Neither of them said anything. The atmosphere was a little awkward.
After a long while, Chen Xuewei spoke first, her tone cautious.
"Xiao Yi, do you still hate me?"
Looking into Chen Xuewei's hopeful eyes, Xiao Yi fell silent for a moment before answering.
"What happened in the past is over. We were never cut from the same cloth. I was wrong to think otherwise."
Xiao Yi had only remembered the original owner's history with Chen Xuewei in the past couple of days.
When Xiao Yi was eight, his parents had died in an accident in Cloud Sea, and his uncle had taken him in.
During that time, his uncle was afraid something might happen to him, so he took Xiao Yi along wherever he went.
His uncle was working at Chen Family Manor then. Xiao Yi went with him to the Chen Family every day, and that was how he met the Chen Family's eldest daughter, Chen Xuewei.
They were the same age and had similar personalities, and gradually became good friends.
As they grew older, their friendship began to look different in the eyes of Chen Xuewei's mother.
In her eyes, Xiao Yi was no more than a servant's nephew. How could he possibly be worthy of playing with her precious daughter?
To make Xiao Yi leave her daughter's world for good, Madam Chen not only fired his uncle but also beat Xiao Yi, using it to threaten him.
The injuries his uncle sustained back then had left lasting damage.
Their childhood friendship was cut off completely. So when they met again in high school, they didn't say a single word to each other in all three years.
Xiao Yi didn't know how to answer Chen Xuewei. After all, he wasn't the original owner.
"Xiao Yi, I really didn't know about what happened back then..."
"It's all in the past." Xiao Yi interrupted her.
It really was in the past. The person involved was gone, after all.
Chen Xuewei's eyes reddened at the corners, but in the end, she said no more.
"Brother Fan! We came in first! We even broke Sea City's entrance exam record!"
The chubby boy came charging toward them, waving his arms. His jubilant rolls of fat jiggled with every step. It was a little hard on the eyes.
Zhang Yuanyuan and Zhang Chao hurried after him, their faces flushed and their breathing ragged, but their excitement was impossible to hide.
"125 points! That's 75 more than second place, and a full 34 points higher than the previous exam record!"
"We've definitely got a shot at one of the top five Novice Zones!"
The chubby boy's voice rang out loud and clear, as if he were afraid someone might not hear him.
In an instant, countless envious, astonished, and even somewhat jealous gazes fell on the five of them.
The chubby boy puffed out his chest, his small eyes crinkling into slits.
"You're amazing! Absolutely amazing! You can all be jealous!"
"Once we get to the Novice Zone, we should keep leveling up together," Zhang Chao suggested.
"Sounds good."
The chubby boy and Zhang Yuanyuan answered at the same time. Even Chen Xuewei nodded.
Xiao Yi actually preferred to level up on his own. Until he gained absolute power, he didn't want to reveal too many of his secrets. If he had teammates, they would inevitably learn about one another's skills.
But for now, he still needed a team to make use of his two skills.
At worst, I can leave the team once I'm a higher level.
With that in mind, Xiao Yi nodded in agreement.
"Then it's settled. Once we reach the Novice Village, we'll team up and level together!"
"Okay!"
After all the students had left the forest, the principal activated the login device, and everyone was instantly transported back to the school field.
"...Once the Novice Zone admission notices arrive, you'll officially become game players..."
The principal gave another impassioned speech. Seeing the exhausted faces below, he announced that their school days had officially come to an end.
Xiao Yi went home first, only to find the place empty.
"Looks like Uncle's still at the hospital."
He set down his backpack and hurried to the hospital.
"Xiao Yi, you're back."
When Xiao Yi arrived, his uncle smiled and sat up.
His aunt breathed a sigh of relief, too. "It's good that you made it back safely."
Xiao Yi greeted his aunt, then turned his attention to his uncle.
"Uncle, how are you feeling?"
"Much better. The doctor said I can be discharged tomorrow."
Seeing that his uncle didn't seem to be lying, Xiao Yi breathed a sigh of relief.
"By the way, how did you do on the game entrance exam?"
"Not bad."
Xiao Yi didn't mention his exact score. He wanted to wait until the admission notice arrived before sharing the good news.
But to his uncle, Xiao Yi, and his aunt, that answer sounded like he hadn't done well and was too embarrassed to say so.
They exchanged a knowing glance and tactfully changed the subject.
Xiao Yi didn't stay long. His uncle sent him home to rest.
Once Xiao Yi's figure disappeared from the hospital room, Xiao Yi's smile vanished, replaced by helplessness and heartache.
"If I hadn't gotten sick, Xiao Yi wouldn't have fallen behind the others in the exam for lack of a beginner's weapon." Xiao Yi looked full of self-reproach.
"Xiao Yi, don't say that. You're the pillar of this family. As long as you're well, we can keep going." Liu Xiujuan held her husband's hand and comforted him.
"I borrowed a lot more money for my treatment this time. Xiao Yi's about to enter the Novice Village, and An'an and Lele are starting high school soon. All of that costs money. Maybe I should go back into the game..."
"No!" His wife cut him off before he could finish.
"Xiao Yi, have you forgotten how your elder brother and sister-in-law died? If you take out your Core Power for money, your stats, level, and equipment will fall behind in the game. If you run into danger, you won't be able to escape." Liu Xiujuan shook her head, trying to talk him out of it.
"But it's so hard to make money in the real world if I don't go into the game. I heard Jinsheng Company started a Gold Farming Group. High-level players protect them, and the gold farmers only need to hunt low-level Magic Beasts. They split the profits fifty-fifty. I want to give it a try."
Xiao Yi had already looked into it online. It really was the fastest way to make money right now.
"Are you crazy, believing those people? They say they'll protect you, but the moment danger shows up, they'll run faster than anyone. Why would they care whether you live or die?"
Liu Xiujuan was so angry she stood up. Wiping her tears, she cried:
"Xiao Yi, let me make this clear. If you still want to go into the game, I... I'll divorce you!"
Seeing that his wife was crying, Xiao Yi apologized as he pulled her into his arms.
"I was wrong, honey. I won't go into the game. I'll never bring it up again."
Liu Xiujuan didn't dare struggle, afraid she might hurt him.
"An'an and Lele are still young. I don't want them to grow up without a father. We can find another way to deal with the money. I just want our family to be safe and sound."
Liu Xiujuan leaned against her husband's shoulder, her voice choked with tears.
"I know, I know. I won't bring up going into the game again."
Xiao Yi stroked his wife's hair, but stared blankly out the window, lost in thought.
Chen Family Manor.
The Chen Family was Sea City's most powerful family. Their manor stood in the heart of the city, covered 160 mu, and was extravagantly luxurious.
As soon as Chen Xuewei's score came in, she was sent to the Chen Family home.
"Haha, as expected of the most talented child among the younger generation of the Chen Family! A score of 125 would make her a genius even in the central region. You've made us proud."
Chen Zhihao looked at his daughter Chen Xuewei's score, delighted.