The man shouted and suddenly broke free from Sun Ning’s restraint, stumbling into a dark alley.
Sun Ning hurriedly chased after him, but as soon as the man turned a corner, all she saw was a solid wall.
The man vanished into thin air like that.
Sun Ning frowned and stared at the wall for a while, then reluctantly shifted her gaze towards Bai Lixin. “How come you’re here?”
Bai Lixin explained the situation to Sun Ning. After a brief moment of contemplation, she smiled. “I’ve heard about this incident involving the Shentian Guild. The members of the Shentian Guild are all experts who remain elusive. They didn’t participate in this event before because it held no attraction for them.”
“The prizes in this event may seem rich and colorful, but the Shentian Guild has no shortage of point cards, item cards, and performance points.”
“Now that they’ve suddenly descended to the mortal realm, it’s likely a welcoming gift for their new member, Little Overlord, who recently joined their guild.”
“When you offended Little Overlord on the 250th floor, it seems he couldn’t let it go, and they’re here to settle the score.”
“I won’t hide it from you, members of the Shentian Guild approached me yesterday.”
Zhou Guang exclaimed, “For the token on the 250th floor?”
“That’s right. They were willing to pay a high price for my token,” Sun Ning paused. “However, I declined. At this point in time, I lack nothing when it comes to props. I only want to reclaim my guild.”
Zhou Guang asked, “So you refused them?”
Sun Ning replied, “Not exactly. I told them my thoughts; I said I’d be willing to give up the token, but I don’t want any props. Instead, I want the position of the Raging Flame Guild’s President.”
Zhou Guang was astonished. “And then?”
Sun Ning continued, “They said they would consider it. As for when they will make their decision, they didn’t tell me.”
“So, I’m not choosing them, I’m choosing you, Bai Lixin.” Just when Zhou Guang’s heart was in turmoil, Sun Ning shifted the conversation abruptly and looked at Bai Lixin. “Compared to the Shentian Guild, a guild that never shows its face and readily resorts to lynching, I don’t trust them.”
“If I have to be more specific, I hate Little Overlord,” a hint of hatred flashed in Sun Ning’s eyes. “The last time my brother entered a copy, he was with a few members of the guild, and Little Overlord happened to be in that copy as well.”
“My brother and I made an agreement. When one of us enters a copy, the other stays in the game lobby to watch the live broadcast. This way, we’ll know what happens to the other person. That time, I followed the agreement and sat in front of the computer to watch the live broadcast. I assumed my brother would return safely, as we’d been through copy runs so many times, we had become numb to it.”
“But in that copy, my brother and the others decided to take a risk during the night exploration and ventured into the abyss in search of clues. The screen was blocked and I couldn’t see them anymore. I was worried about my brother’s situation, so I waited for several hours in the darkened live broadcast room, hoping to see him again.”
“Towards evening, Little Overlord appeared alone. He emerged from the abyss below, covered in blood and an aura of slaughter.”
“Later, when they returned from the copy, I immediately found the members of the guild and asked them what had happened down there. They hesitated, finally saying they encountered a high-level monster, and the guild president chose to stay behind to deal with the monster, allowing them to escape.”
“But that’s absolutely impossible. I once made an agreement with my brother to prioritize our lives above all else. We both knew that our closest blood relations were waiting outside, so we would never sacrifice ourselves for anyone else. They were lying.”
“Then I went to find Little Overlord.”
“He thought for a long time before he remembered my brother. He said he killed my brother because my brother had already turned into a monster. But he clearly knew that as long as a player doesn’t die and returns to the game lobby, they can return to their original state! After repeated questioning, he impatiently told me that he killed my brother simply because he found it troublesome to save him. Since my brother and the monster were so close at the time, he decided to kill my brother!”
At this point, Sun Ning’s eyes turned bloodshot due to hatred.
“Later, the Raging Flames Guild experienced a rebellion from within. I lost my brother’s protection and was quickly ousted from the position of vice-president by that group of people.”
“That guild was no longer the one my brother and I had created together.”
“Although I’ve never interacted with you, I watched your livestreams a long time ago. You’ve shown me miracles many times. Although I don’t know if you can succeed, at least I can entrust my back to you without worrying about betrayal.”
