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Chapter 85

Chapter 85 

 

To avoid recounting their experiences again after meeting Lian Qingmiao, Lian Ruoji refused to discuss what had happened to them while still on the speedboat with Lian Ru Ning. 

 

However, he did explain why he had gotten so tanned. On Heart Island, manual labor was often required to earn certain privileges. Feeling young and strong, Lian Ruoji had volunteered to work as a water sprayer, which involved pumping water from the river and spraying it over tents to provide some relief from the heat. This was done every two hours, with different people assigned to various areas. 

 

After just a few days of work, his skin had darkened significantly. 

 

Hearing this, Lian Ru Ning nodded. “Getting tanned is good. Makes you look more masculine.” 

 

Lian Ruoji didn’t reply but couldn’t help sneaking a glance at Hao Jian. 

 

Both Hao Jian and Lian Ru Ning had already noticed his lingering gaze, but since this was a family reunion, Hao Jian chose not to say anything to avoid disrupting the moment. 

 

However, after catching him stealing glances at Hao Jian several more times, Lian Ru Ning couldn’t hold back anymore, even for the sake of sibling tolerance. 

 

“Ruoji, what are you looking at?” Lian Ru Ning asked. 

 

Lian Ruoji’s gaze turned panicky, and he forced a sheepish smile. “Nothing.” 

 

“Really nothing?” 

 

“…Well…” Lian Ruoji hesitated before changing the subject. “Big Sis, aren’t you going to introduce everyone here?” 

 

“We’re the ‘Brotherhood Guards,’ hired by your dad to find you,” Wei Guojia explained. 

 

As for Hao Jian, Lian Ru Ning took over the introduction. “This is my friend. You can call her Sister Hao.” 

 

At this, Lian Ruoji’s face flushed red, like a bashful teenager being teased. His tanned face now sported a noticeable pink hue. 

 

Lian Ru Ning squinted at him, wondering if she’d just gained a new rival in love, only to hear him stammer, “S-Sister Hao.” 

 

Hao Jian: “…” 

 

Lian Ru Ning: Why does it sound like he’s saying “Good Sister” instead of “Sister Hao”? 

 

“Good Sister, can I ask you something? Are you… a streamer?” Lian Ruoji asked, completely oblivious to the murderous look his sister was shooting him as he mustered the courage to speak. 

 

Lian Ru Ning blinked in surprise. She vaguely remembered Hao Jian mentioning that she was a streamer, a gaming one, to be precise. 

 

But how did her little brother know about it? 

 

“Yes,” Hao Jian nodded. 

 

Lian Ruoji’s eyes lit up, and he pressed further. “A gaming streamer? Named ‘Chi Er Che’?” 

 

“That's right,” Hao Jian confirmed after a brief pause. 

 

Lian Ru Ning froze as realization dawned on her. She also remembered that her brother usually only opened his computer to watch live streams and… 

 

No way. It couldn’t be this coincidental, could it?! 

 

As it turned out, it was that coincidental. Not only did Lian Ruoji recognize Hao Jian, but he was also one of her fans. 

 

“You—you’re really her?!” Lian Ruoji was so excited that his face turned bright red, his hands fidgeting awkwardly. His eyes sparkled as if he might pull out a notebook at any moment for her autograph. 

 

To prevent her little brother from vying with her for her girlfriend, Lian Ru Ning had to step in. She asked Hao Jian, “Wait, do you use a camera during your live streams?” 

 

Hao Jian shook her head. 

 

Lian Ru Ning turned to Lian Ruoji. “Then how do you know she’s a gaming streamer?” 

 

Completely missing the warning tone in his sister’s voice, Lian Ruoji replied, “Chi Er Che rarely uses a camera, but she’s attended a few conventions and official gaming events. Some fans took photos of her, and although they were taken from a distance, I recognized her from those pictures. If I weren’t busy preparing for exams, I would’ve gone to see her in person!” 

 

Hao Jian had been introduced to streaming by You Xiaoxiao, who was also a gaming streamer. 

 

The first gaming streamer Lian Ruoji had followed was “Chun Ming Bu Jue,” You Xiaoxiao’s streaming alias. She often played games with a group of friends, including a streamer nicknamed “Chi Er Che,” who was frequently joked about by viewers as being a burly man using a voice changer. 

