24: Rightfully so (A lengthy chapter of 3,000 words)

In the room separated from Wang Chen's by only a single wall, Yang Li was going through a complicated and difficult-to-articulate period of time.

She had originally lain down with a sense of relief at a mission accomplished and a touch of the complex feeling that 'our homegrown cabbage is finally making its move', planning to scroll through her phone for a bit before sleeping.

However, the soundproofing of the hotel wall didn't seem to be as good as she had imagined.

She didn't hear any of the sounds she had imagined. Instead, she faintly heard the sounds of Wang Chen and Qin Qing playing a game.

"First Blood!" "Double Kill!"... along with the occasional low murmurs of conversation between the two.

"You gotta be kidding me, officer?" Yang Li buried her face in the pillow, screaming internally. "I even delivered the battle gear, and this is what I get to hear? Are you seriously focused on ranking up? Brother Wang Chen, are you even capable?!"

The scenario she had imagined hadn't happened at all. This unexpected calm, instead, made her feel as if a kitten were scratching at her heart, making her unbearably curious.

"What on earth is going on over there? This is killing me!" She tossed and turned in bed, even more anxious than the parties involved.

Later, the neighboring room fell completely silent. After letting her imagination run wild for a long while, unsure if the two had fallen asleep or what, Yang Li finally couldn't hold out any longer and drifted off into a hazy sleep.

It felt like she had only just fallen asleep when she was awakened again by a sound.

Nothing else—again, faintly coming from next door... game sound effects and Qin Qing's little cheers of victory!

Yang Li's eyes snapped open. Seeing the faint light of dawn outside the window, she grabbed her phone. It was 6:30 in the morning!

"They're insane! Starting another match first thing in the morning? What kind of esports couple sleep schedule is this!" She resignedly grabbed her pillow and covered her head, but the sounds of the game and Qin Qing's occasional light laughter from getting an assist or winning still stubbornly wormed their way in.

By the time the neighboring room finally fell completely silent again, Yang Li felt utterly drained, as if her soul had left her body. Picking up her phone, she saw it was already 9:00 a.m. She struggled to get out of bed, walked to the mirror, and looked at her reflection—dark, heavy circles under her eyes and a vacant stare—feeling like crying but having no tears left.

"What a sin! What did I even do this for!" she muttered listlessly as she began washing up, her heart filled with 'accusations' against the 'gaming-addicted couple.'

Meanwhile, Wang Chen got up refreshed and invigorated. Looking at Qin Qing, still fast asleep beside him, a gentle smile touched his lips. He quietly got dressed, went downstairs to the hotel's second-floor restaurant, enjoyed a hearty breakfast, and thoughtfully brought a portion back for both girls.

He first knocked on Yang Li's door. As soon as it opened, he was met with Yang Li sporting a pair of panda eyes, staring at him with a gaze full of resentment and inquiry.

"Ahem, Yang Li, I brought you breakfast," Wang Chen said, feeling a bit awkward under her stare and quickly handing over the food.

"Thanks, Brother Wang Chen..." Yang Li took it listlessly, her eyes still resentful. She couldn't help but lower her voice and ask, "Brother Wang Chen, how was... the battle situation last night? Oh, I mean, your in-game rank..."

Wang Chen's old face flushed red. He let out an awkward laugh. "It was... alright, we gained quite a few points. Uh, you eat first, I'll go check on Qing Qing." With that, he practically fled in retreat.

Back in his own room, Qin Qing was already awake, sitting on the bed hugging the blanket, a sweet, silly smile on her face. Seeing Wang Chen come in, her face turned red again.

"Qing Qing, get up and eat something before going back to sleep."

Qin Qing nodded obediently. She tried to get out of bed, but because she had been sitting and playing games for too long last night, her legs were a bit numb, causing her movements to stiffen involuntarily.

"Don't move, I'll feed you," Wang Chen said softly, helping Qin Qing lean against the headboard. He picked up the still-warm congee and carefully fed her spoonful by spoonful.

Qin Qing obediently opened her mouth, savoring this rare sweetness and care. Gazing at Wang Chen's focused profile, warmth flooded her heart. She couldn't help but call out softly, "Brother Wang Chen..."

The spoon in Wang Chen's hand paused slightly. He looked up at her, his eyes filled with doting and a meaningful smile.

"Even after all this, you're still calling me Brother Wang Chen?"

Two blushes instantly flew to Qin Qing's cheeks, and her heartbeat quickened.

"Qing Qing," Wang Chen continued feeding her the congee, his voice low and gentle. "From now on, when there are no outsiders around, call me husband, okay?"

Qin Qing's heart felt as if it were wrapped in honey. She lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes fluttering lightly. Her voice was almost inaudible.

"Mmm~ Husband."

That single word 'husband' made Wang Chen's heart bloom with joy. He couldn't help but lower his head and give her lips a light peck.

Just as the two were being lovey-dovey, a knocking sound came from the door.

Wang Chen went to open it. Sure enough, it was Yang Li again. She had already quickly finished her breakfast and was now leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed. The resentment in those panda eyes had almost solidified into something tangible.

"Ahem, well... you girls chat, I'll go out for some fresh air." Wang Chen really couldn't withstand Yang Li's 'I know everything' look. Finding an excuse, he made a swift escape, leaving the space to them.

As soon as Wang Chen left, Yang Li immediately slipped into the room, closed the door, rushed to the bedside, grabbed Qin Qing's shoulders, and began her 'soul interrogation.'