“Little Overlord probably wants to collect all the cards from the 12th floor and above, but now, one of the cards from the 250th floor is in your hands, the other is in yours. As long as we don’t give up these cards, Little Overlord will never be able to collect all 12 floor cards.”
“I believe the winner will be you. Even though Little Overlord got such a powerful backer, you have the strength.”
Bai Lixin: “…”
‘No, you’re wrong.
My backer is more powerful than that of the Little Overlord, he can defeat the guild alone.
“Shall we find a place to sit down?” The cold wind whistled through the alley. “Anyway, the Shentian Guild isn’t coming. They stood us up, so why not make a profit?”
Sun Ning glanced at the alley once more, a tinge of disappointment in her eyes. “Fine, let’s go.”
After the three of them left, there was a faint rustling sound deep in the quiet alley.
Then, a leg appeared out of thin air.
Followed by half a body, and finally the whole person.
The man crouched low and cautiously peered outside. After confirming that no one was around, he sneaked away through another alley.
He walked through the alley for a while, intending to enter a shabby little house.
Just as he was about to open the door, he suddenly felt a gaze staring at him from behind.
He quickly turned around, and his expression froze when he saw Bai Lixin standing behind him.
Seeing Bai Lixin, the man immediately avoided eye contact and said defensively, “I’ve already told you, I’m not Chi Yan. Will you ever stop? You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
“Chi Yan,” Bai Lixin ignored the man’s evasiveness, “Sun Ning has already gone back. She asked me to deliver a message to you. You can choose to listen, or not.”
“She said it’s highly likely her brother was murdered, and she wants to avenge him.”
“But she doesn’t know if this revenge will let her return alive. So, she stored some precious items in a bank storage unit just in case. Now she wants to entrust these items to you. Remember, it’s row 20, box 20. She said you would know the password.”
“If you are Chi Yan, you’ll understand what she’s talking about. If you’re not, consider today an offense. Goodbye.”
Just as Bai Lixin was about to leave, the man bit his lip and stopped him. “Wait, that, the girl. Tell her not to take things too seriously, it’s unnecessary. If her brother is still alive, he definitely wouldn’t want her blinded by revenge.”
“Also, try to persuade her,” the man’s voice suddenly became agitated, as if he was reproaching Bai Lixin, “You’re her friend, right? As a friend, you should advise her. What you’re doing is wrong, do you understand?”
Bai Lixin shrugged. “She’s an adult, and a smart and thoughtful one at that. She knows what she’s doing.”
The man retorted, “She doesn’t know anything.”
“She’s just a kid.”
Bai Lixin stared at the man for a moment. “Anyway, I’ve delivered the message. If you want to find her, you can send her a direct message. Oh, by the way, even if you’re not Chi Yan, but you want to find her, come to the Core Fire Guild. I can help you locate her. Goodbye.”
The man’s facial features were hidden within his overgrown hair, and he stood there in a daze.
It wasn’t until the dilapidated door made a creaking sound, and a chilly electric voice came from behind the door, “F012, you’ve left your post again. It’s time to return to work.”
The man furrowed his brows and glanced at the sunlit street not far away.
It was just a few steps away, but it might as well have been an unbridgeable chasm for him.
He silently swallowed the bitterness in his throat and replied in a cold emotionless voice. “I understand. I’ll return to my work station.”
The man slipped in through the rudimentary back door, skillfully navigated through the employee work area, and found his own mask among the dazzling array of masks.
As he put on the clown mask, a string of blue data blocks illuminated outside his clothing, completely enveloping him.
By the time the data blocks dissipated, the man had transformed into a well-dressed waiter. He wore a black and white tuxedo, his neatly combed black hair concealed beneath a fabric or mask, and even his hands were covered in pristine white gloves.
With the clown mask in place, he stepped in front of the full-length mirror and adjusted the red bowtie on his chest before leaving the staff room.
“Waiter, I’d like to order.”
As soon as the clown mask entered the hall, a clear female voice rang out.
He paused for a moment, hesitated for two seconds, then walked over with the menu in hand.
After performing a standard service etiquette, the clown-masked waiter politely handed the menu to Sun Ning and emitted a cold electronic voice, “May I take your order, ma’am? Here’s our menu.”
