The fact that her boyfriend wasn’t human didn’t give Gu Jiu any thoughts of returning him.
She couldn’t help it—her tastes were just that unique. Finding a man whose personality and appearance perfectly aligned with her aesthetic was no easy feat. Plus, after becoming a player, she had experienced so many things and broadened her horizons to the point where being non-human wasn’t a big deal anymore.
After traversing all kinds of bizarre game worlds and interacting with countless non-human beings, one’s capacity for acceptance naturally became quite extraordinary.
After observing for a few days, Lu Ji realized that all his worries were unfounded, and he finally let out a sigh of relief.
He wasn’t as fragile, detached, and indifferent as he appeared on the surface.
Born from the Sea of Rules, inheriting the destructive power left behind by the fallen gods, he was destined to bear an overwhelming amount of darkness and negativity. Just as the demigods feared, if he ever decided he no longer wanted to endure it, he could trigger a catastrophic explosion that would destroy all worlds.
He was like the gods’ final act of vengeance upon the multiverse, born for destruction.
Yet, as a fallen god with a naturally greedy nature, he found himself wanting more and more after meeting her.
Every time one desire was satisfied, countless others would arise, compelling him to seek even more.
When he discovered that she didn’t care about his non-human identity, nor did she mind his deceptions or concealments, new desires began to stir within him, demanding to be fulfilled.
Gu Jiu sat leisurely in a sunlit dining room, enjoying the breakfast that Lu Ji had prepared for her.
For some reason, since they got together, he seemed to find immense satisfaction in feeding her. Recently, he had been avidly learning how to cook. Whenever he had time, he’d pore over cookbooks or watch culinary shows, scouring through all the food programs in Boundless City.
After watching, he would immediately put what he learned into practice.
His learning ability was exceptional; he could recreate any dish to perfection after watching it just once, no matter how complex or intricate the process. His culinary skills were improving by leaps and bounds every day.
As the one being fed, Gu Jiu couldn’t have been happier.
A player’s appetite grew along with their strength, and combined with her daily intense training, she could eat everything he made without any trouble, embodying the ultimate “big eater girlfriend.”
Lu Ji carried a plate of crab roe buns to the table and sat beside her.
He hesitated for a moment before finally gathering the courage to ask, “Ah Jiu, was what you said to Huo Ting that day true?”
Gu Jiu responded casually, “I said a lot of things to Huo Ting that day. Which one are you referring to?”
“The part where he asked if you’d have liked him if you hadn’t lost contact for two years…” His face flushed slightly, and he shyly added, “You said, ‘If he’s a man, I’m straight; if he’s a woman, I’m bent.’”
Every time he thought about what she said to Huo Ting, his heart brimmed with joy and sweetness.
At the time, he had been nearby. Huo Ting’s strength was too weak to notice him, and he had assumed Gu Jiu wouldn’t detect him either. Yet, her familiarity with his presence was such that she could sense him the moment he appeared, exposing his existence.
In the past, his lack of security often made him worry that she would leave him once she discovered his deceptions.
Gu Jiu turned her head to look at him and saw him gazing back with a shy expression. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
Leaning closer to him until their breaths intertwined, she watched as his face grew redder and spoke softly, “Of course, it’s true.” She reached out to gently caress his face. “Does that make you happy?”
He responded with a soft “Mm,” unusually shy, his eyes brimming with joy, completely unable to hide his happiness.
Gu Jiu was once again charmed by his reaction and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
This man truly knew how to captivate her. Whatever she liked, he would become that. His adaptability, whether assertive or yielding, was truly irresistible.
As a reward, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him for a while. However, just as he started to respond, she teasingly pushed him away and returned to her breakfast.
Lu Ji, unfazed, gazed at her with eyes full of affection.
After finishing her meal, Gu Jiu prepared to head to the training grounds.
Watching her change into her training attire, Lu Ji mustered his courage again. “Ah Jiu, when will you take me home?”
