Chapter 278 - A LITTLE BIT OF SADNESS
[DISCOVER the identity of the black dragon and unlock the truth. Satisfy his request and only incredible rewards are waiting for you. But remember, dragons are proud creatures. So, tread very, very carefully.]
After the Gamekeeper said that, he made an elegant bow and disappeared.
Luo Yan didn't care much about what the Gamekeeper said. He was still about the possibility that the Gamekeeper was modeled after Shen Ji Yun. Which was not really impossible. After all, his uncle was the one who created Arcadia. He couldn't suppress his curiosity any longer and asked, "Was the Gamekeeper modeled after you?"
Shen Ji Yun was slightly surprised after hearing such a question. He thought that Luo Yan would talk to him about the hidden task that they just triggered. Who would have thought that he would instead ask this question?
"It's just that, Brother Ji Yun look a bit like him," Luo Yan continued.
When he first saw the Gamekeeper, there was this nagging feeling inside his head telling him that he looked familiar. He just didn't think too much because the other was just an NPC. And during that time, he was still not familiar with Shen Ji Yun. They only met once, during the graduation of his older brother. The only thing he remembered was the guy's blue eyes. And because the Gamekeeper rarely appeared, even after he and Shen Ji Yun got close, this problem never crossed his mind again. That was until today.
He looked at Shen Ji Yun and added, "So, were you?"
Shen Ji Yun gazed down at Luo Yan. Of course, he noticed the glint of curiosity in those pair of blue eyes. Truthfully, he didn't really want to answer this question. Because it's embarrassing. But he knew if he didn't, Luo Yan would just be more curious. Maybe the other would just ask Bai Ze about it. That would be much more embarrassing.
He sighed helplessly and answered, "Yes."
The reason behind it was because his uncle missed the period when Shen Ji Yun was still a little milk ball. He was 10 when his Uncle started planning the VR version of the game. His cold temperament had already seeped through his bones then. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't make much expression. Mainly because there was barely anything that could move him. Whether it's sadness, anger, or happiness, he was all numbed to it. He could barely consider himself as a normal child.
His uncle probably felt sad seeing him slowly lose his emotion. So, he designed the Gamekeeper with a subconscious wish that Shen Ji Yun could also return to his former cheerful self. Unexpectedly, 10 years had already passed and nothing much had changed since then. His life was still nothing but gray with the occasional flicker of color.
No. Something did change. He glanced at Luo Yan. He fell in love with this person. Bringing bright and magnificent colors back to his life.
"Your uncle must really love you," Luo Yan commented with a smile.
The corner of Shen Ji Yun's lips curved up a bit. "Yes. He's like a second father to me."
Seeing that small smile, Luo Yan felt happy. And at the same time, he also felt relieved. He knew that Shen Ji Yun's family life was probably not that normal. If it was, then he should have been living with her mother in Country Y instead of here. Knowing that he was still being taken care of thoughtfully by an elder, despite the not so normal circumstance he was living in, made Luo Yan really happy.
He knew how it was like to grow up thinking that he could not rely on anyone. He couldn't even fully trust the director of the orphanage he was in. Mainly because he wasn't really treating the other with the full sincerity of his heart. Only after he died did he found out that the director truly cared for him. If only he wasn't so guarded, maybe his childhood would have a tinge of happiness in it.
So, he was glad that Shen Ji Yun didn't take the same route as him. It could be seen from his simple answer that he trusted his uncle and loved him as a father. So, even without his parents around, he was still able to feel that familial warmth. That's certainly better than nothing.
Thinking of the familial love he so wanted to have during his first life, he couldn't help but feel a little bit of sadness. After all, that was like a reminder of how early he lost his parents. Although, frankly speaking, he could barely remember their face now. He could still remember the joy he felt when he was with them.
He was still wrapped up in those sad emotions that he was startled when his cheek was suddenly pinched. He raised his head and looked at the culprit.
Shen Ji Yun looked at Luo Yan who was staring at him with eyes as if asking 'what are you doing?'. The reason why he did that was because he noticed the gloom between Luo Yan's eyebrows. He didn't want to see that kind of expression on his rabbit. So, he could only pinch his cheek to take his attention away from whatever it was that's occupying his mind.
He reluctantly let go of the soft cheek he was pinching and asked, "Where did your mind go off to?"
[Mashter, are you feeling sad? Please, don't be sad.] – Eclipse said almost at the same time.
With the voices of the two, Luo Yan suddenly realized that he had been silent for quite a while. He took a deep breath and tried to clear his mind of those sad emotions. He smiled at Shen Ji Yun and said, "Nothing. I just thought of something." Then he said to Eclipse, [Don't worry, your master is not sad.]
[Mashter, you must tell Eclipse whenever you're feeling down. Because Eclipse will be here to cheer you up.]
He ruffled Eclipse's furry head. [You and your sweet mouth.] He turned back again to Shen Ji Yun. "Based on what the Gamekeeper said earlier, this task will definitely no be simple," he said, turning the topic to the hidden task they just triggered.
Before Shen Ji Yun could reply back, the suddenly heard a loud beast-like roar coming from the northern part of the marsh – the location where the black dragon was!