Sun Ning’s eyes were red, and she absentmindedly flipped through the menu before passing it to the two men opposite her. She casually said to the clown-masked waiter, “I’ll have a hot cocoa, two sugars, please.”
As she raised her head, her eyes inadvertently met the clown-masked waiter’s gaze.
The clown-masked waiter was momentarily stunned.
Zhou Guang ordered a cup of cat poop coffee without looking at the menu.
Bai Lixin flipped through the menu while asking Sun Ning, “I’ve already done what you asked. Are you sure he’ll go?”
Sun Ning’s eyes revealed a hint of disappointment. “I’m not sure. If he still wants to recognize me, maybe he’ll go, but I’m not certain.”
“Do you think Brother Ya might have some reasons for not acknowledging me? Why wouldn’t he recognize me?” Sun Ning’s tone became more animated as she spoke. “Brother Yan was the best brother to me after my real brother. Do you know how the ‘Raging Flame Guild’ got its name? My brother’s name is ‘Sun Nu,’ and Brother Yan’s name is ‘Chi Yan.’ They were a great team, and they founded the guild together.”
“They were close back then. Do you know, I even thought Brother Yan was my brother-in-law instead of just a big brother?” Sun Ning continued.
Clown Mask: “…”
Bai Lixin flipped through the menu and returned it to the clown-masked waiter. “One cappuccino with sugar, please.”
The clown-masked waiter took the menu but showed no intention of leaving.
He wanted to listen a bit longer.
Sun Ning was somewhat puzzled by this and she glanced at the clown-masked waiter: “Is there anything else?”
The clown-masked waiter immediately straightened his shoulders. “Have the customers finished ordering? Let me confirm. Hot cocoa, two sugars. Unsweetened cat poop coffee. Cappuccino with sugar. Is that correct?”
Sun Ning waved her hand impatiently. “Yes, please hurry.”
The clown-masked waiter nodded. “Very well, please wait.”
Once the clown-masked waiter left, Sun Ning continued, “Fortunately, my brother is straight. Their relationship was purely that of revolutionary comrades.”
“At that time, the Raging Flame Guild was not as successful as it is now, and it was in a state of limbo. Later, when Brother Yan received a punishment for failing a copy and was sent to the Eternal Diamond Mountain, my brother and I guarded the Raging Flame Guild, waiting for the day when a miracle would happen and Brother Yan could leave Eternal Diamond Mountain.”
Sun Ning suddenly gave a bitter smile. “Isn’t it ironic? My brother always talked about his good friend, but when Chi Yan returned, my brother was gone.”
“Hello, guests. Your drinks have arrived.” The clown-masked waiter appeared once again, carrying three beverages which he placed in front of the three. After setting down the drinks, he placed a tray of assorted snacks and a box of melon seeds on the table.
Sun Ning looked puzzled. “Did you make a mistake? We didn’t order these two items.”
The clown-masked waiter responded with cold politeness. “There’s no mistake, respected guests. Congratulations, you are the 30,000th customer of this establishment, and these are complimentary gifts prepared specifically for you.”
Sun Ning raised an eyebrow. “Is this some kind of special offer? I’ve never heard of it before.”
The clown-masked waiter replied mechanically, “It’s a recent promotion at our small establishment. Enjoy your meal.”
Sun Ning continued chatting with Bai Lixin.
In no time, the clown-masked waiter returned, holding a giant teddy bear.
He walked over, and before Sun Ning could react, he had placed the teddy bear in her arms.
She looked at the clown-masked waiter in bewilderment, her eyes filled with questions.
What was going on?
The clown-masked waiter continued mechanically. “Guests, this is also a gift for our 30,000th customer, which I forgot to present earlier. Please continue your meal, and I hope this hasn’t caused any inconvenience. Enjoy your dining experience.”
With that, the clown-masked waiter left again, leaving Sun Ning looking puzzled.
After a few minutes, the clown-masked waiter returned once more.
This time, he held an exquisitely wrapped box. Before he could speak, Sun Ning guessed, “If I’m not mistaken, this is another gift for our 30,000th order, right?”
The clown-masked waiter nodded. “This customer is very smart. Yes, it’s another gift for our 30,000th customer.”