“Hm?”
“I mean, to the real world to meet your family.”
Lu Ji had been preoccupied with this thought. Back during the New Year, he had hoped to meet her family as her boyfriend. However, because his true identity had yet to be revealed, he hadn’t been able to follow her into the real world. Now that everything was out in the open, he naturally wanted to meet her family properly.
Gu Jiu glanced at him and said, “It’s just after the New Year. They’re busy; let’s leave it for now.”
“How can we just leave it?” Lu Ji became anxious, with a hint of grievance in his tone. “Then when will we?”
“Next New Year, maybe?”
“…”
Seeing him look so aggrieved, his eyes almost brimming with tears, and standing there as if lost, Gu Jiu couldn’t bear it. She quickly pulled him into her arms, stood on tiptoe, and kissed his lips softly. “There’s no rush to meet them. They already know about you. Meeting in person isn’t that important…”
Her words sounded like the typical lines of a heartless player.
Lu Ji pursed his lips. “Don’t humans say that meeting each other’s family is a sign of commitment in a relationship?”
“Do they?” Gu Jiu tilted her head, thinking aloud. “This is my first time dating. I’ve never really paid attention to these things before.”
Her words thoroughly pleased him, and his face lit up with a smile. Wrapping his arms tenderly around her waist, he showed no intention of letting go.
“Then let’s go to the training grounds together.” Gu Jiu also didn’t want to be apart from her boyfriend. “We’ll train in the same room, but no matter what I do, you’re not allowed to interfere.”
Lu Ji obediently agreed with a nod.
The two headed to the training grounds and booked a shared training room.
In the past, they would always book separate rooms to avoid disturbing each other. Mainly, it was because Lu Ji didn’t need to train and had to keep up the appearance of a low-level player, avoiding any exposure of his true nature. Now, such concerns were no longer necessary.
Lu Ji, who wished he could stay glued to his girlfriend’s side at all times, was delighted to even accompany her during training.
They were in the honeymoon phase of their relationship, like every other couple in the world—always wanting to be together, finding even the slightest separation unbearable.
Gu Jiu started her training while Lu Ji stood by and watched.
But as he watched, he couldn’t help wanting to interfere and stop her.
Gu Jiu’s training focused on pushing her limits, which was inherently dangerous. Even though Lu Ji knew that B-level players wouldn’t easily push themselves to the brink of death, he still found it difficult to endure watching her in danger.
When Gu Jiu finally took a break, Lu Ji cautiously said, “Ah Jiu, maybe you should take it step by step. We don’t need to do anything so risky.”
“It’s not dangerous,” Gu Jiu said, wiping her sweat. “Maybe you should just wait outside. I can train on my own.”
Lu Ji refused to leave, no matter what she said. Even if watching made his heart pound with anxiety, he insisted on staying by her side. If one day she accidentally pushed herself too far, he’d be there to save her immediately.
Having a daring and reckless girlfriend, what choice did he have but to keep a close eye on her?
Curious as ever, Gu Jiu asked, “What if I really do accidentally push myself to death?”
“I’ll bring you back to life!” Lu Ji replied without hesitation. “I’d gather the fragments of your soul, use artifacts to nurture them, and resurrect you.”
Gu Jiu paused to stare at him for a moment, then burst out laughing. “Saying things like that will only make me more reckless. I’ll just keep playing dangerously.”
Lu Ji chuckled softly, but his eyes were dark and unfathomable.
Gu Jiu was now certain. Her boyfriend truly wasn’t human. All his outward appearances were a façade. The real him? He likely didn’t abide by any normal human moral standards. He was, without a doubt, a dangerous existence.
But so what?
He wasn’t doing anything harmful now; in fact, he was restraining himself for her sake. A boyfriend like that was undeniably adorable.
After a day of training, the two returned to their home in Moon Bay.
Gu Jiu lazily curled up on the sofa, using her player interface like a mobile phone to chat with friends from various star regions in Boundless City.
