like a stone dropped into the ocean, causing no ripple. The comments continued as if the streamer hadn’t spoken.

At that moment, a bold, red, and thick comment appeared.

[Dreamy Affection: Do you want me to unmute?]

The sentence was vague, without a subject, and could have multiple meanings. It could be asking the fans, or it could be asking Shen Du.

Everyone in the chat unanimously assumed it was directed at Shen Du.

[It’s for you, hubby]

[It’s not just a question, it’s clearly an invitation! Go ahead!]

[Hold on, hold on, I’ll start recording software—]

The air conditioning was a bit cold, and Shen Du sniffed. “No need, I can unmute.”

[Dreamy Affection: Really? You don’t want me to?]

[Yes, yes, yes—hubby, please say you want it!!]

[Please, hubby, just say you want it!]

[The recording software is ready!]

“It doesn’t matter to me,” Shen Du said, indifferent. He was just worried that if [Dreamy Affection] unmuted, the voice might not live up to the fans’ expectations and might invite some backlash.

But he thought [Dreamy Affection] wouldn’t do that.

Sure enough, after asking, [Dreamy Affection] didn’t mention it again and only said to wait for him for another fifteen minutes.

“Alright, then I’ll play a solo game to warm up.”

Shen Du had invited too suddenly, and it was too late to rush back home now, so Qin Yi ended up back at the place he had been earlier that evening.

He looked briefly at the window in the hallway as he exited the elevator, but there was no one there now. The sky outside was overcast.

The cardboard boxes he hadn’t had time to throw away were still piled up in front of Room 1601.

Qin Yi took a deep look and turned, walking into Room 1602.

When this neighborhood was first developed, Qin Yi had bought up the entire floor.

He wasn’t a local, but he owned quite a few properties in Yunshan City.

This apartment was close to his shop, and only when he had to work late would he come here to crash for the night. As such, it was fully equipped with the essentials.

Qin Yi entered the study.

This wasn’t his first time here playing games with [Shen°].

After a quick shower, Qin Yi turned on his computer, entered [Shen°]’s livestream, and logged into the game. The small streamer immediately sent him a team invite.

Qin Yi picked up the nearby headphones and put them on.

“Oh, you’re here,” the small streamer’s voice came through clearly over the mic, even clearer than in the livestream.

Qin Yi adjusted the microphone volume, increasing it until he could hear the other’s breathing.

“Let’s play the rainforest map, okay? Before this season ends, I’ll definitely get you to the Master rank,” the small streamer said, speaking to him differently than when talking to fans. There was a hint of excitement.

[Like he’s acting cute.]

Qin Yi saw a comment like that.

He smiled silently and, after sending two Star Sea emojis to the livestream, typed a simple “okay” in the team chat.

Shen Du selected the rainforest map and started queuing up.

He chose to drop at the most competitive spot: the military base.

Upon landing, all he found was an S686 shotgun.

Shen Du picked it up and shot an enemy who had circled around from behind, knocking him out.

After two minutes, Shen Du cleared out a safer area and threw a submachine gun behind him. “Stay hidden.”

Qin Yi glanced at the gun on the ground, then at the person in front of him.

He picked up the gun and ran to the wall to take cover.

[F*ck, you counterattacked me once.]

[These two words just made me fall for you.]

[Sisters love the domineering CEO type, (heart eyes)]

[Don’t move (wall slam version)]

[Shen°] was really skilled at the game. If he wanted to, he could even consider switching to being a game streamer.

“Little brother, wait for me to clear this area, then you can come out.”

[Shen°] seemed to be enjoying the game. Even though their rank was already quite high, the small streamer still made it seem easy, like slicing through vegetables. Qin Yi was infected by his happy mood and slightly smiled. [Alright, be careful.]

“Don’t worry, little brother, who do you think I am?”

Through the headphones, the small streamer’s confident voice came through, “Tonight, I’ll take you to win the chicken dinner.”

Shen Du played with [DreamyAffection] until midnight. Considering the other might need to work tomorrow, he suggested they end the game.

Qin Yi wasn’t surprised at all and agreed.

Shen Du exited the game and ended the livestream.

Perhaps because it was the end of the season, there were more players pushing for rank, and the matches they played tonight were unusually intense. Qin Yi watched, itching to play.

He turned on stealth mode and rejoined the game.

This time, he went solo.

Solo mode meant facing 99 enemies, which was harder than duo mode.

He also chose to drop at the military base.

Five minutes later, Qin Yi safely exited the military base, leaving a war zone behind him.

Fifteen minutes later, Qin Yi finished with a 24/0/0 KDA, securing the chicken dinner.

He released the mouse and stretched his sore fingers.

Not bad, his skills hadn’t regressed.