Sun Ning took the flat, elongated gift box from the clown-masked waiter without hesitation. Without thinking, she pushed it toward Bai Lixin. “I already have the teddy bear. They say you should spread the joy around. This one’s for you.”
The clown-masked waiter froze in place.
Bai Lixin glanced at Sun Ning, then at the clown-masked waiter, who was staring at the gift box with nervousness, and cleared his throat. He pushed the gift box back. “This is probably a necklace or something similar. We’re two grown men; it’s more suitable for you to have it. Perhaps, it’s your lucky charm for today?”
Seeing that neither of the two men wanted the gift, Sun Ning took it back.
Holding the gift in her hand, she asked the clown-masked waiter, “Is this a necklace inside?”
The clown-masked waiter replied, “Yes, ma’am. It’s meant just for you. The gifts have been delivered. Enjoy your meal.”
Sun Ning accepted the gift, her eyes fixed on the clown-masked waiter’s departing figure. She smiled and shook her head. “Such a strange NPC. It’s the first time I’ve seen an NPC with this style. Have you ever encountered anything like this, Bai Lixin?”
Bai Lixin: “Uh…no, I haven’t…”
Encountered? More than just encountering, he had touched, kissed, held, and… Ahem, maybe that was getting a bit carried away.
If it weren’t for the fact that this masked NPC’s attention had been focused entirely on Sun Ning, he might have thought his caged canary gong had descended to earth again.
But the figure didn’t match.
At this moment, the caged canary gong sneezed, quietly rolling over in bed and sitting up.
‘Strange, why did I sneeze? Could it be that my wife is thinking about me?
Go down, I should go down now.’
Behind the counter not far away, the clown-masked waiter silently cleaned up the tableware occasionally glancing in Sun Ning’s direction.
‘After so many years, Sister Ning was still so beautiful.
As expected of Sister Ning.
So cute!’
Bai Lixin discreetly observed the clown-masked waiter’s behavior, and an strange thought crossed his mind.
“Sun Ning, besides your brother and Chi Yan, do you have any close friends?”
The man shouted and suddenly broke free from Sun Ning’s restraint, stumbling into a dark alley.
Sun Ning hurriedly chased after him, but as soon as the man turned a corner, all she saw was a solid wall.
The man vanished into thin air like that.
Sun Ning frowned and stared at the wall for a while, then reluctantly shifted her gaze towards Bai Lixin. “How come you’re here?”
Bai Lixin explained the situation to Sun Ning. After a brief moment of contemplation, she smiled. “I’ve heard about this incident involving the Shentian Guild. The members of the Shentian Guild are all experts who remain elusive. They didn’t participate in this event before because it held no attraction for them.”
“The prizes in this event may seem rich and colorful, but the Shentian Guild has no shortage of point cards, item cards, and performance points.”
“Now that they’ve suddenly descended to the mortal realm, it’s likely a welcoming gift for their new member, Little Overlord, who recently joined their guild.”
“When you offended Little Overlord on the 250th floor, it seems he couldn’t let it go, and they’re here to settle the score.”
“I won’t hide it from you, members of the Shentian Guild approached me yesterday.”
Zhou Guang exclaimed, “For the token on the 250th floor?”
“That’s right. They were willing to pay a high price for my token,” Sun Ning paused. “However, I declined. At this point in time, I lack nothing when it comes to props. I only want to reclaim my guild.”
Zhou Guang asked, “So you refused them?”
Sun Ning replied, “Not exactly. I told them my thoughts; I said I’d be willing to give up the token, but I don’t want any props. Instead, I want the position of the Raging Flame Guild’s President.”
Zhou Guang was astonished. “And then?”
Sun Ning continued, “They said they would consider it. As for when they will make their decision, they didn’t tell me.”
“So, I’m not choosing them, I’m choosing you, Bai Lixin.” Just when Zhou Guang’s heart was in turmoil, Sun Ning shifted the conversation abruptly and looked at Bai Lixin. “Compared to the Shentian Guild, a guild that never shows its face and readily resorts to lynching, I don’t trust them.”
