Life-Saving Days by the Husky’s Side

Of course, Zhou Li couldn’t just visit the patient while empty-handed so on the way over, he made a stop to the flower shop and personally arranged a small bouquet of flowers, feeling happy that the flower arrangement skills he gained while accompanying his mother finally got a little use.

He handed the bouquet over. “I wish you a speedy recovery.”

Without waiting for the nurse to come forward, Ji Shaoyan took the initiative to reach out. The sudden movements accidentally caused their fingertips to touch during the exchange and he retracted his hand rubbing the remaining residual warmth between his fingers. With a smile, he said, “Thank you.”

Zhou Li took at peek at his ankle and saw the bandages wrapped around it, asking, “How long until it heals?”

Ji Shaoyan said, “The doctor said to take care of it for at least one month.”

Which is to say, one month of confinement was compulsory.

Zhou Li commented in his heart that Grandpa Ji was indeed a god-like person and outwardly nodded, sitting down on the single sofa next to the other boy.

Ji Shaoyan looked at the gauze wrapped around his head. “What about you?”

Zhou Li said, “This is just skin trauma, a few days of rest should heal it.”

The image of Zhou Li fainting with blood trickling down his head flashed in Ji Shaoyan’s mind. He suppressed the poor mood that suddenly surged up and softly hummed “en” before waving his personal nurse away, then picked up the tea pot on the table.

Although it was raining, although they couldn’t stroll around and talk in the small garden, although they could only huddle together in this compact room; none of these had the power to stop Young Master Ji’s feather-opening* performance.

[T/N: a male peacock spreading his tail open to impress a mate]

That morning, he asked the nurse to retrieve a small but exquisite tea set and moved it downstairs before the guest arrived. He proceeded to warm the pot, sprinkle in the tea leaves, warm the water, steep the tea*…in order to prepare a pot of freshly brewed tea for Zhou Li on the spot.

[T/N: the sentence was phrased weirdly in the raws so the translation is a bit wonky too, but there are many, many Chinese brewing methods that I won’t be able to explain in-depth without writing a huge paragraph. I’m assuming JSY is brewing tea with one of the more elegant and ‘intricate’ methods to impress ZL, which probably consists of transferring the hot water from pot to cup to cup to cup to…yeah it’s quite long. To sum it up; a long tea making process for a the tiniest cup of warm tea. If it were anyone else other than ZL, they definitely would’ve been impressed.]

These movements were very pleasing to the eye. Under the steaming white mist, his whole person took on an increasingly gentle appearance.

Zhou Li quietly watched this display, muttering to himself, he is truly worthy of being the school idol with an excess of brain-dead fans. Indeed, this young master has the talent to back up his title.

Ji Shaoyan lifted a cup and placed it in front of him, saying, “Taste it.”

Zhou Li took a sip and thought this handiwork was more than passable.

Ji Shaoyan: “How is it?”

Zhou Li: “Very good.”

Ji Shaoyan smiled at him. “If the tea leaves are of better quality, so will the taste.”

Zhou Li looked at the teenager wearing such a kind and amiable appearance, then thought about the vegetable-like husky in the past. The realisation that his Eggy has disappeared sunk in once again and a stab of pain suddenly poked at his heart, so he took out his phone and opened the game.

Ji Shaoyan was unclear on this switch of mood. Seeing his actions, he handed over a piece of paper and started to discuss their excuse for meeting up.

“This is something I sketched out,” he said. “For the time being, there’s only a section done. I don’t know how accurate it is, but we can see that there is definitely a pattern.”

Zhou Li took the paper over to analyse and saw that the pattern drawn out was clear and tidy, with the words “third floor” written next to it. The handwriting was so beautiful that just gazing upon it could calm people’s souls.

He didn’t know that this was yet another peacock-feather performance by Young Master Ji and took out the casual scrawls he threw on some random scrap of paper. He didn’t feel inferior at all. Looking at the two together, he hesitated in saying, “Do you think this could be the eight-trigram battle array*?”

[T/N: 八卦阵/mystifying tactics (a symbol with a ying-yang in the centre of an octagonal shape)]

Ji Shaoyan turned the wheelchair and rolled towards him, glancing over at the maps. “En, looks a bit similar.”

