“You two are together?”
Ruan Yuan stared at them in shock, her mouth agape. Equally dumbfounded was her boyfriend, Lu Haidi.
Gu Jiu raised her hand, fingers intertwined with Lu Ji’s, showing them off generously and brightly. “Yes, you’re not seeing things, nor are you hearing things wrong. We’re together now.”
Lu Ji stood there, smiling a little shyly.
He loved how Gu Jiu openly and confidently announced their relationship to the world. In moments like these, he felt both delighted and bashful.
Ruan Yuan looked at them in a daze. It took her quite a while to finally accept that the two were now dating.
She smacked her forehead, realizing she had been completely blind to the signs.
Actually, it wasn’t that she had misread things—it simply hadn’t occurred to her to think that way. After all, who would assume that two girls being close meant they were in a romantic relationship?
In situations like this, most people would just think, Oh, they’re besties!
Watching the two holding hands and heading off to Boundless City for their date, Ruan Yuan looked utterly regretful.
She turned to her boyfriend. “I should have seen this coming. Lu Ji has always had this inexplicable possessiveness over the young lady. She never lets anyone get too close to her, and she indulges her too much… Ugh! I need to keep my eyes wide open from now on. Never again!”
Lu Haidi finally snapped out of his daze. Seeing his girlfriend so worked up, he couldn’t help but feel puzzled. “They’re dating—so what? It’s not that big of a deal, right?”
Although it was a little unexpected, it wasn’t shocking enough to warrant such a reaction. Lu Haidi’s current mood was one of calm acceptance, so he adapted to the news rather quickly and remained composed.
Ruan Yuan: “…You’re right. I need to calm down!”
Despite saying that, she still screamed internally for a while before running off to find Wan Xingzhou.
“Wan Xingzhou, what’s going on with the young lady and Lu Ji? How did they suddenly decide to start dating?”
Wan Xingzhou was still groggy from a hangover. He replied instinctively, “There were sparks between them during the Death Train world. Maybe they decided to get together after clearing it.”
Ruan Yuan frowned.
“I heard the Death Train is extremely dangerous. Many players didn’t make it out, and even those who survived suffered varying degrees of psychological trauma… Do you think the young lady got into a relationship with Lu Ji because of the mental strain?”
In the game worlds, players were prone to developing psychological issues and often sought various outlets for relief.
Family bonds, friendship, romantic relationships, emotional comfort, physical indulgence—anything that could offer an escape became an option for players.
While Ruan Yuan admired Gu Jiu deeply and felt a strong sense of awe toward her as a powerful figure, she didn’t want Gu Jiu and Lu Ji to be together simply because of psychological pressure. She preferred it to be out of genuine affection.
“How is that possible!” Wan Xingzhou shot back without hesitation. “Does the young lady strike you as someone so fragile? Obviously, she’s with Lu Ji because she likes her! Don’t you know her personality? She’d never mess around with something as serious as a relationship—that’s what jerks do, and the young lady is no jerk.”
While other players might casually find a partner to cope with mental strain, Gu Jiu would never do such a thing.
Wan Xingzhou had absolute faith in Gu Jiu’s character.
Ruan Yuan realized she might have been overthinking things. “You’re right.”
—
Boundless City had over three thousand star districts. Each district was as bustling and expansive as the most prosperous first-tier cities in the real world. This gave an idea of just how grand and vibrant Boundless City was.
Apart from cities inhabited by humans, Boundless City also boasts breathtaking natural landscapes that are just as stunning as those in the real world.
“I heard there’s an iron-eating beast from the cultivation realm in the 58th star district. Let’s go check it out,” Gu Jiu suggested enthusiastically.
“Alright,” Lu Ji replied without hesitation.
The iron-eating beast was essentially a panda, but the ones from the cultivation realm were even more extraordinary.
Gu Jiu found Boundless City utterly fascinating. Cultures from past and present, East and West, intergalactic futures, and mythical creatures from human imagination—all of it could be seen here. It was far more exciting than the real world, and it was no wonder players increasingly chose to abandon reality and settle down in Boundless City.