“If I have to be more specific, I hate Little Overlord,” a hint of hatred flashed in Sun Ning’s eyes. “The last time my brother entered a copy, he was with a few members of the guild, and Little Overlord happened to be in that copy as well.”
“My brother and I made an agreement. When one of us enters a copy, the other stays in the game lobby to watch the live broadcast. This way, we’ll know what happens to the other person. That time, I followed the agreement and sat in front of the computer to watch the live broadcast. I assumed my brother would return safely, as we’d been through copy runs so many times, we had become numb to it.”
“But in that copy, my brother and the others decided to take a risk during the night exploration and ventured into the abyss in search of clues. The screen was blocked and I couldn’t see them anymore. I was worried about my brother’s situation, so I waited for several hours in the darkened live broadcast room, hoping to see him again.”
“Towards evening, Little Overlord appeared alone. He emerged from the abyss below, covered in blood and an aura of slaughter.”
“Later, when they returned from the copy, I immediately found the members of the guild and asked them what had happened down there. They hesitated, finally saying they encountered a high-level monster, and the guild president chose to stay behind to deal with the monster, allowing them to escape.”
“But that’s absolutely impossible. I once made an agreement with my brother to prioritize our lives above all else. We both knew that our closest blood relations were waiting outside, so we would never sacrifice ourselves for anyone else. They were lying.”
“Then I went to find Little Overlord.”
“He thought for a long time before he remembered my brother. He said he killed my brother because my brother had already turned into a monster. But he clearly knew that as long as a player doesn’t die and returns to the game lobby, they can return to their original state! After repeated questioning, he impatiently told me that he killed my brother simply because he found it troublesome to save him. Since my brother and the monster were so close at the time, he decided to kill my brother!”
At this point, Sun Ning’s eyes turned bloodshot due to hatred.
“Later, the Raging Flames Guild experienced a rebellion from within. I lost my brother’s protection and was quickly ousted from the position of vice-president by that group of people.”
“That guild was no longer the one my brother and I had created together.”
“Although I’ve never interacted with you, I watched your livestreams a long time ago. You’ve shown me miracles many times. Although I don’t know if you can succeed, at least I can entrust my back to you without worrying about betrayal.”
“Little Overlord probably wants to collect all the cards from the 12th floor and above, but now, one of the cards from the 250th floor is in your hands, the other is in yours. As long as we don’t give up these cards, Little Overlord will never be able to collect all 12 floor cards.”
“I believe the winner will be you. Even though Little Overlord got such a powerful backer, you have the strength.”
Bai Lixin: “…”
‘No, you’re wrong.
My backer is more powerful than that of the Little Overlord, he can defeat the guild alone.
“Shall we find a place to sit down?” The cold wind whistled through the alley. “Anyway, the Shentian Guild isn’t coming. They stood us up, so why not make a profit?”
Sun Ning glanced at the alley once more, a tinge of disappointment in her eyes. “Fine, let’s go.”
After the three of them left, there was a faint rustling sound deep in the quiet alley.
Then, a leg appeared out of thin air.
Followed by half a body, and finally the whole person.
The man crouched low and cautiously peered outside. After confirming that no one was around, he sneaked away through another alley.
He walked through the alley for a while, intending to enter a shabby little house.
Just as he was about to open the door, he suddenly felt a gaze staring at him from behind.
He quickly turned around, and his expression froze when he saw Bai Lixin standing behind him.
Seeing Bai Lixin, the man immediately avoided eye contact and said defensively, “I’ve already told you, I’m not Chi Yan. Will you ever stop? You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
“Chi Yan,” Bai Lixin ignored the man’s evasiveness, “Sun Ning has already gone back. She asked me to deliver a message to you. You can choose to listen, or not.”
“She said it’s highly likely her brother was murdered, and she wants to avenge him.”
“But she doesn’t know if this revenge will let her return alive. So, she stored some precious items in a bank storage unit just in case. Now she wants to entrust these items to you. Remember, it’s row 20, box 20. She said you would know the password.”
“If you are Chi Yan, you’ll understand what she’s talking about. If you’re not, consider today an offense. Goodbye.”
Just as Bai Lixin was about to leave, the man bit his lip and stopped him. “Wait, that, the girl. Tell her not to take things too seriously, it’s unnecessary. If her brother is still alive, he definitely wouldn’t want her blinded by revenge.”
