Chen Nian had already achieved his goal and could not be bothered to waste any more time here.
"My place in the academy is only nominal. I won't be joining everyone for group training."
"Ah..."
Everyone looked disappointed at his words.
What a shame. They would not be able to hug his thigh.
But it made sense. Why would a genius like him train alongside small fry like them? Wouldn't that just hold him back?
The university president had no objections.
Chen Nian had already brought Linhai University more than enough benefits. Even having him affiliated in name was an honor for the university!
"Xiao Chen, if you need anything, just say the word. The academy will do everything it can to meet your requests!"
The assessment ended there. Only after the crowd dispersed did Chen Nian find Qin Yu.
"Sorry I couldn't make it here on time to pick you up today."
"I-it's fine! You were saving someone, after all. That was the right thing to do. Oh, I got you a present..."
Qin Yu hurriedly took the exquisite watch out of her backpack.
"This is for you! We might only be a couple in name, but we still have to keep up appearances," she added haughtily.
"Thanks."
Chen Nian felt a little embarrassed.
He did not like accepting things for nothing, so he took the "Elemental Divine Archer" talent card out of his backpack.
"I don't have much to give you in return. Here, take this."
"This... is this?!"
As Qin Yu accepted what Chen Nian handed her, intense surprise and delight immediately filled her beautiful eyes.
An Elemental Divine Archer talent card!
This meant she could change classes from an ordinary "Archer" to an "Elemental Divine Archer"!
The differences between talents were considerable. Rare talents were a whole tier stronger than ordinary ones, making them extremely precious.
On the market, this thing was absolutely impossible to buy, no matter the price!
She had never expected Chen Nian to simply give it to her...
Qin Yu felt overwhelmed by the favor. Even a real girlfriend probably wouldn't be treated any better. Chen Nian really was generous!
For a moment, she stumbled over her words, unsure how to thank him.
"Want to thank me? Come on, give me a kiss." Chen Nian tilted his cheek toward her.
"Kiss you... ah... but..."
Qin Yu immediately panicked, her little face visibly reddening.
"Didn't you say it yourself? Even a couple in name has to keep up appearances."
"Th-then I'll kiss you next time!"
"Why next time?"
"Because... if I kiss you now, it'll feel like you bought me off. That's not good!"
"So you want to kiss me sincerely?"
"In your dreams!"
Chen Nian stopped teasing Qin Yu, because just then, a message arrived on the social media account he used as "Buyu."
It was from Xiao Qi.
Xiao Qi: Brother Buyu! We've decided! We're holding an offline meetup in Hu City in two days to discuss how to resist the "Blood Moon Calamity" together.
Blood Moon Calamity countdown: 24 days.
It was the first calamity in the game, one that had slaughtered all the players over and over!
If they did not agree on specific countermeasures, it would probably become an unprecedented catastrophe for all humanity...
And as Dragon Country's strongest player guild, "Mountains and Rivers in Lasting Peace" had to make preparations in advance. With greater power came greater responsibility.
Chen Nian: Okay, got it.
Xiao Qi: Brother Buyu, will you come?
Chen Nian: You know I never show myself in public.
Xiao Qi: But... you're our backbone. If you don't come, I'm afraid some people won't fall in line.
Xiao Qi: Besides... can't Xiao Qi want to see you?
Xiao Qi: It happens to be my birthday in two days.
After a moment of silence, Chen Nian replied.
[Then happy birthday in advance.]
Xiao Qi: ...I hate you!
Chen Nian thought it over and bought a plane ticket to Lu City for the day after tomorrow.
He could go, but he could not let Xiao Qi know. He would have to go in secret.
Most members of "Mountains and Rivers in Lasting Peace" were powerful, held prominent positions, or possessed staggering wealth.
Once they met in person, they were bound to be proud and unwilling to defer to one another.
Without Chen Nian there, Xiao Qi really would not be able to keep them in line, even if she was the daughter of a family behind one of the world's top hundred corporations and the strongest female sword immortal in "Calamity."
That raised a question...
A wealthy heiress like Xiao Qi wanted for nothing. What birthday gift should he give her in two days?
Chen Nian had settled on his plan.
First, he would level up in the wilderness, then fly to Lu City for the offline gathering.
Inside Qin Yu's agency.
The executives were agonizing over how to handle the PR surrounding Qin Yu's romantic life.
Without a doubt, Qin Yu was a rising star and an enormous money tree.
But if she had a boyfriend, and an ordinary non-celebrity at that, she would inevitably lose a huge number of husband fans. Her earning power would plummet, and fans would leave in droves...
"Xiao Yu really doesn't know what matters. Why did she have to get a boyfriend?"
"Ah, if he were a celebrity, we could at least use the opportunity to hype them up as a couple. But no, he's a complete nobody..."
"What was her manager thinking? Why didn't he stop her from dating?"
Qin Yu's manager was that fat man, one of the three people who knew Chen Nian's true identity. He was also the one doing everything he could to match Qin Yu with Chen Nian, pushing things along with all his might.
"If we don't announce it officially and the fans dig it up first, it'll be a whole different story once it blows up."
"Ah... these young female stars just don't know where to draw the line!"
"Wait, look at the news!"
While they were deep in heated discussion, one of them suddenly shouted excitedly.
"The news? What news?"
"Qin Yu's boyfriend has already been exposed. He's the young man who bravely rescued that girl earlier!"
"Huh?"
"Not only that... he's also a young genius at Linhai City University. Holy shit, he knocked an instructor flat with one punch?"
Everyone: Huh???
That sounded way too fucking ridiculous.
They hurriedly opened the news on their phones. To their surprise, everything they had just heard was true!
Qin Yu's boyfriend was named Chen Nian. He had bravely rescued a girl from a monster and received an official commendation. He had also excelled in Linhai City University's assessment. An absolute young genius!
More importantly, he was quite good-looking too. With some careful styling, he would definitely be no worse than those popular pretty-boy stars.
"Holy shit... good, good, good! This is perfect!"
"Make the official announcement right now! Go all out! Preferably with a photo of the two of them together!"
"Hahahahaha! Heaven is on our side!"
Now, Chen Nian had numerous accolades to his name and a positive public image.
If they revealed his relationship with Qin Yu now, the vast majority of fans would approve. They might even start shipping them!
"I never expected Xiao Yu's boyfriend to be so outstanding. She's found herself a treasure!"
"Quick, buy a trending spot as soon as it's posted. Push it to the top!"
And so, Qin Yu's relationship was officially announced.
Sure enough, fans flooded in with congratulations and well wishes!
[It's so wonderful that Xiao Yu found such a great boyfriend!]
[Yeah, and he's a good person who saved someone without even leaving his name. Wishing you two a lifetime together!]
[I'm tearing up. Xiao Yu found a good man. You have to be happy, ahhh!]
[When's your next concert? I'm buying all the tickets!]
Qin Yu and Chen Nian's relationship had already become a heartwarming story.
When she saw the countless blessings from her fans, she too felt inexplicably happy and proud.
Qin Yu created an alternate account and left a comment beneath the official announcement on Weibo:
Xiao Yu is a good woman, so you'd better cherish her, Chen Nian!
After posting it, she could not resist giving her own comment a like.