Chapter 96 - WELCOME TO YUNYUE!

SHEN JI YUN just said the first thing that came into his mind.  So even if it was a bit inexplicable, with the kind of face he had, no one would think that what he said was just all nonsense.  It's just that, when he saw Bai Ze suddenly hugging Luo Yan, he felt uncomfortable all over.  Especially in his chest.  As if it became congested or something.  The only way to unblock it was if the two separated.

He, himself, didn't know why he felt that way.  He just knew that he didn't like it.  He didn't like it one bit.  Even if he knew logically that he shouldn't feel that way, especially since, from what he understood, the two were cousins who hadn't seen each other for quite some time, he still couldn't help it.  

And so, he just gave up thinking so much and just pulled Bai Ze away from Luo Yan.

Bai Ze looked at his friend whose expression was now back to normal.  He didn't doubt what he said.  This was Shen Ji Yun, a guy who barely talked during weekdays.  And when he did, he only said what's on his mind with nothing extra added to it.

Some people who were not familiar with him would probably think of this characteristic as annoying.  Who would like a person who would bluntly tell you your shortcomings without even batting an eye?  But Bai Ze didn't mind.  He couldn't help but respect Shen Ji Yun a bit for that.  In his opinion, it's better to have someone like him as a friend.  Bai Ze would rather have a straightforward person like him as a friend than have someone who only had a gentle façade.  Because those types could stab you in the back at any time.    

He turned to Luo Yan, feeling a bit embarrassed.  "Sorry, did I crush you?  I was just too excited."

"No, it's alright.  You didn't really," Luo Yan said.  Although he did feel surprised by that sudden hug.

"Brother Ze, sudden skinship like that is not allowed.  Especially since Yan is still not familiar with you," Luo Jin scolded, looking at Bai Ze with admonition.

"What 'not familiar'?  Besides my younger brother, I'm your only other cousin.  How could you say I'm not familiar with Xiao Yan?" Bai Ze complained.

He was about to say more when he suddenly remembered what his father told him after he visited Luo Yan at the hospital.  He said Luo Yan got amnesia as sequelae from the head injury he suffered from the car accident seven years ago.  If that was the case, then the two of them weren't really familiar.  At least that's true on Luo Yan's side.  For him, this was the first time that they met.

Bai Ze felt sad all of a sudden.  Aunt Mei Hua always brought his cousins to B City during summer.  They stayed in their house for a month.  They were not that far apart in age, so he easily became close to them.  That time, he was still an only child.  That's why he was always eagerly waiting for summer to come.  

And then that tragedy happened.

Now Luo Yan had completely forgotten about him.  He could still remember the ten-year-old Luo Yan softly calling him 'Brother Ze'.  Not even his bratty and spoiled younger brother was as cute as him.  He suddenly felt a bit pain in his heart.  But no matter, he could just slowly bridge the gap and regain his position as the oldest cousin.

"It's alright, Ah Jin.  We could just slowly get acquainted," Luo Yan said then turned to Bai Ze and smiled.  "Right, Brother Ze?"

Bai Ze felt like his heart just melted.  Was this an angel?  A fairy?  Or maybe an immortal?  "Yes, we will!"

Shen Ji Yun cleared his throat, catching the attention of the three.  "Since it's quite obvious that the three of you are related, could this help in your decision of joining our team?" he asked Luo Yan.

Ah, that's right!  Bai Ze almost forgot.  They were here to convince these two to join their team.  He remembered the video on the game forum.  He just thought that the white-haired elf was interesting.  He was actually a bit dissatisfied when he learned that he didn't agree immediately to Shen Ji Yun's invitation.  After all, they still had the pride of being Arcadia Cup's first champions.  

But now, knowing that the elf was Luo Yan, not to mention, Luo Jin was still with him, Bai Ze couldn't wait to have them join.  

"Yes!  Don't hesitate and just join us.  If you do, your brother here would help you level up faster and raid dungeons.  Our captain would also help you.  Don't look at Ji Yun's ordinary avatar, that's just his alt account.  His real one is so awesome, it's the envy of most players.  Even those so-called top ones," Bai Ze said, obviously bragging.  "Not only that, his real account is also at the top of Swordsman class.  Of course, I'm also at the top ranking of the Berserker class.  Even that girl over there is one of the top ranking Priests."

Luo Yan didn't expect the three to be so powerful.  He truly thought that they were just, well, noobs.  If they were so good, how could their team only have three members?  He didn't suspect that Bai Ze was lying.  Why would he?  Just so two beginners could join their team?  There's no point in doing that.  Especially since Bai Ze was still his and Luo Jin's cousin.  

"Are you going to join now?" Bai Ze finally added.

At first, Luo Yan only had the intention of joining.  But after knowing that one of the remaining two members was their cousin, he finally made a decision to officially join.  It would be good to build a familial relationship with this newly met cousin.  After all, they'd be meeting at the Mid-Autumn Festival this year.  It wouldn't hurt if he started to get to know Bai Ze now.

Besides, all he could feel from him was unabashed goodwill.  So he also wouldn't mind getting closer to him.

Another reason was the girl.  She seemed to be not the whiny and annoying type.  She definitely didn't look like someone with a princess complex who thinks that the world revolved around her.  Since the beginning, she was just sitting there, looking at everything with indifferent eyes.

"Okay." Luo Yan gazed down at his brother, looking at him with hope in his eyes.  "Ah Jin, let's join them?" 

Luo Jin really didn't think of joining.  But their older cousin was here.  And his second brother seemed to really want to join.  He couldn't simply break that glistening hope in his eyes.  So he'll just ignore the factors brought by that cold-face guy.  If he removed him in the equation, joining this team wouldn't be a bad deal at all.  Especially if, as Bai Ze said, they were all top-ranking players.

He sighed and finally said, "Okay."

Su Yuqi nodded, as if in welcome to them.  Bai Ze pumped his fist in the air as if he just experienced a great victory.  A small smile even appeared on the lips of the usually expressionless Shen Ji Yun.

And the three said, in varying volumes;

"Welcome to Yunyue!"