"Qin! Xiao! Qing!!! Spill it! What exactly happened last night? I waited until midnight and only heard you guys gaming! Then you were at it again first thing in the morning! What about my battle gear? Was it all prepared for nothing?"

Qin Qing, embarrassed, buried her face in the blanket. Her muffled voice came through, tinged with undeniable sweetness: "We... we were just gaming... kept winning... He... he just held me and we slept later..."

"That's it?" Yang Li's eyes widened in disbelief. "Just... under the covers, purely gaming... and sleeping?"

Qin Qing revealed half of her flushed face from under the blanket, nodding vigorously, her eyes curved into crescents. "Mhm! But... I was so happy! He... he told me to call him husband!"

Looking at the happiness overflowing from her friend's face, Yang Li was momentarily speechless. All the 'interrogation' she had prepared got stuck in her throat. In the end, she could only poke Qin Qing's forehead and say, torn between laughter and tears, "You... such an easily satisfied silly girl! But... whatever, as long as you're happy!"

The two girls laughed and fooled around in the room... Wang Chen sat leisurely in the hotel lobby for a while. Considering Qin Qing's physical condition, he sent a message to Song Shiyin, telling her Qin Qing wasn't feeling well and might not be available in the morning. He asked if they could change their sightseeing time to 2:00 p.m.

Song Shiyin replied quickly, expressing understanding. "Okay, Mr. Wang. Let Miss Qin rest well. We'll see you at 2:00 p.m. then~" She even attached a cute smiling emoji.

At exactly 2:00 p.m., Song Shiyin arrived at the hotel entrance on time, driving the Maybach. Getting out of the car, her eyes immediately fell on Qin Qing, who was being carefully supported by Wang Chen. Qin Qing's seemingly unsteady gait gave Song Shiyin a slight pause.

Although Qin Qing had rested for a few hours, the shyness and sweetness between her brows were even more impossible to hide.

"Mr. Wang!" Song Shiyin quickly stepped forward. She first nodded to Wang Chen in greeting, then very naturally took hold of Qin Qing's other arm, teasing, "Oh my, what's wrong with our little Qing Qing? Did you secretly go climb Yellow Crane Tower last night and tire your legs out? Come on! Let big sister support you a bit."

Qin Qing's face flushed crimson instantly. She stammered, unable to get a word out.

Following behind, still sporting panda eyes, Yang Li added a cutting remark at this moment, her voice listless: "Hah, climb a tower? More like high-intensity esports training camp, if you ask me! marco polo carrying Yao, battling from late night until dawn! The instigator is all refreshed and energetic, while poor me, the roommate who had to listen to a whole night of gaming livestream! I strongly suggest the hotel waive my room fee! And pay me compensation for psychological distress!"

Wang Chen, with his excellent hearing, nearly stumbled upon hearing this. He coughed twice tactically and hurried towards the trunk to put things away.

Song Shiyin finally couldn't hold back a "pfft" and laughed out loud. Leaning close to Qin Qing's ear, she lowered her voice and said, "Congratulations, little Qing Qing. You finally got your wish."

Two blushes instantly rose again on Qin Qing's cheeks, but her heart felt sweet. She whispered back, "Thank you, Sister Shiyin."

Along the way, Song Shiyin, a native of River City, acted as their tour guide, introducing sights in a rather amusing manner.

"See that little pavilion over there?" she pointed out the window. "Legend has it a scholar once met a fox spirit there. He became so enchanted he failed the imperial exams three times in a row and ended up becoming a Taoist priest instead."

Yang Li immediately perked up. "Huh? Why become a Taoist priest? Shouldn't he have sought out the fox spirit to continue their romance?"

Song Shiyin pursed her lips into a smile. "Probably because he realized... if you can't beat them, join them?"

This unexpected answer immediately filled the car with a cheerful atmosphere.

Upon reaching East Lake, Wang Chen waved his hand grandly and chartered an exquisitely decorated, double-decker antique-style pleasure boat.

Yang Li was the first to jump on board, excitedly pulling out her phone. "Finally, I can take some proper photos! These dark circles of mine need ten levels of beauty filters to save them!"

Qin Qing followed closely behind Yang Li. Just as she was about to step aboard, her legs gave way. Wang Chen, quick-eyed and swift-handed, wrapped an arm around her waist and practically half-carried, half-supported her onto the boat.

"Oho, Brother Wang Chen, you're quite the dutiful human handrail, huh."

The pleasure boat slowly left the shore. A breeze carrying the moist scent of the lake water brushed against their faces, very pleasant.

Qin Qing leaned against Wang Chen's chest, looking at the sparkling lake surface, a sweet smile constantly playing on her lips. Wang Chen held her waist from behind, his chin resting on Qin Qing's shoulder. Their cheeks pressed together. Smelling the fragrance emanating from her, he occasionally pointed out the various seas of flowers along the shore to her. When their eyes met, they could see deep affection in each other's gaze.

Yang Li was busy taking selfies from various angles. Occasionally glancing back and seeing the sticky-sweet couple, she would immediately make exaggerated expressions, winking and making faces at Song Shiyin.

Song Shiyin sat elegantly to the side, holding a teacup, watching their playful antics and sweetness. A trace of something barely perceptible flickered in her eyes... nostalgia and loneliness?

"Oh!" Qin Qing, wanting to pull Wang Chen to see the scenery on the other side, moved a bit too vigorously and accidentally bumped her knee, letting out a light cry.

"Slow down," Wang Chen immediately held her steady, concerned. "Where does it hurt?"