My Online Date is My Roommate - Chapter 18

Interrupted by the professional course matters, Jiang Mingbo got busy complaining to Wu Shuang about the end of the term. He completely forgot to switch back to his alt account. He was too preoccupied with the fact that he was in a group with Fei Wenxu and couldn’t let the guy find any fault with him; he had to handle his allocated workload perfectly.

Fei Wenxu was leaning back in his chair when his WeChat suddenly pinged. He quickly picked up his phone and unlocked it, only to find that Jiang Mingbo had created a temporary group chat.

Jianghu Daydream: [Beep] Post any future notifications in this group. RR: Got it, got it. Tianxia Wushuang: Life is finally looking up! I actually managed to get into Great Master Fei’s group. This final project is as good as done! Fish: You’re too kind.

Jiang Mingbo stared at the messages without saying a word, cursed Wu Shuang internally for being heartless. He’s supposed to be my buddy, yet his head is only filled with that Fei Wenxu guy.

How annoying!

He looked at Fei Wenxu’s profile picture a wine bottle against a blue background. It was just like the man himself: pretentious and boring. Jiang Mingbo rolled his eyes and huffed as he exited the interface. Sooner or later, I’m going to make that guy lose his smile.

Without hesitation, he logged out of his main WeChat and into his alt. Several messages immediately popped up.

Fish: Why did you go offline? Fish: We haven’t finished the dailies. Is your connection bad?

Ten minutes later…

Fish: Are you truly unhappy? Fish: Don’t be so petty…

Another ten minutes later…

Fish: Alright, stop being upset. Fish: [WeChat Transfer]

Staring at the WeChat chat interface which still hadn’t received a single reply, Fei Wenxu frowned. He switched screens to a high-heat post on another app titled: “What to do if your ‘ambiguous’ partner is angry? Send money!” He even felt like leaving a comment warning others that this was a scam post; it clearly wasn’t working.

Then he saw a comment below that echoed his feelings:

Mid-Lane-Snatched: Brothers, don’t believe him. It doesn’t work at all. She told me to get lost! Marshmallow (Reply to Mid-Lane-Snatched): You just didn’t give enough. Otherwise, it’s impossible for it to not work.

Fei Wenxu silently turned off his phone. It wasn’t that he didn’t know where his advantages lay, and he certainly wasn’t short on cash. He stared at Little Fishy’s avatar. But why do I have to coax someone?

Fish: [WeChat Transfer]

Jiang Mingbo looked at the amount and suppressed his itching palms. No! This amount is high enough to count as fraud… I don’t want to sing “Iron Window Tears” in prison just yet…

Swallowing hard, Jiang Mingbo suppressed the fluttering thoughts in his heart. A person should rely on their own hard work. Someone with backbone shouldn’t want things they haven’t earned.

Then he blinked, staring at two more transfer messages that popped up. He abruptly turned off his phone and closed his eyes. Vile rich people! I’m going all out against this idiot Fei Wenxu!

Then his head throbbed. Why is he sending money one after another? If the red envelope from before could be categorized as him just splashing a bit of water around, these transfers were clearly different. What kind of person splashes water with that many zeros?

Could it be that Fei Wenxu is actually hooked?

At the thought, Jiang Mingbo couldn’t sit still. He scrambled up from his bed, wanting to laugh out loud at the ceiling. He had to see what kind of expression this idiot had right now!

He climbed down from his bed and sat in his chair. He pretended to look through his things, then turned toward Fei Wenxu. “Fish, can I borrow your textbook for our major?”

Hearing this, Fei Wenxu was a bit puzzled. He gave the other a cold glance, wondering if he was up to no good. Why would he suddenly want to borrow a textbook?

Seeing the man’s less-than-pleasant expression, Jiang Mingbo almost lost it and laughed on the spot. Usually, the guy had a casual “everything-is-under-control” look. Seeing Fei Wenxu frustrated felt even better than getting first place on an exam.

Before Fei Wenxu could react, Jiang Mingbo raised an eyebrow. “Oh, never mind! I found mine!”

He grabbed his textbook, scurried back up to his bed in two or three steps, and pulled his curtains shut tight.

Fei Wenxu watched Jiang Mingbo blow in like a gust of wind and vanish just as quickly, feeling completely baffled.

Jiang Mingbo tossed the book aside and pulled out his phone. Staring at the transfer messages, he buried his face in his pillow to keep from making a sound, thinking about the man’s wary expression.

Fei Wenxu, oh Fei Wenxu. You look down on me, don’t you? But online, aren’t you just as dazed and infatuated?

Jiang Mingbo laughed silently for two minutes before finally taking a deep breath and pulling himself together. He sent a few emojis.

