At first, Vivian didn't pay much attention. Although the great master had never been late before, it was normal to be a few minutes late occasionally. However, as time passed, it was already 7:45, and Vivian started to get anxious. Knowing that Naihe was not online, she couldn't help but send a message—

"Are you there?"

Naturally, there was no response.

After two minutes, she sent another message. Later, Vivian stopped sending messages and just kept refreshing Naihe's name, while the system repeatedly reminded her—this player is not online, you cannot update his information.

George Yu, Monkey Wine, and their names were also dim.

Not online.

7:50.

Vivian appeared alone in front of the entrance NPC, with a team symbol above her head, but she was the only one in the team.

A lot of people had already gathered around the NPC. The elimination rounds and finals were open for spectators, and these people were planning to buy tickets to watch the match. Seeing Reed Vivian standing there alone, they couldn't help but discuss it in front of her.

『Current』[Bug Eating Lettuce]: Why is Reed Vivian alone? Where is Smiling Naihe?

『Current』[String Fish]: Could he be late?

『Current』[963]: How could he be late for such an important match?

『Current』[No Pants Feels Cool]: There's still ten minutes, why rush? Top players always show up last.

7:55.

Vivian ignored all the discussions and quietly left a message for Naihe: "I'm waiting for you in front of the entrance NPC, just come directly."

The spectators' discussion continued.

『Current』[Ding Ding Tao]: Only a few minutes left, why isn't he here yet?

『Current』[Rocket Turtle 1.0]: Could it be that he's not coming?

『Current』[Idiot Doll]: Damn, is history repeating itself? Is this couple going to break up too?

『Current』[Daydreamer]: Doesn't seem like it, if they were breaking up, why would Reed Vivian still be standing here?

『Current』[Thunder Shout]: I say, could it be that Reed Vivian has been abandoned again?

8:00.

More and more inquiries from friends came in, and Vivian opened and closed them one by one. Finally, she gently clicked the mouse and closed Naihe's window.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

『Current』[Single for Life]: Disperse, disperse, I'm depressed.

『Current』[☆Clear☆]: I thought I could watch an exciting PK today, good thing I didn't buy a ticket.

『Current』[Dog Tail Grass]: Occupying the latrine without using it, if not competing, why not quit earlier? Letting another server take the championship for nothing, despise.

『Current』[Jager]: That's not how it is, without Reed Vivian and Smiling Naihe, our server might not have made it to the finals.

『Current』[Romantic]: Let's wait and see, there's still three minutes to prepare, entering within three minutes can still compete.

『Current』[July]: Probably won't come, sigh, I think Reed is quite pitiful.

『Current』[Light Rain]: Very pitiful, hoho.

8:02.

Vivian clicked on the entrance NPC, wanting to enter the arena alone, but the NPC prompted: You must enter the arena with your husband.

8:03.

The system announced that due to Smiling Naihe and Reed Vivian forfeiting, the championship of this couple PK competition was won by a couple from another server.

8:03.

Vivian logged out of the game.

*** *** ***

"I think Vivian has been acting strange these past two days."

In the dormitory at night, Sally looked at Vivian, who was lying on the bed with headphones on, staring at the computer, and said thoughtfully.

"It's normal, exams are coming up. She turns into a monster before exams every semester," Erica replied while scribbling away without looking up.

"She hasn't even played games."

"It's normal, playing games now means she won't get a scholarship, and without a scholarship, she won't have money to play games next semester," Erica continued scribbling, her pen moving non-stop, "I say, how do you still have the mind to worry about Vivian? You were all teary-eyed the day before yesterday, how's David doing?"

"It's fine, he deserved it. He tagged along to a graduation dinner with seniors from the fourth year, and look, he got into trouble," Sally said angrily, shifting her focus from Vivian to criticize her boyfriend.

Immersed in her own world, Vivian was unaware that her roommates had discussed her. At this moment, she was watching a video of a female thief's wedding heist. These past two days, she hadn't logged into the game, spending her time either studying or watching the video repeatedly. Sometimes, even when she didn't want to click it, she couldn't help but open it while memorizing words. A dull emotion lingered in her heart, and only by watching this video could she find some peace.

Or rather, only by seeing that figure.

Smiling Naihe.

Smiling Naihe.

Silently reciting the name in her heart, Vivian stared blankly at the screen.

On the screen, the white-clad musician stood desolately on the Sunset Peak. In the plain yet oppressive music, his back appeared lonely and desolate. As Vivian watched, she inexplicably thought of herself standing alone in front of the NPC that day, along with her feelings at that time.

The feeling at that time should have been panic.

Not the anger of being stood up, not the regret of not being able to compete, but a kind of bewildered and anxious panic. In those last few minutes, she just kept thinking—

Why hasn't Naihe come yet?

Could it be that he won't come anymore?

There are too many goodbyes without notice in online games, could Naihe also disappear in this way?

And these days, as she couldn't help but watch the video again and again, she found herself thinking—could this video be the only evidence of her acquaintance with Naihe in the long days to come...

Sigh～～～～～

Vivian lay powerlessly on the bed, feeling helpless about herself.

What on earth was she thinking to have such inexplicable, illogical associations? Maybe Naihe just had something to do and didn't come, why was she thinking so seriously? Moreover, whether Naihe had disappeared or not could be easily checked by logging into the game, why wasn't she going online～～～

Amidst the chaotic emotions, the female thief's story reached its end once again. In the mournful music, the white-clad musician and the red-clad heroine froze in a pale frame.

Vivian wiped her eyes, feeling both strong and weak. She was moved to tears by the video again. Honestly, the video was very touching the first time she watched it, but after watching it many times, she had become numb.

Now, she was moved again...

Staring blankly at the dashing white-clad musician on the screen, a clear yet silent realization slowly and quietly passed through Vivian's heart...

Then, with a "snap," Vivian closed the laptop, tossed aside the headphones, and buried her head under the pillow.

It's over, it's over, she had become sentimental.

It's over...

It seems she has fallen for someone.