Chapter 307: Poor Yet Ever More Firm, Not Falling, the Ambition for the Azure Clouds

After glancing at the players' situation, Ji Ming prepared to return to the clinic for a rest; the closed beta would end at eight tonight, and matters related to the official public test should be put on the agenda. Although he no longer had to do everything himself as before, he still needed to preside over the overall situation as this supreme deity.

But he hadn't walked far when he suddenly received a message from a friend; opening it, he saw it was from 【Aurora Dance】, who had recently been obsessed with making guns and cannons.

As one of the main forces climbing the player tech tree, she had been so busy lately that she didn't even have time to upgrade herself, and her chat history with Ji Ming consisted of only a few scattered lines——

【I heard I Company has a new work, any resources?】

【Originally there could be, but that website feared involvement and ran away】

【Alas, the site owner, good luck in the resurrection tournament, definitely beat the boss!】

……

【Sore energy emptiness, give me something good】

【Recently busy, haven't collected】

【Really useless! If you don't want it, pull it out and give it to me】

In recent days, it could even be simplified to just three words.

【Urgent】

【None】

【Sad】

So when Aurora Dance invited him to meet at the old place, he felt a bit unaccustomed; his finger twitched before he typed a line.

【Don't think about it, buddy, really can't pull it out】

……

【If I really pull it, I'll pull Old Ox's, then you buy women's clothes and prepare to join the Gouzi Universe (sweating soybeans)!】

Last night, to give Lao Yang Tou a setback, Ji Ming moved the teleportation array from the clinic to an intersection near the city center; it wasn't far from here, so he went underground through there and found Aurora in the rest room beside the forge workshop.

"Good good good, I know you're looking for me for something; I really arranged it for you, here, take it."

What naturally appeared in Ji Ming's hand was the high-grade leg armor·black type he had painstakingly crafted by hand; although theoretically Yangyue World also had textiles, obviously no one had considered making them into socks yet, so in this monotonous hell where skirts can only be paired with bare legs, it might very well be the sole savior.

"Ah, the production team has been really busy lately, and according to the plan this item is a special prop that will only go online during the public test; I've had you sneak it out……uh? Why aren't you speaking?"

Aurora seeing the black silk was calmer than Ji Ming imagined; besides pinching it in her hand and rubbing it hard, and rubbing it on her face, she had no other particularly perverse reaction; instead, a sentence suddenly popped out of her mouth.

"By the way, was the person who followed us into the inner city last night not you?"

Ji Ming, no matter how strong, cannot be in two places at once; so to facilitate activities in the inner city more smoothly, he occasionally lets Silvia carry out strategic disguise for him.

Anyway, since control of player accounts is in Ji Ming's hands, Silvia just needs to make a slight move to create the illusion that "Ji Ming" is present all along, letting players happily chat and fight with the air.

"For such a big version, I definitely need to help; so that's the AI account the production team made using my data, even Cang Lang and Fei Ying didn't notice it; how did you figure it out?"

"Very simple, just look at our chat record."

"What the heck, isn't it just those three words……Holy shit!?"

Ji Ming then realized there were also several video files sent to him the previous night, and their titles were respectively.

【My Cybertron Girlfriend】【My Wife Comes from M78 Nebula】, and just a glance at 【Tokyo: The Neighboring Big Sister is a Planet Devourer】 is enough to make anyone's pupils explode, but Ji Ming simply cannot refuse it.

Hiss……ah~

For life I can endure, but seeing these things I cannot!

Who can stand this? Now I can't help but rush.

Okay, I'm rushing!

After undergoing a nonexistent psychological struggle, Ji Ming immediately opened those three videos, but what met his eyes was a European man wearing a coat, holding a microphone, twisting and singing in front of the camera, and the screen full of danmaku【You've been tricked】.

"Ah, look, again urgent; if that person were really you, upon receiving the message you'd definitely click in right away like you just did; how could you possibly say something like 'I'll look later'? It's as if you're some elegant, easygoing gentleman."

Ji Ming didn't respond, because this scam hit him too hard; sitting in the chair, his whole person seemed to have turned black and white; Aurora could only offer comfort.

