Wen Cheng turned around and saw the NPC charging towards them arrogantly, swinging a huge iron chain. He was terrified and clung tightly to Wen Qi. He wanted to get off, but he felt his legs were too weak and he would slow them down. Then he watched as Wen Qi, without batting an eye, flung the NPC around two bends.
So, amidst the site manager's exclamations of "Hey! Hey! Hey!", Wen Qi, carrying Wen Cheng, became the fastest one to run among the players they were greeting.
"Huff, huff, huff! I can't go on anymore. That guy must have eaten several cases of Snickers bars, I've never seen anyone run like that, hehe, I'm almost out of strength..."
Event manager: My face hurts quite a bit today.
Later, the stage manager gradually realized why Yan Luan hadn't responded when he was criticizing the handsome guy.
Deciphering things that others need half an hour with hints, Wen Qi can finish in a few minutes after just a few glances. When an NPC falls from the sky and gets close to his face, he can calmly reach out and cover Wen Cheng's eyes, and casually ask him if he's had enough. His tone is as domineering as a CEO.
This scared the NPCs so much that they lost confidence in being the main source of terror, and their mentality completely collapsed. In the final level, he was able to break the player's curse and rescue Yao Xingwei from the dark room, allowing him to experience another life-or-death escape.
In short, when Wen Qi managed to complete a two-hour escape room in half an hour all by himself, the manager and staff all changed their expressions.
Who is this expert who came here to bully the newbies in the village?
The store manager repeatedly confirmed whether Wen Qi had visited other cities before, and after receiving Wen Qi's refusal, he excitedly exclaimed that he wanted to take a photo with him.
As for Yao Xingwei, who was the most miserable one in the whole scene, he was scared to death repeatedly by the NPC in the dark room for the first twenty minutes, and then he was dragged out for a ten-minute chase in the last ten minutes. He felt like he was about to be physically exorcised.
Until I saw the great beauty.
The beautiful Yan Luan very politely poured water for everyone. When it was his turn, Yao Xingwei quickly stood up and took the water glass. Even though his face was pale, he still said, "This escape room is quite interesting. Can we add each other on WeChat? You can let me know if there are any new events in the store."
A hint of admiration flickered in Yan Luan's indifferent eyes.
but,
"This is a group created by the store manager. There will be announcements in the group."
"Are you in the group? Can I @ you if I have any questions?" Yao Xingwei was extremely determined in her heart and her goal.
Yan Luan suppressed his urge to take action and hummed in agreement.
After everyone finished playing, no one lingered any longer; they all went home to their own families.
Since their older brother had come to pick them up, Yao Xingwei and He Haobo didn't dare say anything more and quickly saw them off.
At that moment, Wen Cheng's feelings were exceptionally complicated, so complicated that she forgot to fasten her seatbelt. Then she saw Qi Ge lean over to the side, his hair even brushing against her neck.
"Qi Qi Qi, Brother Qi!" Wen Cheng was so frightened that he was about to jump up again, but Wen Qi quickly suppressed him and pulled the seat belt over to fasten it tightly for him.
"Wen Cheng, are you afraid of me?"
Wen Qi's voice was like the air in an underground parking garage, carrying a hint of coldness.
Author's Note:
Good night~
Chapter 58 Half-revealed
Wen Cheng subconsciously shook his head. He wasn't afraid of Brother Qi, no matter who he was afraid of, because Brother Qi treated him the best!
He was conflicted, a conflicted feeling about crossing the line between brotherhood, a kind of unspoken awkwardness. He'd experienced it once before at the hot springs, which he dismissed as a normal male reaction, and half of it was indeed his own doing. But this time, in the closet, enveloped by Qi Ge's aura to the point of suffocation, he felt, for the first time, completely overwhelmed by someone. Qi Ge seemed different then; if he had to describe it with an image, it would be like a male peacock suddenly spreading its tail feathers in front of a female peacock.
Yes! That's it! Wen Cheng isn't stupid!
But how should I bring it up? Should I directly ask Brother Qi why he only reacts to me? What if Brother Qi has no feelings for me at all, and has simply been single for 27 years? Wouldn't I have worried for nothing? Besides, asking such a question between brothers is inherently very awkward.
Wen Cheng didn't want things to get awkward between him and Qi Ge, not even for one night. He just wanted to be nice to Qi Ge every day. Qi Ge could tease him, but he absolutely couldn't ignore him. Otherwise, Wen Cheng would feel uncomfortable, no, he would be very unhappy!