Lu Ji busied himself in the kitchen preparing dinner.
“Ah Jiu, dinner’s ready.”
Gu Jiu responded with a hum, finished her conversation, closed the player interface, and went to wash her hands before eating.
Lu Ji served her a bowl of dragon bone yam soup and casually asked, “Who were you chatting with just now?”
“With Mina and Big Boss Qi.”
“Anything important?”
“They invited me to an auction hosted by both Eastern and Western players. It’s happening in the Star Zone 8 and will apparently attract many A- and B-level players, even some S-level players.”
“Are you planning to go?”
“Nope.” Gu Jiu sipped her soup as she replied, “I don’t have enough points.”
Such a straightforward and practical answer.
“I actually have points,” Lu Ji offered. “Didn’t you want a magic spell book? There should be one at the auction.”
Gu Jiu smiled, fully aware of her boyfriend’s non-human nature. She had figured out that he wasn’t really a player at all. He always sneaked into the system and somehow managed to fool the central system into treating him like a regular player, earning him points. However, he didn’t have the proper credentials to purchase items, so his points kept accumulating, making his wealth surpass even many A-level players.
“Next time,” Gu Jiu said nonchalantly. “I’ll go once I become an A-level player.”
Such auctions were held annually. She could always attend next year.
Lu Ji didn’t press the issue further.
In the days that followed, Gu Jiu continued spending most of her time in the training grounds.
Occasionally, she would meet up with friends.
Chai Yingying was someone who couldn’t stay put. It seemed that every few days, she’d organize some kind of player gathering, always inviting Gu Jiu to join. Similarly, new acquaintances like Mina and other Western players enthusiastically invited Gu Jiu to their star zones for food, drinks, and entertainment.
Life in Boundless City was far more exciting and vibrant than life in the real world.
This was why so many players gradually abandoned their lives in the real world, choosing to remain in Boundless City long-term. After experiencing the players’ world and reaping its abundant rewards, few could bear to give up their identities as players, even though the missions were perilous.
Though life as a player meant constantly facing threats, the level of luxury and enjoyment it offered was beyond what ordinary people could imagine in several lifetimes. It was hard not to be moved by it.
“Miss Gu, bring Huo Ting along sometime if he’s free,” Chai Yingying said with a mischievous grin. “If you don’t mind, you could introduce him to us.”
Chai Yingying’s motives were as obvious as daylight, something even bystanders could see.
Gu Jiu chuckled. “Let me check with him first. If he’s not interested in meeting you, don’t force him.”
“Of course not. Would someone as charming as me ever need to force a man?” Chai Yingying declared proudly. “Your childhood friend seems to be quite the man—every bit as impressive as the soldier king, Qu Xiao.”
Her words implied she wanted to take a shot at Huo Ting.
Gu Jiu immediately messaged Huo Ting.
She used her player account to send the message. Since messages sent to players in the real world couldn’t be received instantly, it took Huo Ting half a day to reply, indicating he’d been in the real world during that time.
Huo Ting’s reply was brief and to the point: [Very busy, no time. Please send my apologies to your friend.]
Gu Jiu took a screenshot of his reply and sent it to Chai Yingying for her to interpret herself.
Chai Yingying looked disappointed. “What’s this handsome guy so busy with?”
“He’s got plenty to do, both in the real world and in Boundless City,” Gu Jiu explained.
Hearing this, Chai Yingying sighed dramatically and put her hand to her forehead. “Why is it that all the men I’m interested in turn out to be workaholics? How am I ever supposed to get a boyfriend like this?”
Gu Jiu couldn’t help but laugh.
Chai Yingying certainly had her own preferences. Men like Qu Xiao, the soldier king, and Huo Ting all aligned perfectly with her taste—strong, capable men with a sense of responsibility. Unfortunately, their overwhelming sense of duty meant they all had their own goals to pursue, leaving no room for romance in their current plans.