Wish

Downstairs, Jia Youcai found a clean stone bench and sat down leisurely. Then he tilted his head back, his gaze drifting toward the vast sky.

Who would have thought that in this Virtual World, he could once again savor the feeling of his old college life?

Just as he was immersed in his thoughts, utterly absorbed, a crisp and pleasant voice suddenly rang out. "Hey, what are you thinking about? You're so deep in thought."

Jia Youcai abruptly snapped out of his reverie. Looking closely, he saw Qian Renxue standing before him with a sweet smile on her face, watching him.

At that moment, she had already changed into the academy's new uniform: a white shirt paired with a blue tie, covered by a black jacket, with a black short skirt below that revealed her long, straight legs.

Jia Youcai stood up and looked her over from head to toe, unable to help praising her. "Wow, you look absolutely gorgeous in that uniform."

A faint blush rose to Qian Renxue's cheeks. She gave a light cough and chided him, "Stop sweet-talking me. Didn't you say you'd wait for me downstairs? Why were you sitting here spacing out by yourself?"

Jia Youcai scratched his head and smiled somewhat sheepishly. "Nothing much. I just remembered a few things from before. By the way, you got ready pretty quickly too."

Qian Renxue proudly raised her chin and smiled. "Of course. Come on, let's eat. I'm practically starving."

Jia Youcai nodded with a grin. "Alright. Today, I'll risk my life to accompany you. Order whatever you want."

As they chatted, the two of them strolled toward a restaurant near the academy.

When they arrived at the restaurant, it was bustling with activity, filled with voices and the enticing aroma of food.

Jia Youcai and Qian Renxue found a seat by the window, and a waiter soon came over with a menu.

Qian Renxue took the menu and skimmed through it quickly. Then she looked up and mischievously winked at Jia Youcai. "Today, I'm going to make you pay dearly."

Jia Youcai spread his hands with a smile. "Order whatever you like. Don't hold back."

Qian Renxue did not hesitate any longer. She expertly ordered several signature dishes, along with two glasses of fruit juice.

Before long, the waiter brought over the steaming dishes.

Seeing the feast spread across the table, Qian Renxue eagerly picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a piece of braised pork, and put it into her mouth. She narrowed her eyes in satisfaction and praised, "Mmm, this tastes amazing!"

Jia Youcai could not help laughing at how adorable she looked. "Eat slowly. Don't choke."

As he spoke, Jia Youcai picked up a piece of steamed fish, carefully removed the bones, and placed it in Qian Renxue's bowl. "Try this. The fish is fresh, and there aren't many bones."

Qian Renxue picked up the fish and put it into her mouth, chewing it carefully. "It really is good. You should eat more too."

Jia Youcai agreed with a smile, picked up another piece of fish for himself, and said as he ate, "This restaurant's cooking is really good. I feel like we could come here often from now on."

Qian Renxue nodded vigorously. "Mm-hmm, I think so too. We'll eat our way through every dish here."

After eating, the two held hands and strolled leisurely through the academy.

In Jia Youcai's eyes, it was as if time had turned back. Everything had returned to the past, to those youthful days when they could give their all and burn as brightly as they pleased.

In the game world, three months passed in the blink of an eye. During those three months, Blazing Academy planned to invite Jia Youcai and Qian Renxue to join the main team's training in preparation for the upcoming Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament.

Jia Youcai was truly helpless. He had to accept the invitation; otherwise, he would be unable to enter the later main storyline. But he absolutely could not let Qian Renxue accept it.

Thinking back to Qian Xunji's miserable state when he had first entered this world, Jia Youcai became even more determined not to let Qian Renxue's Six-Winged Angel be exposed.

In this world, there was no powerful figure who could protect her. Unlike him, she could not spend money to buy Revival Coins. If something happened to her, the only way he could see her again would be to initialize the game and start over.

At night, Jia Youcai and Qian Renxue sat side by side, gazing up at the stars.

After remaining silent for a long time, Jia Youcai finally spoke slowly. "Xuexue, Blazing Academy invited us to join the main team's training in preparation for the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. I... I don't want you to accept."

Qian Renxue was slightly startled and turned to look at Jia Youcai. In truth, she understood very well that even if Jia Youcai had not said anything, she would not have accepted the invitation.

Jia Youcai took a deep breath, his eyes full of worry. "In this world, I still don't have complete confidence that I can keep you safe."

Qian Renxue frowned slightly at his words. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I understand everything you're saying, but there's one thing you got wrong."

"Huh?" Jia Youcai asked.

"It should be this big sister protecting you, my little brother." Qian Renxue playfully poked Jia Youcai.

"Really?" Jia Youcai asked.

"Of course," Qian Renxue said.

"Then I want you to protect me for the rest of my life," Jia Youcai said.

"And for two more lifetimes, three more, four more!" Qian Renxue said.

"Thank you." Jia Youcai reached out and tightly held her little hand.

At that moment, a streak of light flashed across the horizon.

Like a meteor, it swiftly cut through the sky and instantly caught both their attention.

Qian Renxue tilted her head up slightly and gently tugged Jia Youcai's sleeve, saying excitedly, "It's a shooting star! Hurry and make a wish!"

Jia Youcai came back to his senses. Looking at Qian Renxue, he teased, "I didn't expect you to believe in that."

Qian Renxue pouted and pretended to be angry. "It's a shooting star. Maybe wishes really can come true. Hurry up and close your eyes!"

Jia Youcai smiled and shook his head, but he still slowly closed his eyes as she asked, clasped his hands together, and silently made a wish. I hope you'll always be safe and happy. Whether in this Virtual World or the real world, may we always remain by each other's side.

Qian Renxue also tightly closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly. She silently murmured in her heart, I hope he and I can always be together, never separating no matter what difficulties we face.

After making their wishes, they opened their eyes at the same time and smiled at each other.

Tilting her head, Qian Renxue asked curiously, "What did you wish for?"

Jia Youcai blinked mysteriously and said, "A wish won't come true if you say it out loud. But I can give you a little hint—it was about you."

A faint blush spread across Qian Renxue's cheeks. She lightly punched Jia Youcai's chest and chided him, "You and that cheeky mouth of yours."

Jia Youcai took the opportunity to hold Qian Renxue's hand and gently pull her closer. He said seriously, "Xuexue, no matter what happens in the future, I'll hold your hand tightly and face it with you."

Tears of emotion glimmered in Qian Renxue's eyes. She nodded firmly and said, "Me too. We'll always be together."