Chapter 13: Their Relationship Seems to Have Eased
Lu Zhiyin left school with Ouyang Qing, strolling through the streets on a spring morning, feeling the gentle spring breeze against her face. The breeze ruffled the hem of her school uniform, a feeling Lu Zhiyin enjoyed. If only Ouyang Qing wasn’t beside her, it would have been even better.
“Where should we go to hang out?” Ouyang Qing was in good spirits, as expected. Her pace was more cheerful than before. Lu Zhiyin’s eyes dimmed. In the end, this girl was just a malicious little girl with the airs of a deity. However, the abilities this little girl possessed were indeed too outrageous.
“Let’s just wander around, then head to an internet cafe.” Lu Zhiyin answered while thinking about where to find one. After a brief moment of thought, she got her answer. The Red-light district. Most entertainment venues could be found in the game’s Red-light district, especially places like internet cafes, which might be involved in illicit activities and are a mix of people. In the Red-light district, they might be as common as various bars and brothels.
Lu Zhiyin touched her chin. The Red-light district was generally very dangerous due to the mixed crowd. Lu Zhiyin remembered how Leng Qing Qiu once used her as bait for hunting, and she was almost abducted by human traffickers. But that was then, and this is now. Back then, she had no power to resist human traffickers, but now, at least she could run. Moreover, with a deity around, she didn’t need to worry about accidents happening.
“An internet cafe? Are you going to play video games?” Ouyang Qing thought of the adult games Lu Zhiyin played in her previous life, which was the predecessor of this world. Ouyang Qing was not interested in human mating, and likewise, she wasn’t particularly fond of video games. However, perhaps there were other types of games besides those with explicit content?
“Yes, there are thousands of types of video games, and there will surely be one that suits you.” As she finished speaking, Lu Zhiyin quickened her pace. Ouyang Qing followed behind her at a leisurely pace.
…
They walked along the streets for a long time until Lu Zhiyin’s legs started to ache. Finally, they reached the outskirts of the Red-light district. Perhaps it was daytime, as some bars were closed. Notably, scattered outside some bars were vending machines. Lu Zhiyin remembered that when she was last in the Red-light district, these shops didn’t have them. As for the items sold in the vending machines, they were mostly contraceptives and sex-related products.
Lu Zhiyin recalled her past aspirations, like negotiating with brothel owners and making money by selling sex-related products. Unfortunately, that plan died in its infancy because she was kidnapped by Long Qinxin, and Leng Qing Qiu was also arrested and imprisoned. Recalling past events, Lu Zhiyin felt a momentary daze. A warm breeze blew past, bringing Lu Zhiyin back to reality. She looked at Ouyang Qing beside her.
Ouyang Qing didn’t ask why Lu Zhiyin was spacing out, but simply stood there, watching quietly. After she calmed down, the girl’s excessively beautiful face made Lu Zhiyin momentarily lose herself again. Was it because her innate haughtiness made her too lazy to pry into Lu Zhiyin’s thoughts? Or was it a tiny bit of thoughtfulness that was almost impossible to exist? Lu Zhiyin believed the former was undoubtedly the answer.
“Tsk… I really don’t know what you’re thinking. Didn’t you say you were taking me to an internet cafe? Then don’t just stand here foolishly. The air is full of a decadent smell, it’s disgusting. If you don’t move, you know the consequences.” Those bars offered sexual services, and Ouyang Qing could smell a faint scent that made her feel disgusted.
“Ah… Sorry.” Hearing the familiar threat, Lu Zhiyin fully sobered up. Being threatened by Ouyang Qing was common, and Lu Zhiyin should have been used to it by now. However, today’s threat was a little different. Ouyang Qing didn’t kick her or insult her with words like “idiot” or “moron” as she usually did. Ouyang Qing was overly friendly today, giving Lu Zhiyin the illusion that their relationship had eased. But Lu Zhiyin knew it was impossible; she didn’t think Ouyang Qing would change easily.
“Hoo…” Taking a deep breath, Lu Zhiyin cast aside her distracting thoughts. She led Ouyang Qing through the streets of the Red-light district and finally stopped in front of an internet cafe that was not surrounded by bars or brothels. Through the large, thick plastic curtain, Lu Zhiyin could vaguely see the environment inside the internet cafe, but not clearly enough. Around the internet cafe were several barbecue stalls, and the pungent smell of spices could be smelled from afar.
Lu Zhiyin decided to stop at this internet cafe, not because it was particularly good, but simply because she didn’t want to walk anymore. Her ankles were sore, and the soles of her feet were uncomfortable from walking. “Is this it? It probably doesn’t have that decadent smell you mentioned.” Lu Zhiyin looked at Ouyang Qing beside her again. Ouyang Qing twitched her nose and then shook her head. However, compared to the internet cafe, she seemed more interested in the barbecue stalls around it.
Lu Zhiyin remembered how she had foolishly bought a skewer of barbecue for Leng Qing Qiu, and shortly after, she was used as bait for hunting. She felt unhappy, but facing Ouyang Qing, Lu Zhiyin couldn’t show her emotions. She pursed her lips, concealed her emotions, and put on a smile. “If you want to eat barbecue, I’ll treat you after we’re done playing.”
As she said this, Ouyang Qing gave her a sideways glance. “Your smile is too fake.” Ouyang Qing didn’t use mind-reading; she could still tell what Lu Zhiyin was feeling at a glance. Toys don’t need to be appeased, so Ouyang Qing didn’t intend to say more. She unceremoniously lifted the plastic curtain and walked into the internet cafe, with Lu Zhiyin following closely behind.
Inside the internet cafe, dozens of computers were neatly arranged on computer desks. Men and women wearing headphones sat behind the desks, either watching dramas, playing games, or even watching porn. It wasn’t too noisy outside the internet cafe, but as soon as they entered, a cacophony of noise flooded their ears, making Lu Zhiyin feel agitated.
She went to the front desk and got two computer seats, paying for four hours of usage for each. As she expected, the cost of internet cafes in this world was indeed not high. Lu Zhiyin spent only twenty-four yuan in total, costing an average of three yuan per hour, which was even lower than the rates in the real world. However, this was normal. After all, real-world internet cafes couldn’t engage in illicit activities, whereas the world she was in now was vastly different.
After paying, Lu Zhiyin looked at Ouyang Qing, who was not far away. The blonde deity girl was currently looking around like a curious baby, peeking at the content on the computer screens of the people inside the internet cafe. She was beautiful, and with her curious demeanor, she attracted a lot of attention. Perhaps people mistook her for an innocent child who could be easily deceived? Lu Zhiyin shook her head. Those who held such thoughts would most likely have terrible luck.
“Ouyang Qing, I’ve got the machines ready. Come with me.” Lu Zhiyin called out to Ouyang Qing and waved at her. Hearing Lu Zhiyin’s call, Ouyang Qing first paused, then obediently followed Lu Zhiyin to her computer. She couldn’t wait to try new things. Well, for her, video games were indeed new things?