At this moment, Wen Cheng was completely unaware that her clingy and somewhat spoiled habits were manifesting in Wen Qi!
Wen Qi looked at Wen Cheng and shook his head. His gaze hardened for a moment, then he lowered his head again, lost in thought. He had been thinking a lot, including the fact that Wen Cheng wasn't completely clueless. He had even considered using the ridiculous excuse of being hot-tempered to coax her in the store, but once in the car, he completely abandoned that idea.
Yes, Wen Cheng isn't a program or data that he can predict; he's a living, breathing person. Although he's calculating how to achieve long-term sustainability, reality is right in front of him. If Wen Cheng asks that question, he doesn't want to give a wrong answer or try to brush him off.
"Ask whatever you want." Wen Qi leaned back completely in his seat, but didn't start the car. He just sat there, waiting to finish talking before going back, already anticipating the worst possible outcome.
Wen Cheng clenched her fingers, her lower teeth rubbing against the inner membrane of her upper lip, feeling somewhat restless.
"Brother Qi, you like men, right?"
"Um."
"So, when you were in the closet, was it for this reason?"
"...Um."
"Is there any other reason?" Wen Cheng asked cautiously.
The most important question was right there. Wen Qi lowered his eyes, then looked at Wen Cheng, his gaze serious.
"Yes, Wen Cheng, do you want to know now?" Wen Qi did not evade the question, but answered firmly, giving Wen Cheng a choice. If she wanted to know now, he was willing to bear any cost to answer. On the contrary, even if Wen Cheng could not accept it now, he absolutely could not accept Wen Cheng accepting someone else. If she did not want to know now, he could pretend that nothing had happened and continue to silently boil his lukewarm water.
Now?
Wen Cheng looked up, as if he had fallen into Wen Qi's presence and eyes. The unique scent of wood, and the unreadable emotions written in Wen Qi's deep brown eyes—could he accept the answer laid out before him? Wen Cheng wasn't sure. This was his older brother! He had considered him family from the very beginning.
He is very handsome, not just the average good-looking one. Even a simple shirt looks different on him. He is meticulous and assertive, and he will never let himself suffer any loss. He manages the company with an iron fist, and even his relatives dare not challenge him. Such a successful man would secretly drink milk that is not in line with his status, and would pretend that nothing is wrong to give himself endless preferential treatment.
Although I criticize him every time, it's always to make him a better person.
Most importantly, even knowing he's a hopeless loser, she'll still plan out all sorts of escape routes for him.
Then this incredibly talented person gave himself a choice.
Are you able to accept this now?
The first thing to consider is one's own conscience. If, if Brother Qi becomes his... well, can he accept it?
The answer is actually unknown, and there might even be doubts. Perhaps it's just a mutation caused by excessive family affection, something that will resolve itself in a few days or months.
Wait a minute, what if Brother Qi gets better? Will he still treat me as well as he does now?
Wen Cheng's expression shifted like a palette of colors. Wen Qi smiled helplessly. He had never been as nervous as he was today. He had been admitted to university through the national college entrance examination and then to graduate school without taking the entrance exam. He had never experienced the most stressful stages of a normal person's life. But in the few minutes Wen Cheng was thinking, he seemed to understand that feeling.
He reached out and ruffled Wen Cheng's soft, curly hair. Thankfully, the answer wasn't too bad; at least he hadn't directly refused, but was hesitant, proving that his efforts over the past few days hadn't been in vain.
"Let's save tonight's chat for now, and bring it up again when you want to reply," Wen Qi said in an unprecedentedly gentle tone.
But Wen Cheng felt uncomfortable. How could this be? Wasn't that taking advantage of someone else's position without doing anything in return? He didn't want to be the one dragging his feet!
"Brother Qi, don't take everything on yourself! We've already talked this far, are you planning to torture yourself by acting like nothing happened?" Wen Cheng hesitated on one hand, but subconsciously she didn't want Wen Qi to suffer a loss, how could she do that!
Wen Qi suddenly chuckled, as if he had instantly returned to his usual self. "Don't think like that. Now you know the situation. You're probably just as awkward as I am. Every time I think about this, I don't feel so bad."
!!
Wen Cheng's eyes widened. "How come you've turned back into that wicked Brother Qi again?"
"Brother Qi, how could you do this?" (Pufferfish face)
"Oh? Do you want me to be so miserable that I can't eat or sleep, and then you can torture yourself like nothing's wrong?" Wen Qi's hands rubbed Wen Cheng's head more and more roughly, and Wen Cheng once again shot herself in the foot.