“Also, try to persuade her,” the man’s voice suddenly became agitated, as if he was reproaching Bai Lixin, “You’re her friend, right? As a friend, you should advise her. What you’re doing is wrong, do you understand?”
Bai Lixin shrugged. “She’s an adult, and a smart and thoughtful one at that. She knows what she’s doing.”
The man retorted, “She doesn’t know anything.”
“She’s just a kid.”
Bai Lixin stared at the man for a moment. “Anyway, I’ve delivered the message. If you want to find her, you can send her a direct message. Oh, by the way, even if you’re not Chi Yan, but you want to find her, come to the Core Fire Guild. I can help you locate her. Goodbye.”
The man’s facial features were hidden within his overgrown hair, and he stood there in a daze.
It wasn’t until the dilapidated door made a creaking sound, and a chilly electric voice came from behind the door, “F012, you’ve left your post again. It’s time to return to work.”
The man furrowed his brows and glanced at the sunlit street not far away.
It was just a few steps away, but it might as well have been an unbridgeable chasm for him.
He silently swallowed the bitterness in his throat and replied in a cold emotionless voice. “I understand. I’ll return to my work station.”
The man slipped in through the rudimentary back door, skillfully navigated through the employee work area, and found his own mask among the dazzling array of masks.
As he put on the clown mask, a string of blue data blocks illuminated outside his clothing, completely enveloping him.
By the time the data blocks dissipated, the man had transformed into a well-dressed waiter. He wore a black and white tuxedo, his neatly combed black hair concealed beneath a fabric or mask, and even his hands were covered in pristine white gloves.
With the clown mask in place, he stepped in front of the full-length mirror and adjusted the red bowtie on his chest before leaving the staff room.
“Waiter, I’d like to order.”
As soon as the clown mask entered the hall, a clear female voice rang out.
He paused for a moment, hesitated for two seconds, then walked over with the menu in hand.
After performing a standard service etiquette, the clown-masked waiter politely handed the menu to Sun Ning and emitted a cold electronic voice, “May I take your order, ma’am? Here’s our menu.”
Sun Ning’s eyes were red, and she absentmindedly flipped through the menu before passing it to the two men opposite her. She casually said to the clown-masked waiter, “I’ll have a hot cocoa, two sugars, please.”
As she raised her head, her eyes inadvertently met the clown-masked waiter’s gaze.
The clown-masked waiter was momentarily stunned.
Zhou Guang ordered a cup of cat poop coffee without looking at the menu.
Bai Lixin flipped through the menu while asking Sun Ning, “I’ve already done what you asked. Are you sure he’ll go?”
Sun Ning’s eyes revealed a hint of disappointment. “I’m not sure. If he still wants to recognize me, maybe he’ll go, but I’m not certain.”
“Do you think Brother Ya might have some reasons for not acknowledging me? Why wouldn’t he recognize me?” Sun Ning’s tone became more animated as she spoke. “Brother Yan was the best brother to me after my real brother. Do you know how the ‘Raging Flame Guild’ got its name? My brother’s name is ‘Sun Nu,’ and Brother Yan’s name is ‘Chi Yan.’ They were a great team, and they founded the guild together.”
“They were close back then. Do you know, I even thought Brother Yan was my brother-in-law instead of just a big brother?” Sun Ning continued.
Clown Mask: “…”
Bai Lixin flipped through the menu and returned it to the clown-masked waiter. “One cappuccino with sugar, please.”
The clown-masked waiter took the menu but showed no intention of leaving.
He wanted to listen a bit longer.
Sun Ning was somewhat puzzled by this and she glanced at the clown-masked waiter: “Is there anything else?”
The clown-masked waiter immediately straightened his shoulders. “Have the customers finished ordering? Let me confirm. Hot cocoa, two sugars. Unsweetened cat poop coffee. Cappuccino with sugar. Is that correct?”
Sun Ning waved her hand impatiently. “Yes, please hurry.”
The clown-masked waiter nodded. “Very well, please wait.”
Once the clown-masked waiter left, Sun Ning continued, “Fortunately, my brother is straight. Their relationship was purely that of revolutionary comrades.”