 

The assumption that Chi Er Che was a burly man came from two things: her exceptional gaming skills and her tendency to stay silent most of the time, only to occasionally drop witty or cheeky one-liners. 

 

Many viewers thought that only male streamers shared this kind of camaraderie, leading them to believe she was disguising her voice. 
　 

You Xiaoxiao had repeatedly assured Lian Ruoji that ‘Chi Er Che’ was a beautiful woman, which led him to impulsively follow her. 

 

Later, for various reasons, speculation about ‘Chi Er Che’s’ true identity grew, and her livestream channel gained an increasing number of followers. Seeing the commercial potential, the platform decided to officially sign her. 

 

The mystery deepened until one day, You Xiaoxiao posted a photo on his profile, a group picture taken during a meal with his regular gaming teammates. Among them was a long-haired girl wearing a mask. 

 

Her first public appearance came at a convention. Although photos and videos were prohibited at the event, someone had secretly taken a picture of her. In it, she wore a white blouse with a light blue tie and a pleated skirt that fell just above her knees. Her look was youthful and vibrant. 

 

She was slender but not frail, tall yet not overly imposing. Beneath her flowing hair was a face that wasn’t classically delicate but carried a hint of noble sharpness. Despite this, her relaxed demeanor and occasional warm smile made her undeniably enchanting. 

 

This dual confirmation silenced most of the doubts about her being a burly man or a cross-dressing prankster. Moreover, her appearance drew even more fans, after all, female gaming streamers were rare, and one who was both skilled and beautiful was a gem! 

 

What truly captured the hearts of her fans, however, was the contrast between her poised real-life presence and the humor she displayed while gaming. 

 

Lian Ruoji was one of those captivated by this duality. Before entering his senior year of high school, he had made it a daily habit to watch an hour of ‘Chi Er Che’s’ streams after his evening self-study sessions. 

 

He had thought that once his college entrance exams were over, he’d finally be able to watch her streams every day. But in late July, ‘Chi Er Che’ announced a short hiatus. 

 

With no streams to watch and little interest in other online activities besides gaming, he turned to gaming forums out of boredom. There, he stumbled upon rumors about a spreading disease. 

 

Worried about his mother’s safety, he decided to accompany her to Southern City University every day. 

 

“I thought you stopped streaming because you caught that disease!” Lian Ruoji exclaimed, feeling that today was his lucky day, not only had he reunited with his sister, but he had also met his goddess in real life. 

 

The moment he saw Hao Jian, he had resolved to treat her as his goddess from then on. 

 

Lian Ru Ning recalled that during that period, Hao Jian had gone home to pay respects to her late mother. The memory brought a heaviness to her heart. 

 

“Thanks for your concern, but I’m fine,” Hao Jian replied. 

 

“So, you’re friends with my sister? How come she’s never mentioned you before?” Lian Ruoji’s heart raced. She was even more beautiful in person than in the photos! 

 

“And have you told us about every friend of yours?” Lian Ru Ning retorted, deliberately avoiding the fact that she’d only known Hao Jian for less than a month. 

 

After all, her little brother had technically “known” Hao Jian longer than she had, he’d spent nearly an hour every day watching her streams, listening to her voice, and observing her actions. 

 

The thought made her furious. She knew what this emotion was, jealousy. Intense, burning jealousy. 

 

Lian Ruoji, oblivious to the actual relationship between his sister and his goddess, was busy fantasizing about how, if his sister and Hao Jian were truly good friends, it would mean more opportunities for him to spend time with her. 

 

By the time their conversation ended, they had reached the military academy dock. 

 

Before disembarking, Hao Jian turned to Lian Ruoji and said, “Hmm, Ruoji, you can call me Sister Hao. Or… since you watch my streams, calling me ‘Chi Er’ shouldn’t be too hard, right?” 

 

Lian Ruoji froze for a moment, then reluctantly nodded. “I’ll call you Sister Hao… but can you not call me Xiao Ruoji?” 

 

It sounded too much like “Little Chicken.” 

 

He was used to his family calling him that, but in front of his goddess, it made him feel like a child. 

 

“But your sister calls you that, and I figured, given my relationship with her, I could call you that too,” Hao Jian said with a straight face. 

 

Lian Ruoji didn’t catch the deeper implication behind her words. Panicked, he stammered, “No, it’s fine if you want to… never mind, call me whatever you like.” 

