Chapter 363 - WHERE IS TROPICAL LAND?
LUO YAN immediately heard the change in Shen Ji Yun's voice. He turned to the other and was shocked to see the dimness in those amethyst colored eyes. Before he could think, his body already moved. He stopped walking and reached out towards Shen Ji Yun, grasping the other's hand.
"Are you okay, Brother Ji Yun?"
Shen Ji Yun also stopped walking. He glanced at Luo Yan. Seeing the other's worried look and feelings his hand holding his, he quickly returned from the memories that suddenly caught him. His cold gaze slowly softened as he gazed down at Luo Yan.
"I'm okay. I just thought of something," Shen Ji Yun, trying to sound nonchalant. As if his little gaffe was truly just nothing. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you."
Luo Yan shook his head. "Was it because of the question I asked?"
That could only be the reason behind the sudden change in Shen Ji Yun earlier. But there was nothing weird in that question. He just asked when was the last time he went to an amusement park. But despite that, it still triggered something in Shen Ji Yun. Luo Yan wondered what could it possibly be that made him show such a sad expression.
Shen Ji Yun didn't answer. Not because he didn't want to, but because he was afraid. Afraid that if he answered Luo Yan truthfully, he would expose his wounds to him. Wounds that hadn't healed no matter how many years had passed.
Luo Yan, of course, saw the hesitation in Shen Ji Yun's face. "If Brother Ji Yun doesn't want to answer, then that's fine. Just know that if you ever need someone to talk to, I'll always be here." His hold on his hand tightened. And then he raised his head and smiled at him. "Always."
He let go of the other's hand and walked forward.
He was actually feeling a bit disappointed. He wanted to lighten whatever problem Shen Ji Yun was experiencing. But how could he do that when he didn't know what it was? Although most of the time, he could easily read Shen Ji Yun's emotions, but there were still times when he couldn't. Just like right now. He was not a mind reader, after all.
But he didn't want to force Shen Ji Yun. Because it wouldn't have any meaning even if he did. With the other's affection for him, he would definitely tell him anything if he insisted on it. But Luo Yan didn't want that. He wanted Shen Ji Yun to open up to him not because he was forced to but because he wanted to. Because that way, it would definitely be more comforting for Shen Ji Yun.
Shen Ji Yun stared at Luo Yan's back. He truly wanted to tell him what's wrong, show him the scars hidden deep in his heart. But when he tried to, he found that he couldn't say anything. As if there's a big stone blocking his throat.
It's not because he didn't trust Luo Yan. He just wasn't ready to lay out all his wounds out in the open. Which was probably too cowardly of him. He smiled deprecatingly. Truly, how weak.
Luo Yan glanced back at him. "Brother Ji Yun, hurry up. Don't just dally there," he called.
Seeing Luo Yan acting like nothing happened, Shen Ji Yun felt a bit relieved and very thankful. Although he couldn't tell Luo Yan about his past right now, he promised that one day, he would tell him everything – all the beautiful memories, as well as the bad and the ugly ones. He would all lay it out into the open for Luo Yan.
But for now, there's still a task they needed to do.
He ran forward towards Luo Yan.
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Luo Jin already had enough grinding levels. Once again, he proved just how cool his new guns were. He'd definitely thank Yu Jiao personally once the holiday was over and school started.
He wondered where he should go next. Since Luo Yan was doing some hidden task, he couldn't go to where he was. Then a certain person's game avatar suddenly entered his mind. You know, the one with short bubblegum pink hair and butterfly wings behind her back.
He checked his friend list earlier, so he knew that Su Yuqi was online. If she was not doing some kind of task right now, then she's probably at their team's headquarters teasing that dragon again. So, at the end, he decided to just teleport there.
When he opened his eyes, he was already standing before the ancient looking palace at the top of a mountain. He walked inside and went straight to the back garden where that dragon usually spent his time.
The first time he saw that dragon, he was actually quite surprised. Not because it was a dragon, but because it looked so small for a dragon. Instead of a scary and legendary dragon, it was more like black salamander with wings. According to Luo Yan, it was not the dragon��s real form. They just had to seal him because it kept on attacking them. And Shen Ji Yun didn't want to return him to his normal size, at least not until he made a contract with it as his pet.
He only scoffed at that. In this game, pets would assist their master in battle. He really couldn't understand what's the fun in that. Wasn't it more fun and interesting to crush your opponent using just your skills and power alone? It's like you're admitting those were not enough to defeat your opponents.
Of course, that didn't include Luo Yan and his pet fox. His second brother could do whatever he wanted.
Luo Jin just stepped one foot into the back garden when he heard that dragon screaming angrily again.
"You brat! I swear once I get my full power back, I will incinerate you!"
He didn't have to see what was going on to know that the dragon was referring to Su Yuqi. As if to confirm his guess, he heard her voice next;
"Yeah, I know. You already said that a hundred of times already. Really, Dusk, you're beginning to sound like a broken record."
Walking further, Luo Jin finally saw the dragon's current situation. He was attached to a tree with some kind of sticky green slime looking thing.
"I could easily turn you back to your original form, you know?" Su Yuqi said.
The dragon suddenly stopped struggling. "Really?"
"Yes." Su Yuqi grinned. "But I won't do it."
"You—"
Luo Jin wasn't sure but he thought he saw a vein popping on the little dragon's forehead.
Blue flames suddenly came out from the dragon's mouth, obviously directed at Su Yuqi. But she quickly flew up and avoided it.
"Hey, I told you, no burning the garden. For that, you have to be punished."
She snapped her fingers and the dragon suddenly shut his mouth. Based on the way he was struggling, it was obviously not on his own volition. Which could only mean that it was caused by Su Yuqi.
She landed perfectly in front of Luo Jin. "You're here. You don't have any task?"
"No." Luo Jin glanced at the poor dragon, then returned his gaze at Su Yuqi. "You know, one of these days, that dragon would surely die from too much stress."
Su Yuqi only shrugged. "Then that means he's weak and doesn't deserve to be the pet of our captain."
Luo Jin suddenly felt uncomfortable hearing Su Yuqi indirectly complimenting Shen Ji Yun. So, he just changed the subject. "How about you, you don't have any task?"
"Nah. Want to go dungeon raiding?"
He was about to answer when Bai Ze suddenly came rushing somewhere.
"Good, you two are here. You won't believe the crazy rumor I heard outside." When the two just stood there and looked at him, Bai Ze simply felt frustrated. "Come on, aren't you going to ask me what it was?"
Su Yuqi looked at him with her usual indifference gaze. "If you want to tell us what it was, then just tell us. Stop with all the dramatics."
Bai Ze did his best to suppress the urge to glare at Su Yuqi. "I heard people talking that Ji Yun and Xiao Yan is currently at Tropical Land having a date. Crazy, right?"
But Luo Jin didn't think it was crazy. In fact, he almost blew up when he heard it. "Brother Ze, where exactly is this Tropical Land?"