The two not only visited the Rare Creatures Park to see the iron-eating beast but also admired unicorns, rode a scenic gondola to the snow-capped mountains to witness the true Heavenly Snow Lotus of fantasy fame, and even encountered the magical snow bear of the ice plains.
In short, they went everywhere that was famous. They checked off every dating hotspot recommended on the Free Forum, savoring each moment.
Couples in love always feel that time together is never enough.
Though they hadn’t met in the real world, Boundless City made up for that regret. Gu Jiu was thoroughly satisfied and said to her boyfriend, “When you go to the real world with me someday, I’ll take you to meet my grandma and my uncles.”
Lu Ji tensed up. “Will they dislike me?”
“Of course not.” Gu Jiu was confident. “My family is easygoing. They always respect and support my decisions. Since you’re my boyfriend, they’ll respect you too.”
Gu Jiu’s assurance soothed Lu Ji, though his mind began racing. If he went to the real world to meet her family, how should he behave to leave a good impression? What gifts should he bring to show his sincerity?
Seeing his troubled expression, Gu Jiu nearly burst out laughing.
She had to admit—her boyfriend was absolutely adorable!
Adorable as he was, Lu Ji didn’t always wear women’s clothing.
Though Gu Jiu loved his feminine outfits, his occasional masculine appearance had its own charm. Thankfully, the two didn’t know many people in Boundless City; otherwise, if someone saw Gu Jiu kissing a beautiful girl one day and hugging a handsome man the next, they’d surely think she was a heartless flirt toying with siblings’ feelings.
Why siblings? Because Lu Ji’s appearance in men’s and women’s clothing was so drastically different that his entire aura changed.
Anyone seeing him would first assume he was two separate people—siblings, perhaps. They would never guess it was the same person, let alone someone who could switch between genders so effortlessly.
Ten days flew by.
Gu Jiu spent the first two days with her family, but the remaining eight were entirely devoted to dating.
Had the system assistant not reminded her, Gu Jiu might have forgotten all about entering the game world.
As the first to know about Gu Jiu’s new boyfriend, System Assistant No. 387 had initially hesitated to interrupt her love-filled days. However, the rules of the Multiverse Game were strict, and it had no choice but to step in and remind her.
Gu Jiu, however, was unbothered. Entering the game world wouldn’t interfere with her love life anyway.
“After all, Ah Ji is coming with me.”
No. 387 had no words to respond.
That evening, they were scheduled to enter the game world. Before that, Chai Yingying came to find Gu Jiu.
“You’re entering a C-level game world tonight?”
“Yep.”
Chai Yingying studied her for a moment before remarking, “You already have the strength to advance to the B-level arena, don’t you? Why haven’t you gone?”
Most players who survived and cleared the Death Train world had the ability to tackle the B-level arena. While some players had already made the leap, others chose to hone their skills further in the C-level arena before moving up.
Qu Xiao and Old Hei, for example, had decided to enter the B-level arena.
Chai Yingying felt that Gu Jiu was more than capable of advancing, so she specifically came over to ask.
“I do have the strength,” Gu Jiu nodded. “But I don’t want to go just yet.”
“Why not?”
With a playful smile, Gu Jiu replied, “I’m following your example, of course. I want to rack up more points and gather more items first. That way, I’ll have more flexibility when I finally enter the B-level arena.”
Chai Yingying was momentarily speechless.
She hadn’t expected this kind of pragmatism from Gu Jiu.
“So, when do you plan to go to the B-level arena?” Chai Yingying asked.
“After a few more C-level arenas,” Gu Jiu said with interest, then teased, “Why? Are you hoping to team up with me when I do?”
“Of course,” Chai Yingying replied without hesitation. “Why else would I come to ask you directly? I’ve heard plenty about the B-level arena, but I still think it’s better to go with someone I know.”
For her first game in the B-level arena, Chai Yingying wanted to enter with Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu didn’t mind. “Alright, I’ll let you know when I decide to move up.”
Satisfied with this answer, Chai Yingying left in high spirits.
