Ten Years Ago, on This Day
Ten years ago, on this very day, Ren Lan called Lin Jichen.
She told him she had seen Guo Jie kissing another man on the street before getting into his car.
Guo Jie was Lin Jichen's girlfriend from university. He loved her deeply, so he refused to believe Ren Lan's words.
Not only that, but he even scolded her.
This led to a heated argument between them.
After that phone call, Ren Lan, who had always been Lin Jichen's closest friend, never reached out to him again. Their friendship ended.
Originally, Ren Lan had planned to stay at the university for graduate school, but because of this incident, she gave up and transferred to another city's university instead.
Lin Jichen never saw Ren Lan again. Enchanted by Guo Jie, all he could think about was marrying the woman he loved.
But Guo Jie was not as simple as Lin Jichen had thought.
To put it in internet slang, she was a green tea bitch—and a high-level one at that.
Her skills were even on par with the infamous "65-page PPT protagonist."
Lin Jichen, an innocent fool in love, was experiencing his first relationship and was naturally played like a puppet in her hands.
He was deceived by Guo Jie for ten years, only to later find out she had also been involved with his so-called best friend, Xu Zikuai.
For an entire decade, he was blinded by her beauty and acting.
Thinking back now, he could only call himself a fool.
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"I don't have time to joke around with you. Listen, prepare yourself—I just saw Guo Jie kissing a guy on the street, and then she got into his sports car!" Ren Lan said seriously.
"Oh, got it."
"Oh? That's it? Come on, I'm not messing with you! I'm serious!"
Ren Lan grew anxious, thinking Lin Jichen didn't believe her.
"I believe you," Lin Jichen chuckled. "But right now, I'd rather invite you to dinner. Are you free?"
"Dude? Calm down, okay? Don't do anything crazy! You're really confusing me right now!"
Ren Lan was completely baffled. What was going on with Lin Jichen? How could he be so calm?
She knew very well how much Lin Jichen adored Guo Jie.
Yet here she was, dropping an absolute bombshell, and he had no reaction?
"I'm perfectly calm. Seriously, come to my dorm now. I'll treat you to dinner—right now."
"Uh… fine. I need to keep an eye on you anyway. I'm coming over."
The call ended.
Lin Jichen immediately headed downstairs.
He didn't have to wait long before a striking figure appeared in his view.
Ren Lan was tall—almost 1.8 meters—just half a head shorter than Lin Jichen.
Her long, slender legs looked like they belonged on a runway, drawing plenty of attention.
She was dressed in sportswear, with a headband tied around her forehead.
Her looks were effortlessly elegant, embodying the charm of an Eastern beauty.
Her delicate facial features were complemented by a sun-kissed, healthy wheat-colored complexion.
With her natural, makeup-free face and bold, spirited gaze, she exuded an athletic, confident aura.
As she walked by, passing male students turned their heads in admiration, whispering, "Goddess!"
"I did a great service today, so you owe me a feast. I want teppanyaki!"
Ren Lan strode up to Lin Jichen, speaking bluntly.
"No problem, eat until you're stuffed." Lin Jichen agreed without hesitation.
"Haha! That's my guy—let's go!"
The two of them headed to a nearby food street and found a seat at Ren Lan's favorite teppanyaki restaurant.
As soon as they sat down, Ren Lan repeated herself.
"Xiao Linzi, I swear I wasn't lying. It all happened so fast—I was about to take a photo for proof, but they left before I could. Otherwise, I'd have evidence."
Lin Jichen, busy looking at the menu, casually replied, "I already told you—I believe you. You don't need to prove anything."
"Then why aren't you reacting? Do you not care?"
"Of course I don't care."
"The hell? You don't have some kind of cuckold fetish, do you?" Ren Lan teased.
Lin Jichen's face darkened. "Screw you! I meant I don't care about Guo Jie anymore. That's all!"
Ren Lan was even more shocked. "Wait… do you already know?"
Lin Jichen smirked and shook his head. "This matter ends here. So does my relationship with her. You don't have to worry about me—I'm doing just fine."
"No way… You broke up?" Ren Lan's eyes widened.
"Mhm. For now, it's just a one-sided decision on my part."
"Damn! I never thought you had it in you. I figured you'd die clinging to that rotten tree."
Ren Lan clicked her tongue in amazement, making Lin Jichen chuckle wryly.
Soon, their food arrived.
Seeing these familiar dishes, Lin Jichen realized he couldn't remember the last time he had eaten regular food.
As a Dao Comprehension Realm expert, he had long reached the stage of fasting.
But now, as a normal human again, the smell of food made his stomach growl.
The two of them dug in.
Ren Lan spoke between bites.
"I've been telling you forever—Guo Jie isn't a good girl. I have a friend who was her roommate, and she told me Guo Jie used to call *seven or eight different guys* to say goodnight every night. You were just one of them."
"That girl is greedy, vain, and obsessed with money. The only reason she even dated you was because you were the university heartthrob—dating you made her look good."
"And—"
The more Ren Lan talked, the more painful it was for Lin Jichen to hear. He quickly interrupted, "Enough, big sis! I've already repented and turned over a new leaf. Can we stop digging up the past? Can't all this food shut you up?"
"Haha, this is nothing! I'm only about 60% full. You know I work out every day—how else am I supposed to lift weights without enough food?"
Ren Lan grinned.
Lin Jichen immediately understood and ordered several more dishes.
"By the way, Xiao Linzi, have you heard about the game "Eight Desolations"?"
Ren Lan suddenly changed the topic. Not surprising, since "Eight Desolations" ads were everywhere.
"Of course. I'm planning to become a professional player."
Lin Jichen responded casually.
He had to return. He had to reclaim everything that was his!
"No way! Seriously?" Ren Lan was stunned.
"You're a god-tier gamer—top 10 on Korean *League of Legends*, top 100 in global *CS:GO*, and the king of solo queue in full-dive *PUBG*."
"You never wanted to go pro before! But now you're telling me you're going pro in a brand-new game?"
Ren Lan couldn't believe it.
Lin Jichen was naturally gifted at games—no matter what he played, he excelled.
Including a certain company's full-dive *PUBG*… *cough*.
Ren Lan was also a gamer.
That was why she loved playing with Lin Jichen—because no matter how badly she played, he could always carry her to victory.
No shame in that!
Lin Jichen remained composed.
"This game has huge potential. I suggest you invest your time in it too. Forget those old games—they're a waste of time."
As a reborn man, Lin Jichen knew what "Eight Desolations" would become.
Of course, he couldn't just say it outright—no one would believe him. He could only drop hints.
"Haha, fine! But you have to carry me. I don't have your gaming talent."
Ren Lan agreed immediately. Now she had a perfect excuse to indulge in gaming.
"No problem. I'm moving out of the dorm soon to go all-in on this."
"Wait, so you're dropping out?"
"Yep. A degree is useless to me now."
Lin Jichen said it so nonchalantly.
People might criticize him now.
But once "Eight Desolations" launched, they'd see just how wise his decision was.
"Damn! I've known you for years, but today? Today, you're a real man!"
Ren Lan gave him a thumbs-up, her mouth still full of food.
Lin Jichen chuckled and handed her a juice—just in case she choked.