GHML – Chapter 30.2: “Call Me Hubby” Remembrance Of The Past (2)

Lin Lin: “How old was he when that happened? He’s an adult now, it shouldn’t get to that.”

To that, He Jiang only had one thing to say. “Shang Jing’s father died from a bomb explosion while he was on duty.”

Seeing that she could not persuade him, Lin Lin decided to keep her silence and help him look for his passport.

Shang Jing was forced to leave the country from a young age under the insistence of his mother. But the children of officers who sacrificed themselves for the country should not be living in a country with no gun restrictions. They should be kept safe and given the sense of security they deserve.

Before he boarded the plane, Lin Lin suggested, “Why don’t you bring him back with you? We can call in some favors and get him a position in S University’s Music Department.”

Maybe he wouldn’t even need any favors to get in. After all, he was already studying music at an ivy league music university.

With this thought in mind, he hopped on the plane to the US without even having the time to change out of the tuxedo he was in.

But within a few hours, he was on a home-bound plane, alone.

At the same time, the production team had no choice but to use a pre-recorded clip for his part which caused a protest to break out both physically and online over his last minute absence. All over the internet he was being called unprofessional and was made to pay a massive sum to the production team and fans as compensation.

…

Shang Jing’s eyes widened with disbelief. “A real gunshot?”

He Jiang: “Mm, that’s why we forfeited the match.”

In an attempt to gain some brownie points, he added, “I was on my way to the US to look for you and didn’t have time to care about the game.”

Shang Jing’s thick eyelashes fluttered.

Is that really true? I didn’t know He Jiang had a conscience. 

But from his expression, it doesn’t seem like he’s lying.

Shang Jing decided to take back his words. “Fine, you’re not a noob at all.”

And added, “Why did you quit the game after that?”

He Jiang choked. As ambiguously as possible, he answered, “Our relationship changed, there was no need to play the game anymore.”

Shang Jing pondered over He Jiang’s reply.

Considering the situation at that time, knowing himself, He Jiang’s willingness to accompany him must have touched him, making him feel warm and safe. It must be during that time did he succumb to those warm feelings and agree to make their relationship official.

And after achieving the goal of becoming boyfriends, he no longer saw a need to play games with a noob like him.

Just like those men on the market who preached about the 24 rites of filial piety before marriage, and not help out with anything after marriage.

Shang Jing: “Since we’re playing the game again, can I use my old account?”

Mainly for its high level and stylish clothing.

He Jiang assumed Shang Jing gave up his phone number and changed his phone after their breakup but was not sure of the specifics. Anyway, the truth was too heartbreaking for him to admit. “You changed your phone after coming back to the country, it would be impossible to recover it after three years.”

To avoid Shang Jing asking about the game interruption three years ago, he teased: “Why, could it be that you can’t bear to part with the couple outfits on that account?”

“Who can’t bear it?! Hurry and start the match!”

Shang Jing looked at his avatar with a twinge in his heart. With his old account gone, he could only enter the match with a broke-ass new account, and be matched with other players beside the extravagantly-dressed He Jiang.

Soon, they were joined by two passers-by to form their team of four, both of which had their microphone on.

As usual, Shang Jing turned off the background music and sound effects but kept the teammates voice chat on, allowing him to listen in on his teammates’ chats while keeping his own conversations private.

There was no hesitation, just like he had done it a thousand times before. He Jiang’s voice was too unique and well-known and could easily be recognised by others. Therefore, they had chosen to limit their interactions with others.

The entire team parachuted towards the research facility in the middle of the map pinged by He Jiang.

They had numbered themselves with He Jiang and Shang Jing being Number One and Two respectively and the other two teammates being Three and Four.

Number Four featured a male avatar but its voice revealed it to be a female player.

Upon landing, Number Four noticed He Jiang’s avatar skin and started following him. “Brother Number One, I love your clothes! Can you let me try them on? Please~?”

In the game, clothes that were removed and dumped on the floor could be freely picked up by other players and worn.

As long as enough money was spent, needless to say beautiful clothes, even the appearance of guns and cars could be changed.

And the set of clothes He Jiang had on was an exquisite limited edition black suit that featured diamond cufflinks. It was part of a collaboration collection between the game and a luxury brand three years ago.

A black suit gangster, it was both precious and elegant.

In the same collection was another formal set which featured white shirtsleeves, a black vest and suit pants. He Jiang and Shang Jing had flaunted them together in the game as one of their couple’s attire.

“Big brother, lend it to me! Please, big brother.” The young girl chased after He Jiang, annoying him.

There was danger ahead and he wanted to relive their usual habit of letting Shang Jing hide in the shadows while he grabbed the guns.

But with a talkative tail behind them, the supposed romantic atmosphere was destroyed.

Considering the low possibility of Shang Jing getting his old account back that made his keeping of his side out of the couple’s outfit meaningless, he decided to let the young girl have his clothes and revert back to avatar’s default appearance like Shang Jing.

When the round was over, he would get some new clothes and coordinate new couple outfits with Shang Jing.

It would also signify a new beginning.