 

He felt utterly spineless. 

 

Lian Ru Ning, helping Gao Ruosu ashore, overheard their conversation. She was both thrilled that Hao Jian was teasing her brother so openly and annoyed that Hao Jian dared flirt with anyone other than her. 

 

She shot Hao Jian a glare. 

 

Receiving the sharp look, Hao Jian raised an eyebrow before turning back to Lian Ruoji. “Just kidding. I’ll call you Ruoji instead!” 

 

Lian Ruoji’s expression was indescribable as he silently reassured himself: it’s all just a coincidence. The goddess couldn’t have meant anything by it… and if she did, it was probably because she’d been influenced by ‘Chun Ming Bu Jue’ and the others. 

 

Lian Ru Ning couldn’t help but chuckle. She knew Hao Jian wouldn’t give up the opportunity to tease him so easily. 

 

Lian Ruoji cast his sister a resentful glance. She truly was his sister, but… why did it feel like she had changed so much recently? 

 

"Alright, we’ll need to go for a checkup soon. You help mom over to sit down, and I’ll go contact dad!" Lian Ru Ning said with a serious tone. 

 

Lian Ruoji, his initial excitement from meeting his goddess subsiding, refocused and helped Gao Ruosu to the blood test area under the guidance of the security team. 

 

Hao Jian glanced at the Wei brothers, Guojia and Renmin, who had not yet come ashore. "You’re not getting off the boat?" she asked. 

 

“We have to pick up our younger brother,” Wei Guojia replied after a pause. “We’ve completed two deliveries so far, but the third one involves documents from Foshan that aren’t fully processed yet. It might take us a day or two to handle them.” 

 

“I’ll let my dad know,” Lian Ru Ning said. 

 

“Do you need another ride from us?” Wei Guojia asked with a smile. 

 

“Still 500 per person?” Hao Jian retorted. 

 

“I think you count as premium customers by now. Not only did you not cause us trouble, but you even helped us a lot. So… how about a discount? 300 per person?” 

 

“Helped you a lot?” 

 

Wei Renmin interjected, “Customers not causing trouble is already a big help.” 

 

“Oh,” Hao Jian and Lian Ru Ning replied in unison. Hao Jian added, “We’ll plan our schedule first. If we’re free, we might go with you. How should we contact you?” 

 

“The Refugee Management Office has our contact information. Before we depart, we’ll send out a notification so you’ll be informed of our itinerary. Keeping customers informed and reassured is part of the ‘Brotherly Guards’ service philosophy.” 

 

Wei Guojia was always promoting their team, and Hao Jian quipped, “You must’ve worked in advertising before.” 

 

“…” Wei Guojia knew he was being teased, but what annoyed him even more was that his brother, Wei Renmin, actually laughed at the comment. 

 

As the motorboat departed the military academy dock, Wei Guojia glared at Wei Renmin. “Why are you laughing, Second?” 

 

“I wasn’t laughing at you,” Wei Renmin replied. 

 

Wei Guojia paused before asking, “Then why are you smiling so gleefully? Did you fancy one of those girls?” 

 

At that moment, a surprised voice came through their earpiece. “Really? What do they look like? I remember Second Brother’s type, curvy with a hot figure. His room’s magazines are full of them.” 

 

“Shut up! Respect my privacy!” Wei Renmin snapped. 

 

“Well, that’s unfortunate. Those two girls are way too skinny. Their faces are pretty, though. But honestly, I don’t think you stand a chance.” 

 

“Why not?” the voice over the earpiece asked. 

 

“I have a feeling those two are more than just close friends. Just a hunch. Also, the cooler-looking one seemed suspicious of us,” Wei Guojia said. 

 

“Why do you think that?” 

 

“I suspect she has another identity. It’s rare for someone so young to be a recorder, which suggests she’s capable and trusted by the authorities. Plus, there’s no real need for her to travel with us. The fact that she’s sticking around might mean she’s investigating us.” 

 

After a moment, he added, “Third Brother, look into her background. See if you can dig up any useful information.” 

 

“Got it. But I just received news, ‘Wujio’ might be targeting the ‘Granary.’ Over the next while, Foshan, Cong District, and Zeng District probably won’t be very safe. Make sure preparations are in place for defense.”