After Falling in Love with a 2D Character as a Socially Anxious Person - Chapter 23

Studying hard for ten years was all for a job in the government, to fulfill one’s goals, and to bring honor to the family. This was the plan for most students in Yan Qili’s world. Those who could access books and get an education were always a very small number of people.

But modern society is different. An Jing gave the “Living Yama” a quick lesson on what “eliminating illiteracy” meant. He had only not finished college yet; it wasn’t like he hadn’t finished preschool. There is no perfect fairness in the world. Because of how resources are given out, modern education only tries to reach as many people as possible.

Yan Qili had never received a modern education. Regarding An Jing’s thesis and notes, he knew each word separately, but when they were put together, he didn’t understand them.

One was into books and the other was into fighting. An Jing didn’t expect Yan Qili to help him with his thesis. He checked his classmate group chat to see if there was any news about the mid-term presentation.

Many classmates shared tips for the presentation that they got from older students. However, because everyone had different topics, progress, and teachers, the tips didn’t work for everyone. But all the older students gave the same advice to everyone—

Don’t be nervous. The more nervous you are, the easier it is to make mistakes.

An Jing, seeing this: …How is it possible not to be nervous! Now I’m even more nervous. He wasn’t even sure if he would be so scared that he couldn’t speak in front of everyone. Or maybe he would start stuttering as soon as he opened his mouth.

Thinking about what might happen next Monday, An Jing was so anxious that he lost his appetite. Yan Qili didn’t feel any fear even when facing a huge army. After learning about An Jing’s personality, he could understand him.

An Jing kept holding his laptop. Yan Qili asked, “What happens if you don’t go?”

An Jing looked at him with an “Are you talking nonsense?” expression. “Very serious consequences.”

Yan Qili raised an eyebrow. “For example.”

An Jing: “I won’t be able to do the final presentation and won’t get my graduation certificate.”

Yan Qili thought about what An Jing meant. “But it won’t change anything about your life right now.”

An Jing blinked. “Huh?”

“You aren’t someone who needs that piece of paper to make a living,” Yan Qili said. “You’ve already learned the knowledge. What does it matter if you have the certificate or not?”

Yan Qili concluded, “Being afraid before the battle starts is a major mistake for a soldier.”

If it weren’t for An Jing acting so worried and annoying him, Yan Qili wouldn’t have said these things. The “Living Yama” was not the type to mind other people’s business.

An Jing: “…” Why did that sound so right?

An Jing was stunned. Such a serious matter as not getting a college degree suddenly became unimportant when Yan Qili said it. And he couldn’t even argue back.

After all, with his level of social anxiety, as long as he still had inspiration and enough money for food, he would never go out to work in an office. He had no house or car loans. With his current savings and income, as long as he wasn’t wasteful, he could live a comfortable life forever…

Thinking this way, Yan Qili’s words gave An Jing a feeling that was both strange and sensible—it was a moment of sudden clarity. He knew deep down it wasn’t good to think like this, but his mind drifted for a moment—

Yes, even if I graduate late, or even if I never get the degree, so what? A wide path for retreat was right in front of him. Looking at the crowded lines of his thesis again, An Jing’s heart became much more calm and peaceful.

An Jing couldn’t help but peek at Yan Qili. He looked so cold, but he was actually quite good at comforting people in his own way.

The items An Jing bought online a few days ago started arriving. After the weapon rack was put together, Bu Po finally didn’t have to stand sadly in the corner. It took up a large space near the balcony.

Putting an old-style wooden weapon rack in a modern home didn’t look very matching, but luckily, An Jing wasn’t a perfectionist. Holding a cup of tea, An Jing walked over to the rack for the third time today.

He checked Yan Qili’s direction. After making sure he wasn’t paying attention, An Jing carefully reached out his hand. It had been so long, and he hadn’t had a chance to look closely at Bu Po. Even though he was the one who came up with this sword, he had never thought about exactly what it looked like in detail.

“Touch it if you want to lose a finger.”

Yan Qili’s voice suddenly came from behind. An Jing jumped and turned around stiffly. Yan Qili, who was wiping his hands, glanced at An Jing.

Even though Bu Po was a heavy sword, the blade was very sharp. It could cut through iron like butter, let alone An Jing’s thin white fingers. This man had soft skin and was very delicate. If he accidentally touched the blade, he would definitely get a cut. Then he would act like a scared rabbit again.

Their eyes met. An Jing paused and pulled back his hand as if nothing had happened. He looked down and took a sip of tea, then calmly walked away.

Yan Qili watched An Jing leave guiltily. His gaze finally landed on the weapon rack, his eyes looking deep. The rack was placed right under a light. Bu Po lay there quietly, giving off a powerful and ancient feeling of war.

When Yan Qili came here, he only had a few things with him. He gave the jade piece to An Jing. The armor he took off was originally stuffed into the closet, but now it finally got the respect a suit of armor deserved. He wondered… if he would ever have the chance to wear it again.

…

On a major short-video app in the country, a video titled “Come Watch a God Dancing with a Sword” suddenly became popular. Tongye Wan posted the video she had secretly taken of Yan Qili online.

As a somewhat famous “fansite sister,” Tongye Wan’s account had many followers. She rarely posted anything besides updates about her favorite stars. When the video first came out, fans came quickly to like and praise it. Halfway through, the fans realized something was wrong—

This body, this face… this isn’t our “Big Brother” star!

While fans were full of questions, Tongye Wan pinned an explanation in the comments: A handsome guy I caught while testing my gear. Posting it so we can all enjoy the view~

The comments were all different:

• That body… I’m literally drooling.
• Caught him by accident? Then didn’t you post it without his permission?
• New gear! Give us more content!
• I don’t know martial arts, but this guy looks so strong!
• Is that face even real? Must be plastic surgery.
• The movements are so smooth. I feel like I’m watching a TV drama!
• So handsome. We need more “wild” content like this!
• That last eye contact… I’m dead! AHHHH!!!!
• Secretary, I want all the info on this person in five minutes!
• I can’t believe you guys are so patient. I need high-res photos on my desk in two minutes!
• I’m already calling him “hubby.”

Aside from a few sensible fans asking if she had the person’s permission, most people were attracted by the person’s looks. They shared and liked the video. In just a few hours, the video’s popularity exploded.

Tongye Wan was a professional fansite sister; views were everything to her. The results after posting the video were better than she imagined. She had a feeling this video would definitely go viral. So, she deleted the comments questioning her secret filming. Then she posted two more videos of her favorite idol. She wanted to use this sudden fame to promote her own idol, whose popularity had been dropping lately.

The view count grew every second. Looking at the data, Tongye Wan felt the excitement of finding a treasure—with this much popularity, if she took a few more videos later… wouldn’t her account become huge?

Baili: [Link]

[Nian Nian, look at this video. Is the guy in the video your “lover brother”?]

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