"Actually, with your strange cold-circle preference, where would you get such good grain to eat? Just accept reality; from now on, watch more beautiful big Lai Lai with me; healthy hobbies will surely balance the nutrition you're fed."

"Get lost get lost get lost get lost get lost, I don't listen I don't listen I don't listen……so you called me here just to tell me this?"

"Uh, no, actually there is a more important matter; raise your head."

"What for?"

Ji Ming raised his head, and the next moment he felt an icy, unfamiliar sensation on his brow.

……

He originally thought he would never experience this in his life, yet he didn't expect it to happen today, and moreover between him and Aurora Dance.

Ji Ming's heart trembled slightly, then he began to frenziedly accelerate.

"Bai Yesheng, what are you trying to do?"

As the most genuine of Ji Ming's three identities, the "player" had its charm lowered by him using 【Suggestion Technique】, so Aurora still dared to meet his gaze, even managing a faint smile.

"Do you really need to ask this, Ji Ming, what do you think I want to do?"

"You're playing with fire; don't think I dare not do anything to you."

"Is that so? But this is in the game; I'm genuinely curious what you can do to me."

Ji Ming gritted his teeth.

"As a member of the production team, my rights are unlimited; I can instantly resurrect, then punch your head off!"

Indeed, pressing against his brow right now is a Mauser pistol, freshly made, its finish showing it has hardly been test-fired a few times.

Bai Yesheng is naturally not short; standing before the seated Ji Ming, she is even higher looking down.

"Ji Ming, your threats are meaningless, because now the gun is in my hand; this shot, if I want, will definitely blast your head."

"Pfft……"

Ji Ming let out a puff, almost unable to hold back, but still obediently raised both hands.

"Then I surrender; you must treat prisoners of war well."

"Very well."

He picked up the black custom leg armor that Ji Ming had just handed to him, and Aurora forcibly shoved it back into Ji Ming's hands.

I'm a doctor, I want to give you a free checkup; quickly restore factory settings and put this on, don't worry, I'm a good person, I won't take photos…… hey hey hey! What the hell is that in your hand!?

What appeared in Ji Ming's hand was that gun, and he barely swayed his feet, dragging the chair back two whole meters; although the Aurora Gun, meant just for fun, actually had no bullets, he didn't even have time to react, and the thing pressing against his head turned out to be himself.

You…… how did you do that? How…… just……

Ji Ming held a short gun in one hand, leaning against the chair.

Hah, no matter what, I'm still an official now; with the situation so complex, you need a couple of tricks.

Let me tell you, to threaten someone with a gun, you first need to let them know you have the resolve to pull the trigger—for example, fire a shot at his knee, which can stop him from running and also…… don't move!

He poked Aurora's head with the gun barrel, and Ji Ming's other hand lightly snatched her Mauser with a spear.

I told you to learn, not to take a pop quiz! You're quick enough to bounce around.

Clearly having the advantage of timing, location, and harmony, yet now even the gun was taken away; the utterly defeated Aurora could only exaggeratedly raise both hands in a resigned gesture.

Fine, fine, fine, I surrender; today you were ruthless, but actually my main intention today was just to give you this gun—you probably don't have a handgun yet, right?

What a joke, yours isn't it just mine?

——"No."

That's right, I've always been thinking of you when there's something good.

He gave Ji Ming a small box of the currently low-yield mm Bullet still under development; Aurora pulled over a chair and sat opposite him, seeming to want to say something, but each time she hesitated and slowly closed her mouth.

Ji Ming stared blankly for a moment, then suddenly realized, flipped out a notebook and quickly wrote a string of text, then nonchalantly tore it off.

I understand you, come, take it! Don't be polite.

Ah, what?

Aurora stared for a moment, took the notebook and saw written on it: Angelica, white peony, bupleurum, nutgrass, privet fruit, goji berry……

This string of medicinal herbs feels somewhat familiar to look at, but I don't usually eat these.

……

You damn it!

Hey, look, you're getting anxious again—this isn't the supplement list you sent me after the closed beta ended, right? How come I can supplement but you can't? The neglected phantom limb will cry.

Being disturbed by Ji Ming, Aurora, who was already socially inept, completely didn't know how to speak.