Zhou Li admitted, “I’ve never actually researched the eight-trigram battle array, I just know that there’s the black and white circle in the centre. Is it possible that the circle’s the clearance key?”

Ji Shaoyan slowly made his way close towards him, taking out two pens like a magician and gently offered, “Sketch it first, then we can take a look.”

Zhou Li had no objections. While he played through the maze, he also outlined a rough pattern based on his path.

Ji Shaoyan observed him from this close range but withdrew his gaze before the other boy could notice. He followed the example and opened the game at his own pace. 

In this rainy weather, mostly everyone will stay at home, so there were more than a few players lurking around in-game. 

More and more people entered the third floor and opened chests one after another. What they found was that all their attempts were completely futile and everyone gradually went insane together.

Zheng San: Is this game even fucking playable for humans?!

Ba Zhong Ba: I suspect there is a bug in this level!

Jing Shao: Is San Yue here?

Liu Xiao Wei: Right ah, crying out for San Yue, save this child please QAQ

Li: Her grandma passed away. She won’t be online for a while.

As soon as this statement came out, everyone’s attention immediately swerved in his direction.

Zheng San: You even know something like this? You guys know each other in real life?

Tang Xin Tian: Wa, there is adultery!

Liu Xiao Wei: There is an affair!

Li: Just normal friends. There are too many who like me. In order for everyone to not suffer from heartbreak, I can only sacrifice a part of my life and remain single.

Jing Shao: ……

Liu Xiao Wei: Pei!*

[T/N: spitting sfx]

Zheng San: I took a screenshot. If you have the strength, you are not allowed to fall in love in the future.

Li: Although I indeed do not have the potential to fall in the future, I don’t really understand this little bargaining of yours. Will falling make me weak? What use do your screenshots have? It’s not like I need to chew on my phone*.

[T/N: referring to that bet where Zheng San said he’ll eat his phone if Qian Liye is the legitimate Young Master Zhou]

Zheng San: ……

Ji Shaoyan’s heart lightly skipped a beat and he turned to look at the person beside him. Zhou Li just so happened to be looking at him as well, eyes holding a trace of inquiry, somehow. He asked naturally, “San Yue’s grandmother passed away?”

Zhou Li said, “Her grandma left the night she entered the fourth floor.”

Ji Shaoyan gave an “en”, then continued to work on his diagram without any other comments.

Met with such a mediocre reaction, Zhou Li felt a little distressed in his heart.

Sure enough, the sentiments between the female and male protagonists have really amounted to nothing and he had no idea if such a thing can be pieced together in the future. But, Song Yingshi did fed him for a few days, so their relationship should be at least somewhat special, right?

In-game, when the players saw that the only lead to the only clue was not online, they turned to find Zhou Li.

Jing Shao: Did you ask her what happened?

Li: She just opened a single chest. If there was anything else, I would’ve also entered the fourth floor by now.

Everyone thought this too and returned to wailing again.

The brain-dead fans couldn’t help but call for Ji-shao and even the second generations followed suit, because Ji Shaoyan really was as smart as everyone said.

Of course, Young Master Ji, who has always been a considerate person, couldn’t ignore them and soon bubbled in the chat.

Ji Shao: I think this maze is a picture. I’m currently sketching it.

Zheng San: How do you draw this?

Liu Xiao Wei: What?* You can draw this???

[T/N: this word is in English]

The brain-fans knew Ji-shao had a solution, and screamed “ao ao” energetically, confessing to the male god one after another.

Zheng San: Fucking shut up everyone, listen to him. None of you want to pass this level, is that what you’re saying?

The brain-dead fans immediately silenced, watching the public chatroom with full-concentration.

The second generation and other school’s student leaders also shifted their attention over to him, wanting to hear his ideas.

Just as Ji Shaoyan was about to type out an explanation, he suddenly saw a chest pop up in front of him and instinctively opened it. A rose appeared from within.

Thus, in the next moment, everyone saw a system announcement on the public screen. Even the content of the announcement was very familiar.