Little Fishy: What are you doing? Little Fishy: My roommate just went through a breakup, so I was busy comforting her. Little Fishy: Why are you sending me money? Little Fishy: [Scratching-head.jpg]

Jiang Mingbo played the “clueless” card perfectly. Today, he was determined to drive Fei Wenxu into a corner.

Fish: […] Fish: It’s nothing.

Jiang Mingbo sneered. Nothing? Your face is as black as the soot on a pot, and you say it’s nothing? Hilarious.

Little Fishy: Ah? Is that so… I thought you were scared. Fish: Scared of what? Little Fishy: Scared that I’d stop talking to you. Little Fishy: [Innocent.jpg]

Fei Wenxu paused as he was about to reply. He looked down. He had been worried about exactly that.

Little Fishy: Cat got your tongue? Fish: Yes.

Jiang Mingbo’s prepared speech died in his throat. He had intended to tease the guy some more and then use the chance to confess saying something like “I’ve started liking you too during this time, can we try dating?” but he was cut off by Fei Wenxu’s simple “Yes.”

What’s the situation?

Fish: Actually, this is a bit rushed. I should have told you in person, but since we’re on the subject, I won’t keep beating around the bush. There’s no point in hiding it. Fish: I sent the money because I was afraid you’d ignore me. Fish: As for why I’m afraid you’d ignore me, I think the answer is quite simple. Fish: I like you.

Fei Wenxu wasn’t the type to procrastinate. Since childhood, his education taught him to be purposeful to strike directly for what he wanted. Luckily, his luck was good, and the results usually went his way.

Jiang Mingbo blinked. No, why is he stealing my lines? He had planned to sell a whole wave of “cute and pitiful.”

Little Fishy: Huh? Fish: I like you. I know confessing over WeChat is a bit shoddy, but to avoid a situation like today’s from happening again, I don’t want to keep being ambiguous. I think it’s necessary to tell you now. Fish: If you agree, I can come to your major tomorrow to find you and say it properly. A confession should be more formal. Will you go out with me?

The progress bar was moving like its tail was on fire. Jiang Mingbo had a stomach full of bad ideas with no chance to use them. He was desperate to mess with Fei Wenxu, but how did the initiative suddenly end up in the other’s hands?

This isn’t how the script is supposed to go…

Fish: Scared you?

Jiang Mingbo’s mouth twitched. No kidding, you idiot. You said everything; what’s left for me to say?

Little Fishy: I have a very good impression of you too, but isn’t this a bit rushed?

Fei Wenxu let out a sigh of relief and continued typing.

Fish: That’s why I think we should get to know each other properly. I’ll come find you at your major tomorrow; we need to talk in person. I haven’t had the chance to learn about you yet. What is your major?

Jiang Mingbo gasped. Crap, what is my major? One lie requires countless others to cover it. He had said so much nonsense lately that he couldn’t even remember if he had fabricated a major for Little Fishy…

Jiang Mingbo scrambled to reply: Don’t! Not so fast. Why don’t we try dating online first? If we’re sure we’re a good match and the time is right, then we’ll meet.

Heh heh. The “right time” will be when you get dumped, you idiot. Jiang Mingbo maliciously calculated in his head.

Little Fishy: Do you think that’s okay? Little Fishy: [Peeking.jpg]

Fei Wenxu didn’t hesitate. If that was what she wanted, he didn’t mind getting to know each other first.

Fish: My name is Fei Wenxu. I’m a Computer Science major, 20 years old. Little Fishy: Stop, stop! Why are you suddenly reporting your life story?!

Fei Wenxu frowned. Didn’t she say we should date online first? You can’t date without even knowing each other’s names, can you?

Fish: I was afraid you wouldn’t know your own boyfriend’s information.

Jiang Mingbo’s jaw dropped. He felt like the guy was talking dirty he was afraid the next second the man would report the measurements of his “third leg.”

Little Fishy: We’ll meet in the future. Fish: Okay.

Jiang Mingbo suddenly felt a bit awkward. Even though half his goal had been achieved, why did he find himself with nothing to say?

Little Fishy: So what are we now? Fish: Boyfriend and girlfriend.

Jiang Mingbo’s brow furrowed tightly. How did the situation get out of my control? According to his script, shouldn’t he have been the one pushing step-by-step, eventually forcing Fei Wenxu to admit he liked him? Then he should have been the one busy flirting, and Fei Wenxu should have been the one being teased.

Why had the roles of offense and defense swapped?

Fish: Then, may I ask my girlfriend, are we still running the dailies today?

