Pandora’s Box

This evening, Zhuo Wenyang and I came back refreshed after going out for a swim. Remembering that I was a little slow at getting to work these days, I turned on my live gaming platform.

I exchanged New Year greetings with my teammates and provided a few game skins for everyone to draw a lottery. I announced, “I am in Y City now and I will showcase some souvenirs for you later like dried fruit and coconut cakes. Let’s see if you like to eat or prefer handicrafts.”

“The streamer has gone on a trip.”

“Quickly turn on the camera and show us what the hotel room looks like.”

“When will Mr. Jump be able to turn on his camera?”

“Oh yeah, I’ve been a fan for ten years and I still don’t know what Teacher Jump looks like.”

“…..”

The audience was curious. After live streaming for a period of time and accruing a sizable fanbase, I was often coaxed to turn on my camera. Of course, it was all a joke. As a gaming streamer like me, it didn’t matter if I showed my face or not.

I didn’t have an issue about exposing my face. It was purely because I had an extra desktop and would use that to broadcast at home. After all, the performance of it was better. However, it didn’t come with a camera and I was too lazy to get one.

I was in the right mood so I said, “For Chinese New Year, I’ll turn on the camera to make you happy.”

“Are you sure it’ll make us happy?”

“It’s nice to be handsome, but it’s even better to be ugly!”

“It seems like it’s not a bad thing.”

While chatting with my internet friends, I turned on the camera that came with this laptop.

“Can you see clearly ah?”

The messages suddenly exploded, and the veterans were filled with righteous indignation.

“Where’s the promising fatty?”

“This appearance doesn’t match our imagination. That’s deceitful!”

“Surprisingly, Teacher Jump isn’t hideous!”

“Go away, you’re no longer associated with us.”

“You have already lost me as a fan. I unilaterally declare that you’re my partner from now on.”

“By the way, is Mr. Jump dating anyone?”

“If you don’t have one, choose amongst us friends. You don’t have to be too picky about gender.”

“Hurry up and trap Teacher Jump so there’s no competitive pressure on us.”

“…..”

This night’s live broadcast was extremely rambunctious with numerous messages, notifications, and increased rewards. Although their arrogant words were not pleasant to listen to, the support they showed was still very real. In addition, I also gained a lot of fans.

I was a little flattered to be honest.

I knew that I wasn’t ugly, especially so during my second year in high school, feeling that I was captivating and unique. However, when I grew older and seen more of the world, I understood that I was only really “above average.” After all, there were too many people with bewitching appearances, young and old, from Zhuo Wenyang to Lu Feng, in which may surpass me.

Once a person realized the brilliance of others, he would get rid of his bigoted thoughts.

But today, after the supercilious sense of superiority in looks completely faded, I received friendly recognization and admiration. It felt subtly nice.

After livestreaming, I turned to look at Zhuo Wenyang excitedly. I was ready to share this wave of happiness with him, but Zhuo Wenyang said, “Your live broadcast is very popular today. I pulled a data comparison; the positive feedback you received from turning on your camera is better than the effect of acting as a streamer.”

My face showed apathy when the internet scoundrals were talking nonsense, but when he said this, I instantly blushed, “They are just good at creating a fun atmosphere. They are all hype men.”

“It’s estimated that there will be more hype tomorrow and you can gain more fans.”

“Not at all.”

“Yes,” he nodded, “If you turn on your camera in the next broadcast, your traffic will quickly rise to a higher level.”

I waved my hands again, “It’s not that dramatic. I’m a little more upright than those slovenly gaming streamers, but I’m basically ordinary. There are many live streamers who are better looking than me. For example, Xiao Jiu and I don’t think he’s even that popular.”

“It’s not just a matter of appearance,” Zhuo Wenyang said seriously, “It’s because the audience can see a completed version of you and aren’t limited to your voice. They will have a deeper understanding of your personal charm.”

I was shocked. “What other personal charms do I have?”

Didn’t my charms originate from my mouth that could produce such savage words?

He showed a slightly surprised expression, “Don’t you realize that? You’re the type of person who can easily catch other’s attention. Usually, everyone will look at you subconsciously. That is a very remarkable trait.”

“…..”

If these words were not spoken directly from a decent person, such as Zhuo Wenyang, I would definitely assume it was mockery. On the other hand, it also seemed like an insult coming from Zhuo Wenyang who was so radiant, attracting everyone’s attention. =.=

I laughed awkwardly, “Really, I really don’t think so. Why are you staring at me? Because I look stupid?”

He opened his mouth and after a while, he admitted, “It’s because you are cute.”

“…..”

It was just a simple adjective.

However, ascending was not enough to describe my current state of being.

I put on a stiff and plain face, but in my head, I was in ecstasy. I was dancing, I was riding on galloping horses, and fireworks were sprouting.

I numbly stated, “I’m going to sleep.”

I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to hold back my thoughts if I said one more word.

Zhuo Wenyang was taken aback for a moment, looked at me and softly said, “Then I won’t bother you, goodnight.”

As soon as the door closed, I clenched my fists, raised my hands, squatted, jumped up, and shook my head back and forth. After the release of energy and rolling around a few times, I opened up my favorites in the phone’s photo album.

