I am the Lucky Cat of an MMORPG

ch55

55. Punishment for Lying

"I think I said too much..." HaoRan felt rather guilty as he stared at XiaoYu's fading shadow. He was only ecstatic over meeting an old classmate in the game, so he wanted to keep chatting. He didn't think he'd stumble and cause a mess.

"It's fine," I_Am_A_Poor_Man comforted, patting the other on the shoulder.

"But Xiao-Bai seems...angry."

"Really?" Poor_Man thought back at their interactions with XiaoYu in the past. The younger man certainly didn't show any signs of his temper before. Except for certain issues which he was quite stubborn about, XiaoYu had always accepted everyone's suggestions, reminders and even teasing with a gentle demeanour.

"In my memory, Xiao-Bai has always been sitting quietly to a side." Hong HaoRan summarised how the nicknames came about. "While some of the bored kids in the class would seize the chance to insult Xiao-Bai by calling him Little Moron (Xiao-BaiChi) or Boy Toy (Xiao-BaiLian). He would just politely smile at them. He'd never acknowledge it or argue. But just now..."

It was his first time witnessing XiaoYu turn and leave. Was that a sign he was angry?

"Perhaps Xiao-Yu isn't angry. Don't think too much about it."

"None of you know about his family issues?" HereticKing was surprised no one in such a large class knew of XiaoYu's situation. They'd even spread false rumours during a class gathering. Anyone who'd spent an ounce of time with XiaoYu would know he's not that kind of person who only focuses on power and benefits.

"XiaoYu doesn't talk much to us. None of us are good friends of his, so we don't really know what happened to him after graduation." HaoRan scratched his head in shame. Even the fact XiaoYu got into University C was something he only knew through the school's congratulatory notice.

HereticKing stared at the direction XiaoYu disappeared to in thought. He sort of understood why he could always spot the type of lonely gaze within XiaoYu's eyes. The kind that spoke of attempts to hide it but could never succeed all the time.

Once DrunkBed dejectedly walked away, HereticKing messaged XiaoYu, "Come to the Portal at the East Gate."

XiaoYu didn't reply at once. He was afraid he'd be asked about his real life. He wasn't ready to say it out yet. He didn't even feel like telling anyone about it for the time being.

"XiaoYu, we're leaving. You're the only one left. Hurry back now," HereticKing's voice rang out again just as XiaoYu was hesitating. While the other's voice was as steady as ever with no way of telling what the other was thinking, XiaoYu felt a sense of pressure coming from those words.

There was no way XiaoYu could try pretending to be an ostrich now. Furthermore, XiaoYu was someone who kept his word. They all agreed to go to the Derelict Ruins. Sure, the current situation was a little awkward, but he can't recklessly stand the rest up.

"I'll be there soon." XiaoYu decided to put aside his conflicted feelings for now. Perhaps everyone would be too busy grinding later to ask about his family.

XiaoYu swiftly traced back his steps only to see HereticKing alone. The other man was leaning against a lamp post with his arms crossed in front of him. While his face was expressionless, the overwhelming presence still attracted many a stray eye.