[System] Player [Ji Shao] presents to player [Li] a rose, I don’t need a reason to like you [Heart][Heart][Heart]

Zheng San: ……

Jing Shao: ……

Xiao Yan: ……

……

Ji Shao: I suspect that the entire third level is a picture with the clearance key at specific locations. Perhaps San Yue happened to come across one of the keys, so she was able to enter the fourth floor. Going by the pattern I’ve drawn out so far, this is most likely an eight-trigram battle array.

Everyone: “……”

No, why are you acting as if nothing happened just now? Did you get amnesia!

Tang Xin Tian: I don’t want to know about the eight-trigram battle array right now, I just want to know why you sent him a rose again.

As soon as this line was sent out, Zhou Li also opened a flower put it to use in one smooth motion.

[System] Player [Li] presents to player [Ji Shao] a rose, I don’t need a reason to like you [Heart][Heart][Heart]

Everyone: “……”

Zheng San: Are you guys making it official ah?

Jing Shao: Looking at this, I seemed to have made a fake friend, not a single flower was gifted to me. Xiao-Yan, my heart is broken.

Xiao Yan: Mine too.

Li: Isn’t this obvious? I am the school grass, he is the school grass, if we team up with other people, there is always a bawling crowd behind us. So, we had decided to form a school grass partnership in private. Of course we have to brush up on our friendship value.

Qing Lin: With all due respect, no one will bawl when you team up with others. You, return our Ji-shao back to us ahhhhhh!

Li: Don’t be angry, I’ll return him when I finish using him.

Tang Xin Tian: Ke… your words are a bit dirty.

Zhou Li pondered over this for two seconds. Then the corners of his mouth twitched.

He glanced at Ji Shaoyan and saw that the other wore a shallow smile, but other than that, his expression remained the same, as if he hadn’t seen the message. The young master sent out a new line in a serious manner.

Ji Shao: The image is probably only a quarter complete. You can either go off to play something else or help out with the drawing. The more we draw, the quicker we finish. 

The entire server was immediately dragged back onto the right track by their idol. A group of people clamoured to volunteer, but this task wasn’t something everyone could do. In the end, some people were selected and a small group on WeChat was set up to engage in related discussions at any time.

The nurse looked at the time in the distance and hesitated to make her way over.

Grandpa Ji was probably afraid his grandson will act like the devil again and specified that the time he was allowed out of the ward must not exceed thirty minutes each time. Today, he went downstairs 20 minutes earlier than the meeting time so there was originally only 10 minutes left for him to entertain his guests, but the nurse watching over him was easily swayed and secretly extended his time, which seemed to be at a full hour by now.

She whispered, “Young Master, it’s time to go back.”

Ji Shaoyan looked up at her with a hit of helplessness in his expression. “We haven’t finished talking yet, can’t we stay for a little more?”

The nurse’s heart softened but without waiting for the follow-up, the visiting boy said, “It’s okay, let’s just talk in-chat ba. Besides, it’s just drawing. I’ll go back, you take care of your injury.”

“……” Ji Shaoyan said, “It’s already noon, how about you eat here first before leaving?”

Zhou Li said, “No need, I’ll go home for lunch. Luckily the rain has died down.”

Seeing his resolute decision, Ji Shaoyan got up, and asked the nurse to push himself to see off the guest. Sitting at by the entrance and watching the boy’s figure disappear completely, he then retracted his gaze.

Under his request, the nurse turned back to the rest lounge to help him bring the bouquet of flowers. She watched him reach out and cradle the flowers in his arms, but no words fell from his mouth. Although a voice deep in her brain told her not to, she still tentatively asked, ” Young Master, what do you want to eat for lunch?” “

Ji Shaoyan said, “I don’t feel like eating all that much.”

The nurse instantly broke out in a panic (inwardly) and anxiously persuaded him to change his mind.

Ji Shaoyan observed her expression and felt something move slightly in his heart. He suddenly thought of a rather useful “get out of jail early” scheme.

Rain poured from the sky for the entire day, only stopping in the evening.

After an afternoon of exchanges in the group chat, the relationships between all players took a qualitative leap. They were all sent to different locations on the third level but worked together to quickly uncover and draw nearly half of the entire floor layout.

It really was an updated eight-trigram battle array, with a very complicated appearance.

Zhou Li felt that this Old Man Wei really liked to torment people. After telling the rest of the group he was going off to eat, stretched his waist and went downstairs.