I'm so angry!
After letting go, Wen Qi finally said seriously, "There's no need to keep this issue in mind and cause yourself trouble. Until you've thought it through, I'll still be your brother. We'll eat together, have lunch breaks, and ride to and from get off work together. You'll still be the same. No matter what role I play, I'll spoil you."
Wen Cheng was stunned. To be pampered like that—he had never been promised such a thing before. But hearing those words filled him with immense joy, like being immersed in a jar of honey, a sweet and delightful sensation.
"Then, can I have another bowl of meat sauce noodles? I'm hungry, I want the kind from a roadside stall." Wen Cheng gradually became more audacious.
Wen Qi took a deep breath, turned his head and stared at Wen Cheng.
Wen Cheng shuddered. Oh no, had she been too arrogant?
"Let's go to my friend's newly opened noodle shop, that's fine, but nothing else!" Wen Qi said firmly. He was mainly thinking about Wen Cheng's seemingly strong but actually fragile stomach. She couldn't even drink milk, so how could she eat street food every day? She had only been allowed to eat fried chicken a couple of days ago!
Wen Cheng quickly nodded. "Okay, Brother Qi is still the same as before, he hasn't changed. Well then, let's leave it at that for now, we can discuss things later."
Brother Qi is right, he's feeling bad too!
Wen Cheng had clearly underestimated himself. While having a late-night snack, he felt a vague sense of embarrassment and nervousness, but once he got home, turned on the lights, and lay in bed, he no longer felt that way.
He went to take a shower, but as soon as the door closed, it was as if an NPC suddenly appeared. He also felt enveloped by the various terrifying and cramped spaces in the secret room. Although Brother Qi always covered his eyes, it couldn't stop his curiosity, which was secretly welling up under the protection of others, from peeking through Brother Qi's fingers at some terrifying world.
In short, it's incredibly cheap!
After enduring it several times, Wen Cheng gave up, grabbed her pajamas, and went to knock on Wen Qi's door.
Just then, Wen Yongwang got up in the middle of the night and saw his son, who was still awake and carrying a white robe, knocking on his eldest son's door. A chill ran through him, and he jumped back a meter away, feeling extremely embarrassed.
"Chengcheng! What are you doing? You scared your old man to death!"
Just then, Wen Qi came to open the door after taking a shower, and the three of them ended up in an odd three-way standoff.
Wen Cheng: Why is Dad so nervous about digging grass? Did he guess something?
Wen Yongwang: My son scared me while I was digging grass, but I had something on my mind and didn't dare to say it!
Wen Qi: What are these two idiots doing standing here?
Finally, it was the ever-composed Wen Qi who spoke.
"Wen Cheng, what are you doing here?"
Eager to take a shower and explain, Wen Cheng immediately put on her tried-and-true pitiful expression and said, "Brother Qi, I was playing an escape room game just now, and I was too scared to take a shower in my own room. There was a room with a bathroom in the escape room, and it was so scary!"
"...Didn't I just cover your eyes?"
Wen Cheng lowered her head in shame.
Wen Yongwang, who understood everything, waved his hand and said that his son was just like him, afraid of all those supernatural things. "Qiqi, if Chengcheng is scared, let him wash. You can take care of your younger brother tonight. This is your responsibility as an older brother!"
Wen Cheng looked up with a strange expression.
Wen Qi even revealed a subtle smile.
Wen Yongwang: What should I do? My two sons look so scary now. I shouldn't have gone to Lao Hu's house to watch a horror movie this afternoon!
In the end, the three of them waved goodbye peacefully. Wen Cheng took advantage of the chaos to squeeze into Wen Qi's room and kept flirting with him, begging him to take her in for the night.
"Wen Cheng, are you sure you want to stay here?" Wen Qi's voice became hoarse. He had just taken a shower, and water droplets from his hair trickled down his neck and collarbone into his clothes, exuding a strong hormonal aura.
Wen Cheng swallowed hard, her eyes resolute, and said, "Brother Qi, this is entirely my survival instinct at work! If I don't do this, I'm afraid I'll go insane that very night!"
"You seem to have a pretty clear understanding of your own position," Wen Qi said, not holding back his sarcasm.
Although it was meant to be sarcastic, Wen Qi ultimately allowed Wen Cheng to take a bath there. After all, they had already had more intimate encounters and more awkward ones, so taking a bath was really nothing.
Moreover, their bathrooms are all designed to be completely enclosed; with the door closed, you can at most hear the sound of the warm orange showerhead.