But thinking about it, we're good buddies who can review the notebook together and share XP; what's there to be shy about, old lady? Might as well go all out.

Stop, shut your mouth, sit down!

I swear, you're not a redhead, why are you cosplaying a dominion demon?

But despite the complaining, Ji Ming still gave Aurora face, even indicating something after she sat down.

Aurora took a breath, her face tense like a primary school student preparing to give a speech at Monday's flag-raising ceremony.

Actually, when I first entered Code Name: Yangyue, I was quite anxious, after all, for me even carefree walking was a distant childhood memory, but now in the game I can run and jump, even fight…… these things are almost too crazy, and they make me utterly enamored; I wish I could live in the game forever, but unfortunately that period was the worst time of my condition.

Think about it: by day I lay in bed with tubes, waiting to die; by night I could in the game do whatever I wanted with a healthy person—it's like simultaneously living two lives, because for me then every morning was regret, every evening joy, my consciousness tortured between life and death, not knowing if I was dead or alive, so I especially, especially wanted to be with others, as if that would ease my inner anxiety.

But as a patient, this diseased body made me not want to see anyone in the sanatorium at all, the long medical bills made me ashamed to meet my real-life friends and family, and my social skills were a total mess; repeatedly scrolling through my own friends circle, it seemed only you could freely jump in and talk, so I wanted to see you every night back then.

……Now looking back, maybe I really am annoying, after all I'm just an online friend I met for fun, yet you seem to have gotten tangled with a landmine girl, forced to be my emotional trash can, a free playmate, and still have to worry about how I am in reality, what level I've reached, how my mood is now, whether I feel neglected.

After haltingly finishing that long self‑account, Aurora finally let out that breath, but the more she spoke the more excited she got, her voice starting to tremble, then she suddenly stood up and bent her waist.

So I'm really grateful to you, and sorry for the trouble I caused you before—sorry!

After saying that, she lowered her head waiting for Ji Ming's reply, but after a long wait she finally heard him say a sentence.

No way, Aurora, why are you speaking all hesitant and timid like a EastJapan girl from a novel?

? ？？

!!!

Damn it, I'm laying my feelings bare today—if I hadn't almost dropped those gold beans while hiding them quickly, you damn well are this reaction?

But before she could turn her inner anger into physical lashing, she saw the shadow ahead flicker, and then she was fiercely hugged by someone.

Ah!

But the hug was just a moment; before Aurora could react, Ji Ming had already stepped back, his words carrying a smile.

You, you're overthinking—whether thanks or apologies, this world is indeed real, but there are always people and things that aren't quite real; you think I might hold a grudge, but how could I not be enjoying this affection?

Aurora had her mouth open, then hesitated and uttered an 'ah?'

As someone who's been there, Ji Ming never hesitates to give juniors a bit of life experience, so he straight away began psychological counseling.

You should already know from Fei Ying and the others, right? My childhood wasn't actually good; my greedy and cold‑hearted parents didn't bring me even a hint of happiness, leaving only a disgusting mess, but precisely because I've suffered, I therefore value others' kindness, cherish old ties, treasure every relationship, and at the same time don't want others to suffer.

Thus this has become my flaw: for many things that could be settled with a quick slash, I insist on wavering; for many problems that could be solved with violence, I insist on returning to negotiation—but even so, I have never changed my aspiration; I just want to be a good person, a kind person, because the filth of my family of origin can't drag me down in the slightest; instead it makes me more resolute.

So Xiao Bai, I clearly know my shortcomings and accept my imperfection—how could I blame you? If you really avoided me for days over this trifle, not daring to see me or ask others what to do, even secretly looking up solutions on your own, then I'd really have to laugh……

Watching the sweat beads on Aurora's forehead grow denser, Ji Ming widened his eyes.

I swear, you didn't actually look it up, did you? What were you searching for—dad or mom?

This chapter is a patch; my early portrayal of Aurora Dance was indeed a bit immature and overdone, including some of Ji Ming's actions possibly still lacking motivation; I hope this frank character dialogue can fill the previous gaps, giving Xiao Bai, who was almost shelved, a slightly more complete character arc, and meanwhile bridge the previous and upcoming volumes, laying the groundwork for the fourth volume's style and content QWQ