Jiang Mingbo got goosebumps all over. Is this idiot sick?

Little Fishy: Of course we’re running them. Let’s go, boyfriend. It’s time for you to be useful.

No, I have to take back the lead. I’m the one who’s supposed to be in control.

Logging back into the game, the three rounds of the Flying Flower Order had ended. The [Chitang] guild had undeniably taken the top spot. Everyone was boasting in the guild channel.

Guild [Piggy Needs to Lose Weight]: At a critical time like this, I’m the only one who can save the day. Guild [Small Foam]: Piggy-sister is mighty! Guild [RR]: Piggy-sister is mighty! Guild [My Sword is Very Sharp]: Piggy-sister is mighty! Guild [Little Fishy]: Piggy-sister is mighty!

While Fei Wenxu was running the dailies, Jiang Mingbo set his character to “follow” the team and jumped straight into the guild chat.

Guild [Small Foam]: Aiyo, Fishy, you finally spoke up. I thought you were too angry to function. Guild [Little Fishy]: Hehe, I’m not angry anymore.

Jiang Mingbo intended to show off. He wanted everyone around Fei Wenxu to know the man was dating, so that when he dumped this idiot, it would be common knowledge.

Guild [Piggy Needs to Lose Weight]: Hmm? Why do I feel like there’s more to those words? Guild [RR]: More to those words?

Tan Rui, having been nudged, turned and asked, “Brother Fish, what did Little Fishy mean by that?”

Fei Wenxu glanced at the commotion on Jiang Mingbo’s side and realized he had forgotten another problem: Jiang Mingbo knew that girl.

But in an instant, he decided it didn’t matter. What did it matter if he knew her? The other guy had no taste; he and Little Fishy were together openly and honestly. There was no need to care about others’ opinions.

Meanwhile, on the bed, Jiang Mingbo even held his breath. He strained his ears to catch Fei Wenxu’s answer, wanting to see if the guy was just playing around or if he was serious.

Fei Wenxu’s tone sounded calm. “I’m dating her.”

Tan Rui: “Ah!”

His voice was so loud it made the ceiling vibrate. You couldn’t blame him for being shocked; after all, anyone looking at Fei Wenxu wouldn’t think he was the type to date online. Countless beautiful girls were chasing him, yet this guy turned around and said he was doing a “Platonic” thing with someone he couldn’t even see. Wasn’t that a joke?

Jiang Mingbo used the momentum to stick his head out of his curtains. “Tan Rui, do you want to die? You scared my headphones right off!”

Yu Xuan also stared at him with a look of confusion.

Tan Rui pointed at Fei Wenxu, his finger trembling. “No… did you guys hear that? Brother Fish said he’s in a relationship…”

Yu Xuan: “Huh?”

Jiang Mingbo played along. “Congrats. What class is she in?”

Tan Rui: “Bo-er, you guessed wrong. It’s online! It’s an online relationship! Online!”

Jiang Mingbo continued acting. “Ah?”

Fei Wenxu: “Not exactly. she’s at our school.”

Tan Rui: “Holy crap, are you for real? Little Fishy is at our school? What major? What class? No, Fish, you’re being unethical! You didn’t even share this with your brothers?”

Fei Wenxu shot a quick glance at Jiang Mingbo, seeing nothing unusual on his face. He continued, “There will be a chance. I’ll introduce you later.”

He spoke very calmly, as if he were absolutely certain.

Tan Rui and Yu Xuan didn’t doubt the truth of his words for a second. After all, Fei Wenxu never exaggerated; if he said he’d bring her for a meeting, he definitely would. They simply felt that, given Fei Wenxu’s conditions, as long as he didn’t initiate the breakup, how could his partner ever bear to leave?

From beginning to end, Jiang Mingbo’s reaction was too calm. Fei Wenxu began to wonder had the guy already forgotten who Little Fishy was?

He opened WeChat and looked at Little Fishy’s profile picture, then at other chat records with classmates whose names were properly noted.

Fei Wenxu shook his head with a smile. He suddenly recalled a famous quote: “Love makes people lose their intelligence.”

Jiang Mingbo and that girl knew each other, so they must have known each other’s names and had each other’s contacts noted down. He had only been chatting with Little Fishy online and didn’t even know her real name yet; it was only natural that Jiang Mingbo didn’t make the connection.

The others teased Fei Wenxu for a bit longer, especially Tan Rui, who was both jealous and curious to hear more, but Fei Wenxu parried them all.

Jiang Mingbo lay back down. The blisters on his back had started to scab, and while there was still a slight pain, he didn’t mind it at all. He grinned like a fool.

Just you wait, Fei Wenxu. This is only the beginning.