—
Over the next two months, Gu Jiu and Lu Ji teamed up with Ruan Yuan and others to clear several C-level arenas.
While they earned a considerable number of points, Gu Jiu spent most of hers on purchasing items. Anything generated by the game world’s rules that caught her eye was promptly bought.
Both Gu Jiu and her teammates—Wan Xingzhou, Ruan Yuan, and others—gained a lot during these runs.
As her boyfriend, Lu Ji was more than willing to spend his points on Gu Jiu.
However, Gu Jiu refused. Her reasoning left him with no room to argue: “Aren’t you saving points to buy a house? Once you get the house, we can live in our own place and stop staying in Boundless City hotels.”
Her bold statement left Lu Ji both thrilled and flustered. His eyes sparkled with happiness, but his face flushed as his heart raced.
Shyly, he asked, “Ah Jiu, will you really move in with me after I buy the house?”
He still remembered her earlier reaction when he mentioned buying a house in Boundless City. Back then, she didn’t seem keen on the idea of living together and had even joked about buying her own place and offering him a guest room.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Gu Jiu replied with a radiant smile. “It’s my boyfriend’s house. If I don’t live there, who will?”
Gu Jiu drew a clear distinction between how she treated her boyfriend and her friends.
Overjoyed, Lu Ji hugged her and kissed her cheeks several times. Then, as if realizing what he’d done, he blushed furiously and turned away, too shy to meet her gaze.
Gu Jiu gently turned his face back toward her and kissed him deeply.
After the kiss, they gazed into each other’s eyes and inexplicably burst out laughing.
Gu Jiu’s laughter was bold and unrestrained, her face glowing with joy. Lu Ji, who rarely smiled, looked like an adorable sweetheart with his silly grin.
When Ruan Yuan and the others arrived, they happened to catch this scene. It felt like a direct hit to their hearts.
Who would have thought that the usually gloomy, taciturn, and ruthless Lu Ji could be this sweet and adorable? What kind of divine little angel is this?
Of course, only someone like the young lady would have the taste to find such a unique “girlfriend.”
Ruan Yuan glanced at someone else’s “girlfriend,” then at her own boyfriend, suddenly feeling a twinge of regret. Clearly, rugged men just couldn’t compare to the thoughtfulness and charm of girls.
“Young lady, are you really planning to enter the B-level arena next round?” Wan Xingzhou pressed.
Gu Jiu nodded and said to them, “Honestly, your abilities are about there too. You should start preparing to move up to the B-level arena. If you’re unsure, you can hire an experienced game hunter to guide you. Chai Yingying knows quite a few hunters who are both skilled and trustworthy, and she can even get you a discount. It won’t cost too many points.”
While her words made sense, the others still felt a bit hesitant.
Ruan Yuan thought for a moment, her expression turning resolute. “Young lady, you’re right. We’ll give it our best.”
The three of them made up their minds. They would work harder and make sure they didn’t drag Gu Jiu and Lu Ji down or get left too far behind.
Wan Xingzhou added, “Young lady, I’ll be teaming up with Brother Wu next round. We’ve agreed to work on improving our skills together and move up to the B-level arena when we’re ready.”
Ever since Wu Yang had saved his life in the Death Train world, Wan Xingzhou felt a strong bond with him. After returning to Boundless City, they had added each other as friends, kept in regular contact, and quickly became close allies.
Now, Wu Yang and Wan Xingzhou had decided to officially team up as partners.
“That’s great,” Gu Jiu said with a smile. “Brother Wu is reliable. But remember, you can’t rely on him for everything.”
“Of course not. Do I seem like that kind of person?” Wan Xingzhou protested, slightly indignant. “My luck may not be great, but Brother Wu is sharp and perceptive. He can help me avoid crises, so we make a good team.”
After chatting with them, Gu Jiu noticed it was about time and returned to the real world.
As usual, Gu Jiu chose to enter the game world at night.
This timing was ideal—after returning from the game world, players could sleep and fully recover their energy. As a result, many players preferred to begin their sessions at night.