Book 5: Chapter 45:2: Holy Grail War Mission, Part 2
âElder Brother Heng, what are you thinking about?â
âHmmâ¦I was just wondering whether I should find a girlfriend.â Chen Heng answered Luo Li honestly, without giving it much thought.
âHuh?!â
âHuh?!â
âHuh?!â
âHuh?!â
âLittle Heng, do you have someone in mind for a girlfriend?â asked Raven after a moment of stunned silence.
âNot really, but I think Nightingale seems quite nice.â
âNightingale? Whoâs that? Someone from the association?â Upon hearing this unfamiliar name, both Mo Qingtong and Luo Li turned to Sirin.
Mo Qingtong and Luo Li prided themselves on their knowledge of Chen Hengâs social interactions. They werenât aware of anyone named Nightingale, so she must be a member of the so-called Dimension Administrators Association.
âWell, itâs not exactlyâ¦,â Sirin answered dutifully.
âI know, I know! Nightingale, the female character from the game Arknights, right? Sheâs really beautiful. Itâs hard to believe that someone as strait-laced as you, Chen Heng, could snag Nightingale,â Luo Liâs System 2333 interjected before Chen Heng could answer.
âBeautiful? More beautiful than me?â Luo Li suddenly asked.
âCompared to you? Nightingale has fair skin, a pretty face, long legs, and a larger chest. Plus, her gentle character can easily elicit a manâs protective instincts. You, on the other hand, might provide a sense of security to a man in certain situations, but you canât really elicit protective instincts,â System 2333 said tactlessly.
Luo Li: ââ¦â
System 2333: ââ¦â
System 2333 suddenly wondered if it had said something wrong. Is it too late to apologize now?
If Chen Heng knew what System 2333 was thinking, he would say: Sorry, itâs too late.
Why? Because Chen Heng saw a flash of anger in Luo Liâs eyes when System 2333 compared Nightingale to herâto her detriment.
âSorry, everyone, I need to go back to my room for a bit. You guys carry on.â Luo Li suddenly stood up, nodded at everyone, and walked upstairs.
Before she ascended the stairs, she exchanged glances with Mo Qingtong, and they both nodded.
Despite their frequent bickering, Luo Li and Mo Qingtong always stood united against outsiders.
Sensing its impending doom, System 2333 began to plead for mercy from Luo Li. âLuo-Luo Li, I was wrong. Please donâtââ
âItâs too late. Iâll let you experience what a flat-chested girl who can bring a sense of security to others is like.â
Luo Li completely ignored System 2333âs pleas and crushed System 2333âs display, which showed its pleading avatar.
The group watched Luo Liâs unemotional departure upstairs in silence.
âAh Heng, how long have you and this Nightingale known each other?â Mo Qingtong asked after Luo Li had left the room. When Luo Li and Mo Qingtong exchanged nods earlier, Luo Li sent her a private message on the Re:Life Chat Group.
Find out everything about this Nightingale and her connection with Chen Heng. Figure out how yourself.
No problem.
âProbably around a week,â Chen Heng replied after some thought, uncertainty coloring his voice, as he realized he couldnât remember exactly how long he had known Nightingale.
âA week! Youâve known her for only a week, and youâre thinking of making her your girlfriend?â Mo Qingtong couldnât hold back, smacking the table in surprise.
A week? Itâs only been a week, and you fell in love with that Nightingale? We have known each other for ten years, yet you already have feelings for her after a week?!
Mo Qingtong wanted to shout that, but she refrained from voicing her thoughts, maintaining her image.
âQingtong, why are you getting so worked up? I didnât say I wanted Nightingale to be my girlfriend. I just think her personality suits a girlfriend. Besides, dating doesnât necessarily mean marriage.â
âAre you planning to be a scumbag, Little Heng? Dating without the intention of marriage is scummy.â
âElder Sister Raven, please, I was just pondering. Can I not even think about it? Besides, Nightingale isnât here, and sheâs a 2D character. Whatâs wrong with liking a 2D character?â As Chen Heng continued speaking, he gained more confidence.
âA 2D character?â
âSystem 2333 already mentioned it. Nightingale is a character from the game Arknights. Iâve been playing it lately. Nightingaleâs character design is really beautiful. Furthermore, even if I like her, it doesnât mean she likes me back.â
âDo you like her?â Raven asked, feeling there was more to this situation than met the eye.
After some thought, Chen Heng replied, âI wouldnât say I like her. I just have a favorable impression of her at best.â
âIn that case, Little Heng, do you have a favorable impression of my young miss, Luo Li, or Sirin?â
âOf course I do.â
Relieved, Raven felt the threat Nightingale posed to her young miss was insignificant compared to Luo Li, and maybe even Sirin. Sirin seemed to look at Chen Heng differently, reminding Raven of how her young miss looked at Chen Heng. Raven saw Sirin as a major rival since Chen Heng dropped his guard around Sirin.
However, she might just be mistaken.
âBy the way, Little Heng, who among Luo Li, Miss Mo, Sirin, and myself do you think would make a good girlfriend?â
âHuh?â Although Chen Heng had never dated, he astutely noticed this was a trick question.
âWellâ¦all of you are great. Luo Li is quiet and obedient, Sirin is cute and well-behaved, Elder Sister Raven is gentle and capable, and Qingtongâ¦Qingtong is lively and cheeky. Weâre all quite familiar with each other. But I believe itâs best not to get involved with those around me.â
But I want to get involved! Mo Qingtong thought, but she was too shy to voice her feelings.
âAh Heng, could I go with you on that task you mentioned? Iâd like to see other worlds too. What was that world called again?â After seeing the hand gesture from Elder Sister Raven indicating the crisis was averted, Mo Qingtong immediately messaged Luo Li.
Crisis averted.
Then Mo Qingtong thought about how she could create some private space with Chen Heng.