Yuan Keke send me a video of Zhuo Wenyang, giving a speech as an outstanding graduate representative, to me a while back. Since then, it became a VIP and classic favorite of mine to watch frequently.

He stood on the stage, tall with good posture, with red lips and white teeth, firm eyebrows and starry eyes. In front of the monotonous black and white background, he looked so bright, refreshing, and radiant.

He was a person that would draw others to look at him and listen to him subconsciously when he spoke. He was always a luminous existence.

And he actually gave me such a wonderful praise.

I thought that Zhuo Wenyang was truly a humble person. He was so dazzling, but he could still see other people’s strong points with his eyes.

As expected of someone I liked.

Such a peaceful and joyful start to the New Year made me feel that this year was indeed as Cheng Yichen said it’d turn out to be, a smooth one.

Time passed by quickly and smoothly.

Even my fear and alienation of Lu Feng subsided.

Because that memory didn’t return to me, the traces of the aftermath were much weaker and it didn’t take too long to heal.

The most noticeable thing was that the current Lu Feng, or the Lu Feng next to Cheng Yichen, was really different from the past. He was still tall, aloof, and intimidating, but he was completely harmless in everyday life. He was even quite useful.

For example, as he was helping us with carrying the shopping bags from the supermarket, I was uselessly walking beside Cheng Yichen with a tanghulu in my left hand and a crafted sugar candy in my right.

However, I must admit, even if Lu Feng was carrying a plucked chicken, a bag full of radishes, corns, potatoes, scallions, and two live fish, he still looked like a male model walking off from the cover of a magazine.

I also admired his upkeep. At this age, he still maintained his physique just like that. Not to mention, he did not have a beer belly that was standard for middle-aged men. He even had eight-pack abs and his physical fitness was first-class.

I followed them to the gym they often frequented. Lu Feng’s strength dumbfounded me and caused me to tremble. He also trained, fighting and boxing.

I knew that Lu Feng had a lot of bodyguards, obvious or not, but I doubted that they could even out-best their boss when called to it.

We went back to cook and the dishes were served on the table, but Ke Luo did not come back.

I sent him a message but he didn’t reply and he didn’t answer a phone call either. I guessed he was busy. I didn’t want to show him that I was too worried since he was old enough after all.

Around nine o’clock, Lu Feng’s cell phone rang. He glanced at it and turned the mode to hands-free.

“Uncle Lu.”

It was Ke Luo’s voice.

“Where did you go? People are worrying about you.”

Ke Luo’s voice was filled with anxiety and exhaustion, “Shu Nian was kidnapped.”

Three of us spoke simultaneously in different volumes, “What?”

Shu Nian was the “Little White” that Ke Luo mentioned earlier. Although I didn’t have any personal connection with him, I was aware that he was very close to their family.

Ke Luo whispered, “Uncle Lu, I need your help.”

Lu Feng responded calmly, “Okay, don’t worry. Come back and we can talk.”

When Ke Luo returned home, he was depressed and uneasy after running around. Lu Feng chatted with him for a while and he gradually calmed down.

I witnessed the appeal brought by Lu Feng’s almost ruthless yet calm and strong self-confidence. He could influence people to ultimately feel reassured and determined, as if there wasn’t anything that couldn’t be solved.

“Don’t worry and go to sleep,” Lu Feng said, “There will be news soon.”

As expected, Ke Luo obediently went to sleep. I didn’t know if he could sleep, but the atmosphere in this house was calm and there was no panic that indicated a kidnapping had occurred to close relatives and friends.

A beast like Lu Feng could sometimes dispel clouds of uncertainty and give everyone a peace of mind. This made me feel a little strange.

When I woke up, Ke Luo was gone. I asked Cheng Yichen, and was told that when he got the news early in the morning, he rushed out of the house.

Lu Feng’s words were still very reliable.

The matter was resolved quickly and smoothly. On the same day, I heard that they rescued Shu Nian and safely transferred him to Lu’s villa.

Thus, I relaxed and waited for Ke Luo to come back and have a grand meal to celebrate. Unfortunately, Ke Luo didn’t return for dinner that night. Not only could he not be found, the atmosphere at home was quite solemn.

Lu Feng remained void of expressions per usual, but he almost looked thoughtful. I didn’t know what he was thinking and I didn’t dare to ask. I quietly inquired Cheng Yichen, “Where’s Ke Luo?”

Cheng Yichen paused for a moment before saying, “He’s going to deal with some things. He’ll be back later.”

Before I could ask again, Cheng Yichen patted the back of my hand, “Don’t worry about him. Go to bed early.”

Ke Luo didn’t come back until late at night. He knocked on my door and woke me up from my sleep.

My eyes were heavy and my consciousness was hazy, “Why, what’s wrong?”

He said, “Xiao Jing, let me tell you something. Don’t panic.”

I was slightly awake, but was still too drowsy, “What are you panicking about?”

He looked serious, “It’s Lee.”

“What?”

“Lee is the traitor. He colluded with Tong Shan and even kidnapped Shu Nian.”

I woke up completely. “What?!”