Even though what Gu Xu said came so suddenly, Xia Zhanchen still thought about it seriously for a moment. Then he shook his head.
“Forget it. This is fine as it is now.”
The environment here was indeed much better than where he stayed. Xia Zhanchen also liked this relatively independent space. But after all, he was only an undergraduate. When everyone else was still living in four-person dorms, moving into a graduate dorm would feel somewhat inappropriate.
After they started meeting, Xia Zhanchen never clearly said he had accepted Gu Xu, but the two of them had naturally settled into this undefined relationship in silence. Gu Xu still treated him the same—caring, considerate, but not interfering too much—giving him a lot of personal space.
So keeping things as they were didn’t feel bad to Xia Zhanchen. There was a saying that distance creates beauty; staying together all the time might bring early fatigue. After all, in many cases, getting too close is what makes people see each other’s flaws, and even the earlier “good points” can become flaws in a dull routine.
He wasn’t ready to take that risk yet—at least not now.
“Alright. Whatever you want.” Gu Xu only made the suggestion and didn’t insist. Everything still depended on Xia Zhanchen’s decision.
“The Battle Spirit Hall has already lost quite a few old members. Honestly, it’s almost no different from disbanding.” Xia Zhanchen agreed somewhat with An Jing’s words. Maybe if things continued like this, changing a guild leader might actually be a good thing for Battle Spirit Hall.
“Mm. Anyway, since you’re no longer in Battle Spirit Hall, I don’t need to interfere with their matters.” Gu Xu smiled. “But as compensation, come have dinner with me tomorrow night.”
Just having a meal was fine, but from Gu Xu’s tone, it didn’t seem like it would just be the two of them.
“You invited someone?”
“Mm. Not an outsider. My older brother. I just want you to meet him.”
Xia Zhanchen pressed his lips together. Meeting Gu Xu’s family was something he hadn’t prepared for at all. He hadn’t even thought Gu Xu would bring him to see his family.
Gu Xu poured the coffee and sat beside him.
“My family is quite large. Besides my parents, I have three older brothers. Right now, my eldest brother, second brother, and I are in the country. My third brother is abroad with my father.”
For someone who grew up in a single-child family, Xia Zhanchen actually felt a bit envious of families with siblings. Regardless of wealth, at least it would be lively—someone to accompany you.
“I already told my eldest brother about you. He also wants to meet you.” Gu Xu smiled. “You don’t need to be nervous. It’s just a meal. He’s very busy anyway and not easy to make time. It just happens to work out tomorrow.”
Even though Gu Xu said not to be nervous, Xia Zhanchen still couldn’t stay calm. There was hesitation, surprise, and even a bit… expectation.
“Of course, if you don’t want to go, that’s fine too.” Gu Xu didn’t force him. He respected Xia Zhanchen’s independence. “You can wait until you’re ready. My eldest brother won’t mind.”
Xia Zhanchen was silent for a while, then said softly, “Let me think about it. I’ll reply tomorrow.”
“Alright.” Gu Xu nodded and didn’t continue the topic.
On the game side, things were still lively.
After the Battle Spirit Hall lost, Shen Yicheng did not bring up the earlier “guild disband” statement again. Tianfeng Pavilion members also tacitly went about their own business, as if nothing had ever been said.
But just because they didn’t mention it didn’t mean others wouldn’t. The world chat was full of people mocking or waiting for Battle Spirit Hall to collapse. Inside the guild, things were even more chaotic.
Some blamed Lian Fei’er for initiating the guild war; some were dissatisfied with how she drove away old members; others felt that even if Tianfeng Pavilion didn’t press the issue of disbanding, Battle Spirit Hall’s reputation was already ruined.
Lian Fei’er and her close group were still causing chaos in guild chat. Allied guild members didn’t want to get involved and gradually left. Some members, fed up with the situation, quit after informing An Jing and the others.
Seeing the once united guild falling apart, Shen Yicheng finally chose to relinquish his guild leader position and transfer authority to Tang Hui.
At the same time, the system announcement appeared: the guild leader “Wuqing Xue” had stepped down and transferred leadership to vice leader “Huanghun Ansha.” The transfer would officially take effect in 24 hours. May Battle Spirit Hall continue to prosper under its new leader.
World chat immediately exploded.
Many former members requested to return, and new applicants flooded in. The guild slowly shifted from chaos back to its former lively state. To Xia Zhanchen, it all felt like it happened in the blink of an eye.
After showering, he went to sleep in the room opposite Gu Xu’s. The room was simple—bed, desk, wardrobe. The bed was spacious enough for one person, but a bit cramped for two.
Wrapped in the blanket, he felt a bit like he was at home.
Gu Xu came in with damp hair after showering and asked, “Cold? Need another blanket?”
“No.”
He sat by the bed and asked, “What do you want for breakfast tomorrow?”
“No need to wake up early. It’s Saturday.”
“Alright. Then we’ll talk at noon.”
“Mm.”
Before long, Xia Zhanchen had already fallen asleep. Gu Xu covered him with the blanket and quietly left.
The next morning was cloudy, like it might rain. Perfect weather for sleeping in. Xia Zhanchen woke groggily a few times, then fell back asleep. When he finally checked his phone, it was already past one in the afternoon.
After washing up, he walked out and smelled breakfast.
Gu Xu handed him honey water, then brought out steamed buns and pumpkin porridge.
“Woke up?”
“Mm.”
He asked while eating, “What time did you wake up?”
“Nine.”
“You’re not going tonight?” Gu Xu asked again.
After thinking for a while, Xia Zhanchen nodded.
That evening, Gu Xu drove them to a pre-booked restaurant. The eldest brother had already arrived.
The restaurant didn’t have private rooms, so they chose a corner seat. As they approached, the man gestured for them to sit.
“This is Xia Zhanchen. I already told you about him.” Gu Xu introduced.
“Hello,” Xia Zhanchen greeted.
Gu Xu’s elder brother had a similar appearance to him, but a stronger, sharper presence. Sitting across from him felt slightly oppressive.
“Hello.” Gu Yan nodded. “Sit. Order whatever you like.”
As they were ordering, Gu Yan looked past them and asked:
“Do you know those two people?”
Xia Zhanchen turned his head in confusion.
Not far away, Shen Yicheng and Lian Fei’er were sitting, watching them with probing gazes.