Zhou Luwen was still in Xiangman Town. He seemed to want to stay there for another night.

Zhou Lubo had already returned and placed a bodyguard by his brother’s side in case of an emergency. After the family happily finished off their meal, Zhou Li took the little golden retriever out for a walk.

Liang Jingxiu happened to be wandering around in the area. Spotting a certain someone’s figure, his eyes lit up and he halted and stepped forward to greet, “Hi.”

Zhou Li turned his head and took in this young man’s handsome appearance. A pair of peach blossom eyes* curved with a smile. He looked like a particularly charming and suave teen. “You are?”

[T/N: amorous eyes]

Liang Jingxiu reported his name, dropping in his in-game ID as evidence.

Zhou Li knew this.

Liang Jingxiu and Yan Yunhui were both Ji Shaoyan’s childhood friends and they seem to have many scenes in the book.

Liang Jingxiu acted as if they were familiar, initiating conversation with a big smile and going straight to the main topic. “Can I ask you something? How do you and A-Yan know each other?”

Zhou Li didn’t know what type of excuse Ji Shaoyan gave, so he honestly said, “I only met him recently, in the game.”

These words sent Liang Jingxiu’s heart beating rapidly. So to say, A-Yan never knew this person before ah!

He was just about to consider the plausibility of that incredible ‘turning into a dog’ answer when he heard the person in front of him continue, “As for whether or not I knew him in the past, I can’t say.”

Liang Jingxiu blinked. “What do you mean?”

Zhou Li: “Want to know why your little investigations don’t match up? That’s because I’m the second personality of this body.”

“……” Liang Jingxiu said, “Ah?”

Zhou Li sincerely comforted, “I didn’t want this either, really.”

Liang Jingxiu: “……”

Who asked you this!

He quickly regained his senses, choosing to ignore this ‘dog blood matter’ for the time being. Instead, he asked, “The ID you go by in-game, did you think of it? Or was it your other personality?”

Zhou Li criticised this guy’s inability to be fooled and threw another question back, “Why are you asking me this? Did Ji-shao tell you guys something? That I really knew him before?”

Liang Jingxiu turned a few thoughts over in his head, predicting that if he threw out that “love at first sight”, A-Yan will straight-up murder him. He quickly changed it to, “He only said he had a relationship with you.”

Zhou Li was very happy. “Well of course. We’re both school idols, common similarities leads to common conversation topics.”

“……” Liang Jingxiu pretended not to hear this answer and asked, “What about the ID?”

“That’s not important,” Zhou Li outdid his familiarity act, slinging an arm around the other’s shoulders. “You and me, let’s talk about Ji-shao ba. If he thinks we’re predestined, I’ll recognise him as a brother!”

Liang Jingxiu especially wanted to say “this is a very important topic” but then again, he couldn’t find a suitable reason. Thus, he had no choice but to temporarily suppress his eagerness and chat with the boy patiently. As a result, their casual chat dragged him far from his original topic.

When he finally tried to get back to the subject, he found that the sky had already turned dark. The other teenager bid his goodbyes to him, taking the dog and leaving.

Liang Jingxiu: “……”

Who the hell is this guy who managed to seduce A-Yan!

He silently watched the other person walk off into the distance and couldn’t help but snap a photo, knocking on a certain contact profile and sending a short message: I met your little lover today. Went up close to take a look, much better than the photos.

Ji Shaoyan inwardly remarked, ‘Naturally’. Recalling the experience of seeing the real person today, his mood became somewhat pleasant.

The next second, he saw another WeChat notification come in. This time, the other party sent a photo. 

Liang Jingxiu’s route didn’t follow Zhou Li’s path, so he decided to sneak a few snaps: Such a pity I forgot to take a front-on of his face, let’s just make do with his back.

He sent photos to serve as evidence of his meeting with Zhou Li, following up with a line: I asked when you and him met and he said you guys only made contact recently in-game. How about an explanation?

Ji Shaoyan didn’t read this message at all. Instead, he stared at the little golden retriever present the photo. There was a moment of dead silence.

Where was the promised “temporarily” and “raise for a few days”?

The author has something to say:

Ji Shaoyan: The husky is not as good as the golden retriever*, another cross.

[T/N: treatment is not the same]