“At that time, the Raging Flame Guild was not as successful as it is now, and it was in a state of limbo. Later, when Brother Yan received a punishment for failing a copy and was sent to the Eternal Diamond Mountain, my brother and I guarded the Raging Flame Guild, waiting for the day when a miracle would happen and Brother Yan could leave Eternal Diamond Mountain.”
Sun Ning suddenly gave a bitter smile. “Isn’t it ironic? My brother always talked about his good friend, but when Chi Yan returned, my brother was gone.”
“Hello, guests. Your drinks have arrived.” The clown-masked waiter appeared once again, carrying three beverages which he placed in front of the three. After setting down the drinks, he placed a tray of assorted snacks and a box of melon seeds on the table.
Sun Ning looked puzzled. “Did you make a mistake? We didn’t order these two items.”
The clown-masked waiter responded with cold politeness. “There’s no mistake, respected guests. Congratulations, you are the 30,000th customer of this establishment, and these are complimentary gifts prepared specifically for you.”
Sun Ning raised an eyebrow. “Is this some kind of special offer? I’ve never heard of it before.”
The clown-masked waiter replied mechanically, “It’s a recent promotion at our small establishment. Enjoy your meal.”
Sun Ning continued chatting with Bai Lixin.
In no time, the clown-masked waiter returned, holding a giant teddy bear.
He walked over, and before Sun Ning could react, he had placed the teddy bear in her arms.
She looked at the clown-masked waiter in bewilderment, her eyes filled with questions.
What was going on?
The clown-masked waiter continued mechanically. “Guests, this is also a gift for our 30,000th customer, which I forgot to present earlier. Please continue your meal, and I hope this hasn’t caused any inconvenience. Enjoy your dining experience.”
With that, the clown-masked waiter left again, leaving Sun Ning looking puzzled.
After a few minutes, the clown-masked waiter returned once more.
This time, he held an exquisitely wrapped box. Before he could speak, Sun Ning guessed, “If I’m not mistaken, this is another gift for our 30,000th order, right?”
The clown-masked waiter nodded. “This customer is very smart. Yes, it’s another gift for our 30,000th customer.”
Sun Ning took the flat, elongated gift box from the clown-masked waiter without hesitation. Without thinking, she pushed it toward Bai Lixin. “I already have the teddy bear. They say you should spread the joy around. This one’s for you.”
The clown-masked waiter froze in place.
Bai Lixin glanced at Sun Ning, then at the clown-masked waiter, who was staring at the gift box with nervousness, and cleared his throat. He pushed the gift box back. “This is probably a necklace or something similar. We’re two grown men; it’s more suitable for you to have it. Perhaps, it’s your lucky charm for today?”
Seeing that neither of the two men wanted the gift, Sun Ning took it back.
Holding the gift in her hand, she asked the clown-masked waiter, “Is this a necklace inside?”
The clown-masked waiter replied, “Yes, ma’am. It’s meant just for you. The gifts have been delivered. Enjoy your meal.”
Sun Ning accepted the gift, her eyes fixed on the clown-masked waiter’s departing figure. She smiled and shook her head. “Such a strange NPC. It’s the first time I’ve seen an NPC with this style. Have you ever encountered anything like this, Bai Lixin?”
Bai Lixin: “Uh…no, I haven’t…”
Encountered? More than just encountering, he had touched, kissed, held, and… Ahem, maybe that was getting a bit carried away.
If it weren’t for the fact that this masked NPC’s attention had been focused entirely on Sun Ning, he might have thought his caged canary gong had descended to earth again.
But the figure didn’t match.
At this moment, the caged canary gong sneezed, quietly rolling over in bed and sitting up.
‘Strange, why did I sneeze? Could it be that my wife is thinking about me?
Go down, I should go down now.’
Behind the counter not far away, the clown-masked waiter silently cleaned up the tableware occasionally glancing in Sun Ning’s direction.
‘After so many years, Sister Ning was still so beautiful.
As expected of Sister Ning.
So cute!’
Bai Lixin discreetly observed the clown-masked waiter’s behavior, and an strange thought crossed his mind.
“Sun Ning, besides your brother and Chi Yan, do you have any close friends?”
