Chapter 908: PRELUDE TO A CERTAIN INCIDENTTHE four cities of Arcadia were currently filled with Christmas decorations. From different shops to the streets, Christmas songs were even ying all around. This had been the case since the start of this week. And since today was Christmas, the decorations were even more apparent. To the point that snow was falling in all of Arcadia to make it looked like a ''white Christmas''.


    Although Christmas was not considered as an official holiday in this country, many still celebrated it. But it''s treated more like amercial season rather than a religious holiday. In a more urate sense, Christmas was celebrated more like Valentine''s Day.


    It became a lighthearted day for young people to go out with their significant others and celebrate with small gifts. If they didn''t have a special someone to celebrate it with, they could go and hang out with friends, going to karaoke or shopping.


    At the gate of Olkdale City, a particr yer was garnering the attention of other yers that were passing by. It was an elf with long ck hair, a pair of blue-ck eyes, and skin the same color as dark chocte.


    "Hey, isn''t that Malekith?" one yer who passed by asked hispanion. "What''s he doing here?"


    Hispanion shrugged. "I don''t know."


    "I thought he would be too embarrassed to show himself after that lost to Noctis. Twice for that matter."


    "Well, it''s not like it''s an embarrassing lost. He fought well, both during the Rookie Carnival and the PvP fight against Noctis. It''s just that Noctis is a much better yer."


    Yes, the one standing near the gate was none other than Ying Chen. He ignored the whispers of the other yers passing by him. He didn''t want whatever they''re saying to spoil his mood.


    Because today was Christmas and he''s here to spend it with the person he liked.


    That''s right, he would be meeting Huang Wen here today.


    He didn''t know what came over the other butst week, he suddenly bought a VR helmet and started ying Arcadia. Ying Chen had been asking him to y Arcadia with him and Liang Sen but the other always refused.


    It''s because Huang Wen had never been interested in video games or anything rted to that stuff. He liked to y physical games more like basketball or football. So, imagine Ying Chen''s surprise when the other suddenly told him that he would start ying Arcadia.


    He was suspicious at first, thinking that the sudden change of heart must be rted to Luo Yan. It was no secret at school that many were suspecting that Luo Yan must be Noctis. So, it was easy to think that Huang Wen wanted to y Arcadia because Luo Yan was also ying it.


    Ying Chen could see that Huang Wen seemed to be very interested in that pipsqueak. No, he couldn''t call Luo Yan that anymore since he seemed to be growing like a bean sprout these days. Anyway, back to the point. Huang Wen had totally forgotten his ''rivalry'' with Luo Jin and would only show a reaction whenever Luo Yan was mentioned.


    Of course, he hated to see that. But what else could he do? He could only see a silver lining in such a dire situation. If Huang Wen was really interested in Luo Yan, then that meant that he was not so adverse to having a rtionship with the same sex. Which could mean that Ying Chen still had a chance with him.


    That''s the only way he wanted to interpret it instead of thinking of the possibility that Huang Wen liked Luo Yan in that way. He might do something drastic if he didn''t keep this kind of positive thought.


    "Ying Chen," called a very familiar voice.


    He turned to the direction where it came from and saw a human swordsman wearing a silver armor. And he looked exactly like Huang Wen.


    "Ah Wen!" he called back happily.


    The other walked towards him. When Ying Chen first saw Huang Wen''s avatar, he almost cringe because of how unimaginative it was. But then again, this was Huang Wen we''re talking about. He would probably be more surprised if the other chose a different race or even beautified himself.


    "Where''s Liang Sen?" Huang Wen asked.


    "Ah, he couldn''te because his ss suddenly had a surprised mock exam," Ying Chen easily lied.


    Anyway, Liang Sen was studying in a different school so it''s not like Huang Wen would know if he''s lying or not. Besides, they''re all third year students. Surprise mock exams was not so umon.


    But the truth was, he told Liang Sen not to go and be a lightbulb between him and Huang Wen. Since the other was a very supportive friend, he agreed.


    "Let''s go?" he said before Huang Wen could think more.


    Huang Wen nodded and they both walked inside Olkdale City.


    As they were walking, Ying Chen kept introducing different shops to the other. And then, he noticed that the other stopped responding to him at some point. When he looked at Huang Wen to see why, he saw that the other was staring at something above. His gaze was full of focus.


    Ying Chen turned to where the other was looking and saw that it was a promotional video that was ying in the za.


    On it was Noctis with his white hair tied up and wearing normal Winter clothes. His mood suddenly cooled down seeing that. He moved in front of Huang Wen, blocking the other''s view, and asked coldly;


    "Do you like him?"


    "What?" Huang Wen asked, seemingly not able to hear him properly.


    "Do you like Luo Yan?"


    Huang Wen''s whole face suddenly turned red the moment he heard that question. "Wha—what are you talking about?"


    Seeing that kind of reaction, the negative emotions filling Ying Chen''s heart truly wanted to explode at that moment.


    ---------


    While Ying Chen was battling with the demons in his heart, the cause of all that – Luo Yan - was waiting happily for Shen Ji Yun.


    Because today the two of them would go on a Christmas date!