Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, but it couldn't penetrate the coldness in his eyes.

Those vicious words were like needles, precisely piercing the scars he wanted to hide, the scars that everyone knew were the most secret.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Indeed, he was a mute man with psychological problems.

After closing his eyes for a long time, he opened them again and picked up the holographic device next to him.

In the game, he found Xiyan, who was AFK in the safe zone.

He silently walked up to her and stood beside her.

Zi Xi had just returned from picking up her takeout when she saw the game character next to her.

Just as I was about to say hello, I saw a message pop up in the nearby channel.

Gu Hong: "Xi Xi... I was just insulted."

There was a sense of grievance between the lines.

Zi Xi's eyes widened instantly.

Who dares to criticize the group's president?

Are you tired of living?

She immediately forgot her earlier slight awkwardness, and words of concern poured out of her.

"Who insulted you! What happened? What did they say? Are you alright, boss?"

"Ignore those lunatics. They're just insulting you because they're jealous of your success!"

"Boss, you have to yell back! Wait... you seem quiet, so how about I yell for you? I'm really good at swearing! I guarantee I won't use any profanities to infuriate him!"

"Seriously, I'm really good at swearing, but don't take it to heart, sir. You're so kind, they're just blind!"

Seeing her anxious yet clumsy attempts to comfort him, Ling Chen's lips curled up into a barely perceptible smile, and he sent a double hug emoji.

The coldness and resentment that had surged in my heart from the insults seemed to have been largely dispelled by these noisy yet warm words.

He enjoyed this unique care and even deliberately typed another sentence.

Gu Hong: "...Those words were really awful."

Sure enough, this triggered another round of indignant comfort and protests from Zi Xi.

They stayed where they were, hugging each other, until it got dark.

After Liu Xiaoxiao's outburst and Gu Hong's almost blatant dependence and grievances, the scales in Zi Xi's heart regarding meeting in person began to sway violently.

After much hesitation, she logged off and contacted her most trusted strategist, her childhood friend Lin Le.

The two sat in a corner of their usual bubble tea shop.

"Lele, this whole thing is so complicated, should I go see him or not?"

"It's that guy from the game, Gu Hong. He wants to meet me in person, and he even got insulted today. He sounds pretty pitiful."

Zi Xi bit her straw, her brows furrowed.

"He was so protective of you in the game, so his character can't be too bad. And you said he's... Ling Wei's brother... isn't that Ling Chen from the Ling Group?"

"Didn't you say you were an intern at Ling's Group? You two haven't met? Doesn't this already count as meeting in person?"

After listening to her rambling explanation of the whole story, Lin Le pushed up his glasses and began to analyze it from all angles, his calm expression turning strange.

"Are you trying to string him along, or are you genuinely in love?"

Lin Le looked at her intently.

"You know what, I've been here for so long and I've never actually met the president of the Ling Group, but I do have a good impression of him."

Zi Xi blushed slightly but did not deny it.

"Then let's actually meet in person, what's there to be afraid of?"

"It's better than letting my mind wander here."

“If you’re scared, call Ling Wei and me. We’ll provide support from behind.”

Lin Le smiled.

It's not like we're asking them to get married right away; it's just a meeting, what's the big deal?